BANCROFT LIBRARY 
 
MAJOR GENERAL SCOTT. 
 

THE 
 
 MEXICAN 
 
 HEROES: 
 
 BEING A COMPLETE 
 
 HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAR, 
 
 EMBRACING ALL THE OPERATIONS UNDER 
 
 GENERALS TAYLOR AND SCOTT, 
 
 WITH A BIOGRAPHY OF THE OFFICERS. 
 
 ALSO, AN ACCOUNT OF THE 
 
 
 
 CONQUEST OF CALIFORNIA AND NEW MEXICO, 
 
 UNDER 
 
 GEN, KEARNEY, COLS, DON1PHAN AND FREMONT, 
 
 TOGETHER WITH 
 
 Numerous Anecdotes of the War, and Personal Adventures 
 of the Officers. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED WITH 
 ACCURATE PORTRAITS AND OTHER BEAUTIFUL ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 PHILADELPHIA: 
 LIPPINCOTT, GRAM BO & CO., 
 
 SUCCESSORS TO 
 
 GRIGG, ELLIOT & CO., 
 
 No. 14, NORTH FOURTH STREET. 
 185( . 
 
+03 
 
 Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1848, by 
 GRIGG, ELLI OT & CO. 
 
 in the clerk's office of the District Court of the United States for the 
 Eastern District of Pennsylvania. 
 
 STEREOTYPED BY J. FAUAN. 
 PKINTED BY T. K. AND P. G. COLLINS. 
 
 (2) 
 
PREFACE. 
 
 IF the Hero of Buena Vista nobly commenced 
 the present war with Mexico, the Hero of Chip- 
 pewa has not less nobly completed the second 
 Conquest of Mexico. General Scott and his splendid 
 army have " won golden opinions of all sorts of 
 men." They have displayed all the best qualities 
 of commanders and soldiers. They have carried 
 on sieges and captured cities which were considered 
 impregnable, with a force apparently hardly adequate 
 for a forlorn hope. They have fought pitched 
 battles and won them, opposing fresh recruits to 
 veteran troops. They have accomplished marches 
 over routes before considered utterly impassible; 
 captured fortresses bristling with cannon, by means 
 of the rifle and bayonet; and planted the star- 
 spangled banner upon the proud " Halls of Monte- 
 
 zuma." 
 
 (iii) 
 
IV PREFACE. 
 
 General Taylor and his noble army having been 
 instrumental in first developing these facts and this 
 principle, during the present war, it becomes an in 
 teresting matter to follow out all their splendid actions 
 in detail, and to learn the real characters of the actors 
 themselves. The following series of lives has been 
 compiled from authentic materials, with a view to 
 satisfy the public curiosity on this important subject. 
 The author has endeavoured to do justice to the 
 officers and men, so far as the materials at his com 
 mand enabled him to accomplish the object ; and he 
 trusts that any errors or inadvertencies which may 
 have involuntarily been committed by him in so 
 serious an undertaking, may have the reader's candid 
 indulgence. 
 
 Philadelphia, Jan. 1, 1848. 
 
CONTENTS. 
 VOLUME I. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR Page 11 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J. WORTH 90 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL 125 
 
 MAJOR RINGGOLD 174 
 
 CAPTAIN WALKER 179 
 
 CAPTAIN M'CULLOCH 196 
 
 COLONEL HAYS 206 
 
 MAJOR TWIGGS 212 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MAY 217 
 
 COLONEL CROSS 222 
 
 COLONEL HARDIN 225 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HENRY CLAY 231 
 
 COLONEL YELL 233 
 
 MAJOR BROWN 235 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM O. BUTLER 238 
 
 LIEUTENANT J. E. BLAKE 243 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WATSON 245 
 
 CAPTAIN R. A. GILLESPIE 249 
 
 CAPTAIN RANDOLPH RIDGELY 251 
 
 1 A 2 (5) 
 
vi CONTENTS. 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BRAGG 253 
 
 MAJOR BLISS, ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL 256 
 
 MAJOR EATON 256 
 
 CAPTAIN GARNETT 257 
 
 COLONEL BELKNAP 257 
 
 COLONEL MUNROE 258 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MANSFIELD 258 
 
 CAPTAIN RAMSAY 259 
 
 CAPTAIN SHERMAN 259 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WHITING 260 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL DUNCAN 261 
 
 CAPTAIN O'BRIEN 261 
 
 COLONEL CROGHAN 264 
 
 CAPTAIN LINCOLN 266 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL GAINES 268 
 
 COLONEL JEFFERSON DAVIS , 271 
 
 CAPTAIN HENRIE 273 
 
 GENERAL TAYLOR'S RECEPTION AT NEW ORLEANS. 275 
 
CONTENTS. 
 VOLUME II. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL SCOTT, COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE AME 
 RICAN ARMY Page 11 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL PILLOW 78 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN 85 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL T WIGGS 106 
 
 GENERAL SMITH 117 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL SHIELDS 125 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL LANE 129 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL CADWALADER 136 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL PIERCE 140 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL PATTERSON 145 
 
 COLONEL HARNEY 149 
 
 COLONEL CHILDS 155 
 
 GENERAL GUSHING r. 159 
 
 COLONEL RILEY 160 
 
 COLONEL BUTLER 161 
 
 MAJOR VINTON 164 
 
 CAPTAIN THORNTON 171 
 
 GENERAL KEARNY , 174 
 
 COLONEL DONIPHAN 181 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FREMONT 204 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JONES 215 
 
 LIEUTENANT CHRISTOPHER CARSON.. . 219 
 
 (5) 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 THE early history of a man, educated amid the wilds of Ken 
 tucky, while that territory was yet in possession of the Indians, 
 must necessarily be a narrative of the most thrilling interest. The 
 first settlers of that state passed through trials which the American 
 of a more modern date can but feebly appreciate. Swarming with 
 tribes of ladians, hostile to the Union and to each other, scenes were 
 there daily enacted of the most appalling character; burnings, 
 scalpings, and massacres, were of nightly occurrence ; and often as 
 the disheartened few of one settlement retired from daily toil, they 
 beheld, far in the distance, the lurid column that announced the 
 ruin of another. 
 
 Unfortunately, the traditional records of this stirring and eventful 
 period have, in the course of ages, died away ; the blasted hopes, 
 the fierce struggles, and tragic fate, of the early settlers, have been 
 buried in the same deep grave with their perpetrators. The Indian 
 and his victim have not only ceased to strive, but have Descended 
 into one common oblivion. 
 
 For this reason, the most rigid investigation has failed to discover 
 much concerning the early life of General Taylor. Even the year 
 of his birth has been a matter of dispute. His father was Mr. 
 Richard Taylor, of whom little is known, except that he was born 
 in Virginia, [March 22d, 1744,] explored Kentucky when a young 
 man, was a colonel in the Revolution, and had five sons and three 
 daughters. His third son, Zachary Taylor, was born [November 
 24th, 1784] in Orange county. In the following summer, Colonel 
 Taylor emigrated to Kentucky, arriving there but ten years after the 
 nrst settlement, and within a short time after his brother Hancock 
 nad been murdered by the Indians. Here he founded his perma 
 nent abode, and here the subject of our biography, received his 
 
 A* (11) 
 
12 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 boyish impressions. The estate was in Jefferson county, two miles 
 from the Ohio river, and five from Lexington. As the latter in 
 creased in size and population, the fortunes and importance of 
 Richard Taylor grew with it. He received from President Wash 
 ington a commission as collector of that port, and was honoured, in 
 many ways, by the neighbouring settlers. 
 
 Zachary Taylor was early placed at school, under the direction 
 of Mr. Elisha Ayres, of Connecticut. After remaining there some 
 years, he adopted the profession of his father, working constantly on 
 the estate, and laying the foundation of that constitution, which has 
 subsequently borne the test of trying duty,;rough fare, and every 
 variety of climate, during a military life of thirty-five years. While 
 in this employment, the movements of Aaron Burr began to excite 
 alarm, and Zachary joined a 'Volunteer company, of his native state, 
 raised to oppose the supposed treasonable designs of that individual. 
 When the excitement had subsided, he returned to the cultivation 
 of the farm, in which occupation he continued until the death of his 
 brother, Lieutenant Taylor. As this person had been in the national 
 service, his death afforded Zachary an opportunity to enter the army. 
 Accordingly, through the influence of friends, among whom was 
 Mr. James Madison, he received a commission as first lieutenant in 
 the 7th U. S. infantry regiment, May 3d, 1808. ',^' 
 
 Being now in a profession which suited the daring aspirations of 
 his genius, Taylor appears to have conducted himself in a manner 
 that gave high hopes of a future brilliant career. He assiduously 
 studied the best treatises on military science ; and during the whole 
 of our dispute with the European powers, previous to the war of 
 1812, he watched its progress with intense interest. To the national 
 difficulties were soon added others, which for a long while threat 
 ened nothing less than the complete extirpation of all the western 
 settlements. These were the league of the border Indians, under 
 Tecumseh and the Prophet, one of the most powerful and well con 
 certed of all the numerous combinations formed by the savages 
 against the United States. 
 
 At this time, General W. H. Harrison was governor of the North 
 western Territory. Having received orders to march into the 
 Indian country, he moved rapidly, with a small army, to the 
 stations designated, erecting forts, at convenient places, on his 
 march. One of these, built on the Wabash, in the very heart of 
 
DEFENCE OF FORT HARRISON. 13 
 
 the Indian country, was provided with two block-houses, stockade 
 works, and a few buildings for stores or magazines. In honour of 
 the governor, it was subsequently called Fort Harrison. Appa 
 rently insignificant as was this small defence, it afterwards laid the 
 foundation of General Taylor's military reputation. 
 
 In 1810, Lieutenant Taylor married ; but was not permitted to 
 sit down in the enjoyment of domestic felicity. Hurried away in 
 the following year to the seat of contention, he left his young wife 
 and child, and for a whole year was prevented from seeing them. 
 For a long while no tidings were heard of him by his family ; and 
 it was believed that he had fallen a victim to his perilous service. 
 So ably, however, did he acquit himself, that in the beginning of 
 1812 he was rewarded with a captain's commission from President 
 Madison. Accompanying the commission was an appointment as 
 commander of Fort Harrison. Very soon after, Congress declared 
 war against Great Britain ; and Taylor was thus thrown into the 
 front of hostile operations. 
 
 Captain Taylor had not been long in his new station, when he 
 perceived unmistakable signs, that his every energy would soon be 
 called into requisition to defend it. On the 3d of September, the 
 report of fire-arms was heard near the fort, in a direction where two 
 young men were making hay. Next day their bodies were found 
 scalped and mangled, a circumstance which left no room to doubt 
 that an attack upon the fort would soon be made. Accordingly, 
 Captain Taylor increased his vigilance, and made every effort for 
 defence compatible with his limited means. Only sixteen men 
 were fit for duty, while more than thirty were disabled by sickness. 
 He himself was debilitated, by recent fever, brought on by exces 
 sive fatigue. Besides these discouraging circumstances, the fort 
 contained several women, wives of the soldiers, who would be 
 greatly exposed in case of attack. 
 
 On the evening of the 4th, a number of Indians arrived before 
 the enclosure, begging provisions, and requesting admittance. The 
 commandant gave them something to eat, but refused to open the 
 fort. Suspecting stratagem, he examined all the arms, served six 
 rounds of ammunition to each man, and made such other disposi 
 tions of his meagre resources, as would enable him to guard against 
 surprise, and sustain an assault., His force was so small, that a 
 sufficient number of sentinels could not be posted to protect the 
 
14 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 whole extent of the outworks, so that the officer of the guard was 
 ordered to make the tour of the inside through the night. 
 
 Overcome by fatigue, the Captain now retired to rest, ordering 
 his soldiers to arouse on the slightest appearance of the enemy. 
 For a little while he was permitted to rest, and no sound interrupted 
 the death-like stillness, save the dull tread of the officer on guard. 
 Suddenly, about midnight, the report of a sentry-gun broke through 
 the air. Taylor sprang from his couch, and rushed into the fort. 
 The Indians were upon them. Scarcely had the sentinels time to 
 save themselves, when a cry of fire rang terribly through the air, 
 and with horror the Captain saw flames leaping out from his lower 
 block-house, the point at which the savages were attacking. Now 
 the fearful truth flashed over his mind they were to choose be 
 tween the fire and the tomahawk. Every soldier became paralyzed ; 
 some dropped their arms, others hurried to and fro in wild disorder, 
 others wept like children. The women ran among them screaming 
 for help ; two men leaped the pickets in despair. The flames com 
 municated with some whiskey, shooting up in blue glaring columns, 
 sparkling and roaring toward heaven. Lit up by the blaze, the 
 faces of the savages seemed like those of demons, while their dim 
 forms, shrouded in fire and smoke, lent an air of indescribable 
 horror to all the scene. The fearful darkness increased the embar 
 rassments of the garrison, since they knew not on what side they 
 might receive another attack. "The raging of the fire," says 
 Taylor himself "the yelling and howling of several hundred In 
 dians the cries of nine women and children, and a desponding of 
 so many men made my feelings very unpleasant." 
 
 But amid all this clamour, the self-possession of the young com 
 mandant never forsook him. Although the Indians had almost 
 gained the fort, and utter destruction appeared inevitable, yet still 
 he possessed so much influence over the men as to restore them to 
 order and duty. " I saw, [says his official report,] by throwing off" 
 part of the roof that joined the block-house that was on fire, and 
 keeping the end perfectly wet, the whole row of buildings might 
 be saved, and leave only an entrance of eighteen or twenty feet for 
 the Indians to enter after the house was consumed ; and that a tem 
 porary breastwork might be formed to prevent their entering even 
 there. I convinced the men that this could be accomplished, and 
 it appeared to inspire them with new life ; and never did men act 
 
DEFENCE OF FORT HARRISON. 15 
 
 with more firmness or desperation. Those that were able (while 
 others kept up a constant fire from the upper block-house and the 
 two bastions) mounted the roofs of the houses, with Dr. Clark at 
 their head, under a shower of balls, and in less than a moment threw 
 off as much of the ioof as was necessary. This was done with one 
 man killed, and two wounded, and I am in hopes neither of them, 
 dangerously. Although the barracks were several times in a blaze, 
 and ajn immense quantity of fire against them, the men used such 
 exertion that they kept it under, and before day raised a temporary 
 breastwork as high as a man's head. Although the Indians con 
 tinued to pour in a heavy fire of ball, and an innumerable quantity 
 of arrows, during the whole time the attack lasted, in every part of 
 the parade, I had but one other man killed, (nor any other wounded 
 inside the fort,) and he lost his life by being too anxious. He got 
 into one of the gullies in the bastions, and fired over the pickets, arid 
 called out to his comrades that he had killed an Indian. Neglecting 
 to stoop down in an instant, he was shot." 
 
 The battle lasted with uninterrupted fury for seven hours. The 
 approach of daylight enabled the Americans to take sure aim at 
 their enemy, who, in consequence, began to suffer severely. About 
 six o'clock the assailants retired from the fort, and furious from their 
 repulse, shot all the horses and hogs within reach, and drove off all 
 the cattle. 
 
 About an hour before daylight one of the deserters returned, and 
 begged for God's sake to be admitted. His voice not being recog 
 nized, he was fired upon ; but on running to another part of the 
 fort, he made himself known to Dr. Clark, and was directed to lie 
 quiet until morning. When admitted, his arm was found broken 
 in a shocking manner, and he 'had been otherwise maltreated by the 
 savages. His companion had been caught and hacked to pieces. 
 The Indians suffered 'severely, but were sufficiently numerous to 
 carry off all their dead. 
 
 The noble defence of Fort Harrison produced the most beneficial 
 effects throughout the western .country. That a handful of men 
 should repulse a host of four hundred assailants, astonished and dis 
 comfited the savages, and materially altered their views and plans, 
 respecting future operations. They had confidently anticipated fol 
 lowing up the destruction of the fort, by an attack upon all the other 
 defences of the Indiana territory, as an exec\4>n of part of the 
 
16 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 scheme entertained by Tecumseh and his brother. Their repulse 
 disconcerted this great design, created divisions among the tribes, 
 and probably saved the settlers from a savage and exterminating 
 warfare. 
 
 Captain Taylor was not allowed to remain unnoticed by govern 
 ment. On his return from an expedition, soon after the 4th of Sep 
 tember, he received a package from government, containing official 
 thanks for his good conduct and services, together with a commission 
 as brevet-major in the United States' service. 
 
 The remainder of the war of 1812, afforded Major Taylor no op 
 portunity for a further display of his talents in a separate command ; 
 and all that is known of his public service between that and the 
 Florida war, may be summed up in a few words. When peace 
 returned, he was unjustly degraded to his former rank of captain ; 
 and feeling the injustice of such a proceeding, he threw up his corn- 
 mission and returned to the bosom of his family. Here he would 
 probably have remained, enjoying the company of those so dear to 
 him, had not his numerous friends exerted themselves strenuously 
 in his behalf. Their efforts were successful, and in 1816 he was 
 restored by President Madison to his former rank. Being ordered 
 to Green Bay, he remained at that station for two years ; after which 
 he returned to his family, spent a year with it, and then joined 
 Colonel Russell at New Orleans. Be remained in the south for 
 several years, during which time he performed various military 
 duties, and built Fort Jesup. In 1819 he was made Lieutenant 
 Colonel, and, in 1826, appointed a member of a Board of officers of 
 the Army and Militia, convened by Secretary Barbour, to consider 
 and propose a system for the organization and improvement of the 
 militia of the United States. Of this board, General Scott was pre 
 sident. Its report was presented to Congress by Lieutenant Colonel 
 Taylor, and approved by that body ; but owing to various causes, a 
 bill, founded upon it, was allowed to remain so long with the com 
 mittee on militia, as to be finally forgotten. In 1832 he was pro 
 moted to the rank of Colonel. Immediately after, he was employed 
 in the expedition against Black Hawk, and signalized himself by his 
 untiring pursuit of the enemy, and by his firmness and address in 
 compelling the volunteers to perform their duty. He was then en- 
 .rusted with the command of Fort Crawford, at Prairie du Chien, 
 where he remaia^ until ordered to Florida. 
 
 This is not tho place to inquire into the causes or merits of the 
 
THE WAR IN FLORIDA. 17 
 
 Seminole war of Florida. It owed its progress, on the part of the 
 Indians, principally to the efforts of Osceola, a chief whose influence 
 was sufficient to drive the Indians through every danger and trial. 
 Prior to the appointment of Taylor, [1837,] the breaking up of the 
 interior settlements, the massacre of the gallant Dade, and the unfor 
 tunate issue of every exertion, had produced a powerful effect 
 throughout the country ; so that at his arrival near the seat of war, 
 dismay, anxiety, and consternation pervaded all classes. Men ap 
 peared paralyzed, and gazed around for some influence to reassure 
 them. It had been confidently anticipated, that the removal of the 
 Serninoles to the west would be unattended with any opposition ; 
 and the waking up of this false dream the baffling of military sci 
 ence and senatorial wisdom the utter defiance of disciplined armies, 
 occasioned much disappointment and surprise. 
 
 To act promptly and successfully in such intricate perplexity, 
 required talents of no ordinary cast ; and Colonel Taylor felt the 
 full responsibility of his new situation. In December he received 
 orders to seek the enemy in every quarter, to give battle, and de 
 stroy or capture his forces ; and in conformity thereto he left Fort 
 Gardner, with about eleven hundred officers and men, and com 
 menced his march for the interior. The ground over which he 
 passed presented all those obstacles which had baffled so many for 
 mer expeditions. A wet and soft soil, matted with rank herbage, 
 which clogged the feet at every step, serving as an impenetrable 
 screen to a lurking foe ; the deep slimy beds, and waters of the 
 streams ; the dense thickets of cypress, palmetto, and the luxuriant 
 undergrowth; these were some of the enemies to be vanquished 
 before the army could reach the Indians. As the latter had antici 
 pated his approach, and were perfectly familiar with the labyrinths 
 and natural fastnesses of their own country, they had retired to one 
 of the strongest and most inaccessible places, and prepared to give 
 him battle. 
 
 On the 25th of December they reached a dense swamp, where 
 the enemy were reported to be in force. Here they halted. A few 
 steps more might bring them within range of a hidden foe ; that 
 foe might be on every side ; and they, about to share the fate of 
 Dade. Yet, led on by Colonel Taylor, no man desponded. The 
 line of battle was formed, and those brave men pushed forward. 
 To charge an exposed foe, requires coolness a^ intrepidity ; to 
 2* 
 
18 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 charge a protected fort is the test of veteran abilities ; but to wade 
 up to the middle in a swamp, where the rank grass is waving over 
 head, and an unseen enemy on every side, implies a degree of courage 
 possessed by few. Yet this duty was cheerfully undertaken by 
 that little army. Forgetting all danger, only eager for action, the 
 troops hurried forward with enthusiasm. Having proceeded about 
 a quarter of a mile, they entered a wide slough, which seemed to 
 forbid all further progress. Abandoning their horses, the troops 
 buried themselves to the neck in the grass, wading through a four 
 feet depth of slime and water. '"v fr 
 
 Suddenly the rustling of grass and plash of water were drowned 
 in the reports of hundreds of rifles. The savages were close be 
 fore them, having reserved their fire until their aim would be cer 
 tain. There was a pause, a shouting of orders, and then the men 
 charged fearlessly on. Then another volley, and one officer after 
 another sunk down pale in the agonies of death. All around was 
 one blaze of fire, and yet no foe appeared. Mowed down by scores, 
 their intrepid leaders bleeding on every side, and no chance of re 
 sisting, the front line faltered, then rolled back and broke. The 
 Indians poured after them, yelling the war-whoop, and hurling one 
 discharge after another on the fugitives, until they met the regular 
 troops. Undismayed by aught around, these heroic men were 
 treading on as coolly as though on parade. Unflinchingly their bosoms 
 met the blasting discharges of the savages, and sunk amid the 
 tangled grass, dyeing the waving blades with their life-blood. Havoc 
 raged among the 6th Infantry to such a degree, that the dark cool 
 water beneath them grew warm and red with their blood, and every 
 man of the foremost ranks was shot down. Their leader, the heroic 
 Thompson, while shouting them on, received a mortal wound. 
 Adjutant Center, Captain Van Swearinger, and Lieutenant Brooke, 
 found graves beside him. Of five companies in the advance, every 
 inferior officer was killed or disabled, and of one, only four men 
 were uninjured. Still the battle shout went up echoing and break 
 ing among those romantic glades still peal after peal of rattling 
 musketry hurled forth the torrents of death and still mangled and 
 groaning, high bosoms sunk among the sedgy reeds, while the life- 
 blood oozed blacker and thicker between the blades. Amid the 
 horrors of that awful hour, Taylor was rushing from rank to rank, 
 exhorting his h^tes to the charge, and thrilling every heart with 
 
BATTLE OF OKEECHOBEE. 19 
 
 enthusiasm. Now the savages broke in disorder ; then they paused, 
 rallied, and rolled back on their pursuers with a fury that appeared 
 irresistible. Again they were broken, again they rallied, till the 
 whole swamp seemed to boil with the rapid movements. Onward, 
 faster and firmer, Taylor led his shouting heroes, bearing down op 
 posing hosts, and sweeping everything before them. The ground 
 was mashed into pools beneath their feet, and the foe were lying in 
 heaps on every side. 
 
 At length the Indians were driven from their position to their 
 camp on the borders of Lake Okeechobee. Here their flank was 
 turned by Lieutenant-Colonel Davenport, and immediately after 
 they delivered a final volley and fled. The pursuit was continued 
 until night. 
 
 The loss of the Americans in this battle was fourteen officers and 
 one hundred and twenty-four men ; that of the Indians was not 
 ascertained. 
 
 To the same master spirit that gained the victory at Fort Har 
 risen, was the nation indebted for this, the most glorious one obtained 
 during the Florida war. His perfect control over the affections of 
 his soldiers, together with his conduct during the battle, secured the 
 victory ; while his tenderness and humanity to the wounded, when 
 the excitement of passion had gone by, were no less conspicuous. 
 "As soon as the enemy were completely broken, [official report of 
 Okeechobee,] I turned my attention to taking care of the wounded, 
 to facilitate their removal to my baggage, where I ordered an en 
 campment to be formed. I directed Captain Taylor to cross over 
 to the spot, and employ 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 the 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 life, and he who could have 
 looked on it with indifference, his nerves must have been differently 
 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 un 
 explored wilderness, without guides, who had so gallantly beaten 
 
20 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 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 con 
 veyed thus far, and proceeded on to Tampa Bay on rude litters con 
 structed with the knife and axe alone, with poles and dry hides 
 the latter being found in great abundance at the encampment of the 
 hostiles. The litters were carried on the backs of our weak and 
 tottering horses, aided by the residue of the command, 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 consequences of the battle of Okeechobee are described by 
 the Colonel himself, as follows ; 
 
 " This column in six weeks penetrated one hundred and fifty 
 miles into the enemy's country, opened roads, and constructed 
 bridges and causeways, 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 posi 
 tion. The results of which movement and battle have been, the 
 capture 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 On-la-too-gee,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 operated, a greater portion of which was entirely un 
 known, except to the enemy." 
 
 In any other country than Florida the battle of Okeechobee would 
 have terminated the war. But the nature of the soil prevented the 
 transportation of the necessary supplies to an army, and the enemy 
 were consequently enabled to recover from the heavy blow and 
 again muster their strength further into the interior. Still this did 
 not lessen the merit of Taylor and his brave associates, nor prevent 
 the due meed of praise bestowed upon them by a grateful country. 
 The thanks of the President were tendered to them through the 
 Secretary of War, and soon after Taylor was promoted to the rank 
 of brevet brigadier-general. In the April following, he was en 
 trusted with the chief command in Florida, General Jesup having 
 
TAYLOR TRANSFERRED TO THE RIO GRANDE. 21 
 
 been permitted to resign. He was instructed as before, to bring on 
 a general action, and in carrying out his instructions had several 
 skirmishes with the Indians, in which small parties were captured 
 or voluntarily surrendered. But they could never again be brought 
 to a general action, and were always ready, after every short season 
 of repose, to renew against the defenceless inhabitants of the fron 
 tier the acts of barbarity which had marked their first hostilities. 
 As the war proceeded, savage cruelty increased. The infant was 
 murdered with its mother as it hung upon her breast. Fathers 
 were shot in the presence of their families, and parents and children 
 were surprised in sleep from which they never awoke. The stealthy 
 red man would break upon the weary labourer, bury the hatchet 
 in his brain, fire his cottage, and depart for ever ; while all night 
 that flame would toss and burn and glare among the wild evergreens, 
 furnishing a picture as of wild fairy land. 
 
 Night after night, through the stillness of nature, General Taylor 
 was forced to gaze upon these scenes with the bitter reflection that 
 he could do nothing to prevent them that although the wretched 
 victims were shrieking and screaming for help, he could afford none. 
 
 In 1840, General Taylor requested permission to retire from 
 Florida, and was succeeded by General Armistead. His resigna 
 tion was not the introduction to tranquil felicity in the bosom of his 
 family. His merits had become known and were appreciated by 
 government, so that he was immediately appointed to the command 
 of the first military department in the south-west, comprehending 
 the states of Alabama, Arkansas, Mississippi, and Louisiana. His 
 head-quarters were at Fort Jesup, from which he was subsequently 
 ordered to Fort Gibson to relieve General Arbuckle. Here he re 
 mained until the commencement of the present Mexican war. 
 
 In May 1845, the general received a confidential letter from the 
 Secretary of War, instructing him to place his troops at such a posi 
 tion as would enable him to defend the Territory of Texas in case 
 of invasion from Mexico. This was immediately after the passage 
 in our Congress of the act constituting the former country a part of 
 the United States an act resented by Mexico not only as a viola 
 tion of the law of nations, but as projected for the sole purpose of 
 depriving her of a large portion of her dominion. A subsequent 
 letter from the war department contained the following additional 
 instructions : 
 
22 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 " Should Mexico assemble a large body of troops on the Rio 
 Grande, and cross it with a considerable force, such a movement 
 must be regarded as an invasion of the United States and the com 
 mencement of hostilities. You will of course use all the authority 
 which has been or may be given you to meet such a state of things. 
 Texas must be protected from hostile invasion, and for that purpose 
 you will of course employ, to the utmost extent, all the means you 
 possess or can command." 
 
 Agreeably to these instructions General Taylor took a position at 
 Corpus Christi, where he remained until March 8th, 1846, when the 
 advance of the army commenced its march for the Rio Grande. On 
 the three ensuing days the brigades of infantry followed. The 
 siege train and a field battery were sent by water to Point Isabel, 
 with a corps of engineers and the officers of ordnance under the 
 command of Major Monroe. At the Arroya Colorado, the troops 
 encountered a body of Mexicans, who seemed disposed to dispute 
 their passage. This, however, was not attempted, and the Ameri 
 cans pushed forward until met by a deputation from Point Isabel, 
 protesting against their march. The result of the conference, to 
 gether with the capture of Point Isabel, are thus described by Ge 
 neral Taylor : 
 
 " Our column was approached by a party on its right flank, bear 
 ing a white flag. It proved to be a civil deputation from Matamoras, 
 desiring an interview with me. I informed them that I would halt 
 at the first suitable place on the road, and afford them the desired 
 interview. It was, however, found necessary, for the want of water, 
 to continue the route to this place. The deputation halted, while 
 yet some miles from Point Isabel, declining to come further, and 
 sent me a formal protest of the prefect of the northern district of 
 Tamaulipas against our occupation of the country. 
 
 "At this moment it was discovered that the buildings at Point 
 Isabel were in flames. I then informed the bearer of the protest, 
 that I should answer it when opposite Matamoras, and dismissed the 
 deputation. I considered the conflagration before my eyes as a de 
 cided evidence of hostility, and was not willing to be trifled with 
 nny longer, particularly as I had reason to believe that the prefect, 
 in making this protest, was but a tool of the military authorities at 
 Matamoras. 
 
 " The advance of the cavalry fortunately arrived here in season to 
 
AMPUDIA'S LETTER. 23 
 
 arrest the fire, which consumed but three or four houses. The port 
 captain who committed the act, under the orders it is said of Gene 
 ral Mejia, had made his escape before its arrival. We found two 
 or three inoffensive Mexicans here, the rest having left for Mata- 
 moras." 
 
 Without receiving further interruption, the army pursued its 
 march, and on the 28th of March planted the national flag on the 
 banks of the Rio Grande, opposite Matamoras. Fortifications were 
 immediately commenced, and soon a fort was erected, furnished with 
 six bastions, and capable of containing two thousand men. On the 
 other side, the Mexicans also commenced batteries and redoubts, 
 both parties assuming the attitude of belligerents. 
 
 CTn the 10th of April, the first American blood was shed by 
 Mexican hostility. The victim was Colonel Cross, deputy quarter 
 master general. According to custom, he rode out in the morning 
 to take exercise, and appears to have been attacked by some law 
 less rancheroes, murdered and stripped. His body was not re 
 covered until the 20th, when it was honoured by a funeral becoming 
 the colonel's rank and character. 
 
 In the early part of the month an ingenious attempt was made 
 by the Mexican general Ampudia, to cause desertion among the 
 foreign-born members of our army, by means of an exciting pam 
 phlet circulated among them. Some desertions took place, but in. 
 general the appeal was treated with scorn and indignation, as every 
 such attempt deserves to be treated. 
 
 General Ampudia arrived in Matamoras on the llth, and accord 
 ing to expectation, entered at once upon active measures for the ex 
 pulsion of the American army from Texas. His letter of April 
 12th, concludes in the following strain : 
 
 " By explicit and definite orders of my government, which neither 
 can, will, nor should receive new outrages, I require you in all form, 
 and at latest in the peremptory term of twenty-four hours, to break 
 up your camp, and retire to the other bank of the Neuces river, 
 while our governments are regulating the pending question in rela 
 tion to Texas. If you insist on remaining upon .he soil of the 
 department of Tamaulipas, it will clearly result that arms and arms 
 alone must decide the question ; and in that case I advise you that 
 we accept the war to which, with so much injustice on your part, 
 you provoke us ; and that, on our part, this war shall be conducted 
 
24 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 conformably to the principles established by the most civilized na 
 tions trusting that on your part the same will be observed." 
 
 In reply to this letter General Taylor reminded Ampudia that he 
 was acting under superior instructions, and consequently could not 
 recede from the position. The fortifications were continued and 
 every precaution made to guard against surprise, and to resist an 
 attack. Soon after, two ships, with supplies for the Mexican army, 
 were forbid entering the river, and the Rio Grande declared in a 
 state of blockade. 
 
 Taylor's letter on this occasion is characteristic. It is as follows : 
 
 HEAD-QUARTERS ARMT OF OCCUPATION, ? 
 Camp near Matamoras, Texas, April 22, 1846. 5 
 
 SIR : I have had the honour to receive your communication of 
 this date, in which you complain of certain measures adopted by 
 my orders to close the mouth of the Rio Bravo against vessels bound 
 to Matamoras, and in which you also advert to the case of two 
 Mexicans supposed to be detained as prisoners in this camp. 
 
 After all that has passed since the American army first approached 
 the Rio Bravo, I am certainly surprised that you should complain 
 of a measure which is no other than a natural result of the state 
 of war so much insisted upon by the Mexican authorities as actu 
 ally existing at this time. You will excuse me for recalling a few 
 circumstances to show that this state of war has not been sought by 
 the American army, but has been forced upon it, and that the exer 
 cise of the rights incident to such a state cannot be made a subject 
 of complaint. 
 
 On breaking up my camp at Corpus Christi, and moving forward 
 with the army under my orders to occupy the left bank of the Rio 
 Bravo, it was my earnest desire to execute my instructions in a 
 pacific manner ; to observe the utmost regard for the personal rights 
 of all citizens residing on the left bank of the river, and to take 
 care that the religion and customs of the people should suffer no 
 violation. With this view, and to quiet the minds of the inhabit 
 ants, I issued orders to the army, enjoining a strict observance of 
 the rights and interests of all Mexicans residing on the river, and 
 caused said orders to be translated into Spanish, and circulated in 
 the several towns on the Bravo. These orders announced the 
 spirit in which we proposed to occupy the country, and I am proud 
 to say that up to this moment the same spirit has controlled the ope 
 rations of the army. On reaching the Arroyo Colorado I was in- 
 
TAYLOR'S LETTER TO AMPUDIA. 25 
 
 formed by a Mexican officer that the order in question had been 
 received in Matamoras ; but was told at the same time that if I 
 attempted to cross the river it would be regarded as a declaration of 
 war. Again, on my march to.Frontone I was met by a deputation 
 of the civil authorities of Matamoras, protesting against my occu 
 pation of a portion of the department of Tamaulipas, and declaring 
 that if the army was not at once withdrawn, war would result. 
 While this communication was in my hands, it was discovered that 
 the village of Frontone had been set on fire and abandoned. I 
 viewed this as a direct act of war, and informed the deputation that 
 their communication would be answered by me when opposite 
 Matamoras, which was done in respectful terms. Oft reaching the 
 river I despatched an officer, high in rank, to convey to the com 
 manding general in Matamoras the expression of my desire for 
 amicable relations, and my willingness to leave open to the use of 
 the citizens of Matamoras the port of Brazos Santiago until the 
 question of boundary should be definitively settled. This officer 
 received for reply, from the officer selected to confer with him, that 
 my advance to the Rio Bravo was considered as a veritable act of 
 war, and he was absolutely refused an interview with the American 
 consul, in itself an act incompatible with a state of peace. 
 
 Notwithstanding these repeated assurances on the part of the 
 Mexican authorities, and notwithstanding the most obviously hostile 
 preparations on the right bank of the river, accompanied by a rigid 
 non-intercourse, I carefully abstained from any act of hostility de 
 termined that the onus of producing an actual state of hostilities 
 should not rest with me. Our relations remained in this state until 
 I had the honour to receive your note of the 12th instant, in which 
 you denounce war as the alternative of my remaining in this posi 
 tion. As I could not, under my instructions, recede from my posi 
 tion, I accepted the alternative you offered me, and made all my 
 dispositions to meet it suitably. But, still willing to adopt milder 
 measures before proceeding to others, I contented myself in the 
 first instance with ordering a blockade of the mouth of the Rio 
 Bravo by the naval forces under my orders a proceeding perfectly 
 consonant with the stale of war so often declared to exist, and which 
 you acknowledge in your note of the 16th instant, relative to the 
 kte Colonel Cross. If this measure seem oppressive, I wish ]t 
 borne in mind that it has been forced upon me by the course yo* 
 3 
 
26 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 have seen fit to adopt. I have reported this blockade to my govern 
 ment, and shall not remove it until I receive instructions to that 
 effect, unless indeed you desire an armistice pending the final set 
 tlement of the question between the governments, or until war shall 
 be formally declared by either, in which case I shall cheerfully 
 open the river. In regard to the consequences you mention as re 
 sulting from a refusal to remove the blockade, I beg you to under 
 stand that I am prepared for them, be they what they may. 
 
 In regard to the particular vessels referred to in your communi 
 cation, I have the honour to advise you that, in pursuance of my 
 orders, two American schooners, bound for Matamoras, were warned 
 off on the 17th instant, when near the mouth of the river, and put 
 to sea, returning probably to New Orleans. They were not seized, 
 or their cargoes disturbed in any way, nor have they been in the 
 harbour of Brazos Santiago to my knowledge. A Mexican 
 schooner, understood to be the " Juniata," was in or off that harbour 
 when my instructions to block the river were issued, but was driven 
 to sea in a gale, since which time I have had no report concerning 
 her. Since the receipt of your communication, I have learned that 
 two persons, sent to the mouth of the river to procure information 
 respecting this vessel, proceeded thence to Brazos Santiago, when 
 they were taken up and detained by the officer in command, until 
 my orders could be received. I shall order their immediate release. 
 A letter from one of them to the Spanish vice-consul is respectfully 
 transmitted herewith. 
 
 In relation to the Mexicans said to have drifted down the river in 
 a boat, and to be prisoners at this time in my camp, I have the 
 pleasure to inform you that no such persons have been taken pri 
 soners or are now detained by my authority. The boat in question 
 was carried down empty by the current of the river, and drifted 
 ashore near one of our pickets and was secured by the guard. 
 Some time afterwards an attempt was made to recover the boat 
 under the cover of the darkness ; the individuals concerned were 
 hailed by the guard, and, failing to answer, were fired upon as a 
 matter of course. What became of them is not known, as no trace 
 of them could be discovered on the following morning. The officer 
 of the Mexican guard directly opposite was informed next day that 
 the boat would be returned on proper application to me, and I have 
 now only to repeat that assurance. 
 
 In conclusion, I take leave to state that I consider the tone of 
 
ATTACK ON CAPTAIN THORNTON. 27 
 
 your communication highly exceptionable, where you stigmatize 
 the movement of the army under my orders as " marked with the 
 seal of universal reprobation." You must be aware that such 
 language is not respectful in itself, either to me or my government ; 
 and while I observe in my own correspondence the courtesy due to 
 your high position, and to the magnitude of the interests with which 
 we are respectively charged, I shall expect the same in return. 
 
 I have the honour to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, 
 
 Z. TAYLOR, 
 Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. /?., Commanding. 
 
 Sr. Gen. D. PEDIK} BE AMPUDIA, Commanding in Matamoras. 
 
 About the 20th of the month, all intercourse between the forces 
 was closed, and reports of the most alarming nature reached the 
 American camp. These were, that the Mexicans were crossing the 
 river to the number of three thousand, and spreading themselves 
 between General Taylor's position and Point Isabel, his principal 
 depot. The alternative was now presented of being cooped up 
 with a scarcity of provisions, or of being obliged to cut his way 
 through overwhelming numbers to Point Isabel. In order, however, 
 to be assured of the information on which he was acting, he deter 
 mined to detach parties above and below the fort, for the purpose 
 of discovering the position and designs of the enemy. The fate of 
 one of these parties deserves notice. It consisted of about sixty men 
 under the command of Captain Thornton. They proceeded up the 
 river for about twenty-five miles, when the Mexican guide halted, 
 affirming that a large party of the enemy were in advance, and that 
 he would proceed no further. Disbelieving this statement, the 
 captain again moved forward until he reached a farm-house, the 
 garden of which was surrounded by a chapparal hedge. After en 
 tering the enclosure, he left his men near the entrance, and rode 
 forward with a few attendants to speak with the inmates. In this 
 divided state of his little command, he suddenly perceived the 
 chapparal was swarming with armed Mexicans, who, in a few 
 moments, were pouring forth volleys of musketry. Shouting to his 
 men to charge the chapparal, he dashed forward, reined his horse 
 for a moment, and then sprung completely over the hedge. In the 
 act of leaping, his horse received a musket-ball, but he succeeded 
 in penetrating the enemy's line, and got out of sight. In passing 
 some rocks his horse fell, carrying him along with it, alter which 
 
28 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 he continued his escape on foot. He was finally captured, however, 
 and carried into Matamoras, his party sharing the same fate. 
 
 After this affair, the Mexicans crossed the river in great numbers, 
 cutting off the intercourse between the two American stations, and 
 gradually surrounding the river fort. For three days its little gar 
 rison were in a condition of gloom and racking suspense, more ter 
 rible than the most fearful reality. Then Captain Walker of the 
 Texan Rangers arrived, with the cheering intelligence that all was 
 still safe at Point Isabel. Yet the danger which menaced that 
 place, was too imminent to admit delay in relieving it; and Taylor, 
 therefore, resolved on marching there immediately with his whole 
 force, except a small garrison sufficient to defend the river fort. 
 
 On the 1st of May, 1846, General Taylor left the Rio Grande, 
 and marched for Point Isabel. His " retreat" was hailed in Mata 
 moras by the ringing of bells, explosion of fire-arms, and every 
 other manifestation of joy. General Arista, the commandant in the 
 city, commenced extensive operations for the destruction of4he gar 
 rison under Major Brown. On the 3d, a battery opened upon the 
 fort, and kept up a brisk fire for some time, but was finally silenced. 
 The next day Captain Walker arrived from General Taylor, to as 
 certain the effect of the cannonade which had been heard at Point 
 Isabel. At his departure the firing was renewed, and various par 
 ties appeared on the plains as though preparing for a charge. Major 
 Brown now found that his six-pounders, owing to the distance, did 
 little execution, and wishing to husband his ammunition and the 
 strength of his men, the enemy's fire was not returned. 
 
 On the morning of the 5th, a battery was discovered in the rear 
 of the fort, which had been erected by a large body of the enemy 
 during the night. It opened a severe fire, and at the same time a 
 tremendous discharge of shell and shot was maintained from the 
 guns in Matamoras. These being within range of the fort, were 
 answered by its guns, and an incessant cannonading was kept up 
 until the afternoon of the 8th. On the 6th the gallant Brown was 
 mortally wounded by a cannon-ball, and the command devolved upon 
 Captain Hawkins. He had scarcely entered upon his new station, 
 when a summons to surrender reached him from General Arista. 
 This was declined, and the assailants renewed their attack with 
 increased vigour. At mid-day on the 8th, the thunder of the Mexi 
 can batteries suddenly stopped. Two hours passed, and other guns 
 
BATTLE OF PALO ALTO. 29 
 
 were heard, sending their rapid echoes afar from the north-east. To 
 the exhausted garrison there was sympathy and succour in those 
 deep and distant sounds. A shout of joy and hope went up from 
 the fort. 
 
 General Taylor reached Point Isahel without interruption, and 
 until the evening of the 7th, listened with deep emotion to the dull 
 booming of cannon, that told of the danger of those gallant spirits he 
 had left behind. The safe return of Captain Walker from his peril 
 ous journey, brought the cheering news that the garrison were still 
 enthusiastic in their defence ; and he accordingly took time to com 
 plete all necessary arrangements before setting out to return. All 
 things being satisfactorily adjusted, he set out on the evening of the 
 7th, with twenty-three hundred men, on his return. After march 
 ing about seven miles, he halted and passed the night. The march 
 was resumed on the following morning, and continued until noon, 
 when scouts brought the intelligence that the enemy were drawn 
 up in force, directly across the road. The period so long expected 
 by the soldiers had now arrived ; and each was soon to test his 
 firmness and daring amid the horrors of a battle. The fatigue of 
 their journey, the exhaustion from thirst were forgotten ; and one 
 simultaneous acceleration in the march, manifested the eagerness to 
 engage. Onward they moved in compact column, until the long 
 lines of the foe, faintly glittering in the distance, broke upon the 
 sight. 
 
 Here the coolness and self-possession of General Taylor were 
 most admirably displayed. The troops were upon a wide level 
 field, bounded in front by rows of dwarfish trees, which the Mexi 
 cans denominate Palo Alto. In front of this the Mexican army was 
 drawn up in battle array, directly across the road ; while on the 
 flanks of both armies were small pools of cold, transparent water. 
 As soon as the enemy were observed, the General halted his men, 
 and ordered them to fill their canteens with fresh water. An hour's 
 rest was then permitted, after which the advance was resumed. 
 
 The order of battle was then formed as follows : The right wing 
 under Colonel Twiggs was composed of the 5th infantry, under 
 Colonel Mclntosh ; Ringgold's artillery ; 3d infantry, under Captain 
 Morris ; two eighteen-pounders, under Lieutenant Churchill ; 4th 
 infantry, under Major Allen ; two squadrons of dragoons, under 
 Captains Ker and May. The left wing, under Colonel Belknap, 
 3* 
 
30 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 was formed of a battalion of artillery, under Colonel Childs ; Dun 
 can's light artillery; and the 8th infantry, under Captain Mont 
 gomery. 
 
 While the army were being arranged, Lieutenant Blake suddenly 
 rode forward to within one hundred and fifty yards of the enemy, 
 dismounted, carefully reconnoitred their position, then remounting, 
 slowly rode along their whole line, and returned to report the result 
 to General Taylor. A feat so daring filled both armies with admi 
 ration. 
 
 The march recommenced. The firm tread of the soldiers 
 gave no echo amid the matted grass of the prairie ; and the deep 
 silence of their onward progress seemed in harmony with the dread 
 ful business to which they were moving. But that stillness was 
 soon broken. When within seven hundred yards of the Mexican 
 force, its right opened with a tremendous discharge of artillery. 
 Then General Taylor was seen hurrying along his van, deploying 
 it into line, and exhorting the soldiers to be firm. Order was given 
 to return the fire, and immediately all other sounds were drowned 
 in the fearful roar of artillery. Resigning the battle to this terrible 
 engine, the infantry and rifle corps leaned upon their pieces, and 
 watched the opposing columns as they swayed to and fro under the 
 constant fire. At every discharge, whole ranks of the enemy 
 were mowed down, and scores of horses and horsemen flung into 
 one undistinguished mass. 
 
 Unable to sustain their heavy losses, the Mexican infantry began 
 to give way, when General Arista ordered a charge with the cavalry. 
 Pouring down in two columns, the lancers came toward the Ameri 
 can line, with a grace and rapidity peculiar to the Mexicans. 
 But before they reached their object, Ridgely and Ringgold opened 
 the artillery. At the first blast they staggered again and again, 
 with stern energy, the cannon broke forth ; huge gaps opened 
 among the horsemen, and scores sunk down beneath the tramp of 
 their companions. Fear succeeded to enthusiasm. Every exertion 
 withered before the dreadful prospect around. They turned and 
 fled precipitately, leaving behind them at every step victims to the 
 iron storm that pursued them. The loss of the Americans was 
 small, but it included the brave Major Ringgold. 
 
 The battle now became general, and raged for a short time with 
 fearful destruction. Suddenly, by a discharge from one of Captain 
 
BATTLE OF RESACA DE LA PALMA. 31 
 
 Duncan's pieces, the long prairie grass was ignited, rolling up 
 volumes of smoke in heavy masses, which, for awhile, blotted out 
 the light of day. The battle now ceased, and favoured by the ob 
 scurity, both armies formed a new line. Two thousand of the 
 Mexicans moved around to attack the unprotected train of the Ame 
 ricans, when, fortunately for the latter, a light breeze dispersed the 
 smoke, and revealed the movement. Captain Duncan rapidly gal- 
 lopped against them, and when the air became clear, opened upon 
 the astonished enemy a fire that arrested in a moment their progress. 
 The Mexican infantry retired to some neighbouring chapparal, but 
 the lancers stood firm before a fire which cut deep gaps in their 
 solid masses. Having re-formed, their infantry again advanced from 
 the wood, and moved steadily in the very face of the storm from 
 which they had formerly fled. But the effort was vain ; at every 
 discharge death rioted madly among them, and soon they were fly 
 ing in utter confusion. The cavalry bore up but a moment longer, 
 and then turned also. Night settled around the victor and the 
 vanquished, forbidding continued pursuit. Six hundred Mexicans, 
 dead and wounded, lay on that battle-field ; the loss of the Ameri 
 cans was but nine killed and forty-four wounded. 
 
 On the morning of the 9th, the Mexicans were dimly seen in the 
 distance retreating through the chapparal ; and anticipating another 
 battle before reaching the Rio Grande, General Taylor strongly 
 parked his train, formed a new line, and advanced in battle array. 
 In order to guard against surprise, he had thrown forward a small 
 advance, under Captain McCall, to ascertain the enemy's force and 
 position. About three o'clock reports of musketry were heard, and 
 soon after the general was informed that the Mexicans were posted 
 in force near the road. 
 
 The position which the Mexicans had selected was most admira 
 bly adapted to defensive action. A strip of open land interrupts 
 the thick chapparal, and through this open space is a deep ravine, 
 crossed by the Matamoras road. The ravine is about four feet deep, 
 and from one to two hundred wide. In rainy seasons its bed forms 
 a series of pools which subside in dry weather, and hence the name 
 Resaca de la Palma. In this natural ditch, and amid the dense 
 thicket on its banks, the Mexicans were entrenched, with their artil 
 lery in such a position as completely to sweep the road. 
 
 The battle of Resaca de la Palma, like that of the former day, 
 
32 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 was brought on by the artillery. Ridgely pushed his guns to with 
 in one hundred yards of the enemy, and at that fearful proximity 
 showers of iron hail flew thick and fast against opposing bosoms. 
 At the same time the infantry was pressing forward, and soon the 
 rattling of musketry joined to the roar of cannon. For awhile the 
 struggle was dreadful ; Mexico seemed determined to recover her 
 lost honour; and heedless of the numbers that fell crushed and 
 bleeding around, her brave sons poured forth their rapid volleys in 
 fierce succession. At length they began slowly to retire, their. fire 
 slackened, and finally they crossed the ravine and took shelter in 
 the chapparal. With shouts that rose over the noise of artillery, 
 the Americans rushed on to complete the victory by a charge with 
 the bayonet. But the ravine was guarded with artillery ; and the 
 brave men who stood by the batteries, as though feeling that the 
 decision of fate hung with them, fought in a manner hitherto un 
 known in the history of Mexico. The effect upon the American 
 lines was dreadful ; and so effectually was the pursuit stopped, that 
 the flying cavalry rallied and prepared for a charge, while the in 
 fantry re-formed and commenced anew their fire. 
 
 Perceiving that nothing could be accomplished until these guns 
 were silenced, General Taylor ordered Captain May to charge them 
 with his dragoons. May shouted to his men, and the next instant 
 they were dashing headlong down the narrow road toward the can 
 nons' mouths. Pausing till Ridgely drew the enemy's fire, they 
 again drove on, and almost before the eye had time to trace their 
 course, they were within a few yards of the fatal guns. May's 
 horse was far ahead of his troop ; and as he turned to wave them 
 on, only the impetuous Inge was near him. Yet that squadron 
 were not faltering. Fast as their straining steeds could fly, they 
 were hastening on, while the flinty ground rocked and echoed be 
 neath their tread. Suddenly a volley from the higher battery swept 
 fearfully upon their column, crushing seven men and eighteen 
 horses to the earth. But the living paused not. One leap, and 
 May was upon the battery. His men followed, and the Mexicans 
 were driven back. But the heroic la Vega rallied them to the 
 charge, and once more seized the pieces. Thus charge after charge 
 was made until only the Mexican general was left at his guns. 
 Surrounded with piles of dead, grim with powder and smoke, he 
 tailed his troops to duty, and faced his fierce enemies unmoved. 
 
ROUT OF THE MEXICANS. 33 
 
 In the act of discharging a piece, May ordered him to surrender, 
 and finding further resistance vain he complied. 
 
 But the struggle was not yet over. The battalion of Tampico, 
 charged forward to regain their artillery, and at the same time the 
 contest was sustained along the ravine with stubborn bravery. The 
 chapparal presented greater obstacles to the progress of the Ameri 
 cans than the enemy's cannon. From these natural walls the 
 enemy poured a deadly fire, and in the wild struggle to take 
 them the artillery mutually ceased. Friend and foe were clutched 
 in desperate disorder along the thickets, and in the open spaces to 
 which the Mexicans were driven. Worthily they strove to recover 
 their lost position. The camp and head-quarters of Arista had 
 been taken, and the rout of his troops was becoming general. But 
 one solitary banner still defied the onset of the victors that of the 
 f ampico battalion, which had never yielded on any other field. 
 Against fate and hope those brave spirits fought on until all were 
 cut down. The standard-bearer, resolving to save his honoured 
 charge, tore it from the staff and fled. But ridden down by the 
 dragoons, he was made prisoner, and his flag, the noblest trophy of 
 the field, borne away. During the struggle the artillery had ad 
 vanced, and at last, while the Mexicans were fleeing in every 
 direction, it opened upon them with terrible effect. J 9' r> " 
 
 In this battle seventeen hundred Americans were opposed to six 
 thousand Mexicans. So total was the rout, that everything in camp 
 was captured. The correspondence of the commander, General 
 Arista, his plate and private property, the provisions, arms, ammu 
 nition, standards, pack-saddles, and every equipment of six thousand 
 men and two thousand horses, save what they wore, fell into the 
 hands of the victors. The American loss was one hundred and 
 ten ; that of the Mexicans, probably one thousand. 
 
 Thus another victory was won, and evening separated the in 
 furiated combatants ; but its dark shades closed over hundreds of 
 wounded, dying and dead, pale and stiff, or howling in the agonies 
 of mortality. In the panic of flight, self-preservation had been the 
 only thought of each individual. The bleeding, the exhausted, 
 were borne down and forsaken by the sound and strong ; infantry 
 were trampled by cavalry ; and the multitude fleeing from their foes 
 found neither help nor comfort from their friends. The thickets 
 and hollows, distant from the scene of strife, long afterwards told 
 
34 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 the story of many a wearied soldier, who had struggled to some 
 secluded spot, there to bleed and thirst, and faint and die in linger 
 ing agony. 
 
 The return of General Taylor to his fort opposite Matamoras, 
 was hailed by the wearied garrison with unbounded exultation. 
 All cannonading ceased, and the exhausted soldiers were permitted 
 to rest. In honour of the unfortunate commandant the fort was 
 denominated Fort Brown. 
 
 On the llth, General Taylor returned to Point Isabel, for the 
 purpose of arranging with Commodore Conner, of the gulf squadron, 
 a plan for a combined attack upon Matamoras. On his return he 
 made every preparation for crossing the river that his limited means 
 allowed ; but was not able to accomplish his object until the 18th. 
 He summoned the city to surrender, and after some delay was an 
 swered that he might enter Matamoras without opposition. Formal 
 possession was accordingly taken, and Colonel Twiggs immediately 
 appointed military governor. General Arista, with his army, had 
 retired on the previous night. 
 
 The small town of Barita, near the mouth of the Rio Grande, 
 was entered without resistance on the 15th. 
 
 Although General Taylor had captured an important city, com 
 pletely driven the enemy from the eastern part of Mexico, and 
 erected the flag of his country on the left side of the Rio Grande ; 
 yet so small were his forces and military stores, that he was obliged 
 to remain inactive during the greater part of the summer. When 
 reinforcements did arrive, they were entirely destitute of the means 
 of transportation, and being newly-raised volunteers, many of them 
 were destitute of the qualifications necessary to face an enemy. The 
 general was earnest in his representations to government for a miti 
 gation of these difficulties ; but his efforts were for a long time unat 
 tended with success. Thus he was obliged to remain inactive, 
 while the enemy were recovering from their disasters, and sum 
 moning all their energies for another struggle, further toward the 
 interior. 
 
 The following extracts . from the General's letters, will give an 
 idea of the amount of these difficulties : 
 
 " I beg leave earnestly to invite the attention of the department 
 10 the following points : 
 
 "First, the great influx of volunteers at Point Isabel. Five regi- 
 
WANT OF TRANSPORTATION. 35 
 
 ments, certainly, from Louisiana, numbering say 3600 men ; two 
 regiments or battalions from Louisville or St. Louis, numbering say 
 1200 more ; several companies from Alabama, and I know not how 
 many from Texas ; the latter now beginning to arrive. The volun 
 teer corps now under my orders amount to nearly six thousand men. 
 How far they may be increased without previous notification to me, 
 it is impossible to tell. 
 
 " Secondly, the entire want of the proper kind of transportation to 
 push my operations up the river. The boats on which I depended 
 for this service, were found to be nearly destroyed by worms, and 
 entirely unfit for the navigation of the river. * * * * 
 At the last date from New Orleans, no boat had been procured. 
 Captain Saunders, of the engineers, was despatched by me to New 
 Orleans, to assist in procuring suitable boats, but I have yet received 
 no report from him. 
 
 "As I have previously reported, my operations are completely 
 paralyzed, by the want of suitable steamboats to navigate the Rio 
 Grande. Since the 18th of May the army has lain in camp near 
 this place, continually receiving heavy reinforcements of men, but 
 no facility for water transport, without which additional numbers 
 are but an embarrassment. 
 
 " I desire to place myself right in this matter, and to let the de 
 partment see that the inactivity of the army results from no neglect 
 of mine. I must express my astonishment that such large reinforce 
 ments have been sent forward to join the army, without being ac 
 companied by the means of transportation, both by land and water, 
 to render them efficient. As matters now stand, whatever may be 
 the expectations of the Department, I cannot move from this place ; 
 and unless Captain Saunders shall succeed in procuring boats of the 
 proper kind, I can give no assurance in regard to future operations." 
 
 Again he writes " I am altogether in the dark as to our future 
 operations. I must think that orders have been given by superior 
 authority, to suspend the forwarding of means of transportation from 
 New Orleans. I cannot otherwise account for the extraordinary 
 delay shown by the Quarter-Master's department in that city 
 Even the mails, containing probably important despatches from the 
 government, are not expedited. 
 
 " Volunteer regiments have arrived from Louisville and St. Louis, 
 making with those from Louisiana, eight strong and organized bat 
 
 B* 
 
36 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 talions mustering over five thousand men. Tn addition we have 
 seven companies of Alabama volunteers, and twelve or fifteen com 
 panies from Texas. Others from Texas are continually arriving. 
 A portion of these volunteers have been lying in camp at this place 
 for nearly a month, completely paralyzed by the want of transporta 
 tion. Exposed as they are in this climate to diseases of the camp, 
 and without any prospect so far as I can see of being usefully em 
 ployed, I must recommend that they be allowed to return 10 their 
 homes." 
 
 In June, Taylor was promoted by Congress to the full rank of 
 Major-General ; and the different states of the Union, together with 
 a large number of political societies and meetings, voted him testi 
 monials of their gratitude for his distinguished services. 
 
 In consequence of the difficulties which have been mentioned, 
 the army was not able to take up its march for the interior until the 
 6th of September. Meanwhile the towns of Mier, Camargo, Se- 
 ralvo and Reynosa, had submitted to the Americans, and become 
 stations for different divisions of the army. 
 
 On the above-mentioned date, the commander received intelli 
 gence from General Worth, that large reinforcements of the enemy 
 were arriving at Monterey, the capital city of the Northern Division 
 of Mexico. He accordingly determined to push forward to that 
 place with all speed ; and leaving General Patterson in command 
 on the Rio Grande, he advanced to join Worth at Seralvo. Here 
 for a few days the whole army rendezvoused, and then continued 
 their advance. On the 18th they were at the Walnut Springs, 
 three miles from the city. 
 
 Monterey, the capital of New Leon, contains about fifteen thou 
 sand inhabitants. It is situated near the base of the grand moun 
 tain range called Sierra Madre, parallel to which runs the Arroya 
 San Juan, a small branch of the San Juan river. On the north, 
 whence the road from Camargo approaches, is an extensive and 
 gradually inclined plain rising from the margin of the creek, inter 
 rupted only by a dry ravine crossing it about three-fourths of a mile 
 in front of the town. The plain is varied with patches of chapparal, 
 and fields of corn and sugar-cane; and the light of this sunny 
 undergrowth is relieved by the umbrage of orange, lemon, citron 
 and olive groves. The mountains which wall up the southern and 
 western horizon rear their rugged and mighty heads far above the 
 
DEFENCES OF MONTEREY. 37 
 
 clouds of the valley, and a single gorge marks the only continuation 
 to Saltillo of the roads from the Rio Grande, which coalesce at 
 Monterey. 
 
 These natural defences of the site the Mexicans had improved 
 with diligence and skill. In front and to the right of the town, a 
 strong and extensive fortress known as the citadel had for some 
 
 O 
 
 time been erected. Standing on the plain it covers an area of about 
 three acres, the walls of solid masonry, thick and high, with bas 
 tions commanding all approach from the north-east, the north, and 
 north-west. On the eastern side of the city several redoubts were 
 built near the suburbs, forbidding ingress in that quarter. The 
 range of the southernmost of these extended to the base of the 
 heights in the rear, between which and the town, as has been 
 described, is the course of the Arroya San Juan. Following this 
 course to the south-west extremity of the city, two forts appear on 
 the hills of its further side ; while on the nearer side of it, as well 
 as of the Saltillo road, are heights crowned by two other fortifica 
 tions. The latter of these is a large unfinished structure designed 
 for the Bishop's Palace and known as such. The upper one, more 
 remote from the city, is an independent redoubt erected expressly 
 for defence. Entrance to the town on that quarter was further 
 forbidden by the walls of the cemetery, forming a strong breast 
 work with embrasures. These numerous and well-constructed 
 works were mounted with forty-two heavy cannon. 
 
 The plan of the city itself is excellently adapted to defensive 
 warfare. The streets being straight, a few pieces of artillery can 
 command their entire length. The stone walls of the houses rise 
 above the roofs, thus forming regular parapets which afford tho 
 rough protection to the defenders. Each dwelling is thus a separate 
 castle, and the whole city one grand fortification, suggested by 
 nature and consummated by art. 
 
 For the defence of these works the commandant, General Ampu- 
 dia, had eight thousand regular troops and some thousand militia 
 and armed citizens, with abundant supplies of small arms and 
 ammunition in addition to the ordnance already mentioned. 
 
 As the admirable despatches of General Taylor always convey 
 the clearest account of his operations, we subjoin his official account 
 of the siege of Monterey. 
 
 " The information received on the route from Seralvo, and par- 
 4 
 
38 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 ticularly the continual appearance in our front of the Mexican 
 cavalry, which had a slight skirmish with our advance at the village 
 of Ramos, induced the belief, as we approached Monterey, 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 infor 
 mation previously received, that the eastern approaches were com 
 manded 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 ofF the enemy's 
 line of communication. After establishing my camp at the ' Walnut 
 Springs,' three miles from Monterey, the nearest suitable position, 
 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 Mans 
 field. A reconnoissance of the eastern approaches was at the same 
 time made by Captain Williams, Topographical Engineers. The 
 examination made by Major Mansfield proved the entire practica 
 bility 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 importance, orders were given to Brevet-Brigadier-Gen 
 eral 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 
 detached works in that quarter, where practicable. The first regi 
 ment of Texas mounted volunteers, under command of Colonel 
 Hays, was associated with the second division on this service. 
 Captain Sanders, Engineers, and Lieutenant Meade, Topographical 
 Engineers, were also ordered to report to General Worth for duty 
 with his column. 
 
 " At two o'clock P. M. on the 20th, the second division took up 
 its march. It was soon discovered, by officers who were reconnoi 
 tring the town, and communicated to General Worth, that its 
 
PLAN OF ATTACK ON MONTEREY. 39 
 
 movement had been perceived, and that the enemy was throwing 
 reinforcements towards 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. Arrangements were made at the same time 
 to place in battery, during the night, at a suitable distance from the 
 enemy's main work, the citadel, two 24-pounder howitzers, 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 the 
 following days, I beg leave to state that I shall mention in detail 
 only those which were conducted against the eastern extremity of 
 the city, or elsewhere, under my immediate direction, referring you 
 for the particulars of General Worth's operations, which were en 
 tirely detached, to his own full report transmitted herewith. ( 
 
 " Early on the morning of the 21st, I received a note from Gene 
 ral Worth, written at half-past nine o'clock the night before, sug 
 gesting what I had already 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 volunteers, were ordered under arms, and took 
 the direction 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 im 
 pression, if practicable, upon the upper quarter of the city. Upon 
 approaching the mortar battery, the 1st and 3d regiments of infantry, 
 and battalion of Baltimore and Washington volunteers, with Captain 
 Bragg's field battery the \vhole under the command of Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Garland were directed towards the lower part of the town, 
 with orders to make a strong demonstration, and carry one of the 
 enemy's advanced works, if it could be done without too heavy loss. 
 
40 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 Major Mansfield, Engineers, and Captain Williams and Lieutenant 
 Pope, Topographical Engineers, accompanied 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 ar 
 tillery, had opened their fire upon the citadel, which was deliberately 
 sustained, and answered from the work. General Butler's division 
 had now taken up a position in rear of this battery, when the dis 
 charges of artillery, mingled finally with a rapid fire of small arms, 
 showed that Lieutenant-Colonel Garland's command 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 regiment (1st Kentucky) to cover the mortar and 
 howitzer battery. By some mistake, two companies of the 4th in 
 fantry did not receive this order, and, consequently, did not join the 
 advance companies until some time afterwards. 
 
 " Lieutenant-Colonel Garland's command had approached the town 
 in a direction to the right of the advanced work (No. 1,) at the 
 north-eastern 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, with 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 coincided in point of time with the 
 advance of a portion of the volunteer division upon No. 1, and con 
 tributed largely to the fall of that strong and important work. 
 
 "The three regiments of the volunteer division, under *he imme- 
 
ASSAULT ON MONTEREY. 41 
 
 diate command of Major-General Butler, had, in the mean time, 
 advanced in the direction of No. 1. The leading brigade, under 
 Brigadier-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 Gluitman's brigade, though 
 suffering most severely, particularly in the Tennessee regiment, 
 continued its advance, arid finally carried the work in handsome 
 style, as well as the strong building in its rear. Five pieces of 
 artillery, a considerable supply of ammunition, and thirty prisoners, 
 including three officers, fell into our hands. 
 
 " Major-General Butler, with the 1st Ohio regiment, after enter 
 ing the edge of the town, discovered that nothing was to be accom 
 plished 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 battery No. 1 was 
 in our possession, the order was countermanded, and I determined 
 to hold the battery and defences already gained. General Butler, 
 with the 1st Ohio regiment, then entered the town at a point further 
 to the left, and marched in the direction of the battery No. 2, 
 While making an examination with a view to ascertain the possi 
 bility 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, ren 
 dered it impossible to carry it without great loss, the 1st Ohio regi 
 ment 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 battery of Captains Bragg and Ridgely 
 was also partially covered by the battery. An incessant fire was 
 kept 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 instrumental 
 in causing the artillery captured from the enemy to be placed in 
 battery, and served by Captain Ridgely, against No. 2, until the 
 4* 
 
42 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 arrival of Captain Webster's howitzer battery, which took its place. 
 In the mean time, I directed such men as could be collected of the 
 1st, 3d, and 4th regiments and Baltimore battalion, to enter the 
 town, penetrate to the right, and carry the 2d battery if possible. 
 This command, under Lieutenant-Colonel Garland, advanced be 
 yond 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 impres 
 sion could be made at that point, and the main object of the general 
 operation 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 demonstra 
 tion of cavalry was reported in the direction of the citadel. Cap 
 tain Bragg, who was at hand, immediately galloped with his bat 
 tery to a suitable position, from which a few discharges effectually 
 dispersed the enemy. Captain Miller, 1st infantry, was despatched 
 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 regiments, near some fields at a distance from the 
 edge of the town, and had been repulsed with considerable loss. 
 A demonstration of cavalry on the opposite side of the river was 
 also dispersed 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 the camp, except Captain Ridgely's battery and the regular in 
 fantry of the 1st division, who were detailed as a guard for the 
 works during the night, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Gar 
 land. One battalion of the 1st Kentucky regiment was ordered to 
 reinforce this command. Intrenching tools were procured, and ad 
 ditional strength was given to the works, and protection to the men, 
 by working-parties 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 
 second division, one of the enemy's advanced works had been car 
 ried, and we now had a strong foot-hold in the town. But this had 
 not been accomplished without a very heavy loss, embracing some 
 of our most gallant and accomplished officers. Captain Williams, 
 Topographical Engineers ; Lieutenants Terrett and Dilworth, 1st in- 
 
CONTINUED ASSAULT UPON MONTEREY. 43 
 
 fantry ; Lieutenant Woods, 2d infantry ; Captains Morris and Field, 
 Brevet-Major Barbour, Lieutenants Irwin and Hazlitt, 3d infantry ; 
 Lieutenant Hoskins, 4th infantry ; Lieutenant-Colonel Watson, Bal 
 timore battalion ; Captain Allen and Lieutenant Putnam, Tennessee 
 regiment, and Lieutenant Hett, Ohio regiment, were killed, or have 
 since died of wounds received in this engagement, while the num 
 ber and rank of the officers wounded gives additional proof of the 
 obstinacy of the contest, and the good conduct of our troops. The 
 number of killed and wounded incident to the operations in the 
 lower part of the city on the 21st is three hundred and ninety-four. 
 
 "Early in the morning of this day (21st), the advance of the 
 second division had encountered the enemy in force, and after a 
 brief but sharp conflict, repulsed him with heavy loss. General 
 Worth then succeeded in gaining a position on the Saltilio road, 
 thus cutting off the enemy's line of communication. From this posi 
 tion the two heights south of the Saltilio road were carried in suc 
 cession, and the guns taken in one of them turned upon the Bishop's 
 Palace. These important successes were fortunately obtained with 
 comparatively small loss: Captain McKavett, 8th infantry, being 
 the only officer killed. 
 
 "The 22d day of September passed without any active operations 
 in the lower part of the city. The citadel and other works conti 
 nued to fire at parties exposed to their range, and at the work now 
 occupied by our troops. The guard left in it the preceding night, 
 except Captain Ridgely's company, was relieved at mid-day by 
 General Quitman's brigade. Captain Bragg's battery was thrown 
 under cover in front of the town, to repel any demonstration of 
 cavalry in that quarter. At dawn of day 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. 
 The object for which the second division was detached had thus 
 been completely accomplished, and I felt confident that with a strong 
 force occupying the road and heights in his rear, and a good posi 
 tion below the city in our possession, the enemy could not possibly 
 maintain the town. 
 
 "During the night of the 22d the enemy evacuated nearly all his 
 defences in the lower part of the city. This was reported to me 
 early in the morning of the 23d, by General Quitman, who had 
 already meditated an assault upon those works. I immediately 
 
44 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 sent instructions to that officer, leaving it to his discretion to enter 
 the city, covering his men by the houses and walls, and advance 
 carefully so far as he might deem prudent. 
 
 " After ordering the remainder of the troops as a reserve, under 
 the orders of Brigadier-General Twiggs, I repaired to the abandoned 
 works, and discovered that a portion of General Gluitman's brigade 
 had entered the town, and were successfully forcing their way 
 towards the principal plaza. I then ordered up the second regi 
 ment of Texas mounted volunteers, who entered the city, dismount 
 ed, and, under the immediate orders of General Henderson, co-ope 
 rated with General Gluitman'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 advanced 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 advance was conducted vigorously, but 
 with due caution, and although destructive to the enemy, was 
 attended with but small Joss 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 Gluitman's brigade had been on duty the 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 Gluitman'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 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 
 
MONTEREY SURRENDERS. 45 
 
 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 suspend his advance until I could have an interview 
 with him on the following morning, at his head-quarters. 
 
 "Early in 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 AVorth'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 
 seven thousand troops of the line, and from two to three thousand 
 irregulars. The force under my orders before Monterey, as ex 
 hibited by the accompanying return, was four hundred and twenty- 
 five officers, and six thousand two hundred and twenty men. Our 
 artillery consisted of one ten-inch mortar, two twenty-four 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 loss is twelve officers and one hundred and eight men 
 killed ; thirty-one officers and three hundred and thirty-seven men 
 wounded. That of the enemy is not known, but is believed con 
 siderably 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 cheer 
 fulness with which they have submitted to exposure and privation. 
 To the general officers commanding divisions Major-Generals 
 
46 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 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 volunteers, has given me important aid in the organization 
 of his command, and its subsequent operations. Brigadier-General 
 Twiggs rendered important services with his division, and, as the 
 second in command, after Major-General Butler was disabled. 
 Brigadier-General Worth was intrusted with an important detach 
 ment, which rendered his operations independent of my own. 
 These operations were conducted with ability, and crowned with 
 complete success. I desire also to notice Brigadier-Generals Hamer 
 and Gluitman, commanding brigades in General Butler's division ; 
 Lieutenant-Colonels Garland and Wilson, commanding brigades in 
 General Twiggs's division ; Colonels Mitchell, Campbell, Davis, 
 and Wood, commanding the Ohio, Tennessee, Mississippi, and 
 2d Texas regiments, respectively ; 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 gallantry against the enemy. 
 
 "Colonel Mitchell, Lieutenant-Colonel M'Clung, Mississippi regi 
 ment, 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 regiment, Lieutenants Scudderand Allen, Tennessee regiment, 
 and Lieutenant Howard, Mississippi regiment, while leading their 
 men against the enemy's position on the 21st and 23d. After the 
 fall of Colonel Mitchell, the command of the 1st Ohio regiment de 
 volved 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 wounded. 
 The following named officers have been favourably noticed by their 
 commanders: Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson and Adjutant Heiman, 
 Tennessee regiment ; Lieutenant-Colonel M'Clung, Captains Cooper 
 and Downing; Lieutenants Batterson, Calhoun, Moore, Russel, and 
 Cook, Mississippi regiments ; also Sergeant-Major Hearlan, Missis 
 sippi regiment ; and Major Price and Captain J. R. Smith, unat- 
 
COMMENDATIONS BY GENERAL TAYLOR. 47 
 
 tached, but serving with it. I beg leave also to call attention to the 
 good conduct of Captain Johnson, Ohio regiment, and Lieutenant 
 Hooker, 1st artillery, serving on the staff of General Hamer, and of 
 Lieutenant Nichols, 2d artillery, on that of General Q-uitman. 
 Captains Bragg and Ridgely served with their batteries during the 
 operations under my own observation, and in part under my imme 
 diate orders, and exhibited distinguished skill and gallantry. Cap 
 tain 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 21st. 
 
 " From the nature of the operations, the 2d dragoons were not 
 brought into action, but were usefully 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 im 
 portant 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 
 directly under my own immediate eye, or is noticed only in minor 
 reports which are not forwarded. For further mention of indi 
 viduals, I beg leave to refer to the reports of division commanders 
 herewith respectfully transmitted. I fully concur in their recom 
 mendations, and desire that they may 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 Whiting, assistant quartermaster-general, Colonels Croghan 
 and Belknap, inspectors-general, Major Bliss, assistant adjutant-gen 
 eral, Captain Sibley, assistant quartermaster, Captain Waggaman, 
 commissary of subsistence, Captain Eaton and Lieutenant 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 communication of my orders and instructions. I must express 
 my particular obligations to Brevet-Major Mansfield and Lieutenant 
 Scarritt, corps of engineers. They both rendered most important 
 services in reconnoitring the enemy's positions, conducting troops 
 in attack, and strengthening the works captured from the enemy. 
 Major Mansfield, though wounded on the 21st, remained on duty 
 
48 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 during that and the following day, until confined by his wound to 
 camp. Captain Williams, Topographical Engineers, to my great 
 regret, and the loss of the service, was mortally wounded while fear 
 lessly exposing himself in the attack of the 21st. Lieutenant Pope, 
 of the same corps, was active and zealous throughout the operations. 
 Major Munroe, chief of the artillery, Major Craig, and Captain 
 Ramsey, of the ordnance, were assiduous in the performance of their 
 proper duties. The former superintended the mortar-service on the 
 22d, as particularly mentioned in the report of General Worth, to 
 which I also refer for the services of the engineers and topographical 
 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 attentions to the numerous wounded 
 their duties with the regular regiments being rendered uncommonly 
 arduous by the small number serving in the field." 
 
 The following accounts from the pen of an officer belonging to 
 the Baltimore battalion, will serve to show the degree of individual 
 suffering and bravery evinced by many of the companies. 
 
 " I saw Colonel Watson shouting, but as to hearing a command 
 that was an impossibility, owing to the deafening roar of the can 
 non and musketry. I saw the head of our line changing its direc 
 tion, and I knew at once that the point of attack was changed, and 
 ran to the head of my company to intercept the head of the column. 
 I reached it just as Colonel W^atson was dismounting from his horse, 
 which the next moment fell from a shot. The colonel cried out to 
 the men, * Shelter yourselves, men, the best way you can.' At 
 this time, the battalion was scattered over a space of about an acre, 
 and the men were lying down, the shot in most instances flying 
 over our heads ; but the guns were soon depressed and the shot 
 began to take effect. 
 
 " I was lying close to Colonel Watson, alongside of a hedge, 
 when he jumped up and cried out, 'Now is the time boys, follo\v 
 me !' We were now in a street or lane with a few houses on either 
 side, and within a hundred yards of three batteries which com 
 pletely raked it, in addition to which, two twelve-pound guns were 
 planted in the castle on the right, and completely enfiladed the 
 whole distance we had to make. Add to this the thousand mus 
 keteers on the house-tops, and in the barricades at the head of the 
 
THE BALTIMORE BATTALION. 49 
 
 street up which we advanced, and at every cross street, and you 
 may form some idea of the deluge of balls poured upon us. (Bear 
 in mind that the four companies of regulars were now with us, the 
 one intermingled with the other.) Onward we went, men and 
 horses falling at every step. Cheers, shrieks, groans and words of 
 command added to the din, whilst the roar of the guns was abso 
 lutely deafening. 
 
 " We had advanced up the street under this awful and fatal fire 
 nearly two hundred yards, when we reached a cross street, at the 
 corner of which, all those who had succeeded in getting this far 
 halted, as if by mutual consent. I was shaking Colonel Watson 
 by the hand, while he was complimenting me, when a shower of 
 grape, round and canister shot, came from the corner above, and 
 Jive officers fell, and I know not how many privates. Each man 
 sought some place of apparent shelter. 
 
 "I sat down on the ground, with my back to the wall of a house. 
 On my left were two men torn nearly to pieces. One of them was 
 lying flat on his back with his legs extending farther in the street 
 than mine. Crash came another shower of grape, which tore one 
 of his wounded legs off. He reared up, shrieked, and fell back a 
 corpse. I never moved, for I was satisfied that one place was as 
 safe as another. Directly opposite to me was my brevet 2d Lieu 
 tenant Aisquith ; on the right hand corner was Lieutenant Bowie, 
 also of my company ; and close to me sat Colonel Watson and 
 Adjutant SchoBler. In a few minutes I saw our colour Serjeant, old 
 Hart, come past with his right arm shattered, and in a few minutes 
 there came our battalion flag, borne by one of the colour guards 
 our glorious stars and stripes and note this, that it was the first 
 American flag in the city of Monterey, an honour which we know 
 belongs to our battalion. 
 
 " No man there ever thought for a moment that he would get out 
 alive, and most of them did not. The firing still continued without 
 the slightest intermission, whilst we remained at this memorable 
 corner, which was perhaps for fifteen minutes. When we were 
 ordered to charge up the street, a slight hesitation was manifested 
 by both regulars and volunteers, but the officers sprang to the front 
 in double file. We advanced I suppose about fifty yards, when 
 Colonel Garland of the army ordered us to retire. We still ad 
 vanced, and he again ordered us to retire, adding this time in good 
 5 
 
50 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 order. I now became separated from Colonel Watson, and never 
 saw him again. He took the left hand side of the street and I the 
 right hand, and when I reached the open field where he had first 
 ordered us to lie down, I was joined by Lieutenant Aisquith, who 
 to my inquiry answered that he had just left the colonel, and sup 
 posed that he would soon be with us. Seeing no other officer 
 around me, I rallied the battalion, and led them down to make 
 another attack upon the fort." 
 
 The following are the terms of capitulation : 
 
 ARTICLE I. As the legitimate result of the operations before 
 this place, and the present position of the contending armies, it is 
 agreed that the city, the fortifications, cannon, munitions of war, 
 and all other public property, with the undermentioned exceptions, 
 be surrendered to the commanding general of the United States 
 forces now at Monterey. 
 
 ARTICLE II. That the Mexican forces be allowed to retain the 
 following arms, to wit : the commissioned officers their side-arms, 
 the infantry their arms and accoutrements, the cavalry their arms 
 and accoutrements, the artillery one field battery, not to exceed six 
 pieces, with twenty-one rounds of ammunition. 
 
 ARTICLE III. That the Mexican armed forces retire, within 
 seven days from this date, beyond the line formed by the pass of 
 Rinconada, the city of Linares and San Fernando de Preras. 
 
 ARTICLE IV. That the citadel of Monterey be evacuated by the 
 Mexican and occupied by the American forces to-morrow morning 
 at ten o'clock. 
 
 ARTICLE V. To avoid collisions, and for mutual convenience, 
 that the troops of the United States will not occupy the city until 
 the Mexican forces have withdrawn, except for hospital and storage 
 purposes. 
 
 ARTICLE VI. That the forces of the United States will not ad 
 vance beyond the line specified in the 3d article, before the expira 
 tion of eight weeks, or until orders or instructions of the respective 
 governments can be received. 
 
 ARTICLE VII. That the public property to be delivered, shall be 
 turned over and received by officers appointed by the commanding 
 generals of the two armies. 
 
 ARTICLE VIII. That all doubts as to the meaning of any of the 
 
51 
 
 preceding articles, shall be solved by an equitable construction, or 
 on principles of liberality to the retiring army. 
 
 ARTICLE IX. That the Mexican flag, when struck at the citadel, 
 may be saluted by its own battery. 
 
 In the transactions attending the capture of the city, General Tay 
 lor had hoped to secure the approbation of government. In this, 
 however, he was disappointed. Not only were the terms considered 
 as entirely too lenient, but he was even blamed for not having car 
 ried the defences by assault, and thus making the garrison uncondi 
 tional prisoners. Time, however, has shown that by such a course 
 his little army would have endured appalling loss without corre 
 sponding advantages to balance it ; and that General Taylor's course, 
 dictated as it was by humanity and honour, was the most advanta 
 geous to his troops and to the country, that he could possibly have 
 adopted. This will appear evident from the following statements, 
 made by the General himself, in reply to a letter from the Adjutant 
 General : 
 
 "The convention presents two distinct points : First, the permis 
 sion granted the Mexican army to retire with their arms, &c. 
 Secondly, the temporary cessation of hostilities for the term of eight 
 weeks. I shall remark on these in order. 
 
 " The force with which I marched on Monterey was limited by 
 causes beyond my control, to about six thousand men. With this 
 force, as every military man must admit, who has seen the ground, 
 it was entirely impossible to invest Monterey so closely as to prevent 
 the escape of the garrison. Although the main communication with 
 the interior was in our possession, yet one route was open to the 
 Mexicans throughout the operations, and could not be closed, as 
 were also other minor tracks and passes through the mountains. 
 Had we, therefore, insisted on more rigorous terms than those 
 granted, the result would have been the escape of the body of the 
 Mexican force, with the destruction of its artillery and magazines, 
 our only advantage being the capture of a few prisoners of war, at 
 the expense of valuable lives and much damage to the city. The 
 consideration of humanity was present to my mind during the con 
 ference which led to the convention, and outweighed, in my judg 
 ment, the doubtful advantages to be gained by a resumption of the 
 attack upon the town. This conclusion has been fully confirmed 
 by an inspection of the enemy's position and means since the sur- 
 
 C 
 
52 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 render. It was discovered that his principal magazine, containing 
 an immense amount of powder, was in the Cathedral, completely 
 exposed to our shells from two directions. The explosion of this 
 mass of powder, which must have ultimately resulted from a con 
 tinuance of the bombardment, would have been infinitely disastrous, 
 involving the destruction not only of Mexican troops, but of non- 
 combatants, and even our own people, had we pressed the attack. 
 
 " In regard to the temporary cessation of hostilities, the fact that 
 we are not at this moment, within eleven days of the termination of 
 the period fixed by the convention, prepared to move forward in 
 force, is a sufficient explanation of the military reasons which dic 
 tated this suspension of arms. It paralyzed the enemy during a 
 period when, from the want of necessary means, we could not pos 
 sibly move. I desire distinctly to state, and to call the attention of 
 the authorities to the fact, that, with all diligence in breaking mules 
 and setting up wagons, the first wagons in addition to our original 
 train from Corpus Christi, (and but one hundred and twenty-five in 
 number,) reached my head-quarters on the same day with the sec 
 retary's communication of October 13th, viz : the 2d inst. At the 
 date of the surrender of Monterey, our force had not more than ten 
 days' rations, and even now, with all our endeavours, we have not 
 more than twenty-five. THE TASK OF FIGHTING AND BEATING THE 
 
 ENEMY IS AMONG THE LEAST DIFFICULT THAT WE ENCOUNTER the 
 
 great question of supplies necessarily controls all the operations in a 
 country like this. At the date of the convention, I could not of 
 course have foreseen that the Department would direct an important 
 detachment from my command without consulting me, or without 
 waiting the result of the main operation under my orders. 
 
 " I have touched the prominent military points involved in the 
 convention of Monterey. There were other considerations which 
 weighed with the commissioners in framing, and with myself in ap 
 proving the articles of the convention. In the conference with 
 General Ampudia, I was distinctly told by him that he had invited 
 it to spare the further effusion of blood, and because General Santa 
 Anna had declared himself favourable to peace. I knew that our 
 government had made propositions to that of Mexico to negotiate, 
 and I deemed that the change of government in that country since 
 my instructions, fully warranted me in entertaining considerations 
 of policy. My grand motive in moving forward with very limHed 
 
COLONEL DAVIS DEFENDS THE CAPITULATION. 53 
 
 supplies had been to increase the inducements of the Mexican gov 
 ernment to negotiate for peace. Whatever may be the actual views 
 or disposition of the Mexican rulers or of General Santa Anna, it is 
 not unknown to the government that I had the very best reason for 
 believing the statement of General Ampudia to be true. It was my 
 opinion at the time of the convention, and it has not been changed, 
 that the liberal treatment of the Mexican army, and the suspension 
 of arms, would exert none but a favourable influence in our behalf. 
 
 " The result of the entire operation has been to throw the Mexi 
 can army back more than three hundred miles to the city of San 
 Luis Potosi, and to open the country to us as far as we choose to 
 penetrate it up to the same point. 
 
 " It has been my purpose in this communication not so much to 
 defend the convention from the censure which I deeply regret to 
 find implied in the secretary's letter, as to show that it was not 
 adopted without cogent reasons, most of which occur of themselves 
 to the minds of all who are acquainted with the condition of things 
 here. To that end I beg that it may be laid before the General-in- 
 chief and Secretary of War." 
 
 Colonel Jefferson Davis, one of the American commissioners to 
 negotiate the capitulation, speaks as follows on the same point : 
 
 " It is demonstrable, from the position and known prowess of the 
 two armies, that we could drive the enemy from the town ; but the 
 town was untenable whilst the main fort (called the new citadel) 
 remained in the hands of the enemy. Being without siege artillery 
 or entrenching tools, we could only hope to carry this fort by storm, 
 after a heavy loss from our army ; which, isolated in a hostile coun 
 try, now numbered less than half the forces of the enemy. When 
 all this had been achieved, what more would we have gained than 
 by the capitulation ? 
 
 " General Taylor's force was too small to invest the town. It 
 was, therefore, always in the power of the enemy to retreat, bear 
 ing his light arms. Our army, poorly provided, and with very in 
 sufficient transportation, could not have overtaken, if they had pur 
 sued the flying enemy. Hence the conclusion, that as it was not 
 in our power to capture the main body of the Mexican army, it is 
 unreasonable to suppose their general would have surrendered at 
 discretion. The moral effect of retiring under the capitulation was 
 certainly greater than if the enemy had retired without our consent 
 5* 
 
54 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 By this course we secured the large supply of ammunition he had 
 collected in Monterey which, had the assault been continued, must 
 have been exploded by our shells, as it was principally stored in the 
 * Cathedral,' which, being supposed to be filled with troops, was the 
 especial aim of our pieces. The destruction which this explosion 
 would have produced must have involved the advance of both divi 
 sions of our troops ; and I commend this to the contemplation of 
 those whose arguments have been drawn from facts learned since 
 the commissioners closed their negotiations." 
 
 Such was also the opinion of General Worth, and such has been 
 the decision of the American people. 
 
 General Taylor now established his head-quarters at Monterey 
 despatching General Worth with twelve hundred men and eight 
 pieces of artillery to Saltillo, and Brigadier-General Wool, who had 
 just arrived from his expedition into the centre, with his column of 
 twenty-four hundred men and six pieces toward the town of Parras. 
 General Butler took command of the reserve during the absence of 
 General Patterson. The whole army did not exceed forty-five hun 
 dred men. Even this small number was still further reduced by 
 sickness and other causes. 
 
 Meanwhile a revolution at the capital had placed General Santa 
 Anna at the head of Mexican affairs. Instead of assuming the 
 presidential chair, to which he was invited, this active officer placed 
 himself at the head of the army, and commenced the most exten 
 sive preparations for organizing a force sufficient to resist the 
 further progress of General Taylor. His movements attracted the 
 notice of the American government, which immediately transmitted 
 orders to Taylor to terminate the armistice. 
 
 In order to raise supplies for the army, the Secretary of War in 
 structed Taylor to reson to the miserable system of forced contribu 
 tions upon the inhabitants. Part of his instructions to this effect 
 were as follows : 
 
 " It is far from being certain that our military occupation of the 
 enemy's country is not a blessing to the inhabitants in the vicinity. 
 They are shielded from the burdens and exactions of their own au 
 thorities, protected in their persons, and furnished with a most pro 
 fitable market for most kinds of their property. A state of things 
 so favourable to their interests may induce them to wish the con 
 tinuance of hostilities. 
 
INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING SUPPLIES. 55 
 
 " The instructions heretofore given have required you to treat 
 with great kindness the people, to respect private property, and to 
 abstain from appropriating it to the public use, without purchase at 
 a fair price. In some respects, this is going far beyond the common 
 requirements of civilized warfare. An invading army has the un 
 questionable right to draw its supplies from the enemy without pay 
 ing for them, and to require contributions for its support. It may 
 be proper, and good policy requires that discriminations should be 
 made in imposing these burdens. Those who are friendly disposed 
 or contribute aid should be treated with liberality ; yet the enemy 
 may be made to feel the weight of the war, and thereby become 
 interested to use their best efforts to bring about a state of peace. 
 
 " It is also but just that a nation which is involved in a war, to 
 obtain justice or to maintain its just rights, should shift the burden of 
 it, as far as practicable, from itself, by throwing it upon the enemy. 
 
 * Upon the liberal principles of civilized warfare, either of three 
 modes may be pursued in relation to obtaining supplies from the 
 enemy ; first to purchase them on such terms as the inhabitants of 
 the country may choose to exact ; second, to pay a fair price with 
 out regard to the enhanced value resulting from the presence of a 
 foreign army ; and third, to require them as contributions, without 
 paying or engaging to pay therefor. 
 
 " The last mode is the ordinary one, and you are instructed to 
 adopt it, if in that way you are satisfied you can get abundant sup 
 plies for your forces ; but should you apprehend a difficulty in this 
 respect, then you will adopt the policy of paying the ordinary price, 
 without allowing to the owners the advantages of the enhancement 
 of the price resulting from the increased demand. Should you ap 
 prehend a deficiency under this last mode of dealing with the in 
 habitants, you will be obliged to submit to their exactions, provided 
 by this mode you can supply your wants on better terms than by 
 drawing what you may need from the United States. Should you 
 attempt to supply your troops by contributions, or the appropriation 
 of private property, you will be careful to exempt the property of 
 all foreigners from any and all exactions whatsoever. The Presi 
 dent hopes you will be able to derive from the enemy's country, 
 without expense to the United States, the supplies you may need, 
 or a considerable part of them ; but should you fail in this, yon will 
 procure them in the most economical manner." 
 
56 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 To these suggestions General Taylor replied, that it would have 
 been impossible before and was then to sustain the army to any 
 extent by forced contributions of money or supplies. The country 
 between the Rio Grande and Sierra Mad re being poor, furnishing 
 only corn and beef, these articles were obtained at moderate rates ; 
 but if a different system had been adopted, it was certain that they 
 would not have been procured at all in sufficient quantities. The 
 prompt payment in cash, for the few articles of supply drawn from 
 the country, neutralized much of the unfriendly feeling with which 
 the army was regarded, and contributed greatly to facilitate opera 
 tions. The people had it in their power at any time to destroy 
 their crops, and would undoubtedly have done so, rather than see 
 them taken forcibly. Added to which they would have had no 
 inducements to plant again. The prices paid were reasonable, 
 being in almost all cases the prices of the country. 
 
 On the 15th of December, General Taylor left Monterey for Vic 
 toria; but on arriving at Montemorelos he received information 
 from General Worth, that Santa Anna designed taking advantage of 
 the diversion of force toward Victoria, by a rapid movement strike a 
 heavy blow at Saltillo, and if successful, another at General Wool 
 in Parras. In view of this intelligence, the commander thought 
 proper to return to Monterey with the regular force, and thus be in 
 ti position to reinforce Saltillo if necessary. This was accordingly 
 done, while at the same time Generals Butler and Wool hastened 
 forward to join General Worth. On the 20th, General Taylor 
 received further information, that the expected attack on Saltillo 
 had not taken place, and accordingly he resumed his march for 
 Victoria. 
 
 On the 29th, General Quitman entered Victoria without opposi 
 tion. A body of fifteen hundred cavalry had been stationed there, 
 but fell back at the approach of the Americans. On the 4th of 
 January, Taylor arrived there with General Twiggs' division, and 
 on the same day was joined by the force brought by General Pat 
 terson from Matamoras. 
 
 About this time General Taylor received from Major-General 
 Scott, a demand for the greater portion of his troops, in order to 
 assist in the contemplated operations on the Gulf coast. Scott had 
 been appointed to supersede Taylor in the command of the army in 
 Mexico, and finding his force inadequate to an attack on Vera Cruz, 
 
TAYLOR DEPRIVED OF HIS TROOPS. 57 
 
 the first object of the campaign, he was obliged to increase it by a 
 draft from his brother officer. The following is an extract of his 
 letter : 
 
 " But, my dear general, I shall be obliged to take from you most 
 of the gallant officers and men (regulars and volunteers) whom you 
 have so long and so nobly commanded. I am afraid that I shall, 
 by imperious necessity the approach of yellow fever on the gulf 
 coast reduce you, for a time, to stand on the defensive. This 
 will be infinitely painful to you, and, for that reason, distressing to 
 me. But I rely upon your patriotism to submit to the temporary 
 sacrifice with cheerfulness. No man can better afford to do so. 
 Recent victories place you on that high eminence ; and I even flat 
 ter myself that any benefit that may result to me, personally, from 
 the unequal division of troops alluded to, will lessen the pain of your 
 consequent inactivity. 
 
 " You will be aware of the recent call for nine regiments of new 
 volunteers, including one of Texas horse. The president may soon 
 ask for many more ; and we are not without hope that Congress 
 may add ten or twelve to the regular establishment. These, by the 
 spring, say April, may, by the aid of large bounties, be in the 
 field should Mexico not earlier propose terms of accommodation ; 
 and, long before the spring (March), it is probable you will be again 
 in force to resume offensive operations." 
 
 In obedience to this command, almost all the regular troops, com 
 prising the divisions of Generals Worth and Patterson, the brigades 
 of Gluitman and Twiggs, and all other corps which could possibly 
 be drawn from the field of operations around the Rio Grande, were 
 ordered to Vera Cruz. Five hundred regulars were left, together 
 with four thousand five hundred newly arrived volunteers. 
 
 At parting with his veteran companions General Taylor delivered 
 the following brief but admirable address : 
 
 " It is with deep sensibility that the commanding general finds 
 himself separated from the troops he so long commanded. To 
 those corps, regular and volunteers, who have shared with him the 
 active services of the field, he feels the attachment due to such asso 
 ciations, while to those who are making their first campaign, he 
 must express his regret that he cannot participate with them in its 
 eventful scenes. To all, both officers and men, he extends his 
 heart-felt wishes for their continued success and happiness, confi- 
 
58 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 dent that their achievements on another theatre will redound to the 
 credit of their country and its arms." 
 
 After the departure of his troops, General Taylor again retired 
 to Monterey, where he remained until apprised of the certain ap 
 proach of Santa Anna. He then pushed forward to Agua Nueva, 
 twenty miles south of Saltillo, where he remained until the 21st of 
 February. Learning that the Mexicans were advancing in great 
 force, he fell back twelve miles nearer Saltillo, to the defile called 
 Angostura, which faces the hacienda of Buena Vista. Here, with 
 his little army of five thousand men, he awaited the arrival of twenty 
 thousand. 
 
 On the 23d of February, the anniversary of Washington's birth 
 day, the Mexican host were seen approaching over the distant hills. 
 It was a glorious spectacle, and even those who had never faced an 
 enemy, felt their bosoms bounding with courage and enthusiasm, 
 as the glittering masses of Santa Anna's cavalry poured down into 
 the plains below. All fear was flung to the wind ; silently and 
 sternly that little band gathered round its leader and waited the fear 
 ful shock. 
 
 Angostura is a position of remarkable natural strength. The 
 main road from Saltillo to San Luis there passes between closely 
 approximating chains of mountains. The bases of these mountains 
 are cut by occasional torrents of rain into numerous deep gullies, 
 almost impassable, owing to the ruggedness and steepness of the 
 banks, leaving between them elevated table-lands or plateaus of 
 various extent. The American army was drawn up nearly at right 
 angles to the road, its chief force being on the east of it, occupying 
 a large plateau commanding the mountain side. Facing the south 
 this force constituted the left wing. A battery of light artillery oc 
 cupied the road, and the right wing rested on the opposite hill. 
 
 At about noon on the 21st, a white flag was brought to General 
 Taylor, with the following communication from Santa Anna: 
 
 " You are surrounded by twenty thousand men, and cannot in 
 any human probability avoid suffering a rout, and being cut to pieces 
 with your troops ; but 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 surrender at discretion, 
 under the assurance that you will be treated with the consideration 
 belonging to the Mexican character; to which end you will be 
 
BATTLE-GROUND AND VICINITY 
 
 OF 
 
 YES3PA. 
 
 FEBRUARY 22d AND 23d, 1847. 
 
 REFERENCES. 
 
 A. Right of the American Army. 
 
 B. Battery of light artillery posted on the road. 
 
 C. Left of the American Army on tne -'platean." 
 
 D. D. Mexican Army before the battle on the 224. 
 
 C * (59) 
 
60 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 granted an hour's time to make up your mind, to commence from 
 the moment when my flag of truce arrives in your camp. 
 
 "With this view I assure you of my particular consideration." 
 
 General Taylor replied as follows : 
 
 "In reply to your note of this date, summoning me to surrender 
 my forces at discretion, I beg leave to say that I decline acceding 
 to your request. 
 
 " With high respect, I am, sir, your obedient servant." 
 
 We give an account of the battle of Buena Vista in General 
 Taylor's own words, as contained in his official despatch to govern 
 ment : 
 
 "The information which reached me of the advance and concen 
 tration of a heavy Mexican force in my front, had assumed such a 
 probable form, as to induce a special examination far beyond the 
 reach of our pickets, to ascertain its correctness. A small party of 
 Texan spies, under Major McCulloch, despatched to the hacienda 
 of Encarnacion, thirty miles from this, on the route to San Luis 
 Potosi, had reported a cavalry force of unknown strength at that 
 place. On the 20th of February, a strong reconnoissance under 
 Lieutenant-Colonel May was despatched to the hacienda of Hecli- 
 onda, while Major McCullough made another examination of Encar 
 nacion. The result of these expeditions left no doubt that the 
 enemy was in large force at Encarnacion, under the orders of Gen 
 eral Santa Anna, and that he meditated a forward movement and 
 attack upon our position. 
 
 "As the camp of Agua Nueva could be turned on either flank, 
 and as the enemy's force was greatly superior to our own, particu 
 larly 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 to Saltillo, to make 
 some necessary arrangements for the defence of the town, jeaving 
 Brigadier-General Wool in the immediate command of the troops. 
 
 " Before those arrangements were completed, on the morning of 
 tne 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 
 si*)ce learned, at 11 o'clock on the day previous, and driving in a 
 
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 61 
 
 mounted force left at Agua Nueva to cover the removal of public 
 stores. Our troops were in position, occupying a line of remarkable 
 strength. The road at this point becomes a narrow defile, the val 
 ley on its right being rendered quite impracticable for artillery by a 
 system of deep and impassable gullies, while on the left a succes 
 sion 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 Washington's battery (4th artillery) was posted to command 
 the road, while the 1st and 2d Illinois regiments, under Colonels 
 Hardin and Bissell, each eight companies (to the latter of which 
 was attached Captain Conner's company of Texas volunteers,) and 
 the 2d Kentucky, under Colonel McKee, occupied the crests of the 
 ridges on the left and in rear. The Arkansas and Kentucky regi 
 ments of cavalry, commanded by Colonels Yell and H. Marshall, 
 occupied the extreme left near the base of the mountain, while the 
 Indiana brigade, under Brigadier-General Lane (composed of the 
 2d and 3d regiments, under Colonels Bowles and Lane), the Missis 
 sippi riflemen, under Colonel Davis, the squadrons of the 1st and 2d 
 dragoons, under Captain Steen and Lieutenant-Colonel May, and 
 the light batteries of Captains Sherman and Bragg, 3d artillery, were 
 held in reserve. 
 
 " At eleven o'clock I received from General Santa Anna a sum 
 mons to surrender at discretion, which, with a copy of my reply, I 
 have already transmitted. The enemy still forbore his attack, evi 
 dently waiting 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 Ken 
 tucky regiment and a section of artillery to our right, in which posi 
 tion they bivouacked for the night. In the mean time the Mexican 
 light troops had engaged ours on the extreme left (composed of parts 
 of the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry dismounted, and a rifle bat 
 talion from the Indiana brigade, under Major Gorman, the whole 
 commanded by Colonel Marshall), and kept up a sharp fire, climb 
 ing the mountain side, and apparently endeavouring to gain our 
 flank. Three pieces of Captain Washington's battery had been de 
 tached to the left, and were supported by the 2d Indiana regiment. 
 6 
 
62 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 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 the morning, 
 and returned, with the Mississippi regiment and squadron of 2d 
 dragoons, to Saltillo. The troops bivouacked without fires, and laid 
 upon their arms. A body of cavalry, some fifteen hundred strong, 
 had been visible all day in rear of the town, having entered the val 
 ley 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 ex 
 cellent companies of Illinois volunteers, under Major Warren of the 
 1st regiment. A field-work, which commanded most of the ap 
 proaches, was garrisoned by Captain Webster's company, 1st artil 
 lery, 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 proceeded 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 Mar 
 shall, 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 dis 
 persed by a few rapid and well-directed shots from Captain Wash 
 ington's battery. In the mean time the enemy was concentrating 
 a large force of infantry and cavalry under cover of the ridges, with 
 the obvious intention of forcing our left, which was posted on an 
 extensive plateau. The 2d Indiana and 2d Illinois regiments formed 
 this part of our line, the former covering three pieces of light artil 
 lery, under the orders of Captain O'Brien Brigadier-General Lane 
 
(64) 
 
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 65 
 
 being in the immediate command. In order to bring his men with 
 in effective range, General Lane ordered the artillery and 2d In 
 diana 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 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 por 
 tion of our line having given way, and the enemy appearing in 
 overwhelming force against our left flank, the light troops which 
 had rendered such good 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 unsup 
 ported. The enemy was now pouring masses of infantry and 
 cavalry along the base of the mountain on our left, and was gaining 
 our rear in great force. At this moment I arrived upon the field. 
 The Mississippi regiment had been directed to the left before reach 
 ing 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 left, and arrived 
 at a most opportune moment. That regiment, and a portion of the 
 1st Illinois, under Colonel Hardin, gallantly drove the enemy, and 
 recovered 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 ihe 
 G* 
 
66 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 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 cheek 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. 
 
 " In the mean time our left, which was still strongly threatened 
 by a superior force, was farther strengthened by the detachment of 
 Captain Bragg's, and a portion of Captain Sherman's batteries to 
 that quarter. The 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 squadron proceeded to 
 the point indicated, but could not accomplish the object, being ex 
 posed 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 ex 
 treme left, apparently with the view of making a descent upon the 
 hacienda of Buena Vista, where our train and baggage were de 
 posited. Lieutenant-Colonel May was ordered to the support of 
 that point, with two pieces of Captain Sherman's battery under 
 Lieutenant Reynolds. In the mean time, the scattered forces near 
 *he hacienda, composed in part of Majors Trail and Gorman's com 
 mands, had been to some extent organized under the advice of 
 Major Monroe, chief of artillery, with the assistance of Major Mor- 
 ' rison, volunteer staff, and were posted to defend the position. Before 
 
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 67 
 
 our cavalry had reached the hacienda, that of the enemy had made 
 its attack ; having been handsomely met by the Kentucky and Ar 
 kansas cavalry under Colonels Marshall and Yell. The Mexican 
 column immediately divided, one portion sweeping by the depot, 
 where it received a destructive fire from the force which had col 
 lected there, and then gaining the mountain opposite, under a fire 
 from Lieutenant Reynolds's section, the remaining 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 cavalry a young 
 officer of much promise. Lieutenant-Colonel May, who had been 
 rejoined by the squadron of the 1st dragoons and by portions of the 
 Arkansas and Indiana troops, under Lieutenant-Colonel Roane and 
 Major Gorman, now approached the base of the mountain, holding 
 in check the right flank of the enemy, upon whose masses, crowded 
 in the narrow gorges and ravines, our artillery was doing fearful 
 execution. 
 
 " The position of that portion of the Mexican army which had 
 gained our rear was now very critical, and it seemed doubtful whe 
 ther it could regain the main body. At this moment I received 
 from General Santa Anna a message by a staff officer, desiring to 
 know what I wanted ? I immediately despatched Brigadier-General 
 Wool to the Mexican general-in-chief, and sent orders to cease 
 firing. Upon reaching the Mexican lines General Wool could not 
 cause the enemy to cease their fire, and accordingly returned with 
 out having an interview. The extreme right of the enemy conti 
 nued 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. 
 Approaching the town, they were fired upon by Captain 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 forward with 
 his piece, supported by a miscellaneous command of mounted volun 
 teers, and fired several shots at the cavalry with great effect. They 
 were driven into the ravines which lead to the lower valley, closely 
 
G8 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 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 artillery, but was finally driven back in a con 
 fused mass, and did not again appear upon the plain. 
 
 " In the mean time, the firing had partially ceased upon the princi 
 pal 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 second 
 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 arrived 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 canistei 
 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 artil 
 lery 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 mis 
 fortune to sustain a very heavy loss. Colonel Hardin, 1st Illinois, 
 and Colonel McKee and Lieutenant-Colonel 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 an opportunity to pay proper atten 
 tion to the wounded, and also to refresh the soldiers, who had been 
 exhausted by incessant watchfulness and combat. Though the 
 
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 69 
 
 night was severely cold, the troops were compelled for the most to 
 bivouac without fires, expecting that morning would renew the con 
 flict. During the night the wounded were removed to Saltillo, and 
 every preparation made to receive the enemy, should he again 
 attack our position. Seven fresh companies were drawn from the 
 town, and Brigadier-General Marshall, with a reinforcement of 
 Kentucky cavalry and four heavy guns, under Captain Prentiss, 
 first artillery, was near at hand, when it was discovered that the 
 enemy had abandoned his position during the night. Our scouts 
 soon ascertained that he had fallen back upon Agua Nueva. The 
 great disparity of numbers, and the exhaustion of our troops, ren 
 dered it inexpedient and hazardous to attempt pursuit. A staff 
 officer was despatched to General Santa Anna to negotiate an ex 
 change of prisoners, which was satisfactorily completed on the fol 
 lowing day. Our own dead were collected and buried, and the 
 Mexican wounded, of which a large number had been left upon the 
 field, were removed to Saltillo, and rendered as comfortable as cir 
 cumstances would permit. 
 
 " On the evening of the 26th, a close reconnoissance was made of 
 the enemy's position, which was found to be occupied only by a 
 small body of cavalry, the infantry and artillery having retreated in 
 the direction of San Luis Potosi. On the 27th, our troops resumed 
 their former camp at Agua Nueva, the enemy's rear-guard evacu 
 ating the place as we approached, leaving a considerable number 
 of wounded. It was my purpose to beat up his quarters at Encar- 
 nacion 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 Belk- 
 nap. Some two hundred wounded, and about sixty Mexican 
 soldiers were found there, the army having passed on in the 
 direction of Matehuala, with greatly reduced numbers, and 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 Buena Vista is 
 shown, by the accompanying field report, to have been three hun 
 dred and thirty-four officers, and four thousand four hundred and 
 twenty-five men, exclusive of the small command left in and near 
 Saltillo. Of this number, two squadrons of cavalry and three bat- 
 
70 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 tcries of light artillery, making not more than four hundred and 
 fifty-three 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 twenty thousand ; and that estimate is confirmed 
 by all the information since obtained. Our loss is two hundred and 
 sixty-seven killed, four hundred and fifty-six wounded, and twenty- 
 three missing. Of the numerous wounded, many did not require 
 removal to the hospital, and it is hoped that a comparatively small 
 number will be permanently disabled. The Mexican loss in killed 
 and wounded may be fairly estimated at one thousand five hundred, 
 and will probably reach two thousand. At least five hundred of 
 their killed were left upon the field of battle. We have no means 
 of 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 Lincoln, Assistant Adjutant-General, serving in 
 the staff of General Wool a young officer of high bearing and 
 approved gallantry, who fell early in the action. No Joss falls more 
 heavily upon the army in the field than that of Colonels Hardin and 
 'McKee, and Lieutenant-Colonel Clay. Possessing in a remarkable 
 degree the confidence of their commands, and the last two having 
 enjoyed the advantage of a military education, I had looked particu 
 larly 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 stead 
 fast courage with which they maintained their positions during the 
 day, fully realized my hopes, and caused me to feel yet more sen 
 sibly their untimely loss. 
 
 " I perform a grateful duty in bringing to the notice of the gov 
 ernment the general good conduct of the troops. Exposed for suc 
 cessive 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 specifying 
 many cases of bad conduct before the enemy, I feel an increased 
 obligation to mention particular corps and officers, whose skill, cool- 
 TOss, and gallantry in trying situations, and under a continued and 
 heavy fire, seem to merit particular notice. 
 
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 71 
 
 " To Brigadier-General Wool my obligations are especially due. 
 The high state of discipline and instruction of several of the volun 
 teer regiments was attained under his command, and to his vigilance 
 and arduous service before the action, and his gallantry and activity 
 on the field, a large share of our success may justly be 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 throughout the day, 
 and displayed great coolness and gallantry before the enemy. 
 
 " The services of the light artillery, always conspicuous, 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 con 
 duct 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 men 
 tion 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, 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 artillery, (severely 
 wounded,) to that of Captain Sherman ; and Captain Shover and 
 Lieutenant Kilburn, 3d artillery, to that of Captain Bragg. Cap 
 tain 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 Ar 
 kansas horse, rendered useful service in holding the enemy in check 
 and in covering the batteries at several points. Captain Steen, 1st 
 dragoons, was severely wounded 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 through 
 out the engagement the reputation of veteran troops. Brought 
 into action against an immensely superior force, they maintained 
 
72 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 themselves for a long time unsupported and with heavy loss, and 
 held an important part of the field until reinforced. Colonel Davis, 
 though severely wounded, remained in the saddle until the close of 
 the action. His distinguished coolness and gallantry at the head 
 of his regiment on this day entitle him to the particular notice of 
 the government. The 3d Indiana regiment, under Colonel Lane, 
 and a fragment of the 2d, under Colonel Bowles, were associated 
 with the Mississippi regiment during the greater portion of the day, 
 and acquitted themselves creditably in repulsing the attempts of the 
 enemy to break that portion 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 meeting and dispersing the column of cavalry 
 at Buena Vista. The 1st and 2d Illinois, and the 3d Kentucky 
 regiments, served immediately under my eye, and I bear a willing 
 testimony to their excellent conduct throughout the day. The spirit 
 and gallantry with which the 1st Illinois and 2d Kentucky engaged 
 the enemy in the morning, restored confidence to that part of the 
 field, while the list of casualties will show how much these three 
 regiments suffered in sustaining the heavy charge of the enemy in 
 the afternoon. Captain Conner's company of Texas volunteers, 
 attached to the 2d Illinois regiment, fought bravely, its captain being 
 wounded and two subalterns killed. Colonel Bissell, the only sur 
 viving 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 command 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 specified many names, but the limits of this report forbid a 
 recapitulation of them here. I may, however, mention Lieutenants 
 Rucker and Campbell of the dragoons, and Captain Pike, Arkansas 
 cavalry, commanding squadrons ; Lieutenant-Colonel Field, Ken 
 tucky cavalry; Lieutenant-Colonel Roane, Arkansas cavalry, upon 
 whom the command devolved after the fall of Colonel Yell ; Major 
 Bradford, Captain Sharpe (severely wounded), and Adjutant Griffith, 
 Mississippi regiment ; Lieutenant-Colonel Hadden, 2d Indiana regi 
 ment, and Lieutenant Robinson, aid-de-camp to General Lane ; 
 
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 73 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Weatherford, 1st Illinois regiment ; Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Morrison, Major Trail, and Adjutant Whiteside (severely 
 wounded), 2d Illinois regiment ; and Major Fry, 2d Kentucky regi 
 ment, 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 regular 
 cavalry. To Major Warren, 1st Illinois volunteers, I feel much in 
 debted 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 attention 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 mentioning them here, having wit 
 nessed their activity and zeal upon the field. Lieutenant and Aid- 
 de-camp McDowell, Colonel Churchill, inspector-general, Captain 
 Chapman, assistant quartermaster, Lieutenant Sitgreaves, Topo 
 graphical Engineers, and Captains Howard and Davis, volunteer 
 service, are conspicuously noticed by the general for their gallantry 
 and good conduct. Messrs. March, Addicks, Potts, Harrison, Bur 
 gess, and Dusenbery, attached in various capacities to General 
 Wool's head-quarters, are likewise mentioned for their intelligent 
 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 communicating orders I feel greatly 
 indebted. Major Bliss, assistant adjutant-general, Captain J. H. 
 Eaton, and Lieutenant R. S. Garnett, aids-de-camp, served near my 
 person, and were prompt and zealous in the discharge of every 
 duty. Major Munroe, beside rendering valuable service as chief 
 of artillery, was active and instrumental, as were also Colonels 
 Churchill and Belknap, inspectors-general, in rallying troops and 
 disposing them for the defence of the train and baggage. Colonel 
 Whiting, quartermaster-general, and Captain Eaton, chief of the 
 subsistence department, were engaged with the duties of their de 
 partments, and also served in my immediate staff on the field. Cap- 
 7 
 
74 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 tain Sibley, assistant quartermaster, was necessarily left with the 
 head-quarter camp near town, where his services were highly use 
 ful. Major Mansfield and Lieutenant Benham, Engineers, and 
 Captain Linnard and Lieutenants Pope and Franklin, Topographical 
 Engineers, were employed before and during the engagement in 
 making reconnoissances, and on the field were active in bringing 
 information and in conveying my orders to distant points. Lieu 
 tenant 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. Critten- 
 den, of Kentucky, though not in service, volunteered as my aid-de 
 camp on this occasion, and served with credit in that capacity. 
 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 participate in 
 the action, but in time to render useful services in their respective 
 departments of the staff." 
 
 The following extracts from a letter of General Taylor to General 
 Butler are important, as being more free and circumstantial, both 
 in style and matter, than can possibly be expected in an official 
 report : 
 
 " In the morning of the 23d, at sunrise, the enemy renewed the 
 contest with an overwhelming force with artillery, infantry, and 
 dragoons which lasted with slight intermissions until dark. A 
 portion of the time the conflict was much the severest I have ever 
 witnessed, particularly towards the latter part of the day, when he 
 (Santa Anna) brought up his reserve, and in spite of every effort on 
 our part, after the greatest exertions I have ever witnessed on both 
 sides, drove us by an immense superiority of numbers for some dis 
 tance. He had at least five to one at that point against us. Fortu 
 nately, at the most critical moment, two pieces of artillery which I 
 had ordered up to support that part of our line, met our exhausted 
 men retreating, when they were brought into battery and opened on 
 the enemy, then within fifty yards in hot pursuit, with canister and 
 grape, which brought him to a halt and soon compelled him to fall 
 back. In this tremendous contest we lost three pieces of artillery, 
 nearly all the men having been killed or crippled, which put it out 
 
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 75 
 
 of our power to bring them off; nor did I deem it advisable to 
 attempt to regain them. 
 
 " The enemy made his principal efforts against our flanks. He 
 was handsomely repulsed on our right, but succeeded early in the 
 day in gaining our left, in consequence of the giving way of one of 
 the volunteer regiments, which could not be rallied ; with but few 
 exceptions, the greater portion retiring about a mile to a large rancho. 
 or farm-house, where our wagons and a portion of our stores were 
 left. These were soon after attacked by the enemy's cavalry, who 
 were repulsed with some loss. 
 
 " For several hours the fate of the day was extremely doubtful ; 
 so much so that I was urged by some of the most experienced 
 officers to fall back and take a new position. This I knew it would 
 never do to attempt with volunteers, and at once declined it. The 
 scene had now become one of the deepest interest. Between the 
 several deep ravines, there were portions of level land from one to 
 four hundred yards in extent, which became alternately points of 
 attack and defence, after our left was turned, by both sides. These 
 extended along and near the base of the mountain for about two 
 miles, and the struggle for them may be very appropriately com 
 pared to a game of chess. Night put a stop to the contest, and, 
 strange to say, both armies occupied the same positions they did in 
 the morning before the battle commenced. Our artillery did more 
 than wonders. 
 
 " We lay on our arms all night, as we had done the two pre 
 vious ones, without fires, there being no wood to be had, and the 
 mercury below the freezing point, ready and expecting to renew the 
 contest the next morning ; but we found at daylight the enemy had 
 retreated during the night, leaving his killed and many of his 
 wounded for us to bury and take care of carrying off every thing 
 else, and taking up a position at this place. We did not think it 
 advisable to pursue, not knowing whether he would renew the 
 attack, continue his retreat, or wished to draw us from our strong 
 position ; but contented ourselves with watching his movements 
 closely. 
 
 " The loss on both sides was very great, as you may suppose - 
 enough so on ours to cover the whole country with mourning, for 
 some of the noblest and purest of the land have fallen. We had 
 two hundred and forty killed, and five hundred wounded. The 
 
 D 
 
76 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 enemy has suffered in still greater numbers, but as the dead and 
 wounded are scattered all over the country, it is difficult to ascertain 
 their number. The prisoners who have fallen into our hands, be 
 tween two and three hundred enough to exchange for all that 
 have been taken from us as well as some medical officers left 
 behind to take care of the wounded, say that their killed and 
 wounded is not less than fifteen hundred, and they say perhaps 
 more. 
 
 " I hope the greater portion of the good people of the country 
 will be satisfied with what we have done on this occasion. I flatter 
 myself that our compelling a Mexican army of more than twenty 
 thousand men, completely organized, and led by their chief magis 
 trate, to retreat, with less than five hundred regulars and about four 
 thousand volunteers, will meet their approval. I had not a single 
 company of regular infantry ; the whole was taken from me." 
 
 The character of this great battle is thus given by the able editor 
 of the Baltimore American : 
 
 "It appears that the battle of Buena Vista was really fought by 
 less than five thousand Americans against twenty thousand Mexi 
 cans. With a proportion of five to one against us, in point of num 
 bers, it is to be remembered too that the Mexicans were regular 
 soldiers, while nearly nine-tenths of our troops were volunteers on 
 their first campaign. With the exception of the Mississippi regi 
 ment, which fought at Monterey, the rest of the volunteers met an 
 enemy in the field for the first time at Buena Vista. We may then 
 estimate, in some sort, the valour of those brave men who stood for 
 nine hours against overwhelming numbers, firm in their own heroism, 
 indomitable in spirit, inflexible in purpose, rolling back the tide of 
 war, as rocks repel the surges of the ocean, and finally standing 
 victorious on that field of terrific strife. The standard of the republic 
 never streamed over a battle-field more gallantly won. General 
 Taylor's loss in killed, wounded, and missing, was nearly one-sixth 
 of his entire force. Yet, when the battle ceased on the evening of 
 the 23d, and a renewal of the fight was expected with the next 
 day's dawn, what record do we find of that epoch of suspense ! 
 Here it is : During the night,' says General Taylor, * the wounded 
 were removed to Saltillo, and every preparation made to receive the 
 enemy, should he again attack our position.' There was no mis 
 giving in that little band. 
 
REMARKS ON THE BATTLE. 79 
 
 This battle of Buena Vista, remarkable in many points of view, 
 is particularly so as exhibiting extraordinary steadiness, endurance, 
 and courage, on the part of raw troops exposed to fire for the first 
 time. Here was a pitched battle entered upon deliberately; an 
 enemy immensely superior in numbers ; regular troops, commanded 
 by the ablest and most experienced general in Mexico ; and this 
 battle to be fought in open field, without fortifications or intrench- 
 ments, was awaited by our soldiers, who lay upon their arms on the 
 night of the 22d, knowing that the morning's light would usher in a 
 V-y of conflict and carnage. It was a crisis to try veterans ; it was 
 met by men who less than a year before were engaged in every 
 variety of industrial pursuit in peaceful life, who had never seen a 
 battle or met a foe. 
 
 " While these facts demonstrate unyielding elements of hardihood 
 and courage in the men who fought at Buena Vista, they indicate 
 also the high and commanding character of the officers who brought 
 those sterling materials into order and efficiency. Those lamented 
 sons of Kentucky, McKee and Clay, the gallant Davis of Mississippi, 
 and others, educated at West Point, added all the aids of military 
 knowledge to their own heroic bearing in the discipline of their 
 troops and in the inspiration of confidence, so essential to success in 
 war. But where the blaze of glory concentrates with most particular 
 lustre, its briiliant light falls upon the calm countenance of the 
 general-in-chief, Taylor, the invincible, to whom all eyes were turned 
 in every crisis of danger who formed in himself the stay and bul 
 wark of the hopes of his army the only man, perhaps, who would 
 have fought the battle of Buena Vista ; the only man, probably, who 
 could have won it. Imperturbable and self-possessed, he held the 
 battle in his eye ; and amid the storm and fury of the strife he in 
 spired renewed courage by his presence at every point of danger. 
 With such a commander and such troops, victory is fast bound to 
 our standard, let it float where it may." 
 
 Such was the battle of Buena Vista. Long will it be remembered 
 in the history of our country. Coming ages will muse upon its im 
 portant issues, its terrible charges, its sickening slaughter with 
 astonishment and awe ; and the man who gained it will one day be 
 aecounted as one of the greatest among living generals. 
 
 The battle of Buena Vista has been the crowning act of Taylor's 
 
80 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 career. He retired soon after to Monterey, where want of supplies 
 still forces him to remain. 
 
 The following remarks upon General Taylor are made by Ser 
 geant Harris of the army, who is of course personally acquainted 
 with him : 
 
 " The character of General Taylor is pretty much what it is re 
 presented. He is mild and affable, yet firm and unflinching. If a 
 soldier under his command thinks he is aggrieved, it is to the gene 
 ral he looks for redress, and never fails in getting it, in case General 
 Taylor, on inquiry, ascertains it to be well founded. The 'old 
 man,' as he is familiarly termed by officers and men, is approach 
 able at all hours. He will sit and talk with the commonest soldier 
 in the most affable manner, and my informant tells me that he has 
 often wondered at seeing him enter minutely into the private affairs 
 of the soldiers under his command, give them his advice when 
 asked, as it frequently is, and when that is over, read to them from 
 the newspapers the anecdotes of the army, which have made their 
 way into print in the northern cities, at which he would laugh as 
 heartily as any of them. He is beloved by all in his command, 
 officers and men. All take pleasure in obeying his commands ; 
 and when an order is given by him, there is emulation among all 
 who hear it, to obey it. His treatment of the Mexicans is marked 
 with the same urbanity. They, according to my informant, at least 
 such of them as have been in the habit of serving the camp with 
 milk and other little nick nacks, love him as much as his own sol 
 diers do. 
 
 " On a certain occasion one of these poor creatures complained 
 to Le Capitana, that a volunteer had entered his rancho, and ap 
 propriated to his own use some of his edibles, without paying for 
 them. Now this was a breach of orders which General Taylor 
 could not overlook, so he had the marauder identified by the Mexi 
 can, and brought before him. The general examined and cross- 
 examined him, in relation to the offence, for upwards of two hours, 
 at the end of which time he arrived at the conclusion that the volun 
 teer was not quite so much to blame as the accuser represented, but 
 thought him deserving of some punishment, and what was the 
 punishment do you suppose he inflicted upon him? Why he di 
 rected a barrel to be placed in front of his tent, directed the volun 
 teer to mount it, and kept him standing there for two hours. At tha 
 
TRAITS OF TAYLOR'S CHARACTER. 81 
 
 end of which he gave him a few words about not doing the like 
 again, &c., and sent him back to his quarters. Occasionally it oc 
 curs that a man will want to write a letter to his friends, and has no 
 materials to do so. Without hesitation he applies to the * old man,' 
 and gets all he wants, pen, ink, and paper, and wafer, which comes 
 from his private stock, which is always at the service of the soldiers. 
 
 " We have all heard the soubriquet of Rough and Ready had its 
 origin in the Florida war, in which General Taylor treated the red 
 skins in the roughest way and in the readiest manner ; but I have 
 not seen it stated when it was first used in this war. According to 
 Sergeant Harris, it was in this way : After the memorable battles 
 of Resaca de la Pal ma and Palo Alto, the old general directed the 
 men to be brought up before him in review, which was of course 
 done. While reviewing them to see, no doubt, how they looked 
 after their scrimmage with the yellow bellies, an old soldier, who 
 served under him in the Florida war, proposed at the top of his 
 voice, 'Three cheers for old Rough and Ready;' which were 
 given with all the honours. As soon as they had subsided, the old 
 general, every feature in his open countenance speaking volumes, 
 gracefully took off his chapeau, and returned thanks, and added, 
 ' Gentlemen, I would be happy to treat you all, but I have got 
 nothing except some Rio Grande water with which to do it.' 
 
 "On one occasion, a volunteer getting tired of discipline, thought 
 he would relieve himself of it for a time at least, and with that view 
 absented himself for a week without leave, and made a trip to the 
 country. As soon as his absence was known to the camp he was 
 proclaimed a deserter, and men sent in pursuit of him. He returned, 
 however, before he was arrested, and immediately made his way 
 to the old general, and told him in mitigation of punishment, that 
 ne was always accustomed to open backwood life, and it went hard 
 with him to be confined so much. Well, (said the general,) don't 
 do so again, my boy, without leave,' and directed him to go to his 
 quarters. That man, says my informant, thinks General Taylor 
 the best man living, and he would willingly lose life itself at his 
 bidding. 
 
 " General Taylor's modesty is equalled by his magnanimity. It 
 was not known in camp until three weeks after it was known to the 
 general himself, that he had received a brevet, and all the army 
 heard of the sword presentation to him, was through the papers." 
 
82 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 Another writer says : 
 
 " As plain Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor, the writer of this has often 
 seen 'Old Zach' putting his men through the battalion drill on the 
 northern banks of the Wisconsin in the depths of February. This 
 would seem only characteristic of the man who has since proved 
 himself equally Rough and Ready' under the scorching sun of the 
 tropics. But, looking back through long years to many a pleasant 
 hour spent in the well-selected library of the post which Colonel 
 Taylor then commanded, we recur now with singular interest to the 
 agreeable conversations held in the* room which was the Colonel's 
 favourite resort amid the intervals of duty. Nor will the reader 
 think these personal reminiscences impertinent, when we add that 
 our object in recurring to them here is simply to mention that, re 
 membering alike the wintry drill and the snug book-room, Taylor's 
 hardihood the idea of which now so readily attaches to his soubri 
 quet of Rough and Ready would certainly not then have struck a 
 stranger as more characteristic than his liberal-minded intelligence. 
 Remarkable sincerity of manner, a dash of humour amid diffident re 
 serve, blended with a cordiality that for want of a better phrase we 
 should call mesmeric, characterized the mien of the distinguished 
 man, upon whom the eyes of all his countrymen are now fixed with 
 such curious interest. He was one of those few men who instantly 
 impress a stranger with the idea of frankness and reality of charac 
 ter, while still suggesting to the imagination that there was much 
 to study in him. Above all was it apparent that his singular 
 modesty was genuine was of the soul ; that he was a man whose 
 strong individuality his nearest intimates must hesitate to write 
 about and publish to the world in terms of praise. And we know 
 the fact that in one instance a friend whom the General had obliged, 
 when replying to some newspaper disparagement of Taylor's mili 
 tary standing and services at the commencement of the Florida war, 
 was deterred by his knowledge of this trait from communicating his 
 article to the subject of it, lest the terms of eulogy he had employed 
 might be offensive to Taylor. This dislike of puffery, nay this 
 almost wayward turning one's back upon fame, is, however, per 
 fectly consistent with the most jealous sense of what is due to one's 
 personal character; and that quality General Taylor's published 
 correspondence with the Department of War proves he possesses in 
 the mo^t lively degree. He there shows that he leaves the laurels 
 
TAYLOR'S PERSONAL APPEARANCE. 83 
 
 of the hero to take care of themselves, but the rights and the char 
 acter of Zachary Taylor must not be tampered with. And this is 
 the quality which will ever prevent him from becoming the tool of 
 party. He is a man that cannot be used by others save in the line 
 of his duty. A man who cannot be approached to be thus used ; 
 for there is sometimes a shrewd fire in the glance of his friendly 
 eye, an epigrammatic heartiness of response bolting forth amid his 
 taciturnity, that would utterly bewilder and confound the ordinary 
 man of the world, who approached him with double-dealing phrase, 
 or selfish insincerity of purpose. 
 
 " With regard to his personal appearance, of all the portraits of 
 General Taylor that we have seen, and there is one in each of the 
 volumes before us, that published in Graham's Magazine strikes us 
 as decidedly the best. In some respects it is flattered, and in others 
 it hardly comes up to the strongly marked character expressed in 
 the face of the original ; as a whole, however, it is far more faithful 
 than the others. Its flattery, we imagine, lies in making Taylor look 
 younger than he now appears. For his looks in the picture are 
 those which we recall when seeing him just after the close of his 
 campaign, now many years gone by. The stamped medals pub 
 lished lately by J. P. Ridner we should think would better repre 
 sent his present appearance. 
 
 " While indulging in these gossiping references, which we know 
 will interest some of our readers, we may here relate an anecdote 
 of General Taylor, which we once heard, amid the early scenes of 
 the Black Hawk war on Rock river, and which, though never 
 verified to our knowledge, still seems most characteristic of the 
 Rough and Ready of later years. Some time after Stillrnan's defeat 
 by Black Hawk's band, Taylor, marching with a large body of 
 rolunteers and a handful of regulars in pursuit of the hostile Indian 
 force, found himself approaching Rock river, then asserted by many 
 to be the true north-western boundary of the state of Illinois. The 
 volunteers, as Taylor was informed, would refuse to cross the 
 stream. They were militia, they said, called out for the defence 
 of the state, and it was unconstitutional to order them to march be 
 yond its frontier into the Indian country. Taylor thereupon halted 
 his command, and encamped within the acknowledged boundaries 
 of Illinois. He would not, as the relator of the story said, budge 
 an inch further without orders. He had already driven Black 
 
 D* 
 
84 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 Hawk out of the state, but the question of crossing Rock river 
 seemed hugely to trouble his ideas of integrity to the constitution 
 on one side, and military expediency on the other. During the 
 night, however, orders came, either from General Scott or Genera! 
 Atkinson, for him to follow up Black Hawk to the last. The quiet 
 ness of the Regular colonel meanwhile had rather encouraged the 
 mutinous militia to bring their proceedings to a head. A sort of 
 town-meeting was called upon the prairie, and Taylor invited to 
 attend. After listening for some time very quietly to the proceed 
 ings, it became Rough and Ready's turn to address the chair. 
 * He had heard,' he said, * with much pleasure the views which 
 several speakers had of the independence and dignity of each pri 
 vate American citizen. He felt that all gentlemen there present 
 were his equals in reality he was persuaded that many of them 
 would in a few years be his superiors, and perhaps, in the capacity 
 of members of Congress, arbiters of the fortune and reputation of 
 humble servants of the Republic like himself. He expected then 
 to obey them as interpreters of the will of the people ; and the best 
 proofs he could give that he would obey them, was now to observe 
 the orders of those whom the people had already put in the places 
 of authority, to which many gentlemen around him justly aspired. 
 tn plain English, gentlemen and fellow-citizens, the word has been 
 passed on to me from Washington to follow Black Hawk and take 
 you with me as soldiers. I mean to do both. There are the flat- 
 boats drawn up on the shore, and here are Uncle Sam's men 
 drawn up behind you on the prairie.' 
 
 " * Stra-anger,' added the man who told the story, the way them 
 militia-men sloped into those flat-boats was a caution. Not another 
 word was said. Had Zach Taylor been with Van Rennselaer at 
 Niagara river, in the last war, I rayther think he 'd a taught him 
 how to get militia-men over a ferry.' " 
 
 After the battle of Buena Vista, General Taylor addressed the 
 following letter to the Hon. Henry Clay, concerning the death 
 of his son. It shows that although the general has lived from a 
 youth amid the horrors of camp life, he yet has a heart big with 
 the noblest sentiments of humanity. 
 
 " MY DEAR SIR : You will no doubt have received, before this can 
 reach you, the deeply distressing intelligence of the death of your 
 son in the battle of Buena Vista. It is with no wish of intruding 
 
TAYLOR'S LETTER TO CLAY. 85 
 
 upon the sanctuary of parental sorrow, and with no hope of admin 
 istering any consolation to your wounded heart, that I have taken 
 the liberty of addressing you these few lines ; but I have felt it a 
 duty which I owe to the memory of the distinguished dead, to pay 
 a willing tribute to his many excellent qualities, and while my feel 
 ings are still fresh, to express the desolation which his untimely loss 
 and that of other kindred spirits lias occasioned. 
 
 "I had but a casual acquaintance with your son, until he became 
 for a time a member of my military family, and I can truly say that 
 no one ever won more rapidly upon my regard, or established a 
 more lasting claim to my respect and esteem. Manly and honour 
 able in every impulse, with no feeling but for the honour of the 
 service and of the country, he gave every assurance that in the 
 hour of need I could lean with confidence upon his support. Nor 
 was I disappointed. Under the guidance of himself and the lament 
 ed McKee, gallantly did the sons of Kentucky, in the thickest of 
 the strife, uphold the honour of the state and the country. 
 
 "A grateful people will do justice to the memory of those who 
 fell on that eventful day. But I may be permitted to express the 
 bereavement which I feel in the loss of valued friends. To your 
 son I felt bound by the strongest ties of private regard ; and when I 
 miss his familiar face, and those of McKee and Hardin, I can say 
 with truth, that I feel no exultation in our success." 
 
 We close our sketches of General Taylor by the following just 
 tribute to his abilities and integrity of character. 
 
 At a barbacue given to the Kentucky volunteers at Jeffersontown, 
 Colonel Humphrey Marshall delivered a speech, in the course of 
 which he spoke in the following terms of the character of Old 
 Rough and Ready. It may be remarked that those qualities which 
 are so conspicuous in the character of General Taylor, such as 
 his simplicity, sincerity, manliness and honesty, are the very at 
 tributes that endear him to the masses. Nothing recommends a 
 man more speedily to the affections of the people than the ^pre 
 sence of those homely and old-fashioned virtues which prove the 
 sterling metal of his nature : 
 
 "My service in Mexico frequently brought me near to General 
 Taylor, and I was industrious in my examination of the actual char 
 acter of the man whenever opportunity was presented. I have no 
 motive to deceive you, and you must take the impressions I received 
 8 
 
86 MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 for what they are worth. If I desired to express in the fewest words 
 what manner of man General Taylor is, I should say that, in his 
 manners and his appearance, he is one of the common people of this 
 country. He might be transferred from his tent at Monterey to this 
 assembly, and he would not be remarked among this crowd of 
 respectable old farmers as a man at all distinguished from those 
 around him. Perfectly temperate in his habits, perfectly plain in 
 his dress, entirely unassuming in his manners, he appears to be an 
 old gentleman in fine health, whose thoughts are not turned upon 
 his personal appearance, and who has no point about him to attract 
 particular attention. In his intercourse with men, he is free, frank 
 and manly ; he plays off none of the airs of some great men whom 
 I have met. Any one may approach him as nearly as can be de 
 sired, and the more closely his character is examined the greater 
 beauties it discloses. 
 
 "1. He is an honest man. I do not mean by that merely that he 
 does not cheat or lie. I mean that he is a man that never dissem 
 bles, and who scorns all disguises. He neither acts a part among 
 his friends for effect, nor assumes to be what he is not. Whenever 
 he speaks you hear what he honestly believes ; and, whether right 
 or wrong, you feel assurance that he has expressed his real opinion. 
 His dealings with men have been of a most varied character, and I 
 have never heard his honest name stained by the breath of the 
 slightest reproach. 
 
 " 2. He is a man of rare good judgment. By no means possessed 
 of that brilliancy of genius which attracts by its flashes, yet, like 
 the meteor, expires even while you gaze upon it ; by no means 
 possessing that combination of talent which penetrates instantly the 
 abstrusest subject, and measures its length and breadth as if by in 
 tuition, General Taylor yet has that order of intellect which more 
 slowly but quite as surely masters all that it engages, and examines 
 all the combinations of which the subject is susceptible. When he 
 announces his conclusions you feel confident that he well under 
 stands the ground upon which he plants himself, and you rest 
 assured that the conclusion is the deduction of skill and sound sense 
 faithfully applied to the matter in hand. It is this order of mind 
 which has enabled him, unlike many other officers of the army, to 
 attend to the wants of his family, by so using the means at his dis 
 posal as to surround himself in his old age with a handsome private 
 
CHARACTER OF TAYLOR. 87 
 
 -*- 
 
 fortune, and to be blessed with an almost perfect constitution. I 
 would to-day prefer his advice in any matter of private interest 
 would take his opinion as to the value of an estate would rather 
 follow his suggestions in a scheme where property or capital was to 
 be embarked, would pursue more confidently his counsel where the 
 management of an army was involved, or the true honour of my 
 country was at stake, than that of any other man I have ever known. 
 I regard his judgment as being first-rate at every thing, from a horse- 
 trade up to a trade in human life upon the field of battle. 
 
 " 3. He is a firm man and possessed of great energy of character. 
 It were a waste of time to dwell upon these traits of his character, 
 for his military career has afforded such abundant examples of his 
 exercise of these qualities as to render them familiar to every citizen 
 who has ever read or heard of the man. In his army they are daily 
 exhibited, and stand conspicuously displayed in every order which 
 emanates from his pen. 
 
 " 4. He is a benevolent man. This quality has been uniformly 
 displayed in his treatment of the prisoners who have been placed in 
 his power by the vicissitudes of war. No man who had seen him 
 after the battle of Buena Vista as he ordered the wagons to bring in 
 the Mexican wounded from the battle-field, and heard him as he at 
 once cautioned his own men that the wounded were to be treated 
 with mercy, could doubt that he was alive to all the kinder impulses 
 of our nature. The indiscretions of youth he chides with paternal 
 kindness, yet with the decision which forbids their repetition; and 
 the young men of his army feel that it is a pleasure to gather around 
 him, because there they are as welcome as though they visited the 
 hearth-stone of their own home ; and they are always as freely in 
 vited to partake of what he has to offer as if they were under the 
 roof of a father. His conduct in sparing the deserters who were 
 captured at Buena Vista exhibited at the same time in a manner his 
 benevolence and his judgment. Don't shoot them,' said he : ' the 
 worst punishment I will inflict is to return them to the Mexican 
 army.' When Napoleon said to one of his battalions, ' Inscribe it 
 on their flag : No longer of the army of Italy,' he used an expres 
 sion which was deemed so remarkable that history preserved it for 
 the admiration of future ages ; yet it was not more forcible as an 
 illustration of his power in touching the springs of human action 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL ZACHARY TAYLOR. 
 
 than is that of General Taylor illustrative of the manner in which 
 he would make an example for the benefit of the army. 
 
 " 5. He is a man of business habits. I never have known General 
 Taylor to give up a day to pleasure. I have never visited his quar 
 ters without seeing evidences of the industry with which he toiled. 
 If his talented adjutant was surrounded with papers, so was the 
 general. And though he would salute a visitor kindly, and bid 
 him with familiar grace to amuse himself until he was at leisure, he 
 never would interrupt the duties which his station called him to 
 perform. When these were closed for the day, he seemed to enjoy 
 to a remarkable degree, the vivacity of young officers, and to be 
 glad to mingle in their society. As a conversationist, I do not think 
 General Taylor possesses great power. He uses few words, and 
 expresses himself with energy and force, but not fluently. His 
 language is select. I would say, however, fronrthe knowledge of 
 the man, that he is entirely capable of producing any thing in th 
 shape of an order or letter which has ever appeared over his signa 
 ture ; and, in saying so much, I understand myself as asserting that 
 he is master of his mother tongue, and can write about as effectively 
 and handsomely as he can fight. Such, then, is the picture of the 
 man not of the general who won my esteem. I am not in the 
 habit of eulogizing men, and have indulged on this occasion because 
 I desired to describe to you, with the exactness of truth, those quali 
 ties which., combined in General Taylor, made him appear to me as 
 a first-rate model of a true American character. Others will dwell 
 upon the chivalry he has so often displayed, and his greatness so 
 conspicuously illustrated upon the field of battle. I formed my ideas 
 of the man when he was free from duty, and had no motive to appear 
 in any other light than such as was thrown upon him by nature, 
 education and principle." 
 
 NOTE. In the Philadelphia North American and Gazette of November 
 30th, 1847, is the following interesting description of the swords about to 
 be presented to General Taylor and other officers : 
 
 "Our fellow-townsmen, Bailey and Kitchen, whose establishment is 
 worthy to have been the laboratory of Benvenuto Cellini himself, have just 
 completed three magnificent swords, intended as tributes to the gallantry 
 of three brave officers Major-General Zachary Taylor, Major-General 
 William O. Butler, and Major P. N. Barber. We have never seen more 
 ftlegant specimens of taste and skill; and the production of such articles 
 
SWORDS FOR TAYLOR, ETC. 89 
 
 fairly entitle Messrs B. and K. to special notice and praise. The first of 
 these splendid weapons, intended for General Taylor, has a gold scabbard, 
 heavily mounted in fine chased gold, and ornamented with three large 
 and beautiful Siberian carbuncles. The hilt is of mother-of-pearl and fine 
 engraved gold alternating, and surmounted with a large and unusually 
 rich Brazilian topaz. The blade is an exquisite piece of work, covered 
 with neat and appropriate devices, among them being the arms of Ken 
 tucky, with the motto, { United we stand, divided we fall.' On the scab 
 bard is the following inscription : 
 
 " ' Presented by the people of Kentucky to Major-General Zachary Taylor, 
 as an evidence of the opinion of his generalship, gallantry and firmness, in 
 the battles of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, and Monterey.' (We would 
 here state that this sword was ordered before the battle of Buena Vista 
 was fought, which accounts for this brilliant achievement not forming a 
 part of the record here.) 
 
 " The sword for General Butler, like that for General Taylor, is made 
 according to the prescribed form of weapon for a Major-General j has a 
 silver grip, is ornamented in the head with a fine Brazilian topaz, and 
 embellished in a style of similar elegance. It contains the following in 
 scription : 
 
 " ' Presented by the people of Kentucky to Major-General William O. 
 Butler, in testimony of his daring gallantry in heading his brave division 
 in the desperate charge against a battery in the battle of Monterey.' 
 
 " The sword intended for Major Barber's widow is a steel sabre, gold 
 mounted, with silver grip, handsomely engraved and decorated, and having 
 a pale topaz in the head. The inscription was as follows : 
 
 " ' Presented by the people of Kentucky to the widow of Major Philip 
 Norbourne Barber, in testimony of his services as a patriot and his achieve 
 ments as a soldier, the chivalry of his life and the glory of his death.' 
 
 " These swords were ordered by a committee of gentlemen appointed 
 by Governor Owsley. They are to be in Frankfort at the opening of the 
 next Legislature of the State of Kentucky." 
 
 8* 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J. WORTH. 
 
 GENERAL WORTH was born in the city of Hudson, Columbia 
 county, New York. The first of the name in this country came 
 from Devonshire, England, and settled in Massachusetts in 1642. 
 The general's father followed the sea, was a man of character and 
 capacity ; his mother was the daughter of Marshall Jenkins, Esq., 
 one of the original proprietors of the city of Hudson. Worth was 
 educated for, and bred up to mercantile pursuits ; but, as he once 
 said to an acquintance, "he was not born to be a merchant;" 
 meaning that his inclinations pointed another way, and that the cast 
 and character of his mind disqualified him for the avocation. 
 
 On the declaration of war in 1812, he was a resident of Albany ; 
 and though but eighteen years of age, determined at once to enter 
 the service : but unable to get a commission, or impatient of the 
 delay, which those who apply for office sometimes experience, he 
 joined the army as a private secretary to Major-General Lewis, who 
 finding him more inclined to the field than the desk, and having no 
 vacancy in his own family, very kindly recommended him to Scott, 
 who was then at the head of his brigade on the Canada frontier. 
 Scott immediately appointed him his aid and placed him on his staff. 
 
 In the active and spirited campaign which ensued, he distin 
 guished himself as a brave and gallant soldier. He was with Scott 
 in the battles of Chippewa and Niagara, where he distinguished 
 himself in a manner that won the entire approval of his able com 
 mander. "The family of General Scott," says the commander, 
 Brown, in his official report of Niagara, " were conspicuous in the 
 field, Lieutenant Smith, of the 6th infantry, the major of the 
 brigade, and Lieutenants Worth and Watts his aids." He was 
 rewarded by government [August 19th, 1814] with a captaincy. 
 
 At the celebrated battle of Niagara he received a severe wound, 
 
 (90) 
 
GENERAL WORTH. 
 

GENERAL WORTH IN FLORIDA. 91 
 
 from the effects of which he still suffers occasionally. Throughout 
 the whole of that terrible battle, however, he distinguished himself 
 in a manner that gave unequivocal presage of his future ability ; 
 and was officially rewarded by the brevet rank of major. 
 
 After the war, he was for several years stationed at West Point, 
 as instructor of tactics. As major of ordnance, he commanded at 
 Watervliet, was afterwards promoted to the rank of colonel, and 
 assigned to the eighth regiment. 
 
 As colonel, Worth was ordered to Florida, during the trying 
 period of the Seminole war. After a tedious pursuit of the Indians, 
 he forced them to battle [April 19th, 1842] at the Okeehumphee 
 swamp, and gained a complete victory. Every trail made in their 
 flight was taken and pursued till dark, and resumed the next day, 
 the detachments marching twenty or thirty miles each day. The 
 consequences of the battle were most beneficial. On the 4th of 
 May, the active chief, Hallash Tustemuggee, with eighty of his 
 band, came to the American head-quarters at Palatka, and surren 
 dered. 
 
 On the 12th of August, Colonel Worth announced to govern 
 ment that the Florida war was ended ; and he was, consequently, 
 ordered from Florida. The rank of brevet brigadier-general was 
 conferred upon him, and he received many other testimonials of 
 public favour. When the Indians renewed hostilities he was re 
 manded to Florida, and before the close of the year received the 
 surrender of a large body of Creeks at Tampa. 
 
 When General Taylor was appointed to organize a corps of ob 
 servation at Corpus Christi, General Worth received instructions to 
 join him, which he did, acting as second in command. The army 
 was left in his care when, on the march toward the Rio Grande, 
 Taylor pushed toward Point Isabel, in order to establish there a 
 depot. With his own hand, he planted the national colours on the 
 bank opposite Matamoras. 
 
 Unfortunately, during the short season of inactivity that ensued 
 immediately after the arrival at this station, a dispute concerning 
 etiquette arose between Worth and Colonel Twiggs, in consequence 
 of which the former threw up his commission, and set out for Wash 
 ington. This course was adopted by Worth out of a pure sense 
 of justice and professional dignity, and not from malice or envy. 
 He assured his command at leaving, that could he at any time be 
 
92 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J. WORTH. 
 
 of service to them, or if, contrary to the complexion of affairs at 
 that time, war should ensue, he would waive all etiquette, and 
 hasten to resume some post of danger. He had scarcely reached 
 Washington, when news arrived that the Mexicans had crossed the 
 river, surrounded both American stations, and placed Taylor in im 
 minent danger. He immediately addressed the following note 
 [dated May 9th, 1847, six o'clock, P. M.] to Adjutant-General 
 Jones : 
 
 "Reliable information, which I have this moment received from 
 the head-quarters of the army in front of Matarnoras, makes it not 
 only my duty, but accords with my inclination, to request permis 
 sion to withdraw my resignation, and that I be ordered or permitted 
 forthwith to return to, and take command of the troops from which 
 I was separated on the 7th of April, &c." 
 
 The answer was as follows : 
 
 " I have submitted to the Secretary of War your letter of this 
 afternoon's date, in which, for reasons stated, you request that your 
 resignation, recently tendered, may be recalled, and you may be 
 ordered or permitted forthwith to return and take command of the 
 troops, from which you were separated. The motives which prompt 
 this course on your part are fully appreciated, and I am directed to 
 say that your request is complied with. You will, therefore, repair 
 without delay to General Taylor's head-quarters, and report to him 
 accordingly." 
 
 Worth reached the Rio Grande in time to be present at the taking 
 of Matarnoras, and was appointed as head of the delegation from the 
 American army, to negotiate the capitulation. 
 
 General Worth was extremely mortified in having missed the 
 battles of May 8th and 9th, in consequence of his voluntary absence. 
 Appreciating this feeling, General Taylor gave a rare proof of his 
 disinterestedness and sympathy with a brother officer, by entrusting 
 him with an independent command during the storming of Monterey. 
 A description of the defences appertaining to this city is given in 
 the biography of Taylor ; and against a chain of these, on Federa- 
 cion and Independencia hills, was General Worth with the 2d divi 
 sion sent. His operations are thus described by himself: 
 
 " I have the honour to report that, in obedience to the verbal 
 orders of the general-in-chief, the division under my command, 
 composed of Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan's battery of horse artillery, 
 
GENERAL WORTH AT MONTEREY. 03 
 
 artillery battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Childs, and 8th regiment, 
 Captain Scriver, constituting the first brigade, under Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Staniford ; Lieutenant Mackall's battery, horse artillery, 
 5th infantry, (Major Scott;) 17th, (Captain Miles;) and one com 
 pany Louisiana volunteers, (Captain Blanchard ;) 2d brigade, under 
 Brigadier-General Persifer F. Smith, (colonel of rifles,) and Colonel 
 Hays's regiment of Texan mounted riflemen, moved from the main 
 camp at El Basque de St. Domingo at two o'clock P M. on the 
 20th. 
 
 " My instructions were by a detour to the right, to endeavour to 
 find and reach the Saltillo road, effect a thorough reconnoissance of 
 the approaches to the city from that direction, to cut off supplies 
 and reinforcements, and, if practicable, carry the heights. 
 
 " Owing to the difficulties of the ground after leaving the Marin, 
 and before striking the Presquina Grande road, the division had 
 reached only six miles, in consequence of the delay in making the 
 route practicable for artillery, which service was performed by Cap 
 tain Sanders, at six o'clock, P. M., and was halted just without the 
 range of a gun-battery on the summit of an isolated hill called Loma 
 de Independencia, midway on the ascent of which was the Bishop's 
 Palace. Thence a reconnoissance was made, under cover of de 
 tachments of Hays's Texans, to the intersection of the Presquina 
 Grande route, then in our possession, with the Saltillo road. This 
 examination resulted in the conviction that the grounds in our front 
 and on our left, in advance, constituted at the same time the weak 
 and the strong points of the enemy's position, and entered mainly 
 into the defences of the city the weak point, because commanding 
 the only lines of retreat and of supply in the direction of Saltillo, 
 and controlling that in the direction of Presquina Grande ; the strong 
 point, because of the peculiarly defensive character of the hills and 
 gorges, and of the very careful and skilful manner with which they 
 had been fortified and guarded. It was also clearly indicated that 
 our further advance would be strenuously resisted. 
 
 " On the morning of the 21st, the division was put in motion, 
 and with such formation as to present the readiest order of battle, on 
 any point of assault. At six, the advance, consisting of Hays's 
 Texans, supported by the light companies, 1st brigade, under Cap- 
 lain C. F. Smith (both extended as the valley widened or con- 
 iracted), closely followed by Duncan's light artillery and battalion, 
 
94 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J. WORTH. 
 
 heads of columns, on turning an angle of the mountain at a hacienda 
 called San Jeronimo, came upon a strong force of cavalry and in 
 fantry, mostly the former. A conflict immediately ensued. The 
 Texans received the heavy charge of cavalry with their unerring 
 rifles and usual gallantry ; the light companies opened a rapid and 
 well-directed fire ; Duncan's battery was in action in one minute, 
 (promptly supported by a section of Mackall's,) delivering its fire 
 over the heads of our men. Ere the close of the combat, which 
 lasted but fifteen minutes, the 1st brigade had formed to the front, 
 on the right and left, and delivered its fire. The 2d brigade was 
 held in reserve, the ground not admitting of its deployment. The 
 enemy retired in disorder (leaving on the ground one hundred killed 
 and wounded ; among the former, Don Juan N. Najua, colonel of 
 the permanent regiment of lancers,) upon the Saltillo road, and was 
 closely pursued, until we got possession of the gorge, where all the 
 debouches from Monterey unite, whereby the force just defeated, 
 as also reinforcements and supplies from that direction, were ex 
 cluded from entering the city. At this important point the division 
 was halted, and attention directed to the mountain forts which en 
 velope the city on its western and south-western faces. Soon dis 
 covering, however, that our position brought us within effective 
 range of the batteries, the troops were advanced some eight hundred 
 yards further on the Saltillo road. 
 
 "The examination, thus far, had manifested, besides the impor 
 tance of the positions, the impracticability of any effective operations 
 against the city, until possessed of the exterior forts and batteries. 
 Independent, however, of ulterior objects, the occupation of these 
 heights became indispensable to the restoration of our lines of com 
 munication with head-quarters, necessarily abandoned for the mo 
 ment in order to secure the gorges of the Saltillo road. At twelve 
 M., a force was detached under Captain C. F. Smith, with orders 
 to storm the batteries on the crest of the nearest hill, called Federa 
 tion, and after taking that, to carry the fort called Soldada, on the 
 ridge of the same height, retired about 600 yards. The two effec 
 tually guarded the slopes and roads in either valley, and consequently 
 the approaches to the city. This command consisted of four com 
 panies (K 2d, B 3d, and G and H 4th artillery,) of the artillery 
 battalion, and Green's, McGowan's, R. A. Gillespie's, Chandler's, 
 Ballone's, and McCulloch's companies of Texan riflemen, under 
 
WORTH'S OPERATIONS AT MONTEREY. 95 
 
 Major Chevalier, acting in co-operation in all about three hundred 
 effectives. It was impossible to mask the movement of the storm 
 ing party. On approaching the base of the mountain, the guns of 
 both batteries opened a plunging fire, and numerous light troops 
 were seen descending and arranging themselves at favourable points 
 on the slopes. Perceiving the indications of determined resistance, 
 Captain Miles was detached from the 7th, to support and co-operate 
 with the first party. 
 
 " In a short time the fire became general, the enemy gradually 
 yielding and retiring up the rugged acclivity, and our men as 
 steadily pursuing. The appearance of heavy reinforcements on the 
 summit, and the cardinal importance of the operation demanding 
 further support, the 5th under Major Scott, and Blanchard's compa 
 nies of volunteers were immediately detached, accompanied by Bri 
 gadier-General Smith, who was instructed to take direction in that 
 quarter. On reaching the advance parties, General Smith discovered 
 that under favour of the ground, he could, by directing a portion of 
 the force to the right, and moving it obliquely up the hill, carry the 
 Soldada simultaneously with the Federacion. He accordingly very 
 judiciously pointed and accompanied the 5th, 7th, and Blanchard's 
 company in that direction. Captain Smith's command having most 
 gallantly carried the first object of attack, promptly turned the cap 
 tured gun a nine-pounder upon the second, and moved on with 
 his main body to participate in the assault on Soldada, which was 
 carried in gallant style by the forces under Scott, Miles, BJanchard, 
 and Hays (who had been detached on special service, but who re 
 turned in time to share with fifty of his men in the first assault, and 
 to take a prominent part in the second), the whole directed by 
 General Smith. 
 
 "At this point we secured another nine-pounder, and immediately 
 both pieces were brought to bear upon the Bishop's Palace, situated 
 upon and midway the southern slope of the hill Independence, a 
 valley of only six hundred yards intervening. We had now secured 
 an important advantage, and yet but half the work was done. The 
 possession of these heights only made the more apparent the con 
 trolling importance of those opposite, and the necessity of occupying 
 the palace. A violent storm ensued, and night closing in, operations 
 for the day ceased. The troops had now been thirty-six hours 
 without food, and constantly tasked to the utmost physical exertions. 
 
96 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J. WORTH. 
 
 Such as could be permitted slept with arms in hand, subjected to a 
 pelting storm, and without covering till three A. M., when they 
 were aroused to carry the hill Independencia. 
 
 " Lieutenant-Colonel Childs was assigned to lead the storming- 
 parties, consisting of three companies, I and G (fourth), and A, 
 (third artillery battalion ;) three companies 8th infantry, (A, B, and 
 D,) under Captain Scriven, with two hundred Texan riflemen, under 
 Colonel Hays and Lieutenant-Colonel Walker (captain of rifles), 
 acting in co-operation. The command moved at three, conducted 
 to its point of ascent by Captain Sanders, military, and Lieutenant 
 Meade, topographical engineers. Favoured by the weather, it 
 reached by the dawn of day within about one hundred yards of the 
 crest, in which position, among the clefts of rocks, a body of the 
 enemy had been stationed the previous evening in apparent antici 
 pation of the attack. The enemy's retreating fire was ineffectual, 
 and not returned until Colonels Childs and Hays' command had 
 reached to within a few yards of the summit, when a well-directed 
 and destructive fire, followed by the bayonet of the regulars and 
 rush of the Texans, placed us in possession of the work ; the can 
 non having been previously withdrawn, no impression could be 
 made upon the massive walls of the palace or its outworks, without 
 artillery, except at enormous sacrifice. 
 
 "Lieutenant Rowland, of Duncan's battery, was ordered from the 
 main rank with a twelve-pound howitzer, and in two hours (aided 
 by fifty men from the line, under Captain Sanders, military engi 
 neer, for the purpose of selecting the route least difficult) that enter 
 prising and gallant officer had his guns in position, having ascended 
 an acclivity as rugged as steep, between seven and eight hundred 
 feet in two hours. A fire was immediately opened from the howit 
 zer, covered by the epaulement of the captured battery, upon the 
 palace and its outworks, four hundred yards distant, and soon pro 
 duced a visible sensation. Meanwhile, to reinforce the position, the 
 5th, Major Scott and Blanchard's volunteers, had been passed from 
 the first heights, and reached the second in time to participate in 
 the operations against the palace. 
 
 " After many affairs of light troops and several feints, a heavy 
 sortie was made, sustained by a strong corps of cavalry, with des 
 perate resolution, to repossess the heights. Such a move had been 
 anticipated and prepared for. Lieutenant-Colonel Childs had ad- 
 
WORTH'S OPERATIONS AT MONTEREY. 97 
 
 vanced. under cover, two companies of light troops under the com- 
 narid of Captain Vinton, acting major, and judiciously drawn up 
 the main body of his command, flanked on the right by Hays, and 
 'eft by Walker's Texans. The enemy advanced boldly, was 
 repulsed by one general discharge from all arms, fled in confusion, 
 closely pressed by Chi Ids and Hays, preceded by the light troops 
 under Vinton ; and while they fled past, our troops entered the 
 palace and fort. In a few moments the unpretending flag of our 
 union had replaced the gaudy standard of Mexico. The captured 
 guns one six-inch howitzer, one twelve, and two nine-pounder 
 brass guns, together with Duncan's and MackalPs field-batteries, 
 which came up at a gallop, were in full and effective play upon 
 the retiring and confused masses that filled the street (of which we 
 had the prolongation) leading to the nearest plaza, La Capella, also 
 crowded with troops. At this moment the enemy's loss was heavy. 
 The investment was now complete. Except the forces necessary 
 to hold the positions on Independencia and serve the guns (shifted 
 to points where the shot could be made to reach the great plaza), 
 the division was now concentrated around the palace, and prepara 
 tion made to assault the city on the following day, or sooner, should 
 the general-in-chief either so direct, or, before communication be 
 had, renew the assault from the opposite quarter. In the mean time 
 attention was directed to every provision our circumstances per 
 mitted, to alleviate the condition of our wounded soldiers and 
 officers ; to the decent interment of the dead, not omitting in either 
 respect all that was due to those of the enemy. 
 
 " About ten A. M., on the 23d, a heavy fire was heard in the op 
 posite quarter. Its magnitude and continuance, as well as other 
 circumstances, did not permit a doubt that the general was conduct- 
 :ng a main attack ; and that his orders for my co-operation (having 
 to travel a circuit of some six miles) had miscarried or failed to 
 leach me, by means of the numerous cavalry of the enemy. Under 
 these convictions, the troops were instantly ordered to commence an 
 operation, which, if not otherwise directed, I had designed to exe 
 cute in part, under favour of the night. Two columns of attack 
 were organized, to move along the two principal streets, leading 
 from our position, in direction of the great plaza, composed of light 
 troops slightly extended, with orders to mask the men whenever 
 practicable, avoid those points swept by the enemy's artillery, to 
 
98 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J. WORTH. 
 
 press on to the first plaza, Cape! la, to get hold of the ends of streets 
 beyond, then enter the buildings, and by means of picks and bars 
 break through the longitudinal section of the walls, work from 
 house to house, and ascending the roofs, to place themselves on the 
 same breast-height with the enemy. Light artillery by sections and 
 pieces, under Duncan, Roland, Mackall, Martin, Hays, Irons, Clarke, 
 and Curd, followed at suitable intervals, covered by reserves to 
 guard the pieces and the whole operation against the probable en 
 terprises of cavalry upon our left. This was effectually done by 
 seizing and commanding the head of every cross street. The streets 
 were, at different and well-chosen points, barricaded by heavy ma 
 sonry walls, with embrasures for one or more guns, and in every 
 instance well supported by cross batteries. These arrangements 
 of defence gave to our operations at this moment a complicated cha 
 racter, demanding much care and precaution ; but the work went 
 on steadily, simultaneously, and successfully. About the time our 
 assault commenced, the fire ceased from our force in the opposite 
 quarter. Disengaged on the one side, the enemy was enabled to 
 shift men and guns to our quarter, as was soon manifested by accu 
 mulation of fire. At dark we had worked through the walls and 
 squares, and reached to within one block of the great plaza, leaving 
 a covered way in our rearcarried a large building which towered 
 over the principal defences, and during the night and ensuing morn 
 ing, crowned its roof with two howitzers and a six-pounder. All 
 things were now prepared to renew the assault at dawn of day, 
 when a flag was sent on, asking a momentary suspension of fire, 
 which led to the capitulation upon terms so honourable to our arms. 
 "As the columns of attack were moving from the palace hill, 
 Major Munroe, chief of artillery, reached me with a ten-inch mortar, 
 which was immediately advanced to the plaza, chapel, put in posi 
 tion masked by the church wall, its bed adjusted as rapidly as pos 
 sible, and by sunset opened upon the great square. At this period, 
 our troops had worked to within one square of the plaza ; the exact 
 position of our comrades, on the opposite side, was not known, and* 
 the distance of the position to be assailed by the bomb battery, but 
 conjecturing eight hundred yards was assumed, and the fuze and 
 charge regulated accordingly; the first shell fell a little short of the 
 point on which it was directed, and. beside our troops ; a slight in 
 crease of the projecting charge gave exact results. The whole 
 
WORTH'S OPERATIONS AT MONTEREY. 99 
 
 service was managed by Major Munroe, most admirably, and, com 
 bined with other operations, exercised a decided influence upon the 
 final results. Early on the morning of the 23d, Major Brown's 
 artillery battalion was despatched with a select command, and one 
 section of MackalPs battery, under Lieutenant Irons, to occupy the 
 stone mill and adjacent grounds, constituting, one league in advance, 
 the narrow gorge near St. Catarina. The major took possession, 
 repulsed the enemy's pickets, and was preparing his command to 
 resist any attack, when, he received my orders to retrace his steps, 
 enter the city, and form the main reserve to the assaulting columns. 
 He came up in good time and in good order, and was at once 
 under fire. 
 
 " On the 25th, in conformity to the articles of capitulation, the 
 citadel was taken possession of by a command consisting of two 
 companies of each regiment, and one section of each battery, second 
 division. General Smith was directed to take command of this 
 corps, and conduct the ceremony ; which duty he executed with 
 delicacy to the unhappy and humiliated foe. 
 
 " You will receive lists of captured munitions of war, lists of such 
 as were surrendered having already been handed in. It is a source of 
 high gratification that we have been able to accomplish such fortunate 
 results with so moderate a sacrifice of gallant men. Annexed is a 
 return of killed and wounded, exhibiting dates, actions, and cir 
 cumstances. 
 
 " When every officer and every soldier, regular and volunteer, 
 has, through a series of harassing and severe conflicts, in the valley 
 and on the mountain, in the street and on the house-top, cheerfully, 
 bravely, and successfully executed every service and complied with 
 every exaction of valour and patriotism, the task is as difficult as 
 delicate, to distinguish individuals ; and yet it will always happen, 
 as it has always happened in the varied scenes of battle and siege, 
 that fortune presents to some those opportunities which all would 
 have seized with gladness and avidity. It is my pleasing and grate 
 ful duty to present to the consideration of the general-in-chief, and 
 through him to the government, the distinguished conduct of Briga 
 dier-General Smith, colonel of rifles, Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Childs, artillery battalion, Colonel Hays, Texan riflemen, Brevet 
 Captain C. F. Smith, 2d artillery, commanding light troops first 
 brigade. 
 
100 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J. WORTH. 
 
 " My thanks are also especially due to Lieutenant-Colonel Stani- 
 ford, 8th, (commanding first brigade,) Major Munroe, chief of artil 
 lery, (general staff;) Brevet-Major Brown, Captain J. R. Vinton, 
 artillery battalion; Captain J. B. Scott, artillery battalion light 
 troops ; Major Scott, commanding, and Captain Merrill, 5th ; Cap 
 tains Miles, commanding, Holmes and Ross, 7th infantry, and Cap 
 tain Scriven, commanding 8th infantry ; to Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Walker, (captain rifles,) Major Chevalier and Captain McCulloch, 
 of the Texan, and Captain Blanchard, Louisiana volunteers ; to 
 Lieutenants Mackall, (commanding battery,) Roland, Martin, Hays, 
 Irons, Clarke, and Curd, horse artillery ; Lieutenant Longstreet, 
 commanding light company, 8th ; Lieutenant Ayres, artillery bat 
 talion, who was among the first in the assault upon the Palace, and 
 who secured the colours. Each of the officers named, either headed 
 special detachments, columns of attack, storming parties, or detached 
 guns, and all were conspicuous for conduct and courage. 
 
 " My attention has been particularly directed by General Smith, 
 to the gallant conduct of Lieutenant Gardner, 7th infantry, during 
 the assault upon the city ; on which occasion he threw himself in 
 advance, and on the most exposed points, animating his men by his 
 brave example. Particular attention has also been called to the 
 Lieutenants Nicholls, (brothers) Louisiana volunteers, as having 
 highly distinguished themselves by personal daring and efficient 
 service. The officers of brigade and regimental staff were con 
 spicuous in the field, or in their particular departments. Lieutenants 
 Hanson, (commanding,) Vanhorn, aid-de-camp, 7th; Lieutenant 
 Robison, 5th, (quartermaster's department,) on the staff of General 
 Smith; Lieutenant and Adjutant Clark, 8th infantry, staff 1st 
 brigade; Lieutenant Benjamin, adjutant artillery battalion Peck, 
 ordnance officer, artillery battalion ; G. Deas, adjutant 5lh ; and 
 Page, adjutant 7th infantry, are highly commended by their respec 
 tive chiefs, to the justness of which I have the pleasure to add my 
 personal observation. In common with the entire division, my par 
 ticular thanks are tendered to Assistant Surgeons, Porter, (senior,) 
 Byrne, Conrad, De Leon, and Roberts, (medical department,) who 
 were ever at hand in the close fight, promptly administering to the 
 wounded and suffering soldier. 
 
 '* To the officers of the staff, general and personal, more espe 
 cially associated with myself Hon. Colonel Balie Peyton, Louisi- 
 
COMMENDATION OF OFFICERS. 101 
 
 ana troops, who did me the honour to serve as aid-de-camp; Cap 
 tain Sanders, military engineers ; Lieutenant Meade, topographical 
 engineers ; Lieutenants E. Deas, Daniels, and Ripley, quartermas 
 ter's and commissary's staff; and Lieutenants Pemberton, 4th artil 
 lery, and Wood, 8th infantry, my aids-de-camp* I have to express 
 the greatest obligation. In such diversified operations during the 
 three days and nights, they were constantly in motion, performing 
 every executive duty, with zeal and intelligence only surpassed by 
 daring courage in conflict. I beg to commend each to special con 
 sideration. 
 
 ' " We have to lament the gallant Captains McKavett, 8th infantry, 
 an officer of high merit, killed on the 21st, and Gillespie, Texas 
 volunteers, on the 22d. The latter eminently distinguished himself 
 while leading his brave company at the storming of the first height, 
 and perished in seeking similar distinction on a second occasion ; 
 Captain Gatlin and Lieutenant Potter, 7th, Lieutenant Rossell, 5th, 
 and Wainwright, 8th infantry, and Lieutenant Reece, Texas rifle 
 men, received honourable, happily not mortal wounds. 
 
 " The following non-commissioned officers are reported as having 
 highly distinguished themselves : Sergeants Hazard, 4th, and Dil- 
 worth, 3d artillery ; Quartermaster Sergeant Henry, 7th infantry ; 
 Cross, company C; Rounds, Bradford, (colour sergeants,) and Nogg, 
 company E ; Bailey, company I, and Ballard, 7th infantry. 
 
 " In the several conflicts with the division, the enemy's loss is 
 ascertained to exceed four hundred and fifty men, four nine-pounders, 
 one twelve-pounder brass gun, one twenty-four-pounder howitzer, 
 and two national (garrison) standards captured." 
 
 Samuel C. Reid, in his excellent work, " Scouting Expeditions of 
 the Texas Rangers," gives this vivid account of the street-fight in 
 which Worth's men were engaged : 
 
 " Every street was barricaded with heavy works of masonry, the 
 walls being some three or four feet thick, with embrasures for one 
 or more guns, which raked the streets ; the walls of gardens and 
 sides of houses were all loop-holed for musketry ; the tops of the 
 houses were covered with troops, who were sheltered behind para 
 pets some four feet high, upon which were piled sand-bags for their 
 better protection, and from which they showered down a hurricane 
 of balls. 
 
 44 Between three and four o'clock, from the cessation of the fire 
 9* 
 
102 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J. WORTH. 
 
 in the opposite direction, it was evident that the enemy had become 
 disengaged, which enabled them to draw off men and guns to our 
 side, as their fire had now become almost doubly increased. The 
 street-fight became appalling both columns were now closely en 
 gaged with the enemy, and steadily advanced inch by inch our 
 artillery was heard rumbling over the paved streets, galloping here 
 and there as the emergency required, and pouring forth a blazing 
 fire of grape and ball volley after volley of musketry, and the con 
 tinued peals of artillery became almost deafening. The artillery of 
 both sides raked the streets, the balls striking the houses with a ter 
 rible crash, while amid the roar of battle were heard the battering 
 instruments used by the Texans. ' Doors were forced open, walls 
 were battered down, entrances made through the longitudinal walls, 
 and the enemy driven from room to room, and from house to house, 
 followed by the shrieks of women, and the sharp crack of Texan 
 rifles. Cheer after cheer was heard in proud and exulting defiance, 
 as the Texans or regulars gained the house-tops by means of lad 
 ders, while they poured in a rain of bullets upon the enemy on the 
 opposite houses." 
 
 The same writer thus speaks of General Worth : 
 " The position General Worth then occupied might have been 
 considered as critical as it was dangerous. Separated from the main 
 body of the army his communication cut off, and no possible route 
 less than eight miles to retain it with but scanty supplies of pro 
 visions for four days, surrounded by gorges and passes of the moun 
 tains, from whose summits belched forth the destructive shot, shell, 
 and grape, he was liable at any moment to be attacked by an over 
 whelming force in the direction of Saltillo, which had been reported 
 to be daily expected, and which would have placed his command in 
 the very jaws of the enemy. For although holding the gorges and 
 passes of the Saltillo road, yet a superior force from the advance 
 would certainly have forced him back to, and have turned upon him 
 the very passes which he then held. It was feared too, from his 
 impetuous nature, that he would rush his command into unnecessary- 
 danger by some rash and desperate attempt. But it was not so. 
 He was collected, calm, and cool, and bore himself with that proud, 
 resolute, and commanding mien, giving his orders with promptness 
 and decision, which inspired men and officers alike with confidence. 
 He never appeared better than on that day ; and all felt that with 
 
WORTH'S OPERATIONS AT MONTEREY. 103 
 
 Worth they were sure of victory. He knew that General Taylor 
 had staked the issue of the battle on him, and he felt the great and 
 weighty responsibility that rested on the course he should pursue. 
 As he surveyed with his glass the enemy's works before him, he 
 seemed to feel that not a moment was to be lost. He saw at once 
 that it would be necessary to carry by storm the battery on Federa- 
 cion hill, situated on the right bank of the San Juan de Monterey, 
 as well as the fort on the ridge of tbe same height, called Soldada, 
 about six hundred yards from the battery on the crest of the hill, as 
 these two batteries commanded the approaches from the Saltillo 
 road, as well as the egress from the city. For this purpose, Captain 
 C. F. Smith of the 2d artillery was ordered to proceed with his 
 own, and three companies of the artillery battalion, commanded by 
 Lieutenants Shackelford, Van Vliet, and Phelps accompanied by 
 Lieutenant Edward Deas, of the quartermaster's staff, and Lieute 
 nant Gibson, together with two companies of the Texas Rangers 
 (dismounted), under our brave and gallant Major Chevalier, com 
 manded by Captains Gillespie, Ballowe, McCulloch, Chandler, 
 Green, and McGowan. The whole command numbered in all three 
 hundred men, more than half of whom were Rangers. 
 
 " It was now about twelve o'clock, and the meridian sun poured 
 down its hottest rays. Before us stood the steep and rugged hill, 
 about three hundred and eighty feet high, whose slopes were 
 covered with thick and thorny chapparal. With a glass could be 
 seen the swarm of Mexicans that crowned the height, while its 
 cannon that looked down in defiance at us, seemed to threaten with 
 annihilation all who dared approach. The daring of the expedi 
 tion was thought to be one of the last hope ; and men looked for 
 ward to meet death calmly in the face, as they felt that it was only 
 by great sacrifice that they could gain a victory. General Worth 
 rode up as the command moved off, and pointing to the height 
 said : l Men you are to take that hill and I know you will do it. 1 
 With one response they replied : l We will; 1 and those who be 
 fore had felt a doubt as to its practicability, now became reanimated 
 and felt themselves invincible. The words of Worth had nerved 
 every arm, and hearts swelled with that proud feeling of enthu 
 siasm, which makes men indomitable before the foe. The command 
 took up its line of march along the Saltillo road, and then struck 
 off to the right through fields of corn and sugar, in single file, in 
 
104 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J. WORTH. 
 
 order to conceal, as far as possible, the movement from the enemy. 
 On we hurried in double quick time, brustling through the rows of 
 cane and corn towards the river bank. It was soon evident that we 
 were discovered, and while yet in the fields, the batteries opened 
 upon us a fierce and plunging fire, enveloping the crown of the hill 
 with smoke, through which could be seen the blazing of the cannon, 
 which seemed to vie with the sunbeams' glare. On we pressed 
 toward their murderous artillery, until we gained the bank of the 
 rapid stream, which we had to cross. Unprotected and exposed to 
 the very face of the enemy, a terrific storm of shot and grape was 
 now poured into our ranks. Nothing daunted the men rushed into 
 the sweeping current, waist deep, while the enemy's shot, as it 
 struck the water, sent forth a hissing sound, and made the river boil 
 and foam with the whistling windage of their venomous copper 
 balls. Bravely did our men stem the torrent amid the shower of 
 galling grape, and soon we reached the opposite bank and clam 
 bered up the rocky steep without the loss of a man." 
 
 Worth was appointed principal of the delegation to negotiate the 
 capitulation, and contributed more than any other man to a final 
 adjustment of the unfortunate issues which arose during the deli 
 berations. 
 
 While Taylor remained at Monterey, Worth with twelve hun 
 dred men and eight pieces of artillery, marched against Saltillo, of 
 which he took possession without the slightest opposition. Here he 
 remained until the middle of January, when he was ordered to pro 
 ceed with the regulars and volunteers of the army to join General 
 Scott at Vera Cruz. 
 
 On arriving at the coast, General Worth soon convinced all 
 around him that his part in the siege was to be an active one. He 
 is among the very few officers mentioned by Commodore Conner in 
 his description of the landing. The latter has the following lan 
 guage descriptive of that brilliant scene : 
 
 " The anchorage near this place being extremely contracted, it 
 became necessary, in order to avoid crowding it with an undue 
 number of vessels, to transfer most of the troops to the vessels of 
 war for transportation to Sacrificios. Accordingly, on the morning 
 of the 9th, at daylight, all necessary preparations such as launch 
 ing and numbering the boats, detailing officers, &c., having been 
 previously made, this transfer was commenced. The frigates 
 
TROOPS LANDED AT VERA CRUZ. 105 
 
 received on board between twenty-five and twenty-eight hundred 
 men each, with their arms and accoutrements, and the sloops and 
 smaller vessels numbers in proportion. This part of the movement 
 was completed very successfully about eleven o'clock A. M., and a 
 few minutes thereafter the squadron under my command, accompa 
 nied by the commanding general, in the steamship Massachusetts, 
 and such of the transports as had been selected for the purpose, got 
 under way. 
 
 "The weather was very fine indeed we could not have been 
 more favoured in this particular than we were. We had a fresh 
 and yet gentle breeze from the south-east, and a perfectly smooth 
 sea. The passage to Sacrificios occupied us between two and 
 three hours. Each ship came in and anchored without the slightest 
 disorder or confusion, in the small space allotted to her the har 
 bour being still very much crowded, notwithstanding the number 
 of transports we had left behind. The disembarkation commenced 
 on the instant. 
 
 " Whilst we were transferring the troops from the ships to the 
 surf-boats (sixty-five in number), I directed the steamers Spitfire 
 and Vixen, and the five gun-boats, to form a line parallel with and 
 close in to the beach, to cover the landing. This order was prompt 
 ly executed, and these small vessels, from the lightness of their 
 draught, were enabled to take positions within good grape-range of 
 the shore. As the boats severally received their compliments of 
 troops, they assembled in a line, abreast, between the fleet and the 
 gun-boats ; and when all were ready, they pulled in together, under 
 the guidance of a number of officers of the squadron, who had been 
 detailed for this purpose. General Worth commanded this, the 
 first line of the army, and had the satisfaction of forming his com 
 mand on the beach and neighbouring heights just before sunset. 
 Four thousand five hundred men were thus thrown on shore, almost 
 simultaneously. No enemy appeared to offer us the slightest oppo 
 sition. The first line being landed, the boats in successive trips re 
 lieved the men-of-war and transports of the remaining troops, by ten 
 o'clock P. M. The whole army (save a few straggling companies), 
 consisting of upwards of ten thousand men, were thus safely depo 
 sited on shore, without the slightest accident of any kind." 
 
 An eye-witness of the same scene says : 
 
 " General Worth, certainly the most useful man in command 
 E* 
 
106 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J. WORTH. 
 
 here, had a smart brush with a body of Mexicans last night [March 
 12th] and this morning, in which they were beaten. A cemetery 
 about one mile from the city was taken possession of, and fortified 
 by General Worth." 
 
 From the very nature of a siege, few individuals save the artiller 
 ists are able to distinguish themselves. Worth, however, received 
 the commendations of General Scott, and was appointed to negotiate 
 the terms of surrender. He also attended while the city was being 
 evacuated by the Mexicans, and was subsequently appointed mili- 
 tary governor. This office he held only for a short time, moving 
 with the army in its march toward the Mexican capital. At Sierra 
 Gordo, he marched with his whole division to support the left of 
 General Twiggs, in the attack upon the main fort. During the 
 whole time he was exposed to the full range of the enemy's fire, 
 but in unison with his brother officer gallantly carried the redoubt, 
 and completely routed the garrison. 
 
 On the 22d of April, Worth captured the town and castle of Pe- 
 rote, one of the strongest in Mexico. It contained immense quanti 
 ties of ammunition, ordnance, small arms and other military stores. 
 On the 16th of May he approached the city of Puebla. Here Santa 
 Anna had a portion of his army, with which he was collecting pro 
 visions and other stores. As Worth approached, he was met by 
 about fifteen hundred lancers, and a skirmish ensued on the plains 
 of Amasoca, in which the enemy lost ten in killed and wounded. 
 They retreated, and were pursued over the plain, and through the 
 streets of the city. Santa Anna fled at the same time, with the re 
 maining portion of his troops. 
 
 " The city of Puebla is located on a plain, and the main posi 
 tion of the place is nearly level, the streets a little wider than those 
 of any Mexican towns I have seen the style of building is nearly 
 the same throughout the city ; and taking it all through, is the best 
 built town or city I have ever seen, and the people are the worst 
 population with which I have ever come in contact. The streets 
 are daily more crowded than either Chartres, Camp, or St. Charles 
 streets, of New Orleans, and depravity, vice and degradation are 
 depicted in every expression of the great mass, from the infant to 
 the aged and infirm. It seems utterly inconceivable that a popula 
 tion of this kind should inhabit such a beautiful and well-built city. 
 The population, I heard before my arrival, was about" thirty thou- 
 
DESCRIPTION OF PUEBLA. 107 
 
 sand ; from all the information I can get I do not think it contains 
 less than sixty thousand souls. The people of this place (los Pue- 
 blanos) are noted throughout the whole of Mexico for their villany 
 an.d their turbulent spirit. I am free to confess that I do not think 
 there is as much religion, and as little morality, in any town on the 
 continent of America, as can be found here. The mass of the peo 
 ple are very poor, while the rich are very rich the poor are always 
 ready to engage in crimes of every shape and hue, and prefer vice 
 to labour for the purpose of procuring the necessary means of sup 
 port. There are upwards of one hundred churches, seven hundred 
 priests, and the value of the church property is a little over one 
 hundred and forty-eight millions of dollars. The churches are all 
 of a very superior order. It is impossible to convey an idea of the 
 magnificence of the cathedral. I have heard men who have seen 
 every public building in the United States, and many of those in 
 foreign countries, state that they have never seen any building that 
 would, in the least degree, compare with the elegance and gorgeous- 
 ness of this building and its decorations the large paintings, solid 
 massive gold and gilded carved work, are all of the finest style, and 
 are so arranged as to present the appearance of sublimity. Although 
 there are a great number of designs and paintings, there does not 
 appear to be too many or too few, but just enough to show well. 
 Like all other places in this country, Puebla has its places of amuse 
 ment and resort. The Almeda (a large public garden) with its wide 
 walks, blooming flowers, flowing fountains, and shading trees, all 
 within a permanent and neat enclosure theatres, amphitheatre for 
 bull-fighting, cockpits, etc., to all of which the men, women and 
 children flock in great crowds at certain seasons of the year, for the 
 purpose of enjoying such festivities as may 'be on hand.' Bull 
 fighting is their great national amusement, which usually takes place 
 on Sundays and feast days, so that it may riot interfere with their 
 usual business. Church in the morning, and bull-fighting in the 
 evening, and a fandango at night. Men, women and children, of all 
 ages and conditions, visit the arena as a usual pastime amusement. 
 When the desperate conflict commences, they all, male and female, 
 become excited alike, the men rewarding the victors with roars of 
 applause, and the ladies with the waving of white handkerchiefs. 
 The climate is a most pleasant one, the temperature varying but 
 little between winter and summer the nights being cool enough to 
 
108 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J. WORTH. 
 
 make sleeping under a blanket comfortable, and the days warm 
 enough to be agreeable, the heat not oppressive, and juleps desirable 
 in which we have the opportunity of indulging. Snow and ice are 
 daily brought down from the mountains, and hawked through the 
 streets for sale. From the peculiar adaptation of the climate and 
 soil to the culture of all kinds of fruit, grain, and vegetables, there 
 is one of the best supplied markets here I have ever seen there is 
 an abundance of all the fruits and vegetables of the northern parts 
 of the United States, together with those of the south and West In 
 dies. The meats and fowl are very fine, and the supply good, though, 
 unlike our country, it is never offered for sale in the public market 
 places, but usually kept in private store-houses in different parts of 
 the city. The rainy season has fairly commenced, but I cannot say 
 it is at all unpleasant the sun shines out fair and brilliant in the 
 morning, and so continues until about two o'clock, when suddenly a 
 dark heavy cloud makes its appearance on the mountain-side, and 
 soon passes over the valley, enveloping it in darkness, and pouring 
 out its floods of water, which completely drench the earth for about 
 four hours, when the rain usually ceases ; in half an hour the streets 
 are as dry as if there had not been a rain for twelve months all 
 classes and conditions again sally out into the streets, and the city 
 soon becomes the theatre of a motley crowd ; those who can lay any 
 claim to decency are the more gay and lively, while vice and im 
 morality, as if invigorated by a short respite, come out in all the gay 
 and inviting dresses calculated to allure and deceive." 
 
 Puebla became the head-quarters of the army until the 8th of 
 August, when General Scott commenced his march for the capital. 
 He led the advance while marching around Lake Chalco, and was 
 the first to reach the hacienda of San Gregoria, when a halt was 
 ordered, in consequence of General Twiggs having met a large force 
 of the enemy near Chalco. 
 
 On the 17th, General Worth renewed his march over a terribly 
 bad road, but by eight o'clock in the morning he was in sight of the 
 domes and spires of the capital, without any opposition, except that 
 rocks had been rolled, into the road, and ditches dug, evidently 
 showing that General Scott had stolen a march on Santa Anna. On 
 reaching this point, however, a scattering fire was opened by a force 
 stationed in an advantageous position, which was soon silenced by 
 Colonel Smith's light battalion of the 2d artillery, under Major Galb. 
 
MARCH ON THE CAPITAL. 109 
 
 Another attack was shortly after made, but again the enemy's pickets 
 were driven in without loss. 
 
 At seven o'clock on the 18th, General Scott arrived at San Au 
 gustine, and at ten o'clock General Worth was in full march for the 
 city of Mexico by the main road. Majors Smith and Turnbull, 
 Captain Mason and other engineer officers, were sent in advance, 
 supported by Captain Blake's squadron of dragoons, to reconnoitre, 
 when a masked battery was opened on them, and the first ball from 
 an eighteen-pounder killed Captain Thornton of the 2d dragoons, 
 besides seriously wounding a guide. 
 
 Colonel Garland's brigade was ordered to occupy a position in 
 plain sight of the enemy's batteries at San Antonio, whilst Colonel 
 Stark's brigade and Duncan's battery took their station in the rear 
 close by. A party was then sent out to reconnoitre to ascertain the 
 practicability of finding a road by which the village of San Angel 
 could be reached, and the stronghold of San Antonio thus turned ; 
 this party had a skirmish with the enemy, killing five or six, and 
 taking as many prisoners, without losing a man. 
 
 The result of the reconnoissance was favourable, and it was ascer 
 tained that a road could be made. The Mexicans were plainly seen 
 in force near Bronteras, and at a council held that night it was de 
 termined to attack them in the morning. While this reconnoissance 
 was going on, General Worth had established himself at the hacienda 
 of Buvera, from the windows of which countless numbers of the 
 enemy could be seen at work upon the batteries of San Antonio. 
 About noon they opened upon the hacienda with both round shot 
 and shell. Nearly every shot took effect, but did no damage, except 
 to the buildings. Late in the evening they ceased firing, and were 
 silent during the remainder of the night. Had the fire been kept 
 up, the hacienda might have been torn to pieces, and the entire 
 command compelled to retire. 
 
 At eight o'clock on the morning of the 19th, the batteries again 
 opened on General Worth's position. So hot was the fire that the 
 troops were compelled to gain shelter behind the buildings, but did 
 not give up their position. About nine o'clock the divisions of 
 Twiggs and Pillow were ordered to march in the direction of Bron 
 teras, and by one o'clock in the afternoon were in plain sight of the 
 enemy's batteries, and within range of the heavier guns. The bri 
 gade of Colonel P. F. Smith was ordered to advance directly towards 
 10 
 
110 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J. WORTH. 
 
 the enemy's works, whilst that of Colonel Riley moved towards a 
 small village at the right, and thus cut off reinforcements which 
 might be sent to Valencia from the city. An incessant fire was 
 opened on Colonel Smith's command, and soon the rifles were en 
 gaged with the pickets of the enemy, driving them in. The twelve- 
 pounder battery of Captain Magruder, and the mountain howitzer 
 batteries now commanded by Lieutenant Callender of the ordnance 
 department, were pressed forward and opened on the enemy, but 
 were so much exposed to a fire from heavier guns, that they were 
 soon silenced. Lieutenants Johnson and Callender were seriously 
 wounded. 
 
 At three o'clock, General Cadwalader was ordered out to support 
 Colonel Riley heavy reinforcements having been seen on their 
 way out from the city, whilst General Pierce was sent to sustain 
 General Smith. The firing from the enemy's batteries was inces 
 sant. About four o'clock General Scott arrived, and seeing the 
 immense strength of the Mexicans, at once ordered General Shields' 
 brigade to support Riley and Cadwalader, and prevent, if possible, 
 a junction of the forces coming out of the city, with those of Valen 
 cia. But few of the movements of our troops could be seen, but 
 every motion of the enemy was visible. The order of battle of 
 Valencia was most imposing. His infantry was seen drawn up to 
 support the batteries, whilst long lines of the enemy's cavalry were 
 stationed in the rear, as if awaiting the shock of the battle. 
 
 Two separate charges of the latter were distinctly seen to be re 
 pulsed by Colonel Riley. Until night had fairly closed in, the firing 
 from the enemy s batteries had not slackened ; it had been a con 
 tinuous roar for nearly six hours. 
 
 General Scott retired to San Augustine about eight o'clock, in the 
 midst of a hard rain, and Generals Twiggs and Pillow came in about 
 eleven o'clock, completely exhausted, not anticipating the great 
 strength of the works of the enemy. 
 
 It was thought that the batteries could be taken at a dash, and 
 that the troops would be comfortably quartered at San Angel for the 
 night; instead of this a large portion of them were compelled to 
 bivouack, without blankets, in the midst of a pitiless storm. 
 
 On the morning of the 20th, General Worth was ordered to move 
 a part of his division (Garland's brigade) to aid in the attack on 
 Valencia, for to force this position was deemed indispensable. 
 
 At seven o'clock, a few discharges of cannon were heard, and 
 
SAN ANTONIO CAPTURED. Ill 
 
 the rattling of musketry, and some even said, that in the distance 
 horses of the enemy could be seen flying towards the city, yet few 
 deemed that the batteries had been stormed and carried, yet it was 
 so. General Scott, accompanied by General Worth, started for 
 the scene of action, when they were met by Captain Mason, with 
 the joyful intelligence that Valencia had been completely routed 
 after a terrible struggle. 
 
 The attack upon his works was planned by General Smith, and 
 resulted in the capture of fifteen pieces of artillery and some fifteen 
 hundred prisoners, among them Generals Blanco, Garcia, Mendoza 
 and the notorious Salas. He also captured all the ammunition and 
 camp furniture, and the road over which those who escaped fled 
 was strewed with muskets. No less than seven hundred of the 
 enemy, among them many officers, were left dead upon the field, 
 whilst the number of wounded was far greater. 
 
 The works of Bronte ras were completely in the power of the 
 American army. 
 
 General Scott at once ordered General Worth to fall back on San 
 Antonio, to turn and capture that work, and then push on towards 
 the capital by the main road, whilst the main body of the army 
 moved on towards San Angel and Cohoycam. 
 
 General Twiggs had scarcely moved a half a mile beyond the lat 
 ter village, when a rattling fire of musketry announced that our forces 
 was actively engaged with the outposts of the enemy, and the heavy 
 booming of cannon now gave token that the noted second division 
 had fallen on another strong work. 
 
 A few minutes more and a tremendous firing from the right made 
 it evident that General Worth's division was also actively engaged ; 
 he had completely turned the strong works of San Antonio, but 
 while doing so, the enemy had abandoned the place with a loss of 
 three heavy guns, and had fallen back on a second and stronger 
 line of works. 
 
 It was now one o'clock, P. M., and about the commencement of 
 the battles, and such a rattling of fire-arms has seldom or never been 
 heard on the continent of America, accompanied with such booming 
 of artillery ; and this was continued over two hours, when the 
 enemy was completely routed from every point, and until those who 
 were not killed or taken prisoners were in full flight for the city. 
 
 The strength of the enemy in this battle is known to have been 
 
112 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J. WORTH. 
 
 fifteen or twenty thousand, all fresh troops, and occupying a posi 
 tion of uncommon strength. Opposed to them were about six thou 
 sand Americans, jaded and broken down by marches, counter 
 marches, and incessant toil. 
 
 After these brilliant victories the succeeding armistice delayed the 
 operations of the army more than two weeks ; but as all attempts to 
 conclude a treaty had failed, both armies prepared for another despe 
 rate struggle. On the 7th, the American army commenced recon- 
 noissances of the enemy's positions, with the purpose of making an 
 immediate attack. 
 
 " The same afternoon," says General Scott, " a large body of the 
 enemy was discovered hovering about the Molinos del Key, within 
 a mile and a third of this village, where I am quartered with the 
 general staff and Worth's division. 
 
 " It might have been supposed that an attack upon us was in 
 tended ; but knowing the great value to the enemy of those mills, 
 (Molinos del Hey,} containing a cannon foundry, with a large de 
 posit of powder in Casa Mata near them ; and having heard, two 
 days before, that many church bells had been sent out to be cast into 
 guns, the enemy's movement was easily understood, and I resolved, 
 at once, to drive him early the next morning, to seize the powder, 
 and to destroy the foundry. 
 
 "Another motive for this decision leaving the general plan of 
 attack upon the city for full reconnoissances was, that we knew 
 our recent captures had left the enemy not a fourth of the guns ne 
 cessary to arm, all at the same time, the strong works at each of the 
 eight city gates ; and we could not cut the communication between 
 the capital and the foundry without first taking the formidable castle 
 on the heights of Chapultepec, which overlooked both and stood 
 between. 
 
 " For this difficult operation we were not entirely ready ; and, 
 moreover, we might altogether neglect the castle, if, as we then 
 hoped, our reconnoissances should prove that the distant southern 
 approaches to the city were more eligible than this south-western 
 approach. 
 
 "Hence the decision promptly taken, the execution of which 
 Was assigned to Brevet Major-General Worth, whose division was 
 reinforced with Cadvvalader's brigade of Pillow's division, threo 
 squadrons of dragoons under Major Sumner, and some heavy guns 
 
BATTLE OF MOLING DEL KEY. 113 
 
 of the siege-train under Captain Huger, of the ordnance, and Cap 
 tain Drum, of the 4th artillery two officers of the highest merit 
 
 " For the decisive and brilliant results, I beg to refer to the report 
 of the immediate commander, Major-General Worth, in whose com 
 mendations of the gallant officers and men, dead and living, I 
 heartily concur ; having witnessed, but with little interference, their 
 noble devotion to fame and to country." 
 
 General Worth gives the following graphic account of this battle : 
 
 "Sm: Under the inconvenient circumstances incident to recent 
 battle, and derangement from loss of commanders staff, commis 
 sioned, and non-commissioned and amid the active scenes resulting 
 therefrom, I proceed to make a report, in obedience to the orders of 
 the general-in-chief, of the battle of El Molino del Rey, fought and 
 won on the 8th of September, 1847, by the first division, reinforced 
 as follows : 
 
 " 1st. Three squadrons of dragoons and one company of mounted 
 riflemen two hundred and seventy men, under Major Sumner, 
 2d dragoons. 
 
 " 2d. Three pieces of field artillery, under Captain Drum. 
 
 " 3d. Two battering guns, (twenty-four-pounders,) under Cap 
 tain Huger. 
 
 "4th. Cadwalader's brigade, seven hundred and eighty-four 
 strong, consisting of the voltigeur regiment, the llth and 14th regi 
 ments of infantry. 
 
 " Having, in the course of the 7th, accompanied the general-in- 
 chief on a reconnoissance of the formidable dispositions of the 
 enemy near and around the castle of Chapultepec, they were found 
 to exhibit an extended line of cavalry and infantry, sustained by a 
 field-battery of four guns, occupying directly, or sustaining a system 
 of defences collateral to the castle and summit. This examination 
 gave fair observation of the configuration of the grounds and the 
 extent of the enemy's force ; but, as appeared in the sequel, an in 
 adequate idea of the nature of his defences, they being skilfully 
 masked. 
 
 " The general-in-chief ordered that my division, reinforced as be 
 fore mentioned, should attack and carry those lines and defences, 
 eapture the enemy's artillery, destroy the machinery and material 
 supposed to be in the foundry, (El Molino del Rey,) but limiting 
 10* 
 
114 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J. WORTH. 
 
 the operations to that extent ; after which my command was to be 
 immediately withdrawn to its position in the village of Tacubaya. 
 
 "A close and daring reconnoissance, by Captain Mason, of the 
 engineers, made on the morning of the 7th, represented the enemy's 
 lines collateral to Chapultepec to be as follows: His left rested upon 
 and occupied a group of strong stone buildings, called El Molino 
 del Rey, adjoining the grove at the foot of the hill of Chapultepec, 
 and directly under the guns of the castle which crowns its summit. 
 The right of his line rested upon another stone building, called Casa 
 Mata, situated at the foot of the ridge that slopes gradually from the 
 heights above the village of Tacubaya to the plain below. Midway 
 between these buildings was the enemy's field-battery, and his in 
 fantry forces were disposed on either side to support it. This re 
 connoissance was verified by Captain Mason and Colonel Duncan 
 on the afternoon of the same day. The result indicated that the 
 centre was the weak point of the enemy's position, and that his 
 flanks were the strong points, his left flank being the stronger. 
 
 " As the enemy's system of defence was connected with the hill 
 and castle of Chapultepec, and as my operations were limited to a 
 specific object, it became necessary to isolate the work to be accom 
 plished from the castle of Chapultepec and its immediate defences. 
 To effect this object the following dispositions were ordered : Colonel 
 Garland's brigade to take position on the right, strengthened by two 
 pieces of Captain Drum's battery, to look to El Molino del Rey as 
 well as any support of this position from Chapultepec ; and also 
 within sustaining distance of the assaulting party and the battering 
 guns, which, under Captain Huger, were placed on the ridge, five 
 or six hundred yards from El Molino del Rey, to batter and loosen 
 this position from Chapultepec. An assaulting party of five hun 
 dred picked men and officers, under command of Brevet-Major 
 George Wright, 8th infantry, was also posted on the ridge to the 
 left of the battering guns, to force the enemy's centre. The 2d 
 (Clark's) brigade, the command of which devolved on Colonel 
 Mclntosh, (Colonel Clark being sick,) with Duncan's battery, was 
 to take post still further up the ridge, opposite the enemy's right, to 
 look to our left flank to sustain the assaulting column if necessary, 
 or to discomfit the enemy, (the ground being favourable,) as circum 
 stances might require. Cadwalader's brigade was held in reserve, 
 in a position on the ridge, between the battering guns and Mcln- 
 
BATTLE OF MOLING DEL KEY. 115 
 
 tosh's brigade, and in easy support of either. The cavalry, under 
 Major Sumner, to envelope our extreme left, and be governed by 
 circumstances to repel or attack, as the commander's judgment 
 might suggest. The troops to be put in position under cover of the 
 night, and the work to begin as soon as the heavy metal could be 
 properly directed. Colonel Duncan was charged with the general 
 disposition of the artillery. Accordingly, at 3 o'clock in the morn 
 ing of the 8th, the several columns were put in motion, on as many 
 different routes ; and, when the gray of the morning enabled them 
 to be seen, they were as accurately in position as if posted in mid 
 day for review. The early dawn was the moment appointed for the 
 attack, which was announced to our troops by the opening of Hu- 
 ger's guns on El Molino del Rey, upon which they continued to 
 play actively until this point of the enemy's line became sensibly 
 shaken, when the assaulting party, commanded by Wright, and 
 guided by that accomplished officer, Captain Mason, of the engi 
 neers, assisted by Lieutenant Foster, dashed gallantly forward to the 
 assault. Unshaken by the galling fire of musketry and canister 
 that was showered upon them, o.n they rushed, driving infantry and 
 artillery-men at the point of the bayonet. The enemy's field-bat 
 tery was taken, and his own guns were trailed upon his retreating 
 masses ; before, however, they could be discharged, perceiving that 
 he had been dispossessed of this strong position by comparatively a 
 handful of men, he made a desperate effort to regain it. Accord 
 ingly, his retiring forces rallied and formed with this object. Aided 
 by the infantry, which 1 covered the house-tops, (within reach of 
 which the battery had been moved during the night,) the enemy's 
 whole line opened upon the assaulting party a terrific fire of mus 
 ketry, which struck down eleven out of the fourteen officers thai 
 composed the command, and non-commissioned officers and men in 
 proportion ; including among the officers Brevet-Major Wright, the 
 commander ; Captain Mason and Lieutenant Foster, engineers ; all 
 severely wounded. 
 
 " This severe shock staggered for a moment that gallant band 
 The light battalion, held to cover Huger's battery, under Captain 
 E. Kirby Smith, (Lieutenant-Colonel Smith being sick,) and the 
 right wing of Cadwalader's brigade, were promptly ordered forward 
 to support, which order was executed in the most gallant style ; the 
 enemy was again routed, and this point of his line carried, and fully 
 
116 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J. WORTH. 
 
 possessed by our troops. In the mean time Garland's (1st) brigade, 
 ably sustained by Captain Drum's artillery, assaulted the enemy's 
 left, and, after an obstinate and very severe contest, drove him from 
 this apparently impregnable position, immediately under the guns 
 of the castle of Chapultepec. Drum's section, and the battering 
 guns under Captain Huger, advanced to the enemy's position, and 
 the captured guns of the enemy were now opened on his retreating 
 forces, on which they continued to fire until beyond their reach. 
 While this work was in progress of accomplishment by our centre 
 and right, our troops on the left were not idle. Duncan's battery 
 opened on the right of the enemy's line, up to this time engaged ; 
 and the 2d brigade, under Colonel Mclntosh, was now ordered to 
 assault the extreme right of the enemy's line. The direction of this 
 brigade soon caused it to mask Duncan's battery, the fire of which, 
 for the moment, was discontinued ; and the brigade moved steadily 
 on to the assault of Casa Mata, which, instead of an ordinary field 
 entrenchment, as was supposed, proved to be a strong stone 'citadel, 
 surrounded with bastioned entrenchments and impassable ditches 
 an old Spanish work, recently repaired and enlarged. When within 
 easy musket range, the enemy opened a most deadly fire upon our 
 advancing troops, which was kept up, without intermission, until 
 our gallant men reached the very slope of the parapet of the work 
 that surrounded the citadel. By this time a large proportion of the 
 command was either killed or wounded, amongst whom were the 
 three senior officers present, Brevet Colonel Mclntosh, Brevet Lieu 
 tenant-Colonel Scott, of the 5th infantry, and Major Waite, 8th in 
 fantry ; the second killed, and the first and last desperately wounded. 
 Still, the fire from the citadel was unabated. In this crisis of the 
 attack, the command was momentarily thrown into disorder, and fell 
 back on the left of Duncan's battery, where they rallied. As the 2d 
 brigade moved to the assault, a very large cavalry and infantry force 
 was discovered approaching rapidly upon our left flank, to reinforce 
 the enemy's right. As soon as Duncan's battery was masked, as 
 before mentioned, supported by Andrews's voltigeurs, of Cadwala- 
 der's brigade, it moved promptly to the extreme left of our line to 
 check the threatened assault on this point. The enemy's cavalry 
 came rapidly within canister range, when the whole battery opened 
 a most effective fire, which soon broke the squadrons and drove them 
 back in disorder. During this fire upon the enemy's cavalry, Major 
 
BATTLE OF MOLING DEL KEY. 117 
 
 Sumner's command moved to the front, and changed direction in 
 admirable order, under a most appalling fire from the Casa Mata. 
 This movement enabled his command to cross the ravine imme 
 diately on the left of Duncan's battery, where it remained, doing 
 noble service until the close of the action. At the very moment the 
 cavalry were driven beyond reach, our own troops drew back from 
 before the Casa Mata, and enabled the guns of Duncan's battery to 
 re-open upon this position, which, after a short and well-directed 
 fire, the enemy abandoned. The guns of the battery were now 
 turned upon his retreating columns, and continued to play upon 
 them until beyond reach. 
 
 " He was now driven from every point of the field, and his strong 
 lines, which had certainly been defended well, were in our posses 
 sion. In fulfilment of the instructions of the general-in-chief, the 
 Casa Mata was blown up, and such of the captured ammunition as 
 was useless to us, as well as the cannon-moulds found in El Molino 
 del Rey, were destroyed. After which, my command, under the 
 reiterated orders of the general-in-chief, returned to quarters at 
 Tacubaya, with three of the enemy's four guns, (the fourth, having 
 been spiked, was rendered unserviceable ;) as also a large quantity 
 of small-arms, with gun and musket ammunition, and exceeding 
 eight hundred prisoners, including fifty-two commissioned officers. 
 
 " By the concurrent testimony of prisoners, the enemy's force 
 exceeded fourteen thousand men, commanded by General Santa 
 Anna in person. His total loss, killed, (including the second and 
 third in command, Generals Valdarez and Leon,) wounded, and 
 prisoners, amounts to three thousand, exclusive of some two thou 
 sand who deserted after the rout. 
 
 "My command, reinforced as before stated, only reached three 
 thousand one hundred men of all arms. The contest continued two 
 hours, and its severity is painfully attested by our heavy loss of 
 officers, non-commissioned officers, and privates, including in the 
 first two classes some of the brightest ornaments of the service. 
 
 * It will be seen that subordinate commanders speak in the warmest 
 terms of the conduct of their officers and men, to which I beg leave 
 to add my cordial testimony. There can be no higher exhibition of 
 courage, constancy, and devotion to duty and to country. 
 
 " These operations, occurring under the observation of the general- 
 in-chief, give assurance that justice will be done to the noble officers 
 
118 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J. WORTH. 
 
 and soldiers whose valour achieved this glorious but dear-bought 
 victory. Commending the gallant dead, the wounded, and the few 
 unscathed, to the respectful memory of their countrymen, and the 
 rewards due to valour and conduct, I present the names of those 
 especially noticed by subordinate commanders, uniting in all they 
 have said, and extending the same testimony to those not named." 
 
 Here follows a catalogue of the officers who particularly distin 
 guished themselves. 
 
 The following more circumstantial sketch is given by a partici 
 pator in the action : 
 
 "I have just returned from another battle-field one on which 
 the victory of the American arms was complete, and on which our 
 troops contended against an enemy immensely superior in number 
 and strongly posted. General Worth commenced the attack at 
 early daylight, and in less than two hours every point was carried, 
 all the cannon of the enemy were in our possession, an immense 
 quantity of ammunition captured, and nearly one thousand men, 
 among them fifty-three officers, taken prisoners. 
 
 " For more than an hour the battle raged with a violence not sur 
 passed since the Mexican war commenced, and so great was the odds 
 opposed, that for some time the result was doubtful. The force of 
 the enemy has been estimated at from twelve to fifteen thousand, 
 strongly posted behind breastworks, and to attack them our small 
 force of scarcely eight thousand was obliged to approach on an open 
 plain and without the least cover; but their dauntless courage car 
 ried them over every obstacle, and notwithstanding the Mexicans 
 fought with a valour rare for them, they were finally routed from 
 one point or another until all were driven and dispersed. The de 
 feat was total. 
 
 "But to gain this victory our own loss has been uncommonly 
 severe ; it has been purchased with the blood of some of the most 
 gallant spirits of the army. The 5th infantry has suffered the most. 
 This regiment, along with the 6th and 8th, was engaged in the 
 attack upon a strong work on the enemy's right, and was opposed to 
 such superior numbers, that it was compelled to retire along with the 
 others. The celebrated Colonel Martin Scott was killed in this attack, 
 along with Lieutenants Burvvell and Strong, while Colonel Mcln- 
 tosh and many other officers were badly wounded. The worse 
 than savage miscreants in the fort, after our men retired, set up a 
 
BATTLE OF MOLING DEL KEY. 119 
 
 yell, and came out and massacred such of our wounded as were 
 unable to get off. In this way poor Burwell lost his life. Fully 
 were they avenged, however ; for within half an hour Duncan's 
 battery, aided by the fall of another of their works, drove the das 
 tardly wretches in full flight across the fields. No one knew or even 
 surmised the strength of the place it was an old fort, constructed 
 long since, and was one of the main defences of the line of works.] 
 
 " On the enemy's left, and nearer Chapultepec, our loss was also 
 great, although not as severe. It was here that Colonel William 
 M. Graham, as brave a spirit as ever lived, was killed ; Captains 
 Merrill and Ayres also fell in this part of the field. The wonder 
 now is how any one could come out so safe under such a terrible 
 fire as the enemy poured from his entire line of works. Nothing 
 but the daring and impetuosity of our men, who rushed onward 
 while their comrades were falling thick around them, gained the 
 victory had they once faltered all would have been lost. 
 
 " The broken ground on the right of the enemy, cut up by deep 
 ravines, saved many of Santa Anna's troops in their flight ; yet as 
 it was, our dragoons killed and captured many of the fugitives. 
 Large bodies of Mexican cavalry approached the scene of strife 
 several times, but they were driven like sheep by Duncan's battery. 
 
 ' The Mexican loss has been even more severe than our own. 
 General Balderas, General Leon, and many other officers are num 
 bered among the dead, while the interior of their works, the tops of 
 the houses from which they fought, and the ground over which they 
 fled, are strewed with lifeless bodies. Such was the panic that 
 many of our officers say that a few fresh troops might have taken 
 Chapultepec itself almost without a struggle ; but other than a few 
 shots fired at that point from some of the captured cannon, no de 
 monstration was made. 
 
 " After the battle was over, General Scott came out accompanied 
 by his staff, and also by Mr. Trist. The Mexicans at the time were 
 throwing shells at some of the wagons that General Worth had 
 sent out to pick up the dead and wounded. They had placed a 
 howitzer in position on Chapultepec at the close of the action, and 
 now seeing the enemy within reach, the cowardly wretches opened 
 upon the ambulances, and those who were gathering the bodies of 
 their wounded and lifeless comrades. On seeing this worse than 
 savage outrage, one of our officers, with a sarcastic expression of 
 
120 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J. WORTH. 
 
 countenance, asked whether Mr. Trist had any new peace proposi 
 tions in his pocket. Mackintosh did not come out after the battle 
 to gain more time for his friend Santa Anna, nor warm our fresh 
 intelligence of the strength and movements of our army, in order 
 that he might be of service to the Mexicans by communicating it. 
 
 " The Mexican prisoners say that Santa Anna himself was on the 
 ground in the rear of their works, but left at the commencement of 
 the rout. They admit that their entire force was fifteen thousand ; 
 it is certain that including killed, wounded, prisoners and dispersed, 
 their loss has been near five thousand. Many of them were regu 
 lars, the llth and 12th infantry regiments suffering most. The 
 commander of the latter, Colonel Tenorio, is a prisoner in our hands ; 
 some fourteen officers belonging to the former are also prisoners, 
 but the commander, General Perez, escaped. 
 
 "The foundry, in which several moulds for casting cannon and 
 other apparatus were found, was entirely demolished ; and, after 
 ascertaining this, Tjreneral Scott, not wishing to hold the position, 
 ordered all the forces to retire." 
 
 The 13th was signalized by the storming of Chapultepec, of 
 which Worth gives the following account, confined principally to 
 his own operations : 
 
 " On the evening of the 12th instant, having the verbal orders 
 of the general-in-chief to designate a storming party, to aid in the 
 assault upon the castle of Chapultepec, a command from my divi 
 sion, with scaling ladders, was organized, consisting of ten officers 
 Captain McKenzie, 2d artillery, commanding; and two hundred 
 and sixty men, volunteers, drawn in due proportion from the several 
 corps. At five A. M., on the 13th, these detachments assembled 
 at the appointed place, and proceeded to their duty. For the man 
 ner in which this was executed, I refer to the report, herewith, of 
 the gallant commander. 
 
 " At the same time, I had the orders of the General-in-chief to 
 take position with the remainder of my division and support the 
 operations of General Pillow. This position was taken at the time 
 and place appointed, and that general informed of my preparations 
 and of my readiness to support him. Lieutenant Semmes (navy), 
 one of my aids-de-camp, whom I despatched with this intelligence, 
 found General Pillow, soon after the assault had commenced, 
 wounded, at the foot of the hill. General Pillow desired him to 
 
CHAPULTEPEC CARRIED. 121 
 
 return to me, with a request ' to bring up my whole division, and 
 make great haste, or, he feared, I would be too late.' The 2d 
 (Clark's) brigade was ordered instantly to advance. It did so, 
 passed on, mingled with the advancing forces, and entered, with 
 them, pellmell into the assaulted work. At the same instant, the 
 1st (Garland's) brigade, the light battalion, under Lieutenant-Colonel 
 C. F. Smith, and Duncan's battery, were put in motion, around the 
 north-eastern base of the hill of Chapultepec, and moved, in opera 
 tion, upon the San Cosme route and aqueduct. After advancing 
 some four hundred yards, we came to a battery which had been 
 assailed by a portion of Magruder's field guns particularly the 
 section under the gallant Lieutenant Jackson, who, although he had 
 lost most of his horses, and many of his men, continued chivalrously 
 at his post, combatting with noble courage. A portion of Garland's 
 brigade, which had been previously deployed in the field to the left, 
 now came up with, and defeated the enemy's right ; the enemy's 
 left extending in the direction of the Tacubaya aqueduct, on which 
 Quitman's division was battling and advancing. Pursuing the 
 San Cosme road, we discovered an arched passage through the 
 aqueduct, and a cross route practicable for artillery, for a considerable 
 distance over the meadows, in the direction of the battery, and left 
 of the enemy's line, which was galling and endeavouring to check 
 Quitman's advance. Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan, with a section 
 of his battery, covered by Lieutenant-Colonel Smith's battalion, was 
 turned off upon this route, and advancing to within four hundred 
 yards of the enemy's lines, (which was as far as the nature of the 
 ground would permit,) opened an effective fire first upon the bat 
 tery, and then upon the retreating troops, great numbers of whom 
 were cut down. Having thus aided the advance, and cleared the 
 front (being favourably situated) of my gallant friend Quitman, as 
 far as it was in my power, this portion of the command was with 
 drawn. The 3d brigade now coming up, the advance upon the 
 main road was continued. We soon came up with and carried a 
 second battery, and afterwards a third, both of them strong works 
 and enfilading the road. This brought us to the Campo Santo, or 
 English burying-ground, near which the road and aqueduct bend to 
 the right. At this point the general-in-chief came up, with his staff, 
 and instructed me to press on, carrying the garita San Cosme, and, 
 if possible, penetrate to the Alameda. Shortly after, Brigadier Gen- 
 11 F 
 
122 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J, WORTH. 
 
 eral Cadvvalader reported to me, by the order of the general-in- 
 chief; and, later, between 8 and 9 P. M., Colonel Riley, with the 
 2d brigade, 2d division. The former was left in position at the 
 Campo Santo, to hold that point, and look to the left and rear. The 
 latter, coming up after the firing had ceased, was halted in rear of 
 the 1st division, and entered the city with it on the morning of 
 the 14th. 
 
 " Here we came in front of another battery, beyond which, distant 
 some two hundred and fifty yards, and sustaining it, was the last 
 defence, or the garita of San Cosme. The approach to these two 
 defences was in a right line, and the whole space was literally swept 
 by grape, canister, and shells, from a heavy gun and howitzer ; 
 added to which, severe fires of musketry were delivered from the 
 tops of the adjacent houses and churches. It hence became neces 
 sary to vary our mode of operations. Garland's brigade was thrown 
 to the right, within and masked by the aqueduct, and instructed to 
 dislodge the enemy from the buildings in his front, and endeavour 
 to reach and turn the left of the garita, taking advantage of such 
 cover as might offer, to enable him to effect his objects. Clark's 
 brigade was, at the same time, ordered to take the buildings on the 
 left of the road, and, by the use of bars and picks, burrow through 
 from house to house, and, in like manner, carry the right of the 
 garita. 
 
 " While these orders were being executed, a mountain howitzer 
 was placed on the top of a commanding building on the left, and 
 another on the church of San Cosme, on the right, both of which 
 opened with admirable effect. The work of the troops was tedious, 
 and necessarily slow, but was greatly favoured by the fire of the 
 howitzers. Finally, at 5 o'clock both columns had reached their 
 positions, and it then became necessary, at all hazards, to advance a 
 piece of artillery to the evacuated battery of the enemy intermediate 
 between us and the garita. Lieutenant Hunt was ordered to exe 
 cute this duty, which he did in the highest possible style of gallan 
 try ; equally sustained by his veteran troops, with the loss of one 
 killed and four wounded, out of nine men, although the piece moved 
 at full speed over a distance of only one hundred and fifty yards ; 
 reaching the breastwork, he came muzzle to muzzle with the 
 enemy. It has never been my fortune to witness a more brilliant 
 exhibition of courage and conduct. The moment had now arrived 
 
AMERICANS ENTER THE CAPITAL. 123 
 
 for the final and combined attack upon the last stronghold of the 
 enemy in my quarter : it was made, by our men springing, as if by 
 magic, to the tops of the houses into which they had patiently and 
 quietly made their way by the bar and pick, and to the utter sur 
 prise and consternation of the enemy, opening upon him, within 
 easy range, a destructive fire of musketry. A single discharge, in 
 which many of his gunners were killed at their pieces, was suffi 
 cient to drive him in confusion from the breastwork ; when a pro 
 longed shout from our brave fellows announced that we were in 
 possession of the garita of San Cosine, and already in the city of 
 Mexico. 
 
 " At this point we again had the pleasure to meet the President- 
 general-in-chief, took one of his aids-de-camp, Captain Jose M. 
 Castanary, arid several superior officers, with many other equally 
 unimportant prisoners ; and one of my most gallant and leading sub 
 alterns had the gratification of eating his excellency's well-prepared 
 supper. 
 
 " The remainder of the division was now marched within the 
 city gate, and Captain Huger, of the ordnance, who had been di 
 rected by the general-in-chief to report to me, with heavy guns, 
 some time before, was desired to advance a twenty-four-pounder and 
 a ten-inch mortar, place them in position at the garita, obtain the 
 distance, and open a few shot and shell upon the grand plaza and 
 palace, assumed to be about sixteen hundred yards distant. This 
 battery opened at nine o'clock three shot being fired from the gun 
 and five from the mortar. They told with admirable effect, as at 
 one o'clock at night a commission from the municipality came to 
 my advanced post with a flag, announcing that immediately after 
 the heavy guns opened the government and army commenced 
 evacuating the city, and that the commission was deputed to confer 
 with the general-in-chief, to whose head-quarters it was passed 
 under Assistant Adjutant-General Mackall. 
 
 " At five, A. M., on the 14th, my troops and heavy guns advanced 
 into the city, and occupied the Alameda, to the point where it fronts 
 the palace, and there halted at six o'clock, the general-in-chief 
 having instructed me to take a position and await his further orders. 
 Shortly after, a straggling assassin-like fire commenced from the 
 house-tops, which continued, in various parts of the city, tnrough 
 the day, causing us some loss. The first shot fired at a group of 
 
124 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM J. WORTH. 
 
 officers at the head of my column, struck down Colonel Garland, 
 hadly wounded ; and later in the day, Lieutenant Sydney Smith 
 was shot down mortally wounded since dead. 
 
 "The free use of heavy battering guns upon every building from 
 which fife proceeded, together with musketry from some* of our 
 men thrown out as skirmishers, soon quelled these hidden and das 
 tardly enemies. About the time of our entrance into the city, the 
 convicts in the different prisons, to the number of some thirty 
 thousand men, were liberated by order of the flying government, 
 armed and distributed in the most advantageous houses, including 
 the churches, convents, and even the hospitals, for the purpose of 
 exciting, if possible, the entire population of the city to revolt, and 
 effect, by secret and dastardly means, what the whole Mexican army 
 had been unable to accomplish. This was no time for half-way 
 measures ; and if many innocent persons suffered incidentally under 
 the just infliction of punishment we found it necessary to bestow 
 on these miscreants from the jails, the responsibility should rest 
 upon the barbarous and vindictive chief who imposed upon us the 
 necessity. 
 
 " Officers and men of every corps carried themselves with wonted 
 gallantry and conduct. Be pleased to refer to reports of subordi 
 nate commanders. Major Sumner reported to me with his cavalry 
 on the morning of the 13th, was actively on service and under fire, 
 and was advanced upon the San Cosme road, to be at hand to pur 
 sue the enemy. Towards evening, the gene ral-in-chief ordered his 
 command to re-occupy Tacubaya. The commander and his excel 
 lent corps rendered every service which the incidents of the day 
 offered to their ready acceptance. 
 ************ 
 
 " I am most happy to have occasion to submit but a moderate list 
 of casualties, compared with recent reports ; two officers killed, ten 
 wounded, and one hundred and twenty-nine rank and file killed, 
 wounded and missing, of which full returns are forwarded here 
 with ; as also a sketch of the ground, &c., covered by the opera 
 tions of my command. 
 
 "All of which is respectfully submitted to the general-in-chief, 
 himself a close observer of the incidents of the day." 
 
 Such has been the course of General Worth up to this time. He 
 now ranks among the ablest and most successful of American offi 
 cers. 
 
GENERAL WOOL. 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL was born in Orange county, 
 New York. His family were Whigs of the Revolution. Losing 
 his father at an early age, he was taken by his grandfather, a farmer 
 in Rensselaer county, to be brought up ; and, consulting the bent of 
 his disposition, he placed him when a boy as a clerk in a store in 
 the city of Troy. By attention, industry, and perseverance, he be 
 came in a few years a merchant, and in due time he would have 
 reached, in that capacity, the wealth and distinction that always 
 follow energy, perseverance, and high honour ; but a total loss of his 
 property by fire induced him to turn his attention to some other 
 pursuit one more congenial to his own mind. The war with Eng 
 land breaking out about this time, Wool was offered, and accepted 
 a commission as captain in the 13th regiment of United States' in 
 fantry, and at once entered that career, in which he has lately be 
 come so distinguished. 
 
 Wool was early thrown upon his own resources, for the family 
 from whence he sprung were poor but true and honest patriots of 
 the Revolution ; he was, in consequence, the founder of his own 
 fortunes, and has literally fought his way to military distinction. 
 
 His commission as captain bears date, April, 1812. Immediately 
 after its receipt, he commenced raising a company in Troy, and 
 having done so, he made his military debut at the battle of Glueens- 
 *own Heights. Previous to this memorable action, our army had 
 suffered so many reverses and defeats, as to cast upon our officers 
 and troops the stigma of cowardice and misconduct ; it was there 
 fore necessary that some brilliant effort should be made, in order to 
 redeem their character, and to raise throughout the United States a 
 proper spirit for carrying on the war. 
 
 The first and most brilliant effort was made at dueenstown Heights, 
 11* (125) 
 
126 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 a formidable post, fortified and held by a part of the British army. 
 This place Major-General Stephen Van Rensselaer, who commanded 
 the militia of the state of New York on the Niagara frontier, and 
 who had established his quarters at Lewistown, determined to storm ; 
 and accordingly, a detachment of six hundred men, under the com 
 mand of Colonel Van Rensselaer, and Lieutenant-Colonel Chrystie, 
 were despatched on this hazardous service. In this detachment 
 were three companies of the 13th, commanded by Captains Wool, 
 Malcolm, and Armstrong. On Captain Wool the command of 
 these devolved, and never did either officers or soldiers conduct 
 themselves so gallantly under such trying circumstances. A po 
 sition of extraordinary strength was about to be attacked by a band 
 of less than three hundred men. The moment they reached 
 the Canadian side of the river they encountered a tremendous 
 fire from the enemy, so deadly in effect, that nearly every officer, 
 and most of the soldiers in Captain Wool's command were either 
 killed or wounded. Colonel Van Rensselaer was badly wounded, 
 and was fast sinking from loss of blood, when Captain Wool, al 
 though himself wounded in both thighs, sought him and requested 
 permission to continue the assault. The Colonel, at first unwilling 
 to entrust the fate of the affair to so young an officer, and who was 
 for the first time on the field, reluctantly consented. The assault 
 was renewed with vigour by Wool and his gallant little band ; they 
 climbed the heights and drove the British from their batteries. The 
 British, receiving a reinforcement under General Brock, the battle 
 was renewed. Captain Wool, rallying his forces by a desperate 
 effort, once more charged the British, reinforced though they were, 
 and drove them a second time from the heights. General Brock 
 was slain : seeing this, the British, panic-stricken, abandoned their 
 position and fled, leaving the Americans the victors of the field. 
 
 For his gallant conduct at Queenstown, Wool was promoted to 
 the rank of Major in the 29th regiment, and we find him volunteer 
 ing his services wherever and whenever duty and danger led. 
 
 After this engagement, Major Wool continued actively engaged 
 with the army until the great battle of Plattsburg, [September, 1814,] 
 in which he again distinguished himself. The following report of 
 the American general, Macomb, is a vivid description of the dangers 
 of that glorious event : 
 
 " T have the honour to communicate, for the information of th* 
 
BATTLE OF PLATTSBURG. 127 
 
 war department, the particulars of the advance of the enemy into 
 the territory of the United States, the circumstances attending the 
 siege of Plattsburg, and the defence of the posts intrusted to my 
 charge. 
 
 "The governor-general of the Canadas, Sir George Prevost, 
 having collected all the disposable force in Lower Canada, with a 
 view of conquering the country as far as Crown Point and Ticon- 
 deroga, entered the territories of the United States on the 1st of the 
 month, and occupied the village of Champlain ; there avowed his 
 intentions, and issued orders and proclamations tending to dissuade 
 the people from their allegiance, and inviting them to furnish his 
 army with provisions. He immediately began to impress the 
 wagons and teams in the vicinity, and loaded them with his heavy 
 baggage and stores. From this I was persuaded he intended to 
 attack this place. I had but just returned from the lines, where I 
 had commanded a fine brigade, which was broken up to form the 
 division under Major-General Izard, ordered to the westward. Being 
 senior officer, he left me in command ; and except the four com 
 panies of the 6th regiment, I had not an organized battalion among 
 those remaining. The garrison was composed of convalescents and 
 recruits of the new regiments all in the greatest confusion, as well 
 as the ordnance and stores, and the works in no state of defence. 
 
 " To create an emulation and zeal among the officers and men in 
 completing the works, I divided them into detachments, and placed 
 them near the several forts ; declaring in orders, that each detach 
 ment was the garrison of its own work, and bound to defend it to 
 the last extremity. 
 
 " The enemy advanced cautiously and by short marches, and our 
 soldiers worked day and night ; so that by the time he made' his ap 
 pearance before the place, we were prepared to receive him. 
 
 " General Izard named the principal work Fort Moreau, and, to 
 remind the troops of the actions of their brave countrymen, I called 
 the redoubt on the right Fort Brown, and that on the left Fort Scott. 
 Besides these three works we have two block-houses strongly 
 fortified. 
 
 " Finding, on examining the returns of the garrison, that our force 
 did not exceed fifteen hundred effective men for duty, and well in 
 formed that the enemy had as many thousands, I called on General 
 
 Mooers, of the New York militia, and arranged with him plans for 
 
 F * 
 
128 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 bringing forth the militia, en masse. The inhabitants of the village 
 fled with their families and effects, except a few worthy citizens and 
 some boys, who formed themselves into a party, received rifles, and 
 were exceedingly useful. By the fourth of the month General 
 Mooers collected about seven hundred militia, and advanced seven 
 miles on the Beckmantown road, to watch the motions of the enemy, 
 and to skirmish with him as he advanced : also to obstruct the roads 
 with fallen trees, and to break up the bridges. 
 
 " On the lake road to Dead creek bridge, I posted two hundred 
 men, under Captain Sproul of the 13th regiment, with orders to 
 abattis the woods, to place obstructions in the road, and to fortify 
 himself; to this party I added two field-pieces. In advance of this 
 position was Lieutenant-Colonel Appling with one hundred and ten 
 riflemen, watching the movements of the enemy, and procuring in 
 telligence. It was ascertained, that before daylight on the 6th, the 
 enemy would advance in two columns on the two roads before-men 
 tioned, dividing at Sampson's, a little below Chazy village. The 
 column on the Beckmantown road proceeded most rapidly ; the 
 militia skirmished with his advanced parties, and, except a few 
 brave men, fell back most precipitately in the greatest disorder, not 
 withstanding the British troops did not deign to fire on them, except 
 by their flankers and advanced patroles. The night previous I or 
 dered Major Wool to advance with a detachment of two hundred 
 and fifty men to support the militia, and set them an example of 
 firmness. Also Captain Leonard, of the light artillery, was directed 
 to proceed with two pieces to be on the ground before day, yet he 
 did not make his appearance until eight o'clock, when the enemy 
 had approached within two miles of the village. With his conduct, 
 theiefore, I am not well pleased. Major Wool, with his party, dis 
 puted the road with great obstinacy, but the militia could not be pre 
 vailed upon to stand, notwithstanding the exertions of their general 
 and staff officers ; although the fields were divided by strong stone 
 walls, and they were told that the enemy could not possibly cut them 
 off. The state dragoons of New York wear red coats, and they 
 being on the heights to watch the enemy, gave constant alarm to 
 the militia, who mistook them for the enemy, and feared his getting 
 in their rear. Finding the enemy's columns had penetrated within 
 a mile of Plattsburg, I despatched my aid-de-camp, Lieutenant 
 Root, to bring off the detachment at Dead creek, and to inform 
 
BATTLE OF PLATTSBURG. 129 
 
 Lieutenant Appling that I wished him to fall on the enemy's right 
 flank. The colonel fortunately arrived just in time to save his re 
 treat, and to fall in with the head of a column debouching from the 
 woods. Here he poured in a destructive fire from his riflemen at 
 rest, and continued to annoy the column until he formed a junction 
 with Major Wool. The field-pieces did considerable execution 
 among the enemy's columns. So undaunted, however, was the 
 enemy, that he never deployed in his whole march, always pressing 
 on in column. Finding that every road was full of troops crowding 
 on us on all sides, I ordered the field-pieces to retire across the bridge 
 and form a battery for its protection, and to cover the retreat of the 
 infantry, which was accordingly done, and the parties of Appling 
 and Wool, as well as that of Sproul, retired alternately, keeping up 
 a brisk fire until they got under cover of the works. The enemy's 
 light troops occupied the houses near the bridge, and kept up a 
 constant firing from the windows and balconies, and annoyed us 
 much. I ordered them to be driven out with hot shot, which soon 
 put the houses in flames, and obliged these sharp-shooters to retire. 
 The whole day, until it was too late to see, the enemy's light troops 
 endeavoured to drive our guards from the bridge, but they suffered 
 dearly for their perseverance. An attempt was also made to cross 
 the upper bridge, where the militia handsomely drove them back. 
 
 " The column which marched by the lake road was much im 
 peded by the obstructions, and the removal of the bridge at Dead 
 creek, and, as it passed the creek and beach, the galleys kept up a 
 lively and galling fire. 
 
 " Our troops being now on the south side of the Saranac, I di 
 rected the planks to be taken off the bridges and piled up in the 
 form of breastworks to cover our parties intended for disputing tho 
 passage, which afterwards enabled us to hold the bridges against 
 very superior numbers. 
 
 "From the 7th to the llth the enemy was employed in getting 
 on his battering train, and erecting his batteries and approaches, and 
 constantly skirmishing at the bridges and fords. By this time the 
 miliiia of New York, and the volunteers of Vermont, were pouring 
 in from all quarters. I advised General Mooers to keep his force 
 along the Saranac to prevent the enemy's crossing the river, and 
 to send a strong body in his rear to harass him day and night, and 
 keep him in continued alarm. 
 
130 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 "The militia behaved with great spirit after the first day, and the 
 volunteers of Vermont were exceedingly serviceable. Our regular 
 troops, notwithstanding the skirmishing and repeated endeavours 
 of the enemy to cross the river, kept at their work day and night, 
 strengthening the defences, and evinced a determination to hold out 
 to the last extremity. 
 
 " It was reported that the enemy only waited the arrival of his 
 flotilla to make a general attack. About eight in the evening of the 
 llth, as was expected, the flotilla appeared in sight round Cumber 
 land Head, and at nine bore down and engaged our flotilla at anchor 
 in the bay off the town. At the same instant the batteries were 
 opened on us, and continued throwing bomb-shells, shrapnels, balls, 
 and congreve rockets until sunset, when the bombardment ceased, 
 every battery of the enemy being silenced by the superiority of our 
 fire. The naval engagement lasted but two hours, in full view of 
 both armies. Three efforts were made by the enemy to pass the 
 river at the commencement of the cannonade and bombardment, 
 with a view of assaulting the works, and he had prepared for that 
 purpose an immense number of scaling-ladders. One attempt to 
 cross was made at the village bridge, and another at the upper 
 bridge, and a third at a ford about three miles from the works. At 
 the two first he was repulsed by the regulars, at the ford by the 
 brave volunteers and militia, where he suffered severely in killed 
 and wounded, and prisoners ; a considerable body having crossed 
 the stream, but were either killed, taken, or driven back. The 
 woods at this place were very favourable to the operations of the 
 militia A whole company of the 76th regiment was here de 
 stroyed, the three lieutenants and twenty-seven men taken prisoners, 
 the captain and the rest killed. 
 
 "I cannot forego the pleasure of here stating the gallant conduct 
 of Captain McGlassin, of the 15th regiment, who was ordered to 
 ford the river, and attack a party constructing a battery on the right 
 of the enemy's line, within five hundred yards of Fort Brown, which 
 he handsomely executed at midnight, with fifty men, drove off the 
 working-party, consisting of one hundred and fifty, and defeated a 
 covering party of the same number, killing one officer and six men 
 in the charge, and wounding many. 
 
 "At dusk the enemy withdrew his artillery from the batteries, 
 *nd raised the siege ; and at nine, under cover of the night, sent off 
 
DEFEAT OF THE BRITISH. 131 
 
 in a great hurry all the baggage he could find transport for, and all 
 his artillery. At two the next morning the whole army precipi 
 tately retreated, leaving the sick and wounded to our generosity, and 
 the governor left a note with a surgeon, requesting the humane at 
 tention of the commanding general. 
 
 "Vast quantities of provisions were left behind and destroyed, 
 also an immense quantity of bomb-shells, cannon-balls, grape-shot, 
 ammunition, flints, &c. &c., intrenching-tools of all sorts, also tents 
 and marquees. A great deal has been concealed in the ponds and 
 creeks, and buried in the ground, and a vast quantity carried off by 
 the inhabitants. Such was the precipitance of his retreat, that he 
 arrived at Chazy, a distance of eight miles, before we discovered he 
 had gone. The light troops, volunteers, and militia, pursued imme 
 diately on learning of his flight ; and some of the mounted men 
 made prisoners five dragoons of the 19th regiment, and several 
 others of the rear-guard. A continual fall of rain and a violent 
 storm prevented further pursuit. Upwards of three hundred de 
 serters have come in, and many are hourly arriving. 
 
 " We have buried the British officers of the army and navy with 
 the honours of war, and shown every attention and kindness to those 
 who have fallen into our hands. 
 
 "The conduct of the officers, non-commissioned officers, and sol 
 diers of my command, during this trying occasion, cannot be repre 
 sented in too high terms ; and I feel it my duty to recommend to the 
 particular notice of government, Lieutenant-Colonel Appling of the 
 1st rifle corps ; Major Wool, of the 29th ; Major Totten, of the corps 
 of engineers ; Captain Brooks, of the artillery ; Captain McGlassin, 
 of the 15th ; Lieutenants de Russy and Trescott, of the corps of 
 engineers ; Lieutenants Smyth, Mountford, and Cromwell, of the 
 .artillery ; also my aid-de-camp, Lieutenant Root, who have all dis 
 tinguished themselves by their uncommon zeal and activity, and 
 have been greatly instrumental in producing the happy and glorious 
 result of the siege. 
 
 " The loss of the enemy in killed, wounded, prisoners, and de 
 serters, since his first appearance, cannot fall short of twenty-five 
 hundred, including many officers, among whom is Colonel Welling 
 ton of the Buffs." 
 
 After this action, Wool received the rank of Brevet Lieutenant- 
 Colonel, [September llth, 1814,] "for gallant conduct at the bat- 
 
132 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 tie of Plattsburg." Before the close of the war he was in seve 
 ral engagements of less magnitude than the two above mentioned, 
 and in each displayed that coolness, Intrepidity, and careful fore 
 thought, which have been his principal characteristics throughout 
 life. 
 
 At the expiration of the war, Lieutenant-Colonel Wool continued 
 in the army, and in 1816 was commissioned Inspector-General, with 
 the rank of Colonel. In 1826, he was brevetted a Brigadier-Gene 
 ral ; and, on the 25th of June, 1841, he was promoted to the rank 
 of full Brigadier, and assigned to the command of the eastern divi 
 sion of the army, which had become vacant by the appointment of 
 General Scott as general-in-chief, on the death of General Macomb. 
 As Inspector-General, General Wool acted for twenty-five years. 
 His duties were connected with every department of the military 
 establishment in the United States and her territories, extending 
 from Eastport, in Maine, to the gulf of Mexico, and from the Atlantic 
 to the Pacific. There were military posts established at Mackinac, 
 Sault St. Marie, Chicago, Green Bay, Prairie du Chien, St. Peter's 
 on the Upper Mississippi, twenty-two hundred miles from its mouth, 
 Council Bluffs, some eighteen hundred miles up the Missouri ; and 
 posts on the Arkansas, six hundred miles from its mouth, and on 
 the Red River four hundred miles. All of these were within the 
 limits of his tours of inspection, which annually embraced a distance 
 of from seven to ten thousand miles. There were no means of 
 reaching these several posts but by canoes and on horseback, with 
 provisions packed for a journey of months through the wilderness. 
 The dangers, privations, and hardships, unavoidable in traversing 
 lakes, rivers, and forests by such means, often with Indian guides, 
 and always without a shelter, or any resting-place but the earth and 
 a blanket, can hardly be realized by those who witness only the 
 facilities and advantages of travelling in civilized communities. 
 Such was the nature of the duties of Inspector-General prior to the 
 settlement of the states west of the lakes and of the Mississippi 
 river; yet, notwithstanding the many privations and hardships, 
 Wool was at all times cheerful, prompt and energetic. 
 
 General Wool was also employed by the government in three 
 special services, each of which required the skill, experience, and 
 address of an accomplished officer and gentleman. These were, 
 1st, the suppression of the Canadian outbreak, when the sympathy 
 
GENERAL WOOL VISITS EUROPE. 133 
 
 of our people for the struggles of the " Canadian 'Patriots" nearly 
 blew the flame of disturbance into the conflagration of war. Its 
 suppression was therefore a delicate and hazardous service ; but it 
 was admirably conducted and completely accomplished by General 
 Wool. A conflict with Great Britain, when the exasperation along 
 the frontier threatened a total disregard of boundaries, and the burn 
 ings and marches of British troops, Canadian refugees, and border- 
 patriots, menaced a catastrophe which neither nation wished, was 
 prevented by the extraordinary management of General Wool, in 
 breaking up the convocations, and prevailing on armed bodies to 
 surrender their weapons to him. 
 
 2d. His military visit to Europe. The object of this visit was 
 to examine the state of military improvement abroad, for the purpose 
 of engrafting on our own system and establishing any valuable 
 changes. His reception abroad was as flattering to the object as he 
 could wish. No national jealousy closed the gates of fortresses, 
 armories or garrisons. King Louis Philippe gave General Wool 
 an opportunity that seldom occurs. He invited him on the occasion 
 of the celebration of the " Three Days," to a grand review, when 
 more then seventy thousand men passed in battle array before them. 
 At Belgium General Wool witnessed a practical operation in Euro 
 pean warfare, being present at the siege of Antwerp. 
 
 3d. General Wool was placed in command of the Cherokee 
 country, for the purpose of carrying out the treaty with those Indi 
 ans, and extending the arm of the government for their protection 
 until their transportation to the west. His conduct in this affair not 
 only met with the approbation of the government, but with the gj?a 
 titude of the Indians themselves. 
 
 Since the war with Mexico was declared by Congress to exist 
 [May, 1846], General Wool has been occupied, 1st: In the organi 
 zation of the western volunteers ; 2d, In the concentration of a 
 division at San Antonio de Bexar ; 3d, In their march to Saltil.'o ; 
 and 4th, In the battle of Buena Vista. 
 
 Immediately after the war with Mexico was declared, General 
 Wool volunteered to take part in the campaign, and a few days 
 subsequent to the passing of the act by Congress, he was gratified 
 by receiving orders to repair forthwith to Washington. The very 
 clay he received these orders he was en route to the capital, and 
 having obtained his instructions, he proceeded to the west to 
 12 
 
134 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 organize and muster into the service the twelve months' volunteers 
 of Ohio, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee, and Mississippi. 
 In six weeks he accomplished the task assigned him ; raising in 
 that short time fourteen and a half regiments, or over twelve thou 
 sand troops. Nearly ten thousand of these he sent to reinforce 
 General Taylor ; the remainder, nearly three thousand, he concen 
 trated at San Antonio de Bexar, as a separate division under his 
 own command. 
 
 All these men were from the ranks of private life, and were with 
 out experience in the art of war, all destitute (when General Wool 
 arrived) of the means and supplies of a campaign, and all anxious 
 to push forward to their respective rendezvous to be inspected, mus 
 tered, organized, provided for, and sent off to the seat of war. 
 General Wool found himself engaged in a novel, arduous, embar 
 rassing, and unpleasant duty ; in a situation involving all the details, 
 great and small, unavoidable in mustering an army into service ; in 
 the heat of June and July, and amid the ten thousand questions, 
 wants, and complaints of the volunteers. 
 
 It required patience, skill, and labour to prepare an army from 
 six different states, and at the same time to conduct a correspondence 
 with local governors, colonels, agents .and other officers, as well as 
 with the military authorities at Washington ; to fly from state to 
 state, rendezvous to rendezvous, and be almost simultaneously at 
 them all, where volunteers were rushing forward in all the confu 
 sion incident to their first appearance, without even a tent or a 
 camp-kettle. Notwithstanding all this, from the first week in June 
 to the third in July this perplexing and arduous, but most important 
 service, was performed. He organized and prepared for service 
 three regiments from Ohio, three from Indiana, four from Illinois, 
 two from Kentucky one of these a regiment of cavalry, and con 
 sequently requiring much more preparation than infantry ; one of 
 cavalry from Tennessee ; and one and a half from Mississippi. 
 How all this was done in so short a period, considering the various 
 difficulties already mentioned, and the delays in procuring arms, 
 camp-equipage, means of transportation and other necessaries, was 
 a matter of surprise and admiration to military men and public 
 authorities. 
 
 In six weeks after he had fulfilled his instructions in organizing 
 the volunteers, and despatched the required reinforcements to Ge- 
 
EXERTIONS IN ORGANIZING THE ARMY. 135 
 
 neral Taylor, General Wool arrived at San Antonio de Bexar, and 
 commenced preparations for his own march through the province of 
 Coahuila. This march terminated at Saltillo, and is one of the most 
 remarkable and interesting of the war. 
 
 General Wool arrived at San Antonio de Bexar about the middle 
 of August. His army (about three thousand men) had concentrated 
 at this place. By the application of great exertion, and with the 
 aid of indefatigable staff-officers, he was able to put about one-half 
 of his army into a condition for marching, leaving the rear to be 
 brought forward by the chief of his staff, Inspector-General Churchill, 
 as soon as means of transportation, and indispensable supplies should 
 arrive. 
 
 For a complete narrative of the march of General Wool, and of 
 the battle of Buena Vista, we refer the reader to the following letter 
 from a soldier in General Wool's army : 
 
 "DEAR SIR: I seize the first opportunity afforded since the 
 battle of Buena Vista, of writing to you from the field an account 
 of the more recent operations of General Taylor's army, including 
 that of General Wool's, heretofore known as the centre division. 
 The official details of the battle are, I suppose, already published in 
 the states, and made familiar to you ; but you must be ignorant of 
 many occurrences of great interest precedent and subsequent to that 
 memorable event. 
 
 " General Wool landed from the Gulf on the 2d of August, 1846, 
 at Labaca, Texas, with the 1st and 2d Illinois regiments (infantry) 
 commanded by Colonels Hardin and Bissell ; and soon after took up 
 the line of march for San Antonio de Bexar, one hundred and fifty 
 miles to the north. There he was joined by Colonel Yell's mounted 
 regiment from Arkansas, and by that of Colonel Marshall of Ken 
 tucky : Captain Washington's well-drilled company of flying artil 
 lery, eight pieces, from Carlisle, Pennsylvania, Major Bonneville's 
 battalion of regular infantry, and Colonel Harney, with four compa 
 nies of dragoons, were also attached to this division. 
 
 *- General Wool displayed great activity in organizing his army, 
 and putting the commissariat in the finest possible condition. Sugar 
 and coffee of the best quality have always been a part of his sol 
 diers' daily diet. No army was ever better provided than this with 
 all the munitions and appliances of war ; if we except the quality 
 of the powder, which the government, by some most culpable agents, 
 
136 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 furnished for us the infantry: an article far inferior to that of Eng 
 lish manufacture, used by the Mexican soldiers. 
 
 "The two months passed in this delightful region were well 
 spent in drilling for active service. On the 26th of September, 
 two days after the capitulation of Monterey, the advance, under 
 Colonel Harney, marched for the Rio Grande, followed soon after 
 by General Wool, who left Colonel Churchill, the inspector, and 
 Colonel Bissell, to bring up the rear, as they began to do on the 14th 
 of October. The whole army at this time was two thousand six 
 hundred strong. We, of the advance, marched to the Rio Grande, 
 two hundred miles, in twelve days, resting one for General Wool to 
 join us. 
 
 " As I can only approximate to accuracy, I shall use round num 
 bers in mentioning distances and the population of towns. Crossing 
 the present boundary between our country and Mexico on the 12th 
 day of October, we set foot upon the soil of the enemy. Thence, 
 marched a distance of four hundred miles to the city of Parras, on 
 the south-western confines of this state, (Coahuila,) and near a lake 
 of the same name ; passing through and taking peaceable posses 
 sion, in our circuitous route, of the cities, Presidio del Rio Grande, 
 Nava, San Fernando, Santa Rosa, Monclova, the ancient capital of 
 this state, and Parras, which last we reached on the 6th of Decem 
 ber, 1846. These cities contain each a population of from five to 
 fifteen thousand souls, except Nava, which numbers about two thou 
 sand. Monclova and Parras are quite wealthy, and exhibit fine spe 
 cimens of Spanish art and refinement. We spent some time in 
 each of these cities with pleasure and profit, viewing much of 
 Mexican manners and customs, and enjoying an apparently cordial 
 intercourse with the citizens. Our line of march carried us through 
 a great variety of scenery, marked, after three days' progress in 
 Mexico, by high and barren mountains on the south and west, 
 covered with traces of rich ores ; by sterile plains and table-lands, 
 scantily supplied, in the dry season, with water ; and in the interior, 
 by beautiful fertile valleys, embosoming the quiet Mexican cities, 
 towns, and haciendas, and surrounded in the hazy distance by cloud- 
 capt mountains covered with cedars. You are acquainted with Illi 
 nois, and can form some idea of Mexico, as I saw it for six hun 
 dred miles, by imagining the Prairie State elevated a thousand 
 feet, and made somewhat more broken and undulating, with craggy 
 
ORDERED TO CO-OPERATE WITH TAYLOR. 137 
 
 rocky mountains towering from one to two thousand feet above the 
 plains, taking the place of the groves and interesting face of the 
 country in all directions. But it is only by actual vision, that you 
 can adequately estimate the grand, though uninviting picture of 
 lonely desolation the inhospitable sterility that met the eye of the 
 wearied soldier, in his toilsome, thirsty marches, and often made him 
 wish that an earthquake had sunk the country he was sent to con 
 quer. The country bordering on the Rio Grande, where we crossed 
 it, and for a considerable distance into Mexico, west and south, is 
 low, level, very fertile, and well watered by streams or irrigating 
 canals. It already supports a large population, and contains the 
 cities of Presidio, Nava, and Fernando ; the last two, situated forty 
 and fifty miles west of the river, struck me as quite flourishing. 
 
 " The land between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, for nearly 
 a hundred miles, except a few fertile prairies, is divided into sandy 
 deserts and marshy chapparals, almost as difficult of access as the 
 jungles of India. It will be the haunt only of savages and wild 
 beasts for many generations, if not forever. Personal observation 
 satisfied me that Senator Benton was right when he pronounced the 
 Nueces ' the most profitable western boundary of Texas.' Of the 
 country east of this river, of which I saw much, I must say as of 
 Texas generally, with her rolling prairies and crystal streams, that 
 here I beheld the future France of America, a land destined to 
 bloom with " the olive and myrtle, the cedar and vine," and to flow, 
 even in our own time, with milk and honey. 
 
 " The effect of our long marching, the strict discipline enforced 
 by our general, and the exercise taken in drill were most salutary 
 upon the health of our army. After the professional and sedentary 
 life in the bilious atmosphere of the Mississippi, the campaign had 
 a most renovating effect. The army lay encamped at Monclova 
 three weeks, during which period our rear came up, and General 
 Wool was ordered to co-operate with General Taylor at Monterey, 
 instead of marching upon Chihuahua, which, up to this time, had 
 been our destination. Eleven days brought us to Parras, two hun 
 dred miles farther into the country, where supplies were abundant. 
 Here we lay in camp eleven days, in friendly intercourse with the 
 people, of whom many were not destitute of moral worth and intelli 
 gence. The American sharpers among them soi-disant gentle 
 men, engaged in trade and marrying fortunes, struck me with 
 12* 
 
138 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 more disgust than the most degraded Mexicans. Many of the better 
 class of natives commanded my highest esteem. One Don Manuel 
 Toarra, who was educated in the United States, found some old 
 friends in the army, and treated us with a hospitality commensurate 
 with his great wealth. The position was fixed in neutrality by his 
 intelligence and prudence ; by his respect for the American charac 
 ter and institutions, sympathy for his country, and by an unfeigned 
 aversion for his own rulers the demagogues in the city of Mexico. 
 Santa Anna had assessed his contribution for the army at sixty dol 
 lars per week. His reply to Santa Anna was, ' Come with your 
 army and take it.' 
 
 " But these halcyon days soon passed over our heads, and more 
 stirring scenes were at hand. General Worth, who lay at Saltillo, 
 one hundred and twenty miles north of east from us, with a thou 
 sand regulars, received intelligence (which he credited) on the 16th 
 of December, that Santa Anna was within three days' march of him, 
 with thirty thousand men, and was advancing. He despatched ex 
 presses to Monterey and Parras for aid, promising to hold out one day 
 against any force, and requesting us to reinforce him on the fourth day. 
 
 "General Wool received this news in the evening of the 17th, 
 and in less than two hours the whole of the army was on the march. 
 On the 21st we reinforced Worth, but no enemy was to be seen. 
 For three nights in succession on this march, which was accom 
 plished in three days and a half, the army was aroused at one o'clock 
 in the morning to resume the advance. The cavalry and artillery 
 called us sleep-walkers, and complained that we were killing off 
 their horses. 
 
 " The spirit displayed by the men, their alacrity, cheerfulness and 
 patience, were most admirable. Expecting as they did to meet the 
 enemy every hour, their demeanour inspired the staff and all other 
 officers with confidence in the result. Volunteers as they were, 
 and, as compared with the regulars, but imperfectly disciplined, 
 they suddenly assumed a bearing, and readiness to obey orders, not 
 altogether unworthy of the * Old Guard of Napoleon.' This march 
 was a fitting prelude to the battle of Buena Vista. 
 
 " On the 21st of December we sat down at Agua Nueva, a small 
 rancho or town, twenty-one miles south of Saltillo, and near the great 
 pass in the mountains leading to San Luis Potosi, the seat of the 
 Mexican power. Here we passed Christmas watching for the ap- 
 
TAKES POSITION AT BUENA VISTA. 139 
 
 pearance of the enemy in this pass, and in two smaller ones, a ,few 
 miles distant on each side of us. New Year's day was spent at 
 Encantada, nine miles nearer to Saltillo ; we still watching, how 
 ever, and enjoying the luxury of frequent false alarms. We soon 
 after took up our fighting position at the rancho of Buena Vista, 
 five miles from Saltillo, and prepared to defend the pass two miles 
 in advance of our camp. 
 
 " In the mean time, General Taylor was concentrating all his 
 available forces at Monterey, either to receive the attack or to make 
 it himself. General Scott, however, chose that he should receive 
 it. Early in January, General Worth was detached with his divi 
 sion from General Taylor, and joined to Scott at Tampico. Not 
 content with taking this and General Patterson's command at Mata- 
 moras, Scott broke into our division the marching column and 
 drew off to himself Colonel Harney with two companies of dragoons, 
 and Major Bonneville's battalion of four companies, leaving General 
 Wool an army of volunteers, exclusively ; if you except Captain 
 Steen's squadron of dragoons, and Captain Washington's battery, 
 which last even he (Scott) had the modesty to request for his 
 own use." 
 
 The following valuable extracts from a letter of one in General 
 Wool's army, [dated San Antonio de Bexar, Oct. 14th, 1846,] give 
 accurate estimates of the force and condition of the Division of the 
 Centre. 
 
 " It was the last of August before all the various detachments 
 which had been ordered here to compose this division, arrived. As 
 soon as they had done so, they were actively employed in organiz 
 ing, drilling, manoeuvring, &c., preparatory to taking the field. 
 The stores, both of subsistence and ammunition, came in but slowly, 
 as they had to be hauled in wagons from Port Laraca, on the Gulf, 
 a distance of one hundred and fifty miles ; and sufficient means for 
 transporting them were not supplied in season to bring them all on 
 at once. It was the 25th of September before these stores had ac 
 cumulated here, over and above the necessary quantity for the daily 
 use of the troops, to allow the general to commence his campaign. 
 By that time a train of wagons large enough for the advance had 
 been collected, and the 26th was appointed as the day on which 
 that portion of the division should move. It was composed of the 
 following troops : 
 
140 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 " Colonel W. S. Harney, 2d dragoons, in command. 
 
 First Lieutenant Daniel H. Rucker, 1st dragoons, acting assistant 
 adjutant-general. 
 
 Captain Osborne Cross, assistant quartermaster. 
 
 Dr. Josiah Simpson, assistant surgeon, U. S. A. 
 
 Dr. William Levely, assistant surgeon, Q. S. A. 
 
 Captain Robert E. Lee, U. S. corps of engineers. 
 
 Captain William D. Fraser, U. S. corps of engineers. 
 
 Captain George W. Hughes, U. S. corps of topographical engi 
 neers. 
 
 First Lieutenant Lorenzo Sitgreaves, U. S. corps of topographi 
 cal engineers. 
 
 Lieutenant William B. Franklin, U. S. corps of topographical 
 engineers. 
 
 Captain John M. Washington, 4th artillery. 
 
 First Lieutenant John P. J. O'Brien, 4th artillery. 
 
 First Lieutenant Thomas L. Brent, 4th artillery. 
 
 Second Lieutenant Henry M. Whitipg, 4th artillery. 
 
 Total. Aggregate. 
 
 These are the officers of Washington's light ar 
 tillery, (company * B,' 4th artillery,) which num 
 bered for duty, and able to march ... 95 99 
 One squadron 2d regiment U. S. dragoons, com 
 posed of 'A' and 'I* companies able to march 118 124 
 The officers composing this squadron were 
 
 Brevet-Major Benjamin L. Beall, 2d dragoons. 
 
 First Lieutenant John H. Hill, " 
 
 First Lieutenant Daniel G. Rogers, " 
 
 Second Lieutenant John Y. Bicknell, " 
 
 Second Lieutenant James M. Hawes, " 
 One battalion of light infantry, composed of three 
 companies of the 6th U. S. infantry, and one 
 of Kentucky volunteers able to march . ?.ivr. 253 
 These are the officers of that battalion, so far as I 
 
 have been able to ascertain 
 
 Major B. L. E. Bonneville, 6th U. S. infantry. 
 
 Captain William Hoffman, " 
 
 Captain Albemarle Cady, " 
 
 Captain John Williams, Kentucky volunteers 
 
LIST OF OFFICERS, ETC. 141 
 
 First Lieutenant Edward H. Fitzgerald, 6th 
 
 infantry A. C. S. 
 
 First Lieutenant Leonidas Wetmore, 6th, com 
 manding company. 
 Second Lieutenant Edwin Howe, 6th. 
 Second Lieutenant William Read, 5th U. S. 
 
 infantry. 
 Brevet Second Lieutenant William Rhea, 6th 
 
 U. S. infantry. 
 
 (Three subalterns of Capt. Williams' company 
 
 of Kentucky volunteers, names not known.) 
 
 Six companies of Arkansas mounted volunteers. 
 
 Their collective strength of men able to march, 
 
 was 392 421 
 
 Colonel Arch. Yell, Arkansas mounted vol. 
 Lieutenant-Colonel J. S. Rone, " " 
 First Lieutenant G. Meares, adjt. " 
 Captain Albert Pike, " " 
 
 Captain John Preston, Jr., " " 
 
 Captain John Dillard, " " 
 
 Captain Danley, " 
 
 Captain Porter, 
 
 Captain Inglish, " " 
 
 (Subalterns' names not known.) 
 Two companies ('A' and 'I') 1st regiment of Illi 
 nois volunteers, commanded by Captain Morgan, 
 of the Gluincy riflemen, . . , . . . ... 150 156 
 
 Two companies ('B' and <H') 2d regiment of Illi- . 
 nois volunteers, commanded by Captain Webb 
 of the 2d regiment I. V. .... 135 141 
 
 One company of pioneers, under the direction of 
 
 Captain Lee, and numbering .... 30 
 
 Advance with 66 officers, ',<&?, &&, n-t 1171 1237 
 
 " Two boats had been constructed at this place by Captain Fraser, 
 Engineers, by which the division is to cross the Rio Grande. They 
 were taken apart and transported thither in wagons. The general 
 directed that all the men who were unable to march fifteen miles per 
 
142 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 day should be left" behind, to come up with other troops, should they 
 recover from sickness, and regain their'strength. 
 
 " This force started on the morning of the 26th September. Every 
 man in fine spirits, and every company in the best possible fighting 
 order. Captain Washington had a fine battery of six brass pieces 
 two twelve-pounders and four six-pounders and a good supply 
 of ammunition for them. Two more brass six-pounders are to be 
 forwarded from here. These are to be added to his battery, and 
 will reach him at the Rio Grande. 
 
 On the morning of the 29th of September, General Wool, staff, 
 and escort (one squadron of 1st regiment U. S. dragoons) left San 
 Antonio for the Rio Grande. The officers were 
 Brigadier-General John E. Wool, U. S. army. 
 First Lieutenant Irvin McDowell, 1st artillery, A. D. C. 
 Brevet Second Lieutenant Francis T. Bryan, topographical engi 
 neers, additional A. D. C. 
 
 Captain James H. Prentiss, 1st artillery, assistant adjutant-general. 
 Captain William W. Chapman, assistant quartermaster. 
 First Lieutenant Marsena R. Patrick, 2d infantry, A. C. S. 
 Dr. Charles M. Hitchcock, assistant surgeon, U. S. A. 
 Major David Hunter, paymaster, U. S. A. 
 Second Lieutenant Charles P. Kingsbury, ordnance department. 
 Captain Enoch Steen, 1st regiment U. S. dragoons. 
 Captain William Eustis, " " 
 
 Second Lieut. Abram Buford, " " 
 
 Sec. Lieut. Joseph H. Whiltlesey, " " 
 
 The squadron of 1st dragoons was composed of 'A' and 'E' com 
 panies, and numbered one hundred and thirty-one. 
 Aggregate of all the force which left on the 29th, one hundred 
 and forty-four. 
 
 " Colonel Sylvester Churchill, inspector-general U. S. army, was 
 left in command of the forces remaining at San Antonio de Bexar, 
 which forces were to be forwarded on to join the general at the 
 Presidio del Rio Grande, as fast as means of transportation would 
 allow. 
 
 "On the 2d of October eight companies of the 1st regiment Illi 
 nois volunteers took up their line of march. This force was com 
 manded by 
 Colonel John J. Hardin, 1st regiment Illinois volunteers. 
 
LIST OF OFFICERS. 143 
 
 His field and staff officers were 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Weatherford, 1st regiment Illinois volunteers. 
 Major Warren, " " " 
 
 Captain Robert H. Chilton, A. Q. M., U. S. army. 
 Dr. Herrick, assistant surgeon (by the new law). 
 Dr. Zabriskie, acting assistant surgeon (by appointment). 
 First Lieutenant W. H. Wallace, adjutant 1st regiment Illinois 
 
 volunteers. 
 
 The captains of companies were 
 Captain Mower, 1st regiment Illinois volunteers. 
 Captain Fry, " " " 
 
 Captain Zabriskie, " " 
 
 Captain Richardson, 
 
 Captain Crow, " " " 
 
 Captain Wyatt, " " " 
 
 Captain Montgomery, " " " 
 
 Captain Landon, " " " 
 
 The total of Colonel Hardin's command was 53836 officers 
 aggregate, 574. 
 
 " This command was also in fine order, and not encumbered by 
 any men unable to march fifteen miles per day. 
 
 " The last intelligence received here from General Wool was 
 dated at his head-quarters on the evening of October 5th. He had 
 overtaken Colonel Harney and the advance, and was then encamped 
 twenty-five miles only from Presidio del Rio Grande. By his table 
 of distances from one watering-place to another, for the whole route, 
 (and giving an account of the grazing, &c., for the information of 
 the forces to succeed him,) Presidio is estimated to be one hundred 
 and fifty-seven miles from San Antonio. The water abounded in 
 sufficient quantities, and at intervals short enough to prevent the 
 necessity of transporting it, except for a part of one day's march, for 
 the whole way. The grazing is also reported as being generally 
 good, except at the Leona and Nueces rivers. 
 
 " Since writing the foregoing, another express has arrived from 
 the general, with communications dated the llth instant. He had 
 arrived at the river on the 9th, and nearly the whole of the advance 
 had crossed without opposition, and was already in Mexico. The 
 following order was published to the troops on the 9th : 
 
 " Soldiers! After a long and tedious march, you have arrived 
 
 G 
 
 ' 
 
144 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 on the bank of the Rio Grande. In the performance of this service 
 the commanding general has witnessed with the greatest pleasure 
 your patience, good order, and perseverance under many depriva 
 tions and hardships. All have done their duty, and in a manner 
 that reflects the highest credit on both officers and men. From this 
 remark he would not except his staff, who have actively and zeal 
 ously devoted themselves to the service ; whilst Captain Cross has 
 been eminently successful in forwarding his long train of supplies, 
 without delay or serious accident. 
 
 " To-morrow you will cross the Rio Grande, and occupy the ter 
 ritory of our enemies. We have not come to make war upon the 
 people or peasantry of the country, but to compel the government 
 of Mexico to render justice to the United States. The people, there 
 fore, who do not take up arms against the United States, and remain 
 quiet and peaceful at their homes, will not be molested or interfered 
 with, either as regards their persons or property ; and all those who 
 furnish supplies will be treated kindly, and whatever is received 
 from them will be liberally paid for. 
 
 . " It is expected of the troops that they will observe the most rigid 
 discipline and subordination. All depredations on the persons or 
 property of the people of the country are strictly forbidden ; and any 
 soldier or follower of the camp who may so far forget his duty as to 
 violate this injunction, will be severely punished. 
 
 " A report reached San Antonio last evening, that the Mexicans 
 had assembled a force of seven thousand at Monclova, to arrest 
 General Wool's advance at that place ; and it is also reported that 
 Santa^Anna has taken command of his army in person, and already 
 established his head-quarters at Saltillo. 
 
 " The rear of the Central Division leaves here this day, to join the 
 general. The officers are 
 
 Colonel Sylvester Churchill, Inspector-General U. S. A., com 
 manding. 
 
 First Lieutenant J. Henry Carlton, 1st dragoons, aid-de-camp. 
 
 Major Charles Thomas, quartermaster U. S. A. 
 
 Captain Davis, A. Q,. M. (Under new act.) 
 
 Captain Howard, A. C. S. " " 
 
 Dr. Edward B. Price, surgeon, , ^ j} . 
 
 Dr. J. Ham White, surgeon, " " 
 
 Major John B. Butler, paymaster, " " 
 
LlSf OF OFFICERS, ETC. 145 
 
 Captain George A. H. Blake, 2d dragoons, commanding detach 
 ment of artillery, dragoons and infantry. 
 
 Brevet Second Lieutenant James Oaks, 2d dragoons, on duty with 
 Captain Blake. 
 
 Two companies of Arkansas mounted volunteers, commanded by 
 Captain William G. Preston and Captain Hunter. 
 
 Colonel William H. Bissell, commanding 2d regiment Illinois 
 volunteers. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Morrison, 2d regiment Illinois volunteers. 
 
 Major Trail, " " " 
 
 Seven companies only, of the 2d regiment, march with this com 
 mand two having gone with Colonel Harney, and one (Captain 
 Hacker's) left as a guard to this place. They are commanded by 
 the following officers : 
 
 Captain Wheeler, Captain Baker, 
 
 Captain Coffee, Captain Armstrong, 
 
 Captain Lemon, Captain Lott. 
 
 Captain Miller, 
 
 One company of Texas volunteers, commanded by Captain Charles 
 A. Seefeld. (Names of subalterns not known.) 
 
 The whole of this command numbers, aggregate, 734. 
 
 " With the next train of wagons, Major Solon Borland, with the 
 remaining two companies of Arkansas volunteers, is to come up. 
 They are commanded by Captain Moffitt and Captain Patrick, and 
 will number, aggregate, 150. 
 
 " Then all the forces of this division will have left for the field, 
 and will number, all told, only 2829. 
 
 " The general will probably establish a depot for stores somewhere 
 in the interior beyond Presidio as when the rainy season com 
 mences, he no doubt desires to have the distance for immediate and 
 frequent transportation as short as possible. It is thought by many 
 here that we shall have a hard struggle before we capture Chihua 
 hua. Let that be as it may, we will all try to render oui country a 
 good account of ourselves. 
 
 " I shall write you again from the Presidio del Rio Grande. You 
 have in this crude letter the different corps, and the strength of each ; 
 and when they are mentioned in future letters, you can refer to this 
 for many data which will in them be necessarily suppressed. 
 
 " The north-western frontier of Texas, during our advance, will 
 13 
 
146 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 be protected by a military police, composed of four or five compa 
 nies of mounted rangers, three of which have already been mustered 
 into the service of the United States for twelve months." 
 
 Fortunately for General Taylor, Wool was not sent with the 
 regular troops who had been called away from the Rio Grande to 
 Vera Cruz. To him was entrusted the management of the battle 
 of Buena Vista, and in all the extremities of that eventful field, the 
 army leaned on him for advice and assistance. There the volun 
 teers learned the use of that strict discipline which he had been so 
 indefatigable to enforce ; and his stern voice sounded along the 
 gorges of Angostura like some mighty spirit's, to whom was en 
 trusted the chances of battle. His official report of the action, 
 which we insert entire, is the most scientific description of it ever 
 published. 
 
 " Agreeably to the orders from the commanding general, I have 
 the honour to report that, on the 21st ult., the troops at Agua Nueva 
 broke up their encampment, and, preceded by the supply and bag 
 gage train, marched for Buena Vista and Saltillo, except Colonel 
 Yell's regiment of Arkansas volunteers, which remained to look 
 out for the enemy, reported to be advancing on Agua Nueva in 
 great force, and to guard some public stores left at the hacienda until 
 transportation could be obtained to carry them to Buena Vista. 
 
 "On the arrival of the commanding general at Encantada, he di 
 rected that Colonel McKee's regiment, 2d Kentucky volunteers, and 
 a section of Captain Washington's battery, be kept at that place to 
 give support to Colonel Yell in case he should be driven in by the 
 enemy. Between Encantada and Buena Vista, at a place called the 
 Pass, Colonel Hardin's regiment 1st Illinois volunteers was stationed. 
 The rest of my command encamped near the hacienda of Buena 
 Vista. The major-general commanding, accompanied by Lieute 
 nant-Colonel May's squadron, (2d dragoons,) Captains Sherman and 
 Bragg's batteries, (3d artillery,) and the Mississippi regiment, com 
 manded by Colonel Davis, proceeded to Saltiilo, to provide against 
 the attack meditated by General Minon, with a cavalry force reported 
 to be three thousand strong. As many wagons as could be obtained 
 were ordered to return forthwith to Agua Nueva, and bring off what 
 remained of the stores at that place. 
 
 " In the course of the evening, agreeably to the instructions of the 
 commanding general, transmitted from Saltillo, Colonel Marshall, 
 
WOOL'S OPERATIONS AT BUENA VISTA. 147 
 
 with his regiment and the 1st dragoons, were ordered to Agua 
 Nueva to reinforce Colonel Yell, who was directed, in case he 
 should be attacked, to destroy every thing at that place he could not 
 bring off, and to retire before 12 o'clock, P. M. Colonel McKee, at 
 Encantada, with the section of artillery, was directed to join Colonel 
 Yell on his retreat, and the whole to fall back to Buena Vista, should 
 the enemy pursue them to that place. Before leaving Agua Nueva, 
 Colonel Yell's pickets were driven in by the advanced parties of 
 the Mexicans. He then retired with the reinforcements under the 
 command of Colonel Marshal], after destroying a small quantity of 
 com yet remaining at the hacienda, and leaving a few wagons 
 which had been precipitately abandoned by their teamsters. 
 
 "All the advanced parties came into Buena Vista, except Colonel 
 Hardin's regiment, before daylight on the morning of the 22d. 
 
 " At 8 o'clock, A. M., on the 22d, I received notice that the 
 Mexican army was at Agua Nueva, and ordered a section of Cap 
 tain Washington's artillery to move forward and join Colonel Hardin. 
 Shortly afterwards I repaired to that position, where it had been de 
 termined to give battle to the enemy. During the previous night, 
 agreeably to my orders, Colonel Hardin's regiment had thrown up 
 a parapet on the height, on the left of the road, and had dug a small 
 ditch, and made a parapet extending from the road around the edge 
 of the gulley, on the right of the road. They were then directed 
 to dig a ditch, and make a parapet across the road for the protection 
 of Captain Washington's artillery, leaving a narrow passage next 
 to the hill, which was to be closed up by running into it two va- 
 gons loaded with stone. 
 
 " About 9 o'clock, our pickets, stationed at the Encantada, three 
 and a half miles distant, discovered the enemy advancing. Word 
 was immediately despatched to the commanding general at Saltillo ; 
 and I ordered the troops at Buena Vista forthwith to be brought 
 forward. 
 
 " Captain Washington's battery was posted across the road, pro 
 tected on its left by a commanding eminence, and on its right by 
 deep gullies. The 2d Kentucky infantry, commanded by Colonel 
 McKee, was stationed on a hill immediately in the rear of Wash 
 ington's battery. The six companies of the 1st Illinois regiment, 
 commanded by Colonel Hardin, took post on the eminence on the 
 left; and two companies, under Lieutenant-Colonel Weatherford, 
 
148 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 occupied the breastwork on the right of Washington's battery. The 
 2d Illinois regiment was stationed on the left of the Kentucky regi 
 ment. The Indiana brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General 
 Lane, was posted on a ridge immediately in rear of the front line, 
 and Captain Stein's squadron in reserve, in rear of the Indiana bri 
 gade. The Kentucky regiment of cavalry, under the command of 
 Colonel Marshall, and the Arkansas regiment, under the command 
 of Colonel Yell, were stationed to the left of the second line towards 
 the mountains. Shortly afterwards the rifle companies of these two 
 regiments were dismounted, and with the cavalry companies of the 
 Kentucky regiment, and a battalion of riflemen from the Indiana 
 brigade, under Major Gorman, under the command of Colonel Mar 
 shall, were ordered to take post on the extreme left, and at the foot 
 of the mountains. 
 
 " These dispositions were approved by the major-general com 
 manding; who had now returned from Saltillo, bringing with him 
 Lieutenant-Colonel May's squadron of the 2d dragoons, Captains 
 Sherman and Bragg's batteries of artillery, and the Mississippi 
 regiment of riflemen. 
 
 "The enemy had halted just beyond cannon-shot, and displayed 
 his forces on either side of the road, and commenced pushing his 
 light infantry into the mountains on our left. At the same time, in 
 dications of an attempt on our right induced the commanding ge 
 neral to order the 2d Kentucky infantry and Captain Bragg's bat 
 tery, with a detachment of mounted men, to take post on the right 
 of the gullies, and at some distance in advance of Captain Wash 
 ington's battery, in the centre. 
 
 " Captain Sherman's battery was held in reserve in rear of the 
 second line. 
 
 " The enemy was now seen pushing his infantry on his right 
 towards the heights, showing evidently an intention to turn our left, 
 in order to get possession of the key to our position the eminence 
 immediately on the left of Washington's artillery and thus open a 
 free passage to Saltillo. 
 
 "Colonel Marshall, with his regiment, the Arkansas riflemen, 
 under Lieutenant-Colonel Roane, and the Indiana rifle battalion, 
 under Major Gorman, was charged with meeting this party, and 
 checking their movement on our left. Brigadier-General Lane, 
 <\ith the 2d Indiana regiment, and a section of Captain Washing- 
 
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 149 
 
 ton's artillery, under Lieutenant O'Brien since captain in the quar 
 termaster's department was ordered to the extreme left and front 
 of the plain, which was terminated by a deep ravine, extending 
 from the mountain to the road, with orders to prevent the enemy 
 from coming around by the base of the mountain. 
 
 "At 2 o'clock, as the enemy's light infantry were moving up the 
 side of the mountain and in the ravines, they opened a fire on our 
 riflemen from a large howitzer posted in the road ; and between 3 
 and 4 o'clock Colonel Marshall engaged the Mexican infantry on 
 the side of the mountain, and the firing continued on both sides at 
 intervals until dark. In this our troops sustained no loss, whilst 
 that of the enemy is known, by a subsequent inspection of the 
 ground, to be considerable. After the firing had ceased, the major- 
 general commanding again returned to Saltillo to see to matters at 
 that place, and to guard against General Minon and his cavalry, 
 taking with him the Mississippi regiment and squadron of the 3d 
 dragoons. 
 
 " The troops remained underarms during the night in the position 
 they occupied at the close of the day. About 2 o'clock, A. M., of, 
 the 23d, our pickets were driven in by the Mexicans, and at the 
 dawn of the day the action was renewed by the Mexican light in 
 fantry and our riflemen on the side of the mountain. 
 
 " The enemy had succeeded during the night, and early in the 
 morning, in gaining the very top of the mountain, and in passing to 
 our left and rear. He had reinforced his extreme right by some 
 fifteen hundred to two thousand infantry. 
 
 "Major Prail, 2d Illinois volunteers, was ordered, with his battalion 
 of riflemen, to reinforce Colonel Marshall, who was engaged in 
 holding the right of the enemy in check. 
 
 "The enemy now opened a fire upon our left from a battery planted 
 on the side of the mountain near where his light infantry had com 
 menced ascending it everything now indicating that the main 
 attack would be against our left. 
 
 "The 2d Kentucky infantry and Bragg's battery of artillery were 
 by instructions given to Major Mansfield, ordered from the extreme 
 right, and Sherman's battery ordered up from the rear to take post 
 with Colonel Bissell's regiment (2d Illinois' volunteers) on the pla 
 teau which extends from the centre of the line to the foot of the 
 mountain, the sides of which were now filled with the Mexican in- 
 13* 
 
150 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 fantry and our riflemen, between whom the firing had become very 
 brisk. About this time the major-general commanding was seen 
 returning from Saltillo with the Mississippi regiment and the squad 
 ron of the 2d dragoons ; and, shortly after, he arrived and took his 
 position in the centre of the field of battle, where he could see and 
 direct the operations of the day. At 8 o'clock, a large body of the 
 enemy, composed of infantry, lancers, and three pieces of artillery, 
 moved down the high road upon our centre, held by Captain Wash 
 ington's battery and the 1st Illinois volunteers, but were soon dis 
 persed by the former. The rapidity and precision of the fire of the 
 artillery scattered and dispersed this force in a few minutes with 
 considerable loss on their side, and little or none on our own. 
 
 " In connection with this movement, a heavy column of the ene 
 my's infantry and cavalry and the battery on the side of the moun 
 tain moved against our left, which was held by Brigadier-General 
 Lane, with the 2d Indiana regiment, and Lieutenant O'Brien's sec 
 tion of artillery, by whom the enemy's fire was warmly returned, 
 and, owing to the range, with great effect by Lieutenant O'Brien's 
 artillery. General Lane, agreeably to my orders, wishing to bring 
 his infantry within striking distance, ordered his line to move for 
 ward. This order was duly obeyed by Lieutenant O'Brien. The 
 infantry, however, instead of advancing, retired in disorder ; and, in 
 spite of the utmost efforts of their general and his officers, left the 
 artillery unsupported, and fled the field of battle. Some of them 
 were rallied by Colonel Bowles, who, with the fragment, fell in the 
 ranks of the Mississippi riflemen, and during the day did good ser 
 vice with that gallant regiment. I deeply regret to say that most 
 of them did not return to the field, and many of them continued their 
 flight to Saltillo. 
 
 "Lieutenant O'Brien, being unsupported by any infantry, and 
 not being able to make head against the heavy column bearing down 
 upon him with a destructive fire, fell back on the centre, leaving 
 one of his pieces, at which all the cannoniers and horses were either 
 lulled or disabled, in the hands of the enemy. Seeing themselves 
 cut off from the centre by the flight of the 2d Indiana regiment, and 
 the consequent advance of the Mexican infantry and cavalry upon 
 the ground previously occupied by it, the riflemen under the com 
 mand of Colonel Marshall retreated from their position in the 
 mountain, where they had been so successfully engaged with the 
 

 BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 151 
 
 enemy on the other side of the dry bed of a deep and broad torrent 
 that is immediately in rear of our position. Here many fled in dis 
 order to the rear. Some of them were subsequently rallied and 
 brought again into action, with their brave companions ; others were 
 stopped at the hacienda of Buena Vista, and there re-formed by 
 their officers. 
 
 " The enemy immediately brought forward a battery of three 
 pieces, and took a position on the extreme left of our line, under 
 the mountain, and commenced an enfilading fire on our centre, 
 which was returned with so much effect upon the advancing column 
 of the Mexicans, containing near six thousand infantry and lancers, 
 that it forced them to keep to the upper side of the plateau, close 
 under the side of the mountain ; and, instead of turning to the left 
 and advancing on our centre, against the heavy fire of so much 
 well-served artillery, continued its course perpendicular to our line 
 on the extreme left, crossed over the bed of the dry torrent, in the 
 direction taken by our retreating riflemen, keeping all the while 
 close to the foot of the mountain. Colonels Marshall and Yell, with 
 their cavalry companies, Colonel May, with the squadron of the 1st 
 and 2d dragoons, and Captain Pike's squadron, Arkansas regiment, 
 in connection with a brigade of infantry, formed of the Mississippi 
 regiment, the 3d Indiana, (Colonel Lane) and a fragment of the 2d 
 Indiana regiment, under Colonel Bowles, and Bragg's artillery, and 
 three pieces of Sherman's battery, succeeded in checking the march 
 of this column. The Mississippi regiment alone, and with a howit 
 zer under Captain Sherman, moved against some four thousand of 
 the enemy, and stopped them in their march upon Saltillo. A large 
 body of lancers from this body formed column in one of the moun 
 tain gorges, and advanced through the Mexican infantry, to make a 
 descent on the hacienda of Buena Vista, near which our train of 
 supplies and baggage had been packed. They were gallantly and 
 successfully met by our mounted men, under Colonels Marshall and 
 Yell, and the attacking column separated 'part returning to the 
 mountain under cover of their infantry, and a part through the ha 
 cienda. Here the latter were met by a destructive fire from those 
 men who had left the field in the early part of the action, and had 
 been rallied by their officers. Colonel May's dragoons and a section 
 of artillery, under Lieutenant Reynolds, coming up at this moment, 
 completed the rout of this portion of the enemy's cavalry. The 
 
 G* 
 
152 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 column that had passed our left, and had gone some two miles to 
 our rear, now faced about, and commenced retracing their steps, 
 exposing their right flank to a very heavy and destructive fire from 
 our infantry and artillery, who were drawn up in a line parallel to 
 the march of the retreating column, of whom many were forced on 
 and over the mountains, and many dispersed. 
 
 " General Santa Anna, seeing the situation of this part of his army, 
 and, no doubt, considering them as cut off, sent in a flag to the ma 
 jor-general commanding to know what he desired. The general 
 asked me to be the bearer of his answer, to which I cheerfully 
 assented, and proceeded immediately to the enemy's battery under 
 the mountains, to see the Mexican general-in-chief. But in conse 
 quence of a refusal to cease firing on our troops, to whom the news 
 of the truce had not yet been communicated, and who were actively 
 engaged with the Mexican infantry, I declared the parley at an 
 end, and returned without seeing General Santa Anna, or commu 
 nicating the answer of the general commanding. 
 
 " The Mexican column was now in rapid retreat, pursued by our 
 artillery, infantry, and cavalry ; and, notwithstanding the effect of 
 our fire, they succeeded for the greater part, favoured by the con 
 figuration of the ground, in crossing the bed of the torrent, and 
 regaining the plateau from which they had previously descended. 
 
 " Whilst this was taking place on the left and rear of the line, 
 our centre, under the immediate eye of the commanding genera], 
 although it suffered much in killed and wounded, stood firm, and 
 repelled every attempt to march upon it. 
 
 " The Mexican forces being now concentrated on our left, made 
 a bold move to carry our centre, by advancing with his whole 
 strength from the left and front. At this moment, Lieutenant 
 O'Brien was ordered to advance his battery and check this move 
 ment. He did so in a bold and gallant manner, and maintained 
 his position until his supporting force was completely routed by an 
 immensely superior force. His men and horses being nearly all 
 killed and wounded, he found himself under the necessity of aban 
 doning his pieces, and they fell into the hands of the enemy. From 
 this point the enemy marched upon the centre, where the shock 
 was met by Colonel McKee, the 1st Illinois, under Colonel Hardin, 
 and the 2d, under Colonel Bissell, all under the immediate eye of 
 the commanding general. This was the hottest as well as the most 
 
RETREAT OF THE ENEMY. 153 
 
 critical part of the action ; and at the moment when our troops were 
 about giving way before the vastly superior force with which they 
 were contending, the batteries of Captains Sherman and Bragg 
 coming up most opportunely from the rear, and under the immediate 
 direction of the commanding general, by a well-directed fire checked 
 and drove back with great loss the enemy, who had come close upon 
 the muzzles of their pieces. A part of the enemy's lancers took 
 our infantry in flank, and drove them down the ravine in front of 
 Captain Washington's battery, who saved them by a well-directed 
 and well-timed fire from his pieces. 
 
 " This was the last great effort of General Santa Anna ; the firing, 
 however, between the enemy's artillery and our own, continued until 
 night. 
 
 " The troops lay on their arms in the position in which they were 
 placed at evening. Major Warren's command, consisting of four 
 companies of Illinois infantry, and a detachment of Captain Web 
 ster's company, under Lieutenant Donaldson, were brought on the 
 field from Saltillo ; where they had performed, during the day, im 
 portant services in connection with Captain Webster's battery, under 
 a piece ably served by Lieutenant (now Captain) Shover, 3d artil 
 lery, in repelling the attack of General Minon and his cavalry on 
 that place. Every arrangement was made to engage the enemy 
 early the next morning, when, at daybreak, it was discovered he 
 had retreated under cover of the night, leaving about one thousand 
 dead and several hundred wounded on the field of battle, and two 
 hundred and ninety-four prisoners in our hands, one standard, and 
 a large number of arms. 
 
 " Our own loss was, I deeply regret to say, very great equalling, 
 if not exceeding, in proportion to the numbers engaged, that of the 
 enemy. In killed, wounded, and missing, it amounted to rising of 
 seven hundred. Among the dead, some of the most gallant of our 
 officers fell while leading their men to the charge, and some who 
 are well known to the country for distinguished services on other 
 fields, among whom were Colonel A. Yell, of Arkansas, Colonel 
 William McKee, Lieutenant-Colonel H. Clay, of Kentucky, and 
 Colonel Hardin, of Illinois. I also lost my assistant adjutant-gene 
 ral, Captain Lincoln, who was as brave, gallant, and as accomplished 
 an officer as I ever knew. He fell in the execution of my orders, 
 and in the attempt to rally our men. 
 
154 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 " The troops posted in the centre were constantly under the eye 
 of the commanding general, and their movements and bearing during 
 the battle are better known to him than myself. I think it proper, 
 however, to bear witness with him to the particular good conduct 
 of the 1st Illinois volunteers, under Colonel Hardin, and, after his 
 death, under Colonel Weatherford ; of the 2d Illinois volunteers, 
 under Colonel Bissell ; and the 2d Kentucky infantry, under Colo 
 nel McKee, Lieutenant-Colonel Clay, and after their death, under 
 Major Fry. These regiments suffered greatly in the contest, and 
 were ably and gallantly led on by their officers, as their number, 
 names, and rank of the killed will abundantly testify. 
 
 "I also desire to express my high admiration, and to offer my 
 warmest thanks to Captains Washington, Sherman and Bragg, and 
 Lieutenants O'Brien and Thomas, and their batteries ; to whose 
 services at this point, and on every other part of the field, I think 
 it but justice to say, we are mainly indebted for the great victory so 
 successfully achieved by our arms over the great force opposed to 
 us more than twenty thousand men and seventeen pieces of 
 artillery. Without our artillery we would not have maintained our 
 position a single hour. 
 
 "Brigadier-General Lane was very active and prompt in the dis 
 charge of his duty, and rendered good service throughout the day. 
 He reports, among many others, Colonel Lane and the 3d Indiana 
 regiment as having done themselves great credit. To Colonel 
 Davis and the Mississippi regiment under his command, whose ser 
 vices were conspicuous in the open engagements on the rear of our 
 left, great credit is due for the part they performed, and much praise 
 for their conspicuous gallantry, which caused them to be a rallying 
 point for the force that was driven in from the left, and who, in con 
 nection with the 3d Indiana regiment, and a fragment of the 2d 
 Indiana, under its gallant colonel, constituted almost the only in 
 fantry opposed to the heavy column of the enemy. 
 
 " Colonel Marshall rendered gallant and important services, both 
 as the commander of the riflemen in the mountains, where he and 
 his men were very effectual, and as the commander of the cavalry 
 companies of his regiment, in connection with those of the Arkan 
 sas regiment, under Colonel Yell, and after his death, under Lieu- 
 <enant-Colonel Roane, (who commanded them in a gallant manner,) 
 Jn their operations against the enemy's lancers. Colonel Marshall 
 
CORPS APs 7 D OFFICERS DISTINGUISHED. 155 
 
 reports that Lieutenant-Colonel Field was everywhere during the 
 battle, and equal entirely to his station, and rendered the most es 
 sential assistance. 
 
 " Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel May, 2d dragoons, with the squadron 
 of the 1st and 2d dragoons, and Captain Pike's squadron of Arkan 
 sas cavalry, and a section of artillery, admirably served by Lieu 
 tenant Reynolds, 3d artillery, played an important part in checking 
 and dispersing the enemy in the rear of our left. They retired be 
 fore him whenever he approached them. The gallant Captain 
 Steen, whilst rallying, under the orders of the commanding general, 
 some men running from the field of battle, was severely wounded 
 in the thigh. 
 
 "Major McCulloch, quartermaster, in command of a Texas spy 
 company, has, on the field, and in all the reconnoissances for seve 
 ral days previous to the contest, given me great assistance and 
 valuable information. 
 
 " Though belonging to the staff of the major-general command 
 ing, yet the very important and valuable services of Major Mans 
 field, to whom I am greatly indebted for the aid I received from his 
 untiring exertions, activity, and extensive information, as well as for 
 his gallant bearing during the days and nights of the 21st, 22d, 
 23d and 24th, give me the privilege of expressing to the com 
 manding general my entire admiration of this accomplished officer's 
 conduct. 
 
 "My thanks are also due to Major Monroe, chief of artillery, for 
 the services rendered by him on the field, as chief of artillery, and 
 for his exertions in rallying the men at Buena Vista, and disposing 
 of them at that place, to meet the attack of the enemy's lancers. 
 Paymaster Dix and Captain Leonard rendered very valuable aid 
 by their gallantry in rallying the troops. Lieutenant Renham, en 
 gineer, was very gallant, zealous, and efficient at all times, night 
 and day, in the performance of the important duties with which he 
 was charged. 
 
 " Of my staff I cannot speak in too high terms ; their devotion to 
 duty at all times, day and night, and their activity and gallant bear 
 ing on the 21st, 22d, 23d, and 24th, not only command my admi 
 ration, but is worthy of all praise. 
 
 *********** 
 
 "I cannot close my report without expressing, officially and for- 
 
156 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 mally, as I have heretofore done personally to the major-general 
 commanding, the feelings of gratitude I have for the confidence and 
 extreme consideration which have marked all his acts towards me ; 
 which have given me additional motives for exertion, and increased 
 zeal in the execution of the responsible duties with which I have 
 been charged. 
 ##*###***#*# 
 
 " The forces engaged in the great battle of the 22d and 23d 
 ultimo, were as follows : 
 
 " The United States troops, commanded by Major-General Taylor, 
 amounted to only four thousand six hundred and ten, including 
 officers. 
 
 " The forces under the command of General Santa Anna amount 
 ed to twenty-two thousand. Some of the Mexican officers taken 
 prisoners stated the number to be twenty-four thousand, exclusive 
 of artillery. This number, I presume, included General Minon's 
 cavalry, reported to be from two to three thousand. 
 
 " The army is represented to be in a disorganized state, and that 
 the losses in killed and wounded, and by desertion, exceed six thou 
 sand men. The dead, the dying, and the wounded in a starving 
 condition, everywhere to be seen on its route, bespeak a hurried re 
 treat and extreme distress," 
 
 A writer, already quoted, gives the following account of Wool's 
 conduct in the battle, together with many interesting incidents : 
 
 " Our general was encamped on the 5th ult., with Colonel Bissell 
 and Captain Washington, on the heights above and to the south of 
 Saltillo, the rest of the army being distributed through the valley, 
 still watching the passes to San Luis, when he who is called by his 
 devoted soldiers Old Rough and Ready, came up with Bragg's and 
 Sherman's batteries and Colonel Davis' Mississippi regiment. He 
 expressed great satisfaction and pleasure with our discipline and the 
 manner in which General Wool had 'brought us up.' By command 
 of General Worth, General Lane, with his Indianians, and Lieute 
 nant Kingsbury, had built a very good fort on the heights of Sal 
 tillo, and in it Captain Webster's two twenty-four-pound howitzers, 
 with smaller pieces, were placed, and commanded every building in 
 the city below, as well as the whole plain from mountain to moun 
 tain, east and west. 
 
 " On the 8th of February, the whole army with General Taylor, 
 
MAJORS BORLAND, GAINES, ETC., CAPTURED. 157 
 
 except four companies of Illinois, left to guard the town, lay in camp 
 at Agua Nueva, and here our generals patiently awaited the arrival 
 of new levies, which they hoped would make their forces ten thou 
 sand strong, and forty days' provisions, to enable us to march for 
 Santa Anna's stronghold, San Luis Potosi, three hundred miles 
 south of Saltillo. General Taylor expected to be ready for the 
 march on the 1st of April. But for a long time the signs had been 
 thickening, that the Mexican dictator was aiming a blow at us, the 
 Voluntaries, as composed of more conquerable stuff than the regu 
 lars under Scott. On the 22d of January, Majors Borland and 
 Gaines, Captain C. M. Clay, and Lieutenant Davidson, with eighty 
 men, were at Incarnacion, sixty miles from Saltillo, on the San Luis 
 road, scouting, when they were suddenly surrounded in the night by 
 three thousand lancers under General Minon, taken prisoners in the 
 morning, and marched off for the city of Mexico. Soon after this, 
 Captain Eddy, of Kentucky, with seventeen men on picket guard, 
 was captured in the same manner a manner little creditable to 
 soldiers. 
 
 " Our pickets were several times driven in, and the enemy's 
 cavalry frequently hovered around us on the south and east, to cut 
 off small parties. Many of the citizens suddenly became sullen to 
 wards the Americanos, who had scattered money among them with 
 so lavish a hand. Three men were missing out of the Arkansas 
 regiment, one of whom was found on the 9th ult., near the camp, 
 dead, with a lasso around his neck, and presenting a horrid specta 
 cle. For this act of an unknown criminal, a few comrades of the 
 deceased, on the next day, took a frantic and senseless revenge, by 
 shooting down in cold blood about thirty unarmed Mexicans, who, 
 with their families, had abandoned the ranch, and were living in the 
 mountains under cover of trees and bushes, to cut wood, as they 
 said, for sale in our camp. Some Illinois infantry saved the greater 
 part of these poor people from massacre. Generals Taylor and Wool 
 were greatly enraged at the act, and branded it in general orders as 
 a cruel and cowardly outrage. Meanwhile a black cloud was gather 
 ing up from San Luis, soon to burst upon our heads in storm and 
 thunder. On the 20th ult., Colonel May, Captain Howard, and 
 Lieutenant O'Brien, with a scouting party at Idionda, twenty-five 
 miles south-east, took a Mexican, who said that Santa Anna wa 
 advancing upon us from Incarnacion. They came into camp early 
 14 
 
158 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 on the morning of the 21st, with this intelligence, which many things 
 conspired to stamp with truth. Having breakfasted, the army lei 
 surely retreated to Buena Vista, fourteen miles, and there took posi 
 tion. All the infantry except Colonel Hardin, who remained in the 
 centre of our line at the pass of Buena Vista, encamped at the ranch, 
 whither our wagons, which had returned to Agua Nueva for the 
 rest of our provisions in camp, came back in the night with hot 
 haste. Colonel Yell, by order of General Taylor, had remained 
 there until near night, when he was attacked by the advanced guard 
 of the enemy. Destroying such provisions and wagons as he could 
 not carry off, he retired to our position. On the next day, the birth 
 day of Washington, in the morning, Colonels Bissell and McKee, 
 with their respective regiments, and General Lane with his brigade, 
 marched out to meet the enemy. We left our tents standing, and 
 our baggage and provisions, which were in the ranch, unguarded, 
 except by teamsters, and one man more, Major Roman, commissary. 
 Our force on the field varied little from four thousand men. That 
 of Santa Anna was twenty-four thousand, as all concur in stating. 
 The mountains on each side of our position stand two miles apart, 
 and are high and difficult of ascent. Our flanks rested upon them. 
 The centre occupied the road, with Washington's battery behind a 
 slight breastwork of earth ; above, a little on the left and in advance 
 of which, Colonel Hardin was posted, on a high conical hill, behind 
 a low breastwork of stone. His office was to guard this battery on 
 the road below. On a level with this hill, to the left, was an elevated 
 plain or table-land, terminating at the road in high bluffs, and cut 
 up in front and rear of our line, as well as on its right, by very deep, 
 wide ravines, dry, with sloping sides, and running for the most part 
 at right angles with the mountain, and parallel with our line of bat 
 tle. Here was our left wing. Our right was posted on a low allu 
 vion, cut up in nearly all directions by deep precipitous ravines, now 
 dry, which in the rainy season receive and convey the mountain 
 torrents. This low ground was commanded as far as the mountain, 
 and could be swept by our cannon on the road. Near to and about 
 parallel with the mountain on the right, a creek with high and per 
 pendicular banks ran to the north, between which and the mountain 
 the Kentuckians of Colonel McKee, with two of Bragg's cannon, 
 were posted on the 22d, and remained there till the morning of the 
 
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 159 
 
 23d, when, finding nothing to do on the right, they abandoned this 
 position and rushed into the battle, then raging on our left. 
 
 " It became evident on the 22d, that the high plain was to be the 
 principal field of battle. Most of that day was spent by Santa Anna 
 in throwing a large force of infantry, under General Ampudia, into 
 the mountain to our left, for the purpose of gaining our rear. At 
 four o'clock P. M. of the 22d, the battle began, with a cannonade 
 on our right and centre, followed soon after by a sharp engagement 
 in the mountain to our left, between Kentucky riflemen from Colonel 
 Marshall's mounted regiment and the flankers of Ampudia, at least 
 three thousand strong. The mountain sides to the top seemed alive 
 with the enemy, whose bright English muskets glistened in the 
 rays of the setting sun. 
 
 " Night came, and all was still, save the hum of voices from the 
 two opposing armies, bivouacked within musket-shot of each other. 
 Had our forces been a little larger, that night would have seen the 
 destruction of Santa Anna's army. But our only safety lay in an 
 obstinate defence of our position. Early in the morning of the 23d 
 the ball opened. The 2d of Illinois, Colonel Bissell, occupied the 
 right of the plain, his right resting on the head of a. ravine, and well 
 guarded by Bragg's and Sherman's artillery. On his left were 
 O'Brien's three pieces, detached from Washington's battery ; and 
 still further to our left, next to the mountain, stood the 2d of In 
 diana, Colonel Bowles, with General Lane and his staff. The 3d 
 of Indiana, Colonel Lane, and Colonel Davis' well-tried Mississip- 
 pians, were held in reserve. Behind our line, and sheltered by a 
 ravine from the heavy artillery of the enemy, (much heavier than 
 ours,) was our cavalry. The battle to-day was opened by our rifle 
 men in the mountains, who renewed the attack which they com 
 menced the evening before. To their assistance was soon sent the 
 rifle battalion of the 2d Illinois, three companies under Major Trail. 
 Here the blows of our men were soon felt by the enemy, who stood 
 at bay, at a respectful distance from their rifles. 
 
 "The main force of Santa Anna soon advanced against us on the 
 plain, while their artillery played upon our ranks on the left. The 
 infantry came on in admirable order, crossing one deep ravine after 
 another in our front, and deploying out of them into line, with a re 
 gularity that excited our admiration, and must have struck the fancy 
 of our two regular geneials. Their eight columns of regiments, ad- 
 
160 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 vancing in line, looked formidable indeed. As the enemy rose out 
 of the first ravine in our front, they opened their fire upon us of the 
 2d Illinois, which we received some time without returning, and ad 
 vanced a short way in it ; hut which, when we did return it, quickly 
 slackened. The ranks immediately before us soon staggered under 
 our fire, and were ripe for a charge of bayonets by us, when the 2d 
 Indiana, on our left, was seen in base, inglorious flight. General 
 Lane, and his aid, Mr. Robinson, strove in vain to rally them. The 
 general had, just before this disgraceful rout, replied to an officer 
 who suggested a retreat ' Retreat ! No ; I will charge them with 
 the bayonet.' Many of this flying infantry' ran to the ranch, many 
 to town, and some, the bearers of ill-tidings, may havejrun, for aught 
 I know, to the United States. The enemy now charged O'Brien's 
 guns, of which they took one ; and our left being turned, were con 
 centrating their fire upon our single regiment with destructive effect. 
 By command of Colonel Churchill, Colonel Bissell ordered his ranks 
 to cease firing and retreat to the ravine in our rear ; which order was 
 several times repeated amidst the rattling volleys before it could be 
 heard and obeyed. Rallying out of the ravine to the right behind 
 the artillery, which was now ploughing through the advancing 
 columns of the enemy, we quickly joined the Kentuckians under 
 Colonel McKee, and with them drove back the enemy's left with 
 slaughter into the ravines, where many of them were killed and 
 wounded. But on our left the enemy were victorious, and were 
 fast pushing into our rear. Their flankers in the mountains rushed 
 forward to surround our riflemen, and the swarms of lancers driving 
 before them the Arkansas cavalry, whom Colonel Yell in vain called 
 upon and adjured to follow him to the charge. 
 
 "Our brave skirmishers from the mountains were on the point 
 of being exterminated, when Colonels Yell and Marshall, with a 
 few companies and the dragoons of Captain Stern's squadron, 
 slightly checked the career of the lancers, and enabled the greater 
 part of our riflemen to retreat to the ranch. About this time, Captain 
 Stern was struck with a grape-shot and compelled to retire. The 
 gallant and good old captain was greatly missed throughout the 
 day. Here, with many others, fell Lieutenant Price of Illinois, 
 seventy-two years old. Captain Conner, of the rifles, was attacked 
 by three lancers, and saved himself by his skill with the sword. 
 
 " The lancers still made head against our cavalry, and drove them 
 

 BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 161 
 
 to Buena Vista, where they were finally repulsed, after charging 
 and dispersing the Arkansas regiment, with the loss of its noble 
 colonel. May, with the dragoons, now came up, and with our 
 riflemen and two pieces of artillery, soon drove back the main body 
 of the lancers. But in the mean time, a large brigade of Mexican 
 infantry had gained our rear, and a large force of lancers had gone 
 by our left to attack Saltillo, in conjunction with General Minon on 
 the north. These last were quickly repelled by our cannon in the 
 front, and were chased a considerable distance back, by infantry 
 from the town with a small cannon. The Mississippi infantry now 
 marched to attack that of the enemy in our rear, drawn up along 
 the base of the mountain, and gave them battle with a gallantry and 
 steadiness worthy of veterans. They were soon joined by the 3d 
 of Indiana, and a large part of the tarnished 2d, who had rallied and 
 returned to the conflict. General Lane was in command here, 
 though wounded early in the morning. The battle was bloody, 
 obstinate, and long-continued. Two pieces of artillery, with our 
 rallied riflemen under Major Wall, came up to the left, and attacked 
 the right of the Mexican line with great effect. With this squad, 
 for a short time, was General Wool, cool and collected, directing the 
 fire of the artillery and men, and placing them in the best positions. 
 The battle on the plain, meanwhile, was confined to artillery, of 
 which the enemy had planted a battery on our left, and alongside 
 of which was the main body of the infantry. On the flanks of our 
 artillery, opposed to that of the enemy, were Colonels Hardin, Bis- 
 sell, and McKee, ready to repel an expected charge of the Mexican 
 infantry, and* in full view of the splendid contest going on in our 
 rear. Colonel Hardin, on finding that all tfie attacks by lancers on 
 Washington's battery were feints, and that the stream of battle flow 
 ed only on our side of the field, left his hill and came with a portion 
 of his regiment to the plain. With us was young Clay, whose firm- 
 set countenance and eye of fire, called up in memory his eloquent 
 father in the height of an oratorical triumph. 
 
 " At length, about three o'clock P. M., we saw the Mexican force 
 in our rear begin to falter and retrace their steps, under the well- 
 directed shot of our ranks of marksmen, and the artillery still pour 
 ing its iron death-bolts into their right. Their lancers, who had 
 taken refuge behind their infantry, and there watched the progress 
 of the fight, made one desperate charge to turn the fortune of the 
 14* 
 
162 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 day by breaking the line of Indiana and Mississippi. But the cool, 
 steady volunteers, sent them with carnage and confusion to Santa 
 Anna, on the plain above, with the report that our reserve was five 
 thousand strong, and filled all the ravines in our rear. The retreat 
 of their infantry, which paused for a moment, was now hastened by 
 the repulse of the lancers, but still under a galling fire. They march 
 ed back in excellent order. While making their toilsome and bloody 
 way back, with their men falling at every step, Santa Anna practised 
 a ruse, to which any French or English officer would have scorned 
 to resort. He exhibited a flag of truce, and sent it across the plain 
 to our right, where stood our generals. The heralds first asked what 
 troops we were ; and one officer, a volunteer too, had the folly to say 
 we were regulars, * troupos de ligne. 1 They then asked General 
 Taylor what terms he had to propose. ' I demand that General 
 Santa Anna surrender himself and his whole army prisoners of war ; 
 I will release them on parole' was his reply. In the morning Santa 
 Anna had summoned Taylor to surrender, representing the folly of 
 resistance with volunteers against his overwhelming force of regu 
 lars. The old hero then replied, * we are here, come and get us.' 
 The tables were now turning. The bearers of the flag asked what 
 time they could have to consider these terms ' An hour ?' * Not 
 half that time,' exclaimed our second in command, who may be 
 called Old Ready as well as our first ; * not half that time.' Take 
 thirty minutes,' said our chief. The flag returned to the Mexican 
 army, accompanied by General Wool. By this time the detachment 
 in our rear, to save which the flag was exhibited, had nearly gained 
 the plain, still, however, under the fire of General Lane, who did 
 not intermit for a moment his terrible blows upon the retreating 
 enemy. At length they joined the main army. The cannonade had 
 recommenced on the side of the enemy against us, with the return 
 of the flag, and was quickly answered by our ' mortal engines.' 
 Soon afterwards their whole army commenced an orderly retreat 
 along the base of the mountains. Now came a disastrous movement. 
 Colonel Hardin called his men to a charge on the retiring enemy. 
 Colonels McKee and Bissell, under the influence of his example, 
 and willing to share his fate, seconded the movement, and marched 
 with their men against ten times our numbers. Our batteries took a 
 nearer position and continued their fire. O'Brien, with his two re 
 maining guns on our left, accompanied us to the middle of the plain, 
 
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 163 
 
 where he opened on the enemy. We continued to advance, when 
 the Mexicans, wheeling into line, poured upon us, not yet formed 
 into line, a fire such as no ranks ever withstood. At the same time 
 their lancers, in immense squadrons, attacked our right, while their 
 whole line of infantry advanced upon us in rapid, regular march. 
 
 "Their discipline is wonderfully perfect. Had they been less 
 eager to kill and plunder our wounded, and had their officers known 
 the value of minutes, and how to improve them, the day had been 
 lost to us in blood and horror ; for they gave no quarter. Lieutenant 
 Robbins surrendered, and was stabbed dead with his own sword. 
 The same fate befell Lieutenant Leanhart in the morning, and many 
 others during the day. We retreated fighting to the head of a ravine 
 far to right of our batteries, and in advance of our line in the morn 
 ing. O'Brien's batteries and most of his gunners were gone. We 
 made a short stand at the head of this ravine, where McKee, Hardin, 
 and Clay fell, and then ran a gauntlet through it, of three-quarters 
 of a mile, in the midst of shot from both sides, to the road where 
 Washington's battery stopped the pursuit, and saved many. I, with 
 a few others, went down a shorter ravine, leading into the road 
 nearer the battery, and climbing Hardin's hill, we were soon greeted 
 with the appearance of Colonel Bissell, safe and unhurt. Mean time, 
 General Lane, with Colonels Davis and Lane, and the Monterey 
 heroes of Mississippi, the gallant Indianians, and the Illinois pioneers 
 under their sergeant McFarland, rose upon the plain, from their 
 victory in the rear, and in full view of our rout, with their scathing 
 volleys called off the vultures from the massacre and plunder of the 
 fallen. Following these up, with the American yell, so terrifying 
 to Mexican hearts, they quickly put their discipline to a severe proof 
 to save their own army from a total rout. They formed, however, 
 rapidly, and renewed the battle, when General Lane fell off to our 
 left to protect our artillery, whose thunders, above all other sounds, 
 incessantly and without pause, continued to drown the groans of the 
 wounded, and to chant the requiem of the dead, carrying death upon 
 their bolts through the solid ranks of Santa Anna. 
 
 " As soon as I had found a breathing place, the shrill voice of 
 General Wool was heard, calling in trumpet tones, Illinois, Illinois, 
 to the rescue ; out, my brave boys, out and defend our batteries.' 
 So complete had been our rout, and the dispersion of the 2d of Illi 
 nois, which, with six companies, had in the morning kept her iron 
 
164 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 ranks against the whole Mexican line, that now only four men of 
 the regiment were within hearing of this appeal, who answered it 
 by rallying instantly, with a few Kentuckians and Illinoians of the 
 1st, to repel, with General Lane, a threatened charge. These four 
 men were, private Harman Busch, corporal Charles Gooding, a lieu 
 tenant, and Colonel Bissell. I mention the last with greater plea 
 sure, because he is a true man, a good officer, a native of your state, 
 and my colonel. Our force augmented swiftly with the rallying 
 fugitives ; but Santa Anna judged it prudent not to make this charge, 
 and thus to save a part of his army for other fields. Had he made 
 it, I cannot bring myself to doubt as to the result, when I consider 
 the exasperated mind of every survivor among us, inflamed to the 
 highest and bitterest resentment for the wanton murders of the 
 wounded and vanquished, committed under our eyes throughout 
 the day. We had now determined to conquer or to die. 
 
 " Santa Anna resumed his retreat. Still under the fire of our 
 artillery, and in good order, he recrossed the ravines, out of which 
 he had marched upon us in the morning. His bivouack was a little 
 in advance of our position till about midnight, when he retired to 
 Agua Nueva, and thence, on the 26th ult., marched for San Luis 
 Potosi. He admitted his loss to have been four thousand killed, 
 wounded and missing, of whom, certainly, not half were deserters. 
 We exchanged his prisoners for C. M. Clay and the others taken 
 in January, whom he promised to send to Vera Cruz. Our killed 
 and wounded were seven hundred. The despatches have already 
 informed you who they are. The letter is now so long that I must 
 close with a brief notice of a few of the dead, reserving the most 
 recent events for another epistle. 
 
 " Captain Lincoln, so distinguished at Palo Alto and Resaca de la 
 Palma, was shot through the head early in the day, while rallying 
 us, and fell from his horse, near me, into the arms of Captain Raith. 
 He was a gallant New Englander, and stood high in the esteem of 
 all. He was adjutant to General Wool. 
 
 " Colonel Hardin was slain by lancers, near where, and soon after 
 McKee and Clay were shot. He was an excellent officer, a good 
 lawyer, and a man of talent. His character and fate bear a strong 
 similitude to that of Colonel Davies, who fell at Tippecanoe. 
 
 * Colonel McKee, whom I did not know, is much regretted in 
 
BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 165 
 
 the army, and his character spoken of, universally, in the most ex 
 alted terms. 
 
 " It was never my fortune to know a more kind-hearted, chivalric 
 and accomplished gentleman, than Colonel Yell of Arkansas. He 
 fell with Captain Porter, in a hand-to-hand conflict with lancers, but 
 feebly supported by his regiment. None knew him but to love him ; 
 none named him but to praise. 
 
 " Lieutenant William Price, of our Illinois rifle battalion, was 
 slain by lancers while retreating from the mountains, after our left 
 was turned in the morning. The frost of seventy-two winters had 
 silvered his hairs, and he had left a home of affluence and ease, 
 with the expressed wish to die in the service of his country, and if 
 need be, on the field of battle. 'They cannot cheat me out of 
 many years,' said he. When ordered with the battalion, like a for 
 lorn hope, to the trying contest in the mountains, he exclaimed with 
 a look of joy, as he drew his sword, * Now boys, this looks like 
 doing something.' The enemy triumphed over his fall, supposing 
 him to be General Wool ; and some prisoners taken soon after said 
 that General Taylor alone was left to save us. They judged erro 
 neously of us from themselves, and would have found us an army 
 still, though deprived of our three generals. 
 
 "Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Clay, jr., was much lamented. His 
 manners, voice, and features reminded the observer strongly of his 
 father. You saw the suavity, ease, and dignity of his carriage and 
 deportment in them both. The statesman of Kentucky will sav 
 with old Siward : 
 
 " ' My son has paid a soldier's debt, 
 In the unshrinking station where he fought. 
 Had I as many sons as I have heirs, 
 I wou]d not wish them a fairer death: 
 And so his knell is knolled.' 
 
 " In the same part of the field, and about the same time with Clay, 
 McKee, and Hardin, another fell, pierced by a lance, whose name 
 is worthy of a place in the rolls of fame Private Alexander Konze, 
 of company H., 2d regiment of Illinois. The writer was honoured 
 with his friendship, and had an opportunity of knowing him well, 
 being a member of the same company and his tent-mate. His con 
 duct on the field was most soldierly, cool, calm, deliberate, and 
 prompt in obeying orders. His courage was conspicuous, even in 
 
166 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 the moment of his death, when he refused to surrender. Except a 
 brother in South America, he left no relatives on this continent. His 
 widowed mother lives in Bueckeburg, in Hanover, near to his native 
 city Hamburg. He received a splendid education at the universi 
 ties of Jena and Goettingen. He had been but a year in the United 
 States when he joined our regiment in Alton, whither he had come 
 to volunteer, from Wisconsin. His motives in taking this step were 
 that he might serve the country, whose constitution he respected 
 before all other systems of government, and gratify his curiosity in 
 a new mode of life, by seeing Mexico, and observing as he did with 
 a philosophic eye, the character of her people and institutions. The 
 writer promised much pleasure to himself in travelling with him 
 through this country. He was twenty-seven years of age, and pro 
 bably the most learned man in the army. His knowledge of philo 
 logy was accurate and profound. Such was his familiarity with the 
 Latin, that by one day's examination of a Spanish grammar, he was 
 able to read this cognate language with facility. Many pleasant 
 hours have we spent together in rambling over the plains and 
 mountains of Mexico, while he filled his haversack with new plants 
 to send to Germany, and which his knowledge of botany often en 
 abled him to class in their several genera and species. 
 
 " A better or a braver heart than his never beat its last on a field 
 of battle. While awaiting upon the field, on the night of the 23d 
 of February, the renewal of the attack by Santa Anna, the thought 
 was most consolatory to several of his comrades, that death on the 
 next day, might make them companions of Miltiades, of Socrates, 
 and of Konze. This man died for a country of which he was not 
 a citizen ; shall it be said that he, the republican son of Germany, 
 was not a true American ? May his example animate the hearts 
 of those whom alone he would acknowledge as countrymen the 
 good and the true of every clime and country." 
 
 General Taylor did not forget to accord due credit to the con 
 duct of General Wool. In his first hasty despatch to the depart 
 ment, he mentions him alone. These are his words : " I may be 
 permitted here, however, to acknowledge my great obligations to 
 General Wool, the second in command, to whom I feel particularly 
 indebted for his valuable services on this occasion." In his enlarged 
 report is the following testimonial : 
 
 "To Brigadier-General Wool my obligations are especially due. 
 
POPULAR APPROBATION OF WOOL. 167 
 
 The high state of discipline and instructions of several of the volun 
 teer regiments was attained under his command, and to his vigilance 
 and arduous service before the action, and his gallantry and activity 
 on the field, a large share of our success may justly be 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." 
 
 In addition to this high recommendation, we annex a preamble 
 and resolutions, passed at a mass meeting of the citizens of Troy, on 
 the 10th of April, 1847. 
 
 "Whereas, The Common Council of the city of Troy have (in 
 common with their fellow-citizens,) had the great gratification of 
 hearing, from all quarters, of the courage and gallant bearing of our 
 townsman, Brigadier-General John E. Wool, during the hard-fought 
 and nobly-won field of Buena Vista : 
 
 " Therefore, Resolved, That General Wool has fully justified the 
 high opinion always entertained among us, of his character as an 
 accomplished soldier ; and his courage and conduct at Buena Vista 
 amply fulfil the bright promise of his first feat of arms at Queens- 
 town. 
 
 " Resolved, That feeling a just pride in his renown, and desiring 
 to testify our high regard for both the citizen and soldier, we, in the 
 name of the city of Troy, present to him a sword, as a testimonial 
 of the place he occupies in the esteem of those who have known 
 him so long and so well ; and as a memorial, (though not a reward,) 
 of the distinguished services he has rendered to his country. " 
 
 " Resolved, That a committee of four persons be appointed by 
 the mayor two from the common council, and two from the citi 
 zens generally, to carry into effect the foregoing resolution." 
 
 The sword, made in accordance with a design from Brown, the 
 sculptor, is thus described : 
 
 " It is a Roman sword. The mountings hilt and scabbard are 
 of gold. The blade is two-edged, broad and straight, about two 
 feet four inches long. The hilt is surmounted with a Roman helmet. 
 On its sides are figures of Hercules and Mars. The wings of the 
 American eagle are outspread beneath the guard, and on the guard 
 is the following appropriate inscription : 
 
 '"Presented by the Common Council and Citizens of Troy, N. Y., 
 
 H 
 
168 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 to their townsman, Brigadier-General John E. Wool, as a token of 
 their personal esteem, and of their high appreciation of his gal 
 lantry and military ability, as displayed on the bloody field of 
 Buena Vista, on the 22d and 23d days of February, 1847.' 
 
 " The scabbard is richly engraved with numerous battle scenes, 
 arms, and banners, and other suitable devices, and bears the follow 
 ing inscription : 
 
 " * QUEENSTOWN, Oct. 13, 1812. PLATTSBURG, Sept. 11, 1814. 
 BUENA VISTA, Feb. 22 and 23, 1847.' " 
 
 The following letter and accompanying remarks will be pleasing 
 to every friend of General Wool. While it accords due justice to 
 him, it also shows that his skill is as great in selecting an advanta 
 geous battle-ground, as in defending it when the enemy are upon 
 him. 
 
 * So many persons have claimed the credit of saving the day at 
 Buena Vista, and some in a most extraordinary manner, and so 
 many claimants have appeared for praise for the honour of selecting 
 the ground upon which the glorious battle of Buena Vista was 
 fought, that it may not be improper, even at this late period, to 
 ' render unto Caesar the things that are Caesar's.' As General Wool, 
 in my opinion, is entitled to the credit of having selected the spot, 
 the following letter, which incontestably establishes that fact, may 
 not prove uninteresting. It is from the pen of Captain Carleton, of the 
 United States Dragoons, a very gallant officer, and one whose pen 
 has often enriched the columns of the New York Spirit of the 
 Times in times past, and is addressed to General Wool." 
 
 Now follows the letter of Captain Carleton, dated Buena Vista, 
 July 27th, 1847 : 
 
 " By reference to my journal of the marches, &c., of General 
 Wool's column, I find that on the 21st of December, 1846, you 
 arrived in the valley of Encantada with your whole force, consist 
 ing of cavalry, artillery, and infantry, with their complete trains, 
 and encamped at Agua Nueva, situated at its southern termination. 
 That point is twenty miles in advance of Saltillo, which city was 
 then occupied by General Worth, to whose assistance you had 
 marched from Parras, a distance of one hundred and fifteen miles, 
 in less than three days. At that time the command of General 
 Worth was only a brigade, and he had sent by express a request to 
 you at Parras, to join him with your column as soon as possible, to 
 
SELECTION OF BATTLE-GROUND. 169 
 
 assist in repelling an attack then daily expected from the enemy, in 
 force under General Santa Anna. 
 
 " About the same time, General Butler arrived at Saltillo from 
 Monterey. On the evening of the 22d of December, you left your 
 camp at Agua Nueva to visit both himself and General Worth ; it 
 being reported that they were confined to their beds in consequence 
 of the wounds they had previously received. You were accompa 
 nied by Captains Lee, Hughes, and Chapman, United States Army, 
 by your aid, Lieutenant McDowell, and by myself, then on duty as 
 one of your aids-de-camp. It was quite dark when you left Agua 
 Nueva, and when you arrived at that part of the pass of Buena 
 Vista known as La Angostura, a heavy fog, accompanied by rain, 
 had set in, rendering it so much more so that it was with the utmost 
 difficulty the road could be kept. Indeed the officers who were 
 with you were frequently obliged to dismount and seek for it on 
 either hand. It was past 11 o'clock at night when you and your 
 party reached Saltillo. The next day, when your interview with 
 Generals Butler and Worth was concluded, you started on your re 
 turn to your camp at Agua Nueva, accompanied only by myself, 
 all the other officers who had gone to Saltillo with you being still 
 detained there by official business. When you had proceeded as 
 far as Angostura, one mile in advance of the hacienda of San Juan 
 de la Buena Vista, you halted, and, after having glanced over the 
 ground on each side, you said to me : l Mr. Carleton, this is the 
 very spot of all others 1 have yet seen in Mexico which I should 
 select for battle, were I obliged with a small army to fight a large 
 one.'' 
 
 " You then pointed out to me what you conceived were the great 
 military advantages it possessed; and said that the net-work of 
 deeply-worn channels on the right would completely protect that 
 flank ; that the heights on your left would command the road, while 
 the ravines in front of them, and which extend back to the moun 
 tain on that side, would cripple the movements of the enemy should 
 he attempt to turn that flank. You continued conversing with me 
 on this subject until, as you may recollect, we met Lieutenant 
 McCown, 4th artillery, a mile or more further on. So forcibly was 
 I impressed with your choice, and all you had said in favour of it, 
 that, immediately after my arrival at Agua Nueva, I described the 
 place to some of the officers of your staff, (I think to Inspector- 
 15 
 
170 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 General Churchill and his assistant, Captain Drum, United States 
 Army,) at the time saying that you had selected it for a battle-ground, 
 and repeating all you had stated in relation to it. 
 
 " It may not be improper likewise to add, that on the 26th of De 
 cember General Butler visited you at Agua Nueva ; and that on the 
 27th, before he returned to Saltillo, he gave you an order to move 
 with your troops and select in the neighbourhood of La Encantada 
 or further down the stream towards Saltillo, a suitable place, and 
 there encamp. As this order was entirely discretionary as to the 
 precise locality for your proposed camp, you chose the plain between 
 La Angostura and the hacienda before alluded to as the best, be 
 cause it was not only less exposed to the bleak winds which contin 
 ually swept through the pass at La Encantada, and which at that 
 season of the year would cause the troops much suffering, as we 
 were all in tents and fuel very scarce, but offered the additional 
 advantage of an abundant supply of pure water, and besides 
 was just in rear of what you had selected as the strong point of 
 defence. 
 
 " That evening (the 28th) General Butler sent you an order to 
 return to La Encantada and encamp there. You wrote a note to 
 him, requesting, for reasons which you assigned, that he would 
 permit you to remain where you were, and sent it by Colonel Har- 
 din. Captain Drum and myself accompanied Colonel Hardin, and 
 were present at the interview between General Butler and himself. 
 During the conversation that ensued after your note had been deli 
 vered, Colonel Hardin, among other reasons which he gave why he 
 hoped your request might be complied with, urged the fact that you 
 were near a point which you believed you could maintain in case 
 the enemy advanced upon you from the direction of San Luis Po- 
 tosi. General Butler said he would not revoke his order, and re 
 marked that if the Mexican army came he had already chosen a 
 ground for battle, and even gone so far as to fix the points to be 
 occupied by the several corps. That ground was the broad plain 
 immediately in front of Saltillo, and I think he also said he had 
 already prepared roads for the artillery, leading from the city up on 
 to it. I have mentioned all these circumstances to show with what 
 anxiety and exertion you endeavoured to be permitted to occupy a 
 point within striking distance of the one you had selected as the best 
 for battle. On the 30th of December your whole command was 
 
ESTABLISHES HIS HEAD-QUARTERS. 171 
 
 obliged to retrace its steps to La Encantada, which it did with evi 
 dent reluctance, as all the officers agreed entirely with you in opinion 
 as to the disadvantages arising from such a change of position. 
 
 " Previous to the time when you first went to Saltillo, (the 22d,) 
 not one of your officers had ever gone through the pass of Buena 
 Vista. All those who went with you on that occasion were pre 
 vented, as I have shown, by the extreme darkness even from seeing 
 the great road on which they sought to travel, and could not there 
 fore have had at that time a favourable opportunity for making 
 military reconnoissances. You returned from the city and had 
 pointed out the position to me, as I have stated, before they repassed 
 over it. The choice and partialities of the officers in Saltillo, it is 
 fair to presume, for many reasons, were coincident with those ex 
 pressed by General Butler. When General Taylor came up from 
 Monterey, he saw at a glance that your views were correct ; and, 
 although he moved the whole army forward to Agua Nueva, as 
 there he could have an extensive plain for the drill and discipline 
 of the troops, with wood and water convenient, and besides, by doing 
 so, could take the initiatory step in one of the most beautiful pieces 
 of strategy of modern times, still, when, by the advance of Santa 
 Anna, the moment had ripened to gain the grand results by feigning 
 a precipitate retreat, that retreat was but a rapid movement back to 
 the identical spot you had chosen, and on to which the Mexican 
 army was hurriedly drawn with all its fatigue and disarray conse 
 quent upon a forced march of upwards of forty miles ; and where, 
 on the 22d and 23d of February, 1847, was fought the battle of 
 Buena Vista. The result of that conflict afforded conclusive evi 
 dence of the correctness of your first remark ; for there four thousand 
 six hundred and ten Americans contended successfully against up 
 wards of twenty thousand Mexicans. This letter, general, is but a 
 dry detail of facts, but I hope they are set forth with sufficient clear 
 ness to prevent their being misunderstood." 
 
 Immediately after the battle, General Wool established his head 
 quarters at Buena Vista. In the month of May following, he, on the 
 occasion of taking leave of the 1st and 2d Illinois regiments, whose 
 term of service (one" year) had nearly expired, issued the following 
 orders, dated Buena Vista, May 28th, 1847. 
 
 " The term of service for which the 1st and 2d Illinois regiments 
 have engaged has nearly expired, and they are about to return to 
 
172 BRIGADIER-QENERAL JOHN E. WOOL. 
 
 their homes. The general commanding takes this occasion to ex 
 press his deep regret at the departure of those who have been so 
 long under his immediate command, and who have served, and 
 served so well, their country. Few can boast of longer marches, 
 greater hardships, and none of greater gallantry in the field of Buena 
 Vista. It was there that the general witnessed with infinite satis 
 faction their valour, which gave an additional lustre to our arms, and 
 increased glory to our country. To their steadiness and firmness, 
 in connection with the 2d Kentucky Foot, in resisting the Mexicans 
 at a critical moment, and where there were five to one against 
 them and, as General Santa Anna said, ' when blood flowed in 
 torrents, and the field of battle was strewed with the dead,' we may 
 justly ascribe a large share of the glorious victory over more than 
 twenty thousand men. 
 
 "A great victory, it is true, but attained at too great a sacrifice ; 
 Hardin, Zabriskie, Woodward, McKee, Yell, Clay, and many others 
 fell leading their men to the charge. Their names and gallant deeds 
 will ever be remembered by a grateful people. 
 
 " In taking leave of these regiments, the general cannot omit to 
 express his admiration of the conduct and gallant bearing of all, and 
 especially of Colonels Bissell and Weatherford, and their officers, 
 who have, on all occasions, done honour to themselves, and heroic 
 ally sustained the cause of their country on the field of Buena Vista. 
 
 "The wishes of the general will attend them to their homes, 
 where they will be received with joy and gladness as the pride of 
 their families and their state." 
 
 On the 23d of June, the following reply was made by the officers 
 of these regiments : 
 
 " Brigadier-General Wool, The officers and soldiers of the 1st 
 regiment of Illinois volunteers, on the eve of leaving Mexico for their 
 homes, would do violence to their own feelings did they not tender 
 to their immediate commanding general a testimonial of their regard. 
 
 " Upon entering the service a year since, they were not prepared 
 to appreciate the importance of discipline and drill,- and consequently 
 complained of them as onerous and unnecessary. Complaints were 
 loud and many. Their judgment convinced, their feelings have 
 undergone a change, and they now thank you for your untiring ex 
 ertions to make them useful to their country and a credit to their 
 state. 
 
CORRESPONDENCE WITH HIS OFFICERS. 173 
 
 " Whatever, sir, of service we may have done our common coun 
 try, or whatever honour we may have done the state of Illinois, to 
 General John E. Wool is due the credit. You, sir, brought your 
 column into the field, well provided for, and well disciplined, and 
 fought them well when you got them there ; and should our country 
 ever again need our services in the field, it would be our proudest 
 wish to again meet the enemy under the immediate command of 
 one in whose energy, watchfulness and courage we, and the whole 
 army, have the most unlimited confidence. 
 
 " With the best wishes for your future fame and happiness, on 
 the part of the regiment, we beg leave to subscribe ourselves your 
 friends." 
 
 This paper was signed by W. Weatherford, colonel of the 1st 
 Illinois volunteer regiment, by W. B. Waring, lieutenant-colonel, 
 and forty company and staff officers. 
 
 From the battle of Buena Vista, up to the last accounts from 
 General Wool's command, we find thaF he has been stationed at 
 Buena Vista, awaiting reinforcements to enable him and General 
 Taylor to make a movement in the direction of San Luis Potosi, 
 passing through and taking possession of Encarnacion on the route. 
 
 -!. &! iiteii ; -."' ' . 
 
 15* 
 
MAJOR RINGGOLD. 
 
 MAJOR SAMUEL RINGGOLD was the eldest son of General Samuel 
 Ringgold, formerly United States' senator from Maryland. His 
 mother was daughter of General John 'Cadwalader, endeared to the 
 citizens of Philadelphia for his patriotic services in the revolution. 
 The major was born in the year 1800, at Front Park, near Hagers- 
 town, Washington county, Maryland. In 1814, he entered the 
 military academy at We$ Point, and after remaining there four 
 years, and performing its laborious requirements with promptness 
 and success, he graduated [1818] with distinction, at the head of 
 his class. But not satisfied with his proficiency in military matters, 
 he determined to visit the various professional schools of Europe, 
 so that nothing of a theoretical nature might be wanting to com 
 plete his education. He entered the Polytechnique, and afterwards 
 the military institution at Woolwich, perfecting himself in the 
 science of artillery. Returning to his country, he laid before go 
 vernment the result of his arduous researches, pressing the import 
 ance of an efficient organization of artillery to complete our military 
 establishment. Although neglected by the department, and dis 
 countenanced by the public, yet such was his untiring perseverance, 
 that he was at length partially successful, and saw added to the 
 national army a branch of flying artillery, which, during the whole 
 of our war with Mexico, has proven the bulwark of success. 
 
 Ringgold first entered the army as lieutenant, and being recom 
 mended by General Scott, he was received as aid-de-camp into that 
 officer's staff. After improving rapidly in this capacity, he com 
 menced service, as brevet lieutenant of the 1st regiment. In July 
 1822, he was promoted as first lieutenant ; in which capacity he oc 
 cupied Fort Moultrie, South Carolina, until the settlement of the 
 nullification difficulties in 1833. Next year he received the brevet 
 
 (174) 
 
MAJOR RINGGOLD. 
 H* 
 
SERVICES IN FLORIDA. 175 
 
 rank of captain, dating from May 8th, 1832. The full rank of 
 captain, with command of a company in the 3d artillery, was given 
 to him in 1836. 
 
 But his most arduous service was experienced in Florida. Natu 
 rally rather delicate in health, the diseases of that swampy country, 
 the dreadful toils encountered in advancing through forests, lakes, 
 and marshes, and the other hardships of the Seminole campaigns, 
 preyed upon his constitution, and sowed the seeds of permanent 
 decay. 
 
 After the disbandment of his company in 1838, the captain went 
 to Carlisle, Pennsylvania, with instructions to organize and equip a 
 company of light artillery, to be composed of men dropped from the 
 rolls of the first and second artillery. He was soon afterwards bre- 
 vetted major, for his meritorious services in Florida. In this capa 
 city he remained, perfecting his favourite branch of service, until the 
 opening of our war with Mexico. 
 
 Major Ringgold was with the " Corps of Observation," from the 
 time of its organization at Corpus Christi, until the battle of Palo 
 Alto. That engagement was commenced on the part of the Ameri 
 cans by Lieutenant Churchill, with two eighteen-pounders. Ring- 
 gold stationed himself in advance of the eighteen-pounders, and, at 
 the distance of seven hundred yards from the enemy, opened his 
 fire with terrible effect. When the march was resumed on the fol 
 lowing morning, the direction of his fire could be traced by the 
 mangled heaps which it had left in its course. Major Ringgold 
 personally attended his guns, and was so accurate in his manage 
 ment of them, so sure of his aim, as frequently to point them at 
 particular individuals. Thus for a while was the battle conducted, 
 the artillery alone employed. The American infantry, drawn up 
 as a support, stood watching with intense feeling the ravages of this 
 terrible weapon, bursting forth into loud cheers at every discharge. 
 
 While the battle was thus raging, the Mexican lancers moved 
 down toward the wagon train, in consequence of which Lieutenant 
 Ridgely was detached with two pieces to protect it. Notwithstand 
 ing this diminution of numbers, Ringgold still maintained the battle 
 against fearful odds, and held the enemy at bay for three hours. 
 He then received the wound which caused his death. It was oc 
 casioned by a six-pound cannon shot, which struck the middle of his 
 right thigh, passed through it, and through the shoulders of his 
 
176 MAJOR RINGGOLD. 
 
 horse, and came out through the left thigh. Men and officers came 
 to his assistance, but he waved them away, exclaiming, " Don't stay 
 with me ; you have work to do go ahead." 
 
 He was immediately carried from the field under the direction of 
 Dr. Byrne, who dressed his wounds. Although nearly all the an 
 terior muscles were torn from each thigh, yet no bones were broken 
 nor any important artery divided. His pain was trifling, and up to 
 the time of his death, he conversed cheerfully with his attendants 
 upon the incidents of the battle. He steadily grew worse, however, 
 until one o'clock on the morning of the 10th, when he expired. 
 His burial took place on the following day. 
 
 Major Ringgold was formed by nature to be popular. No man 
 possessed more the affection and obedience of the soldiers, and no 
 one was ever more sincerely lamented. Even those who had 
 known him only for a few months, partook of the general sorrow ; 
 and when it was announced throughout the United States that 
 Ringgold had fallen, the shout of victory was dashed with a wail of 
 sympathy. In his native state especially was this feeling mani 
 fested. At the Monument Square a meeting convened to hear the 
 details of the struggles of the 8th and 9th. Colonel Davis was one 
 of the speakers ; and when he announced that Ringgold had been 
 killed, a deep silence settled over the dense mass, and every head 
 was uncovered. The Baltimore county court adjourned on learn 
 ing the melancholy event. On that occasion the honourable Judge 
 Le Grande made the following remarks : 
 
 " In the motion of the attorney-general the court recognises a be 
 coming appreciation of the sad feeling which the announcement of 
 the death of our brave townsman has inspired in the bosoms of our 
 entire community. It is fitting that the court and indeed every 
 branch of the government should exhibit the sincerest evidences of 
 the affliction which all have sustained in the death of one who sur 
 rendered his life in the defence of his country. Custom has pro 
 scribed, amongst its usual cold ceremonials, the expression of grief 
 at the final departure of any distinguished citizen ; but when the 
 resolute and noble defender of the honour of the country and the 
 integrity of its soil is swallowed up in the jaws of death, whilst in 
 the act of adding by his daring intrepidity another brilliant page to 
 its history, the patriotic heart properly demands, and will have the 
 tribute which the just and the grateful ever promptly pay to the 
 
REGRETS FOR HIS DEATH. 177 
 
 gallant dead. To us all this is evident by the gloom which is every 
 where in our city ; and which the enunciation of a succession of the 
 glorious victories of our arms cannot dispel. The court therefore 
 can have no difficulty in concurring in the motion, responsive as is 
 that concurrence to the feelings of the community and of its own. 
 Major Ringgold was a citizen of Baltimore, known to us all, to some 
 of us intimately, and by whomsoever and wheresoever known, recog 
 nised as a gentlemen of the highest sense of honour, and of the kind 
 liest feelings of which humanity is susceptible. He is gone, but 
 the fame his late brilliant conduct won will henceforth constitute a 
 part of the pride and history of his country." 
 
 Other public and political bodies manifested similar tokens of re 
 gret. On the 26th of May the flags of all vessels and public build 
 ings were half-masted, and hung with crape. More recently, mea 
 sures have been adopted to transport his remains from Texas to 
 Baltimore. According to the arrangements for this interesting 
 ceremony, the relics " will be kept in the Rotunda for a few days, 
 with a military guard of honour constantly present, to enable compa 
 nies in distant portions of the state to gratify the wishes they have 
 expressed, to participate in the ceremonies [of burial] ; and the 
 time fixed for the funeral will be communicated to all companies 
 not located in Baltimore, upon their expressing such a wish by letter 
 addressed to the Eagle Artillery Company, who are charged with 
 all the details- of the funeral." 
 
 The press was not wanting in its contribution of esteem. " The 
 major," says a Baltimore editor, " was an accomplished gentleman, 
 beloved by his friends, respected by all. He was devoted to his 
 profession, and justly appreciated the high responsibilities of an 
 officer in command. He rigidly enforced discipline at all times and 
 in all things ; and yet, probably, no officer had more entirely the 
 respect, the confidence, and the affectionate regard of all his officers 
 and men." 
 
 " The death of this accomplished officer," says the Philadelphia 
 North American, " is a heavy loss to the country. He had been 
 instructed with a revision of a system of tactics for our army, and 
 devoted much time and study to improving upon the English and 
 French systems. His corps was as fine a one as any service could 
 boast. He leaves unfinished, we think, a work which he was pre 
 paring on the utility and practicability of the flying artillery arm in 
 
178 MAJOR RINGGOLD. 
 
 service. Major Ringgold's constitution was much impaired by his 
 long campaign in Florida ; but passionately attached to the profes 
 sion of arms, he still remained in the army, and died a martyr to his 
 country. 
 
 ' His death has stricken thousands of hearts that gush under the 
 blow with feelings which no ordinary public calamity could have 
 excited. He was generally known and appreciated in this city as 
 the Bayard of the age the star of the war ; and his career was 
 watched with anxious eyes and hearts. That it would be glorious 
 no one doubted ; but who thought that an orb so bright would sink 
 so early ? The soul of chivalry and honour, accomplished as a sol 
 dier, lofty as a patriot, beloved as a man, it demands an agonizing 
 struggle to reconcile us to such a sacrifice. And yet it is a noble 
 one. In the flash of his fame he has died as he lived for his 
 country. The offering was doubtless a glad one. He desired no 
 better fate than such a death ; he could leave no richer inheritance 
 than such an example. While we feel as if destiny had robbed the 
 future of the fame which such a nature must have won, we dare 
 not repine that his career has been closed in its morning with this 
 sunburst of glory. His memory will be gratefully cherished so long 
 as honour has a victory, freedom a hero, or his country a name." 
 
CAPTAIN WALKER. 
 
CAPTAIN WALKER. 
 
 SAMUEL HAMILTON WALKER was born about the year 1815, in 
 Prince George county, Maryland. His brothers and other relatives 
 now reside in Washington city. During the Seminole Indian war 
 he enlisted in the United States' service as a private, and was one 
 of Colonel Harney's picked men to penetrate the everglades of 
 Florida, where foot-prints of the white man were never before seen. 
 In that hazardous expedition, which effectually put an end to the 
 Florida war, by conquering the Indians around their own council 
 fires, young Walker greatly distinguished himself. He was a 
 favourite of the daring Harney, whose quick perception never failed 
 to select the most energetic and bold. 
 
 At the close of the Seminole war, Walker went to Texas and 
 joined Colonel Hays' company of rangers. In the summer of 1844 
 he was one of the fifteen of Hays' men, armed with revolving pis 
 tols, who attacked eighty Camanche Indians, and defeated them, 
 leaving thirty-three dead Indians upon the field ; and, from the num 
 ber of dead and dying carried off, it was believed that more than 
 half of the Camanche force was slain by these fifteen rangers. In 
 this fierce battle Walker was pierced through the body by the spear 
 of an Indian, the spear pinning him to the ground ! He was left 
 in that condition by his companions, who supposed he was dead. 
 After the battle, he was found with the spear still sticking through 
 him, though he had succeeded in getting it out of the ground. His 
 companions relieved him from it, and found it had not touched a 
 vital part. He recovered. 
 
 Walker was also one of Colonel Fisher's three hundred men who 
 marched against two thousand Mexicans stationed at Mier, and was 
 captured by the Mexicans previous to that battle, as he was making 
 an excursion among them. After the defeat of the Mier expedition, he 
 
 (179) 
 
180 CAPTAIN WALKER. 
 
 was marched, with other prisoners, to the castle of Perote. These 
 prisoners received the inhuman treatment which no other people on 
 earth, save Mexicans and cannibals, inflict upon those within their 
 power. At Salado, the Texans resolved to make their escape. 
 Walker was foremost. It was arranged that he should seize and 
 disarm one of the guard, and that Cameron, a Scotchman, should 
 serve the other in the same way. At the signal, the guards were 
 disarmed in a moment, and the Texans, two hundred and fourteen 
 in number, rushed into the outer court, where one hundred and fifty 
 Mexican infantry were guarding a quantity of arms and ammuni 
 tion. The Texans soon had command of this point, and armed 
 themselves. Whilst doing so, three hundred Mexicans, cavalry and 
 infantry, formed outside of the gates. The Texans rushed upon 
 these, and defeated them, killing ten of their number, and losing 
 five. The company then escaped, but finally became lost in the 
 mountains, and suffered greatly from hunger. As Walker expressed 
 it to a friend, after his return, their eyes became so sunken, from 
 hunger and fatigue, that they appeared like augur-holes in the head. 
 
 In this condition they were re-captured by the Mexicans and 
 taken back to Salado. Here the blood-thirsty Santa Anna demanded 
 the life of every tenth man, and the company was marched out to 
 draw the black beans one black bean for every tenth man being 
 placed in the bowl, and all who drew them were shot. Young Torrey 
 was one of these unfortunates, and was killed on the spot. Those 
 who drew the white beans were subjected to intense sufferings. 
 Walker, with eight others, however, finally escaped from Mexico, 
 and returned to Texas. He then joined the Texas revenue service, 
 where he exhibited his usual efficiency. 
 
 When General Taylor marched into Texas with his army of ob 
 servation, and matters were wearing a hostile appearance, Walker, 
 at the head of a company of Texas rangers, armed with Colt's 
 patent repeaters, offered his services to the United States, was ac 
 cepted, and aided in defending Point Isabel. He was stationed be 
 tween that place and General Taylor's advance camp, with instruc 
 tions to keep the communication open, if possible. This service 
 was perilous : but Walker's bravery and rapid movements over 
 came all obstacles. On the 38th of April, 1846, he ascertained that 
 quite a large body of Mexicans intended to surround General Tay 
 lor's camp, and he at once set out with seventy-five men, to comma- 
 
HIS DARING JOURNEYS. 181 
 
 nicate with the general. After proceeding twelve miles, he encoun 
 tered fifteen hundred Mexicans, and most of his men being inex 
 perienced, fell back at the appearance of such an overwhelming 
 opposition. The few that remained around their bold commander 
 firmly received the attack of the Mexicans, and gave them battle 
 for about fifteen minutes, killing about thirty of them. They then 
 retreated, and were pursued to within half a mile of Point Isabel. 
 It was reported that Walker was slain, but at night he came into 
 the fort, and with that indomitable spirit for which he was distin 
 guished, at once offered to communicate with General Taylor, pro 
 vided he could have four men as companions. This proposition, 
 under such circumstances, with the enemy in force, and lurking in 
 every path and thicket, was considered rash. But six Texans 
 volunteered, and after several bold adventures, in one of which they 
 charged through a large body of Mexican lancers, whilst they were 
 preparing to forage their horses, they reached the camp of General 
 Taylor in safety on the 30th. 
 
 In consequence of the information thus received, General Taylor 
 marched from camp on the 1st of May, and reached Point Isabel the 
 day after. On the 3d, the Mexicans commenced their bombardment 
 of the river fort. Anxious to know how Major Brown sustained 
 this attack, the general despatched Captain May, with one hundred 
 men, assisted by Walker and six rangers, for the purpose of open 
 ing a communication. At two o'clock, P. M. of the 3d, May started, 
 and in the evening came in sight of Arista's camp fires. Though the 
 whole Mexican army was before him, he manoeuvred so skilfully as 
 to escape observation, pass round its front, and find ambush in some 
 thick chapparal a few miles from the fort. Walker was then sent 
 forward to the fort, with instruction to note particularly any force he 
 might observe along the road. He reached his destination without 
 accident, while May and his troops remained waiting in their sad 
 dles. Owing to several unforeseen causes, Captain Walker was un 
 able to rejoin May that night, and daylight approaching, the latter 
 returned to Point Isabel. Here the keenest anxiety was felt for the 
 gallant ranger, as it seemed almost certain that he had been inter 
 cepted by the enemy. On the night of the 4th, however, to the 
 great joy of the whole army, he reached General Taylor's station 
 in safety, having performed in the face of a hostile army one of the 
 most daring journeys on record. 
 16 
 
182 CAPTAIN WALKER. 
 
 Walker and his little band performed arduous and trying duty in 
 the battles of the 8th and 9th of May. He was by turns in every 
 part of the field, and followed May in the headlong charge upon the 
 batteries at Resaca de la Palma. The best evidence of his efficiency 
 is given by General Taylor himself. " I would mention the ser 
 vices of Captain Walker, of the Texas rangers, who was in both 
 affairs, with his company, and who has performed very meritorious 
 services as a spy and partisan." It is rarely that a young man of 
 so short a term of service is mentioned in so flattering a manner. 
 
 Without solicitation, government rewarded his services and sig 
 nal bravery by a captain's commission in the new regiment of 
 United States' mounted rifles. Thus promoted, he repaired to Mary 
 land, and soon rallied around him, principally from Maryland and 
 Kentucky, two hundred and fifty volunteer rangers, whose services 
 were accepted by the government. With this company he went to 
 Vera Cruz, and was employed to keep the guerillas at bay, and 
 open communication. The bold feats of himself and his confident 
 followers struck terror into the prowling guerillas, and this class of 
 highway robbers, always well armed and well mounted, were sure 
 to leave a clear path when " Walker and his rangers" were on the 
 track. 
 
 One of the most brilliant actions of Captain Walker was his battle 
 at the pass of La Hoya on the 20th of September, 1847. A full 
 description of it is given in his official report to Colonel Wynkoop, 
 dated from the castle of Perote. 
 
 " When ordered forward by you at 3 o'clock, on the morning of 
 the 20th, I understood from you that you had an advance picket 
 about two hundred yards. In this I was disappointed ; I had not 
 advanced more than one hundred yards before I was hailed by the 
 enemy, who appeared about forty in number. I could not return or 
 delay a moment to reconnoitre, as I intended, without subjecting 
 my command and yours also to a raking fire ; and I immediately 
 ordered the charge. 
 
 " The enemy were completely routed, and fired in such confusion 
 and haste that no man was wounded ; but, unfortunately, we found 
 a curve in the road, which we supposed to be straight, and a num 
 ber of us were unhorsed by the falling of our horses over a fence, 
 which was not seen until we were upon it. In this affair I lost 
 seven public horses, which probably fell into the hands of the 
 
ACTION AT LA HOYA. 183 
 
 enemy, one of them badly wounded, so as to render him valueless. 
 I also lost my private horse. Richardson (musician), and Raborg 
 (interpreter), were slightly injured by the fall of their horses. On 
 the same day, about 9 o'clock, A. M., after leaving you for the pur 
 pose of watering my horses, I resolved to drive off the party of 
 lancers who had appeared on the hill on our right early in the morn 
 ing. I dismounted one-half of the men, and threw them out on my 
 right and left. Several of their stragglers were killed, and the 
 balance made a rapid retreat before we approached near enough to 
 engage them. I then returned to the village of Las Vegas, having 
 also taken two prisoners, whom I released, both being elderly men. 
 
 "At about 11 o'clock, A. M., while advancing upon La Hoya, 
 with your permission to feel the enemy and ascertain their position, 
 and so forth, I heard the firing of artillery at the Pass. I dismounted 
 some of my men and threw them out on each side of the road to 
 avoid an ambuscade. When about two miles from the Pass, we 
 saw about fifty of the enemy on our left. I sent forward a few men 
 on foot, for the purpose of bringing on an engagement. It soon 
 became apparent that the enemy had either a very considerable 
 force, or that they had feared the consequence of allowing us the 
 opportunity of attacking them in the rear, and they had almost en 
 tirely withdrawn from the Pass. In a very few minutes after the 
 first shot was fired, my skirmishers were pressed by such over 
 whelming numbers, as to force them to retire within distance of 
 support, and to give them a more defensible position. 
 
 "I then ordered my horses all to be tied under cover of an old 
 frame house. I then put my men under cover of a stone fence, and 
 extended them sufficiently to the left to prevent the enemy from 
 flanking, being emboldened by their success, in driving in our skir 
 mishers. They rushed towards us in considerable numbers, confi 
 dent of victory, with shouts of triumph, which were returned by 
 shouts of defiance from my men. The moment was most critical 
 many of my men had never been under fire of an enemy before, 
 and nothing but my confidence in their heroic valour and coolness 
 would have induced me to remain in my position. 
 
 " At this moment I ordered my men to take their sabres from the 
 fronts of their saddles, (which were secured in that way for the pur 
 pose of more secret movements by night,) and prepare to use them 
 when it came to close quarters. The coolness and gallantry of my 
 
184 CAPTAIN WALKER. 
 
 men, and the deadly crack of their rifles, soon convinced them that 
 it was better to retire. There could not have been less than three 
 hundred Mexicans in the engagement, besides about three hundred 
 more who were close by to support them, and might very properly 
 be included in the number of the attacking party. I suppose their 
 loss in this affair, as nearly as I could judge, was at least forty killed 
 and wounded. My whole number of men was fifty-one, which in 
 cludes several who were injured by the fall of their horses in the 
 charge the night previous. 
 
 "The action was warmly contested, and lasted about thirty 
 minutes. I had one horse killed, and one man, private Huguenin, 
 who volunteered his services belonging to company E, rifle regi 
 ment, having been left sick in hospital slightJy wounded. My 
 officers and men behaved with great gallantry, and such daring 
 bravery, that it was with reluctance that many of them seemed to 
 obey my orders to take cover behind the rocks, from the shower of 
 oullets which for some time filled the air above their heads. 
 
 " Where all behaved so nobly, it is difficult to make distinctions, 
 Among the many, however, who have gained my esteem for their 
 good conduct, I cannot omit to mention the names of Sergeant 
 Thomas Sloan, of England ; Edward Harris, of Virginia ; both of 
 whom were wounded in former engagements ; also Sergeant Henry 
 Haugh, of Maryland ; Corporal Thomas Gosling, of Maryland, who 
 was also wounded at Cerro Gordo, is entitled to the distinction of 
 being called the bravest of the brave ; also, Corporals Jos. E. Mer- 
 riken, of Maryland, Samuel Hescock, of Maine, and Besson Con 
 stant, of France; also, privates Thomas H. Tilghman, of Mary 
 land, Jas. M. De Baupe, of Maryland, Isaac P. Darlington, of 
 Maryland, Thaddeus S. Bell, of Virginia, William Glanding, of 
 Maryland, Francis G. F. Waltemeyer, of Maryland, and also 
 Richard M. Bradford, of Baltimore, Maryland, who was always 
 among the foremost, and the last to retire from pursuit of the enemy. 
 
 "All of these I recommend to the favourable consideration of the 
 commander-in-chief of the American forces and to the war depart 
 ment, and request that they may be rewarded for their gallantry. 
 Many of them are gentlemen of education, and worthy of commis 
 sions in the service of the United States, and I cannot too strongly 
 recommend them for promotion to higher stations. And I must 
 also take occasion to regret that sickness should have prevented so 
 
BATTLE OF HUAMANTLA. 185 
 
 many of my most gallant spirits from participating with me in this 
 affair. 
 
 " I must not omit to mention that Lieutenant Charles L. Denman 
 who was by my side, and behaved gallantly in the charges, was 
 in the engagement and behaved well, and continued in pursuit of 
 the enemy to the last point deserves much credit for his perse 
 verance, energy and bravery. Although on the sick report, and 
 suffering severely for some weeks past, he would not remain behind. 
 Lieutenant Thomas Claiborne took a rifle, and used it with consi 
 derable effect upon the enemy. 
 
 " Surgeon John T. Lamar, of Georgia, also deserves my thanks 
 for volunteering his professional services, and remaining with us 
 during the pursuit. I must also mention Lieutenant A. H. Goff, 
 of the 1st Pennsylvania volunteers, who was with us, and took the 
 news of our engagement to you." 
 
 The following description of the battle of Huamantla, in which 
 Captain Walker was killed, will be read with the greatest interest. 
 It is fuller and more circumstantial than any which has yet ap 
 peared. 
 
 " On the evening of October 8, the train halted at a hacienda two 
 and a half leagues from Nopaluca. General Lane sent out a spy 
 to the town of Huamantla that night, having received information 
 that General Santa Anna had gone thither during the day before. 
 The next morning he returned, and reported that the cavalry of the- 
 enemy had left the town, leaving behind six pieces of artillery. 
 Orders were immediately issued for the cavalry under Captain 
 Walker, Colonel Gorman's regiment, Major Lally's battalion, Colo 
 nel Wynkoop's regiment, Captain Taylor's battery, and Captain 
 Heitzelman's battalion to be in readiness to march for the town, 
 leaving the train with about eleven hundred men and two pieces of 
 artillery, under the command of Colonel Brough. 
 
 "At eleven o'clock the whole moved off in fine style. The cavalry 
 were ordered to keep some distance in the advance. We had gone 
 about two miles when Captain Walker determined to push on at a 
 gallop and surprise the enemy. For five miles the cavalry moved 
 at a very rapid pace until we reached the outskirts of the town, when 
 Captain Walker gave orders to form fours and close up. He then 
 entered a very narrow lane, both sides of which were lined with 
 thick maguey, so narrow in many places that the sets of fours had 
 16* 
 
186 CAPTAIN WALKER. 
 
 to be broken, and the column moved by twos. On we went at a 
 trot, until the lane opened into the main street leading to the plaza, 
 when, in column of four, the order was given to draw sabres and 
 charge. Then rose a wild yell, and such a charge ! The flashing 
 of the sabres, the thundering of the horses' feet over the paved 
 streets, were enough to strike terror into the hearts of the enemy. 
 Two of their cannon were pointed up the street, another pointed 
 down a cross street, and the fuse was burning in it. The terrified 
 artillerymen moved merely to the sides of the houses, at whom our 
 men made their thrusts and right and left cuts, killing many in this 
 manner. The cavalry rushed over their cannon ; the lancers (how 
 many we did not know, but supposed there were three or four hun 
 dred,) fled, and our men separated into small parties, pursuing them 
 beyond the town, on the outskirts of which a good many were killed. 
 Captain Walker went beyond the town for the purpose of overtaking 
 the artillery which had left the place. Captain Lewis went in an 
 other direction for the same purpose. Captain Besancon was ordered 
 to follow the road to see if the artillery could be overtaken. In the 
 mean time, most of our men having gone in pursuit, Captain Loyall 
 with a few men, assisted by Adjutant Claiborne, secured some fifty 
 or sixty prisoners at their quarters, together with their arms, &c. 
 Lieutenant Claiborne then proceeded to secure and bring up to the 
 plaza the cannon (three pieces,) we had captured. Captain Walker 
 returned about this time, and going to the plaza was collecting our 
 men. Lieutenant Anderson, of the Georgia volunteers, pursued 
 and captured Major Iturbide and Colonel La Vega, (a brother of the 
 general's,) and a lieutenant ; these he delivered to Captain Walker. 
 Lieutenant Claiborne, assisted by Corporal Hescock and private 
 Mfyers,and one or two others, limbered up the six-pounder and brought 
 it to the plaza ; leaving it limbered up and the mules standing in it, 
 and returning to get the four-pounder, the lieutenant was in the act 
 of bringing it up, when he was forced to leave it by the appearance 
 of all Santa Anna's cavalry, two thousand five hundred strong. 
 Corporal Tilghman, of company C, (rifles,) brought up a small 
 howitzer. Private Dusenbery, of company C, took a lieutenant of 
 artillery prisoner, and turned him over to Surgeon Reynolds. By 
 this time a good many of our men had returned, and w^re in the 
 plaza in scattered groups, when the lancers charged them suddenly 
 and unexpectedly. Our men received them with great bravery, and 
 
DEATH OF CAPTAIN WALKER. 187 
 
 kept the plaza, with the exception of a few under Captain Walker, 
 who retired by a street leading west from the plaza ; they were 
 joined by Lieutenant Claiborne and his party, who were approach 
 ing the square. Captain Walker led them from the plaza the 
 enemy close on them at a charge ; he turned the. next street to his 
 left, while the enemy, seeing the four-pounder, rushed to it to retake 
 it. It was fortunate for the few men with Captain Walker they 
 saw this piece, for at the very next corner a still larger force met 
 him ; he wheeled, and dashing swiftly past the rear of those who 
 had cut him off from the plaza, again entered it. Here the men 
 dismounted and occupied the convent-yard, together with a large 
 house on the corner of the square. 
 
 " Captain Lewis and Lieutenant Waters, with some ten or twelve- 
 men, charged twice upon the enemy, who gave way, and were pursu 
 ing them, when they discovered they were being surrounded by a 
 vast number of the lancers. They gallantly forced their way to the 
 plaza ; Captain Besan^on barely returned in time to save himself. 
 
 "Private Huguenin and Corporal Merrillen, of company C, rifles, 
 being entirely surrounded, drove right into their midst, and fell co 
 vered with wounds. 
 
 " Captain Walker gave the orders promptly to form the men to re 
 ceive the enemy, who now made their appearance on our right, in 
 front, and on our left. They had also run up the four-pounder to 
 open on us. 
 
 " Lieutenant Claiborne, assisted by Corporal Tilghman, unlimbered 
 the six-pounder, and pointed it at the column on our left. Having 
 no port-fire, he prepared to fire it with a horse-pistol ; the enemy 
 came nearer and nearer, until at about sixty yards off, when they 
 halted. At this moment the Lieutenant fired the pistol, but the fuse 
 of the cannon would not catch ; and being left alone in the plaza, 
 he retired to the corner house, and posted some riflemen to keep the 
 piece from recapture. 
 
 "At this juncture Captain Walker, while examining the approach 
 of the enemy, and looking at the four-pounder on our right, was 
 shot from behind, from a house that displayed a white flag. He 
 sunk down immediately and was borne into the yard, the men burst 
 ing into tears as the cry spread among them, " Captain Walker w 
 killed." Captain Walker directed that we should "never sur- 
 
 I 
 
188 CAPTAIN WALKER. 
 
 render," and died in about thirty minutes.* Captain Lewis made 
 a detail of eight men, who went out and brought the six-pounder 
 and placed it at the gate. The enemy menaced us a long time, and 
 fired the four-pounder six or eight times loaded with grape, one of 
 which discharges shattered the leg of Frederick Raborg, Captain 
 W.'s interpreter, and a private of company C. Seeing the deter 
 mination of our men they hesitated, faltered, and fell back. Captain 
 Lewis formed the men after Walker fell, and by his energy and ad 
 dress assisted materially to suppress disorder. 
 
 "Lieutenant Lilly distinguished himself by his daring. Surgeon 
 Lamar was in the first charge by the side of Walker ; was in the 
 plaza when the charge was made, and was saved by the devoted act 
 of Captain Walker's slave David, who caught at the lance aimed 
 at him, and received it himself. He died in a few minutes. He 
 was honest and faithful, and a favourite of his noble master. " In 
 death they were not divided." 
 
 " The infantry came up as the enemy were retiring Colonel Gor 
 man's being the only portion of the infantry that got a shot at the 
 enemy. There is much praise due them for the gallant manner in 
 which they strove to be with the cavalry. They ran themselves out 
 of breath, and then ran on. Never were men more anxious to reach 
 an enemy. They had discovered the immense body of cavalry that 
 was making its way in a gallop by a parallel road to the town, and 
 both tried to reach town first. When they got to town we had pos 
 session. Surgeon Reynolds behaved very gallantly, and his whole 
 energies after the fight were bestowed upon the wounded. 
 
 " The whole force of Captain Walker's command did not exceed 
 one hundred and ninety-five. The enemy dispersed on the first 
 charge. There must have been more than five hundred, and in the 
 subsequent fight they were two thousand five hundred strong. Com 
 pany C lost its gallant captain, whose fame needs no eulogy, and 
 whose loss is irreparable. His valour, often tried, is appreciated by 
 the whole of his countrymen. Peace to the ashes of the noble and 
 gallant captain ! f & ^ ^ r^ii 
 
 * It is proper to state, that an account different from that in the text has 
 been given of the captain's death. This account says, " he was foremost 
 in the charge, and after displaying great intrepidity, attacked a young lancet 
 and killed him. The father of the latter then rushed upon Walker, and 
 pierced him with his lance." The story in the text seems most authentic. 
 
CHARACTER OF WALKER. 189 
 
 "Killed, Corporal Merriken, Privates Huguenin and Tarbox. 
 Wounded, Corporal Glanding, (since died;) Meachem, (severely;) 
 Raborg, (lost a leg ;) Welch, Wayne, McGill, Scott, and Myers, 
 slightly. Missing, Sergeant Goslin ; Privates Dement, Darlington, 
 Collins, McCleary, and Richards, of company C, rifles. Captain 
 Lewis's company, Private Murry, wounded. Captain Loyall's 
 company, killed, Private Richardson ; slightly wounded, Privates 
 Fornely and Milton. 
 
 " The enemy lost over one hundred men, two pieces of artillery, 
 and large quantities of ammunition. Most of the prisoners escaped 
 during the charge. 
 
 " The command behaved in the most gallant manner, and received 
 the highest praises from the commanding general. The whole force 
 under General Lane returned to camp that night." 
 
 When the news of Walker's death reached the United States, 
 it created the deepest sensations of sorrow. The chivalric exploits 
 of the gallant ranger, during the hours of gloom and anxiety on the 
 Rio Grande, united with a remembrance of his former sufferings, 
 had endeared his name to all. The press especially was eloquent 
 in its contribution of respect. Among other notices were the follow 
 ing: 
 
 " It would be in vain for me," says the New Orleans correspondent 
 of the Baltimore Sun, " to attempt to describe the state of public 
 feeling here this morning, on reading the above brief but deeply 
 interesting information in the caption of the news by your special 
 express from Mexico. The brave and patriotic Walker was our 
 fellow-citizen ; we have known him from his youth up ; he was an 
 independent mechanic, who laid aside the implements of his trade, 
 and cheerfully volunteered his services in the hardest, roughest kind 
 of warfare. He encountered peril from which escape was almost 
 miraculous, and fought his way, through desperate risks, to promo 
 tion and distinguished honour. 
 
 "I now assume a responsibility hitherto prohibited. Captain 
 Walker enjoyed the confidence of Major-General Scott in an eminent 
 degree. He was opposed to formidable display in taking possession 
 of defenceless towns or villages, or of intimidating unprotected wo 
 men and children. So far from being censured for sacking a certain 
 tillage, and allowing the perpetration of outrages, the ' head and 
 
190 CAPTAIN WALKER. 
 
 front' of his offence, as charged by a superior officer, was disobe 
 dience of orders, in refusing to enter a village under a charge. 
 
 ". In the midst of this bereavement, it is gratifying to perceive, 
 that in the fatal engagement both the accuser and the accused were 
 participants, leaving little or no room to doubt that existing difficul 
 ties had been amicably adjusted, and honourably to both parties. 
 
 " I understand that it is the intention of our mayor to make a 
 communication to the councils in relation to the melancholy event, 
 and that every demonstration of respect will be paid to the memory 
 of the gallant dead." 
 
 The Baltimore Clipper says "The rumoured death of Captain 
 Walker, the gallant Texan Ranger, has created profound regret in 
 this city, where he was well known, and attached to whose company 
 is a large number of Marylanders, many of them from this city. 
 Captain Walker was a native of Prince George's county, but had 
 resided for several years in Texas. As several of his men are also 
 reported to have been killed, their names will be looked for with the 
 most painful anxiety by those having relatives and friends in his 
 company." 
 
 The following more extended notice is from the New Orleans 
 Delta: 
 
 " The death of the gallant Texan, whose fame has been extended 
 over our whole country, and reached foreign and remote lands, has 
 created a melancholy sensation in our city. He was well known 
 here, and had many friends, some of whom had witnessed, and all 
 had warmly admired his daring and intrepidity. We all remember 
 his brilliant deeds on the Rio Grande, in cutting his way with a few 
 gallant companions through Arista's large army, communicating 
 with Fort Brown, then besieged, and returning to General Taylor 
 with full information of the slate of things in the fort, and the posi 
 tion of the Mexican army : we remember his boldness and sagacity 
 on the bloody fields of Resaca de la Palm-a, where he unhorsed a 
 Mexican lancer, and chased the retreating foe on the charger of the 
 slain Mexican. 
 
 "These have become part of our national glory and of our national 
 records. They will be immortal in history and in song. But long 
 before this Mexican war had begun, Captain Walker had shown 
 himself the hero. In that extraordinary expedition, whose history 
 furnishes the most striking examples of the courage, fortitude, firm- 
 
CHARACTER OF WALKER. 191 
 
 ness and vigour of the American character which have ever been 
 recorded the Texan expedition against Mier Samuel H. Walker, 
 though but a beardless youth, was one of the leading spirits, ever 
 foremost in the combat, and the last to yield. Endowed with great 
 activity and skill in the use of arms, whether the deadly rifle, the 
 sure revolver, or the irresistible bowie-knife ; capable of great en 
 durance against all the dangers, sufferings and trials of the battle, 
 of captivity, chains, want and starvation, he was a terror to the 
 Mexicans. 
 
 " These qualities enabled him to pass safely through the unpa 
 ralleled fight of Mier, where two hundred Texans kept at bay Am- 
 pudia and a large and complete Mexican army of two thousand, 
 slaying five or six hundred, and only surrendering on honourable 
 terms, which were basely violated by the brutal Ampudia; to bear 
 up under the horrible oppression and cruelty of the Mexicans whilst 
 a prisoner; to sustain the severest visitations of hunger, thirst and 
 destitution in the desert valley of Salado; and, finally, to break 
 through the walls and iron bars of that famous Mexican bastile, the 
 castle of Perote. 
 
 " By a strange coincidence, he has now fallen in the neighbour 
 hood of the castle, where he once pined in captivity, but not in his 
 former unhappy condition, as one of a few ragged, dispirited, half- 
 starved prisoners, jeered at by the dastard Mexicans ; but he fell in 
 glorious battle, heading the charge of the resistless rangers, and in 
 the arms of victory. Captain Walker was one of the best spies or 
 rangers on this continent. We have heard Colonel Hays and Major 
 McCulloch say that if they required a man to go into the enemy's 
 ;amp, or approach his lines, and pry out his designs, or perform 
 my other act requiring great danger, coolness and sagacity, they 
 would select Walker in preference to any other man living. 
 
 "Just previous to the attack of the Texans on Mier, Captain 
 Walker entered the town, mixed with the people, ascertained the 
 condition of things, reported to his commander, and subsequently 
 guided the Texans through the streets of Mier. He was then a 
 youth of about twenty years. 
 
 " We have now before us a letter from a gallant young officer 
 stationed at Perote castle, dated August last, in which occurs the 
 following allusion to Walker, with which we conclude this notice : 
 
 " * Who, I ask, has not seen or heard of the gallant Walker's 
 
192 CAPTAIN WALKER. 
 
 bravery ? To estimate him properly they should see him. in his 
 proper element. The captain in the States is quite a different indi 
 vidual from the captain under the galling fire of a foe. He is one 
 of the few who retain their courage and composure under all cir 
 cumstances. In perils the most appalling, he has the courage of one 
 born to command. I was at his side in the battle of La Hoya, when, 
 with his company (C) of the rifles, he charged and defeated fifteen 
 hundred Mexicans. Would that some of our fathers, wives, bro 
 thers and sisters could have been placed on the summit of a neigh 
 bouring mountain, to witness that charge of the rifles, as with up 
 lifted glittering sabres they obeyed the loud call of their leader 
 * Follow me charge hurra!' and could have seen how the nu 
 merous foe began to waver, b^ak, and finally take to their heels 
 before our little band.' " 
 
 In Washington city, a communication from the Mayor was re 
 ceived by the Board of Aldermen, suggesting some tribute of respect 
 to the memories of Captains Graham, Hanson and WALKER, news 
 of whose deaths had just been received. Immediately, the follow 
 ing resolutions were unanimously passed, after eloquent remarks 
 from Messrs. B. B. French and J. T. Towers. 
 
 " Resolved, That the two Boards have heard with deep emotion 
 the communication of the Mayor, calling the attention of the two 
 Boards to the fall in battle of Captains James Graham, Charles 
 Hanson, and Samuel H. Walker, three brave officers of the army 
 of the United States, all residents and two of them natives of this 
 city. 
 
 " Resolved, That the sympathy of the two Boards be tendered 
 to the relations of the deceased. 
 
 "Resolved, That the two Boards will wear the usual badge of 
 mourning for thirty days, in testimony of their respect for the 
 memory of the deceased. 
 
 " Resolved, That a joint committee of five members, two -from 
 the Board of Aldermen and three from the Board of Common Coun 
 cil, be appointed to recommend such further testimonials of respect 
 as they may deem expedient." 
 
 The death of Walker has thrown an' interest around the battle 
 of Huamantla far greater than its own importance could merit. 
 Many of the incidents connected with it have been carefully col- 
 
ANECDOTES. 193 
 
 lected by the different journals, especially those which relate to the 
 ranger's death. The following are a few of the most interesting : 
 
 " I heard a touching anecdote of Colonel Wynkoop and Captain 
 Walker yesterday, which I fear I cannot give as I received it. It is 
 known, probably, in the United Stales, that difficulties had existed 
 between these gentlemen, which their mutual friends have always 
 regretted. They had, I believe, preferred charges against each 
 other, but when Colonel Wynkoop heard that Captain Walker was 
 seriously wounded, and not likely to live, he sent a staff officer at 
 once to beg an interview with the dying chief. Becoming impa 
 tient before the return of his messenger, the colonel hastened to 
 where the captain lay and found him dead. The shock to him was 
 overwhelming, and he could scarcely utter a word. In a few mo 
 ments, however, he said, with much emotion, * I would give six 
 years of my life for one word with that man!' and turned from 
 the corps to ask of General Lane the command of Walker's troop, 
 that he might dash upon the retreating enemy and avenge the death, 
 of the gallant trooper ! The General refused this request, as 
 Walker's men had been greatly reduced, and those not killed were 
 much exhausted ; and Colonel Wynkoop returned to his command 
 with a heavy heart." 
 
 "At the time that the gallant Walker was attacked by the Mexi 
 can reinforcements, one of his men was despatched to watch the 
 approach of the column of infantry, and by signals to hasten its 
 movements. He ascended the steeple of an immense church, and 
 at a distance of some two hundred feet from the earth, got out upon 
 a platform, about thirty inches in width, which ran around the 
 steeple. Missing his footing, he fell upon the platform and dislo 
 cated his thigh, narrowly escaping a fall to the earth. After the 
 battle was over, the poor fellow's cries attracted attention, and some 
 of his comrades ascended to assist him down again. He was, how 
 ever, found to be so badly injured, and suffering such intense pain, 
 that it was impossible to remove him, until the dislocated bone should 
 be replaced. Surgeon Reynolds ascended for that purpose. In his 
 first effort, his hold upon the limb slipped, and losing his own 
 balance, he was very near being thrown to the ground. He was, 
 however, fortunate enough to grasp a fixture of the steeple, by 
 which he recovered his position, and upon that narrow platform, 
 with the aid of one or two men, he replaced the bone in its socket, 
 
 17 
 
194 CAPTAIN WALKER. 
 
 and the man was carried down, and speedily recovered. We doubt 
 very much whether a dislocated limb was ever set in such a place, 
 and under such circumstances." 
 
 " When Walker's remains were taken to Puebla, the carpenter 
 made the coffin too small ; whereupon Lieutenant Clinton, of Scott's 
 company, 1st Pennsylvania, took off his uniform, rolled up his 
 sleeves, and made him a coffin himself. He is a carpenter, it is 
 stated, and is from Moyamensing or Southwark, in Philadelphia. 
 Lieutenant Breese, of the same company, who is a blacksmith, en 
 tered a smithery, and made the nails. It is said that while these 
 officers were at their job,' General La Vega and young Iturbide, 
 both prisoners of war, looked on in perfect amazement. Such ver 
 satility of acquirements as they were witnesses of in this instance, 
 took them by surprise. They had already seen what proficients they 
 were in the art of war, and they now saw them no less at home as 
 members of the mechanic arts." 
 
 The following testimonials of esteem, [passed December 7th, 
 1847,] from the citizens of Washington, convened by appointment, 
 will show how deeply the memory of " the Texas Ranger" is graven 
 on the hearts of his fellow-citizens. 
 
 " On motion of Walter Lenox, Esq., the Mayor was called to the 
 Chair, and explained the objects of the meeting. 
 
 " On motion of J. W. Jones, Esq., John T. Towers was appointed 
 secretary of the meeting. 
 
 " On motion of William Archer, Esq., a committee of three were 
 appointed for the purpose of preparing resolutions to carry into 
 effect the objects of the meeting, consisting of Dr. Blake, J. W. 
 Jones, and John Y. Bryant, Esqrs. 
 
 " Mr. Archer then addressed the meeting in a few eloquent and 
 appropriate remarks, and concluded by reciting an elegy on the 
 death of Captain Samuel H. Walker. 
 
 "Dr. Blake, from the committee appointed for that purpose, 
 offered the following resolutions, which were unanimously adopted : 
 
 " Resolved, That deeply deploring the loss that the country, and 
 this city in particular, has sustained in the deaths of Captains Walker 
 and Hanson, who so gloriously fell in the battles of Huamantla and 
 Contreras, we, the citizens of Washington, in town meeting assem 
 bled, recommend to the corporate authorities to adopt appropriate 
 measures to have their remains brought home for interment. 
 
TESTIMONIALS OF RESPECT. 195 
 
 " Resolved, That the corporate authorities be further requested to 
 cause suitable monuments, with appropriate inscriptions, to be erect 
 ed to the memories of those gallant and lamented officers. 
 
 " Resolved, That a committee of two from each ward be now ap 
 pointed to make suitable arrangements for the funeral, and that the 
 military companies of the city be especially invited to attend. 
 
 " In pursuance of the last resolution the Chair appointed the fol 
 lowing gentlemen as the committee : 
 
 "First JFard. Messrs. Wm. Wilson and J. H. McBlair. 
 
 " Second Ward. Dr. Flodoardo Howard and Mr. John C. Rives. 
 
 " Third Ward. Messrs. Peter Force and J. Y. Bryant. 
 
 "Fourth Ward. Messrs. George S. Gideon and W. H. Winter. 
 
 "Fifth Ward. Messrs. John Purdy and Peter Brady. 
 
 "Sixth Ward. Messrs. Wm. M. Ellis and R. H. Harrington. 
 
 "Seventh Ward. Messrs. W. B. Randolph and J. W. Jones. 
 
 " The meeting then adjourned. 
 
 W W. SEATON, Chairman. 
 " JNO. T. TOWERS, Secretary." 
 
 I* 
 
CAPTAIN M'CULLOCH. 
 
 CAPTAIN BENJAMIN McCuLLOcn was born in Rutherford county, 
 Tennessee, about the year 1814. His father was aid-de-camp to 
 General Coffee, and served under General Jackson in the Creek 
 war. He fought under the latter officer at Talladega, Tallahassee, 
 and the Horse-Shoe Bend, where he exhibited that reckless daring, 
 which often proves so efficient against savages, and which has since 
 rendered his son so famous. Young McCulloch was early placed 
 at school, where he remained until his fourteenth year, at which 
 time his father removed to the western part of the slate, and settled 
 in Dyer county. This neighbourhood was then a wilderness, 
 covered with swamps and dense forests, and infested by wild ani 
 mals. Bears were so abundant as to form the principal meat of the 
 settlers ; and the hunting of them was an essential part of youthful 
 education. McCulloch soon signalized himself in this dangerous 
 occupation, and became renowned throughout the settlement as a 
 most successful hunter. 
 
 A youth spent in this manner could not fail to engraft a love of 
 enterprize and roving adventure into the bosom of the young Ten- 
 nesseean. Accordingly, having reached the age of twenty-one, he 
 set out for St. Louis, in order to join a trapper company destined 
 for the Rocky Mountains. Much to his disappointment, he arrived 
 at that city after the expedition had started. He then applied for 
 admission into a company of Santa Fe traders, but here he was also 
 unsuccessful, as their number was complete. 
 
 Disappointed in his ardent expectations, McCulloch seems to have 
 given up his intentions at roving for awhile, as we hear little of him 
 until the war between Texas and Mexico. This at once roused his 
 daring ^ nt. The deep feeling excited throughout the United 
 State, oy this event is well known. The barbarity of the Mexicans, 
 
 (190) 
 
MAJOR M'CULLOCH. 
 
M'CULLOCH'S EARLY LIFE. 197 
 
 the sufferings of the patriots, and their claim, both by manners and 
 descent, on the sympathies of our people, caused their northern 
 neighbours to regard them as brothers, and their privations as mar 
 tyrdoms in the sacred cause of liberty. 
 
 The following incident, though small in itself, is replete with im 
 portance in its consequences. It is taken from the valuable work 
 already quoted, Reid's Texas Rangers. 
 
 " In September, McCulloch returned home, and soon after his 
 arrival called on Colonel David Crockett, who was making up an 
 expedition to go to Texas, to take part in the revolution that had then 
 broken out in Mexico ; the whole south-west at that time was alive 
 with feelings of sympathy for the Texans, and numbers were daily 
 flocking to their standard. McCulloch agreed to accompany Colo 
 nel Crockett to Texas. Nacogdoches had been appointed the place 
 of rendezvous from which the expedition was to start, and the 
 Christmas of 1835 was named the day for the meeting, when, as 
 old Davy' said, they were to make their Christmas dinner off the 
 hump of a buffalo. Unfortunately, however, McCulloch did not 
 arrive until early in January, and finding that the party was gone, 
 he proceeded on by himself to the river Brazos, where he was taken 
 very ill, and did not recover until after the fall of the Alamo. 
 McCulloch's disappointment was very great at not being able to 
 join the gallant band of patriots at the time, but which afterwards 
 proved very fortunate for him; for Colonel Travis, after having 
 sustained a siege for thirteen days, with only one hundred and eight 
 Texans against Santa Anna's army, fell with his brave little band, 
 having previously killed nine hundred of the enemy. 
 
 " After his recovery, he descended the Brazos river in a boat to 
 Grass Plant, where the Texan army had assembled, under General 
 Houston, and was induced to join the artillery by their making him 
 captain of a gun. This he gallantly served at the battle of San Ja- 
 cinto, where Santa Anna was made prisoner, and his army of fifteen 
 hundred killed or captured." 
 
 After this battle, McCulloch continued actively engaged in the 
 partisan warfare between Texas and Mexico, besides assisting in 
 several expeditions against the border Indians. He was witn the 
 famous party concerned in the capture of Mier, but in consequence 
 of leaving it before the surrender to Ampudia, he escaped the trials 
 to which its members were exposed in Mexico. He finally settled 
 17* 
 
198 CAPTAIN M'CULLOCH. 
 
 in Gonzaies county, and became useful in surveying and apportion 
 ing land. 
 
 Like many of the Texans who had suffered during the revolution, 
 McCulloch immediately joined the standard of the United States, 
 at the opening of the war with Mexico, and hurried forward to meet 
 his old enemies. He was not able to organize his company of 
 mounted " Texas Rangers" until after the capture of Matamoras, 
 and of course missed the battles on the Rio Grande. 
 
 Reid thus describes the camp and appearance of this celebrated 
 ranger : " Captain McCulloch is a man of rather delicate frame, 
 of about five feet ten inches in height, with light hair and com 
 plexion. His features are regular and pleasing, though, from long 
 exposure on the frontier, they have a weather-beaten cast. His 
 quick and bright blue eye, with a mouth of thin compressed lips, 
 indicate the cool, calculating, as well as the brave and daring energy 
 of the man. ******** 
 
 "The first of July was a clear beautiful day. We had had very 
 heavy rains for the last week, and to see a bright day once more 
 was a great relief to us all. In the morning we rode up to Fort 
 Paredes, which was now garrisoned by our troops, and crossed the 
 river; then taking a winding path along the banks of the opposite 
 shore, through corn-fields, we arrived at last at the camp of the 
 Rangers. Here was a scene worthy of the pencil. Men in groups, 
 with Jong beards and mustachios, dressed in every variety of garment, 
 with one exception, the slouched hat, the unmistakeable uniform of 
 a Texas Ranger, and a belt of pistols around their waists, were occu 
 pied drying their blankets, cleaning and fixing their guns, and some 
 employed cooking at different fires, while others were grooming 
 their horses. A rougher-looking set we never saw. They were 
 without tents, and a miserable shed afforded them the only shelter. 
 Captain McCulloch introduced us to his officers and many of his 
 men, who appeared an orderly and well-mannered people. But 
 from their rough exterior it was hard to tell who or what they were. 
 Notwithstanding their ferocious and outlaw look, there were among 
 them doctors and lawyers and many a college graduate. While 
 standing in the midst of a group, talking to the captain, a young 
 fellow came into camp with a rifle on his shoulder, and a couple of 
 ducks in his hand, and addressing the captain, said, Ben, if you 
 havn't had dinner, you'd better mess with me, for I know none of 
 
EMPLOYED AS A SCOUT. 199 
 
 the rest have fresh grub to-day.' After an invitation to stay to din 
 ner, we were informed that the company would move up to Reynosa, 
 in a day or two, and were told to prepare to go with it." 
 
 After the fall of Matamoras, McCulloch advanced to the town of 
 Reynosa, where he remained for a while under command of Colonel 
 Watson. Leaving this place with his company, he pressed further 
 into the interior, and took possession of the town of China. Soon 
 after, he entered Camargo, about the same time that General Taylor 
 was marching to attack Monterey. 
 
 McCulioch was now employed by the commanding general to 
 scout in advance of the main army, and give immediate information 
 of all movements of the garrison at Monterey, and of the army said 
 to be advancing under General Ampudia. His services to General 
 Taylor were invaluable ; they formed the basis of all the introduc 
 tory movements against the city. 
 
 On the llth of September, the following orders were issued to 
 the whole army at Serralvo. They show the position of the rangers 
 during the march. 
 
 " As the army may expect to meet resistance in the farther ad 
 vance toward Monterey, it is necessary that the march should be 
 conducted with all proper precaution, to meet an attack and secure 
 the baggage and supplies. 
 
 " From this point the following will be the order of march, until 
 otherwise directed : 
 
 " All the pioneers of the army, consolidated into one party, will 
 march early to-morrow on the route to Marin, for the purpose of re 
 pairing the roads, and rendering them practicable for artillery and 
 wagons. The pioneers of each division will be under a subaltern, 
 to be specially detailed for the duty, and the whole will be under the 
 command of Captain Craig, 3d infantry, who will report to head 
 quarters for instructions. This pioneer party will be covered by a 
 squadron of dragoons, and Captain McCulloch's company of rangers. 
 Two officers of topographical engineers, to be detailed by Captain 
 Williams, will accompany the party, for the purpose of examining 
 the route. Two wagons will be provided by the quartermaster's 
 department, for the transportation of the tools, provisions, and knap 
 sacks of the pioneer party. 
 
 " The first division will march on the 13th instant, to be followed 
 on successive days by the second division, and field division of 
 
200 CAPTAIN M'CULLOCH. 
 
 volunteers. The head-quarters will inarch with the first division. 
 Captain Gillespie, with half of his company, will report to Major- 
 General Butler; the other half, under the first lieutenant, to Briga 
 dier-General Worth. These detachments will be employed for out 
 posts and videttes, and as expresses between the column and head 
 quarters. 
 
 " The subsistence supplies will be divided between the three co 
 lumns ; the senior commissary of each division receipting for the 
 stores, and being charged with their care and management. The 
 senior commissaries of divisions will report to Captain Waggaman 
 for this duty. 
 
 "Each division will be followed immediately by its baggage 
 train, with a strong rear-guard. The ordnance train under Captain 
 Ramsay, will march with the second division, between its baggage 
 and supply train, and will come under the protection of the guard 
 of that division. The medical supplies will in like manner march 
 with the first division. 
 
 " The troops will take eight days' rations, and forty rounds of 
 ammunition. All surplus arms and accoutrements, resulting from 
 casualties on the road, will be deposited with Lieutenant Stewart, 
 left in charge of the depot at this place, who will give certificates 
 of deposite to the company commanders. 
 
 " The wagons appropriated for transportation of water will not 
 be required, and will be turned over to the quartermaster's depart 
 ment, for general purposes. 
 
 " Two companies of the Mississippi regiment will be designated 
 for the garrison of this place. All sick and disabled men, unfit for 
 the march, will be left behind under charge of a medical officer, to 
 be selected for this duty by the medical director." 
 
 In obedience to these orders, the advance marched for Marin early 
 on the 12th. It was composed of McCulloch's rangers, Captain 
 Graham's dragoons, and a small body of pioneers and engineers. 
 On the 14th, the rangers encountered a body of two hundred 
 mounted Mexicans, whom they defeated, driving them in hot haste 
 through the little town of Ramos. On the following day McCul- 
 loch entered Marin. The entrance is thus described by Mr. 
 Kendall : 
 
 " On reaching the hill overlooking the town, eight hundred or a 
 thousand yards distant, we came in plain sight of a large body of 
 
APPROACH TO MARIN. 201 
 
 the enemy's cavalry, ranged in their principal street, and evidently 
 much flurried by our appearance. They were armed with new 
 escopetas and lances, and among their uniforms were many of bright 
 scarlet. 
 
 "With a force entirely too small to approach nearer having 
 only twenty-five men with him McCulloch ordered a halt. The 
 plaza was concealed from sight by the church and the adjoining 
 buildings, making it impossible to tell whether or not there were any 
 infantry or artillery in the town. The place offered every opportu 
 nity for concealing an enemy of thousands ; and as our commander 
 was not so particularly certain that the Mexicans might not send an 
 eighteen pound shot, or some missile of the kind up our way on a 
 flying visit, we were ordered to scatter a little along the brow of the 
 hill. Scouts in the mean time were sent out to prevent a party 
 from getting in our rear, as the advance of General Taylor was still 
 several miles off. 
 
 " For an hour we sat watching, the hurried movements of the 
 cavalry in the town, unable to make out their intentions. Horses 
 were plainly seen dashing and cavorting about, while men on foot 
 were jumping to get out of their way. Several greasers Mexicans 
 of the lower order dressed in greasy buckskin were taken in the 
 chapparal close by us, or voluntarily came up, stating, that the 
 party below us was commanded by General Torrejon, who had 
 driven them out of the place, and had threatened to destroy theii 
 houses before the Americans should gain possession. They pointed 
 out their jacales (cottages) and casas (houses) to us, and implored 
 our assistance in saving them. Singular war this, and more singu 
 lar the people. 
 
 " In about an hour the cavalry began to move off in order, taking 
 the route toward Monterey, now indistinctly seen lying at the foot 
 of a large mountain, ten or eleven leagues off. Their rear had not 
 yet left the place before McCulloch, accompanied only by Colonel 
 Peyton, was dogging after them, intent on watching their move 
 ments. In half an hour's time our captain appeared, near the main 
 street, and beckoned us down, and in five minutes more we were 
 all in the plaza. Nearly every house was closed, and the few men 
 we met for the women had all been taken off greeted us as 
 amigos or friends, with their hats in their hands. One old fellow, 
 living 1 in a large house next door to the church, said he had been 
 
202 CAPTAIN 
 
 beaten -.-severely beaten after we had appeared in the night, by 
 some of Torrejon's officers, to induce him to leave ; but, regardless 
 of blows, he had determined to stick by his premises and property. 
 All the inhabitants had been shamefully abused, their property 
 taken from them, and they were then driven into the chapparal ; 
 and we were told that in an hour's time more, had our company not 
 appeared in sight, they would have set fire to the place. 
 
 " Such is the policy which has been adopted, and such the course 
 pursued by Torrejon, at every rancho and town since the enemy 
 left Serralvo. To drive off the inhabitants and destroy all the sup 
 plies on the road, is the game they are now playing, certainly de 
 termining to harass General Taylor, if they do not intend to fight 
 him. The Mexicans ail along on the road spoke confidently that 
 General Taylor would meet with stout resistance at this place ; but 
 the force we met only amounted to some eight hundred or a thou 
 sand cavalry, and they started off without firing a gun." 
 
 McCulloch's company formeyd part of the regiment of Texas 
 rangers, commanded by Colonel Hays, which marched with General 
 Worth [September 20th] to assist in storming the Bishop's Palace, 
 The following was the order of the general's march : The first 
 brigade, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Staniford, consisted of 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan's battery of horse artillery ; Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Childs' artillery battalion, composed of the following com 
 panies : Company K, of the 2d regiment ; companies A and B, 
 of the 3d regiment ; and companies G, H and I, of the 4th regiment, 
 acting as infantry ; and the 8th regiment of infantry under Captain 
 Scrivner. The 2d brigade, commanded by Brigadier-General P. F. 
 Smith, was composed of Lieutenant Mackall's battery of horse artil 
 lery ; the 5th infantry, to which was attached Captain Blanchard's 
 company of Louisiana volunteers, under Major Martin Scott ; and 
 the 7th infantry, under Captain Miles. Added to these, as we have 
 mentioned, were the Texas rangers. 
 
 In all the operations of General Worth's division, McCulloch 
 distinguished himself in a remarkable manner. When the troops 
 left the main camp, (noon of the 20th,) his rangers, with Gillespie's, 
 formed the reconnoitring party. While passing a ridge on the follow 
 ing day, the enemy opened upon them with a howitzer and twelve- 
 pounder, firing shell and round-shot as fast as they could discharge 
 their pieces. This continued until they arrived at the base of a hiL 1 
 
SERVICES AT MONTEREY. 203 
 
 between Palace Heights and the mountains, on the west. When 
 the head of the column approached this place, a body of Mexican 
 cavalry came dashing round the ridge to charge it. Colonel Hays 
 ordered his men to dismount ; but, as McCulloch was at a consider 
 able distance, he did not receive the command in time to obey. 
 Accordingly, when the lancers approached, he poured into them a 
 shower of rifle and pistol-balls. This being ineffectual to check their 
 progress, a furious charge was made, and both columns reeled be 
 fore the terrible shock. Horse and rider were crushed to earth, and 
 for a moment all was a wild hurry of confusion. Then the lance 
 and rifle were thrown aside ; hand-to-hand a conflict commenced 
 with sword and pistol, during which scores of the enemy sunk be 
 neath the fierce rangers' aim. McCulloch fought with the intre 
 pidity of a knight of chivalry. On one occasion he was separated 
 from his men, and completely surrounded ; but, putting spurs to his 
 horse, he dashed against the enemy, broke their ranks, and arrived 
 safely among his men. The action lasted fifteen minutes, during 
 which the captain lost several of- his command. The loss of the enemy 
 was one hundred and fifty ; the squadron which charged the rangers 
 being nearly cut to pieces. 
 
 McCulloch was with Captain P. F. Smith at the storming of 
 the redoubt on Federacion Hill. He also assisted in the capture of 
 the Bishop's Palace, and received the commendations of his supe 
 rior officers for his distinguished bravery. He is particularly men 
 tioned by General Worth among those to whom his * thanks are 
 especially due.' 
 
 After the fall of the Palace, the Texas rangers were employed 
 in breaking open the houses of Monterey, and penetrating their 
 walls inside toward the central plaza. They contributed most mate 
 rially to the subsequent capitulation of the city. 
 
 For his conduct during this siege, McCulloch received the corn- 
 mission of major. Soon after its conclusion, he set out with sixteen 
 men for San Antonio. On the way he met with rather a singular 
 adventure with two Indians, the particulars of which are thus given 
 by his faithful biographer, Reid. 
 
 " Having crossed the Nueces with some difficulty, about mid-day, 
 the party were reclining upon the grass to rest themselves, when a 
 couple of daring Camanches rushed in among the horses close by 
 and by their yells and accompanying antics succeeded in stamped- 
 
204 CAPTAIN M'CULLOCH. 
 
 ing the entire cavcdlada, with the exception of Major McCulloch's 
 horse, and that of the brave Captain Cheshire. These gentlemen 
 mounted at once and put off in pursuit. On coming up with them, 
 McCulloch received a flight of arrows, one of which wounded his 
 horse, and caused him to dismount. He and one of the Indians 
 then commenced manoeuvring for advantages. McCulloch could 
 not bring his five-shooter to bear. Mean time the other Indian, 
 armed with a rifle, was creeping round, trying to level it upon 
 McCulloch ; but the major was too cunning to be caught, even in a 
 double-handed game. By this time Cheshire came up, when 
 McCulloch proposed a charge. Cheshire, however, thinking it 
 more prudent to try his rifle, fired, but it did not tell. 
 
 "The manoeuvring continued it was a sort of running fight. 
 McCulloch charged up, close enough to let loose his repeater ; two 
 shots did no execution ; at the third it broke, and the Indian escaped. 
 Cheshire now fired and wounded his man ; the Indians retreated, 
 leaving the horses. The Texans drove them back in triumph to 
 the camp. In the interim the foot company were in the utmost 
 suspense, watching the prairie to catch a glimpse of their returning 
 comrades ; and when they at last hove in sight, with the horses safe 
 and sound, the air was rent with huzzas. Never was there a more 
 joyful crowd, for never did a set of gentlemen come nearer footing 
 it into white settlements." 
 
 On his return to Monterey, McCulloch was employed by General 
 Taylor to obtain information of the strength and movements of Santa 
 Anna, who was reported to be moving toward him. He set out 
 [February 16th]] with about twenty men ; at about an hour before 
 midnight he encountered a small detachment of Mexican cavalry, ex 
 tending across the road. The rangers mistook it for chapparal, but 
 were soon undeceived by a full volley of musketry. Although 
 ignorant of the enemy's force, McCulloch ordered a charge, which 
 was vigorously executed, breaking the Mexican ranks, and driving 
 them toward Encarnacion. The rangers escaped without loss. 
 
 On the 20th, the major again set out with but four men, on a 
 similar expedition. As he approached the foe, he sent all his men 
 except one back to General Taylor, to report his observations. In 
 this perilous situation, he was met by the enemy's picket guard, 
 who immediately gave chase. Instead of retreating, McCulloch 
 and his companion (William Phillips) galloped directly toward the 
 
DECEIVES THE MEXICAN PICKETS. 205 
 
 Mexican camp, thus completely deceiving the picket, who imagined 
 them their own men on duty. They then rode leisurely to a neigh 
 bouring hill, where they concealed themselves and passed the night. 
 Next day they commenced their retreat, but in passing between 
 two roads, were greeted with the sight of a picket of twenty men 
 placed upon each of them. No course was now left but to assume 
 the appearance of Mexican scouts ; and accordingly, without quick 
 ening their pace, they passed between the two parties, and proceeded 
 toward Agua Nueva. Luckily the Mexicans were excessively 
 fatigued, and having passed the night without fire, they were now 
 industriously warming themselves. Considering the two strangers 
 as their own scouts, they neglected to ride after them, and thus 
 McCulloch escaped. But he was not yet out of danger. After pro 
 ceeding about eight miles he mounted a hill, where to his mortifi 
 cation he beheld another picket, guarding the only pass to the road. 
 After remaining some time in hope of their being relieved by a 
 fresh guard, he ventured into the plain, and though the pass was 
 extremely narrow, he rode through it without being observed. The 
 two friends then galloped on to Agua Nueva, and reported to Gene 
 ral Taylor. 
 
 In the battle of Buena Vista, McCulloch behaved with his accus 
 tomed bravery. " Major McCulloch," says General Taylor, "quar 
 termaster in the volunteer service, rendered important services be 
 fore the engagement, in the command of a spy company, and during 
 the affair was associated with the regular cavalry." 
 
 The disbandrnent of the major's command took place aboJUt this 
 time, after which most of the Texans returned home. 
 
 18 
 
COLONEL H1YS. 
 
 JOHN COFFEE HAYS is a native of Tennessee. He was born 
 about the year 1818, in Wilson county, and named after General 
 Coffee of the United States' Army. Even in childhood he appears 
 to have been of a daring disposition, although little of any interest 
 is known of him until the commencement of the Texan revolution. 
 He manifested a lively interest in that struggle, and determining to 
 be near the scene of warfare, emigrated in 1837 to San Antonio. 
 Here he had several severe skirmishes with the Indians, and was 
 engaged as surveyor on the frontier. In those times of peril, when 
 Texas needed the assistance of every soldier, Hays could not long 
 remain unnoticed. He was first created captain of a scouting 
 party, and soon after superintendent of the entire border, with the 
 rank of major. Desperate, and sometimes personal encounters 
 with the Indians, soon spread his reputation, and before the com 
 mencement of our war with Mexico, he was regarded by the sa 
 vages as superior to common men the bearer of a charmed life. 
 
 He was appointed colonel of the Texan mounted rifles, and 
 reached the Rio Grande a short time after the battles of the 8th and 
 9th of May. Particular incidents of his command are given in the 
 sketch of McCulloch. 
 
 General Worth, in his official despatch of Monterey, speaks thus 
 of him : " It is my pleasant and grateful duty to present to the con 
 sideration of the general-in-chief, and through him to the govern 
 ment, the distinguished conduct of Brigadier-General Smith, and 
 Colonel Hays, of the Texas riflemen." 
 
 An order from the same general, [dated Monterey, September 
 28thJ has the following paragraph : 
 
 " The general feels assured, that every individual in the command 
 unites with him in admiration of the distinguished gallantry and 
 (206) 
 
COLONEL HAYS. 
 
HIS PERSONAL APPEARANCE. 207 
 
 conduct of Colonel Hays, and his noble band of Texan volunteers. 
 Hereafter, they and we are brothers, and we can desire no better 
 guarantee of success than by their association." 
 
 The following description of the personal appearance of this 
 celebrated partisan is given by his friend Reid : 
 
 " We had heard so much of Col. Hays, that we were anxious to 
 be introduced to the commander of our regiment. The quarters of 
 Lieutenant Forbes Britton, commissary of subsistence, was at that 
 time the general rendezvous of ail the officers. And go when you 
 would to his quarters, from his generous and hospitable feelings, all 
 were sure to meet with a kind reception. On this occasion, as we 
 entered Lieutenant Britton's quarters, we saw a group of gentlemen 
 sitting around, among whom were General Lamar, Governor Hen 
 derson, General Cazeno, and General McCloud, all distinguished 
 men of Texas, whose names are enrolled on the page of its history. 
 As we cast our eye around the group, we tried to single out the 
 celebrated partisan chief, and we were much surprised when we 
 were presented to a delicate-looking young man, of about five feet 
 eight inches in stature, and told that he was our colonel. ' He was 
 dressed very plainly, and wore a thin jacket, with the usual Texian 
 hat, broad brimmed, with a round top, and loose open collar, with a 
 black handkerchief tied negligently around his neck. He has dark 
 brown hair, and a large and brilliant hazel eye, which is restless in 
 conversation, and speaks a language of its own not to be mistaken, 
 with very prominent and heavy arched eyebrows. His broad, deep 
 forehead is well developed ; he has a Roman nose, with a finely 
 curved nostril ; a large mouth, with the corners tending downwards ; 
 a short upper lip, while the under one projects slightly, indicative 
 of great firmness and determination. He is naturally of a fair com 
 plexion, but from long exposure on the frontier has become dark 
 and weather-beaten. He has rather a thoughtful and care-worn 
 expression, from the constant exercise of his faculties ; and his long 
 acquaintance with dangers and difficulties, and the responsibilities 
 of a commander, have given him an habitual frown when his fea 
 tures are in repose. He wears no whiskers, which gives him a still 
 more youthful appearance, and his manners are bland and very pre 
 possessing, from his extreme modesty." 
 
 Among other most interesting incidents, we extract from the same 
 author the following account of a few of his daring exploits : - 
 
 K 
 
208 COLONEL HAYS. 
 
 " It was some time in the month of July, 1844, that he was en 
 gaged in one of the most remarkable Indian fights perhaps on re 
 cord. Remarkable, not for the numbers engaged, nor the duration 
 of the conflict, but from the fearful odds against the Rangers. At 
 the time we speak of, Hays was surrounded by as gallant a little 
 band of noble and brave men, numbering only fourteen, as ever 
 fought for the liberty of any land. Among this Spartan band were 
 the names of a Gillespie, a Walker, and a Chevalier, whose noble 
 deeds have since made them known to the world. On this occa 
 sion, Hays had gone out with his men some eighty miles from San 
 Antonio, towards the river Pierdenales, for the purpose of ascertain 
 ing the position of the Indians, and to watch their movements. On 
 arriving near the river, they discovered some ten or fifteen Comanche 
 warriors, well mounted, who immediately made demonstrations of 
 fight. As the Rangers advanced upon them, however, they would 
 retreat, and thus endeavoured to lead the Texians towards a ridge 
 of thick undergrowth. But Hays was too well acquainted with the 
 Indian character to be caught by their snares ; and he immediately 
 judged by their manoeuvring, that an ambuscade had been laid for 
 him, and with difficulty restrained the impetuosity of his 'boys' 
 from advancing to the attack. He then marched around the copse, 
 where he supposed the Indians to be concealed, and drew up on 
 another ridge, separated from their position by a deep ravine. He 
 had occupied this situation but a short time, when the Indians dis 
 covered who he was, and knowing their man, gave up the hope of 
 catching him by stratagem. The Indians then showed themselves 
 to the number of seventy-five, and challenged him to the contest. 
 Hays accepted the challenge, and signified to them that he would 
 meet them, and immediately started down the hill with his men, 
 towards the Indians, moving at the same time in the slowest possible 
 pace, until reaching the bottom of the ravine, where he was hid 
 from the view of the Indians, by the brow of the hill upon which 
 they were formed. Then turning at full speed down the ravine, 
 followed by his little troop, he turned the point of the ridge, came 
 up in the rear of the enemy, and charged their column, when every 
 eye of the Indian phalanx was looking in momentary expectation 
 of seeing him rise the hill in their front ! His first fire upon them 
 <vas with short rifles, which being deadly, threw them into utter 
 confusion. The yells, imprecations, and war-whoops that filled the 
 
FIGHT WITH THE INDIANS. 209 
 
 air after the report of the rifles, would have blanched many a cheek 
 as it echoed wildly over the plain. But there stood Hays and his 
 gallant men as firm and undaunted as the rock. The Indians seeing 
 their great superiority in numbers, soon rallied, when the Ranger 
 ordered his men to throw down their rifles, and prepare with their 
 five-shooters to receive the charge of the enemy. In order to resist 
 attack on all sides, as the Indians were surrounding them, Hays 
 formed his men in a circle, fronting outwards, being still mounted 
 on their horses, and for fifteen or twenty minutes maintained that 
 position, never firing a shot until the Indians came within the length 
 of their lances of them. Their aim was sure, and every fire brought 
 down a warrior. Some twenty-one of the red men were killed on 
 that spot, before they desisted, and then the Rangers, changing their 
 ground, charged them in turn. The fight lasted for nearly an hour, 
 the two parties alternately charging each other. By this time the 
 Texians had exhausted the loads in their five-shooting pistols, and 
 the chief was again rallying his warriors for one more desperate 
 struggle. 
 
 " Hays's numbers were now reduced, and the crisis was an awful 
 one. He saw that their only salvation was to kill the Indian chief, 
 and demanded of his men, if any one had a charge left. The la 
 mented Captain Gillespie replied that he had reserved his rifle. 
 
 "'Dismount then,' said Hays, 'and make sure work of that 
 chief.' 
 
 "Although speared through the body, the gallant Gillespie dis 
 mounted, and at the crack of his rifle, the chief fell headlong from 
 his horse. Panic-struck, the Indians fled in dismay, pursued by the 
 Texians, who gained a complete victory. On the battle-field of 
 Pierdenales lay some thirty odd of their dead ; how many were 
 wounded was not known. On the part of the Rangers, two were 
 killed, and some four or five wounded, among whom were Gilles 
 pie and Walker, since celebrated in American history, who were 
 both speared through the body. 
 
 " At another time, Hays went out with a party of some fifteen 
 or twenty men, upon the frontier of Texas, then many miles west 
 of the white settlements, for the purpose of surveying and locating 
 lands in the vicinity of a place well known as the ' Enchanted 
 Rock/ We are unable to give to the reader the traditionary cause 
 18* 
 
210 COLONEL HAYS. 
 
 
 why this place was so named, but nevertheless, the Indians had a 
 great awe, amounting almost to reverence for it, and would tell 
 many legendary tales connected with it, and the fate of a few brave 
 warriors, the last of a tribe now extinct, who defended themselves 
 there for many years as in a strong castle, against the attacks of 
 their hostile brethren. But they were finally overcome and totally 
 annihilated, and ever since, the ' Enchanted Rock' has been looked 
 upon as the exclusive property of these phantom warriors. This is 
 one of the many tales which the Indians tell concerning it. The 
 rock forms the apex of a high, round hill, very rugged and difficult 
 of ascent. In the centre there is a hollow, in the shape of a bowl, 
 and sufficiently large to allow a small party of men to lie in it, thus 
 forming a small fort, the projecting and elevated sides serving as a 
 protection. 
 
 " Not far from the base of this hill, Hays and his men, at the time 
 of the expedition spoken of, which occurred in the year 1841, or 
 '42, were attacked by a large force of Indians. When the fight 
 commenced, Hays being some distance from his party, was cut off 
 from them, and being closely pressed by the Indians, made good his 
 retreat to the top of the hill. Reaching the Enchanted Rock,' he 
 there entrenched himself, and determined to sell his life dearly, for 
 he had scarcely a gleam of hope left to escape. The Indians who 
 were in pursuit, upon arriving near the summit, set up a most 
 hideous howl, and after surrounding the spot, prepared for the 
 charge ; being bent upon taking this * Devil Jack,' as they called 
 him, at all hazards, for they knew who was the commander. As 
 they would approach, Hays would rise, and level his rifle ; knowing 
 his unerring aim, they would drop back. In this way he kept them 
 at bay for nearly an hour ; the Indians howling around him all the 
 while, like so many wolves. But finally becoming emboldened, as 
 he had not yet fired his rifle, they approached so near that it became 
 necessary for him to go to work in earnest. So,, as they Continued 
 to advance, he discharged his rifle, and then seizing his five-shooter, 
 he felled them on all sides ; thus keeping them off, until he could 
 reload. In this manner he defended himself for three long hours ; 
 when the Indians becoming furiously exasperated, rushed in mass, 
 and gained the top, on one side of the hill : his men, who had heard 
 .he crack of his rifle, and had been fighting most desperately to 
 
HIS NARROW ESCAPE. 211 
 
 reach their leader, now succeeded in breaking through the file of 
 Indians on the other side, and arrived just in time to save him. 
 
 " This,' said the Texan who told us the story, * was one of 
 Jack's most narrow escapes, and he considers it one of the tightest 
 little places that he ever was in. The Indians, who had believed 
 for a long time that he bore a charmed life, were then more than 
 ever convinced of the fact.' 
 
 " So many were the stories that went the rounds in camp, of his 
 perilous expeditions, his wild and daring adventures, and his cool 
 and determined bravery, that when we saw the man who held such 
 sway over his fellow-beings, we were first inclined to believe that 
 we had been deceived. But when we saw him afterwards in the 
 field, we then knew him to be the intrepid Hays.' So great is his 
 reputation among the Mexicans, that he is everywhere known as 
 'Capitan Jack. 1 Notwithstanding his rigid discipline, for his word 
 is law among his men, yet off duty he is a bland and pleasant com 
 panion, and the men familiarly call him Jack ; though there is that 
 about the man, which prevents one from taking the slightest liberty 
 with him." 
 
MAJOR TWIGGS. 
 
 MAJOR LEVI TWIGGS was born in Richmond county, Georgia, on 
 the 21st of May, 1793. He was the sixth son of Major-General 
 John Twiggs of revolutionary memory, whose patriotic devotion of 
 his person and his purse in the war of independence earned for him 
 an imperishable renown. A faithful son of his country, who, at the 
 outset of that unequal contest, raised from his private fortune an 
 effective brigade, which, with his own services, he tendered to the 
 cause of liberty, services which proved most efficient, earning for 
 himself the rank of Major-General in our then infant army, and the 
 still higher title of " Saviour of Georgia." The present eminent 
 Major-General David E. Twiggs, is the fifth son of the same illus 
 trious sire. 
 
 At the declaration of war against Great Britain in 1812, the sub 
 ject of the present notice, then just having completed his nine 
 teenth year, was desirous of entering the service, but failing to 
 obtain the sanction of his parents at that time, he continued his 
 studies at the Athens college in his native state, for some months 
 longer. At length his military ardour was fanned into an irrepres 
 sible flame by the gallant exploits of our little navy, and on learning 
 the news of the capture of the Macedonian frigate, by the United 
 States under Commodore Decatur, he immediately left college, and 
 solicited again his parents' consent to apply for an appointment in 
 the marine corps, which was now granted. He entered this corps 
 as second lieutenant, on the 10th of November, 1813, and, after a 
 brief sojourn at head-quarters, was stationed on the Patuxent with 
 the troops which were posted there to oppose the passage of the 
 British fleet, then hovering along the coasts of the Chesapeake, 
 where he displayed the energy of character and good conduct which 
 
 (212) 
 
MAJOR TWIGGS. 213 
 
 ever after distinguished hrm. From this duty Lieutenant Twiggs 
 was ordered to join the frigate President, commanded by Commo 
 dore Decatur, on her last memorable cruise under our flag. She 
 sailed from New York on the 14th of January, 1815, and soon 
 after encountered a British fleet, consisting of the Majestic razee, 
 the Endymion, Tenedos and Pomona frigates, and a gun brig, and 
 was captured after a most gallant defence, one of the opposing fri 
 gates, the Endymion, having been first disabled and her fire silenced 
 in full view of the other ships of the hostile squadron. 
 
 By some untoward accident, the senior marine officer did not sail 
 in the President, and that arm of the service was commanded on 
 this occasion by Lieutenant Twiggs who by this time had attained 
 the grade of first lieutenant with such consummate skill and gal 
 lantry as to elicit the warmest applause of his commander, and to 
 obtain honourable mention of his name in the commodore's official 
 despatches. Lieutenant Twiggs' command numbered fifty-six men, 
 who, as is stated in Mackenzie's Naval History, discharged during the 
 action five thousand cartridges, and whose fire was pronounced by 
 Commodore Decatur " incomparable.' 11 
 
 The officers of the President were detained as prisoners of war 
 in Bermuda, until news of the^ peace reached there, when they re 
 turned to their country. 
 
 From that period until 1823, Lieutenant Twiggs was attached to 
 the New York station, from whence in that year he was ordered to 
 Philadelphia, having in 1822 united himself in marriage to a 
 daughter of the deceased Captain McKnight, of the marine corps, 
 and niece of Commodore Decatur, the afflicted lady who now 
 deplores his death. In 1824, he was ordered to the frigate Constel 
 lation, Commodore Warrington, to cruise among the West India 
 islands, in which service he was absent nearly two years. On his re 
 turn he was again attached to the Navy- Yard at Philadelphia, having 
 been advanced to a captaincy by brevet during his absence, on the 3d 
 May, 1825. 
 
 In November, 1825, he was placed in command of the marines, 
 at the Norfolk Navy- Yard. 
 
 In June, 1826, Captain Twiggs was ordered to Florida, where 
 he was engaged in the Seminole war until the month of April follow 
 ing, discharging the constant and very arduous duties attendant upon a 
 war with wandering savages, marked by all the perils of treachery 
 
214 MAJOR TWIGGS. 
 
 and ambuscades, and the more fatal dangers of a pestilential climate, 
 and every species of suffering and exposure. 
 
 From the period of his return from Florida until 1843, having 
 attained the rank of Major on the 15th of November, 1840, he was, 
 from time to time, placed in command of the marines, at the several 
 stations of Washington, New York, and Philadelphia, discharging 
 his duty at every post, and on all occasions, to the entire satisfaction 
 of the Navy Department, and of the local authorities and citizens 
 with whom he had either official or personal intercourse. 
 
 In 1843, Major Twiggs assumed the command at the Philadel 
 phia Navy- Yard, where he proved himself worthy of the rank and 
 station which his gallantry and long services had earned, by the 
 scrupulous discharge of every detail of his duty as an officer, and 
 no less by his amiable, manly, and unexceptionable bearing as a 
 good citizen and high-bred gentleman. During the long period of 
 thirty -four years' service, he never but once asked leave of absence, 
 and then on account of the illness of a member of his family, when 
 he was off duty but a single week. 
 
 On the 2d of June, 1847, Major Twiggs departed for Mexico, 
 having solicited active service. On the 29th of June he arrived at 
 Vera Cruz. On the 16th of July he left for the interior, with General 
 Pierce's brigade, and reached Puebla on the 6th of August, which 
 place he left with Major-General Gluitman's division, a few days 
 after, and on the 13th of September he fell, at the head of his com 
 mand, leading them to the assault at the storming of Chapultepec, 
 pierced by a bullet through the, heart ! 
 
 Of the details of the operations in which Major Twiggs was en 
 gaged, as well on the march to the Mexican capital as on the bloody 
 fields in its neighbourhood, no precise accounts have yet been re 
 ceived. We only know that, whilst in the performance of the 
 proudest duty of a soldier, his brave spirit took its flight ! 
 
 Of an imposing presence and noble mien, he was the personifi 
 cation of courage ; dauntless himself, he infused the same quality 
 into all his followers, performing the duties of his profession with a 
 zeal that never flagged, and a singleness of purpose that considered 
 no obstacle. Tenderly alive to the domestic sympathies, he sacri 
 ficed them aL to his sense of duty to his country. This sentiment 
 was uppermost in his heart. When he left home, therefore, upon 
 his last tour of service ; like a wise and good man, he made all his 
 worldly arrangements, based upon the probability that he would 
 
MAJOR TWIGGS. 215 
 
 never return, whilst he studiously avoided alluding to them to his 
 family. 
 
 The death of his gallant son, George Decatur Twiggs, who fell a 
 volunteer in Major Lally's command at the National Bridge, on the 
 12th of August, on the way to join his uncle the general, whose aid 
 he was to become, had already excited a sincere and deep-felt sym 
 pathy for the bereaved mother. Having but just entered his twen 
 tieth year, a youth of the finest talents, and with the brightest pros 
 pects, already distinguished in the walks of literature, and pursuing 
 his legal studies with the zeal inseparable from an ardent tempera 
 ment, he also, true to his blood the commingled blood of heroes, 
 which flowed in his veins panted for martial fame. In one action, 
 he had already gained the applause of his commander ; in the next, 
 whilst actively discharging the duty of a lieutenant in the place of 
 one who had just fallen, the fatal missile of the enemy cut him off 
 in the flower of his age ! 
 
 " As some fair tree which erst the forest graced, 
 And charmed the eye by blooming vines embraced, 
 Prone on the earth, a lovely ruin, cast, 
 Yields to the lightning's stroke, or tempest's blast!" 
 
 Of the many brave men who have laid down their lives for their 
 country's honour during the existing war, none fought more gal 
 lantly, nor died more nobly, than did these kindred spirits, the father 
 and son. Neither has it pleased an all-wise Providence to call hence 
 on any of those battle-fields, recently rendered immortal by the 
 achievements of our heroic soldiers, a more worthy and well-tried 
 citizen than the one, nor a youth of brighter promise than the other. 
 
 Well appreciated by his friends, to whom he was endeared, as 
 well by his own virtues as those of his estimable wife, the news of 
 the fall of Major Twiggs, almost coincident as it was with that of 
 his son, has created a deep sensation of universal sorrow and sym 
 pathy. Generous, humane, social, affectionate, with a soul of chivalry, 
 he was swayed by the gentlest emotions ; considerate to those under 
 his command, without any relaxation of discipline, he was the friend 
 of the soldier, and was rewarded by the soldier's obedience and de 
 votion. As an officer, long holding most responsible and arduous 
 stations, his conduct always elicited the applause of his superiois ; 
 and in all the social relations, and more especially in those of do 
 mestic life, his deportment may be pronounced to have been fault 
 less. Of scrupulous integrity, he was conscientious in the discharge 
 
 K * 
 
 ' 
 
216 MAJOR TWIGGS. 
 
 even of his minutest duties : a tender and affectionate husband, a 
 most kind and indulgent parent, leaving a wife and three daughters 
 to lament his loss : alas ! it is to those widowed and orphaned hearts 
 that his many virtues are best known, and by them that they will 
 be most fondly cherished ; hearts crushed beneath a weight of afflic 
 tion which few are called upon to bear ; for scarcely had they begun 
 to recover from the shock of the loss of a son and brother, before 
 this last stunning blow fell upon them like a thunderbolt. Let them 
 be considered henceforth as the widow and children of the nation ; 
 for to their case the annals of war, with its aggravated horrors, can 
 scarcely produce a parallel ! To their prior bereavements it would 
 be out of place to refer here. But that gracious Being, who has 
 seen fit to visit them with such grievous afflictions, will not fail to 
 comfort and uphold them in this hour of their bitter trial ! 
 " ! thou that will not break the bruised reed, 
 
 Nor heap fresh ashes on the mourner's brow, 
 Nor rend anew the wounds that inly bleed, 
 The only balm of their afflictions Thou ! 
 Teach them to bear thy chastening wrath, O God ! 
 
 To kiss, with quivering lips, still humbly kiss thy rod ! 
 ******* 
 Forgive, forgive, e'en should their full heart break, 
 
 The broken heart thou wilt not, Lord, despise, 
 Ah ! thou art still too gracious to forsake, 
 
 Though thy strong hand so heavily chastise." 
 
 Among the testimonials of respect from superior officers, and 
 different friends, was the following order, dated adjutant and inspec 
 tor's office, Washington, November 20th, 1847, and addressed to 
 Captain J. G. Williams, commanding marines at Philadelphia : 
 
 " The commandant of the corps with profound and cordial sorrow, 
 announces to the officers and soldiers the death of Major Levi 
 Twiggs, while leading his command to victory and glory, on the 
 13th September, under the walls of the city of Mexico. In his loss 
 the corps has to mourn for a gallant officer, who has passed all of 
 his youth in its ranks, and his country for an estimable and patriotic 
 citizen, and those who knew him most intimately, for a valued friend 
 and a high-minded gentleman. 
 
 " The usual badge of mourning will be worn for him by the 
 officers of the corps for one month, and the flag at head-quarters will 
 be half-masted to-morrow. 
 
 " By order of the Brevet Brigadier-General Commandant." 
 
COLOWEJL MAY. 
 
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MAY. 
 
 THE reputation of Colonel May is based upon his conduct in the 
 operations on the Rio Grande. During that period of gloom and 
 foreboding, his activity, courage, and experience were to General 
 Taylor invaluable. 
 
 Little is known of his early history. He is a native of the city 
 of Washington, and son of Dr. May. When the 2d regiment of 
 dragoons was organized, during General Jackson's administration, 
 he was commissioned as lieutenant, and ordered^to Florida. Here 
 his duties were of course arduous ; but if we except the capture of 
 the Indian chief Philip, nothing of interest is related of him. 
 
 After he had joined General Taylor at Corpus Christi, we hear 
 little of him until the march of that officer from Fort Brown to Point 
 Isabel, in order to open the communication between them. As the 
 cannonading of the river fort subsequent to Taylor's departure, had 
 been heard at Point Isabel, great anxiety was experienced as to the 
 result ; and in order to ascertain the condition of the garrison, Cap 
 tain May with one hundred dragoons was despatched to the Rio 
 Grande. He set out about two o'clock in the afternoon, and after 
 proceeding some distance, halted until the approach of night. They 
 then hurried forward until about nine, when the Mexican fires be 
 came visible in the distance, and soon after their whole army was 
 observed stretched in sleep, over the open plain. Maintaining the 
 strictest silence, May passed round their front, and succeeded in 
 gaining unobserved a chapparal hedge at some distance from the 
 fort. He now sent Captain Walker, of the Texas rangers, to com 
 municate with Major Brown. After waiting until near daylight 
 without hearing any news of the captain, May concluded that he 
 had been captured by the enemy and accordingly set out on his 
 return. About sunrise he passed within half a mile of the Mexican 
 main body without molestation. Soon after he encountered over 
 one hundred lancers, drawn up in order of battle, about twelve miles 
 from Point Isabel. These he charged, and drove them nearly three 
 19 (217) 
 
218 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MAY. 
 
 miles, but was not able to overtake them in consequence of the ex 
 hausted condition of his horses. He reached Point Isabel about 
 nine o'clock, P. M., of the 4th. 
 
 The report of Captain May shows the part he took in the actions 
 of the 8th and 9th. 
 
 " Having been detached from the head-quarters of my regiment 
 with my squadron, and acting under the immediate orders of the 
 commanding-general during the actions of the 8th and 9th instant, it 
 becomes my duty to report the services which the squadron I had 
 the honour to command rendered during these actions. 
 
 " You are aware that my first orders on the 8th were to strengthen 
 the left flank of the army, and sustain Captain Duncan's battery ; 
 in this position I lost two horses killed and two wounded. 
 
 " About half an hour before sunset I received orders to proceed 
 to the enemy's left flank and drive in his cavalry. In execution 
 of these orders, and while passing the general and his staff", the 
 enemy concentrated the fire from their batteries upon us, killing six 
 of my horses and wounding five men. I succeeded in gaining a 
 position on the enemy's left with a view of charging his cavalry, but 
 found him in such force as to render ineffectual a charge from my 
 small command, and therefore returned, in obedience to my instruc 
 tions, to my first position, where I remained until the close of the 
 action, which terminated very shortly afterwards. Thus ended the 
 service of my squadron on the 8th. 
 
 " On the morning of the 9th my squadron was actively employed 
 in reconnoitring the chapparal in advance of the field of the 8th, 
 and on the approach of the army I took my position as the advance- 
 guard. When about half a mile from the position which the enemy 
 were reported to have taken, I was ordered to halt and allow the 
 artillery and infantry to pass, and await further orders. I remained 
 in this position about three-quarters of an hour, when I received 
 orders to report with my squadron to the general. I did so, and 
 was ordered by the general to charge the enemy's batteries and 
 drive them from their pieces, which was rapidly executed, with loss 
 of Lieutenant Inge, seven privates, and eighteen horses killed, and 
 Sergeant Muley, nine privates, and ten horses wounded. Lieu 
 tenant Sackett and Sergeant Story, in the front by my side, had 
 their horses killed under them, and Lieutenant Inge was gallantly 
 leading his platoon when he fell. We charged entirely through the 
 enemy's batteries of seven pieces Captain Graham, accompanied 
 
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MAY. 219 
 
 by Lieutenants Winship and Pleasanton, leading the charge against 
 the pieces on the left of the road, and myself, accompanied by 
 Lieutenants Inge, Stevens, and Sackett, those on the direct road, 
 and gained the rising ground on the opposite side of the ravine. 
 The charge was made under a heavy fire of the enemy's batteries, 
 which accounts for my great loss. After gaining the rising ground 
 in the rear I could rally but six men, and with these I charged their 
 gunners, who had regained their pieces, drove them off, and took 
 prisoner General Vega, whom I found gallantly fighting in person 
 at his battery. I ordered him to surrender, and on recognising me 
 as an officer, he handed me his sword. I brought him, under a 
 heavy fire of their infantry, to our lines, accompanied by Lieutenant 
 Stevens, and a sergeant of my squadron. I then directed Lieutenant 
 Stevens to conduct him in safety to our rear, and present his sword 
 to the commanding general. 
 
 " From this time until the enemy were routed, I was engaged in 
 collecting my men, who had become scattered in our lines. I suc 
 ceeded in assembling half of my squadron, and joined the army in 
 pursuit of the enemy, until he crossed the Rio Grande, from which 
 I returned to camp. 
 
 " I cannot speak in terms of sufficient praise of the steadiness and 
 gallantly of the officers and men of my command. They all 
 behaved with that spirit of courage and noble daring which distin 
 guished the whole army in this memorable action, and achieved the 
 most brilliant victory of the age." 
 
 Speaking of this charge, General Taylor says : 
 
 " The charge of cavalry against the enemy's batteries on the 9th, 
 was gallantly led by Captain May, and had complete success." 
 
 "After the unsurpassed, if not unequalled charge of Captain 
 May's squadron," says Colonel Twiggs, " the enemy was unable to 
 fire a piece." 
 
 In Lieutenant Ridge ly's report is the following incident of this 
 charge : 
 
 " Captain May rode up and said ' Where are they ? I am going 
 to charge.' I gave them a volley, and he most gallantly dashed for 
 ward in ' column of fours' at the head of his squadron. I followed 
 as quickly as possible at a gallop, only halting when I came; upon 
 the edge of the ravine, and where I found three pieces of artillery, 
 but no cannoneers; however, their infantry poured into me a most 
 
220 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MAY. 
 
 galling fire, at from twenty-five to fifty paces ; and here ensued a 
 most desperate struggle; but our infantry coming up they were 
 completely routed." 
 
 In the march from Matamoras to Monterey, May occasionally 
 acted as a scout, to obtain information of the enemy. Prior to the 
 operations against the city, he was promoted to the rank of lieu 
 tenant-colonel. Unfortunately, the nature of the assault against the 
 city did not permit the second dragoons to be brought into action ; 
 but they were usefully employed by Colonel May as escorts, and 
 in keeping open communications. 
 
 At Buena Vista, May was associated with Captain Pike's squad 
 ron of Arkansas horse, and rendered useful service in holding the 
 enemy in check, and covering batteries at several points. Extracts 
 from his report will show the nature of these duties. 
 
 " Before the squadron of the 1st dragoons could be recalled, it. 
 had gone so far up the ravine as to be in close range of the enemy's 
 artillery. It was thus, for a short time, exposed to a severe fire, 
 which resulted in the loss of a few men. The other two squadrons 
 and the section of artillery were in the mean time placed in motion 
 for Buena Vista, where a portion of our supplies were stored, and 
 against which the enemy was directing his movements. Lieutenant 
 Rucker joined me near the rancho, and in time to assist me in 
 checking the heavy cavalry force, which was then very near and 
 immediately in our front. A portion of the enemy's cavalry, 
 amounting, perhaps, to two hundred men, not perceiving my com 
 mand, crossed the main road near to the rancho, and received a de- 
 structive fire from a number of volunteers assembled there. The 
 remaining heavy column was immediately checked, and retired in 
 great disorder towards the mountains on our left, before, however, 
 I could place my command in position to charge. Being unable, 
 from the heavy clouds of dust, to observe immediately the move 
 ments of the body of cavalry which had passed the rancho, I fol 
 lowed it up, and found it had crossed the deep and marshy ravine 
 on the right of the road, and was attempting to gain the mountains 
 on the right. I immediately ordered Lieutenant Reynolds to bring 
 his section into battery, which he did promptly, and by a few well- 
 directed shots, dispersed and drove the enemy in confusion over the 
 mountains. I next directed my attention to the annoying column 
 which had occupied so strong a position on our left flank and rear 
 during the whole day, and immediately moved my command to a 
 
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MAY. 221 
 
 position whence I could use my artillery on the masses crowded in 
 the ravines and gorges of the mountains. As I was leaving the 
 rancho, I was joined by about two hundred foot volunteers, under 
 Major Gorman, and a detachment of Arkansas mounted volunteers, 
 under Lieutenant-Colonel Roane. Believing my command now 
 sufficiently strong for any contingency which might arise, I ad 
 vanced it steadily towards the foot of the mountains, and to within 
 a Jew hundred yards of the position occupied by the enemy. I 
 then directed Lieutenant Reynolds to bring his section again into 
 battery ; and in the course of half an hour, by the steady and de 
 structive fire of his artillery, the enemy was forced to fall back. 
 This advantage I followed up ; in doing which I was joined by a 
 section of artillery under Captain Bragg. My command still con 
 tinued to advance, and the enemy to retire. We soon gained a 
 position where we were able to deliver a destructive fire, which 
 caused the enemy to retreat in confusion. While the artillery was 
 thus engaged, by order of General Wool, I steadily advanced the 
 cavalry ; but owing to the deep ravines which separated my com 
 mand from the enemy, I was unable to gain ground on him. The 
 enemy having been thus forced to abandon his position on our left 
 and rear, I was again directed to assume a position in supporting 
 distance of Captain Sherman's battery, which occupied its former 
 position, and against which the enemy seemed to be concentrating 
 his forces. After having occupied this position some time, the 
 genera 1-in-chief directed me to move my command up the ravine 
 towards the enemy's batteries, and to prevent any further advance 
 on that flank. This position was occupied until the close of the 
 battle, the enemy never again daring to attempt any movement to 
 wards our rear. The cavalry, except Captain Pike's squadron, 
 which was detached for picket service on the right of the road, oc 
 cupied, during the night of the 23d, the ground near where I was 
 directed last to take my position before the close of the battle. Find 
 ing on the morning of the 24th, that the enemy had retreated, I was 
 joined by Captain Pike's squadron, and ordered by the general in 
 pursuit." 
 
 Shortly after the battle, Colonel May returned to the United 
 States, where he remained for a considerable time. The fame of 
 his daring achievements had preceded him, and he was everywhere 
 welcomed as a representative of the gallant ones with whom he had 
 battled in Mexico. 
 
COLONEL CROSS. 
 
 THE name of Colonel Cross will ever be remembered with sad 
 ness. His splendid military talents would no doubt have shed a 
 halo of glory around him, had they been permitted to come into 
 exercise. But this privilege, so ardently desired by himself, and 
 confidently expected by a large circle of friends, was denied him. 
 He was the first martyr in our struggle with Mexico. The editor 
 of Niles' Register thus speaks of the melancholy event : 
 
 " War is a horrible evil. The first victim in this new war into 
 which our country is now plunged, has brought with it a deepening 
 sense of the evils inseparable from the mad conflict of man with 
 man, be the occasion what it may. An acquaintance, formed in 
 early life a warm and steadfast friend from the commencement of 
 that acquaintance a generous, open-hearted, ardent, intelligent, and 
 talented man ; one who was in all the attributes a MAN among men, 
 is the first victim. His father, forty years since, through many an 
 ardent struggle, political and national, was shoulder to shoulder with 
 us, in war with arms in his hand, and in peace or war, with as ar 
 dent patriotism at heart as ever animated a citizen and a republican. 
 His son is snatched from our hopes, as well as from a wide circle 
 of friends, and from his own wife, now widowed, and left with her 
 orphans to a life how desolate and lonely ! Wreaths may encircle 
 the brow of victors in the coming contest, but what shall compensate 
 for suffering, of which this is but the type, that must be the price at 
 which they are purchased ?" 
 
 Colonel Trueman Cross was born in Prince George's County, 
 Maryland. His father was also a colonel in the American service. 
 From a condition of comparative obscurity, the son raised himself 
 by his industry and perseverance both to distinction and affluence. 
 His military career commenced under General Jackson, with whom 
 
 (222) 
 
COLONEL CROSS, 
 
COLONEL CROSS. 223 
 
 he served both in Florida and the Creek country. His promptness, 
 strict attention to duty, and indefatigable perseverance, gained the 
 approbation of his superior officer, and led to promotion from govern 
 ment. 
 
 When General Taylor was sent to Texas, Colonel Cross was 
 employed in the " Corps of Observation" as assistant quartermaster- 
 general, and proceeded with it to the Rio Grande. Here, while the 
 army lay in comparative inaction, he exercised himself by riding 
 from camp daily on horseback. On the 10th of April, he remained 
 so long on his excursion as to excite the fears of his comrades ; more 
 especially as his little son, whom he had taken with him, returned 
 toward evening without him. Anxiety soon merged into painful 
 foreboding, and scouts were sent after him in all directions. That 
 day, the next and the next, they were unsuccessful. General 
 Taylor wrote twice to Ampudia, but without being able to ob 
 tain information of the unfortunate colonel. Gloom and suspense 
 pervaded officers and soldiers, until the 21st, when a straggling 
 Mexican entered camp and reported that he had seen the body of an 
 American. A party immediately accompanied him, and in a thick 
 chapparal, some miles from the fort, lay the mangled remains of the 
 unfortunate Cross. He was identified by portions of his uniform. 
 The guide reported, that a band of cut-throats under the notorious 
 Romano Falcon, had attacked him on the 10th, and were about to 
 carry him into Matamoras. To this the leader objected, and on 
 finding his followers resolute, killed the colonel with a pistol. A 
 board of officers, convened on the 23d, rendered a verdict in accord 
 ance with these facts. 
 
 The following order [dated April 23d, 1846] was immediately 
 issued by General Taylor. 
 
 " The commanding general has the painful duty of announcing 
 that the doubt which has so long prevailed in regard to the fate of 
 the late Colonel Cross, has at length been resolved into the melan 
 choly certainty of his death, and, there is too much] reason to fear, 
 by violent hands. 
 
 " The high rank of the deceased, and the ability and energy 
 which he carried into the discharge of the important duties of his 
 office, will cause his loss to be seriously felt in the service, while 
 the untoward circumstances of his demise will render it peculiarly 
 afflicting to his family and personal friends. 
 
224 COLONEL CROSS. 
 
 " The remains of the late colonel will be interred with military 
 honours at 4 P. M. to-morrow. The funeral escort will be composed 
 of a squadron of dragoons and eight companies of infantry ; the 
 latter to be taken from the 2d brigade, and the whole to be organized 
 and commanded by Colonel Twiggs. The necessary arrangements 
 for the funeral ceremony will be made by Lieutenant-Colonel Payne, 
 Inspector-General." 
 
 Agreeably to this order the funeral took place on the following 
 day. The flags were at half-mast, the artillery pealed forth mourn 
 ful volleys, and the whole ceremony was deeply mekncholy and 
 impressive. 
 
 There is every reason to believe that the Mexican authorities 
 were entirely ignorant of the colonel's death. The regions around 
 the Rio Grande had always abounded with lawless banditti, whose 
 only trade was murder and theft. Falcon was a most celebrated 
 leader, acting independent of all control, and irresponsible of any 
 one. The occurrence, therefore, can be regarded in no other light 
 than as the outrage of a robber. 
 
 Slrf 10 gSJLlub JflBfI(X|fflt '3jlj io '9^1&u36liJ '- : il 
 
 : i !iti-ff t 9oi'#i98 odi ni K 1 ^ viawoh&a o- 
 .fNr'Jrtvrft 7i fMfiriMf '[: >r idnj^b eiti 1o ?/>Dt 
 
COLONEL HAKDIN. 
 
 COLONEL HARDIN has left a reputation to his family and nation 
 more precious than the remembrance of noble achievements. His 
 character, moral, political, and military, is without one single stain ; 
 and the cruel spirit of war that lit the blaze of battle at Buena Vista, 
 snatched no more valuable treasure from that bloody field than 
 Colonel Hardin. 
 
 When his remains reached Mobile, on their way to Illinois, they 
 were honoured by every manifestation of esteem, and an eloquent 
 eulogy pronounced over them by the Reverend Mr. Van Court. A 
 sketch of the ceremonies, and of the discourse, exhibit the deep feel 
 ing, even of a distant state, for his untimely end, and contain a slight 
 biography of his public life. 
 
 " About daylight, the steamer Missouri arrived from New Orleans, 
 having on board a large number of volunteers, returning from the 
 war ; and, in charge of Colonels Weatherford and Warren, the re 
 mains of the lamented Hardin and Houghton. The committee of 
 arrangements had already made such preparation as were deemed 
 appropriate for the reception of the remains. The rotunda was 
 prepared for the purpose. A platform was built in the centre, rest 
 ing on the circular railing around the spiral stairs leading from the 
 ground floor. In the centre of this platform was erected a monu 
 ment a resting-place for the dead covered with appropriate dra 
 pery, and crowned with several small cannon and the American 
 flag. From the dome was suspended a green chaplet of leaves. 
 Muskets were stacked around the monument in military style. Sus 
 pended from the railing above were flags, representing the several 
 States those of Illinois, Kentucky and Mississippi, and the National 
 flag, draped in mourning. The sky-light having been darkened, 
 and the rotunda faintly illuminated by light suspended around the 
 
 (325) 
 
226 COLONEL HARDIN. 
 
 circle, imparted to the scene a really solemn and funereal appear 
 ance." 
 
 The following is an extract from the Reverend gentleman's ad 
 dress : 
 
 " But, for obvious reasons, our attention is directed to-day, more 
 particularly to the life and services of Colonel John J. Hardin, whose 
 remains are before us, wrapped in the flag of his country. At the 
 early age of thirty-six, he has been called to sacrifice his life. His 
 history cannot fail to be interesting. As soon as he became of age, 
 or just before, he emigrated from Kentucky, his native state, and 
 became a resident of Jacksonville, Illinois. From the very begin 
 ning of his residence in the state of his adoption, his course was 
 onward and upward. He served his fellow-citizens in the Legisla 
 ture. Their suffrages sent him as a representative to Congress. And 
 had his life continued, his career would have been, doubtless, more 
 brilliant and honourable from the universal esteem in which he was 
 held, not only by those of his own political party, but by those whose 
 views were of a different complexion. 
 
 " As a citizen, Colonel Hardin was universally esteemed, not only 
 at home and among those who knew him best, but abroad and among 
 strangers. Friends increased around him, and their affections waxed 
 stronger by the lapse of years. As a husband and father, he was 
 tender and affectionate in no ordinary degree. May He who tem 
 pers the wind to the shorn lamb,' who is a 'father to the fatherless 
 and a God to the widow,' remember them and sustain them in their 
 hour of anguish and bereavement ! As a man, he was honourable 
 and high-minded in every transaction ; true and faithful in every 
 office, whether of business or friendship. But as a Christian, whose 
 heart and hopes were in Heaven, I love,, pre-eminently, to think 
 and speak of him now. Not only was he my brother in the mystic 
 rites which appertain to the outer courts and porches of the Temple, 
 but he was my brother in a secret and well-assured hope of salva 
 tion through Christ the Redeemer. Having cast his anchor within 
 the veil, all his conduct was uniform and consistent with his profes 
 sion. As a member of the Presbyterian church in Jacksonville, his 
 life and conduct were pure and stainless. At home he was ever 
 active in his Master's cause ; when abroad, and especially in the 
 Congressional prayer-meeting at Washington city, he was exem 
 plary and useful. * We sorrow not as those that have no hope, for 
 
FUNERAL CEREMONIES. 227 
 
 if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which 
 sleep in Jesus will God bring with him.' * This corruptible shall 
 put on incorruptible, and this mortal shall put on immortality.' This 
 coffin shall burst at the voice of the Archangel and the trump of 
 God, and Hardin's lifeless remains shall be arrayed with life and 
 clad with glory. 
 
 " Several times, Colonel Hardin came near losing his life. Once, 
 in the forest, his piece was discharged accidentally, and the ball 
 lodged near the brain but his time was not yet come. Again, he 
 was on the Princeton' when the catastrophe occurred that sent 
 mourning into so many distinguished families but there was other 
 work for him to do. Providence reserved him to die at Buena Vista, 
 in one of the most eventful and honourable victories ever vouchsafed 
 to our arms. 
 
 " Gentlemen of the volunteers, be pleased to convey our sympa 
 thies to your fellow-citizens, who mourn with us your loss. Be 
 pleased to convey our tender regards to the widow and the orphans 
 of him who fell so nobly. Bid them dry their tears while they think 
 upon the past virtues and the present blessedness of him they once 
 called husband and father. While the * name of the wicked shall 
 rot,' * the memory of the just is blessed,' and * the righteous shall 
 be in everlasting remembrance.' 
 
 " Colonel Benton then addressed the volunteers. 
 
 " Colonel Benton said he was in a situation at the time to witness 
 all the anxiety of the public feeling at the impending shock between 
 the unequal numbers at Buena Vista. He was at Washington city, 
 and saw the feeling of every body, from the President to the hum 
 blest individual that walked the street. It was the absorbing subject 
 between every two that met ; and the anxiety of the whole popula 
 tion for the fate of the small band of fresh troops who were to receive 
 the shock of four times their number of veterans amounted to an 
 agony ! At last the glorious news came of a great and almost un 
 paralleled victory. At first, the feeling of joy, gratitude and thank 
 fulness, broke out : quickly a mournful feeling succeeded, in read 
 ing over the long list of the fallen. At every name there was a 
 pause, to reflect upon the virtues and the fate of the dead to sym 
 pathize with the sorrows and bereavements of families. The western 
 were among the states to share most largely the honours and the 
 sorrows of that day. Our sister state of Illinois comes in for a large 
 
228 COLONEL HARDIN. 
 
 share of both. Before us lie the bodies of two of her sons, Colonel 
 Hardin and Lieutenant Houghton, both fallen on the field of honour 
 both now borne home to receive the honours of sepulture among 
 their friends, families and countrymen. The brave, lamented, and 
 beloved Hardin lies there ! (pointing to the catafalque.) His re 
 mains are stopped here, with those of his brave associate in death, 
 to receive the voluntary tribute of respect in a state which is not 
 theirs either by birth or adoption ; but Missouri claims the privilege 
 of joining her sister Illinois in these mournful, but grateful offices, 
 to the patriotic dead, and to the no less patriotic survivors who bring 
 home their remains. The city of St. Louis this day acts for the 
 state of Missouri ; she represents the feelings of the whole state in 
 having claimed the brief possession of these inanimate remains, ac 
 companied by their affectionate survivors, while she should pay to 
 them the tribute of respect and affection. 
 
 " Colonel Benton said the reverend gentleman, (Mr. Van Court,) 
 to whom it so appropriately belonged to be the principal speaker on 
 this occasion of devotion and pious feeling, and who had so well 
 fulfilled his office, had well described the character of the lamented 
 Hardin, cut down in the meridian of his day, and taken so early 
 from an affectionate family. He could add the eulogium of his 
 early friends and acquaintances; for he had heard the voice of 
 Kentucky mourning over his death, as he passed through that state. 
 His name was added to those of her other sons that she had lost, 
 and universal was the language of encomium upon his character 
 and regret for his loss. Mourned and honoured in Kentucky his 
 native state to receive honours and tears of affection in his adopted 
 state he now receives from the state of Missouri, in this sponta 
 neous act of respect from the citizens of St. Louis, the highest de 
 gree of esteem and affection which the brevity of the occasion per 
 mits her to give." 
 
 " The ceremonies of the rotunda being at an end, the procession 
 was again formed, and the remains escorted to the steamer ' Defi 
 ance,' from which they will be debarked at Meredosia, and taken 
 to Jacksonville." 
 
 The New Orleans Delta has the following remarks on the con 
 duct of the Illinoians in the battle of Buena Vista. 
 
 We have had occasion before to express our high admiration of 
 the promptitude and readiness of the Illinoians, in obeying the call 
 
HARDIN AT BUENA VISTA. 229 
 
 of the government to rally in defence of our national flag, and of 
 their gallantry and conduct on the field of battle. No state has fur 
 nished so large a quota of troops for this war, nor has any state been 
 so largely represented in the great battles which have shed so much 
 lustre upon the name and history of the citizen soldiery of the 
 United States. Of the four regiments of Illinoians in the field, each 
 has had the good fortune to share in the two great battles of Buena 
 Vista and Cerro Gordo. In the latter, the regiments of Baker and 
 Forman led the assault on the well-defended and covered works of 
 the enemy ; and when they had carried them, were foremost in the 
 pursuit of Santa Anna's retreating squadrons. It is said that on 
 this occasion the superior bodily vigour and fleetness of the hardy 
 boys of the prairies, were fully proved by their passing all the other 
 soldiers in the race, and being the first who were * in at the death' 
 in this exciting chase. 
 
 "At Buena Vista, Hardin's and BisselFs regiments bore for some 
 time, and with the most heroic steadiness, the whole brunt of the 
 Mexican charge. The 1st regiment acted in concert with the Ken- 
 tuckians, and shared in the glory and loss of that fatal charge 
 against the main body of the Mexican army, in which such prodi 
 gies of valour were performed by our volunteer soldiers, and so 
 many of our officers fell with their faces to the foe.' It was in 
 this charge that Hardin received his death wound. His impetuous 
 daring, and that of the noble Clay, had suggested the charge. The 
 cooler courage of Colonel McKee doubted the prudence of such a 
 move. * Oh,' replied Hardin, * we have but one life to give our 
 country let us at them.' McKee gave the order, and gallantly 
 was it executed ; but unfortunately, the enemy had so strengthened 
 his force, that the charge of our small and already much fatigued 
 regiments was met by a force of five or six thousand infantry, and 
 a whole brigade of cavalry. Our troops stood their charge until 
 their officers were shot down, and their ranks were so thin that it 
 seemed like courting death and destruction to maintain their position 
 any longer. 
 
 " This much of the first regiment, whose paeans have been sung 
 by the whole nation, and the memory of the gallant colonel is em 
 balmed in the hearts of the people." 
 
 The annexed beautiful lines will be read with mournful interest 
 They were written a few years since, by Colonel Hardin, while in 
 20 
 
230 COLONEL HARDIN. 
 
 Washington city, and enclosed in a letter to his wife. It is some 
 little satisfaction to reflect, that his burning desire was granted 
 that he was buried at home, where " birds may sing and friends are 
 
 nigh." 
 
 "Bury me not, when I am dead, 
 
 Amidst the city's glare 
 Where thoughtless, careless mortals tread, 
 And wealth and misery are wedj 
 Oh ! bury me not there. 
 
 " Bury me not, when I'm no more, 
 High on the mountain bare 
 Where nought but eagles o'er it soar 
 And storms and tempests round it roar j 
 Oh! bury me not there. 
 
 " Bury me not, when I'm at rest, 
 
 Where martial pennons glare 
 For empty show and gorgeous crest 
 Can never soothe an icy breast; 
 
 Then bury me not there 
 
 "Bury me not, when I shall sleep, 
 
 By ocean's rocky lair ; 
 Where winds and waves their vigils keep 
 And ever moans the restless deep 
 Oh! bury me not there. 
 
 * Bury me not, when I am gone, 
 
 In boundless prairies, where 
 The buried dead are left alone, 
 Unmarked save by a cold grave stone 
 
 Oh ! bury me not there. 
 
 " But bury me, when I shall die, 
 
 'Midst woods and flowers rare ; 
 When o'er my grave the winds may sigh, 
 The birds may sing, and friends are nigh, 
 
 Oh ! bury me then there. 
 
V7 
 
 COLONEL HENRY CLAY. 
 
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HENRY CLAY. 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HENRY CLAY, second son of the Honour 
 able Henry Clay, was a regular graduate of West Point, in which 
 institution he was ever among the first of his class. He afterwards 
 left the army, and travelled through Europe. On his return he was 
 elected to the Kentucky Legislature, where he remained for some 
 years. In the meanwhile, he married and settled upon a farm, not 
 far from his father's. After leaving the Legislature, he practised 
 law with great success; but was doomed to experience a heavy 
 calamity, in the loss of his accomplished wife, the favourite of her 
 father-in-law. He continued, however, in the legal profession, until 
 a commission was offered him as lieutenant-colonel of the newly- 
 raised Kentucky rifles. He eagerly accepted it, and went forth for 
 Mexico never to return. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Clay was killed in a ravine, while pursuing 
 the enemy's cavalry after their last charge. Led by himself and 
 McKee, the Kentucky regiment maintained the pursuit, until they 
 had got completely beyond the assistance of their comrades. At 
 this moment, the lancers turned with the suddenness of lightning, 
 and charged them, while broken and scattered by a rocky ravine. 
 The ensuing battle was terrible ; and nothing but a section of Wash 
 ington's battery saved that handful of devoted men from entire de 
 struction. Young Clay was shot through the thigh, and being un 
 able to walk, was taken up and carried some distance by his men ; 
 but owing to the steepness of the hill, and the advance of the enemy, 
 the gallant lieutenant-colonel begged them to leave him and save 
 themselves. Still, with fraternal care they bore him on, until the 
 whole Mexican army were almost upon them. When last seen, he 
 
 (231) 
 
232 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL HENRY CLAY. 
 
 was lying on his back, fighting the enemy with his sword, while 
 they were stabbing him with their bayonets. 
 
 The letter of General Taylor to Henry Clay, announcing the 
 untimely event, has already been given. The general thus speaks 
 of him in the official despatch. "No loss falls more heavily upon 
 the army in the field, than that of Colonels Hardin and McKee, and 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Clay. Possessing in a remarkable degree the 
 confidence of their commands, and the last two having enjoyed the 
 advantage of a military education, I had looked particularly to them 
 for support in case we met the enemy. I need not say that their 
 zeal in engaging the enemy, and the cool and steadfast courage with 
 which they maintained their positions during the day, fully realized 
 my hopes, and caused me to feel yet more sensibly their untimely 
 loss." A similar commendation was bestowed by General Wool. 
 
COLONEL YELL. 
 
 COLONEL YELL was born in Kentucky in 1797, and with his 
 father's family early emigrated to Tennessee. In 1813, being then 
 but sixteen years of age, he enlisted at his country's call, and rushed 
 to the side of the immortal Jackson. After assisting in the taking 
 of Pensacola, he accompanied his brigade to New Orleans, and 
 there, on the ever-memorable Eighth, he distinguished himself for 
 bravery and patriotism. In 1818, when volunteers were required 
 for the Seminole war, Colonel Yell was among the first to offer his 
 services ; he raised a company and was chosen captain, and during 
 the campaign, it is said of him, " wherever the danger was greatest, 
 there he was." Between that time and 1827, when he was elected 
 to the legislature of Tennessee, he finished his education, and was 
 admitted to the practice of law. He was loved by General Jackson 
 for his many noble qualities, and received from him many evidences 
 of his confidence. 
 
 In 1832 he was appointed receiver of public moneys, and re 
 moved to Arkansas, but soon after resigned. He was then appointed 
 judge of one of the district courts of Arkansas, and was distinguished 
 for his firmness and impartiality, his quickness to perceive the right 
 and to detect the wrong. When the state constitution was formed, 
 he was elected to congress, and the people being well pleased with 
 his services, continued him there until 1842, when he was chosen 
 governor of the state by a large majority ; but in 1844 he resigned, 
 and again became a candidate for congress. He was signally dis 
 tinguished in the great canvass of 1844, and was triumphantly 
 elected. The present war commenced, however, before his term of 
 office expired, and with the true spirit of the soldier he returned to 
 Arkansas, and placed himself at the head of her patriotic volunteers, 
 20* L* (233) 
 
234 COLONEL YELL. 
 
 and there, in the hard-fought field of Buena Vista, he offered up 
 his life to his country. 
 
 During the hottest of the battle, a large body of the enemy were 
 observed concentrating on the American left, preparatory to a de 
 scent upon the hacienda of Buena Vista, where the train and baggage 
 were deposited. At this place were the Kentucky and Arkansas 
 cavalry, under Colonels Marshall and Yell. General Taylor de 
 tached a party to their assistance, but before it could arrive the 
 Mexicans had commenced an attack. The shock broke the enemy's 
 column, and one portion swept by the depot, exposed to a destruc 
 tive fire from a small infantry force, while the other regained the 
 base of the mountain on the American left. At the moment of the 
 charge, Colonel Yell received a lance in his mouth, which tore off 
 the lower jaw and one side of the face, thus causing his death while 
 in the very moment of victory. 
 
 
MAJOR BROWN. 
 
 THE remembrance of one, the loss of whom a commander like 
 General Taylor pronounced -irreparable, will ever be cherished by 
 the nation as one of her proudest legacies. No nobler heart than 
 Major Brown's ever throbbed out its life-blood, an offering to pa 
 triotism. 
 
 Jacob Brown was born in New England about the year 1787 or 
 1788. He enlisted in the infantry as a common soldier in 1812, 
 and before the close of the war rose to a lieutenancy. He was in 
 all the battles on the Niagara frontier, where he not only behaved 
 with skill and courage, but won the approbation of his superiors. 
 
 After the war, Lieutenant Brown remained in the army, and his 
 character becoming known to government, he was frequently em 
 ployed in offices of trust and importance. At one time he was 
 stationed at Council Bluffs, as commissary of subsistence; after 
 wards he was ordered to Arkansas, and subsequently to St. Louis, 
 as quartermaster of the war department. Like most of our officers 
 he experienced the trials and mortifications of the Florida cam 
 paigns, in which he was in continual service ; and, like too many 
 who there toiled and suffered, his deeds have been allowed to slum 
 ber in forgetfulness. At the time of his joining the "Corps of Ob 
 servation" he had risen to the grade of major, which he held at the 
 time of his death. 
 
 When General Taylor left the river fort [May 1] to march for 
 Point Isabel, he appointed Major Brown as commandant, with the 
 7th regiment of infantry, and the artillery companies of Bragg and 
 Loud, the whole numbering about six hundred men. His orders 
 were not to make any sally, and, if surrounded, to fire eighteen- 
 pounders, at regular intervals, in order to apprize General Taylor 
 of his condition. 
 (235) 
 
236 MAJOR BROWN. 
 
 During the whole of the 2d, the garrison continued to labour 
 upon the fortifications, unmolested ; but, on the 3d, all the batteries 
 in Matamoras opened upon the fort, and continued until night. On 
 the evening of the following day, the Mexicans crossed the river, 
 spread themselves around the fort, and erected a new battery in a 
 neighbouring field. A combined assault was thus made on the 5th, 
 which continued with but little interruption until Taylor's return. 
 Several demonstrations for assault were made by both infantry and 
 cavalry. On the 6th, Major Brown ordered his men to stop firing, 
 in consequence of the scarcity of ammunition. In the afternoon he 
 walked as usual around the fort to see that every man was at his 
 post. So thick were the balls showered from the Mexican batteries, 
 that the Americans were obliged constantly to dodge or fall down. 
 While the major was conversing with a soldier, a shell struck 
 the parapet near by, and glancing off, exploded in the ground, scat 
 tering clouds of dust and stones around, and mortally wounding the 
 commandant. His men rushed toward him, but requesting them to 
 resume their posts, he remained composed until proper assistance 
 could be obtained. His right leg was torn off, and he suffered in 
 describable agony; yet, perfectly serene, he ordered the troops 
 to be kept at duty, and expressed his satisfaction that the misfortune 
 had not befallen a younger man. The command devolved on Cap 
 tain Hawkins. 
 
 Major Brown lingered until the 9th. Soldiers wept over his 
 corpse as over that of a friend ; and when the hero of Palo Alto 
 beheld the wreck created in his absence, a tear of bitter agony 
 was seen to course down his cheek. Besides the army and the 
 country, a wife and two daughters were left to lament the sacrifice. 
 
 When news of the event reached Little Rock, where he formerly 
 dwelt, a public meeting was convened, at which the following reso 
 lutions were passed : 
 
 " Resolved, That in the midst of the rejoicings occasioned by the 
 victories achieved by the Army of Occupation under the command 
 of General Taylor, we grieve for the loss of many brave officers in 
 the American army ; and among the number of the slain, we have 
 to deplore the loss of Major JACOB BROWN, of the 7th regiment of 
 infantry, for many years associated and known in this communitv 
 as a faithful, honest, and efficient public officer. 
 
MAJOR BROWN. 237 
 
 " Resolved, That our sorrow for his untimely loss to the army 
 and to the country, is consoled by the manner of his death, in the 
 service of his country, by the hand of the enemy, on the field of 
 battle, and in the hour of victory. 
 
 " Resolved, That we desire in this public and solemn manner to 
 testify our regard and esteem for the private virtues and personal 
 worth of the deceased soldier, while he was associated with us, our 
 admiration of his public services in peace and in war, and our deep 
 sense of the crowning sacrifice of his life, that endears his memory 
 to his countrymen. 
 
 " Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by 
 the chairman and secretary, and that the papers of the city, and 
 throughout the state, be requested to publish them ; and that a copy 
 thereof be made out by the secretary of this meeting, and trans 
 mitted to the family of the deceased." 
 
 Similar testimonials were voted in other parts of the Union. 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM 0. BUTLER. 
 
 GENERAL BUTLER is the second son of Percival Butler, an officer 
 of the Revolution. He acted as a volunteer in General Winchester's 
 army during the war of 1812, and was captured at the river Raisin. 
 When exchanged, he fought under General Jackson in the actions 
 of December 23d, 1814, and January 8th, 1815. After the return 
 of peace, he practised law, until June 29th, 1846, when he was 
 appointed Major-General, and sent to Mexico. He speaks thus of 
 his services at Monterey: 
 
 " Pursuant to the instructions of the major-general commanding, 
 on the 21st instant, at about eight o'clock, A. M., I marched my 
 division, (with the exception of one company from each infantry re 
 giment, left to guard the camp,) and placed it in order of battle, 
 under cover, immediately in rear of the mortar and howitzer bat 
 tery, my left resting on the main road to Monterey. I had been in 
 position but a short time, when I received the general's further or 
 ders to move as speedily as practicable, with three regiments, to the 
 support of General Twiggs' division, then engaged in an attempt to 
 carry the enemy's first battery on our left. To expedite this move 
 ment, I marched the three nearest regiments, commanded respec 
 tively by Colonels Davis, Campbell, and Mitchell, by the left flank, 
 leaving Colonel Ormsby to sustain the batteries. Finding the rifle 
 regiment in front, that of Colonel Campbell was ordered to take its 
 place. The two last-mentioned regiments constituting General 
 Gluitman's field brigade, he took the immediate command of them, 
 and moved oflf with spirit and promptness in the direction indicated 
 by the enemy's line of fire. Having seen General Gluitman's 
 brigade fairly in motion, I turned my attention to that of General 
 Hamer, now consisting of the Ohio regiment only. Pursuing the 
 instructions of the major-general, I felt my way gradually, without 
 any knowledge of the localities, into that part of the city bordering 
 on the enemy's continuous line of batteries, assailed at every step 
 by heavy fires in front and flank. After having traversed several 
 (238) 
 
GENERAL BUTLER. 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM O. BUTLER. 239 
 
 squares, I met Major Mansfield, the engineer who had conducted 
 the movement of General Twiggs' division on the first battery. He 
 informed me of the failure of that attack, and advised the withdrawal 
 of my command, as there could no longer be any object in advanc 
 ing further, warning me at the same time that if I advanced I must 
 meet a fire that would sweep all before it. Knowing the major- 
 general commanding to be but a short distance in the rear, I gal 
 loped back and communicated this information, in consequence of 
 which he gave the order to retrograde, and the movement was com 
 menced accordingly. In a short time, however, it was known that 
 General Quitman's brigade had not only stormed the battery in 
 question, but had also carried a stone house of considerable strength 
 connected with the first, and occupied by the enemy's infantry. 
 The direction of General Hamer's brigade was at once changed, 
 and the city re-entered by another route, which, after about a half 
 hour's march under a destructive fire, brought it within, say one 
 hundred yards, of the enemy's second fort, called El Diablo. A 
 very slight reconnoissance sufficed to convince me that this was a 
 position of no ordinary strength. Still, feeling its importance, after 
 consulting with part of my staff as to its practicability, I had resolv 
 ed to attempt carrying it by storm, and was in the act of directing 
 the advance, when I received a wound which compelled me to halt. 
 Colonel Mitchell was at the same time wounded at the head of his 
 regiment, as was his adjutant. The men were falling fast under 
 the converging fire of at least three distinct batteries, that continu 
 ally swept the intervening space through which it was necessary to 
 pass. The loss of blood, too, from my wound, rendered it neces 
 sary that I should quit the field ; and I had discovered at a second 
 glance that the position was covered by a heavy fire of musketry 
 from other works directly in its rear, that I had not seen in the first 
 hasty examination. Under all these discouragements, I was most 
 reluctantly compelled, on surrendering the command, to advise the 
 withdrawal of the troops to a less exposed position. There is a 
 possibility that the work might have been carried, but not without 
 excessive loss, and if carried, I feel assured it would have been un 
 tenable. 
 
 " Accordingly, the division under General Hamer, on whom de 
 volved the command, moved to a new position near the captured 
 fort, and within sustaining distance of our field batteries on the left. 
 
240 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM O. BUTLER. 
 
 The troops remained in and near this position, and under fire of the 
 enemy's batteries, until 4ate in the day. For the details of the after 
 proceedings of the day, I refer to General Hamer's report. 
 
 " It is with no little pride and gratification that I bear testimony 
 of the gallantry and good conduct of my command. Were proof 
 wanting, a mournful one is to be found in the subjoined return of 
 the casualties of the day. That part of my division properly in 
 the field did not exceed eleven hundred, of which number full one- 
 fifth were either killed or wounded. The fact that troops for the 
 first time under fire should have suffered such loss without shrink 
 ing, in a continuous struggle for more than two hours, and mainly 
 against a sheltered and inaccessible foe, finds but few parallels, and 
 is of itself an eulogium to which I need not add. That there were 
 some more prominent for skill and gallantry than others, even in a 
 contest where all were brave, there can be no doubt ; and I leave 
 to those better qualified from their situations than myself the pleas 
 ing though delicate task of reporting upon their respective merits. 
 
 " Of my brigadiers, however, it is proper that I should myself 
 speak. General Hamer was placed in a situation where nothing 
 brilliant could be achieved, but which, at every moment, impera 
 tively demanded prudence and calm unbending courage. It is but 
 justice to him to say that I found him equal to the emergency. 
 
 " General Gluitman had before him a field in which military 
 genius and skill were called into requisition, and honours could be 
 fairly won, and I but echo the general voice in saying that he nobly 
 availed himself of the occasion. 
 
 " My special thanks are due to Major L. Thomas, assistant adju 
 tant-general, General A. Sidney Johnston, of Texas, acting inspec 
 tor-general, and Lieutenant G. W. Lay, aid-de-camp, who not only 
 displayed great gallantry and coolness, but, by their professional 
 skill, activity, and energy, rendered valuable service throughout the 
 action. After my withdrawal they remained with the troops in the 
 field. 
 
 " Surgeon R. P. Hunt, my volunteer aid-de-camp, also evinced 
 great coolness, and conveyed promptly the orders confided to him. 
 
 " On my way back to camp, I found the Kentucky regiment, 
 under the command of Colonel Ormsby, drawn up in fine order to 
 repel a threatened charge from a large body of Mexican cavalry 
 then in view. Though necessarily kept from the field of action 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM O. BUTLER. 241 
 
 proper, they occupied a most important position, and had two men 
 wounded in defending it. 
 
 " I make no mention of the movement of Captain Webster's 
 howitzer battery, which was withdrawn from division and placed 
 under charge of the chief of artillery." 
 
 The following letter from General Butler, to a relative in Louis 
 ville, gives some interesting details of his personal experience : 
 
 " Monterey is ours, but not without a heavy loss, and my division 
 has probably sustained more than one half of it. I am myself 
 wounded, but not badly. I was struck by a musket ball below the 
 knee ; it entered in front, grazed the bones without injuring them, 
 ranged round through the flesh, and came out on the opposite side. 
 
 "I became faint from loss of blood, and was compelled to leave 
 the field, after having been in it under a heavy fire of grape and 
 musketry for three hours. I have been required by my surgeon to 
 keep perfectly still, ever since the battle. 
 
 "I was in the act of leading the Ohio regiment to storm two of 
 the most formidable batteries in the town, flanked by a stone wall, 
 ten feet high, with a deep ditch in front, and covered by a strong 
 musketry force in the rear, under complete shelter. There were 
 two other batteries of grape shot discharged, that swept the ground 
 continually. 
 
 " Colonel Mitchell, who commanded the regiment of Ohio volun 
 teers, was wounded about the same time that I was, and we then 
 prudently abandoned the enterprise, as we became convinced that 
 our loss would have been probably at least one hundred more men, 
 had we persevered. 
 
 " I hope you will not think I acted rashly. I know that I am 
 often rash where I involve myself alone ; not so, however, when 
 the fates of others are at stake. 
 
 " The condition in which we were placed fully justified, if it did 
 not positively require us to make the attempt. The peculiarity of 
 our situation I cannot now explain, without going into greater detail 
 than I am able to do. 
 
 " The battle commenced about nine o'clock, A. M., and continued 
 without intermission, with various degrees of intensity, for eight 
 hours. 
 
 " I had almost one thousand men in the battle, (the Louisville 
 21 
 
242 MAJOR-GENERAL WILLIAM O. BUTLER. 
 
 Legion having been left to guard our mortars), and of that number 
 we lost in killed and wounded about two hundred and fifty. 
 
 " We took one battery and a house fitted up as a fortification, and 
 assisted the regulars in taking a second. General Worth, with great 
 gallantry and equal success, and with far less loss, carried on his 
 operations on the opposite side of the town. 
 
 " The loss of the regulars, who acted with us, was nearly pro 
 portional to ours as I learn, though I have not seen the official 
 returns. 
 
 "Under all the circumstances, the terms of the capitulation are 
 favourable to us. There are still several strong forts in the hands 
 of the enemy, which we would have been compelled to take by 
 regular approaches or with heavy losses. The plaza is of itself 
 an enormous fortification of continuous houses, with thick stone 
 walls, and all the streets leading into it strongly fortified and filled 
 with guns. 
 
 " They admit that they will have at least eight thousand fighting 
 men, whilst on our part we cannot muster five thousand for duty, 
 and have only a few heavy guns, and those we took from them. 
 
 " Never, I believe, did troops, both volunteers and regulars, behave 
 with more calmness and intrepidity, and I do not believe that for 
 downright, straight-forward, hard fighting, the battle of Monterey has 
 ever been surpassed." 
 
 Soon after the assault, General Butler returned to the United 
 States, which prevented his participation in the battle of Buena 
 Vista, or the subsequent operations of General Scott. 
 
;db axfi 
 
 LIEUTENANT J E. BLAKE. 
 
 ONE of the best eulogies ever pronounced on this lamented officer 
 is contained in a letter written by General Worth, in which he says, 
 " You will probably by this mail hear of the loss of that gallant 
 ornament and devoted member of the Topographical Corps, my 
 warmly-cherished friend, Blake. The manner adds poignancy to 
 our sorrows. Had he fallen in the conflict in which, by all accounts, 
 he had especially distinguished himself, regrets would have been 
 turned into envy. After the battle, on casting aside his weapons, 
 one of his pistols accidentally discharged, and gave him a mortal 
 wound. Knowing and valuing him as I did, you will readily con 
 ceive how I deplore his loss, both as a gallant and true-hearted 
 comrade and accomplished friend. He has left no better soldier 
 behind." 
 
 Lieutenant Blake was a native of Philadelphia, where a large 
 circle of friends now mourns his loss. His death was occasioned 
 in a manner rather singular. On the morning of the 9th, the army 
 stopped at a watering-place, where the lieutenant dismounted, and 
 after expressing his gratification in view of some rest, he threw his 
 pistols on the ground, preparatory to lying down. One of them ex 
 ploded, throwing the ball up through his body, and he fell mortally 
 wounded. 
 
 The celebrated reconnoissance of this officer is thus described by 
 Captain Duncan, of the artillery : 
 
 " The following brief account of the daring reconnoissance made 
 by the gallant and ill-fated Blake, at Palo Alto, cannot fail to be in 
 teresting to his former commander, with whom he was so long asso- 
 chted, and who properly estimated and appreciated the high quali 
 ties he possessed as a man and a soldier. 
 
 " At Palo Alto the enemy's line was formed with his back resting 
 
 (243) 
 
244 LIEUTENANT INGE. 
 
 on the chapparal. Partly owing to the bushes in which some of 
 his troops were posted, but chiefly owing to our distance from his 
 lines, it was impossible to ascertain, with the necessary certainty, 
 the disposition he had made of his different arms. 
 
 " To obtain the important information, Lieutenant J. E. Blake, of 
 the Topographical Corps, dashed off from the right of our line to 
 within musket-shot of the enemy's left. Here he dismounted, and 
 with his field-glass coolly counted the number of men in one of the 
 enemy's squadrons, which, of course, enabled him accurately to 
 estimate the enemy's entire cavalry force. Lieutenant Blake then 
 remounted his horse, and galloped from left to right of the enemy's 
 line, stopping from time to time, and carefully observing the forma 
 tion and number of his infantry, as well as the position, number, 
 and calibre of his field guns, all of which information was fully 
 verified by the subsequent events of the day. 
 
 " This appropriate act of personal gallantry was certainly unsur 
 passed on either of our glorious days ; and, in my own estimation, 
 it had no superior in interest, among the many it may become the 
 phasing task for history to record." 
 
 LIEUTENANT Z. M. P. INGE. 
 
 LIEUTENANT INGE was the second man in May's charge at Re- 
 saca de la Palma, and the first who felt. He was born in Alabama, 
 and in 1838 graduated at West Point. At Palo Alto, he was in 
 defatigable in the discharge of duty, and won the admiration of all 
 who witnessed his gallant bearing. He was close upon May when 
 the latter leaped the Mexican batteries, and immediately turned to 
 wave on his platoon. At this moment the Mexicans opened their 
 batteries, and the intrepid lieutenant fell dead. Greatly beloved by 
 the army, his loss was mourned as that of a brother. 
 
COLONEL WATSON. 
 
' -t-^' '"* - ^._ ^^Jife.f 
 
 . 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WATSON. 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL W. H. WATSON was a native of Baltimore, 
 a lawyer by profession, and the especial favourite of the circle of 
 acquaintances in which he moved. Like the gallant Ringgold, he 
 fell in the full blaze of victory. 
 
 On the night of the 20th of September, his troops lay on their 
 arms, and arose early in the morning, wet with heavy rains, and ex 
 hausted by fatigue and fasting. In this condition they advanced to 
 the attack. Directly across their road was a field of corn, and as 
 the men passed between the bending stalks, they knew not but that 
 at each step they would hear the burst of the enemy's cannon, or a 
 roar of musketry from thousands of concealed riflemen. For an 
 hour they toiled through weeds and brambles, until emerging from 
 the field, each soldier involuntarily started to see before him a huge 
 battery frowning with artillery, and lined with platoons of infantry. 
 Its guns opened at once, and the blood of the youthful volunteers 
 rushed thrilling through their veins, as they heard the whistling of 
 balls, and felt that, for the first time, they were standing in the march 
 of death. All was confusion and uncertainty, some were advancing 
 to assault the redoubt, others were marching a different way to the 
 city. Suddenly a single horseman swept across the field, and with 
 a voice that arose above the peals of artillery, called the assailants 
 from their line. It was Colonel Watson. He dismounted, and the 
 next moment his noble steed reared high in air, and fell dead. Men, 
 shelter yourselves,' shouted the colonel, and as though by one im 
 pulse, each one fell flat upon the ground, while around and behind 
 them balls were falling like showers of hail. It was a moment of 
 terror. The man is brave who can face an opposing army, even 
 when he has the hurry of march and resistance to excite him ; bui 
 21 * M (245) 
 
246 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WATSON. 
 
 to ky inactive while thousands of balls from a sheltered foe are 
 ploughing the ground around you, is something more than brave. 
 
 In a little while the fire of the enemy slackened ; and taking 
 advantage of it, the colonel leaped from the ground, and called to 
 his men to follow him. They hurried into the city, and entered a 
 lane, apparently secure from the artillery. They had advanced a 
 little distance, when a roar of cannon, succeeded by another and 
 another, awakened them to a knowledge of their fearful situation. 
 Three full batteries glared upon them from a distance of but one 
 hundred yards, raking the street from one end to the other, while 
 two twelve-pounders opened upon them from the castle in front, and 
 every house, and every wall was bristling with rows of musketry. 
 All at once this tremendous train opened. Then there was a pause, 
 and as the echo rolled fainter and fainter in the distance, it was suc 
 ceeded by the startling tones of command, the shrieks of the wounded, 
 and the deep moans of the dying. On the devoted line marched, 
 when a second discharge scattered their ranks like a whirlwind, and 
 men and horse leaped in the air, and fell writhing beneath the hur 
 rying feet of their companions. The earth shook under this heavy 
 cannonade, and the strong old walls of Monterey toppled as though 
 in an earthquake. 
 
 Over the space of two hundred yards the soldiers were exposed 
 to this awful fire, without the possibility of resisting it. At length 
 they halted at a cross street, and turned to survey the line of march. 
 It was a sickening spectacle. Their track was traced with blood ; 
 and here and there groups of man and horse, dead and wounded, 
 told of the points where they had received the discharges of artil 
 lery. Some were calling piteously to their companions, others 
 raving in the agonies of death, their last thrilling appeals, ren 
 dering more awful than battle itself the interval of death. Then the 
 artillery re-commenced, sweeping the whole street, and crossing 
 and re-crossing at every corner. Each man fled to a place of safety. 
 Some leaped into ditches, others fell flat upon the ground, a few 
 concealed themselves behind an old wall, and a large number sat 
 down with their backs against the houses. On came the iron 
 showers, rattling and crashing like hail, and sweeping soldier after 
 soldier before it. The dead and wounded were lying at every spot. 
 The wretch who once fell had no hope ; ball after ball would riddle 
 him, until he was torn to pieces. Now a cannon-ball would strike 
 
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WATSON. 247 
 
 one, and scatter the bleeding fragments in every direction ; and the 
 next moment another would start from his bloody couch, utter a 
 piercing shriek, and fall back dead. None that witnessed that ter 
 rible scene ever expected to escape unhurt. How they did is un 
 accountable. Balls were continually pouring around, above and 
 beneath them ; under the arms, through the locks and clothing, and 
 falling at their feet after striking the walls above. Thus the troops 
 remained for a quarter of an hour, and then arose and formed, pre 
 paratory to making an attack upon the fort. 
 
 In the march, Colonel Watson became separated from his men, 
 and soon after joined another column. The battle was still raging, 
 but he rode from rank to rank, cheering and encouraging his men 
 as calmly as though in a parade. Animated by his example, they 
 forgot danger and weariness, and pressed on with alacrity. A flush 
 of excitement proud and patriotic passed over his cheeks as 
 bending forward, he spurred his steed toward the head of the column. 
 A moment after, the same steed was coursing wildly through tho 
 street, and his intrepid rider lay cold in death. He was shot in the 
 neck by a musket ball. 
 
 Thus fell the pride and idol of the Baltimore volunteers, no less 
 distinguished for his generosity and goodness of heart, than for his 
 bravery and chivalry. Amid the well-deserved praises bestowed 
 upon the generals of that assault, little mention is made of his brave 
 battalion, who with himself enacted so conspicuous a part ; but were 
 the complete history of their chivalric struggles on that day written, 
 posterity would be proud to award them a share of glory not infe 
 rior to any corps who were battling with them. 
 
 On the reception of the news that he had fallen, the sons of Bal 
 timore hasted to bestow on his remains similar honours to those con 
 ferred on Ringgold. The legal and military societies met, together 
 with the society of Odd Fellows, and adopted appropriate expressions 
 of their sensibility for his loss. At a meeting of the bench and bar, 
 Judge Le Grand chairman, John McMahon made the following 
 remarks : 
 
 " In the midst of victory, which had shed a glory over our coun 
 try's history, when the notes of triumph were sounding over our 
 land, this hour we are called upon to mourn the death of a fellow- 
 citizen, a member of this bar. He had left us with high hopes and 
 aspirations of the future, and had yielded up his life for his country's 
 
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WATSON. 
 
 honour. We who once knew him here, shall know h_m no more 
 on earth. Death generally comes to us in a different manner, with 
 weeping friends around ; but death has come to him in the hour of 
 victory. In looking around among those who were on that battle 
 field, we recognised the names of many members of the bar in sister 
 states, who had volunteered their services to uphold their country's 
 honour. It was not to be expected that when blows were to be 
 found in the battle-field, the lawyers would be out of the way, but 
 would be found in their country's ranks. They are found so always, 
 and always so may they be found. With feelings of mingled sor 
 row and exultation, 1 now move the adoption of the following re 
 solutions : 
 
 " Resolved, That while we participate in the joy that gladdens 
 every heart at the brilliant and triumphant successes of our coun 
 try's soldiers in the desperate battles which won the surrender of 
 Monterey to their courage and gallantry, we have heard with deep, 
 unaffected sorrow, that Baltimore has again to mourn another gal 
 lant son, in the death of Lieutenant-Colonel William H. Watson, 
 who, with his brave companions in arms, volunteered at the first call 
 of his country, and nobly fell while leading his battalion to victory. 
 
 "Resolved, That while we deplore the loss of a youthful warrior, 
 whose patriotism, courage, and untiring energy gave the brightest 
 promise to his country, we most deeply mourn the death of one 
 who, as a member of this bar, was respected by all for his profes 
 sional bearing, and loved by those who best knew him, for the 
 warmth and steadfastness of his friendship. 
 
 " Resolved, That we sympathize with his afflicted family, in the 
 sorrow of their bereavement, and request the chairman of this meet 
 ing to offer them our sincerest condolence. 
 
 " Resolved, That, as a tribute to the memory of our departed bro 
 ther and friend, we will wear suitable badges of mourning for the 
 remainder of the present term. 
 
 " Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be entered upon 
 the minutes of the Baltimore County Court, with the assent of the 
 judges, and be published in the several newspapers of the city." 
 
 The remains of this noble officer were conveyed to Baltimore, 
 and followed to their final resting-place by a concourse of people 
 nearly two miles long. 
 
i; %ia min^mvnom l:jn-,)o oc bnsJg 
 
 CAPTAIN K. A. GILLESPIE. 
 
 CAPTAIN GILLESPIE was a native of Tennessee, but for many 
 years prior to the Mexican war resided first in Alabama and after 
 wards in Texas. In the latter country he served under the cele 
 brated Hays, in his skirmishes with the Indians. He volunteered 
 his services to General Taylor, which were immediately accepted, - 
 and his rangers performed excellent service in the march from Ma- 
 tamoras to Monterey. At the latter place he moved with Worth's 
 division, and had some severe skirmishing with parties of lancers, 
 who charged outside their works. General Henderson thus notices 
 him in his official despatch : 
 
 " In doing justice to the living, let us not be forgetful of the dead. 
 Among the fallen in my command, we have been called upon to 
 mourn the fate of a young officer who was the brightest ornament 
 of the service, the soul of honour, and the pride of chivalry. He 
 had long been employed by the government of Texas in defence of 
 the western frontier, as the commander of a corps of mounted ran 
 gers, and probably no officer ever performed his duty with more 
 activity and efficiency, or with more satisfaction to the country. He 
 possessed nothing of the rough habits, ignorance, and presuming 
 forwardness which is usually supposed to attach to the frontier sol 
 dier. He was an educated man, and a gentleman by nature ; quiet 
 in his manners, amiable in temper, just in his dealings, and strictly 
 moral in his habits. During his connection with the present cam 
 paign, his deportment was such so marked by a happy union of 
 modesty with bravery, and dignity with obedience as to win the 
 hearts of all, and constitute him the chief favourite of the army. He 
 followed the fortunes of General Worth, shared in all the dangers 
 of the command, and closed his brilliant career amidst the shouts 
 of victory. Though feeble in frame, the inspiring energies of his 
 
 (249) 
 
250 CAPTAIN GILLESPIE. 
 
 mind enabled him to keep in advance of his comrades, so that in the 
 storming of the Bishop's Hill, he was the foremost man and the first 
 victim upon the ramparts of the foe. He was buried where he fell 
 upon the loftiest summit and the mountain that encloses his re 
 mains will stand an eternal monument of his glory it will be known 
 in history, and long frequented by his grateful countrymen as the 
 grave of Gillespie." 
 
 Similar is the language of General Worth. He " eminently dis 
 tinguished himself while leading his brave company at the storming 
 of the first height, and perished in seeking similar distinction on a 
 second occasion." 
 
 I .'< 
 
w AOTJ& 
 
 j jiw^slf wraw liy 
 
 {' .s-b?$js t }hcw teiil oifj cioit 
 
 to rroiiyi?. orte fbiv*- la?a ssw &!'J80 
 ffl<&3* o* slc'cna gm^J tod ; 
 
 CAPTAIN RANDOLPH RIDGELY. 
 
 To those who are fond of tracing resemblances, one might be 
 afforded by the similarity between the fate of Ridgely and that of 
 Lieutenant Blake. Both perished by singular accidents, after most 
 terrible conflicts, in which they nobly distinguished themselves. 
 
 Little is recorded of Captain Ridgely prior to the Mexican war. 
 His splendid career at West Point served as the introduction to one 
 still more brilliant in a foreign country. At Palo Alto he fought 
 beside Ringgold until the death of the latter, when he supplied his 
 place. The coolness of his demeanour and precision of his aim 
 were the theme of universal approbation. " Captain Duncan and 
 Lieutenant Ridgely deserve special notice," says General Taylor, 
 " for the gallant and efficient manner in which they manoeuvred and 
 served their batteries." 
 
 Similar is the language of Colonel (now General) Twiggs: " The 
 perfect coolness of Lieutenant Ridgely, and the great precision with 
 which he fired his pieces, whilst acting in concert with the 5th, de 
 serves notice, the last and most effective shot he having aimed him 
 self." 
 
 During the siege of Monterey, Captain Ridgely was often em 
 ployed in repelling the attacks of lancers upon different portions of 
 the American camp. On these occasions he fully sustained the re 
 putation acquired in Texas. In the street fight of the third day he 
 united with Bragg and others in battering down portions of the 
 cathedral and other buildings around the principal plaza. General 
 Twiggs thus notices his services at this time: 
 
 " Captain R. Ridgely, with one section of his battery, annoyed 
 the enemy's advanced works for some time in the commencement 
 of the assault, but was obliged to retire out of range of their batteries 
 
 (251) 
 
252 CAPTAIN RIDGELY. 
 
 that were playing on him. Having used a twelve-pounder taken 
 from the first work, against the enemy, till the ammunition gave 
 out, he was sent with one section of his own battery still further in 
 advance ; but being unable to accomplish much against the enemy's 
 heavy breastworks, returned to, and occupied with his battery, the 
 first work taken from the enemy. Captains R. Ridgely and B. 
 Bragg, and their subalterns, deserve the highest praise for their 
 skill and good conduct under the heaviest fire of the enemy, which, 
 when an opportunity offered, was concentrated on them." 
 
 " On the 23d the advance into the city was resumed the infan 
 try working their way from house to house, supported by Captains 
 R. Ridgely and B. Bragg, driving the enemy before them." 
 
 After passing unscathed through all the dangers of this siege, 
 Captain Ridgely was destined to terminate his valued life by a 
 trifling accident. He was thrown from his horse on the 25th of 
 September, his head striking against a rock. He remained insensible 
 until his death, September 27th. His funeral at Monterey was at 
 tended by all the officers of the army, and in solemn and dignified 
 pomp as well as in size, has rarely been equalled. 
 
 Ridgely was a scholar as well as soldier. His address and 
 manners were those of a perfect gentleman ; and his whole person, 
 though small and delicate, was most beautifully moulded. No man 
 was ever more sincerely lamented. 
 
 .at*JJd Q^ *>ii* 
 
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 . iiuiccaoo 
 
 Lr*iigfl! 
 iiiSfi'jO JJSfilq \rs". im/ia ?gr 
 
 ;.j asomf)3 siri 8*xjl:- 
 
 9fl!03n90ifnoo sdJ fli eitfiJ smoa TO! gAicj-rr 9*,jjv; .:: 
 
, 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BRAGG. 
 
 . 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BnAXTON BRAGG is a native of North Ca 
 rolina, and entered the army as second lieutenant, July 1st, 1837. 
 On the 18th of June, 1846, he was commissioned as captain in the 
 .3d regiment of artillery. 
 
 At Monterey, Captain Bragg highly distinguished himself in the 
 severe street-fights, and especially in the attack upon the cathedral 
 and main plaza. No man was more exposed than he, and few bat 
 teries encountered so much loss as his own. High praise was be 
 stowed upon him by all the superior officers. 
 
 Bragg was among the few artillerymen who remained with Ge 
 neral Taylor after the withdrawal of his regular troops ; and there 
 can be little doubt that his prompt and fearless conduct at Buena Vista 
 saved the Americans from defeat. On him General Taylor leaned, 
 when every other artillerist had retired ; and he, unassisted by any 
 save his gallant few, and the general himself, hurled back the thou 
 sands of lancers in the final charge, and saved the infantry from 
 ruin. The following is an extract of his report of the battle : 
 
 " Finding, when I arrived, that the attack had been made and re 
 pulsed, I directed my attention to the large infantry and cavalry 
 force which had turned our left flank and was still advancing. At 
 this time I saw that Lieutenant Kilburn had joined me with his 
 ffun. He had been actively and gallantly engaged in my vicinity 
 during the greater part of the day, but my close occupation caused 
 me to overlook him. Seeing that the force which had turned us 
 was gradually moving along the foot of the mountain towards Sal- 
 tillo, and was only held in check by Captain Sherman, with one 
 gun, under the support of the Mississippi riflemen, which he had 
 daringly advanced against at least four thousand of the enemy, I 
 put my battery in motion towards them, and sought support from 
 22 M * (253) 
 
254 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BRAGG. 
 
 scattered parties of mounted men in the vicinity of the train. About 
 fifty followed me. By the time I arrived within range of the enemy 
 my movement being very slow, owing to the jaded condition of 
 my horses I noticed the Mississippi regiment gallantly led against 
 a force immensely superior. Overwhelmed by numbers, it was forced 
 to fall back. I am happy to believe that my rapid and well-directed 
 fire, opened just at this time, held the enemy in check until Colonel 
 Davis could gain a position and assume a stand. Under my fire 
 the enemy retired some hundred yards, and I advanced the same 
 distance, and again came into action. From this point I several 
 times fell back, and as often advanced, regulating my movements by 
 those of the enemy, my support being weak and uncertain. The 
 effect of my fire was very apparent, frequently throwing whole 
 columns into disorder. Whilst thus engaged, General Wool came 
 up, and, at my request, ordered our cavalry, then some distance to 
 my left, to move to my support. I at once approached within 
 canister range, and felt confident I should inflict a loss upon the 
 enemy from which he could not possibly recover. A white flag, 
 however, rapidly passed me, and I ceased my fire. The enemy 
 seized the opportunity, availed themselves of the protection of our 
 flag, and drew ofF beyond the range of our guns. 
 
 " As they were retiring by the very route they had advanced, 1 
 feared they would avail themselves of our weakness at that point, 
 and renew the attack, regardless of our flag. I accordingly reversed 
 my battery, and urged my horses to their utmost. They were so 
 exhausted, however, that a walk was all that could be forced from 
 them by both whip and spur. Several deep ravines had to be passed 
 by circuitous routes before I could reach my desired position ; and, 
 as I feared, before I could possibly get there, an awful roar of mus 
 ketry commenced. Knowing the importance of my presence, I 
 left some of my heaviest carriages, caissons, and pushed on with 
 such as could move most rapidly. Having gained a point from 
 which my guns could be used, I put them in battery, and loaded 
 with canister. Now, for the first time, I felt the imminent peril in 
 which we stood. Our infantry was routed, our advanced artillery 
 captured, and the enemy in heavy force coming upon us at a run. 
 Feeling that the day depended upon the successful stand of our 
 artillery, I appealed to the commanding general, who was near, for 
 support. None was to be had ; and, under his instructions to main- 
 
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL BRAGG. 255 
 
 tain our position at every hazard, I returned to my battery, encou 
 raged my men, and, when the enemy arrived within good range, 
 poured forth the canister as rapidly as my guns could be loaded. 
 At the first discharge I observed the enemy falter, and in a short 
 time he was in full retreat. A very heavy loss must have been 
 sustained by him, however, before he got beyond our range. My 
 guns were now advanced several hundred yards, and opened on a 
 position held by the enemy, with a battery of heavier calibre than 
 our own the same from which our left flank had been driven in 
 the forenoon. Under the support of the Mississippi regiment, I con 
 tinued my fire, until convinced that nothing could be effected the 
 enemy holding an eminence from which we could not dislodge him 
 without a sacrifice which might compromise the success of the day. 
 I accordingly withdrew from their fire." 
 
 Since the battle of Buena Vista, two attempts have been made to 
 assassinate this brave officer. Of one of these he gives account in 
 a letter, [dated August 26th, 1847,] from which the following is ex 
 tracted : 
 
 * * * An attempt was made about two, A. M., night be 
 fore last, to assassinate me in my bed. I have, no clue to the per 
 petrator, and can suggest no reason for the act. My escape without 
 injury is regarded as almost miraculous. As exaggerated accounts 
 will probably reach the press, the truth may interest you. A twelve 
 pound shell, heavily charged, was placed within two feet of my bed, 
 just outside of my tent, and exploded by a slow match ; the frag 
 ments literally riddling my tent and bedding, pieces passing above 
 and below me, some through a blanket spread over me, and yet I 
 was not touched. I was not aware that I had an enemy in the 
 world, and at times feel disposed to believe now that it may have 
 been intended as a practical joke, by some fool ignorant of the effect 
 of shells thus exploded. Be that as it may, my escape was almost 
 miraculous, and I prefer not repeating the joke." 
 
 No satisfactory explanation of the motives for these attempts has 
 ever been given. 
 
 jittv 
 
MAJOR BLISS, 
 
 ASSISTANT ADJUTANT-GENERAL. 
 
 MAJOR WILLIAM W. S. BLISS is a native of New York. He 
 was brevetted second lieutenant of the 4th infantry, July 1st, 1833, 
 and is now assistant adjutant-general, with the rank of major. 
 
 Major Bliss has acted as secretary to General Taylor, during the 
 whole of his campaign in Mexico. How his services in the battle 
 field are appreciated by that great commander, the following notices 
 from his official despatches will show : 
 
 Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. " I derived efficient aid on 
 both days, from all the officers of my staff Captain Bliss, assistant 
 adjutant-general," &c. 
 
 Monterey. " From the officers of my personal staff, I have de 
 rived valuable and efficient assistance during the operations. Major 
 Bliss served near my person, and was prompt in all situations in 
 the communications of my orders and instructions." 
 
 The same expressions of satisfaction, couched in nearly the same 
 language, are used in the report of Buena Vista. 
 
 MAJOR, EATON. 
 
 MAJOR JOSEPH H. EATON entered the army from Massachusetts, 
 his native state, as brevet second lieutenant, July 1st, 1835. On the 
 18th of June, he became captain in the 3d regiment of infantry, and 
 aid-de-camp to General Taylor. His accomplishments as a scholar, 
 and bravery as a soldier, have rendered his services in the highest 
 degree valuable to that officer. 
 (856) 
 
CAPTAIN GAKNETT. 
 
 CAPTAIN ROBERT S. GARNETT was born in Virginia. He en 
 tered the army as brevet second lieutenant, on the 1st of July, 1841 ; 
 and on the 18th of August, 1846, was commissioned as first lieu 
 tenant of the 4th artillery regiment. He now forms one of the staff 
 of General Taylor, and has proven himself worthy the trust im 
 posed upon him, by his courage on the battle-field, his promptness 
 in the delivery of orders, and the habitual politeness which he ex 
 ercises both toward officers and soldiers. He is frequently men 
 tioned by the general in terms of the warmest esteem. 
 
 COLONEL BELKNAP. 
 
 FEW men in our army are more distinguished for personal daring 
 than Colonel Belknap. In battle, every thing seems to bend before 
 his furious course. In the temporary absence of Captain May, 
 after the charge at Resaca de la Pal ma, he rallied the regiment in 
 the main road, seized a standard, and rushed upon the Tampico 
 veterans. The flag-staff was shot away, and immediately after his 
 horse fell dead, throwing its rider. The intrepid officer escaped, 
 however, without serious injury. 
 
 Colonel William G. Belknap was born in New York. He en 
 tered the army April 5th, 1813, as third lieutenant of the 23d infantry, 
 and has risen by regular gradation to his present rank. He fought 
 with great bravery at Monterey and Buena Vista. 
 
 22 * (257) 
 
COLONEL MUNROE. 
 
 COLONEL JOHN MUNROE is a native of Scotland, but emigrated to 
 this country in early life. His first appointment in the army dates 
 March llth, 1814, with the rank of third lieutenant of the 1st ar 
 tillery. On the 15th of February, 1838, he was brevetted major 
 of the 2d artillery regiment, and on the 18th of August, 1846, 
 raised to the rank of full major. He has acted as aid to General 
 Taylor during his campaign in Mexico, and won the esteem of both 
 general and army. 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL MANSFIELD. 
 
 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JOSEPH K. F. MANSFIELD Was bom in 
 
 Connecticut. He was brevetted second lieutenant, July 1st, 
 captain, July 7th, 1838, and for his bravery at Fort Brown, brevet 
 major, May 9th, 1846. During the bombardment of that post, he 
 was indefatigable in labour, and elicited high praise from Captain 
 Hawkins. In General Taylor's report of Monterey, he has the fol 
 lowing commendation : "I must express my particular obligations 
 to Brevet Major Mansfield, and Lieutenant Scarritt, corps of engi 
 neers. They both rendered most important services in reconnoitring 
 the enemy's positions, conducting troops in attack, and strengthen 
 ing the works captured from the enemy. Major Mansfield, though 
 (258) 
 
CAPTAIN RAMSAY. CAPTAIN SHERMAN. 259 
 
 w aided on the 21st, remained on duty during that and the follow 
 ing day, until confined by his wound to camp." 
 
 The general thus mentions him among others in his account of 
 Buena Vista : 
 
 " Major Mansfield was employed before and during the engage 
 ment in making reconnoissances, and on the field was very active 
 in bringing information and in conveying my orders to different 
 points." 
 
 After the battle the major was rewarded with the rank of lieu* 
 tenant-colonel, which he still holds. 
 
 CAPTAIN RAMSAY. 
 
 CAPTAIN GEORGE D. RAMSAY was born in Virginia, and entered 
 the army as 2d lieutenant of light artillery, July 1st, 1820. On the 
 25th of February, 1835, he was raised to the rank of Captain. He 
 joined the Army of Occupation in Texas, and has rendered valuable 
 services to General Taylor, as one of his personal staff. Although 
 deprived by the nature of his office from any display as an officer, 
 yet he is said to be cool, daring, and perfectly collected while on the 
 battle-field. 
 
 CAPTAIN SHERMAN. 
 
 CAPTAIN THOMAS W. SHERMAN is a native of Rhode Island. His 
 first appointment as 2d lieutenant of artillery is dated July 1st, 1836. 
 He was promoted as captain May 28th, 1846. 
 
260 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WHITING. 
 
 Captain Sherman has rendered himself immortal by his services 
 at Buena Vista. On that day his battery was incessantly moving 
 from point to point, wherever danger was thickest. During the 
 greater part of the action, he, in company with Captain Bragg, 
 fought directly under the eye of the commanding general. On one 
 occasion he stood in front of the Mississippi riflemen with only on<* 
 gun, while four thousand of the enemy were pouring down upoi 
 him. In company with his brother officer, he held six thousand 
 lancers at bay, until the American infantry had crossed a deep 
 ravine, and advanced to share the battle. On another occasion he 
 was almost surrounded by the Mexicans, until supported by Colonel 
 May. General Wool thus speaks of him and the other artillerists : 
 
 " I desire to express my high admiration, and to offer my warmest 
 thanks to Captains Washington, Sherman and Bragg, and Lieute 
 nants O'Brien and Thomas, and their batteries ; to whose services 
 at this point, and on every other part of the field, I think it but jus 
 tice to say, we are mainly indebted for the great victory so success 
 fully achieved by our arms over the great force opposed to us. 
 Without our artillery we could not have maintained our position 
 a single hour." 
 
 ^$ fceio.':t*j. eht 1 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL WHITING. 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL LEVI WHITING entered the army from 
 Massachusetts, his native state, as 2d lieutenant of artillery, Feb 
 ruary 10th, 1812. He served with honour during the war with 
 England, and has risen by regular gradation to his present rank. 
 He now forms one of the staff of General Taylor, filling the station 
 of quartermaster-general. His services at Monterey and Buena Vista 
 are mentioned with the highest approbation. 
 
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL DUNCAN. 
 
 No officer was more distinguished by his gallant conduct in the 
 battles of the 8th and 9th of May, than Captain Duncan. His bat 
 teries were continually in one wide blaze ; and it was by their fire 
 that the prairie of Palo Alto was ignited. He marched with the 2d 
 division at Monterey, and received the thanks of General Worth in 
 public orders. In January, 1847, he was transferred to General 
 Scott's army, where he has taken a brilliant part in all operations 
 from the capture of Vera Cruz to the fall of Mexico. 
 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan is a native of New York. He was 
 brevetted 2d lieutenant of the 2d artillery, July 1st, 1834; promoted 
 to a captaincy, April 16th, 1846 ; and brevetted lieutenant-colonel 
 for his services at Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. 
 
 &nr. Idgtt "/m i 
 
 CAPTAIN O'BRIEN. 
 
 viol Quite!* \ia fi-?.*:'/ o? na&io btwbasf I ttadctom siiii JA 
 CAPTAIN JOHN P. J. O'BRIEN is a native of Pennsylvania, and 
 entered the army in 1836. On the 18th of January, 1847, he was 
 appointed captain, and assigned the office of assistant-quartermaster. 
 He won the admiration and gratitude of his country at Buena Vie(a, 
 and probably saved the day. He thus describes his efforts during 
 the battle : 
 
 (261) 
 
262 CAPTAIN O'BRIEN. 
 
 " On arriving at the point indicated, I found myself within musket 
 range of about three thousand Mexican infantry, while their battery, 
 three hundred yards on my left, was pouring in heavy discharges 
 of grape and canister. I opened the fire against the infantry and 
 lancers with tremendous effect. Every shot, whether canister or 
 shell, seemed to tell. The enemy wavered and fell back. I ad 
 vanced on him about fifty yards. He was strongly reinforced, until, 
 in fact, I found his main body pressing on me. The pieces were 
 admirably served, but failed any longer to check his advance. Every 
 gap in the Mexican ranks was closed as soon as made. On looking 
 round at this moment, I discovered that the tremendous cross-fire of 
 the enemy had forced the regiment ordered to my support to fall 
 back. Deeming it useless to remain alone, and sacrifice my pieces 
 needlessly, I waited till the enemy came still closer, and then gave 
 the order to limber up and retire. I found that all the horses and 
 all the cannoneers of the Mexican four-pounders were either killed 
 or disabled. The other pieces were in but little better condition. I 
 succeeded, however, in withdrawing them, and retired to our line. 
 
 " On arriving there, I had not a cannoneer to w r ork the guns. All 
 had been disabled or killed. Finding it impossible to replace them, 
 either from the other batteries or from any other source, I was com 
 pelled to return to your battery, which was guarding the pass at the 
 foot of the heights. 
 
 " You then furnished me with two six-pounders, with which I 
 again ascended to the battle-ground. I then found myself opposed 
 to a strong line of the Mexican infantry and cavalry, and to one of 
 their heavy batteries. I was supported by a body of infantry, posted 
 in two ravines on my right and left. The remainder of our artillery 
 and infantry were engaged with the enemy about half a mile or 
 more to our left. We kept the enemy in check, while our troops 
 on the left drove the body opposed to them round the head of the 
 ravine, where they united with those against whom I was firing. 
 At this moment, I received orders to push my section forward. I 
 advanced, and again opened a heavy fire. The enemy was strongly 
 reinforced by infantry and lancers. Finding themselves so superior 
 in numbers by their junction with this reinforcement, and with their 
 troops driven from our left, they advanced. The position of things 
 now appeared very critical. If the enemy succeeded in forcing our 
 position at this point, the day was their's. There was no other ar- 
 
263 
 
 tillery opposed to them but my section and one other piece. It was 
 all-important to maintain our ground until our artillery came round 
 the ravine from* the plain on our left and joined us. I therefore de 
 termined to hold my post till the enemy reached the muzzles of my 
 guns. The firing from the section became more and more destruc 
 tive as the enemy advanced. It repelled a body of lancers which 
 was about charging on the Illinois regiment. My own loss was 
 severe. I had had two horses shot under me ; the one I was then 
 on was wounded and limping. I had received a wound in the leg. 
 All my cannoneers, except a few recruits who had joined some days 
 before, were killed or disabled. In the midst of this heavy fire, with 
 horses and men dropping around them, the few recruits who were fit 
 for duty lost their presence of mind ; and I found it impossible, with 
 all my efforts, to keep them to their guns. I remained with the 
 pieces to the last, until the enemy came within a few yards of them, 
 when I was forced to retire for want of a single cannoneer to load or 
 fire. I was, however, delighted to find that I had maintained my 
 ground sufficiently long to cause the victory to be secured ; for, at 
 this moment, the rest of our artillery arrived, and came into action. 
 
 " You are, sir, well aware that it is often the duty of an artillery 
 officer to sacrifice his pieces for the safety of other troops. Such 
 was my position. I could have saved the guns, had I withdrawn 
 them earlier ; but, in such case, the day might, perhaps, have been 
 lost." 
 
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 COLONEL CROGHAN. 
 
 COLONEL GEORGE CROGHAN was born November 15th, 1791, at 
 Locust Grove, near the falls of the Ohio, Kentucky. His father 
 served under Washington in the revolutionary war. His early life 
 was spent in study ; and in 1808 he entered William and Mary 
 College. On the 4th of July, 1810, he graduated as bachelor of 
 arts, with distinguished honours. 
 
 When General Harrison commenced his campaign against the 
 Indians in the north-west, young Croghan entered his army as a 
 volunteer, and was appointed one of the general's aids. As such, 
 he assisted at the battle of Tippecanoe, where he won admiration 
 from both officers and men by his coolness and gallantry. In con 
 sequence of our difficulties with England, he expressed a desire to 
 join the army ; and by the earnest recommendation of Generals 
 Boyd and Harrison, he was appointed [March 12th, 1812] captain 
 in the 17th infantry. He was then but nineteen years old. He 
 commanded for a short time at Fort Defiance, and was with Har 
 rison during the attack on Fort Meigs, where he executed several 
 brilliant charges on the enemy in their retreat. He was rewarded 
 by a majority, and stationed at Fort Stephenson, with orders from 
 General Harrison to destroy the stores and abandon the fort should 
 the enemy- appear. Ascertaining that an attack was intended, he 
 disobeyed orders, and immortalized his name. His noble deter 
 mination was thus expressed in a letter to a friend. " I expect an 
 attack. I will defend this post to the last extremity. I have just 
 sent away the women and children, that I may be able to act with 
 out encumbrance. Be satisfied. I hope to do my duty. The ex 
 ample set me by my revolutionary kindred is before me let me die 
 rather than prove unworthy of their name." He continued to labour 
 day and night at the fort, in order to put it in the best state of de- 
 (264) 
 
COLONEL CROGHAN. 
 
 
COLONEL CROGHAN. 265 
 
 fence. His garrison consisted of but one hundred and thirty-three 
 effective men. The works covered one acre ; the pickets were ten 
 feet high, surrounded by a ditch, with a blockhouse at each angle, 
 one of which contained a six-pounder. 
 
 On the 1st of August, General Proctor, with five hundred regu 
 lars and seven hundred Indians, appeared before the fort and sur 
 rounded it. He then sent a summons to surrender, stating, that in 
 case of resistance, the whole garrison would be massacred. Croghan 
 replied, that he was willing to be buried with the fort, but not to 
 surrender. At the reception of this answer, Proctor immediately 
 opened his fire. The assault continued during that and part of the 
 following day, and consisted of a series of heavy cannonadings, and 
 rapid charges. To counteract the first, the major placed bags of 
 flour, sand, &c., so that the picketings sustained no injury. Five 
 hundred men then advanced to storm the works. They were 
 severely galled by small arms, until they reached the ditch, when 
 the six-pounder, doubly charged with balls and slugs, and which 
 had hitherto been masked, opened upon them, raking the ditch from 
 end to end, and sweeping down all in it, except eleven. The officers 
 endeavoured to rally the remainder of the column, but it retired in 
 disorder to a neighbouring wood, leaving behind one hundred and 
 fifty regulars killed, and a number of allies. The American loss 
 was one killed, seven slightly wounded. 
 
 For this brilliant affair, Croghan was raised to the rank of lieu 
 tenant-colonel, in which capacity he served during the remainder 
 of the war. 
 
 Colonel Croghan resigned his commission in the army March 
 31st, 1817. In May of the same year, he was married to a daugh 
 ter of John R. Livingston, Esq., of New York. On the 21st of 
 December, 1825, he was appointed colonel and inspector-general in 
 the regular army, in which capacity he serves in the Mexican war. 
 General Taylor mentions him, in a very flattering manner, for his 
 conduct at Monterey. 
 
 After the fall of Monterey, Colonel Croghan was ordered to the 
 United States, to attend to some duties connected with his office in 
 the army. 
 23 
 
CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 
 
 r^dliiO 
 
 WE cannot close the series of General Taylor's officers more ap 
 propriately, than by a notice of him of whom the general himself 
 says: "We have to lament the death of Captain George Lincoln, 
 Assistant Adjutant-General, serving in the staff of General Wool a 
 young officer of high bearing and approved gallantry, who fell early 
 in the action." 
 
 When the news of his death was received at Massachusetts, his 
 native state, it caused the deepest sensation. Being son of the ex- 
 gov,ernor, and a gentleman of the highest promise, thousands knew 
 his worth and mourned his loss. His remains were afterwards 
 transported to Boston by the Kentucky volunteers, and attended to 
 their resting-place with great honour. A letter dated Boston, 
 July, 1847, gives account of the interesting ceremony, of which the 
 following is the substance : 
 
 " Captain George Lincoln, assistant adjutant-general U. S. Army, 
 who fell mortally wounded at Buena Vista, arrived here in a box, 
 six feet by two. His body was received a few days ago from New 
 Orleans, by sea, and deposited in the vault of the old stone chapel, 
 on School street. Last Thursday morning the remains of the gallant 
 soldier were taken from the vault at nine o'clock, in a splendid 
 black walnut coffin, over which hung the American flag, and on the 
 coffin lay two swords one, alas! the present, but a few months 
 ago, from his fellow-townsmen of Worcester. On a neat silver 
 plate, upon the coffin, was engraved : 
 
 GEORGE LINCOLN, 
 Captain 8th Eegiment Infantry, U. S. .#., 
 
 FELL AT BUENA VISTA, MEXICO, FEB. 23d, 1847, 
 
 ':i!J iA 
 
 AGED TWENTY-NINE YEARS. 
 
 u'. Maid 8in ifJr*/ bo 
 
 " A grand and imposing military escort were present, to whom 
 
 our worthy mayor, Josiah Q,uincy, Jr., presented the coffin and body, 
 with the following brief address, which embodies nearly all the par- 
 Oculars known of his history . 
 
 (266) 
 
CAPTAIN LINCOLN. 267 
 
 fc ' Fellow Citizens : This solemn meeting arises from a general 
 desire and willingness on the part of the citizens of Boston to pay 
 the last tribute of respect and honour to the remains of one of the 
 gallant sons of the Bay Slate, Captain George Lincoln, late an officer 
 in the United States' army, and who, in the faithful discharge of his 
 military calling, lost his life on the battle-field of Buena Vista. He 
 was immediately associated, before and during the action, with the 
 second regiment of Kentucky volunteers. When their time of ser 
 vice had expired, and they were about returning home, the remem 
 brance of the soldier who had shared with them the privations of 
 the camp and the dangers of the field, would not permit them to 
 suffer his remains to slumber for ever in a foreign soil. These chi 
 valrous sons of Kentucky caused the remains of Captain Lincoln to 
 be transmitted to New Orleans, and thence to me, as chief-magistrate 
 of the capital of our state ; and as such I received them, believing 
 that whatever may be the opinions of my fellow-citizens concerning 
 the war, there is an undivided feeling of respect for this gallant man, 
 who fell at his post in the front ranks of his country's army. It is 
 my painful duty to transmit these remains to the presence of his 
 honoured father, his loving mother, his affectionate wife, and his 
 orphan child. Their feelings may not be described, but their sor 
 rows may be alleviated by the sympathies of the public. To you, 
 Mr. Commander, (Captain Edmunds,) I commit the body for safe 
 conveyance and the funeral rites, to their last resting-place in the 
 heart of the Commonwealth, the beautiful village of his birth (Wor 
 cester). And when some future historian shall note the names and 
 deeds of the thousand sons of Massachusetts, who fell in the hot 
 conflict of the battle-field, may he truly say, that he whose remains 
 lie before us, was her last sacrifice, falling in the last war in which 
 our beloved country was ever engaged !' 
 
 " The body was taken by the military escort and citizens, who 
 turned out by thousands, and the procession moved towards the 
 Worcester Depot. The most prominent feature in the procession 
 was the tall, light gray, bony-looking horse rode by Captain Lincoln 
 in the field, at Buena Vista. He was arrayed in the same equip 
 ments worn while under his gallant master, looked as though he had 
 seen some hard service, and was the observed of all observers. The 
 escort, and such citizens, &c., as desired, took the cars and proceed 
 ed to the last home of the honoured dead." 
 
 N 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL GAINES. 
 
 BREVET MAJOR-GENERAL EDMUND P. GAINES is one of the oldest 
 officers in the American army, his first commission as ensign of in 
 fantry bearing date January 10th, 1799. He is a native of Vir 
 ginia, and his father was an officer in the army of that state during 
 the revolutionary war. About the year 1790, he removed to Ten 
 nessee, where his early days were passed amid the hardships of a 
 woodman's life. During this time, his education was superintend 
 ed principally by his mother, who was indefatigable in her atten 
 tion to this particular. He afterwards studied mathematics, and 
 employed his leisure hours in surveying land. 
 
 The date of his entering the army has already been given. 
 During the same year he was appointed as second lieutenant in the 
 6th infantry. From this period, until 1806, he was employed by 
 government in various duties, both as surveyor and an officer in the 
 army. In this year, by order of the president, he arrested the 
 famous Colonel Burr, whose movements had long countenanced the 
 opinion that he entertained treasonable designs against the govern 
 ment. 
 
 For his fearless promptitude in this affair, Captain Gaines was 
 appointed United States' marshal, by President Jefferson, and in 
 this capacity summoned a number of officers to attend the trial of 
 Colonel Burr. The result of this momentous trial is well known ; 
 Burr was acquitted of the charges preferred against him, and many 
 individuals incurred the animosity of his friends by the course they 
 had pursued. Although Captain Gaines acted under direct orders from 
 the president, there is every reason to believe that a portion of this 
 disapprobation fell upon him. 
 
 After the war had been declared with Great Britain, Gaines (now 
 advanced to colonel) was employed in different expeditions against 
 Ihe north-western Indians. He was afterwards present at the battle 
 (268) 
 
GENERAL GA1NES. 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL GAINES. 269 
 
 of Chrystler's Fields, (November llth, 1813,) where he so highly 
 distinguished himself as to be rewarded by the appointment [March 
 9th, 1816] of brigadier-general. 
 
 But the most brilliant action of General Gaines was his defence 
 of Fort Erie, against a vastly superior force of British under Gene 
 ral Drummond. The attack commenced on the night of the 14th 
 of August, 1814, by volleys of shell and shot, followed soon 
 after by three simultaneous charges with the bayonet. Although 
 the darkness was intense, the general kept his men to duty, and 
 placing himself among the militia, showed them how to use their 
 fire to the best effect. Before the wide blasts that burst from the 
 fort in all directions the British columns recoiled. Again and again 
 they were led to the attack, and as often repulsed, with fearful 
 slaughter. Five hundred and eighty-two of the enemy were killed, 
 wounded, and taken in this assault; while the garrison lost but 
 seventeen killed, and sixty-seven wounded and prisoners. 
 
 After this defence, the British commenced a bombardment of the 
 fort, which was continued until the latter end of August. They 
 then invested it with their entire army, maintaining a close siege 
 until the sortie of General Brown, (September 17th,) by which the 
 greater part of their works was destroyed. 
 
 For this noble defence, General Gaines was voted a gold medal 
 by congress, and swords by the legislatures of several states. No 
 further opportunity of distinction was afforded him during the war. 
 
 During the difficulties with the Spanish and Indians in Florida, 
 General Gaines was assigned the command in the western portion 
 of that province ; but the nature of his instructions did not permit 
 him to engage in active service. He accompanied General Jackson 
 in his march toward St. Augustine, and in obedience to instructions 
 bombarded that place until it surrendered. 
 
 In 1821, General Gaines was assigned to the command of the 
 western military department ; and in 1832, was concerned in the 
 Black Hawk war. When the Seminoles commenced hostilities he 
 was again ordered to Florida, and though unable to bring the In 
 dians to a decisive engagement, he performed there duties arduous 
 and useful. 
 
 When General Taylor was surrounded by the Mexicans, at Fort 
 Brown, General Gaines, fearing that he might be cut off with his 
 little army, called out a large force of volunteers. For this he was 
 23* 
 
270 MAJOR-GENERAL GAINES. 
 
 accused of exceeding authority, and summoned to Washington for 
 trial. A court of inquiry met at Fortress Monroe, July 20th, 1846, 
 and a thorough investigation took place. The result was the finding 
 of no direct authority for the course pursued by the general, except an 
 honest conviction that he was acting in accordance with the dictates 
 of duty. Appended to their verdict was the following recommen 
 dation :- 
 
 " Having now reported their finding and opinion, the court re 
 commend to the favourable consideration of the president, the good 
 and patriotic motives, and the public zeal by which, as the court 
 believe, General Gaines was actuated in all these transactions, and 
 therefore they recommend that no further proceedings be had in this 
 case." 
 
 The matter was accordingly dropped, and General Gaines re 
 stored to that confidence which the public have been ever proud to 
 repose in him. 
 
COLONEL JEFFEESON DAVIS. 
 
 AFTER the opening of the Mexican war on the plains of Texas, 
 General Taylor made large demands to the governors of several 
 states for reinforcements, to carry on the campaign. His call was 
 promptly met, and more than ten thousand men were mustered into 
 service, and sent to the seat of war. The Mississippi volunteers, 
 under Colonel Jefferson Davis, marched with General Gluitman's 
 brigade, joined the Army of Occupation during the summer of 1846, 
 and proceeded with it to Monterey. 
 
 During the three days' battle before the city, Colonel Davis won 
 the highest applause by his fearlessness, both within the walls and 
 while employed to repel the charges of cavalry. His riflemen were 
 frequently in the thickest battle, between cross-fires, and exposed to 
 the full action of the enemy's lancers. He was appointed by General 
 Taylor one of the commissioners to negotiate a capitulation, and 
 subsequently became one of the warmest defenders of that measure* 
 His fame as a soldier and leader is based upon his operations at 
 Monterey. 
 
 The battle of Buena Vista was one in which each officer sustained 
 at intervals the fortune of the day. This was the case with Colonel 
 Davis, after the retirement of the 2d Indiana regiment. The Mexi 
 can cavalry, elated by their success, rushed down in heavy columns, 
 with shouts that rang above the din of battle, and in a direction 
 which would bring them in contact with the Mississippians. Un 
 daunted, however, by the formidable array, the colonel threw his 
 command into the form of a V, with the opening toward the enemy, 
 
 (271) 
 
272 COLONEL DAVIS. 
 
 and firmly awaited their approach. They rushed on in full gallop ; 
 but when near enough to render their features discernible, a sheet 
 of fire was poured into their dense ranks, which mowed down horse 
 and rider, in promiscuous slaughter. They rallied, and renewed 
 the charge; but were driven back again and again, until perse 
 verance became madness. Had the enemy conquered in that charge, 
 Santa Anna would have been the hero of Angostura. But, struck 
 with dismay, his lacerated columns heaved back, and in mad con 
 fusion horse trod down horse, crushing wounded and dying beneath 
 their hoofs, in the reckless rushings of retreat. It was a horrible 
 moment ; and when the pageant had passed away, heaps of muti 
 lated beings were stretched along the ground, writhing in the ex 
 tremity of agony. Those who only a moment before had been 
 strong in life and hope, were now torn and trampled into the earth, 
 while the blood was pouring from their wounds, and the heart hur 
 rying on to its last shock. 
 
 Colonel Davis is now at Washington, occupying his station as a 
 member of the House of Representatives. 
 
2^ Tf V\~~ 
 LIEUTENANT DANIEL DRAKE HENRIE. 
 
CAPTAIN HENRIE. 
 
 THE name of Captain " Dan Henrie" is associated with most of 
 the thrilling scenes in the struggle for Texan freedom. During the 
 whole of that eventful revolution, he performed deeds of daring and 
 romantic incident, which rendered him conspicuous even among 
 the hardy characters of that period. 
 
 At the opening of the present war, he hurried to Mexico, to gra 
 tify at once both his fondness for action and his hatred to his former 
 enemy. At first he seems to have joined the army as an adven 
 turer, hut afterwards was with the column of General Wool on its 
 arrival at Agua Nueva. 
 
 Captain Henrie was with the scouting-party of Majors Gaines 
 and Borland at the time of its capture by the Mexicans. It was 
 composed of three companies of the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry, 
 and numbered about seventy. At a considerable distance from 
 camp, they were surrounded by about two thousand horsemen, un 
 der General Minon, and induced to surrender, on promise of being 
 treated as prisoners of war. The whole party were then conducted 
 under a strong escort toward the city of Mexico. One officer, how 
 ever, escaped he was Captain Henrie. 
 
 His escape affords one of those daring incidents of war, so par 
 ticularly fitted to the genius of the American character. 
 
 He was very anxious for a fight, and, with Captain Cassius M. 
 Clay, strongly dissuaded Major Gaines from surrendering. He 
 told the men to count their bullets, and if they had one for every two 
 Mexicans, it was a fair game, and he would go it. He also cau 
 tioned them to hit the Mexicans below their beards, that they might 
 frighten off the others by their groans, and to give them as much 
 misery as possible. One of the Mexican officers, recognizing him, 
 
 (273) 
 
274 CAPTAIN HENRIE. 
 
 cried out in Spanish, " I shall have the pleasure of your company 
 to the city of Mexico, Captain Henrie !" " Excuse me, senor, I 
 generally choose my own company ;" replied the cool and courtly 
 captain. 
 
 It was the second day after their capture, and near the town of 
 Salado, famous in Texan history as the place of the decimation of 
 the Mier prisoners, that Major Gaines's high-spirited mare showing 
 considerable restlessness, the major requested Captain Henrie, who 
 is a famous rider of the Jack Hays school, to " mount her and take 
 off the wire-edge of her spirit." The captain did so, and riding up 
 to Captain Clay, carelessly remarked, " Clay, I am going to make 
 a burst." The Mexican commander, half suspecting his design, 
 placed additional forces at the head and rear of the column of lancers 
 within which the prisoners were placed, and rode himself by the 
 side of Henrie, who would pace up and down the line, cracking 
 jokes with the boys, and firing up the spirit of the mare by various 
 ingenious manosuvres. At last, Henrie, seeing a favourable oppor 
 tunity, plunged his spurs deep into the sides of the noble blood, and 
 rushing against and knocking down three or four of the mustangs 
 with their lancers, started off in full view of the whole party, at a 
 rate of speed equal to the best time that Boston or Fashion ever 
 made. After him rushed a dozen well-mounted lancers, who, firing 
 their escopetas at him, started off in close pursuit. But it was no 
 race at all the Kentucky blood was too much for the mustang. 
 The lancers were soon distanced, and the last view they got of 
 Henrie, he was flying up a steep mountain, waving his white hand 
 kerchief, and crying out in a voice which echoed afar off through 
 the valley, "Adios, senores adios, sen ores !" 
 
 The prisoners, forgetting their situation, gave three loud cheers 
 as they saw the gallant Henrie leaving his pursuers far behind, and 
 safely placed beyond their reach. The subsequent adventures and 
 sufferings of Henrie are well-known. After many narrow escapes 
 from the enemy and starvation, and after losing his noble mare, he 
 arrived safely at camp, and gave the first authentic intelligence of 
 the capture of Majors Gaines and Borland's party. 
 
GENERAL TAYLOR'S 
 
 RECEPTION AT NEW ORLEANS. 
 
 THE following is a full description of the late reception of General 
 Taylor at New Orleans, the first place at which he arrived in his 
 journey homeward : 
 
 On the 3d of December, agreeably to previous arrangements, the 
 steamship Mary Kingsland was despatched at nine o'clock in the 
 morning, with the committee of the Municipal Councils, to conduct 
 the general to the city. 
 
 About half an hour later a number of steamers, many of them 
 tastefully decorated, and filled with passengers, darted forth from 
 the wharves of the First and Second Municipalities, and proceeded 
 down the river for the purpose of uniting in the triumphal progress 
 of the hero. As they passed the barracks their cannon gave forth 
 a joyous welcome. They then gracefully rounded to, the majestic 
 Missouri leading in the van. The decks of this noble boat, so often 
 compared to a floating palace, were thronged with ladies and gentle 
 men, to the number of at least three hundred, all eager to greet the 
 valiant chieftain with " a welcome home." 
 
 Running close aboard the Kingsland, at the landing, the Missouri 
 threw our her lines, and enabled her passengers to exchange salu 
 tations for a few moments with the war-worn veteran. He was 
 standing on one of the guards of the Kingsland, and with his stalwart 
 form distinguished from all others, his firm, erect, and military posi 
 tion, his head uncovered, and his grey hairs streaming in the wind, 
 he looked, indeed, like a conquering hero of the olden time. The 
 cheers that greeted him could have been heard in the distant forest, 
 while the waving handkerchiefs and glancing smiles of nearly au 
 
 (275) 
 
276 RECEPTION OF TAYLOR 
 
 hundred ladies, testified the sincerity with which they joined in the 
 admiration that heroism and bravery have ever won from those 
 whose smiles the soldier deems his best reward. 
 
 The Kingsland then got under weigh, and led the procession to 
 the city. A dozen steamboats and the noble packet-ship America, 
 towering above the fleet, and adorned with variegated flags the 
 moving panorama of the shores lined with vessels that were crowded 
 from the deck to the mast-head, and decorated with banners of 
 every nation mingling with the stars and stripes the smoke of the 
 thundering cannon and the masses of the cheering populace all 
 combined to present a scene of unique and striking splendour. A 
 rainbow broke into fragments and scattered over the sparkling 
 vyaters, might have appeared tame in comparison. 
 
 After running the whole length of the city, and receiving a cor 
 dial greeting from the assembled population of Lafayette, at its land 
 ing, the Kingsland returned and rounded to at the Place d'Armes. 
 
 The whole of the Place d'Armes and the vicinity appeared like 
 a perfect sea of heads. The grand triumphal arch, erected in the 
 centre, reflected great credit on the parties who designed and exe 
 cuted it. The name of the hero and his various victories were dis 
 played upon it, in large gilded letters, and the frame of the arch 
 was completely covered with evergreens, the whole forming a most 
 beautiful and finished production. 
 
 A grand salute of one hundred guns from each Municipality, 
 announced his landing and reception by the Mayor and civil autho 
 rities in the Place d'Armes, where the Mayor made him the follow 
 ing address : 
 
 General: In behalf of the city of New Orleans, which I have 
 the honour to represent on this occasion, it is my pleasing office to 
 welcome your happy return to your country and your home ; and 
 in behalf of the Municipal Councils, I tender to you the hospitality 
 of this city, whilst it is your pleasure to remain among us. 
 
 No circumstance could have filled our hearts with more joy than 
 we now feel in having the opportunity to express to you our grati 
 tude for the distinguished services you have rendered our country. 
 The brilliant achievements performed in Mexico by the fearless and 
 daring band that you have led from victory to victory, have inspired 
 us with feelings which no language is sufficiently powerful to con- 
 vev. For such achievements, General, every true American heart, 
 
AT NEW ORLEANS. 277 
 
 from one extremity to the other of this republic, is filled with grati 
 tude and admiration. Wherever you direct your steps, upon any 
 spot where the star-spangled banner triumphantly expands its folds 
 to the breeze, you will find a nation's love to greet you you will, 
 bear a whole people's spontaneous applause to extol the splendour 
 of your deeds, which your modesty would in vain endeavour to 
 weaken in your own eyes. 
 
 Again, General, I bid you a hearty welcome, in the name of all 
 the citizens of New Orleans. 
 
 The general was evidently and deeply affected by his reception, 
 but promptly made the following reply, with much feeling: 
 
 Mr. Mayor : The welcome which I meet this day, from the peo 
 ple of New Orleans, announced by you, their honoured representa 
 tive, overwhelms me with feelings which no words can express. 
 
 You have been pleased to qualify, with terms of the highest ap 
 probation, the services of the army which I have had the honour to 
 command in Mexico. Could those brave officers and soldiers, whose 
 gallantry achieved the successes to which you refer, be present on 
 this occasion, and witness the grand outpourings of gratitude which 
 their devotion has elicited, the measure of my satisfaction would be 
 complete. For them and myself, I thank, from my heart, the peo 
 ple of New Orleans, and accept, Mr. Mayor, the offer of their hos 
 pitality. 
 
 The general then proceeded to the cathedral, where Te Deum 
 was sung, and Bishop Blanc made him a short, but very neat ad 
 dress, in which he complimented him and his army for their skill 
 and valour in battle, and still more for their humanity, moderation, 
 and forbearance in victory, with a very appropriate allusion to the 
 protection and care of Providence, under the various trying circum 
 stances in which he had been placed ; to which address, General 
 Taylor made a very excellent and feeling reply. 
 
 After the ceremonies in the cathedra] were concluded, the pro 
 cession was formed, and made a most imposing display, both of the 
 various civic and military bodies ; and after proceeding through the 
 whole of the route designated in the programme, halted at the St. 
 Charles, where General Taylor alighted, and accompanied by his 
 honour the Mayor, and other of the civil authorities, took his sta 
 tion between the pillars of the grand colonnade, when the whole 
 procession passed before and below him, and then separated. 
 24 
 
278 RECEPTION OF TAYLOR 
 
 The whole of the colonnade, the pavement below, the street in 
 front, the windows of the St. Charles, the doors of all the buildings 
 near, the large galleries of the verandah, and the neighbouring 
 streets, presented one mass of human beings ; so dense was the 
 crowd, that the procession was frequently brought to a complete 
 pause by the pressure and inability to proceed. The cheering was 
 loud and incessant, and there seemed no bounds to the delight and 
 enthusiasm of the congregated multitude. 
 
 At length the procession had passed, and as the general turned to 
 enter the hotel, the long, loud, and continued cheer, made the very 
 welkin ring. 
 
 The general retired to his private parlour, where a crowd of 
 friends and citizens paid their respects to him until about seven 
 o'clock, when he was conducted to the grand banqueting hall of the 
 St. Charles, where, with a company of about two hundred and fifty 
 guests, he sat down to the splendid dinner given to him by the city 
 authorities. Every thing connected with the feast was arranged 
 with taste, splendour, and profusion, for which Messrs. Mudge and 
 Wilson are so justly celebrated. 
 
 The centre of a small cross table at the head of the centre one, 
 was occupied by his Honour, the Mayor, with General Taylor on 
 his right, and his Excellency, Governor Johnston, on his left, and 
 that veteran distinguished officer, Colonel Belknap, occupying one 
 end of it, and Major-General Lewis the other. Recorder Baldwin 
 was at the head of one of the long side tables, and acting Recorder 
 Barthe at the head of the other. 
 
 The following were the regular toasts which were announced by 
 the Mayor, and all drank with due honour to each : 
 
 1. The President of the United States.- Music, Hail Columbia. 
 
 2. Our Country May she always be right ; but, right or wrong 
 our Country. Music, Star- Spangled Banner, 
 
 3. Major-General Zachary Taylor. Music, Hail to the Chief. 
 
 4. The Army of the United States. Music, Washington 1 s March. 
 
 5. The Navy of the United States. Music, Yankee Doodle. 
 
 6. The Governor of Louisiana. Music, Jackson's March. 
 
 7. Major-General Scott. Music, General Scott's March. 
 
 8. The Hero of Contreras Louisiana's favourite son General 
 Persifor F. Smith. Music, Go where Glory waits thee. 
 
 9. The Memory of Washington. Music, Dead March in Saul. 
 
AT NEW ORLEANS. 279 
 
 10. The Heroes of the Revolution. Music, Auld Lang Syne. 
 
 11. The Memory of General Jackson. Music, Marseilles Hymn. 
 
 12. The Memory of the Gallant Officers and Soldiers who have 
 fallen in the War with Mexico. Music, Rosslyn Castle. 
 
 13. The Ladies. Music, Home, Sweet Home. 
 
 When the third toast was given, we verily thought the ceiling 
 would crumble in ruins upon our heads ; for, of the many joyous 
 shouts with which that spacious hall has resounded, such a one as 
 then arose was never before heard within its limits. 
 
 Hardly less loud or less cordial was the reception of the toast of 
 our own gallant townsman, General P. F. Smith, as the rafters shook 
 under the shout that ascended on the mention of his name. 
 
 The General, evidently affected, rose and made a very neat and 
 pretty speech, which he concluded with the following sentiment : 
 
 " The Citizens of New Orleans Unsurpassed for their Hospi 
 tality, Intelligence and Enterprise." 
 
 The health of General Johnston was received with great applause, 
 to which he responded in a few remarks, and gave : 
 
 " The people of Louisiana Who know so well how to welcome 
 home a Hero from the recent scenes of his Glory." 
 
 General Taylor, with the Mayor and city dignitaries, left at an 
 early hour, to visit, agreeably to previous arrangements, the different 
 theatres. Colonel Labuzan, the Grand Marshal of the day, took 
 the chair, and the festivities of the evening were continued under 
 him. 
 
 The General first visited the St. Charles, then the American, and 
 latterly the Orleans ; at all of which he was received with thunder 
 ing applause, by crowded audiences. 
 
 The St. Charles Hotel was brilliantly illuminated, and displayed 
 many excellent transparencies, with an exhibition of fireworks. 
 
 Fireworks were also exhibited at the Place d'Armes and Lafay 
 ette Square, closing the highly interesting and exciting ceremonies 
 of the day, of which the above sketch is a very meagre one, and 
 can give but a faint idea of the reality. 
 
 The magnificent sword, voted by the Legislature of Louisiana, 
 was presented to General Taylor on the 4th by Governor Johnston. 
 Speaking of the speeches and imposing ceremonies of the occasion, 
 the Delta says : 
 
 " This beautiful speech of his Excellency was frequently inter 
 
280 TAYLOR'S RECEPTION 
 
 rupted by the loud and involuntary applause of the persons present. 
 Its delivery was highly impressive and effective. The fine person, 
 manly and benignant countenance, easy and warm address of his 
 Excellency, together with his splendid uniform, added greatly to 
 the effect of this address. During the delivery the old General 
 seemed deeply affected, and gave expression to the intensity of his 
 emotion by the heaving of his chest and the quivering of his lip. 
 He replied, that he felt so deeply this manifestation of the respect 
 and admiration of the Legislature of the State in which he had so 
 long resided, and was so deeply impressed by the eloquent compli 
 ments of the Governor, that he felt an embarrassment which ren 
 dered him almost speechless. Had he the talent and command of 
 beautiful language and eloquent thoughts of his friend, he might be 
 able to express what he really and profoundly felt the warmest 
 gratitude to the representatives and people of Louisiana, for this 
 testimony of their good feeling. Forty years spent almost exclu 
 sively in the camp, had disqualified him for the task of the orator ; 
 he would therefore content himself by handing a written address, in 
 response to the speech of his Excellency. He would, however, beg 
 to add a few words on a subject which had been referred to by the 
 Governor : he alluded to the large and splendid corps of volunteers 
 that had so promptly rushed to his aid, when it was believed that 
 he was in great peril on the Rio Grande. He had always felt deeply 
 grateful for this timely reinforcement ; and it was one of the most 
 painful events of the campaign that he was compelled, from a fear 
 that they would suffer by the disease incident to camp life, and from 
 his inability to lead them into immediate action, to consent to their 
 return to their homes and families." 
 
 The following is the written reply of General Taylor : 
 "Governor: In accepting the magnificent sword of honour 
 which it has pleased the state of Louisiana, through her representa 
 tives, to confer upon me, I am sensible that no form of words can 
 give adequate expression to my feelings. To receive from any 
 quarter a testimonial conveying such appreciation of services ren 
 dered, would be a reward enough for the highest ambition but 
 there are circumstances which give this peculiar value. The name 
 of Louisiana is identified with the signal victory which crowned our 
 arms at the close of the war of 1812 ; it again appears in bright 
 relief in the Florida war and among the many associations con- 
 
AT NEW ORLEANS. 281 
 
 nected with the victories which this sword is designed specially to 
 commemorate, none are more grateful to my heart than those which 
 call up the glorious enthusiasm of the Louisiana volunteers. If any 
 thing could add weight to these considerations, it would be, that in 
 Louisiana I have many cherished personal friends, and that this tri 
 bute of respect seems to come, not from strangers, but from those 
 whom I have known from youth. It shall be preserved by me, 
 and by my children, as a possession beyond all price. 
 
 " Through you, Governor, I return my heartfelt thanks to the peo 
 ple of Louisiana ; and beg that you will, at the same time, accept 
 my warm acknowledgments for the prompt and patriotic support 
 which, in your official capacity, you have always extended to our 
 army in Mexico." 
 
 The speeches being over, the general shook hands with the gov 
 ernor and many of the persons present, and then retired. Thus 
 closed a scene which, for deep, solemn, earnest interest and effect, 
 was never exceeded by any similar spectacle we have ever wit 
 nessed. 
 
 Immediately after the ceremonies of offering the hospitalities of 
 the city to him, the general, accompanied by as many persons as 
 could get into the church, entered the cathedral. Bishop Blanc, 
 attended by his clergy in rich pontifical robes, awaited the arrival 
 of the old hero, and when he reached the foot of the altar, addressed 
 him as follows : 
 
 General: When the late illustrious hero of Chalmette, after his 
 miraculous victory, was triumphantly received in our city, he came 
 into this holy temple as you do this day, to pay an humble tribute 
 of thanks to Him who calls himself, in the Holy Writ, "the God 
 of Hosts," thus acknowledging, as you now do, that it is God alone 
 who dispenses victories, according to the unsearchable designs of his 
 all-wise providence. On the present, as well as on the former occa 
 sion, general, such Christian-like sentiments could not but elicit, on 
 the part of the Catholic clergy of New Orleans, a cheerful and fer 
 vent co-operation in the discharge of the solemn duty for which we 
 are all convened here. But while as Christian ministers we will 
 give glory to God for the brilliant success of our arms in the Mexi 
 can war, we may be permitted to join with our fellow-citizens in 
 the expression of their admiration for the magnanimous hero who, 
 raising with a fnm hand the glorious banner of our country, traced 
 24* 
 
282 TAYLOR'S RECEPTION 
 
 the way to our undaunted band and led them through the hardships 
 of a glorious war, to the victories of Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, 
 Monterey, and Buena Vista. 
 
 Our admiration, however, should not be confined to the mere 
 recital of your victories, for, indeed, we were all prepared to hear 
 that our gallant soldiers were invincible whenever led to the field 
 of battle by one who knew how to command over them. What excites 
 our admiration most is the spirit of consideration and magnanimity 
 which you have uniformly displayed towards j^our defeated foes. 
 By such humane and generous course you have, general, exalted 
 the good name of our happy republic, for you have shown to the 
 world that the present war never was intended, on our part, as a 
 war of conquest or destruction. Under so glorious auspices you 
 may well retire, for a time, general, and while surrounded with the 
 admiration of the world abroad, you will enjoy at home the respect 
 and love of your fellow-citizens and the gratefulness of your country, 
 our most fervent prayer shall be that Almighty God would bestow 
 upon us, after the wonderful achievements and a prompt termination 
 of a direful war, the precious blessing of a lasting and honourable 
 peace ; and at the same time that he would pour upon you, general, 
 and upon all our chivalrous soldiers, the choicest of his temporal 
 and eternal blessings. 
 
 We extract the following additional items from the New Orleans 
 Times, of the 4th inst. 
 
 The committee of arrangements, with a taste that really brought 
 forth one burst of admiration from all who contemplated their work, 
 had caused to be constructed, in honour of the occasion, a Triumphal 
 Arch in the middle of the Place d'Armes, seemingly on the model 
 of those far-famed arches of antiquity, the monuments of the glory, 
 the taste, and the science of past ages ; and of dimensions, as we 
 judge, equal to the colossal structure of the same kind at Paris, at 
 the Barriere de VEtoile. The summit was crowned with an eagle, 
 richly gilt ; in front and rear, just under the entablature, extending 
 the whole length, were the words " Welcome /" and, on the other 
 parts, the names of the great battles which General Taylor had 
 won, from the opening of the present war. The American flag, of 
 course, floated from the summit ; a profusion of brush, or evergreen, 
 gave it a beautiful verdant appearance ; and some young pines were 
 placed erect on the top, flanking the ever-glorious stars and stripes. 
 
AT NEW ORLEANS. 283 
 
 Through the central arch, the hero was conveyed to the cathedral, 
 modestly expressing his deep sense of the attachment of his fellow- 
 citizens, thus so conspicuously evinced. 
 
 At night, in each square of the municipalities, a grand exhibition 
 of fireworks took place, which attracted thousands of our fellow-citi 
 zens of both sexes, affording an apt conclusion to a most brilliant 
 day, such as a free people, proud in the consciousness of its sove 
 reignty, is ever happy to accord to a public benefactor. 
 
 General Taylor, accompanied by a considerable number of friends, 
 including his staff, members of the committees, &c., visited succes 
 sively the St. Charles, the American, and the Orleans theatres, 
 where he was enthusiastically received by crowded audiences. 
 The orchestra at each place of amusement played the national airs. 
 The ladies, for here they are in their appropriate places, in point of 
 display, for grace and the thousand nameless charms incident to 
 beauty in full costume, dispensed their applause without stint, on 
 the veteran champion of their clime and race. 
 
 The Delta, noticing his visit to the St. Charles theatre, says : 
 
 The act the exquisite yet peculiar French politeness of Made 
 moiselle Dimier, as he took his seat in the St. Charles, was indeed de 
 serving of all praise. The brave old general paid much attention to her 
 " poetry of motion," and, on the execution of a favourite pirouette, 
 threw to her on the stage a bouquet which he held in his hand. 
 The amiable young French woman, determined not to be outdone 
 in courtesy, selected one the best from a shower of boquets flung 
 to her on the stage, and with a respectful courtesy presented it to 
 the laureled chief. He looked at the moment as if he had gained 
 a Buena Vista victory on the field of beauty. 
 
 The same paper thus describes the personal appearance of Gen 
 eral Taylor and his military family : 
 
 We found the general looking as sturdy and hardy as ever. His 
 long campaign has somewhat reduced him in flesh, but still he looks 
 healthier and younger than when he passed through our city some 
 two years and a half ago. That good-natured, honest, and yet de 
 termined expression, still characterizes a face in which symmetry 
 and comeliness are not sought after and therefore not missed a face 
 browned and roughened by the exposure of a long and trying cam 
 paign, during which he has never slept beneath a roof or within 
 walls. The general was dressed in his usual plain and rather well- 
 
284 RECEPTION OF TAYLOR. 
 
 worn undress uniform, simple glazed cap, and wore his brigadier's 
 sword. His aids are two fine-looking, intelligent young officers. 
 Major Bliss, whose name is so familiar to the public as the constant 
 companion of the old hero through all his battles and campaigns, 
 has a face indicative of a reflective and meditative order of mind, 
 rather than of those military talents which he is known to possess. 
 But his manners have the off-hand ease and self-possession of the 
 accomplished and experienced officer. Captain Eaton is a younger 
 looking officer, of manly bearing and intelligent countenance. 
 Colonel Belknap, who was distinguished in the late war, and also 
 in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca, where he commanded a bri 
 gade, and where he led the gallant 8th Infantry in their charge 
 upon the enemy's cannon, is a large, portly gentleman, who looked 
 as if he could wield a broadsword with most destructive effect. His 
 aid, Captain Clark, is a young and very handsome officer, who has 
 attained to considerable distinction in the army for his valour and 
 talents. 
 
 On the 5th the general left New Orleans in the steamboat Mis 
 souri on his way to Baton Rouge. After remaining a short time 
 with his family, it is his intention to visit his country-seat on the 
 Mississippi, and remain there in readiness to depart for Mexico, 
 should his services again be required. 
 
 The following item of news contains, perhaps, the highest com 
 pliment ever conferred upon General Taylor : 
 
 General Minon is at Guatemala with five hundred cavalry, act 
 ing as a corps of observation for General Filisola, whom he repre 
 sents as being in San Luis with nine thousand troops. It is rumored 
 that Filisola intends to march upon Saltillo, in consequence of Gen 
 eral Taylor having left the country. The Mexicans have great 
 confidence in this officer, and the people of San Luis were presum 
 ing largely upon the weakness of our forces, when once from under 
 the guidance of the dreaded Taylor. They seem not at all dispirited 
 by the loss of their capital, but evince as strong a determination as 
 ever to continue the conflict. 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL SCOTT, 
 
 COMMANDER-IN-CHIEF OF THE AMERICAN ARMY. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT is a native of Virginia, born 
 near Petersburg, June 13th, 1786. The accounts of his early life 
 are few and meagre. He passed through the Richmond High- 
 School, and afterwards studied law at William and Mary College. 
 His military career began in 1807, on the reception of news con 
 cerning the Chesapeake, when he became a volunteer member of 
 the Petersburg troop of horse. On the 3d of May, 1808, he was 
 commissioned as captain of light artillery, and has remained in the 
 army ever since. When the war of 1812 commenced, he had al 
 ready advanced to the rank of lieutenant-colonel. 
 
 At the battle of Glueenstown Heights, Scott gave assurance of his 
 future military usefulness. After behaving in the most gallant 
 manner, his command of three hundred men became separated from 
 the main body, and were attacked by thirteen hundred British and 
 Indians. He defended himself for a long while, but was at length 
 taken prisoner, and carried with his troops to Quebec. While 
 here, he challenged the respect of the British officers, by his inde 
 pendent and soldier-like bearing. His rescue of the Irish prisoners 
 is well known ; and many other anecdotes are related of him during 
 this confinement. In a little while he was exchanged and sent to 
 Boston. 
 
 In the following year, Scott was engaged in a still more glorious 
 affair at Fort Grey. In the passage of the river, before taking this 
 place, he led the van and rushed up the steep Canadian bank amid 
 a shower of balls, and drove the British into the woods. At the 
 fort, he tore down the flag with his own hands, and afterward pui 
 sued the enemy until evening. 
 
 (11) 
 
12 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 The summer passed without any attack from the British, and, 
 burning for active operations, Scott was permitted by General Wilk 
 inson to resign the command of Fort George, which he then held, 
 to General McClure, and join the main army at Sackett's Harbour ; 
 marching to the mouth of the Genesee- river, where the commander- 
 in-chief promised that transports should meet him. In this, how 
 ever, Scott was disappointed, and he was compelled to advance over 
 roads almost impassable along the whole distance from Niagara to 
 the St. Lawrence. Leaving his column near Utica, under the com 
 mand of Major Hindman, Scott hastened forward himself, reached 
 the St. Lawrence at Ogdensburg on the 6th November, in time to 
 take part in the descent, and was appointed to command the ad 
 vance guard ; and owing to his being in advance, had no part in the 
 indecisive battle of Chrystler's Field, or the events which took 
 place in the rear. He did, however, encounter and overcome se 
 vere resistance at the Hoophole creek, near Cornwall, where he 
 routed a nearly equal British force under Colonel Dennis making 
 many prisoners, and pursuing the fugitives till night ; and also at 
 Fort Matilda, erected to guard the narrowest part of the river. He 
 took the fort, its commander, and many of his men. But with vic 
 tory within his grasp for there was no force between Scott and 
 Montreal which could have arrested his march six hours, and no 
 garrison in Montreal that could have obstructed his entry he, as 
 well as the nation, was doomed to disappointment, by the incom 
 petency and the quarrels of two of its generals Wilkinson and 
 Wade Hampton : Wilkinson ordering a retreat because Hampton 
 would not join him with his detachment, and Hampton refusing to 
 join, because, as he alleged, provisions were insufficient ; the cam 
 paign closed in disaster. But it was brilliantly redeemed by that 
 of the following year. 
 
 On the 9th of March, 1814, Colonel Scott was promoted to the 
 rank of brigadier, and immediately joined General Brown, then in 
 full march from French Mills to the Niagara frontier. Brown, who 
 was an able but self-taught commander, perceiving the need of in 
 struction and discipline, left the camp expressly for the purpose of 
 giving the command to General Scott, and enabling him to carry 
 out a system of instruction and discipline with the troops as they 
 assembled at Buffalo. For more than three months this duty was 
 assiduously and most successfully discharged by General Scott. 
 
BATTLE OF CHIPPEWA. 13 
 
 Now it was that the knowledge of the art of war, wnich he had 
 so sedulously acquired during his year of suspension, came into 
 play. He personally drilled and instructed all the officers, and then 
 in turn superintended them as they instructed the soldiers. By as 
 siduous labour, he succeeded, at the end of three months, in pre 
 senting in the field an army skilful in manoeuvres, and confident alike 
 in their officers and in themselves. When all was ready for action, 
 General Brown resumed the command. The army was crossed 
 over to Canada in two brigades, Scott's and Ripley's, the former 
 below, the latter above Fort Erie, which almost immediately sur 
 rendered, and then marched to attack the main British army, lying 
 behind the Chippewa river, under the command of General Riall. 
 On the morning of the 4th of July auspicious day ! Scott's bri 
 gade, several hours in advance, fell in with the 100th regiment, 
 British, commanded by the Marquis of Tweedale, and kept up a 
 running fight with it till it was driven across the Chippewa. Scott 
 encamped for the night behind Street's creek, about two miles from 
 the British camp, behind the Chippewa, with a level plain extend 
 ing between, skirted on the east by the Niagara river, on the west 
 by woods. 
 
 On the 5th a bright, hot day the morning began with skir 
 mishing in the woods, between the New York volunteers, under 
 General Porter, and the British irregulars ; and it was not till four 
 o'clock in the afternoon, and just as Scott, despairing of bringing 
 on an action that day, was drawing out his brigade on the plain for 
 drill, that General Brown, who had been reconnoitring on the left 
 flank, and perceived that the main body of the British army was 
 moving forward, rode up to General Scott, and said, " The enemy is 
 advancing ; you will have a fight :" and without giving any order, 
 such was his reliance upon Scott, proceeded to the rear to bring up 
 Ripley's brigade. Scott immediately prepared for action ; and there, 
 on the plain of Chippewa, with his own brigade only, consisting of 
 the 9th, llth, and 25th regiments of infantry, with a detachment of 
 the 22d, Towson's company of artillery, and Porter's volunteers 
 in all, nineteen hundred men encountered, routed, and pursued a 
 superior force of some of the best regiments of the British service 
 the Royal Scots, the 8th and 100th regiments, a detachment of 
 the 19th dragoons, another of the Royal Artillery, and some Cana 
 dian militia in all, twenty-one hundred men. Here it was that the 
 2 O 
 
14 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 discipline so laboriously taught by Scott, in the camp of instruction, 
 told ; and this it was that enabled him, as at a turning point of the 
 battle he did, in a voice rising above the roar of artillery, to say to 
 McNeil's battalion of the llth infantry : " The enemy say that we 
 are good at long shot, but cannot stand the cold iron. I call upon 
 the Eleventh instantly to give the lie to the slander. Charge !" 
 And they did charge ; and, aided by Leaven worth's battalion, they 
 quickly put the enemy to rout, before the 21st, of Ripley's brigade, 
 which was hastening to take part in the battle, or any portion of that 
 brigade, could get up. 
 
 Justly, indeed, did General Brown, in his official report of the 
 battle, say: "Brigadier-General Scott is entitled to the highest 
 praise our country can bestow : to him, more than to any other man, 
 am I indebted for the victory of the 5th of July." The fight was 
 fierce and bloody in an unwonted degree, the killed on both sides 
 amounting to eight hundred and thirty, out of about four thousand 
 engaged more than one in five. This action which was chiefly 
 valuable for the good effect it produced upon the feelings of the na 
 tion, by proving that in the open field, and hand to hand, our troops 
 were equal at least, and in this instance had proved themselves su 
 perior to the best troops of England was followed in just three 
 weeks by another, yet more decisive of the courage and discipline 
 of the American army that at Lundy's Lane. General Riall, un 
 known to General Brown, had been largely reinforced by General 
 Drummond from below ; and when, on the morning of the 26th of 
 July, General Scott in advance, as usual, was on a march to attack 
 General Riall's forces, he suddenly came upon the British troops, 
 which, reinforced that very day by Drummond, were themselves 
 bent on attack. Scott had with him but four small battalions, com 
 manded, respectively, by Brady, Jessup,Leavenworth, and McNeil ; 
 and Towson's artillery, with Captain Harris's detachment of regular 
 and irregular cavalry the whole column not exceeding thirteen 
 hundred men. With this small force, Scott found himself in pre 
 sence of a superior body. His position was critical, but it was pre 
 cisely one of those where promptness and decision of action must 
 supply the want of battalions. Despatching officers to the rear to 
 apprise General Brown that the whole British army were before 
 him, General Scott at once engaged the enemy, who all the while 
 believed they had to do with the whole of General Brown's army, 
 
BATTLE OF LUNDY'S LANE. 15 
 
 not at all expecting that a mere detachment of it would venture upon 
 the apparently desperate course of encountering such greatly su 
 perior numbers as the British knew they had in the field. 
 
 The battle began about half an hour before sunset, within the 
 spray, almost, of the everlasting Falls of Niagara, and beneath the 
 halo of its irradiated bow of promise and of hope. It is recorded 
 as a fact, that the head of our advancing column was actually en 
 circled by this beautiful bow, and all took courage from the omen. 
 The battle raged with unequal fortune and desperate valour, till far 
 into the night. When Miller made his famous and decisive charge 
 upon the battery of the British, which was the key of their position, 
 darkness covered the earth ; and Scott, who knew the localities, 
 piloted Miller on his way, till the fire from the battery revealed its 
 position completely. Scott then resumed the attack in front, while 
 Miller gallantly stormed and carried the battery, and held it against 
 repeated charges from the oft-rallied, but as oft-dispersed, British 
 troops. Twice, mean time, had Scott charged through the British 
 lines two horses had been killed under him he was wounded in 
 the side and about eleven o'clock at night, on foot and yet fighting, 
 he was finally disabled by a shot, which shattered the left shoulder, 
 and he was borne away about midnight from the battle ; his com 
 mander, General Brown, having been previously, in like manner, 
 carried away wounded from the field. 
 
 The honours of the battle belonged to the American arms, although, 
 from the want of horses, they could not carry off the British cannon, 
 captured with so much gallantry by Miller. But the American 
 troops retired to Chippewa, and thence to Fort Erie, where they 
 were soon besieged by General Drummond. Scott was absent, suf 
 fering under his wounds ; but the spirit and the discipline with 
 which his efforts and his example had inspired the army, failed not, 
 though he was no longer with them ; and after being beleaguered 
 near fifty days, General Brown, who had sufficiently recovered to 
 resume the command, made a sortie, on the 17th of September, in 
 which he defeated the troops in the trenches, captured and destroyed 
 their works, and so effectually overthrew all that it had cost long 
 weeks to accomplish, that the British commander, General Drum 
 mond, withdrew his troops, and soon after the American army went 
 into winter quarters at Buffalo. 
 
16 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 This was virtually, in this region, the end of the war ; for peace 
 was negotiated at Ghent at the close of 1814, and was ratified early 
 the ensuing spring. 
 
 Scott, who had been carried to Buffalo, where he was most kindly 
 and cordially received and watched over, as soon as he could bear 
 the motion, was borne in a litter from place to place by the citizens 
 themselves, who would not commit to mercenary hands the care and 
 comfort of a gallant soldier, still disabled by his wounds, until he 
 reached the house of his old friend Nicholas, at Geneva. But his 
 great desire was to reach Philadelphia, in order to avail himself of 
 the eminent skill of Doctors Physick and Chapman ; for the possi 
 bility of being so crippled, for life, as to be incapable of further ser 
 vice to his country, was to Scott an intolerable thought, and hence 
 he sought the best surgical aid. He, therefore, by slow progress, 
 reached Philadelphia everywhere welcomed and honoured on his 
 route as the suffering representative of the army on the Niagara, 
 which had won imperishable laurels for the country and itself. 
 
 At Princeton, where he happened to arrive on the day of the an 
 nual commencement, the faculty, students, and citizens all insisted 
 on his taking part in the ceremonial ; and pale, emaciated, and weak 
 as he was, that he should be present during a part, at least, of the 
 public performances. He was fain to comply ; and when, at the 
 close of an oration " on the public duties of a good citizen, in peace 
 and in war," the youthful and graceful orator turned to Scott, and 
 made him the personification of the civic and heroic virtues which 
 had just been inculcated, the edifice rang with applause, woman's 
 gentle voice mingling in with the harsher tones of the other sex. 
 The faculty conferred on him the degree of A. M., which his early 
 training and literary pursuits, not less than his public services, ren 
 dered wholly appropriate. On approaching Philadelphia, he found 
 the governor of the state, Snyder, at the head of a division of militia, 
 with which he had marched out to receive him. 
 
 Baltimore being still menaced by the British, General Scott, at 
 the earnest request of the citizens, consented, wounded as he was, 
 and incapable of exertion, to assume the command of the district ; 
 and in such command the tidings of peace found him. After de 
 clining the post of Secretary at War, proffered to him by President 
 Madison, and aiding in the painful and delicate task of reducing the 
 army to a peace establishment, he was sent by the government to 
 
THANKS OF CONGRESS, ETC. 17 
 
 Europe, both for the restoration of his health and professional im 
 provement. He was, moreover, commissioned to ascertain the views 
 and designs of different courts and prominent public men respecting 
 the revolutionary struggle then commenced in the Spanish American 
 colonies, and especially those of England, respecting the island of 
 Cuba all at that time subjects of solicitude at Washington. How 
 he acquitted himself of these commissions may be inferred from the 
 fact thit, by order of President Madison, a special letter of thanks 
 was written to him by the Secretary of State. After two years spent 
 in Europe, where he associated with the most distinguished men in 
 all the walks of life, attended courses of public lectures, and visited 
 and inspected the great fortresses and naval establishments, Scott 
 returned to the United States, and was assigned to the command of 
 the seaboard, making New York his head-quarters ; and there, for 
 twenty years, except with occasional absences on duty in the west, 
 he remained. The gratitude of the country for his war services was 
 testified in various shapes. Congress voted him a gold medal, and 
 passed resolutions of thanks, in which he was not only compliment 
 ed for his skill and gallantry at Chippewa and Niagara, but for his 
 uniform good conduct throughout the war a compliment paid by 
 Congress to no other officer. The gold medal was presented by 
 President Monroe. Virginia and New York each voted a sword to 
 him ; which, for Virginia, was presented by Governor Pleasants ; 
 for New York, by Governor Tompkins. He was also elected an 
 honorary member of the Cincinnati, and numerous states named 
 new counties after him. 
 
 In the long interval of comparative inaction which followed the 
 close of the war, Scott's services were availed of by the general go 
 vernment first, in that most painful task of reducing the army to a 
 peace establishment, which necessarily imposed upon the general 
 the responsibility of deciding between the merits and fitness of 
 many gallant men, who had stood with him unflinching on the red 
 fields of battle. But in the discharge of this, as of every other duty 
 to his country, Scott acted with a single eye to its honour and wel 
 fare. Neither the relations of general friendship, nor the influences 
 of various sorts, brought to bear from without, were suffered to warp 
 his firm mind. He was there for his country, and in consonance 
 with what he thought its clear interests, was his course throughout. 
 The next important benefit rendered, and which, perhaps, was not 
 2* 
 
18 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 the least of all the many he was capable of rendering, was to trans 
 late from the French, prepare, digest, and adapt to our service, a 
 complete system of military tactics. In the execution of this trust, 
 his previous military studies gave him great facilities and advan 
 tages; and the system thus introduced, carried into effect by those 
 jewels of the nation, the West Point cadets, has recently proved 
 itself at Palo Alto and Fort Brown, Resaca de la Palma, and Mon 
 terey. 
 
 The frankness of his nature, and his high sense of subordination, 
 and ever-present and active respect for the spirit as well as letter of 
 the Constitution of his country, involved him, about the year 1817, 
 in an unpleasant controversy, first with General Jackson, and second, 
 as a consequence of the first, with De Witt Clinton. The particulars 
 of the controversy have passed from memory, and it is not our pur 
 pose to revive them. In the lifetime, before the Presidency of 
 General Jackson, a very complete and soldierly reconciliation took 
 place between General Scott and himself. But, we may add, in 
 the way of caution and reprobation, that the whole difficulty arose 
 from the unjustifiable and ungentlemanly repetition of some obser 
 vations made at a private dinner-table by General Scott. 
 
 Another controversy arose between General Scott and General 
 Gaines, on the subject of brevet rank, on occasion of the appoint 
 ment of General Macomb to the command of the army, after the 
 death of General Brown. The government did not sustain the views 
 taken by General Scott of the rights of brevet rank, and this officer, 
 in consequence, tendered the resignation of his commission, not from 
 any mere personal feelings, but because he thought that in his per 
 son a great military principle was violated. Happily, General 
 Jackson (then become president) would not act upon the proffered 
 resignation ; and in order to allow time for reflection, and at the 
 same time to prevent any damage to the service from an open colli 
 sion on points of duty between General Scott and his official supe 
 rior, a furlough of one year was sent to him. Scott took advantage 
 of the furlough to revisit Europe ; and on his return, under the 
 earnest advice of his friends, and, as is believed, with the unanimous 
 approval of his brother officers, Scott withdrew his resignation, and 
 reported himeelf for duty. 
 
 The Secretary of War, Major Eaton, in acknowledging General 
 Scott's letter, frankly and honourably says : 
 
THE BLACK HAWK WAR. 19 
 
 " It affords the department much satisfaction to perceive the con 
 clusion at which you have arrived as to your brevet rights. None 
 will do you the injustice to suppose that the opinions declared by 
 you on the subject are not the result of reflection and conviction ; 
 but since the constituted authorities of the government have, with 
 the best feelings entertained, come to conclusions adverse to your 
 own, no other opinions were cherished, or were hoped for, but that 
 on your return to the United States you would adopt the course 
 your letter indicates, and with good feelings resume those duties of 
 which your country has so long had the benefit." 
 
 The general was ordered in conclusion to report himself at once 
 for duty to General Macomb. He was assigned anew to the eastern 
 department, and there remained till called by the Black Hawk war 
 in 1832, to assume command. 
 
 It was in this capacity that Scott had the opportunity of showing 
 himself a " hero of humanity," as he had before shown himself a 
 "heroin the battle-field." The Asiatic cholera in this year first 
 reached this continent, and, sweeping with rapid but irregular strides 
 from point to point, it manifested itself most fatally on board the fleet 
 of steamboats on Lake Erie, in which General Scott, with a corps 
 of about one thousand regulars, embarked for Chicago. They left 
 Buffalo in the beginning of July. On the 8th, the cholera declared 
 itself on board the steamboat in which General Scott and staff, and 
 two hundred and twenty men were embarked, and in less than six 
 days one officer and fifty-one men died, and eighty were put on 
 shore sick at Chicago. It was amid the gloom and the terror 
 of this attack from a disease, known only by its fatal ap 
 proaches, that General Scott displayed those attributes of moral 
 courage, of genuine philanthropy, which would weigh so much 
 more in the scale of national gratitude, than the exercise of physical 
 courage that quality common to our race in the battle-field. From 
 cot to cot of the sick soldiers, their general daily went, soothing the 
 last moments of the dying, sustaining and cheering those who hoped 
 to survive, and for all, disarming the pestilence of that formidable 
 character of contagion which seemed to render its attack inevitable, 
 and almost synonymous with death, by showing in his own person 
 that he feared it not. Of the numbers whom his heroic self-confi 
 dence and generous example, in such circumstances, saved from 
 death, by dissipating their apprehensions, no estimate has ever been 
 
20 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 made ; but such deeds and such devotion are not unmarked by the 
 eye of Providence, and cannot be without their reward. 
 
 Of the nine hundred and fifty men that left Buffalo, not more than 
 four hundred survived for active service. On leaving Chicago, with 
 this diminished command, Scott proceeded as rapidly as possible to 
 the Mississippi, and there joined General Atkinson at Prairie du 
 Chien, who, in the battle of the Badaxe, had already scattered the 
 forces of Black Hawk. 
 
 In spite of all the precaution adopted by Scott and Atkinson, the 
 cholera was communicated anew to the army assembled at Rock 
 Island, and great were its ravages. Here, again, as on board the 
 steamboat, when the malady first appeared, Scott's self-sacrificing 
 care and solicitude for his men were unceasing. 
 
 It was late in September before the dread disease was extirpated 
 from the camp, and then commenced the negotiations with the Sacs 
 and Foxes; this was concluded by Scott with consummate skill, 
 and resulted in the cession, for a valuable consideration, of the fine 
 region which now constitutes the state of Iowa. Another treaty 
 was made on the same terms by him with the Winnebagoes, by 
 which they ceded some five million acres of land east of the Missis 
 sippi and between the Illinois and Wisconsin, now constituting a 
 valuable portion of the territory of Wisconsin. In reference, as \\ ell 
 to his successful negotiations, as to his humane conduct under the 
 calamity of pestilence, the then Secretary of War, General Cass, 
 wrote thus to General Scott : 
 
 "Allow me to congratulate you upon the fortunate consummation 
 of your arduous duties, and to express my entire approbation of the 
 whole course of your proceedings, during a series of difficulties re 
 quiring higher moral courage than the operations of an active cam 
 paign under ordinary circumstances." 
 
 Scarcely had Scott reached home and his family in New York, 
 when he was detailed by President Jackson to a new, important, 
 and most delicate duty, that of maintaining at home the supremacy 
 of the United States against South Carolina nullification. He imme 
 diately proceeded to Washington, and there, in personal interviews 
 with the president and the cabinet, becoming fully possessed of their 
 views, and having expressed to them his own, he was invested 
 with very ample discretionary power to meet the perilous crisis. 
 In no scene of his life, perhaps, has General Scott exhibited more 
 
SCOTT IN FLORIDA. 21 
 
 thorough patriotism more entire devotion to the laws and constitu 
 tion of his country more anxious, and skilfully-conducted efforts to 
 arrest that direst of calamities, civil war more self-command more 
 tact and talent than while stationed at Fort Moultrie, in Charleston 
 Harbour, and face to face, as it were, with nullification in arms. A 
 single drop of blood shed at that moment might have deluged the 
 nation in blood and yet the laws of the United States, made in 
 conformity with the constitution, Scott was sworn and commissioned 
 to uphold, defend, and enforce : the point of difficulty was to avert 
 the bloodshed, and yet maintain the laws ; and he came off entirely 
 successful in both under circumstances that history will do justice 
 to, as those who remember the fearful apprehensions of that day did 
 at the time, and still do. 
 
 His next field of public service was in Florida, where the Semi- 
 noles in possession of the everglades, and having taken our troops 
 at unawares owing to the want of adequate preparation by the ad 
 ministration, although timely warned of the danger by the gallant 
 Clinch seemed for a time to set the whole efforts of our country 
 at defiance. 
 
 On the 20th January, 1836, General Scott was ordered to the 
 command of the troops in Florida, and he displayed his habitual 
 promptitude in obeying the order. He was apprised of the will of 
 the president at four o'clock in the afternoon, and asked when he 
 could set forth. "This night," was the reply. But a day's delay 
 was required to draw up the requisite instructions, and he left 
 Washington on the 21st. 
 
 We enter not here into an examination of the steps taken and the 
 plans devised by General Scott, to bring to a rapid and sure termi 
 nation these disastrous and discreditable hostilities, nor into the 
 manner or the motives of his unmilitary recall, and of the subse 
 quent investigation of his conduct by a court of inquiry ; these are 
 among the historic archives of the nation. Our only concern here 
 with them is to say, that this court unanimously approved his con 
 duct pronounced the plan of his Seminole campaign "well devised," 
 and added that it "was prosecuted with energy, steadiness, and 
 ability." With regard to the Creek war, which at the same time 
 fell upon his hands, the court found "that the plan of campaign 
 adopted by Major-General Scott was well calculated to lead to suc 
 cessful results ; and that it was prosecuted by him, as far as practi 
 
 0* 
 
22 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 cable, with zeal and ability, until he was recalled from the com 
 mand." 
 
 Mr. Van Buren, who had now become president, approved the 
 finding of the court, and the nation at large ratified the verdict. 
 Public dinners were tendered to General Scott by the citizens of 
 New York, of Richmond, and of other places, all of which, how 
 ever, he declined ; and was in the discharge of the ordinary duties 
 of his station, when the patriot troubles broke out in 1837 on the 
 Canada frontier. For two years these troubles agitated our coun 
 try, and seriously menaced its peace. To no man in so great a 
 degree as to General Scott is it indebted for the preservation of that 
 peace. His honour and patriotism, his approved military service, 
 his reputation and his bearing as a soldier, gave great effect to his 
 frank and friendly expostulations with the deluded American citi 
 zens, who supposed they were acting patriotically in taking part 
 with the Canadian revolters ; and by kindness and reason, combined 
 with much skill and assiduity in discovering and tracing the rami 
 fications of the patriot lodges, he was enabled to prevent any out 
 break that might compromise our country with Great Britain. His 
 return from the Niagara frontier was greeted with compliments at 
 Albany and elsewhere, and all felt that a great national good had 
 been accomplished by this gallant soldier. 
 
 In 1838, another difficult and painful service was confided to Gene 
 ral Scott that of removing the Cherokees from the homes of their 
 fathers, to the region beyond the Mississippi. Here he was as suc 
 cessful as in all previous public service : tempering humanity with 
 power, and operating more by moral influence than force, he effected 
 this most trying object in a manner that secured the gratitude of those 
 whom he was, acting for .Tiis country, obliged to wrong. It was 
 this service, connected with his subsequent pacific arrangement of 
 the north-eastern boundary difficulties, that drew from the lamented 
 Channing that apostle of human rights this fine tribute : 
 
 " To this distinguished man belongs the rare honour of uniting 
 with military energy and daring the spirit of a philanthropist. His 
 exploits in the field, which placed him in the first rank of our sol 
 diers, have been obscured by the purer and more lasting glory of a 
 pacificator, and of a friend of mankind. In the whole history of the 
 intercourse of civilized with barbarous or half-civilized communities, 
 we doubt whether a brighter page can be found than that which re- 
 
NORTH-EASTERN BOUNDARY QUESTION. 23 
 
 cords his agency in the removal of the Cherokees. As far as the 
 wrongs done to this race can be atoned for, General Scott has made 
 the expiation. 
 
 " In his recent mission to the disturbed borders of our country, 
 he has succeeded, not so much by policy as by the nobleness and 
 generosity of his character, by moral influences, by the earnest con 
 viction with which he has enforced upon all with whom he has had 
 to do, the obligations of patriotism, justice, humanity, and religion. 
 It would not be easy to find among us a man who has won a purer 
 fame, and I am happy to offer this tribute, because I would do some 
 thing no matter how little to hasten the time when the spirit of 
 Christian humanity shall be accounted an essential attribute, and the 
 brightest ornament to a public man." 
 
 This is justly said, and most justly applied. 
 
 In 1839, Scott was again deputed by the government to keep the 
 peace, and, soldier as he is, to use all his great influence to prevent 
 the occurrence of war. The dispute respecting the contested boun 
 dary on the north-eastern frontier had become alarming Massa 
 chusetts and Maine on one side, and New Brunswick on the other, 
 had in some degree taken the matter into their own hands, and 
 hostile bands stood facing each other ; a single indiscretion among 
 them might have precipitated war beyond the possibility of its being 
 averted. Happily, a friendship formed on the field of battle, in 
 years long past, between General Scott and General Sir John Har 
 vey, the governor of New Brunswick, contributed to smooth the 
 difficulties between the two nations. General Scott having over 
 come the first great obstacles in soothing the irritated feelings of the 
 American borderers, made overtures to Sir John Harvey for the 
 mutual withdrawal of troops from the disputed territory ; and Sir 
 John frankly acceded to them, saying in his letter of the 23d March, 
 1839, to General Scott, " My reliance upon you, my dear general, 
 has led me to give my willing assent to the proposition which you 
 have made yourself the very acceptable means of conveying to me." 
 
 The menacing position of affairs was now effectually changed into 
 feelings of reciprocal forbearance, and Daniel Webster finally accom 
 plished, by the treaty at Washington, the good work so satisfactorily 
 commenced by the pacificator, Scott. 
 
 Soon after the commencement of actual hostilities between the 
 United States and Mexico, Scott requested of government permis- 
 
24 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 sion to join General Taylor with a large army, and push forward 
 for the enemy's capital. This was denied him, and he remained at 
 Washington until November. Receiving orders to proceed to the 
 seat of war, he embarked from New York, and reached the mouth 
 of the Rio Grande January 1st, 1847. After mustering an army of 
 nearly twelve thousand men, part of them from General Taylor's 
 force, he proceeded against the city and castle of Vera Cruz, the 
 first ot^ect of the campaign. The following graphic description of 
 the landing of the troops and siege of the city, is from the pen of 
 an eye-witness : 
 
 "On the fifth day of March, 1847, while the American squadron 
 was lying at Anton Lizardo, a norther sprang up, and commenced 
 blowing with great violence. The ships rolled and pitched, and 
 tugged at their anchors, as if striving to tear them from their hold, 
 while the sea was white with foam. About noon, General Scott's 
 fleet of transports, destined for the reduction of Vera Cruz, came 
 like a great white cloud bearing down before the storm. The whole 
 eastern horizon looked like a wall' of canvass. Vessel after vessel 
 came flying in under reduced sail, until the usually quiet harbour was 
 crowded with them. A perfect wilderness of spars and rigging met 
 the eye at every turn ; and for five days, all was bustle, activity and 
 excitement. Officers of the two services were visiting about from 
 ship to ship ; drums were beating, bands of music playing, and 
 every thing told of an approaching conflict. 
 
 "On the 10th, the army were conveyed in huge surf-boats from 
 the transports to the different ships of war, which immediately got 
 under way for Vera Cruz. During the passage down to the city, 
 I was in the fore-top of the United States' sloop-of-war 'Albany/ 
 from which place I had a good view of all that occurred. It was a 
 * sight to see !' The tall ships of war sailing leisurely along under 
 their top-sails, their decks thronged in every part with dense masses 
 of troops, whose bright muskets and bayonets were flashing in the 
 sunbeams ; the gingling of spurs and sabres ; the bands of music 
 playing ; the hum of the multitude rising up like the murmur of the 
 distant ocean ; the small steamers plying about, their decks crowded 
 with anxious spectators ; the long lines of surf-boats towing astern 
 of the ships, ready to disembark the troops ; all these tended to 
 render the scene one of the deepest interest. 
 
 "About three o'clock, P. M., the armada arrived abreast of the 
 
SIEGE OF VERA CRUZ. 25 
 
 little desert island of Sacrificio, where the time-worn walls and bat 
 tlements of Vera Cruz, and the old grim castle of San Juan d'Ulloa, 
 with their ponderous cannon, tier upon tier, basking in the yellow 
 rays of the sun, burst upon our view. It was a most beautiful, nay, 
 a sublime sight, that embarkation. I still retained my position in 
 the fore-top, and was watching every movement vfiih the most 
 anxious interest; for it was thought by many that the enemy would 
 oppose the landing of our troops. About four o'clock, the huge 
 surf-boats, each capable of conveying one hundred men, were haul 
 ed to the gang-ways of the different men-of-war, and quickly laden 
 with their ' warlike fraughtage ;' formed in a single line, nearly a 
 mile in length ; and at a given signal, commenced slowly moving 
 toward the Mexican shore. It was a grand spectacle ! On, on 
 went the long range of boats, loaded down to the gunwales with 
 brave men, the rays of the slowly-departing sun resting upon their 
 uniforms and bristling bayonets, and wrapping the far inland and 
 fantastic mountains of Mexico in robes of gold. On they went ; 
 the measured stroke of the countless oars mingling with the hoarse 
 dull roar of the trampling surf upon the sandy beach, and the shriek 
 of the myriads of sea-birds soaring high in air, until the boats struck 
 the shore, and quick as thought our army began to land. At this 
 instant, the American flag was planted, and unrolling its folds, float 
 ed proudly out upon the evening breeze ; the crews of the men-of- 
 war made the welkin ring with their fierce cheering ; and a dozen 
 bands of music, at the same time, and as if actuated by one impulse, 
 struck up 
 
 ' 'T is the star-spangled banner ! O, long may it wave, 
 O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave !' 
 
 " Early the next morning, the old grim castle of San Juan d'Ulloa 
 commenced trying the range of its heavy guns, throwing Paixhan 
 shells at the army, and continued it at intervals for a week ; but 
 with the exception of an occasional skirmish with a party of the 
 enemy's lancers, they had all the fun to themselves. In the mean 
 time our forces went quietly on with their preparations, stationing 
 their pickets, planting their heavy mortars, landing their horses, 
 provisions and munitions of war, constantly annoyed with a cease 
 less fire from the Mexican batteries, which our troops were as yet 
 too busy to return. 
 3 
 
26 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 "On the 24th, Lieutenant Oliver Hazard Perry, with a zeal 
 worthy of his illustrious father, * the hero of Lake Erie,' dismounted 
 one of the waist guns of the 'Albany,' a sixty-eight-pounder, pro 
 cured a number of volunteers who would willingly have charged 
 up to the muzzles of the Mexican cannon with such a leader, and 
 taking about forty rounds of Paixhan shells, proceeded on shore, 
 where, after dragging his gun through the sand for three miles, he 
 arrived at a small fortification, which the engineers had constructed 
 of sand-bags for him, and there planted his engine of destruction, 
 in a situation which commanded the whole city of Vera Cruz. 
 Roused by such a gallant example, guns from each of the other 
 ships of the squadron were disembarked, and conveyed to the breast 
 work, which was as yet concealed from the eyes of the Mexicans, 
 by being in the rear of an almost impervious chapparal, and in a 
 short tima^a most formidable fortress was completed, which was 
 styled the Naval Battery. 
 
 "At this period, General Scott, having quietly made all his ar 
 rangements, while a constant shower of shot and shell were thrown 
 at his army by the enemy, sent a flag of truce, with a summons for 
 the immediate surrender of the city of Vera Cruz, and the castle 
 of San Juan d'Ulloa, and with a full understanding that unless his 
 demand was immediately complied with, an attack would follow. 
 As a matter of course, the Mexicans, expecting an assault, for which 
 they were well prepared, and not a bombardment, returned an in 
 dignant refusal, and were told that at four o'clock, P. M., they should 
 hear farther from us. In the mean time, the chapparal had been 
 cut away, disclosing the Naval Battery to the gaze of the astonished 
 Mexicans, and the mortars and heavy artillery, which had been 
 planted upon the hills overlooking the city, and were ready to vomit 
 forth their fires of death. Every person was now waiting with 
 trembling anxiety the commencement of the fray. 
 
 "About four o'clock, P. M., while the crews of the squadron were 
 all at supper, a sudden and tremendous roar of artillery on shore 
 proclaimed that the battle had begun. The tea-things were left to 
 'take care of themselves,' and pellmell tumbled sjck and well up 
 the ladders to the spar-deck. I followed with the human tide, and 
 boon found myself in the fore-top of the 'Albany,' and looking 
 around me, a sublime but terrific sight my elevated porch presented 
 to the view. Some two hundred sail of vessels were lying imme- 
 
SIEGE OF VERA CRUZ. 27 
 
 diately around us, their tops, cross-trees, yards, shrouds every 
 thing where a foot-hold could be obtained crowded with human 
 beings, clustered like swarming bees in mid-summer on the trees, 
 all intently watching the battle. I turned my eyes on shore. JONA 
 THAN had at last awakened from his slumber, and had set to work 
 in earnest. Bomb-shells were flying like hail-stones into Vera Cruz 
 from every quarter ; sulphurous flashes, clouds of smoke, and the 
 dull boom of the heavy guns arose from the walls of the city in re 
 turn, while ever and anon a red sheet of flame would leap from the 
 great brass mortars on the ramparts of the grim castle, followed by 
 a report, which fairly made the earth tremble. The large ships of 
 the squadron could not approach near enough to the shore to parti 
 cipate in the attack upon the city, without exposing them to the fire 
 of the castle ; but all the gun-boats, small steamers, and every thing 
 that could be brought to bear upon the enemy, were sent in and 
 commenced blazing away; a steady stream of fire, like the red 
 glare of a volcano ! This state of things continued until sunset, 
 when the small vessels were called off; but the mortars kept throw 
 ing shells into the devoted town the live-long night. I was watch 
 ing them until after midnight, and it was one of the most striking 
 displays that I ever beheld. 
 
 "A huge black cloud of smoke hung like a pall over the American 
 army, completely concealing it from view ; the Mexicans had ceased 
 firing, in order to prevent our troops from directing their guns by 
 the flashes from the walls ; but the bombardiers had obtained the 
 exact range before dark, and kept thundering away, every shell fall 
 ing directly into the doomed city. Suddenly, a vivid, lightning-like 
 flash would gleam for an instant upon the black pall of smoke hang 
 ing over our lines, and then as the roar of the great mortar came 
 borne to our ears, the ponderous shell would be seen to dart upward 
 like a meteor, and after describing a semi-circle in the air, descend 
 with a loud crash upon the house-tops, or into the resounding streets 
 of the fated city. Then, after a brief but awful moment of sus 
 pense, a lurid glare, illuminating for an instant the white domes and 
 grim fortresses of Vera Cruz, falling into ruins with the shock, and 
 the echoing crash that came borne to our ears, told that the shell 
 had exploded, and executed its terrible mission ' 
 
 "Throughout the whole night these fearful missiles were travel 
 ling inio the city in one continued stream ; but the enemy did not 
 
28 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 return the fire. At day-light, however, the Mexicans again opened 
 their batteries upon our army, with the most determined bravery. 
 
 "About eight o'clock, A. M., the gallant Perry and his brave asso 
 ciates, having finished the mounting of their guns, and completed 
 all their arrangements, opened with a tremendous roar the Naval 
 Battery upon the west side of the city, and were immediately an 
 swered from four distinct batteries of the enemy. The firm earth 
 trembled beneath the discharge of these ponderous guns, and the 
 shot flew like hail into the town, and were returned with interest 
 by the Mexicans. Their heavy guns were served with wonderful 
 precision ; and almost every shot struck the little fort, burst open 
 the sand-bags of which it was constructed, and covered our brave 
 officers and men with a cloud of dust. Many shot and shell were 
 thrown directly through the -embrasures ; and to use the expressions 
 of one of our old tars who had been in several engagements, * the 
 red-skins handled their long thirty-two's as if they had been rifles!' 
 Several of our men and one officer had fallen, but the remainder of 
 the brave fellows kept blazing away ; while the forts and ramparts 
 of the city began to crumble to the earth. This state of things con 
 tinued until the twenty-seventh; the army throwing a constant 
 shower of bombs into the city, and the Naval Battery, (manned 
 daily by fresh officers and men,) beating down the fortifications, and 
 destroying every thing within its range, when a flag of truce was 
 sent out with an offer, which was immediately accepted, of an un 
 conditional surrender of the city of Vera Cruz and the castle of San 
 Juan d'Ulloa." 
 
 Before the siege commenced, General Scott had sent printed pass 
 ports to the different consuls, and also requested a surrender of the 
 city, in order to preserve the lives of the non-combatants. These 
 were disregarded at the time ; but when the siege was in full ope 
 ration, he received a communication from the consuls, requesting 
 that the women and children might be permitted to pass out. His 
 answer we give in his own words : 
 
 I enclose a copy of a memorial received last night, signed by 
 the consuls of Great Britain, France, Spain, and Prussia, within 
 Vera Cruz, asking me to grant a truce to enable the peutrqls, to 
 gether with Mexican women and children, to withdraw from the 
 scene of havoc about them. I shall reply, the moment that an op 
 portunity may betaken, to say 1. That a truce can only be granted 
 
TERMS OF THE SURRENDER. 29 
 
 on the application of Governor Morales, with a view to surrender. 
 2. That in sending safeguards to the different consuls, beginning as 
 far back as the 13th inst., I distinctly admonished them particularly 
 the French and Spanish consuls and of course, through the two, 
 the other consuls, of the dangers that have followed. 3. That al 
 though at that date I had already refused to allow any person what 
 soever to pass the line of investment either way, yet the blockade 
 had been left open to the consuls and other neutrals to pass out to 
 their respective ships of war up to the 22d instant ; and 4th : 
 
 "I shall enclose to the memorialists a copy of my summons to 
 the governor, to show that I had fully considered the impending 
 hardships and distresses of the place, including those of women and 
 children, before one gun had been fired in that direction. The in 
 tercourse between the neutral ships of war and the city was stopped 
 at the last-mentioned date by Commodore Perry, with my concur 
 rence, which I placed on the ground that the intercourse could not 
 fail to give to the enemy moral aid and comfort." 
 
 The following were the terms of surrender, finally agreed upon 
 by Generals Worth and Pillow, and Colonel Totten, on the part of 
 the Americans, and Villannuera, Herrera, and Robles, on the part 
 of the Mexicans ! 
 
 " 1. The whole garrison, or garrisons, to be surrendered to the 
 arms of the United States, as prisoners of war, the 29th instant, at 
 ten o'clock, A. M. ; the garrisons to be permitted to march out with 
 all the honours of war, and to lay down their arms to sucn officers 
 as may be appointed by the general-in-chief of the United States' 
 armies, and at a point to be agreed upon by the commissioners. 
 
 " 2. Mexican officers shall preserve their arms and private effects, 
 including horses and horse-furniture, and to be allowed, regular and 
 irregular officers, as also the rank and file, five days to retire to their 
 respective homes, on parole, as hereinafter prescribed. 
 
 " 3. Coincident with the surrender, as stipulated in article 1, the 
 Mexican flags of the various forts and stations shall be struck, sa 
 luted by their own batteries ; and, immediately thereafter, Forts 
 Santiago and Conception, and the castle of San Juan de Ulloa, oc 
 cupied by the forces of the United States. 
 
 "4. The rank and file of the regular portion of the prisoners to 
 be disposed of after surrender and parole, as their general-in-chief 
 3* 
 
30 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 may desire, and the irregular to be permitted to return to their 
 homes. The officers, in respect to all arms and descriptions of 
 force, giving the usual parole, that the said rank and file, as well as 
 themselves, shall not serve again until duly exchanged. 
 
 "5. All the material of war, and all public property of every 
 description found in the city, the castle of San Juan de Ulloa, and 
 their dependencies, to belong to the United States ; but the arma 
 ment of the same (not injured or destroyed in the further prosecu 
 tion of the actual war) may be considered as liable to be restored to 
 Mexico by a definite treaty of peace. 
 
 " 6. The sick and wounded Mexicans to be allowed to remain in 
 the city, with such medical officers and attendants, and officers of 
 the army as may be necessary to their care and treatment. 
 
 "7. Absolute protection is solemnly guarantied to persons in the 
 city, and property, and it is clearly understood that no private build 
 ing or property is to be taken or used by the forces of the United 
 States, without previous arrangement with the owners, and for a 
 fair equivalent. 
 
 "8. Absolute freedom of religious worship and ceremonies is 
 solemnly guarantied." 
 
 General Scott remained about two weeks at Vera Cruz, and then 
 set out for the capital. On the 17th of April he arrived at the pass 
 of Sierra Gordo, where General Santa Anna was entrenched with 
 eleven thousand men. On the same day Scott issued the following 
 celebrated order : 
 
 " The enemy's whole line of entrenchments and batteries will be 
 attacked in front, and at the same time turned, early in the day to 
 morrow probably before ten o'clock, A. M. 
 
 " The second (Twiggs's) division of regulars is already advanced 
 within easy turning distance towards the enemy's left. That divi 
 sion has orders to move forward before daylight to-morrow, and take 
 up position across the National Road to the enemy's rear, so as to 
 cut off a retreat towards Jalapa. It may be reinforced to-day, if 
 unexpectedly attacked in force, by regiments one or two, taken from 
 Shields's brigade of volunteers. If not, the two volunteer regi 
 ments will march for that purpose at daylight to-morrow morning, 
 under Brigadier-General Shields, who will report to Brigadier-Ge 
 neral Twiggs on getting up with him, or the general-in-chief, if he 
 be in advance. 
 
SCOTT'S CELEBRATED ORDER. 31 
 
 "The remaining regiment of that volunteer brigade will receive 
 instructions in the course of this day. 
 
 " The first division of regulars (Worth's) will follow the move 
 ment against the enemy's left at sunrise to-morrow morning. 
 
 "As already arranged, Brigadier-General Pillow's brigade will 
 march at six o'clock to-morrow morning along the route he has care 
 fully reconnoitred, and stand ready as soon as he hears the report 
 of arms on our right sooner, if circumstances should favour him 
 to pierce the enemy's line of batteries at such point the nearer 
 the river the better as he may select. Once in the rear of thaj 
 line, he will turn to the right or left, or both, and attack the batteries 
 in reverse, or if abandoned, he will pursue the enemy with vigout 
 until further orders. 
 
 " Wall's field-battery and the cavalry will be held in reserve on 
 the National Road, a little out of view and range of the enemy s 
 batteries. They will take up that position at nine o'clock in the 
 morning. 
 
 " The enemy's batteries being carried or abandoned, all our divi 
 sions and corps will pursue with vigour. 
 
 "This pursuit maybe continued many miles, until stopped by 
 darkness, or fortified positions towards Jalapa. Consequently, the 
 body of the army will not return to this encampment, but be fol 
 lowed to-morrow afternoon, or early the next morning, by the bag 
 gage trains for the several corps. For this purpose, the feebler offi 
 cers and men of each corps will be left to guard its camp and effects, 
 and to load up the latter in the wagons of the corps. 
 
 " As soon as it shall be known that the enemy's works have been 
 carried, or that the general pursuit has been commenced, one wagon 
 for each regiment, and one for the cavalry, will follow the move 
 ment, to receive, under the directions of medical officers, the 
 wounded, who will be brought back to this place for treatment in 
 the general hospital. 
 
 "The surgeon-general will organize this important service and 
 designate that hospital, as well as the medical officers to be left at 
 that place. 
 
 " Every man who marches out to attack or pursue the enemy 
 will take the usual allowance of ammunition, and subsistence for at 
 least two days." 
 
 This document is famous for its exact delineation of every move- 
 
32 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 ment of the battle, with one single exception, the day before the 
 action really took place. This is shown by the annexed report, 
 written after the engagement : 
 
 "The plan of attack, sketched in General Orders, No. Ill, here 
 with, was finely executed by this gallant army, before two o'clock, 
 P. M., yesterday. We are quite embarrassed with the results of 
 victory prisoners of war, heavy ordnance, field batteries, small 
 arms, and accoutrements. About three thousand men laid down 
 their arms with the usual proportion of field and company officers, 
 besides five generals, several of them of great distinction. Pinson, 
 Jarerro, La Vega, Noriega, and Obando. A sixth general, Vasquez, 
 was killed in defending the battery (tower) in the rear of the whole 
 Mexican army, the capture of which gave us those glorious re 
 sults. 
 
 " Our loss, though comparatively small in numbers, has been se 
 rious. Brigadier-General Shields, a commander of activity, zeal, 
 and talent, is, I fear, if not dead, mortally wounded. He is some 
 five miles from me at the moment. The field of operations covered 
 many miles, broken by mountains and deep chasms, and I have not 
 a report, as yet, from any division or brigade. Twiggs's division, 
 followed by Shields's (now Colonel Baker's) brigade, are now at, or 
 near Jalapa, and Worth's division is en route thither, all pursuing, 
 with good results, as I learn, that part of the Mexican army per 
 haps six or seven thousand men, who fled before our right had carried 
 the tower, and gained the Jalapa road. Pillow's brigade, alone, is 
 near me, at this depot of wounded, sick, and prisoners ; and I have 
 time only to give from him the names of 1st Lieutenant F. B. Nel 
 son, and 3d C. G. Gill, both of the 2d Tennessee foot (Haskell's 
 regiment) among the killed, and in the brigade one hundred and six, 
 of all ranks, killed or wounded. Among the latter the gallant bri 
 gadier-general himself has a smart wound in the arm, but not dis 
 abled, and Major R. Farqueson, 2d Tennessee ; Captain H. F. 
 Murray, 2d Lieutenant G. T. Sutherland, 1st Lieutenant W. P. 
 Hale, (adjutant,) all of the same regiment, severely ; and 1st Lieu 
 tenant W. Yearwood, mortally wounded. And I know, from per 
 sonal observation on the ground, that 1st Lieutenant Ewell, of the 
 rifles, if not now dead, was mortally wounded, in entering, sword 
 in hand, the entrenchments around the captured tower. Second 
 Lieutenant Derby, topographical engineers, I also saw, at the same 
 
BATTLE OF SIERRA GORDO. 33 
 
 place, severely wounded; and Captain Patten, 2d United States' 
 infantry, lost his right hand. 
 
 " Major Sumner, 2d United States' dragoons, was slightly wound 
 ed the day before, and Captain Johnston, topographical engineers 
 now lieutenant-colonel of infantry was very severely wounded some 
 days earlier, while reconnoitring. 
 
 " I must not omit to add that Captain Mason and 2d Lieutenant 
 Davis, both of the rifles, were among the very severely wounded in 
 storming the same tower. I estimate our total loss, in killed and 
 wounded, may be about two hundred and fifty, and that of the enemy 
 three hundred and fifty. In the pursuit towards Jalapa, (twenty- 
 five miles hence,) I learn we have added much to the enemy's loss 
 in prisoners, killed, and wounded. In fact, I suppose his retreating 
 army to be nearly disorganized, and hence my haste to follow, in an 
 hour or two, to profit by events. 
 
 " In this hurried and imperfect report, I must not omit to say that 
 Brigadier-General Twiggs, in passing the mountain range beyond 
 Cerro Gordo, crowned with the tower, detached from his division, 
 as I suggested before, a strong force to carry that height, which 
 commanded the Jalapa road at the foot, and could not fail, if carried, 
 to cut off the whole, or any part of the enemy's forces from a retreat 
 in any direction. A portion of the 1st artillery, under the often-dis 
 tinguished Brevet Colonel Childs, the 3d infantry, under Captain 
 Alexander, the 7th infantry, under Lieutenant-Colonel Plymton, and 
 the rifles, under Major Loring, all under the temporary command 
 of Colonel Harney, 2d dragoons, during the confinement to his bed 
 of Brevet Brigadier-General P. F. Smith, composed that detach 
 ment. The style of execution, which I had the pleasure to witness, 
 was most brilliant and decisive. The brigade ascended the long and 
 difficult slope of Sierra Gordo, without shelter, and under the tre 
 mendous fire of artillery and musketry, with the utmost steadiness, 
 reached the breastworks, drove the enemy from them, planted the 
 colours of the 1st artillery, 3d and 7th infantry the enemy's flag 
 still flying and, after some minutes of sharp firing, finished the 
 conquest with the bayonet. 
 
 " It is a most pleasing duty to say that the highest praise is due 
 to Harney, Childs, Plymton, Loring, Alexander, their gallant offi 
 cers and men, for this brilliant service, independent of the great 
 results which soon followed. 
 
34 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 " Worth's division of regulars coming up at this time, he detached 
 Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel C. F. Smith, with his light battalion, to 
 support the assault, but not in time. The general, reaching the 
 tower a few minutes before me, and observing a white flag displayed 
 from the nearest portion of the enemy towards the batteries below, 
 sent out Colonels Harney and Childs to hold a parley. The sur 
 render followed in an hour or two. 
 
 " Major-General Patterson left a sick bed to share in the dangers 
 and fatigues of the day ; and after the surrender, went forward to 
 command the advanced forces towards Jalapa. 
 
 "Brigadier-General Pillow and his brigade twice assaulted with 
 great daring the enemy's line of batteries on our left ; and though 
 without success, they contributed much to distract and dismay their 
 immediate opponents. 
 
 "President Santa Anna, with Generals Canalizo and Almonte, 
 and some six or eight thousand men, escaped towards Jalapa just 
 before Sierra Gordo was carried, and before Twiggs' division reached 
 the National Road above. 
 
 " I have determined to parole the prisoners officers and men 
 as I have not the means of feeding them here, beyond to-day, and 
 cannot afford to detach a heavy body of horse and foot, with wagons, 
 to accompany them to Vera Cruz. Our baggage train, though in 
 creasing, is not yet half large enough to give an assured progress to 
 this army. Besides, a greater number of prisoners would, probably, 
 escape from the escort in the long and deep sandy road, without 
 subsistence ten to one that we shall find again, out of the same 
 body of men, in the ranks opposed to us. Not one of the Vera 
 Cruz prisoners is believed to have been in the lines of Sierra Gordo. 
 Some six of the officers, highest in rank, refuse to give their paroles, 
 except to go to Vera Cruz, and thence, perhaps, to the United 
 States. 
 
 " The small arms and their accoutrements, being of no value to 
 our army here or at home, I have ordered them to be destroyed, for 
 we have not the means of transporting them. I am also somewhat 
 
 embarrassed with the pieces of artillery all bronze which 
 
 we have captured. It will take a brigade, and half the mules of this 
 army to transport them fifty miles. A field battery I shall take for 
 service with the army ; but the heavy metal must be collected, and 
 
MARCH FOR THE CAPITAL. 35 
 
 left here for the present. We have our own siege-train and the 
 proper carriages with us. 
 
 "Being much occupied with the prisoners, and all the details of 
 a forward movement, besides looking to the supplies which are to 
 follow from Vera Cruz, I have time to add no more intending to 
 be at Jalapa early to-morrow. We shall not, probably, again meet 
 with serious opposition this side of Perote certainly not, unless 
 delayed by the want of means of transportation. 
 
 " I invite attention to the accompanying letter to President Sauta 
 Anna, taken in his carriage yesterday; also to his proclamation, 
 issued on hearing that we had captured Vera Cruz, &c., in which 
 he says : * If the enemy advance one step more, the national inde 
 pendence will be buried in the abyss of the past.' We have taken 
 that step. 
 
 " One of the principal motives for paroling the prisoners of war 
 is, to diminish the resistances of other garrisons in our march." 
 
 After the capture of Puebla by General Worth, [May 15th,] the 
 army remained there until the 7th of August, when it commenced 
 its march for the Mexican capital. An excellent description of this 
 march, and of the great battles consequent upon it, is - given by a 
 participator. 
 
 " We left Puebla on the morning of the 7th, and entered upon a 
 beautiful rolling country of great fertility, supplying with its gar 
 dens the inhabitants of Puebla with food, and surrounded by lofty 
 mountains, some of which were covered with snow. Our road was 
 gradually ascending, and so good that on looking back from the 
 head of the column our train could be seen for miles in rear, dotting 
 with its snow-white tops the maguey-covered plain. On our left 
 was Popocatapetl and Iscatafetl, the snow on their not distant tops 
 rendering the air quite chilly. General Scott did not leave with us, 
 but came on the next day with Captain Kearny's dragoons. 
 
 "The second day's march^was like the first, gradually ascending, 
 passing through defiles, narrow passes, and over deep chasms, where 
 a more determined enemy might have seriously annoyed us by 
 merely making use of the obstacles Nature everywhere presented. 
 Thick woods of the finest forest-trees were abundant, and the rugged 
 nature of the country would readily carry one back to the northern 
 parts of New England, or the passes of the * Notch.' Here and 
 
36 MAJOR-GENERAL W1NFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 there beautiful little lakes were interspersed in the deep valleys, 
 and the clearness and coldness of their waters were almost incredible. 
 
 " The third day we were to encounter the much-vaunted pass of 
 * Rio Frio? and also the passage of the mountain which was to lead 
 us to the El Dorado of our hopes, the great plain of Mexico. Our 
 march was to be long and difficult, and three o'clock saw us under 
 way, with heart and hopes full of the prospect before us. The 
 dreaded defile is reached and passed. The mountains which skirt 
 the road on the left here close upon it for about a mile, over 
 hanging and enfilading it completely, and affording with their crests 
 most excellent coverings for an enemy's marksmen. The newly- 
 cut trees and long range of breastworks thrown up on the crest, 
 showed us that preparations had been made, while numerous para 
 pets with embrasures in the logs, taught us what might have been 
 done. But no men were there ; the muskets and cannon were 
 gone. Valencia, with six thousand Mexicans, was full a day's 
 march ahead, making for Mexico with a speed which betrayed home 
 sickness. Rio Frio was found to be a little stream pouring down 
 from the Snow mountain, of icy coldness and crystal purity. After 
 a slight pause for refreshment, we commenced our ascent of the 
 ridge which separates the plains of Puebla and Mexico, the former 
 of which it had hitherto skirted. For several long miles we toiled 
 up the hill, only recompensed for our labour by what we hoped to 
 attain at last. When all were pretty nearly worn out, a sudden 
 turn in the road brought to our view a sight which none can ever 
 forget. The whole vast plain of Mexico was before us. The cold 
 ness of the air, which was most sensibly felt at this great height, 
 our fatigue and danger were forgotten, and our eyes were the only 
 sense that thought of enjoyment. Mexico, with its lofty steeples 
 and its chequered domes, its bright reality, and its former fame, its 
 modern splendour and its ancient magnificence, was before us ; 
 while around on every side its thousand lakes seemed like silver 
 stars on a velvet mantle. 
 
 " We encamped that night at the base of the mountain, with the 
 enemy's scouts on every side of us. The next day we reached 
 Jlyotla, only fifteen miles from Mexico by the National Road, which 
 we had hitherto been following. Here we halted until Generals 
 duitman, Pillow, and Worth, with their divisions, should come up. 
 We were separated from the city by the marshes which surround 
 
DARING RECONNOISSANCE. 37 
 
 Lake Tezcuco, and by the lake itself. The road is a causeway 
 running through the marsh, and is commanded by a steep and lofty 
 hill called El Pinnol. This hill completely enfilades and commands 
 the National Road, and had been fortified and repaired with the 
 greatest care by Santa Anna. One side was inaccessible by nature ; 
 the rest had been made so by art. Batteries, in all mounting fifty 
 guns of different calibres, had been placed on its sides, and a deep 
 ditch, twenty-four feet wide and ten deep, filled with water, had 
 been cut, connecting the parts already surrounded by marshes. On 
 this side Santa Anna had twenty-five thousand men against our 
 force of a little over nine thousand, all told. 
 
 " On the 22d we made a reconnoissance of the work, which was 
 pronounced impracticable, as the lives of five thousand men would 
 be lost before the ditch could be crossed. We continued our search, 
 and found another road, which went round on the left, but when 
 within five miles of the city were halted by coming suddenly upon 
 five strong batteries on the hill which commanded this road, at a 
 place called Mexicaldngo. We soon countermarched, and then 
 saw our danger. With one regiment, and three companies of ca 
 valry, in all about four hundred men, we saw that El Pinnol lay 
 directly between us and our camp, distant full fifteen miles. Every 
 eye was fixed on the hill, with the expectation of an approaching 
 column which should drive us back into a Mexican prison, while 
 we stepped off with the speed and endurance of four hundred Cap 
 tain Barclays ! At about midnight we arrived safely at camp, and 
 General Scott did us the honour of calling it ' the boldest reconnois 
 sance of the war.' General Worth was encamped about five miles 
 off that is, in a straight line across the Lake Chalco, at a place 
 of the same name, but about ten miles by the road. The Mexicans 
 had a foundry in the mountains, at which we were getting some 
 shells made, and on returning from which Lieutenant Schuyler Ha 
 milton was badly wounded. 
 
 " By means of his scouts, General Worth had found a path round 
 the left of Lake Chalco, which led us to the western gate of the 
 city, and which, up to that time, had not been fortified. On the 
 14th, the other divisions commenced their march, while we brought 
 up the train and the rear. In the morning, the train was sent m 
 advance, while Smith's brigade acted as rear-guard. It was com 
 posed of the rifles, 1st artillery, and the 3d infantry, with Taylor'* 
 4 
 
38. MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 battery. As the rear-guard, marching slowly along, reached with 
 the train, word came to General Twiggs that a force of about five 
 thousand men were trying to cross the road between them and the 
 train in order to cut it off. We were then passing through a small 
 village which, by a curious coincidence, was called Buena Vista. 
 On our left were large fields of half-grown barley, through which 
 was seen advancing in splendid order the enemy's column. It was 
 the most splendid sight I had ever seen. The yellow cloaks, red 
 caps and jackets of the lancers, and the bright blue and white uni 
 forms of the infantry, were most beautifully contrasted with the 
 green of the barley-field. Our line of battle was soon formed, and 
 we deployed through the grain to turn their left and cut them off 
 from the mountains. A few shots, however, from the battery, soon 
 showed them that they were observed ; and, countermarching in 
 haste, they left their dead on the field. Thus ended our fight of 
 Buena Vista. That night we staid at Chalco. The next day we 
 made a long and toilsome march over a horrible road, through 
 which, with the utmost difficulty, we dragged our wagons by the 
 assistance of both men and mules. The next was nearly the same, 
 except that the road was, if possible, worse than before, as the Mexi 
 cans had blocked it up with large stones, rolled down from the 
 neighbouring hills. This night we encamped at a most beautiful 
 olive grove, of immense size, and accommodating at once both divi 
 sions. In the town, as well as in Chalco, there are still standing 
 the churches of the Indians, where the fire-worshippers assembled 
 before Cortez had introduced a new religion. They are large and 
 sombre edifices, differing but little from the churches of this country, 
 and, being near the city, are said to have been formerly resorted to 
 by the ancient kings. 
 
 " The next day we arrived in sight of the rest of the army, and 
 heard the guns with which Worth was breaching the walls of San 
 Antonio. That night the news of the death of Captain Thornton, 
 of the 2d dragoons, reached us. He was a brave officer and a tho 
 rough gentleman, but was always unfortunate in his military career. 
 
 "On the morning of the 19th, we left the little village where we 
 had heard this sad news, and took the road to San Juan, about 
 seven miles to the west, and only about ten miles from the city. 
 When we arrived here we heard the sound of General Worth's 
 guns, who was said to have attacked San Augustine, a village three 
 
SKIRMISH WITH THE ENEMY. 39 
 
 miles nearer the capital, where Santa Anna was said to he with 
 twenty thousand rften. When we arrived at San Juan, the men 
 were told to sling their blankets across their shoulders, put their 
 knapsacks into their wagons, and to put two days' bread and beef 
 in their haversacks. When this order came, all knew that the time 
 had come. The officers arranged their effects, put on their old coats, 
 and filled their haversacks and flasks. Soon we were ready for any 
 thing but a thrashing. We here heard the position of the enemy, 
 which was nearly as follows : Santa Anna, with twenty thousand 
 men, was at San Augustine; Valencia, with ten thousand, was at 
 a hill called Contreros, which commanded another road parallel to 
 the San Augustine road, but which led into it between the city and 
 Santa Anna. Now, by cutting a road across, if we could whip 
 Valencia, we could follow the road up, and thus get in between 
 Santa Anna and Mexico, and whip him too. General Worth (sup 
 ported by General Gluitman) was to keep Santa Anna in check, 
 while Twiggs (backed by Pillow) was to try and astonish Valencia, 
 which you will see he did very effectually. Pillow, with some of 
 the ten regiments, was to cut the road. 
 
 " We left San Juan about one o'clock, not particularly desiring a 
 fight so late in the day, but still not shunning it in case we could 
 have a respectable chance. About two P. M., as we had crawled 
 to the top of a hill, whither we had been ourselves pulling Magru- 
 der's battery and the mountain howitzers, we suddenly espied Va 
 lencia fortified on a hill about two hundred yards off, and strongly 
 reinforced by a column which had just come out of the city. We 
 laid down close to avoid drawing their fire, while the battery moved 
 past at a full gallop. Just then, General Smith's manly voice rung 
 out, 'Forward the rifles to support the battery.' On they went 
 till we got about eight hundred yards from the work, when the 
 enemy opened upon -them with his long guns, which were after 
 wards found to be sixteen and eight-inch howitzers. The ground 
 was the worst possible for artillery, covered with rocks large and 
 small, prickly-pear and cactus, intersected by ditches filled with 
 water and lined with maguey-plant, itself imperviable to cavalry, 
 and with patches of corn which concealed the enemy's skirmishers, 
 while it impeded our own passage. The artillery advanced but 
 slowly under a most tremendous fire, which greatly injured it before 
 it could be got in range, and the thickness of the undergrowth caused 
 
40 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 the skirmishers thrown forward to lose their relative position, as well 
 as the column. About four, the battery got in position under a most 
 murderous fire of grape, canister, and round-shot. .Here the supe 
 riority of the enemy's pieces rendered our fire nugatory. We could 
 get but three pieces in battery, while they had twenty-seven, all of ( 
 them three times the calibre of ours. For two hours our troops stood 
 the storm of iron and lead they hailed upon them unmoved. At 
 every discharge they laid flat down to avoid the storm, and then 
 sprung up to serve the guns. At the erfd of that time, two of the 
 guns were dismounted, and we badly hurt : thirteen of the horses 
 were killed and disabled, and fifteen of the cannoniers killed and 
 wounded. The regiment was then recalled. The lancers had been 
 repelled in three successive charges. The 3d infantry and 1st artil 
 lery had also engaged and successfully repelled the enemy's skir 
 mishers without losing either officers or men. The greatest loss had 
 been at the batteries. Officers looked gleomy for the first day's fight, 
 but the brigade was formed, and General Smith in person took com 
 mand. All felt revived, and followed him with a yell, as, creeping 
 low to avoid the grape, (which was coming very fast,) we made a 
 circuit in rear' of the batteries ; and, passing off* to the right, we were 
 soon lost to view in the chapparal and cactus. 
 
 " Passing over the path that we scrambled through, behold us at 
 almost six o'clock in the evening, tired, hungry, and sorrowful, 
 emerging from the chaparral and crossing the road between it and 
 Valencia. Here we found Cadwalader and his brigade already 
 formed, and discovered Riley's brigade skirmishing in rear of the 
 enemy's works. Valencia was ignorant of our approach, and we 
 were as yet safe. In front of us was Valencia, strongly entrenched 
 on a hill-side and surrounded by a regular field-work, concealed from 
 us by an orchard in our rear. Mendoza, with a column of six 
 thousand, was in the road, but thinking us to be friends. On our 
 right was a large range of hills whose continued crest was parallel 
 to the road, and in which were formed in line of battle five thousand 
 of the best Mexican cavalry. On our left we were separated from 
 our own forces by an almost impassable wilderness, and it was now 
 twilight. Even Smith looked round for help. Suddenly a thou 
 sand vivas came across the hill-side like the yells of prairie wolves 
 in the dead of night, and the squadrons on our right formed for 
 charging. Smith is himself again ! " Face to the rear !" " Wait 
 
BATTLE OF CONTREROS. 41 
 
 till you see their red caps, and then give it to them!" Furiously 
 they came on a few yards, then changed their minds, and, disgusted 
 at our cool reception, retired to their couches. 
 
 On the edge of the road, between us and Valencia, a Mexican 
 hamlet spread out, with its mud huts, large orchards, deep-cut roads, 
 and a strong church ; and through the centre of this hamlet ran a 
 path parallel to the main road, but concealed from it ; it is nearly a 
 mile long. In this road Smith's and Riley's brigade bivouacked. 
 Shields, who came up in the night, lay in the orchard, while Cad- 
 walader was nearest the enemy's works. As we were within range 
 of their batteries, which could enfilade the road in which we lay, 
 we built a stone breastwork at either end to conceal ourselves from 
 their view and grape. There we were, completely surrounded by 
 the enemy, cut off from our communications, ignorant of the ground, 
 without artillery, weary, dispirited, and dejected. We were a dis 
 heartened set. With Santa Anna and Salas's promise of " no quar 
 ter," a force of four to one against us, and one half defeated already, 
 no succour from Puebla, and no news from General Scott, all seemed 
 dark. Suddenly the words came whispered along, " we storm at 
 midnight." Now we are ourselves again ! But what a horrible 
 night ! There we lay, too tired to eat, too wet to sleep, in the mid 
 dle of that muddy road, officers and men side by side, with a heavy 
 rain pouring down upon us, the officers without blankets or over 
 coats, (they had lost them in coming across,) and the men worn out 
 with fatigue. About midnight the rain was so heavy that the 
 streams in the road flooded us, and there we stood crowded together, 
 drenched and benumbed, waiting till daylight. 
 
 At half-past three the welcome word "fall in" was passed down, 
 and we commenced our march. The enemy's works were on a 
 hill-side, behind which rose other and slightly higher hills, separated 
 by. deep ravines and gullies, and intersected by streams. The 
 whole face of the country was of stiff clay, which rendered it almost 
 impossible to advance. We formed our line about a quarter of a 
 mile from the enemy's works, Riley's brigade on our right. At 
 about four we started, winding through a thick orchard which effec 
 tually concealed us, even had it not been dark, debouching into a 
 deep ravine which ran within about five hundred yards of the work, 
 and which carried us directly in rear and out of sight of their batte 
 ries. At dawn of day we reached our place after incredible exer- 
 4* P* 
 
42 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 tions, and got ready for our charge. The men threw off their wet 
 blankets and looked to their pieces, while the officers got ready for 
 a rush, and the first smile that lit up our faces for twelve hours boded 
 but little good for the Mexicans. On the right, and opposite the 
 right of their work, was Riley's brigade of the 2d and 1st infantry 
 and 4th artillery, next the rifles, then the 1st artillery and Sd'infan- 
 try. In rear of our left was Cadwalader's brigade, as a support, 
 with Shields's brigade in rear as a reserve the whole division un 
 der command of General Smith, in the absence of General Twiggs. 
 They had a smooth place to rush down on the enemy's work, with 
 the brow of the hill to keep under until the word was given. 
 
 "At last, just at daylight, General Smith slowly walking up, asked 
 if all was ready. A look answered him. * Men forward ." And 
 we did * forward.' Springing up at once, Riley's brigade opened, 
 when the crack of a hundred rifles startled the Mexicans from their 
 astonishment, and they opened their fire. Useless fire ! for we were 
 so close that they overshot us, and, before they could turn their 
 pieces on us we were on them. Then such cheers arose as you 
 never heard. The men rushed forward like demons, yelling and 
 firing the while. The carnage was frightful, and, though they fired 
 sharply, it was of no use. The earthen parapet was cleared in an 
 instant, and the blows of the stocks could be plainly heard mingled 
 with the yells and groans around. Just before the charge was made, 
 a large body of lancers came winding up the road looking most 
 splendidly in their brilliant uniforms. They never got to the work, 
 but turned and fled. In an instant all was one mass of confusion, 
 each trying to be foremost in the flight. The road was literally 
 blocked up, and, while many perished by their own guns, it was 
 almost impossible to fire on the mass from the danger of killing our 
 own men. Some fled up the ravine on the left, or on the right, and 
 many of these were slain by turning their own guns on them. To 
 wards the city the rifles and 2d infantry led off the pursuit. Seeing 
 that a large crowd of the fugitives were jammed up in a pass in 
 the road, some of our men ran through the cornfield, and by thus 
 heading them off and firing down upon them, about thirty men took 
 over five hundred prisoners, nearly a hundred of them officers. 
 After disarming the prisoners, as the pursuit had ceased, we went 
 back to the fort, where we found our troops in full possession, and 
 the rout complete. 
 
DEFEAT OF THE ENEMY. 43 
 
 " We found that the enemy's position was much stronger than 
 we had supposed, and their artillery much larger and more abun 
 dant. Our own loss was small, which may be accounted for by 
 their perfect surprise at our charge, as to them we appeared as if 
 rising out of the earth, so unperceived was our approach. Our loss 
 was one officer killed, Captain Hanson of the 7th infantry, and 
 Lieutenant Van Buren of the rifles shot through the leg, and about 
 fifty men killed and wounded. Their force consisted of eight thou 
 sand men, under Valencia, with a reserve, which had not yet arrived, 
 under Santa Anna. Their loss, as since ascertained, was as follows: 
 Killed and buried since the fight, seven hundred and fifty ; wound 
 ed, one thousand, and fifteen hundred prisoners, exclusive of officers, 
 including four generals Salas, Mendoza, Garcia, and Guadalupe 
 in addition to dozens of colonels, majors, captains, &c. We captured 
 in all on the hill twenty-two pieces of cannon, including five eight- 
 inch howitzers, two long eighteens, three long sixteens, and several 
 of twelve and eight inches, and also the two identical six-pounders 
 captured' by the Mexicans at Buena Vista, taken from Captain 
 Washington's battery of the 4th artillery. The first officer who 
 saw them happened to be the officer of the 4th, selected by General 
 Scott to command the new battery of that regiment, Captain Drum. 
 In addition were taken immense quantities of ammunition and mus 
 kets ; in fact, the way was strewed with muskets, escopets, lances, 
 and flags for miles. Large quantities of horses and mules were also 
 captured, though large numbers were killed. 
 
 "Thus ended the glorious battle of Contreros, in which two thou 
 sand men, under General P. F. Smith, completely routed and de 
 stroyed an army of eight thousand men, under General Valencia, 
 with Santa Anna and a force of twenty thousand men, within five 
 miles. Their army was so completely routed that not fifteen hun 
 dred men rejoined Santa Anna and participated in the second bat 
 tle. Most people would have thought that a pretty good day's work. 
 Not so. We had only saved ourselves, not conquered Mexico, and 
 men's work was before us yet. 
 
 "At eight A. M. we formed again, and General Twiggs having 
 taken command, we started on the road to Mexico. We had hardly 
 marched a mile before we were sharply fired upon from both sides 
 of the road, and our right was deployed to drive the enemy in. We 
 goon found that we had caught up with the retreating party, from 
 
44 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 the very brisk firing in front, and we drove them through the little 
 town of San Angelo, where they had been halting in force. About 
 half a mile from this town we entered the suburbs of another called 
 San Katherina, when a large party in the church-yard fired on the 
 head of the column, and the balls came right among us. Our men 
 kept rushing on their rear and cutting them down, until a discharge 
 of grape-shot from a large piece in front drove them back to the 
 column. In this short space of time five men were killed, ten taken 
 prisoners, and a small colour captured, which was carried the rest 
 of the day. 
 
 " Meanwhile General Worth had made a demonstration on San 
 Antonio, where the enemy was fortified in a strong hacienda ; but 
 they retired on his approach to Churubusco, where the works were 
 deemed impregnable. They consisted of a fortified hacienda, which 
 was surrounded by a high and thick wall on all sides. Inside the 
 wall was a stone building, the roof of which was flat and higher 
 than the walls. Above all this was a stone church, still higher than 
 the rest, and having a large steeple. The wall was pierced with 
 loop-holes, and so arranged that there were two tiers of men firing 
 at the same time. They thus had four different ranges of men firing 
 at once, and four ranks were formed on each range, and placed at 
 such a height that they could not only overlook all the surrounding 
 country, but at the same time they had a plunging fire upon us. 
 Outside the hacienda, and completely commanding the avenues of 
 approach, was a field-work extending around two sides of the fort, 
 and protected by a deep wet ditch, and armed with seven large 
 pieces. This hacienda is at the commencement of the causeway 
 leading to the western gate of the city, and had to be passed before 
 getting on the road. About three hundred yards in rear of this 
 work another field-work had been built where a cross-road meets 
 the causeway, at a point where it crosses a river, thus forming a 
 bridge head, or t&te de pont. This was also very strong, and armed 
 with three large pieces of cannon. The works were surround 
 ed on every side by large corn-fields, which were filled with the 
 enemy's skirmishers, so that it was difficult to make a reconnoissance. 
 It was therefore decided to make the attack immediately, as they 
 were full of men, and extended for nearly a mile on the road to the 
 city, completely covering the causeway. The attack commenced 
 about one, P. M. General Twiggs's division attacked on the side 
 
BATTLE OF CIIURUBUSCO. 45 
 
 towards which they approached the fort ; that is, opposite the city. 
 General Worth's attacked the bridge head, which he took in about 
 an hour and a half; while Generals Pillow and Quitman were on 
 the extreme left, between the causeway and Twiggs's division. The 
 rifles were on the left and in rear of the work, intrusted by Gene 
 ral Scott with the task of charging it in case General Pierce 
 gave way. The firing was most tremendous in fact, one continued 
 roll while the combat lasted. The enemy, from their elevated sta 
 tion, could readily see our men, who were unable to get a clear 
 view from their position. Three of the pieces were manned by 
 ' the Deserters,' a body of about one hundred, who had deserted 
 from the ranks of our army during the war. They were enrolled 
 in two companies, commanded by a deserter, and were better uni 
 formed and disciplined than the rest of the army. These men 
 fought most desperately, and are said not only to have shot down 
 geveral of our officers whom they knew, but to have pulled down 
 the white flag of surrender no less than three times. 
 
 " The battle raged most furiously for about three hours, when, 
 both sides having lost a great many, the enemy began to give way. 
 As soon as they commenced retreating, Kearny's squadron passed 
 through the tete de pant, and, charging through the retreating co 
 lumn, pursued them to the very gate of the city. When our men got 
 within about five hundred yards of the gate, they were opened upon 
 with grape and canister, and several officers wounded. Amongst 
 the number was Captain Kearny, 1st dragoons, who lost his left 
 arm above the elbow. Lieutenant Graham, of New York, received 
 a severe flesh-wound in his left arm. Captain McReynolds, ditto. 
 Our loss in this second battle was large. We lost in killed seven 
 officers : Captains Capron, Burke, 1st artillery ; Lieutenants Irons, 
 Johnston, Hoffman, Captain Anderson, Lieutenant Easely, 2d in 
 fantry ; Captain Hanson, 7th infantry. Lieutenant Irons died on 
 the 28th. Colonel Butler, of South Carolina, and about thirty 
 officers wounded, exclusive of the volunteers. The official returns 
 give our loss in killed and wounded at one thousand one hundred 
 and fifty, besides officers. The Mexican loss is five hundred killed 
 in the second battle, one thousand wounded, and eleven hundred 
 prisoners, exclusive of officers. Three more generals were taken, 
 among them General Rincon and Anaya, the provisional President ; 
 also, ten pieces of cannon and an immense amount of ammunition 
 
46 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 and stores. Santa Anna, in his report, states his loss in killed, 
 wounded, and missing at twelve thousand. He has only eighteen 
 thousand left out of thirty thousand, which he gives as his force on 
 the 20th in both actions. 
 
 " Thus ended the battle of Churubusco, one of the most furious 
 and deadly, for its length, of any of the war. For reasons which 
 he deemed conclusive, General Scott did not enter the city that 
 night, but encamped on the battle-field, about four miles from the 
 western gate of the city. The next day a flag of truce came out, 
 and propositions were made which resulted in an armistice. 
 
 " Meanwhile, the army is encamped in the villages around the 
 city, recruiting from their fatigue and nursing the sick and wounded. 
 There are but few sick, and the wounded are getting along com 
 fortably in their hospitals. 
 
 The New Orleans Delta has the following remarks on these 
 battles : 
 
 "Never have there been exhibited in one day so many individual 
 instances of heroic courage, indomitable valour, and determination 
 in overcoming great and apparently insurmountable obstacles. From 
 one end of the army to the other there prevailed but one feeling and 
 one resolve, and that was victory or death. Our officers set noble 
 examples to their men, which were, imitated with as much cool de 
 termination as they were set. There was no faltering, no holding- 
 back, and there is no corps or command but acquitted itself with 
 honour to themselves and credit to the country. The regulars 
 added new laurels to those already acquired, and the volunteers 
 have given a repetition of the noble bearing of their countrymen on 
 the bloody field of Buena Vista. South Carolina chivalry and the 
 sons of the Empire State have inscribed their names on the roll of 
 fame, and will return home bright ornaments to the states from 
 whence they came. 
 
 " The Mexicans also fought as they never fought before ; they 
 strongly resisted us at every point, and contested every inch with 
 the strongest determination and even to desperation. They knew 
 that their capital and their all depended upon the issue, and with 
 this knowledge and thus prompted, they threw themselves into the 
 breach as no person ever expected they would and one of the best 
 evidences of this is the number of killed and wounded on both sides. 
 
 "General Scott, at the head of our army during the engagement, 
 
CESSATION OF HOSTILITIES. 47 
 
 received a slight wound in the leg, and, what is very remarkable, 
 no person whatever except himself was aware of it until after the 
 battle was over. A great deal has been said and written in reference 
 to the ability of General Scott as a military man, but those who have 
 not seen him in command and under fire, cannot form any just con 
 ception of his abilities. His cool consideration of every thing around 
 him his quick perception his firm resolves and immediate exe 
 cution equal if they do not surpass those of any of the great gene 
 rals whose deeds have been made so conspicuous in history." 
 
 After the works at Churubusco had been carried by storm, the 
 dragoons, under their valiant leader, Colonel Harney, were ordered 
 forward to pursue the retreating foe ; and onward they went, like 
 winged messengers of death, their bright sabres glittering in the 
 sunbeams, amidst the huzzas of the light troops, flushed with the 
 victory over the fort. The horses seemed to partake of the enthu 
 siasm of their riders, and dashed forward with supernatural strength, 
 and in this spirit and state of feeling they overtook the flying army, 
 and continued to cut them down to the very gates of the city. 
 
 Ayotk is twenty miles from Mexico, on the main road from Vera 
 Cruz to that capital. About midway between Ayotla and Mexico 
 are the strong fortifications of Penon ; and others at another pass 
 called Mexicalcingo. Mexicalcingo lies to the southward of the 
 Vera Cruz road, at the head of Lake Xochimilco. It is about six 
 miles S. S. E. from Mexico, while Penon is about nine miles E. S. E. 
 The town of Chalco is situated on the eastern border of the lake of 
 the same name, three or four miles south of the Vera Cruz road. 
 The Venta de Chalco, or village of Chalco, is immediately on said 
 road, two or three miles south-east of Ayotla. The route of the 
 army from that point ran along the northern and then the western 
 border of Lake Chalco, between which and Lake Xochimilco on the 
 west there is only half a mile of land. The road around the town 
 passes entirely to the southward of Lake Chalco. 
 
 Contreros, where the first battle was fought, is a fortified position 
 between San Augustin and San Angel. Churubusco, the scene of 
 the second great conflict, is about two miles north of San Angel, and 
 perhaps four south of Mexico. 
 
 On the evening of the 20th, General ^Scott offered a cessation of 
 hostilities to the Mexican authorities, in order to afford an opportu 
 nity to negotiate a treaty of peace. This was accepted. Commis 
 
48 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 sioners were appointed by Santa Anna to confer with those from 
 the American army, named by General Scott. The following terms 
 of a preparatory armistice were concluded by these gentlemen : 
 
 "ART. 1. Hostilities shall instantly and absolutely cease between 
 :he armies of the United States of America and the United Mexican 
 States, within thirty leagues of the capital of the latter states, to 
 allow time to the commissioners appointed by the United States and 
 the commissioners to be appointed by the Mexican republic to ne 
 gotiate. 
 
 " 2. The armistice shall continue as long as the commissioners 
 of the two governments may be engaged on negotiations, or until 
 the commander of either of the said armies shall give formal notice 
 to the other of the cessation of the armistice, and for forty-eight 
 hours after such notice. 
 
 "3. In the mean time neither army shall, within thirty leagues of 
 the city of Mexico, commence any new fortification or military 
 work of offence or defence, or do anything to enlarge or strengthen 
 any existing work or fortification of that character within the said 
 limits. 
 
 " 4. Neither army shall be reinforced within the same. Any rein 
 forcements in troops or munitions of war, other than subsistence 
 now approaching either army, shall be stopped at the distance of 
 twenty-eight leagues from the city of Mexico. 
 
 *' 6. Neither army or any detachment from it, shall advance be 
 yond the line it at present occupies. 
 
 "6. Neither army, nor any detachment or individual of either, 
 shall pass the neutral limits established by the last article, except 
 under a flag of truce bearing the correspondence between the two 
 armies, or on the business authorized by the next article, and indi 
 viduals of either army who may chance to straggle within the neu 
 tral limits shall, by the opposite party, be kindly warned off or sent 
 back to their own armies under flags of truce. 
 
 " 7. The American army shall not by violence obstruct the pas 
 sage, from the open country into the city of Mexico, of the ordinary 
 supplies of food necessary to the consumption of its inhabitants or 
 the Mexican army within the city ; nor shall the Mexican authori 
 ties, civil or military, do any act to obstruct the passage of supplies 
 from the city or the country needed by the American army. 
 
 " 8. All American prisoners of war remaining in the hands of the 
 
TERMS OF THE ARMISTICE. 49 
 
 Mexican army, and not heretofore exchanged, shall immediately, or 
 as soon as practicable, be restored to the American army, against a 
 like number, having regard to rank, of Mexican prisoners captured 
 by the American army. 
 
 " 9. All American citizens who were established in the city of 
 Mexico prior to the existing war, and who have since been expelled 
 from that city, shall be allowed to return to their respective business 
 or families therein, without delay or molestation. 
 
 " 10. The better to enable the belligerent armies to execute these 
 articles, and to favour the great object of peace, it is further agreed 
 between the parties, that any courier with despatches that either 
 army shall desire to send along the line from the city of Mexico or 
 its vicinity, to and from Vera Cruz, shall receive a safe conduct from 
 the commander of the opposing army. 
 
 " 11. The administration of justice between Mexicans, according 
 to the general and state constitutions and laws, by the local authori 
 ties of the towns and places occupied by the American forces, shall 
 not be obstructed in any manner. 
 
 " 12. Persons and property shall be respected in the towns and 
 places occupied by the American forces. No person shall be mo 
 lested in the exercise of his profession ; nor shall the services of any 
 one be required without his consent. In all cases where services 
 are voluntarily rendered a just price shall be paid, and trade remain 
 unmolested. 
 
 " 13. Those wounded prisoners who may desire to remove to 
 some more convenient place, for the purpose of being cured of their 
 wounds, shall be allowed to do so without molestation, they still re 
 maining prisoners. 
 
 " 14. The Mexican medical officers who may wish to attend the 
 wounded shall have the privilege of doing so if their services be 
 required. 
 
 " 15. For the more perfect execution of this agreement, two com 
 missioners shall be appointed, one by each party, who in case of 
 disagreement shall appoint a third. 
 
 " 16. This convention shall have no force or effect unless approved 
 by their Excellencies, the commanders respectively of the two 
 armies, within twenty-four hours, reckoning from the 6th hour of 
 the 23d day of August, 1847." 
 
 These articles were signed by Generals duitman, P. F. Smith, 
 5 
 
50 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 and Franklin Pierce, on the part of the Americans ; and Ignacio de 
 Maria y Villamil and Benito Gluijano on that of the Mexicans. After 
 wards the following notes were appended : 
 
 " Considered, approved, and ratified, with the express understand' 
 ing that the word ' supplies? as used the second time, without quali 
 fication in the seventh article of this military convention American 
 copy shall be taken to mean (as in both the British and American 
 armies) arms, munitions, clothing, equipments, subsistence (for men,) 
 forage, and in general, all the wants of an army. That word ' sup 
 plies' in the Mexican copy, is erroneously translated ' viveres' instead 
 of * recursos.' " 
 
 This was signed by General Scott. Santa Anna replied as fol 
 lows : 
 
 " Ratified, suppressing the ninth article, and explaining the fourth, 
 to the effect that the temporary peace of this armistice shall be 
 observed in the capital, and twenty-eight leagues around it ; and 
 agreeing that the word supplies shall be translated recursos ; and 
 that it comprehends every thing which the army may need, ex 
 cept arms and ammunitions." 
 
 This qualification was accepted and ratified by the American 
 general. 
 
 Hopes were now entertained by General Scott and the friends of 
 peace in both nations, that the long-protracted struggle was about to 
 be amicably adjusted. These, however, were disappointed. Mr. 
 Trist, the American envoy, demanded the cession of California and 
 the territory between the Nueces and Rio Grande rivers, while the 
 Mexicans refused to yield any portion of Texas. The negotiations 
 accordingly closed. 
 
 On the 6th of September, General Scott accused Santa Anna of 
 violating the armistice, by constructing fortifications within the capi 
 tal. The Mexican general replied by laying a similar charge to the 
 Americans, and affirming his willingness to recommence hostilities 
 immediately. The subsequent operations are given in General 
 Scott's report, which we annex, omitting the details of General 
 Worth's operations, which have already been given. 
 
 "Negotiations were actively continued with, as was understood 
 some prospect of a successful result up to the 2d instant, when our 
 commissioner handed in his ultimatum (on boundaries), and the ne 
 gotiators adjourned to meet again on the 6th. 
 
INFRACTIONS OF THE TRUCE. 51 
 
 " Some infractions of the truce, in respect to our supplies from 
 the city, were earlier committed, followed by apologies, on the part 
 of the enemy. Those vexations I was willing to put down to the 
 imbecility of the government, and waived pointed demands of repa 
 ration while any hope remained of a satisfactory termination of the 
 war. But on the 5th, and more fully on the 6th, I learned that as 
 soon as tjie ultimatum had been considered in a grand council of 
 ministers and others, President Santa Anna, on the 4th or 5th, with 
 out giving me the slightest notice, actively recommenced strengthen 
 ing the military defences of the city, in gross violation of the 3d 
 article of the armistice. 
 
 " On that information, which has since received the fullest verifi 
 cation, I addressed to him my note of the 6th. His reply, dated the 
 same day, received the next morning, was absolutely and notoriously 
 false, both in recrimination and explanation. * 
 
 " Being delayed by the terms of the armistice more than two 
 weeks, we had now, late on the 7th, to begin to reconnoitre the dif 
 ferent approaches to the city, within our reach, before I could lay 
 down any definitive plan of attack. 
 
 " The same afternoon, a large body of the enemy was discovered 
 hovering about the Molinos del Rey, within a mile and a third of 
 this village, (Tacubaya,) where I am quartered with the general 
 staff and Worth's division. 
 
 " It might have been supposed that an attack upon us was in 
 tended ; but knowing the great value to the enemy of those mills, 
 (Molinos del Rey,) containing a cannon-foundry, with a large depo 
 sit of powder in Casa Mata near them ; and having heard, two days 
 before, that many church-bells had been sent out to be cast into guns 
 the enemy's movement was easily understood, and I resolved at 
 once to drive him early the next morning, to seize the powder, and 
 to destroy the foundry. 
 
 "Another motive for this decision leaving the general plan of 
 attack upon the city for full reconnoissances was, that we knew our 
 recent captures had left the enemy not a fourth of the guns neces 
 sary to arm, all at the same time, the strong \vorks of each of the 
 eight city gates ; and we could not cut the communication between 
 the foundry and the capital without first taking the formidable castle 
 on the heights of Chapultepec, which overlooked both and stood be 
 tween. 
 
52 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 "For this difficult operation we were not entirely ready, and 
 moreover we might altogether neglect the castle, if, as we then 
 hoped, our reconnoissances should prove that the distant southern 
 approaches to the city were more eligible than this south-western 
 approach. 
 
 " Hence the decision promptly taken, the execution of which was 
 assigned to Brevet Major-General Worth, whose division was rein 
 forced with Cadwalader's brigade of Pillow's division, three squad 
 rons of dragoons under Major Sumner, and some heavy guns of the 
 siege train under Captain Huger of the ordnance, and Captain Drum 
 
 of the 4th artillery two officers of the highest merit. 
 
 ******** 
 
 " The enemy having several times reinforced his line, and the ac 
 tion soon becoming much more general than I had expected, I called 
 up, from the distance of three miles, first Major-General Pillow, with 
 his remaining brigade, (Pierce's,) and next Riley's brigade, of 
 Twiggs' division leaving his other brigade (Smith's) in observa 
 tion at San Angel. Those corps approached with zeal and rapidity; 
 but the battle was won just as Brigadier-General Pierce reached the 
 ground, and had interposed his corps between Garland's brigade 
 (Worth's division) and the retreating enemy." 
 
 Like General Taylor, after the capture of Monterey, the com- 
 mander-in-chief was destined to experience considerable opposition, 
 respecting his offer of the armistice. In reference to this opposition, 
 the New Orleans Delta has the following pertinent remarks : 
 
 " The sophist who lectured Hannibal on the art of war doubtless 
 considered himself a supremely wise man, and the conqueror of 
 Scipio but an indifferent general. The race to which he belonged 
 has not passed away, but flourishes in these latter days in all the 
 vigour and bloom of its youth. The present war has furnished 
 ample employment to these military philosophers, and has enabled 
 them at the same time to display the extent of their knowledge and 
 bless mankind with a sun-flood of information. Among the subjects 
 to which they have recently directed their powerful intellects, and 
 upon which they have expended columns of acute disquisition and 
 pathetic declamation, none has afforded a fairer field for their pecu 
 liar powers than the armistice granted by General Scott after the 
 battles of Contreros and Churubusco. It is needless to say that in 
 the opinion of these sages the general was totally in the wrong ; his 
 
OPINIONS RESPECTING THE ARMISTICE. 53 
 
 conduct was not only foolish, but, in view of the consequences which 
 they ascribe to it, criminal. To him they impute the delay in cap 
 turing the city, the failure of the negotiations, and the subsequent 
 loss of life in the combats that ensued from the 8th to the 14th of 
 September. Bowing, as we do, with becoming deference to opi 
 nions so carefully formed, and so fearlessly promulgated, we yet beg 
 leave to suggest, that before General Scott is finally condemned, it 
 would be as well to wait for further information ; and, before he is 
 even arraigned at the bar of public opinion for an alleged offence, 
 it would be no more than fair to examine closely the information 
 which we already possess. 
 
 " In the advance upon Mexico, the * first line of defence' of the 
 city, consisting of the strong posts of El Penon and Mexicalcingo, 
 was avoided by a detour to the left, around the head of Lake Chalco. 
 This movement began on the 15th of August, and. owing to the 
 broken nature of the country and the necessity of cutting a road for 
 many miles, it was a work of great toil and hardship. It was, how 
 ever, accomplished in two days, and on the 18th our troops were in 
 a position to act against Contreros and Churubusco, forming with 
 the secondary works in their neighbourhood 'the second line of de 
 fence.' On the 19th, the movement was made against Contreros. 
 Of the prolonged and difficult operations of that day, through dense 
 chapparal, along rocky and precipitous paths, and amid constant 
 combat and peril, it is not necessary to speak, for all will recollect 
 the truthful descriptions which we have already published. To this 
 day of toil and danger succeeded one of the most dismal nights ex 
 perienced in that climate. The storm is described as terrific. The 
 soldiers might perchance have snatched a morsel of food, but a mo 
 ment's sleep was impossible. Under these circumstances, Contreros 
 was captured and Valencia's force dispersed early in the morning, 
 and the battle of Churubusco closed, and the second line of defence 
 was carried after the most desperate and bloody engagement of the 
 war at five o'clock in the afternoon. Now the first question that 
 arises is, could General Scott have entered Mexico on the night of 
 the 20th ? His soldiers had been watching, marching, fasting, and 
 fighting for more than thirty-six hours; over a thousand of his 
 small force were killed or disabled, and the heights of Chapultepec 
 and the line of the garitas were still before him, capable, as was 
 afterwards shown, of making a strong defence. How easy soever 
 5* 
 
54 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 the achievement may seem to an editor in his closet, we apprehend 
 that it was a labour not to be undertaken by a general in the field. 
 The Mexican army which defended Churubusco, though defeated, 
 was not destroyed ; it retreated towards the third and strongest line 
 of defence, and was, or could easily have been, rallied behind its 
 batteries. For General Scott to have attempted to enter Mexico on 
 the night of the 20th of August, it appears to us would have been 
 an act of desperation which nothing could have justified but the ex 
 ceedingly improbable result of success. Had he undertaken it and 
 failed, the warriors of the quill would have been the first to discover 
 and expose the madness of the act. They would have inquired 
 why he could not have waited until morning ; why, with half-fam 
 ished and exhausted troops, with the wounded calling for assistance, 
 the dead unburied, and the living scarce able to drag one leg after 
 the other, he had marched against strong works and a densely popu 
 lated city, when one night's rest would have quadrupled the effi 
 ciency of his force ? And the voice of censure would have been 
 as general as it would probably have been deserved. 
 
 " The conclusion has thus been forced upon us, that General 
 Scott was obliged to pause for breath after the continued operations 
 of the 19th and 20th, which terminated in the terrible slaughter of 
 Churubusco. 
 
 "But that same evening he received a flag of truce from the 
 enemy, asking for an armistice and proposing peace. Representa 
 tions were at the same time made to him by those connected with 
 the British Embassy, that there was every probability that negotia 
 tions would terminate favourably and honourably to all parties. The 
 American commander was placed in a position of great delicacy 
 and responsibility. It was his ardent desire to terminate the war, 
 spare the lives of his soldiers, and avoid the infliction of unneces 
 sary injury, even upon the foe. He had good reason to believe that 
 by granting the armistice all these objects would be attained ; and 
 he did grant it, making it terminable in forty-eight hours. What 
 would have been said of him had he refused ? He must, in that 
 case, either have taken the city or failed in the attempt. If the 
 former, we would have been precisely in the condition in which we 
 are at present, and General Scott would have been accused of sac 
 rificing the lives of his countrymen, and unnecessarily prolonging 
 the war, to promote his own ambitious aims, and gratify the perni- 
 
MERITS OF THE NEGOTIATIONS. 55 
 
 clous vanity of claiming the conqueror's rank with Cortez. Not 
 one in fifty of those who have now discovered that all negotiation 
 with Mexico was an idle farce, but would have been certain that, 
 had the Mexican proposition been entertained, we should have had 
 an honourable and permanent peace. But in the hazards of war 
 General Scott might have been repulsed on the morning of the 21st, 
 and then imagination can scarcely depict the execrations which 
 would have been poured upon his head. Whatever he might have 
 done, it will thus be seen, he would have exposed himself to ani 
 madversion and misconstruction ; to the idle comments of the un 
 thinking, and the malicious remarks of the envious. For our own 
 part, we are willing to believe that General Scott acted as every 
 hero and patriot would have done, placed in his position, and bur 
 dened with his responsibilities ; at any rate, we must see something 
 stronger than has yet appeared against him, to suspect that he acted 
 with want of judgment or want of zeal." 
 
 The following remarks upon the merits of the negotiations, and 
 their final result, will also be read with interest : 
 
 " The abortive negotiations which preceded the renewal of the 
 war, are in a high degree instructive, as indicating more conclusively 
 than any other evidence could do, the intentions and confidence of 
 the respective parties. On the side of the United States it was 
 proposed that the boundary-line of the two republics should run up the 
 middle of the Rio Grande, strike off westward on reaching the limits of 
 New Mexico, take the course of the Gila and the lower Colorado, and 
 so through the mouth of the latter river down the middle of the Gali- 
 fornian Gulf, into the Pacific. In other words, this would bring the 
 south-western boundary-line of the United States about ten degrees 
 further south, would deprive Mexico of all Upper and Lower Cali 
 fornia, as well as of the districts on the Rio Grande, and would 
 leave her with the Gila for her northern boundary, but just above 
 the present frontier of Sonora, which marks her settled territories. 
 Enormous as was this claim, it was not the point upon which the 
 negotiations broke off, for the Americans phrased their requirements 
 considerately, and offered a liberal price for the cession they desired. 
 Santa Anna, it is true, was for reserving a certain portion of Cali 
 fornia, for Mexican expansion, and he suggested the 37th in place 
 of the 32d parallel, as the boundary of the two countries. Yet it 
 is hardly disguised that on the point of cession and sale in this 
 
 Q 
 
56 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 quarter, the Mexican commissioners were amenable to the reasons 
 which Mr. Polk brought, by millions, against them, and the tranfer 
 might have been completed but for a comparatively insignificant 
 slice of debateable land. The old Texan boundary-line was again 
 brought under discussion, the one party insisting on the Rio Grande, 
 and the other, as in honour bound, upon the Nueces ; and this little 
 difference proved incapable of adjustment between parties who had 
 just been judiciously chaffering about ten degrees of territory ! It 
 is thus clear, that from the great object which has been so unhap 
 pily sought by a war, the Americans are now only separated by an 
 obstacle which that very war has raised. We have before expressed 
 our persuasion that, looking at the natural destinies and necessities 
 of men and states, the vast province of New California would 
 much more reasonably fall to the lot of an expansive and enter 
 prising people, who might reclaim its wastes and colonize its 
 shores, than remain the nominal and desolate appanage of a sta 
 tionary or retrogading race, which could never have either the 
 motives or the means to improve its advantages for commerce, or 
 explore the resources of its soil." 
 
 At the risk of some subsequent repetition we insert the admirable 
 report of General Scott, concerning his operations after the battle of 
 Molino del Rey. Its details are more circumstantial and satisfactory 
 than any account that has yet appeared : 
 
 '* At the end of another series of arduous and brilliant operations, 
 of more than forty-eight hours' continuance, this glorious army 
 hoisted, on the morning of the 14th, the colours of the United States 
 on the walls of this palace. 
 
 " The victory of the 8th, at the Molinos del Rey, was followed by 
 daring reconnoissances on the part of our distinguished engineers 
 Captain Lee, Lieutenants Beauregard, Stevens, and Tower Major 
 Smith, senior, being sick, and Captain Mason, third in rank, wound 
 ed. Their operations were directed principally to the south to 
 wards the gates of the Piedad, San Angel, (Nino Perdido,) San 
 Antonio, and the Paseo de la Viga. 
 
 "This city stands on a slight swell of ground, near the centre of 
 an irregular basin, and is girdled with a ditch in its greater extent 
 a navigable canal of great breadth and depth very difficult to bridge 
 in the presence of an enemy, and serving at once for drainage, cus 
 tom-house purposes, and military defence ; leaving eight entrances 
 
PREPARATIONS FOR THE ATTACK. 57 
 
 or gates, over arches each of which we found defended by a sys 
 tem of strong works, that seemed to require nothing but some men 
 and guns to be impregnable. 
 
 " Outside and within the cross-fires of those gates, we found to 
 the south other obstacles but little less formidable. All the approaches 
 near the city are over elevated causeways, cut in many places (to 
 oppose us) and flanked, on both sides, by ditches, also of unusual 
 dimensions* The numerous cross-roads are flanked, in like manner, 
 having bridges at the intersections, recently broken. The meadows 
 thus checkered, are, moreover, in many spots, under water or 
 marshy ; for, it will be remembered, we were in the midst of the 
 wet season, though with less rain than usual, and we could not wait 
 for the fall of the neighbouring lakes and the consequent drainage 
 of the wet grounds at the edge of the city the lowest in the whole 
 basin. 
 
 " After a close personal survey of the southern gates, covered by 
 Pillow's division and Riley's brigade of Twiggs' with four times 
 our numbers concentrated in our immediate front I determined, on 
 the llth, to avoid that net-work of obstacles, and to seek, by a sudden 
 inversion, to the south-west and west, less unfavourable approaches. 
 
 " To economize the lives of our gallant officers and men, as well 
 as to insure success, it became indispensable that this resolution 
 should be long masked from the enemy ; and, again, that the new 
 movement, when discovered, should be mistaken for a feint, and the 
 old as indicating our true and ultimate point of attack. 
 
 " Accordingly, on the spot, the llth, I ordered Gluitman's division 
 from Coyoacan, to join Pillow by daylight, before the southern gates, 
 and then that the two major-generals, with their divisions, should, 
 by night, proceed (two miles) to join me at Tacubaya, where I was 
 quartered with Worth's division. Twiggs, with Riley's brigade, 
 and Captains Taylor's and Steptoe's field-batteries the latter of 
 twelve-pounders was left in front of those gates, to manoeuvre, to 
 threaten, or to make false attacks, in order to occupy and deceive 
 the enemy. Twiggs' other brigade (Smith's) was left at supporting 
 distance, in the rear, at San Angel, till the morning of the 13th, and 
 also to support our general depot at Miscoac. The stratagem against 
 the south was admirably executed throughout the 12th and down to 
 the afternoon of the 13th, when it was too late for the enemy to re 
 cover from the effects of his delusion. 
 
58 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 " The first step in the new movement was to carry Chapultepec, 
 a natural and isolated mound of great elevation, strongly fortified at 
 its base, on its acclivities and heights. Besides a numerous garrison, 
 there was the military college of the republic, with a large number 
 of sub-lieutenants and other students. Those works were within 
 direct gun-shot of the village of Tacubaya ; and, until carried, we 
 could not approach the city on- the west, without making a circuit 
 too wide and too hazardous. 
 
 "In the course of the same night, (that of the llth,) heavy bat 
 teries, within easy ranges, were established. No. 1, on our right, 
 under the command of Captain Drum, 4th artillery, (relieved late 
 next day, for some hours, by Lieutenant Andrews of the 3d,) and 
 No. 2, commanded by Lieutenant Hagner, ordnance both support 
 ed by Gluitman's division. Nos, 3 and 4, on the opposite side, sup 
 ported by Pillow's division, were commanded, the former by Captain 
 Brooks and Lieutenant S. S. Anderson, 2d artillery, alternately, and 
 the latter by Lieutenant Stone, ordnance. The batteries were traced 
 by Captain Huger and Captain Lee, engineers, and constructed by 
 them, with the able assistance of the young officers of those corps 
 and the artillery. 
 
 " To prepare for an assault, it was foreseen that the play of the 
 batteries might run into the second day ; but recent captures had 
 not only trebled our siege pieces, but also our ammunition ; and we 
 knew that we should greatly augment both, by carrying the place. 
 I was, therefore, in no haste in ordering an assault before the works 
 were well crippled by our missiles. 
 
 " The bombardment and cannonade, under the direction of Cap 
 tain Huger, were commenced early in the morning of the 12th. 
 Before nightfall, which necessarily stopped our batteries, we had 
 perceived that a good impression had been made on the castle and 
 its outworks, and that a large body of the enemy had remained out 
 side, towards the city, from an early hour, to avoid our fire, and to 
 be at hand on its cessation, in order to reip/orce the garrison against 
 an assault. The same outside force was discovered the next morn 
 ing, after our batteries had re-opened upon the castle, by which we 
 again reduced its garrison to the minimum needed for the guns. 
 
 " Pillow and Gluitman had been in position since early in the 
 night of the llth. Major-Oeneral Worth was now ordered to hold 
 his division in reserve, near the foundry, to support Pillow ; and 
 
STORMING OF CHAPULTEPEC. 59 
 
 Brigadier-General Smith, of Twiggs' division, had just arrived with 
 his brigade from Piedad, (two miles,) to support Quitman. Twiggs' 
 guns, before the southern gates, again reminded us, as the day be 
 fore, that he, with Riley's brigade and Taylor's and Steptoe's bat 
 teries, was in activity, threatening the southern gates, and there 
 holding a great part of the Mexican army on the defensive. 
 
 " Worth's division furnished Pillow's attack with an assaulting 
 party of some two hundred and fifty volunteer officers and men, 
 under Captain McKenzie, of the 2d artillery ; and Twiggs' division 
 supplied a similar one, commanded by Captain Casey, 2d infantry, 
 to Quitman. Each of those little columns was furnished with scal 
 ing ladders. 
 
 " The signal I had appointed for the attack was the momentary 
 cessation of fire on the part of our heavy batteries. About eight 
 o'clock on the morning of the 13th, judging that the time had ar 
 rived, by the effect of the missiles we had thrown, I sent an aid-de 
 camp to Pillow, and another to duitman, with notice that the con 
 certed signal was about to be given. Both columns now advanced 
 with an alacrity that gave assurance of prompt success. The bat 
 teries, seizing opportunities, threw shot and shells upon the enemy 
 over the heads of our men, with good effect, particularly at every 
 attempt to reinforce the works from without to meet our assault. 
 
 "Major-General Pillow's approach on the west side lay through 
 an open grove, filled with sharp-shooters, who were speedily dis 
 lodged ; when, being up with the front of the attack, and emerging 
 into open space, at the foot of a rocky acclivity, that gallant leader 
 was struck down by an agonizing wound. The immediate com 
 mand devolved on Brigadier-General Cadwalader, in the absence 
 of the senior brigadier (Pierce) of the same division an invalid 
 since the events of August 19th. On a previous call of Pillow, 
 Worth had just sent him a reinforcement Colonel Clarke's brigade. 
 
 " The broken acclivity was still to be ascended, and a strong re 
 doubt, midway, to be carried before reaching the castle ,on the 
 heights. The advance of our brave men, led by brave officers, 
 though necessarily slow, was unwavering, over rocks, chasms, and 
 mines, and under the hottest fire of cannon and musketry. The 
 redoubt now yielded to resistless valour, and the shouts that followed 
 announced to the castle the fate that impended. The enemy were 
 steadily driven from shelter to shelter. The retreat allowed not 
 
60 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 time to fire a single mine, without the certainty of blowing up friend 
 and foe. Those who at a distance attempted to apply matches to 
 the long trains,'were shot down by our men. There was death be 
 low as well as above ground. At length the ditch and wall of the 
 main work were reached ; the scaling ladders were brought up and 
 planted by the storming parties ; some of the daring spirits first in 
 the assault were cast down killed or wounded; but a lodgment 
 was soon made ; streams of heroes followed ; all opposition was 
 overcome, and several of our regimental colours flung out from the 
 upper walls, amidst long-continued shouts and cheers, which sent 
 dismay into the capital. No scene could have been more animating 
 or glorious. 
 
 " Major-General Quitman, nobly supported by Brigadier-Gene 
 rals Shields and Smith, [P. F.] his other officers and men, was up 
 with the part assigned him. Simultaneously with the movement on 
 the west, he had gallantly approached the south-east of the same 
 works over a causeway with cuts and batteries, and defended by an 
 army strongly posted outside, to the east of the works. Those for 
 midable obstacles duitman had to face, with but little shelter for his 
 troops or space for manoeuvring. Deep ditches, flanking the cause 
 way, made it difficult to cross on either side into the adjoining mea 
 dows, and these again were intersected by other ditches. Smith 
 and his brigade had been early thrown out to make a sweep to the 
 right, in order to present a front against the enemy's line, (outside,) 
 and to turn two intervening batteries, near the foot of Chapultepec. 
 This movement was also intended to support Q,uitman's storming 
 parties, both on the causeway. The first of these, furnished by 
 Twiggs' division, was commanded in succession by Captain Casey, 
 2d infantry, and Captain Paul, 7th infantry, after Casey had been 
 severely wounded ; and the second, originally under the gallant 
 Major Twiggs, marine corps, killed, and then Captain Miller, 2d 
 Pennsylvania volunteers. The storming party, now commanded 
 by Captain Paul, seconded by Captain Roberts of the rifles, Lieu 
 tenant Stewart, and others of the same regiment, Smith's brigade, 
 carried the two batteries in the road, took some guns, with many 
 prisoners, and drove the enemy posted behind in support. The 
 New York and the South Carolina volunteers, (Shields' brigade,) 
 and the 3d Pennsylvania volunteers, all on the left of duitman's 
 line, together with portions of his storming parties, crossed the mea- 
 
OFFICERS AND CORPS DISTINGUISHED. 61 
 
 dovvs in front, under a heavy fire, and entered the outer enclosure 
 of Chapultepec just in time to join in the final assault from the 
 west. 
 
 " Besides Major-Generals Pillow and Gluitman, Brigadier-Gene 
 rals Shields, Smith and Cadwalader, the following are the officers 
 and corps most distinguished in those brilliant operations : The vol- 
 tigeur regiment, in two detachments, commanded respectively, by 
 Colonel Andrews and Lieutenant-Colonel Johnstone the latter 
 mostly in the lead, accompanied by Major Caldwell, Captains Bar 
 nard and Biddle, of the same regiment the former the first to plant 
 a regimental colour, and the latter among the first in the assault ; 
 the storming party of Worth's division, under Captafti McKenzie, 
 2d artillery, with Lieutenant Seldon, 8th infantry, early on the lad 
 der and badly wounded ; Lieutenant Armistead, 6th infantry, the 
 first to leap into the ditch to plant a ladder ; Lieutenants Rodgers 
 of the 4th, and J. P. Smith of the 5th infantry both mortally 
 wounded the 9th infantry, under Colonel Ransom, who was killed 
 while gallantly leading that regiment; the 15th infantry under 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Howard and Major Woods, with Captain Chase, 
 whose company gallantly carried the redoubt, midway up the ac 
 clivity ; Colonel Clarke's brigade, (Worth's division,) consisting of 
 the 5th, 8th, and part of the 6th regiments of infantry, commanded 
 respectively by Captain Chapman, Major Montgomery, and Lieu 
 tenant Edward Johnson the latter specially noticed, with Lieuten 
 ants Longstreet, (badly wounded advancing colours in hand,) 
 Picket, and Merchant the last three of the 8th infantry ; portions 
 of the United States' marines, New York, South Carolina, and 2d 
 Pennsylvania volunteers, which, delayed with their division (Quit- 
 man's) by the hot engagement below, arrived just in time to parti 
 cipate in the assault of the heights particularly a detachment under 
 Lieutenant Reid, New York volunteers, consisting of a company of 
 the same, with one of marines ; and another detachment, a portion 
 of the storming party, (Tvviggs' division, serving with Quitman,)' 
 under Lieutenant Steel, 2d infantry after the fall of Lieutenant 
 Gantt, 7th infantry. 
 
 " In this connection, it is but just to recall the decisive effect of the 
 heavy batteries, Nos. 1, 2, 3, and 4, commanded by those excellent 
 officers Captain Drum, 4th artillery, assisted by Lieutenants Ben 
 jamin and Porter of his own company ; Captain Brooks and Lieu- 
 6 Q 
 
62 MAJOR-GENERAL W1NFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 tenant Anderson, 2d artillery, assisted by Lieutenant Russell, 4th 
 infantry, a volunteer; Lieutenants Hagner and Stone, of the ord 
 nance, and Lieutenant Andrews, 3d artillery the whole superin 
 tended by Captain Huger, chief of ordnance with this army an 
 officer distinguished by every kind of merit. The mountain howitzer 
 battery under Lieutenant Reno, of the ordnance, deserves also to 
 be particularly mentioned. Attached to the voltigeurs, it followed 
 the movements of that regiment, and again won applause. 
 
 " In adding to the list of individuals of conspicuous merit, I must 
 limit myself to a few of the many names which might be enume 
 rated: Captain Hooker, assistant adjutant-general, who won special 
 applause, successively, in the staff of Pillow and Cadwalader ; Lieu 
 tenant Lovell, 4th artillery, (wounded,) chief of Gluitman's staff; 
 Captain Page, assistant adjutant-general, (wounded,) and Lieuten 
 ant Hammond, 3d artillery, both of Shields' staff, and Lieutenant 
 Van Dorn, (7th infantry,) aid-de-camp to Brigadier-General Smith. 
 
 "Those operations all occurred on the west, south-east, and 
 heights of Chapultepec. To the north, and at the base of the 
 mound, inaccessible on that side, the llth infantry, under Lieuten 
 ant Colonel Herbert, the 14th under Colonel Trousdale, and Captain 
 Magruder's field battery, 1st artillery one section advanced under 
 Lieutenant Jackson all of Pillow's division -had, at the same time, 
 some spirited affairs against superior numbers, driving the enemy 
 from a battery on the road, and capturing a gun. In these, the 
 officers and corps named gained merited praise. Colonel Trousdale, 
 the commander, though twice wounded, continued on duty until the 
 heights were carried. 
 
 " Early on the morning of the 13th, I repeated the orders of the 
 night before to Major-General Worth, to be, with his division, at 
 hand, to support the movement of Major-General Pillow from our 
 left. The latter seems soon to have called for that entire division, 
 standing, momentarily, in reserve, and Worth sent him Colonel 
 Clarke's brigade. The call, if not unnecessary, was, at least, from 
 the circumstances, unknown to me at the time ; for, soon observing 
 that the very large body of the enemy in the road in front of Major- 
 General Gluitman's right, was receiving reinforcements from the 
 city less than a mile and a half to the east I sent instructions to 
 Worth, on our opposite flank, to turn Chapultepec with his division, 
 and to proceed cautiously, by the road at its northern base, in order. 
 
PURSUIT OF THE ENEMY. 63 
 
 if not met by very superior numbers, to threaten or to attack, 
 in rear, that body of the enemy. The movement, it was also 
 believed, could not fail to distract and to intimidate the enemy gene 
 rally. 
 
 " Worth promptly advanced with his remaining brigade Colonel 
 Garland's Lieutenant-Colonel C. F. Smith's light battalion, Lieu 
 tenant-Colonel Duncan's field battery all of his division and three 
 squadrons of dragoons under Major Sumner, which I had just or 
 dered up to join in the movement. 
 
 " Having turned the forest on the west, and arriving opposite to 
 the north centre of Chapultepec, Worth came up with the troops in 
 the road, under Colonel Trousdale, and aided by a flank movement 
 of a part of Garland's brigade, in taking the one-gun breastwork, 
 then under the fire of Lieutenant Jackson's section of Captain 
 Magruder's field battery. Continuing to advance, this division 
 passed Chapultepec, attacking the right of the enemy's line, resting 
 on that road, about the moment of the general retreat, consequent 
 upon the capture of the formidable castle and its outworks. 
 
 "Arriving some minutes later, and mounting to the top of the 
 castle, the whole field to the east lay plainly under my view. 
 
 "There are two routes from Chapultepec to the capital, the one 
 on the right entering the same gate, Belen, with the road from the 
 south via Piedad ; and the other obliquing to the left, to intersect 
 the great western or San Cosme road, in a suburb outside the gate 
 of San Cosme. 
 
 " Each of these routes (an elevated causeway) presents a double 
 roadway, on the sides of an aqueduct of strong masonry and great 
 height, resting on open arches and massive pillars, which together 
 afford fine points both for attack and defence. The sideways of 
 both aqueducts are, moreover, defended by many strong breastworks, 
 at the gates, and before reaching them. As we had expected, we 
 found the four tracks unusually dry and solid for the season. 
 
 "Worth and duitman were prompt in pursuing the retreating 
 enemy the former by the San Cosme aqueduct, and the latter 
 along that of Belen. Each had now advanced some hundred 
 yards. 
 
 "Deeming it all-important to profit by our successes, and the 
 conseauent dismay of the enemy, which could not be otherwise than 
 general, I hastened to despatch from Chapultepec first Clarke's 
 
64 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 brigade, and then Cadwalader's, to the support of Worth, and gave 
 orders that the necessary heavy guns should follow. Pierce's bri 
 gade was, at the same time, sent to duitman, and, in the course of 
 the afternoon, I caused some additional siege pieces to be added to 
 iiis train. Then, after designating the 15th infantry, under Lieu- 
 tenant-Colone] Howard Morgan, the colonel, had been disabled by 
 a wound at Churubusco as the garrison of Chapultepec, and giv 
 ing directions for the care of the prisoners of war, the captured ord 
 nance and ordnance stores, I proceeded to join the advance of 
 Worth; within the suburb, and beyond the turn at the junction of 
 the aqueduct with the great highway from the west to the gate of 
 San Cosme. 
 
 "At this junction of roads we first passed one of those formidable 
 systems of city defences spoken of above, and it had not a gun ! a 
 strong proof 1. That the enemy had expected us to fail in the 
 attack upon Chapultepec, even if we meant any thing more than a 
 feint; 2. That, in either case, we designed, in his belief, to return 
 and double our forces against the southern gates a delusion kept 
 up by the active demonstrations of Twiggs and the forces posted on 
 that side ; and 3. That advancing rapidly from the reduction of 
 Chapultepec, the enemy had not time to shift guns our previous 
 captures had left him, comparatively, but few from the southern 
 gates. 
 
 " Within those disgarnished works I found our troops engaged in 
 a street-fight against the enemy, posted in gardens, at windows and 
 on house-tops all flat, with parapets. Worth ordered forward the 
 mountain howitzers of Cadwalader's brigade, preceded by skirmish 
 ers and pioneers, with pick-axes and crow-bars, to force windows 
 and doors, or to burrow through walls. The assailants were soon 
 in an equality of position fatal to the enemy. By eight o'clock in 
 the evening, Worth had carried two batteries in this suburb. Ac 
 cording to my instructions, he here posted guards and sentinels, and 
 placed his troops under, shelter for the night. There was but one 
 more obstacle the San Cosme gate (custom-house) between him 
 and the great square in front of the cathedral and palace the heart 
 of the city; and that barrier, it was known, could not, by daylight, 
 resist our siege guns thirty minutes. 
 
 "I had gone back to the foot of Chapultepec, the point from 
 which the two aqueducts begin to diverge, some hours earlier, in 
 
AMERICANS ENTER THE CAPITAL. 65 
 
 order to be near that new depot, and in easy communication with 
 duitman and Tvviggs as well as with Worth. 
 
 " From this point I ordered all detachments and stragglers to their 
 respective corps, then in advance ; sent to duitman additional siege 
 guns, ammunition, entrenching tools ; directed Twiggs' remaining 
 brigade (Riley's) from Piedad, to support Worth, and Captain Step- 
 toe's field battery, also at Piedad, to rejoin duitman's division. 
 
 " 1 had been, from the first, well aware that the western, or San 
 Cosme, was the less difficult route to the centre and conquest of the 
 capital ; and therefore intended that duitman should only manoeuvre 
 and threaten the Belen or southwestern gate, in order to favour the 
 main attack by Worth knowing that the strong defences at the 
 Belen were directly under the guns of the much stronger fortress, 
 called the Citadel, just within. Both of these defences of the enemy 
 were also within easy supporting distances from the San Angel (or 
 Nino Perdido) and San Antonio gates. Hence the greater support, 
 in numbers, given to Worth's movement as the main attack. 
 
 "Those views I repeatedly, in the course of the day, communi 
 cated to Major-General duitman ; but, being in hot pursuit gallant 
 himself, and ably supported by Brigadier-Generals Shields and 
 Smith Shields badly wounded before Chapultepec, and refusing to 
 retire as well as by all the officers and men of the column duit- 
 man continued to press forward, under flank and direct fires car 
 ried an intermediate battery of two guns, and then the gate, before 
 two o'clock in the afternoon, but not without proportionate loss, in 
 creased by his steady maintenance of that position. 
 
 "Here, of the heavy battery 4th artillery Captain Drum and 
 Lieutenant Benjamin were mortally wounded, and Lieutenant 
 Porter, its third in rank, slightly. The loss of those two most dis 
 tinguished officers the army will long mourn. Lieutenants J. B. 
 Moragne and William Canty, of the South Carolina volunteers, also 
 of high merit, fell on the same occasion besides many of our 
 bravest non-commissioned officers and men particularly in Cap 
 tain Drum's veteran company. I cannot, in this place, give names 
 or numbers, but full returns of the killed and wounded of all corps 
 in their recent operations, will accompany this report. 
 
 " duitman, within the city adding several new defences to the 
 position he had won, and sheltering his corps as well as practicable 
 6* 
 
66 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 now awaited the return of daylight under the guns of the for 
 midable citadel, yet to be subdued. 
 
 " At about four o'clock next morning, (September 14,) a deputa 
 tion of the ayuntamiento (city council) waited upon me to report 
 that the federal government and the army of Mexico had fled from 
 the capital some three hours before, and to demand terms of capitu 
 lation in favour of the church, the citizens, and the municipal au 
 thorities. I promptly replied that I would sign no capitulation ; 
 that the city had been virtually in our possession from the time of 
 the lodgements effected by Worth and Quitman the day before ; 
 that I regretted the silent escape of the Mexican army ; that I should 
 levy a moderate contribution, for special purposes ; and that the 
 American army should come under no terms, not self-imposed- 
 such only as its own honour, the dignity of the United States, and 
 the spirit of the age, should, in my opinion, imperiously demand 
 and impose. 
 ###*##*##*#* 
 
 "At the termination of the interview with the city deputation, I 
 communicated, about daylight, orders to Worth and Quilman to ad 
 vance slowly and cautiously (to guard against treachery) towards 
 the heart of the city, and to occupy its stronger and more command 
 ing points. Gluitman proceeded to the great plaza or square, planted 
 guards, and hoisted the colours of the United States on the national 
 palace containing the halls of Congress and executive departments 
 of federal Mexico. In this grateful service, Q,uitman might have 
 been anticipated by Worth, but for my express orders, halting the 
 latter at the head of the Alemeda, (a green park,) within three 
 squares of that goal of general ambition. The capital, however, 
 was not taken by any one or two corps, but by the talent, the science, 
 the gallantry, the prowess of this entire army. In the glorious con 
 quest, all had contributed early and powerfully the killed, the 
 wounded, and the fit for duty at Vera Cruz, Sierra Gordo, Con- 
 treros, San Antonio, Churubusco, (three battles,) the Molinos del 
 Rey, and Chapultepec as much as those who fought at the gates 
 of Belen and San Cosme. 
 
 '* Soon after we had entered, and were in the act of occupying 
 the city, a fire was opened on us from the flat roofs of the houses, from 
 windows and corners of streets, by some two thousand convicts, 
 liberated the night before by the flying government joined by per- 
 
NUMBER IN THE BATTLES. 67 
 
 haps as many Mexican soldiers, who had disbanded themselves and 
 thrown off their uniforms. This unlawful war lasted more than 
 twenty-four hours, in spite of the exertions of the municipal autho 
 rities, and was not put down until we had lost many.jnen, including 
 several officers, killed or wounded, and had punished the miscreants. 
 Their objects were, to gratify national hatred ; and, in the general 
 alarm and confusion, to plunder the wealthy inhabitants particularly 
 the deserted houses. But families are now generally returning; 
 business of every kind has been resumed, and the city is already 
 tranquil and cheerful, under the admirable conduct (with exceptions 
 very few and trifling) of our gallant troops. 
 
 " This army has been more disgusted than surprised that, by 
 some sinister process on the part of certain individuals at home, its 
 numbers have been generally almost trebled in our public papers- 
 beginning at Washington. 
 
 " Leaving, as we all feared, inadequate garrisons at Vera Cruz, 
 Perote, and Puebla, with much larger hospitals ; and being obliged, 
 most reluctantly, from the same cause, (general paucity of numbers,) 
 to abandon Jalapa, we marched [August 7-10] from Puebla, with 
 only ten thousand seven hundred and thirty-eight, rank and file. 
 This number includes the garrison of Jalapa, and the two thousand 
 four hundred and twenty-nine men brought up by Brigadier-Ge 
 neral Pierce, August 6. 
 
 " At Contreros, Churubusco, &c., [August 20,] we had but eight 
 thousand four hundred and ninety-seven men engaged after de 
 ducting the garrison of San Augustin, (our general depot,) the in 
 termediate sick and the dead ; at the Molinos del Rey [September 
 8] but three brigades, with some cavalry and artillery making in 
 all three thousand two hundred and fifty-one men were in the 
 battle ; in the two days [September 12 and 13] our whole operating 
 force, after deducting, again, the recent killed, wounded, and sick, 
 together with the garrison of Miscoac (the then general depot) and 
 that of Tacubaya, was but seven thousand one hundred and eighty ; 
 and, finally, afteF deducting the new garrison of Chapultepec, with 
 the killed and wounded of the two days, we took possession, Sep 
 tember 14, of this great capital, with less than six thousand men ! 
 And I re-assert, upon accumulated and unquestionable evidence, 
 that, in not one of those conflicts, was this army opposed by fewer 
 
68 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 than three and a half times its numbers in several of them by a 
 still greater excess. 
 
 " I recapitulate our losses since we arrived in the basin of Mexico. 
 
 " AUGUST 19, 20. Killed, 137, including 14 officers. Wounded, 
 877, including 62 officers. Missing, (probably killed,) 38 rank and 
 file. Total, 1,052. 
 
 "SEPTEMBER 8. Kitted, 116, including 9 officers. Wounded, 
 665, including 49 officers. Missing, 18 rank and file. Total, 862. 
 
 "SEPTEMBER 12, 13, 14. Killed, 130, including 10 officers. 
 Wounded, 703, including 68 officers. Missing, 20 rank and file. 
 Total, 862. 
 
 "Grand total of losses, 2,703, including 383 officers. 
 
 " On the other hand, this small force has beaten on the same oc 
 casions, in view of their capital, the whole Mexican army, of (at 
 the beginning) thirty-odd thousand men posted, always, in chosen 
 positions, behind entrenchments, or more formidable defences of na 
 ture and art ; killed or wounded, of that number, more than seven 
 thousand officers and men ; taken three thousand seven hundred and 
 thirty prisoners, one-seventh officers, including thirteen generals, of 
 whom three had been presidents of this republic ; captured more 
 than twenty colours and standards, seventy-five pieces of ordnance, 
 besides fifty-seven wall pieces, twenty thousand small arms, an im 
 mense quantity of shot, shells, powder, &c. &c. 
 
 " Of that enemy, once so formidable in numbers, appointments, 
 artillery, &c., twenty-odd thousand have disbanded themselves in 
 despair, leaving, as is known, not more than three fragments, the 
 largest about two thousand five hundred now wandering in differ 
 ent directions, without magazines or a military chest, and living at 
 free quarters upon their own people. 
 
 " General Santa Anna, himself a fugitive, is believed to be on the 
 point of resigning the chief magistracy, and escaping to neutral 
 Guatemala. A new president, no doubt, will soon be declared, and 
 the federal Congress is expected to re-assemble at Queretaro, one 
 hundred and twenty-five miles north of this, on the Zacatecas road, 
 some time in October. 1 have seen and given safe conduct through 
 this city, to several of its members. The government will find itself 
 without resources ; no army, no arsenal, no magazines, and but little 
 revenue, internal or external. Still, such is the obstinacy, or rather 
 infatuation, of this people, that it is very doubtful whether the new 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE CAPITAL. 69 
 
 authorities will dare to sue for peace on terms which, in the recent 
 negotiations, were made known by our Minister. * * * 
 
 "In conclusion, I beg to enumerate, once more, with due com 
 mendation and thanks, the distinguished staff officers, general and 
 personal, who, in our last operations in front of the enemy, accom 
 panied me, and communicated orders to every point and through 
 every danger. Lieutenant-Colonel Hitchcock, acting inspector-gene 
 ral ; Major Turnbull and Lieutenant Hardcastle, topographical en 
 gineers ; Major Kirby, chief paymaster ; Captain Irwin, chief quar 
 termaster ; Captain Grayson, chief commissary ; Captain H. L. 
 Scott, in the adjutant-general's department ; Lieutenant Williams, 
 aid-de-camp ; Lieutenant Lay, military secretary, and Major J. P. 
 Gaines, Kentucky cavalry, volunteer aid-de-camp. Captain Lee, 
 engineer, so constantly distinguished, also bore important orders 
 from me (September 13) until he fainted from a wound and the loss 
 of two nights' sleep at the batteries. 
 
 "Lieutenants Beauregard, Stephens, and Tower, all wounded, 
 were employed with the divisions, and Lieutenants G. W. Smith 
 and G. B. McClellan with the company of sappers and miners. 
 Those five lieutenants of engineers, like their captain, won the ad 
 miration of all about them. The ordnance officers, Captain Huger, 
 Lieutenants Hagner, Stone, and Reno, were highly effective, and 
 distinguished at the several batteries ; and I must add that Captain 
 McKinstry, assistant quartermaster, at the close of the operations, 
 executed several important commissions for me as a special volun 
 teer. 
 
 " Surgeon-General Lawson, and the medical staff generally, were 
 skilful and untiring in and out of fire in ministering to the numerous 
 wounded." 
 
 The city of Mexico is thus described in Murray's Encyclopedia 
 of Geography : 
 
 "The state of Mexico comprises the valley of Mexico, a fine and 
 splendid region, variegated by extensive lakes, and surrounded by 
 some of the loftiest volcanic peaks of the new world. Its circum 
 ference is about two hundred miles, and it forms the very centre of 
 the great table-land of Anahuac, elevated from six to eight thousand 
 feet above the level of the sea. In the centre of this valley stands 
 the city of Mexico ; the ancient Mexico, or Tenochtitlan, having 
 been built in the middle of a lake, and connected with the continent 
 
7 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 by extensive causeways or dykes. The new Mexico is three nvles 
 from the lake of Tezcuco, and nearly six from that of Chalco ; yet 
 Humboldt considers it certain, from the remains of the ancient 
 teocalli, or temples, that it occupies the identical position of the for 
 mer city, and that a great part of the waters of the valley have been 
 dried up. Mexico was long considered the largest city of America ; 
 but it is now surpassed by New York, perhaps even by Rio Janeiro. 
 Some estimates have raised its population to two hundred thousand ; 
 but it may, on good grounds, be fixed at from one hundred and 
 twenty to one hundred and forty thousand. It is beyond dispute 
 the most splendid. Mexico is undoubtedly one of the finest cities 
 built by Europeans in either hemisphere ; with the exception of St. 
 Petersburgh, Berlin, and Philadelphia, and some quarters of West 
 minster, there does not exist a city of the same extent which can be 
 compared to the capital of New Spain, for the uniform level of the 
 ground on which it stands, for the regularity and breadth of the 
 streets, and the extent of the squares and public places. The archi 
 tecture is generally of a very pure style, and there are even edifices 
 of a very beautiful structure.' The palace of the late viceroys, the 
 cathedral, built in what is termed the Gothic style, several of the 
 convents, and some private palaces, reared upon plans furnished by 
 the pupils of the Academy of the Fine Arts, are of great extent and 
 magnificence; yet, upon the whole, it is rather the arrangement, 
 regularity, and general effect of the city which render it so striking. 
 Nothing in particular can be more enchanting than the view of the 
 city and the valley from the surrounding heights. The eye sweeps 
 over a vast extent of cultivated fields to the very base of the colossal 
 mountains, covered with perpetual snow. The city appears as if 
 washed by the waters of the lake of Tezcuco, which, surrounded by 
 villages and hamlets, resembles the most beautiful of the Swiss lakes ; 
 and the rich cultivation of the vicinity forms a striking contrast with 
 the naked mountains. Among these rise the famous volcano Popo 
 catepetl and the mountain of Iztaccihuatl, of which the first, an en 
 ormous cone, burns occasionally, throwing up smoke and ashes in 
 the midst of eternal snows. The police of the city is excellent; most 
 of the streets are handsomely paved, lighted, and cleansed. The 
 annual consumption in Mexico has been computed at sixteen thou 
 sand three hundred beeves ; two hundred and seventy-nine thousand 
 sheep ; fifty thousand hogs ; one million six hundred thousand fowls, 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE FORTIFICATIONS. 71 
 
 including ducks and turkeys ; two hundred and five thousand pigeons 
 and partridges. The markets are remarkably well supplied with 
 animal and vegetable productions, brought by crowds of canoes along 
 the lake of Chalco, and the canal leading to it. These canoes are 
 often guided by females, who at the same time are weaving cotton 
 in their simple portable looms, or plucking fowls, and throwing the 
 feathers into the water. Most of the flowers and roots have been 
 raised in chinampas, or floating gardens, an invention peculiar to 
 the new world. They consist of rafts formed of reeds, roots, and 
 bushes, and covered with black saline mould, which, being irrigated 
 by the water of the lake, becomes exceedingly fertile. It is a great 
 disadvantage to Mexico, however, that it stands nearly on a level 
 with the surrounding lake ; which, in seasons of heavy rain, over 
 whelms it with destructive inundations. The construction of a 
 desague, or canal, to carry off the waters of the lake of Zumpango, 
 and of the principal river by which it is fed, has, since 1629, pre 
 vented any very desolating flood. The desague, though not conduct 
 ed with skill and judgment, cost five millions of dollars, and is one 
 of the most stupendous hydraulic works ever executed. Were it 
 filled with water, the largest vessels of war might pass by it through 
 the range of mountains which bound the plain of Mexico. The 
 alarms, however, have been frequent, and cannot well cease, while 
 the level of that lake is twenty feet above that of the great square 
 of Mexico." 
 
 The New Orleans Picayune gives the following description of 
 the fortifications around the Mexican capital : 
 
 "Much as has already been said, our people even up to this time 
 have but an imperfect idea of the immense superiority of force 
 General Scott's little army had to contend with in .the valley of 
 Mexico. Some weeks since one of the editors of this paper, writing 
 fron the seat of war, attempted to draw a parallel between the deeds 
 of the early Spaniards and those of our own gallant soldiers ; but at 
 the time he did not know the full strength of the Mexican works 
 and fortifications, all completed previous to the noted 13th Septem 
 ber, and ready to repel the onslaughts of the comparatively insigni 
 ficant band of invaders. From a statement by Captain Lee, one of 
 the best engineers in the American or any other service, it would 
 seem that the Mexicans had at the 
 
72 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 Penon - - - 20 batteries, for 51 guns, and 15 inf. breastworks. 
 
 Mexicalcingo - 8 " 38 " " 1 " " 
 
 San Antonio -7 " 24 " " 2 " " 
 
 Churubusco -2 " 15 " " " " 
 
 Contreros - 1 " 22 " " " 
 
 Chapultepec - 7 " 19 " " 7 " " 
 
 Total, 45 169 25 
 
 "These were the outer works, admirably well situated for de 
 fence, and presenting a most formidable appearance to those who 
 were compelled to attack them from causeways, marshes, and open 
 plains. The works at El Molino, including the battery and the lines 
 of infantry intrenchments and strong buildings, are not enumerated 
 in the above. Immediately around the city of Mexico, independent 
 of the innumerable ditches these ditches filled with water, gene 
 rally twenty-five feet wide and five feet deep, whose banks formed 
 natural parapets there were forty-seven additional batteries, pre 
 pared like the others for one hundred and seventy-seven guns, and 
 with seventeen infantry breastworks. Adding these to the above, 
 and we have on all the lines defending the approaches to the city 
 no less than ninety-two batteries, prepared for three hundred and 
 forty-six guns, and forty-two infantry breastworks ! When it is 
 added that to all these works and our own engineers were forcibly 
 struck with the admirable style in which all the batteries of the 
 enemy were constructed that the city of Mexico was naturally de 
 fended by canals, houses of solid and heavy masonry, mud ditches, 
 water, &c. &c. ; that all the buildings have flat roofs with solid 
 parapets ; that the convents and many other public edifices are but 
 so many fortifications when all these circumstances are taken into 
 consideration, with the immense numerical superiority of the Mexi 
 cans, the achievements of the invaders will appear almost incre 
 dible. 
 
 " The science of engineering is probably as well understood by 
 the Mexicans as by any of the European nations, as an examination 
 of their works will at once prove, while their artillery practice is 
 most effective ; yet all availed them nothing against the bold and 
 steady advance of the Americans. The sanguinary battle of El 
 Molino, costly as it was to General Worth's division, was appallingly 
 disastrous to the enemy, as there his two best infantry regiments, the 
 
INDUSTRY OF THE MEXICANS. 73 
 
 llth and 12th of the line, were utterly annihilated. From that day 
 antil the capital was entered, comparatively speaking, our army 
 suffered but little from the musketry of the enemy, his cannon doing 
 nearly all the execution. General Gluitman's advance upon the 
 Garita of Belen, one of the most daring deeds of the war, was 
 through an avenue of blood caused by the grape, canister and round 
 shot of the Mexican cannon ; while the streets of San Cosme, through 
 which the remnant of General Worth's division was compelled to 
 advance, was literally swept by the heavy cannon and wall pieces 
 at the garita of the same name. The infantry firing around the 
 base of Chapultepec was as nothing compared with the incessant tor 
 nado of bullets which rattled amid the ranks of our columns as they 
 advanced upon Churubusco and the Molino del Rey. 
 
 " And who constructed the batteries and breastworks around the 
 capital of Mexico ? Men, women, and children, as by a common 
 impulse, were busy night and day, and even ladies of the higher 
 class are said to have been liberal in their toil in adding to the com 
 mon defence. Works complete in every part sprung up, as if by 
 magic; the morning light would dawn upon some- well-barricaded 
 approach, which the night before was apparently open to the ad 
 vance of armed men. From the outposts of the Americans, at any 
 time between the 8th and 12th September, thousands and thousands 
 of the enemy could be seen, spade and mattock in hand, strengthen 
 ing old and forming new barriers, and the busy hum of labour 
 reached our sentinels even during the still hours of the night, as 
 fresh guns were placed in position, or new avenues of approach were 
 closed against the invaders. Yet all would not do. The Mexicans 
 had not the stern courage to defend the works they had constructed 
 with such zeal and care, and one after another fell before the un 
 flinching bravery of men who had but victory or death before 
 them." 
 
 The Hartford Times thus speaks of General Scott's campaign in 
 Mexico : 
 
 " It seems to us that the merit of General Scott, in gaining the 
 late astounding victories before Mexico, has not as yet received its 
 fitting tribute from the public press. His political opinions must 
 necessarily ever debar him from receiving the suffrages of the Demo 
 cratic party for the chief magistracy of the Union. But this circum 
 stance cannot prevent us from seeing that this great soldier has 
 7 
 
74 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 deserved exceedingly well of the Republic, and acquired a very 
 strong title to the fervent gratitude of his countrymen. Perhaps, 
 indeed, to a man whose hairs are already silvered in the service of 
 his country, the due appreciation and acknowledgment of that ser 
 vice may prove a more acceptable reward than the highest office 
 that could be conferred upon him. At all events, the least that can 
 be done is to award just honour and praise, in no stinted or niggardly 
 measure, to those who have no other remuneration to expect for 
 their brave deeds. The battles of Contreros and Churubusco cer 
 tainly rank among the most brilliant military achievements of the 
 age. A little band of eleven thousand audacious invaders have de 
 feated, with immense slaughter, an army of thirty thousand troops, 
 drawn up in a position of their own choosing, on their own soil, to 
 defend their altars and hearths, in the very heart of their country. 
 But it was not alone the indomitable valour of our troops which 
 distinguished these battles. They were to an equal degree marked 
 with all the skill, science, and foresight of a masterly strategy. 
 
 " In turning the rocky and almost impregnable passes of Penon 
 and Mexicalcingo, fortified with terrific batteries, upon which the 
 enemy had expended the labour of months, General Scott displayed 
 the most consummate generalship. It was not the mere avoiding 
 or evading these formidable posts which constituted its merit. It 
 was, that his cool and practised eye discerned at a glance that a 
 passage could be cut through dense forests and tangled defiles, and 
 heaps of huge rock, where the enemy never dreamed that such an 
 exploit was conceivable. It was a repetition of the same skilful 
 outflanking mancEuvre by which he had before spared so much va 
 luable life at Sierra Gordo a movement which rendered all the 
 laborious preparations and defences of the enemy useless, and which 
 Santa Anna himself pronounced to be masterly and worthy of Napo 
 leon. It has been the crowning merit of Scott, that, while he has 
 been everywhere victorious, he has also everywhere husbanded his 
 forces. Daring and intrepid to the last degree where those qualities 
 were called for, he has at the same time been careful never wantonly 
 to waste the lives of his troops in unnecessary stormings or reckless 
 assaults. Under almost any other genera], his mere handful of 
 troops would long since have melted away from repeated collisions 
 with inert but overwhelming masses. With a humanity not less 
 conspicuous than his bravery, Scott has always abstained from any 
 
OPINIONS OF THE PRESS. 75 
 
 indiscriminate slaughter even of a sanguinary and merciless foe. 
 * * * It was a great thing to have mastered the renowned for 
 tress of San Juan de Uiloa a second Gibraltar with so trifling a 
 loss, of life. The victory over Santa Anna at Sierra Gordo, in the 
 manner as well as in the magnitude of the achievement, was 
 a daring and masterly exploit. It was also a great thing a sight, 
 in fact, full of moral grandeur when four thousand two hundred 
 tattered and wayworn soldiers under his command entered the mag 
 nificent city of Puebla, and, with all the confidence of conquerors, 
 stacked their arms and laid themselves down to sleep in the great 
 square, surrounded by a hostile population of eighty thousand. 
 
 " But, last 'of all, and more admirable than all, has been the care 
 with which he has nursed and kept together his little band of eleven 
 thousand, and the almost fabulous audacity and still more incredible 
 success with which he has pushed them, step by step, to the very 
 heart of a civilized nation of seven millions, and to the gates of a 
 capital of two hundred thousand souls, the renowned seat of a le 
 gendary and mythic magnificence, and the most ancient and best- 
 built city on the continent. If modern warfare has any parallel for 
 this great feat of arms, we know not where to look for it. 
 
 "The successive triumphs of Vera Cruz, of Sierra Gordo, of 
 Puebla, and of Mexico, undimmed as they have hitherto been by a 
 single reverse, have unquestionably raised the reputation of the 
 commander to a very great height, and placed it, to say the least, 
 fully on a level with that of the greatest generals of his time. Nor 
 is there any denying that those victories have been of such an order 
 that, while they elevate the successful leader, they also, to at least 
 an equal degree, exalt the character and extend the renown of his 
 country. Hence we cannot bring ourselves to make any apology 
 for what appears to us a just notice of General Scott, on the score 
 of his being a Whig. A sense of gratitude for his distinguished 
 services in this war would not permit us to say less. The fame of 
 a victorious general cannot justly be held to belong to any party. It 
 is the property of the whole nation.' 
 
 The Baltimore American of October 22d, says : 
 
 " The records or the gallant achievements of our troops in Mexico 
 add new lustre to the martial history of the Republic. From the 
 landing at Vera Cruz, to the entrance of our army into the city of 
 Mexico, a series of brilliant exploits has marked every step of their 
 
 it 
 
76 MAJOR-GENERAL WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
 way. If the retreat of Xenophon, with ten thousand men, from the 
 heart of an enemy's country, is regarded with admiration, and men 
 tioned in history as one of those extraordinary things which genius 
 and enterprise can accomplish when favoured by fortune, what must 
 be said of the advance of an army little exceeding ten thousand into 
 the valley of Mexico, into the capital of the enemy's country, three 
 hundred miles from the coast, storming its way as it marched, de 
 feating armies far exceed ing it in numbers, and entrenched in strong 
 fortifications, and holding its position victoriously in a city of one 
 hundred and eighty thousand inhabitants, in the midst of a dense 
 and hostile population around ? 
 
 " The army which has done this is composed, too, in part of 
 volunteer soldiers who have seen service for the first time of men 
 who hurried from the peaceful avocations of life to encounter the 
 perils and hardships of war, with no preparation, no habitual disci 
 pline, expecting to receive their first lessons in military affairs upon 
 the field of battle. Noble scholars indeed have they proved them 
 selves to be ! The soldiers of one campaign, they are veterans al 
 ready, able to cope with the veterans of any service. 
 
 "The masterly generalship of the commander-in-chief has ex 
 hibited the most admirable combinations of discretion and daring 
 throughout this whole career of bold invasion, of determined per 
 severance and heroic achievements. The laurels of Chippewa, 
 which crowned the youthful brow of Scott, are renewed and fresh 
 ened by those plucked from the battle-fields of Mexico. Long may 
 they flourish in the brightness of their verdure ! 
 
 " The forbearance of General Scott when he entered the city of 
 Mexico, as testified to by the letters of resident foreigners who had 
 witnessed the sacking of European cities when entered by an ex 
 cited and victorious soldiery, is a characteristic of the most exalted 
 kind, reflecting unspeakable honour upon the commander who or 
 dered, and upon the troops that obeyed such directions of forbear 
 ance at such a moment. The evidence is direct, that no houses 
 were molested, except those from which shots were fired upon our 
 men. 
 
 " The country has reason to be proud indeed of this brave little 
 army, of its eminent general, of its noble and accomplished officers. 
 Worthily have they sustained the American name ; gloriously have 
 they exalted its martial renown in the eyes of the world. It is now 
 
HIS BRAVERY, SKILL, ETC. 77 
 
 for the country to sustain them, to strengthen that gallant band, to 
 uphold them in that distant and hostile land upon which they have 
 enstamped the impress of American valour, and displayed victory 
 on the folds of the national flag." 
 
 Such has been the career of Major-General Scott up to the pre 
 sent time. Beginning his military course at Chippewa, he attained, 
 during the late war, a renown for bravery, skill, and generalship, as 
 flattering as it was singular; and his recent unparalleled campaign 
 in Mexico has confirmed all former opinion of his merits, proven 
 his efficiency in planning and executing a series of protracted ope 
 rations, and placed him before the world as one of the ablest gene 
 rals of his age. 
 
 T* 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL GIDEON J. PILLOW. 
 
 GENERAL PILLOW was born June 10th, 1806, in Williamson 
 County, Tennessee. He graduated [October 1827] at the University 
 of Nashville, and studied law at Columbia, under Judge Kennedy. 
 Admitted to the bar in October, 1829, he became distinguished, and 
 acquired extensive practice. As an advocate, he is eloquent and 
 forcible, prompt in action, and indomitable in perseverance. 
 
 General Pillow was a delegate to the National Democratic Con 
 vention, held in Baltimore, in 1844 ; but, excepting in this instance, 
 he has never taken an active part in politics, preferring the enjoy 
 ment of his ample fortune in the domestic circle to the cares of 
 active life. On the 24th of March, 1831, he married Miss Mary 
 E. Martin, by whom he has seven children. About the same time, 
 he received from his friend, General Carroll, the appointment of 
 of Inspector-General of the State militia. 
 
 Soon after the news of Taylor's campaign on the Rio Grande 
 had reached the United States, General Pillow proceeded to the 
 seat of war. During the summer and fall of 1846, he was stationed 
 at Camargo, with a large command of volunteers from Tennessee, 
 Alabama, and Georgia, whose discipline, especially that relating to 
 the evolutions of the line, he superintended in person. In the 
 winter, he marched through the interior of Mexico to Victoria, at 
 the head of a regiment of Tennessee cavalry, and two regiments 
 of Illinois volunteers. With his own brigade, consisting of three 
 regiments of Tennessee troops, he subsequently moved from Victo 
 ria, over mountains, rivers, and rugged plains, to Tampico, a distance 
 of four hundred and fifty miles. From Tampico he crossed the 
 Gulf, joined General Scott's army before Vera Cruz, and was the 
 second officer to debark his command. He had two skirmishes 
 with parties of the enemy before the walls of Vera Cruz, in both 
 of which he charged with great impetuosity, and drove the superior 
 masses of his opponents, in presence of both armies. On the field 
 of one of these battles, was afterwards erected the Naval Battery 
 
 (78) 
 
GENERAL PILLOW. 
 

PILLOW AT VERA CRUZ AND SIERRA GORDO. 79 
 
 which did such execution against the city. The construction of 
 this required the labour of seven days and nights, and was executed 
 almost entirely by General Pillow. During the siege, he was em 
 ployed in extending the American line, in order completely to invest 
 the city, a duty which required a great amount of care and labour. 
 During the suspension of hostilities, he was appointed one of the 
 commissioners to negotiate a capitulation. On the 13th of April, 
 1847, he received a commission as major-general. 
 
 At Sierra Gordo, Pillow attacked a fort in which was a large 
 Mexican force under General La Vega. He had carefully reconnoi 
 tred this station, and received a wound while leading his troops to the 
 assault in the face of a galling fire. La Vega, however, defending 
 himself with an obstinacy worthy of the fame he had acquired on 
 the Rio Grande, obliged the Americans to fall back. A second 
 attempt was attended with similar results. While chagrined with 
 this repulse, Pillow was gratified to learn that he had held the Mexi 
 cans long enough employed to prevent their succouring Santa Anna's 
 forces, whose capture had, consequently, been much accelerated. On 
 perceiving that the battle was lost, General La Vega surrendered. 
 
 In reference to this battle, General Scott has the following lan 
 guage in his Order, No. 287 : "It is due also to state, that in the 
 part assigned to Brigadier (now Major) General Pillow and his 
 brigade, the batteries attacked by them were found much more for 
 midable than that leader or the general-in-chief had supposed." 
 
 General Pillow bore his full share in the glorious operations be 
 fore the capita], denominated by General Scott "the battles of 
 Mexico." His services in the first series of operations are related 
 in the following extracts from his own report : 
 
 " In compliance with the order of the general-in-chief, I moved 
 with my division, early on the morning of the 19th instant, and 
 opened the road over the mountain on the route indicated by Cap 
 tain Lee, of the engineer corps, assisted by Lieutenants Beauregard, 
 Stephens, Tower, Smith, McClelland, and Foster. Brigadier-Gen 
 eral Twiggs, with his division, reported to me for duty, under in 
 structions from the general-in-chief, whilst my own division was 
 moving over the mountain. 
 
 " Perceiving that the enemy was in large force on the opposite 
 side of the valley, with heavy batteries of artillery commanding the 
 only road through a vast plain of broken volcanic stone and lava. 
 
80 MAJOR-GENERAL PILLOW. 
 
 rent into deep chasms and fissures, effectually preventing any ad 
 vance except under his direct fire, I resolved to give him battle. 
 For this purpose, I ordered General Twiggs to advance with his 
 finely-disciplined division, and with one brigade to assault the ene 
 my's works in front, and with the other to turn his left flank, and 
 assail it in reverse. Captain Magruder's fine field battery and Lieu 
 tenant Calender's howitzer battery (both of which constitute part 
 of my division) were placed at the disposal of Brigadier-General 
 Twiggs. ****** 
 
 " Colonel Riley's command, having now crossed the vast, broken- 
 up plain of lava, passed the village on the right, and whilst in the 
 act of turning the enemy's left, was confronted by several thousand 
 lancers, who advanced to the charge, when a well-directed fire from 
 the brigade twice compelled them to fall back in disorder, under 
 cover of their artillery. About this time Brigadier-General Cad- 
 walader's command had also crossed the plain, when some five or 
 six thousand troops of the enemy were observed moving rapidly 
 from the direction of the capital to the field of action. Colonel 
 Morgan, with his large and fine regiment, which I had caused to be 
 detached from the rear of Pierce's brigade, was now ordered to the 
 support of Cadwalader, by direction of the general-in-chief, who had 
 now arrived upon the field. 
 
 " The general, having discovered this large force moving upon 
 his right flank and to the rear, with decided military tact and 
 promptitude threw back his right wing and confronted the enemy, 
 with the intention to give him battle, notwithstanding his over 
 whelming force. 
 
 This portion of the enemy's force moved steadily forward until 
 a conflict seemed inevitable, when Colonel Morgan's regiment, 
 having reached this part of the field, presented a front so formidable 
 as to induce the enemy to change his purpose, and draw off to the 
 right and rear of his former position. 
 
 " During all this time, the battle raged fiercely between the other 
 portions of the two armies, with a constant and destructive fire of 
 artillery. Magruder's battery, from its prominent position, was much 
 disabled by the heavy shot of the enemy, as were also Callender's 
 howitzers. A part of the enemy's artillery had been turned upon 
 Riley's command, whilst actively engaged with large bodies of 
 lancers ; but even these combined attacks could only delay the pur 
 pose of the gallant old veteran and his noble brigade. 
 
OPERATIONS NEAR THE CAPITAL. 81 
 
 "The battle all this day was conducted under my immediate or 
 ders, and within my view ; a short time before sunset, having pre 
 viously engaged in the fight all the forces at my disposal, myself 
 and staff started to cross the plain, to join in the terrible struggle on 
 the immediate field-of action. * * * * 
 
 " During the night, Brigadier-General Smith disposed the forces 
 present, to renew the action at daylight, and complete the original 
 order of attack. Before dark, however, the enemy had placed two 
 pieces of artillery on a height nearly west of Cadwalader's position, 
 which had opened with several discharges upon his forces. Briga 
 dier-General Smith, just before daylight, moved a portion of the 
 forces up the ravine to the rear of the enemy's position, so as to be 
 within easy turning distance of his left flank leaving Colonel Ran 
 som with the 9th and 12th infantry to make a strong diversion in 
 front. The day being sufficiently advanced, the order was given by 
 Brigadier-General Smith for the general assault; when General 
 Smith's command upon the left, and Colonel Riley with his brigade 
 upon the right, supported by General Cadvvalader with his com 
 mand, moved up with the utmost gallantry, under the furious fire 
 from the enemy's batteries, which were immediately carried ; a large 
 number of prisoners were taken, including four generals, with twenty- 
 three out of the twenty-eight pieces of artillery, and a large amount 
 of ammunition and public property. 
 
 " The retreating enemy was compelled to pass through a severe 
 fire, both from the assaulting forces and Cadwalader's brigade, as 
 well as Shields' command, who had remained at the position occu 
 pied by the former general the previous night, with the purpose of 
 covering the movement upon the battery. * * * 
 
 " Having myself crossed the plain, and reached this bloody theatre 
 as the last scene of the conflict was closing, as soon as suitable dispo 
 sitions were made to secure the fruits of the victory, I resolved upon 
 pursuing the discomfited enemy, in which I found that Brigadier- 
 Generals Twiggs and Smith had already anticipated me by having 
 commenced the movement. At the same time, I apprized the ge- 
 neral-in-chief of my advance, requesting his authority to proceed 
 with all the forces still under my command, sweeping around the 
 valley, attack the strong works of San Antonio in rear; and re 
 quested the co-operation of General Worth's division, by an assault 
 upon that work in front ; which the general-in-chief readily granted, 
 
82 MAJOR-GEiNERAL PILLOW. 
 
 and directed accordingly having, as I learn, upon being advised of 
 the victory, previously given the order. 1 had moved rapidly for 
 ward in execution of this purpose, until I reached the town Coyoacan, 
 where the command was halted to await the arrival of the general- 
 in-chief, who, I was informed, was close at hand. Upon his arrival, 
 the important fact was ascertained, that the enemy's forces at San 
 Antonio having perceived that the great battery had been lost, and 
 the total defeat and rout of their forces at Contreros, by which their 
 rear was opened to assault, had abandoned the work at San Antonio, 
 and fallen back upon their strong entrenchments in rear at Churu- 
 busco. 
 
 " Upon the receipt of this information, the general-in-chief imme 
 diately ordered Brigadier-General Tvviggs's division to move forward 
 and attack the work on the enemy's right, and directed me to move 
 with Cadwalader's brigade, and assault the Tete du pont on its left. 
 Moving rapidly in execution of this order, I had great difficulty in 
 passing the command over some marshy fields, andVide and deep 
 ditches, filled with mud and water. I was compelled to dismount 
 in order to cross these obstacles, which were gallantly overcome by 
 the troops, when the whole force gained the main causeway ; at 
 which place I met General Worth, with the advance of his division, 
 moving upon the same work. It was then proposed that our united 
 divisions should move on to the assault of the strong Tete du pont, 
 which, with its heavy artillery, enfiladed the causeway. This being 
 determined upon, the troops of the two divisions moved rapidly to 
 attack the work on its left flank, and, notwithstanding the deadly fire 
 of grape and round-shot from the work, which swept the roadway 
 with furious violence, on and onward these gallant and noble troops 
 moved with impetuous valour, and terrible and long was the bloody 
 conflict. But the result could not be doubted. At length the loud 
 and enthusiastic cheer of the Anglo-Saxon soldier told that all was 
 well, and the American colours moved in triumph over the bloody 
 scene." 
 
 During the operations of General Worth upon Molino del Rey, 
 Pillow with his command was stationed at Tacubaya, but on the 
 12th of September he received orders to move from that place, and 
 hold his troops in readiness at the Molinos, to storm Chapultepec. 
 Soon after occupying that station, a large body of lancers appeared 
 before it, and for a long while threatened an attack. The general. 
 
OPERATIONS NEAR THE CAPITAL. 83 
 
 however, presented so bold a front, that they were finally induced 
 to retire. Similar demonstrations were made during the whole day, 
 thus obliging the troops to maintain a constant, painful watchfulness. 
 
 At daylight of the 13th the cannonade upon Chapultepec, which 
 had ceased the evening before, recommenced, and continued until 
 =eight o'clock. During all this time, Pillow was preparing his 
 troops for an assault. 
 
 The part taken by the general in the storming of Chapultepec, 
 forms one of the most brilliant chapters of his biography. Under 
 the most dreadful showers of grape, canister, and round-shot, his 
 soldiers rushed on, with shouts that rang above the roaring of can 
 non, leaped the works, drove the masses of the enemy at the point 
 of the bayonet, and, tearing down the Mexican standard, run up 
 that of the United States in its stead. While rushing along by 
 their side, Pillow was himself struck down by a grape-shot ; but, 
 eager only for victory, he ordered his men to carry him to the for 
 tress, in order that he might witness the triumph of his regiment. 
 
 Pillow's wound was severe and painful, though, fortunately, not 
 serious. The season of comparative repose which followed the 
 taking of the capital, has restored him to his customary health.* 
 
 * The general's father, Gideon Pillow, was born in Rockingham County, 
 N. C.j September 24th, 1774. He was the second son of John, and Ursula 
 Johnson Pillow, who, in 1789, removed from North Carolina to Davidson 
 County, Ten., and settled temporarily with his family at ' John Brown ; s,' a 
 thin frontier station four miles south of Nashville. He was killed in the 
 fall of 1793, leaving William and Gideon to protect six younger brothers 
 and sisters. One or both of these young men went upon almost every 
 excursion sent from Davidson County against the savages from 1789 
 to 1794. In the latter year the Indians discontinued their annoyances. 
 Both fought bravely at Nickojack. William was colonel of a regiment under 
 General Jackson in the late Creek war, and was shot through the body at 
 Talladega, whilst pursuing the enemy. He now resides on his farm in 
 Maury County. Gideon was a farmer and landdealer, but died from 
 home (Madison Co., Ten.), February 26th, 1830, leaving three sons and 
 three daughters. , 
 
MAJOK-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN A. QUITMAN, like his fellow officer, Pillow, 
 has but recently entered upon active service. He served as a volun 
 teer at Monterey, and was appointed to the regular army, April 
 14th, 1847, from Mississippi, although New York is his native state. 
 
 The following detailed report is a complete description of the ser 
 vices of his brigade at Monterey : 
 
 "Being ordered, on the morning of the 22d, to relieve Colonel 
 Garland's command, which had, during the preceding night, occu 
 pied the redoubt and fortifications taken on the 21st, my command 
 marched from their encampment about nine o'clock in the morning. 
 Colonel Campbell, of the Tennessee regiment, being indisposed from 
 the fatigue and exposure of the preceding day, the command of his 
 regiment devolved on Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson. Both regi 
 ments were much reduced by the casualties of the twenty-first, 
 and the necessary details for the care of the wounded. The march 
 necessarily exposed the brigade for a short distance to a severe fire 
 of artillery from the works still in possession of the enemy on this 
 side of the city, and from the cross-fire of the citadel. We were 
 not allowed to reach our post without some loss. Private Dubois, 
 of Captain Crump's company of Mississippi riflemen, was killed, 
 and two men of the same company wounded, before entering the 
 works. The redoubt and adjacent works being occupied by my 
 brigade, and Lieutenant Ridgely's battery, a portion of the troops 
 were engaged, under the direction of Lieutenant J. M. Scarritt, of 
 engineers, in strengthening our position on the side next to town. 
 
 "At intervals during the whole day, until nine o'clock at night, 
 
 the enemy kept up from their fortifications, and from the citadel, 
 
 discharges of shell, round shot, and grape. It was in the forenoy 
 
 of this day, that, by the aid of our glasses, we were presented with 
 
 (84) 
 
QUITMAN AT MONTEREY. 85 
 
 a full view of the storming of the Bishop's palace by troops under 
 General Worth on the heights beyond the city. The shout by 
 which our brave volunteers greeted the display of the American 
 flag on the palace, was returned by the enemy from their works 
 near us by a tremendous fire of round shot and grape upon us with 
 out effect. During the day, plans of assault on the adjacent Mexi 
 can works were considered of, but in the evening my attention was 
 drawn to a line of about fifteen hundred Mexican infantry at some 
 distance in rear of their works. The presence of this force, amount 
 ing to nearly three times our effective numbers, and which appeared 
 to be posted for the protection of the works, induced me to give up 
 all idea of forcing the works without reinforcements. During the 
 night several reconnoissances were made with details of Captain 
 WhhfiehTs company, in the direction of the redoubt 'El Diablo.' 
 Frequent signals between the different posts of the enemy during 
 the night kept us on the alert ; and at the first dawn of day on the 
 23d, it was discovered that the enemy had abandoned, or were 
 abandoning, the strong works nearest to us. Colonel Davis, with a 
 portion of his command, supported by Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson, 
 with two companies of the Tennessee regiment, was ordered to take 
 possession of the works. This was promptly done. The enemy 
 had withdrawn their artillery during the night, and nothing of value 
 fell into our hands but some prisoners and ammunition. From this 
 work, which commanded a view of the cathedral, and a portion of 
 the great plaza of the city, we perceived another half-moon or tri 
 angular redoubt in advance of us, and on our right, which appeared 
 to be immediately connected with heavy stone buildings and walls 
 adjoining the block of the city. Having reported my observations 
 to the commanding general, who had approached the field of our 
 operations, I received permission to advance upon the defences of 
 the city in this direction, and, if deemed practicable, to occupy them. 
 It was sufficiently apparent that all the approaches to the city on 
 this side were strongly fortified. Wishing to proceed with caution, 
 under the qualified permission of the commanding general, I sent, 
 out a party of riflemen, under Lieutenant Graves, to reconnoitie, 
 supporting them at some distance by a company of Tennessee in 
 fantry, under Captain McMurray. Some active movements of the 
 enemy in the vicinity induced me to halt this party, and to order out 
 Colonel Davis, with two companies of his command, and two "om- 
 8 
 
86 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 panies of Tennessee troops, to advance on these works. As the 
 troops advanced, armed men were seen flying at their approach. 
 Upon reaching the redoubt which had attracted our attention, we 
 perceived that it was open, and exposed to the fire of the enemy 
 from the stone buildings and walls in the rear. It was, therefore, 
 necessary to select another position less exposed. Posting the two 
 companies of infantry, in a position to defend the lodgement we had 
 effected, I directed Colonel Davis to post his command as he might 
 deem most advantageous for defence or active operations, intending 
 here to await further orders or reinforcements. In reconnoitring 
 the place, several shots were fired at Colonel Davis by the enemy, 
 and several files of the riflemen who had advanced to the slope of a 
 breastwork, (No. 1,) which had been thrown across the street for 
 the defence of the city, returned the fire. A volley from the enemy 
 succeeded. Our party having been reinforced by additions from 
 the riflemen and infantry, a brisk firing was soon opened on both 
 sides, the enemy from the house-tops and parapets attempting to 
 drive us from the lodgement we had effected. A considerable body 
 of the enemy, securely posted on the top of a large building on our 
 left, which partially overlooked the breastwork, No. 1, continued to 
 pour in their fire, and killed private Tyree, of company K, whose 
 gallant conduct at the breastwork had attracted the attention of both 
 his colonel and myself. From this commencement, in a short time 
 the action became general. The enemy appearing to be in great 
 force, and firing upon our troops from every position of apparent 
 security, I despatched my aid, Lieutenant Nichols, with orders to 
 advance the whole of my brigade which could be spared from the 
 redoubts occupied by us. A portion of the Mississippi regiment, 
 under Major Bradford, advanced to the support of the troops en 
 gaged, but Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson, with a part of the Ten 
 nessee regiment, was required to remain for the protection of the 
 redoubts in our possession. With this additional force more active 
 operations upon the city were begun. Detachments of our troops 
 advanced, penetrating into buildings and occupying the flat roofs of 
 houses, and by gradual approaches, driving the enemy back. They 
 had been engaged more than an hour, when they were reinforced 
 by a detachment of dismounted Texan rangers, commanded by 
 General Henderson, with whose active and effectual co-operations 
 the attack upon the city was gradually, but successfully prosecuted. 
 
QUITMAN AT MONTEREY. 87 
 
 Buildings, streets, and courts were occupied by our troops without 
 much loss, until, after being engaged for about five hours, having 
 advanced within less than, two squares of the great plaza, apprehen 
 sive that we might fall under the range of our own artillery, which 
 had been brought up to our support, and our ammunition being 
 nearly exhausted, active operations were ordered to cease until the 
 effect of the batteries, which had been brought forward into one of 
 the principal streets, could be seen. 
 
 " It being found that the barricades in the neighbourhood of the 
 plaza were too strong to be battered down by our light artillery, the 
 commanding general, who had taken position in the city, ordered 
 the troops gradually and slowly to retire to the defences taken in the 
 morning. This was done in good order, the enemy firing occasion 
 ally upon us, but not venturing to take possession of the part of the 
 town we had occupied. Our forces had scarcely retired from their 
 advanced position in the city, when we heard the commencement 
 of the attack of the division under General Worth on the opposite 
 side of the town. The force under my command had been en 
 gaged from eight o'clock in the morning to three P. M. It should 
 be recorded, to the credit of the volunteer troops, that the greater 
 portion of them had been without sustenance since the morning of 
 the 22d, and exposed throughout the very inclement and rainy night 
 of the 22d, to severe duly, without blankets or overcoats, and yet 
 not a msrmur was heard among them their alacrity remained un 
 abated to the last moment. The character of this affair, the troops 
 being necessarily separated into many small parties, gave frequent 
 occasion to the exhibition of individual courage and daring. The 
 instances occurred so frequently, in which both officers and men 
 distinguished themselves, that to recount those which fell under my i 
 own observation, or which were brought to my notice by officers, 
 would extend this report to an improper length. It is rny duty and 
 pleasure to mention the fact, that the veteran, General Lamar, of 
 Texas, joined my command as a volunteer in the commencement 
 of the attack on the city, and by his counsel and example aided and 
 encouraged the troops. Major E. R. Price, of Natchez, and Cap 
 tain J. R. Smith, of Louisiana, both from the recently disbanded 
 Louisiana troops, acted with distinguished bravery as volunteers in 
 Colonel Davis's regiment." 
 
 General Gluitman performed much laborious service before Vera 
 
88 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 Cruz, but was not in the battle of Sierra Gordo. But his mili 
 tary fame rests principally upon the battles before the Mexican 
 capital. In these he has wrought himself an undying reputation, 
 which has placed him before our people as one of the ablest of 
 their commanders. He accompanied the army in its march from 
 Puebla toward the capital, but was not actively concerned in the 
 battles of the 19th and 20th of August. He was one of the com 
 missioners who negotiated the armistice, and on the recommence 
 ment of hostilities, was in continued action until the fall of the 
 capital. His report is as follows : 
 
 " The general-in-chief, having concluded to carry the strong for 
 tress of Chapultepec, and through it advance upon the city, ordered 
 me, on the llth, to move my division, after dark, from its position 
 at Coyoacan to Tacubaya. * * * 
 
 "Two batteries had been erected during the night. My division 
 being intended to support these batteries, and to advance to the 
 attack by the direct road from Tacubaya to the fortress, was placed 
 in position near battery No. 1, early on the morning of the 12th 
 detachments from its left extending to the support of battery No. 2. 
 At seven o'clock, the guns two sixteen-pounders and an eight- 
 inch howitzer were placed in battery No. 1, in position so 
 as to rake the road, sweep the adjoining grounds, and have 
 a direct fire upon the enemy's batteries and the fortress of Chapul 
 tepec. 
 
 "Our fire was then opened and maintained with good effect 
 throughout the day, under the direction of that excellent and 
 lamented officer, Captain Drum, of the 4th artillery, zealously aided 
 by Lieutenants Benjamin and Porter, of his company. The fire 
 was briskly returned from the castle with round shot, shells and 
 grape. During the day, I succeeded, under cover of our batteries, 
 in making an important reconnoissance of the grounds and works 
 immediately at the base of the castle, a rough sketch of which was 
 made by my aid, Lieutenant Lovel, on the ground. This disclosed 
 to us two batteries of the enemy one on the road in front of us, 
 mounting four guns, and the other a flanking work of one gun, ca 
 pable also of sweeping the low grounds on the left of the road, and 
 between it and the base of the hill. 
 
 "The supporting party on this reconnoissance was commanded 
 by the late Major Twiggs, of the marines, and sustained during the 
 
STORMING OF CHAPULTEPEC. 89 
 
 observation a brisk fire from the batteries and small arms of the 
 enemy, who, when the party were retiring, came out of the works 
 in large numbers ; and although repeatedly checked by the fire of 
 our troops, continued to advance as the supporting party retired, 
 until they were dispersed, with considerable loss, by several dis 
 charges of canister from the guns of Captain Drum's battery, and a 
 well-directed fire from the right of the 2d Pennsylvania regiment, 
 posted on the flank of the battery for its support. Our loss in this 
 affair was seven men wounded ; but the information gained was of 
 incalculable advantage to the operations of the succeeding day. In 
 the evening, Captain Drum's company was relieved by Lieutenant 
 Andrews' company, 3d artillery, by whom a steady and well-directed 
 fire was kept up from the battery, until the fortress could no longer 
 be seen in the darkness. During the day, my command was rein 
 forced by a select battalion from General Twiggs' division, intended 
 as a storming party, consisting of thirteen officers and two hundred 
 and fifty men and non-commissioned officers and privates, chosen 
 for this service out of the rifles, 1st and 4th regiments of artillery, 
 and the 2d, 3d, and 7th regiments of infantry all under the com 
 mand of Captain Silas Casey, 2d infantry. 
 
 " Having received instructions from the general-in-chief to pre 
 vent, if possible, reinforcements from being thrown into Chapultepec 
 during the night, Captain Paul of the 7th infantry, with a detach 
 ment of fifty men, was directed to establish an advanced picket on 
 the road to Chapultepec. During the night a brisk skirmish oc 
 curred between this detachment and the advanced posts of the 
 enemy, which resulted in driving back the enemy ; but, apprehen 
 sive that this demonstration was intended to cover the passage of 
 reinforcements into Chapultepec, I ordered Lieutenant Andrews to 
 advance a piece of artillery and rake the. road with several discharges 
 of canister. This was promptly executed, and during the remainder 
 of the night there were no appearances of movements in the enemy's 
 lines. During the night, the platforms of battery No. 1 were repaired, 
 under the direction of Lieutenant Tower, of engineers, who had^re- 
 ported to me for duty, and a new battery for one gun established in 
 advance of No. 1 a short distance, by Lieutenant Hammond, of 
 General Shields' staff. 
 
 " The protection of battery No. 2, which was completed on the 
 morning of the 12th, under direction of Captain Huger, was in 
 8* 
 
90 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 trusted to Brigadier-General Shields. This battery, after the guns 
 had been placed, opened and maintained a steady fire upon the 
 castle, under the skilful direction of that experienced officer, Lieu 
 tenant Hagner, of ordnance. 
 
 "At dawn, on the morning of the 13th, the batteries again open 
 ed an active and effective fire upon the castle, which was returned 
 by the enemy with spirit and some execution, disabling for a time 
 the eighteen-pounder in battery No. 1, and killing one of the men 
 at the guns. 
 
 " During this cannonade, active preparations were made for the 
 assault upon the castle. Ladders, pickaxes, and crows were placed 
 in the hands of a pioneer storming party of select men from the vo 
 lunteer division, under command of Captain Reynolds of the marine 
 corps, to accompany the storming party of one hundred and twenty 
 men, which had been selected from all corps of the same division, 
 and placed under the command of Major Twiggs, of the marines. 
 Captain Drum had again relieved Lieutenant Andrews at the guns, 
 retaining from the command of the latter Sergeant Davidson and 
 eight men to man an eight-pounder, which it was intended to carry 
 forward to operate on the enemy's batteries in front of us; and, to 
 relieve the command from all danger of attack on our right flank 
 from reinforcements which might come from the city, that well-tried 
 and accomplished officer, Brevet Brigadier-General Smith, with his 
 well-disciplined brigade, had reported to me for orders. He was 
 instructed to move~ in reserve on the right flank of the assaulting 
 column, protect it from skirmishers, or more serious attack in that 
 quarter; and, if possible, on the assault, cross the aqueduct leading 
 to the city, turn the enemy, and cut off his retreat. Those disposi 
 tions being made, ihe whole command, at the signal preconcerted 
 by the general-in-chief, with enthusiasm and full of confidence ad 
 vanced to the attack. At the base of the hill, constituting a part of 
 the works of the fortress of Chapultepec, and directly across our line 
 of advance, were the strong batteries before described, flanked on 
 the*right by some strong buildings, and by a heavy stone wall about 
 fifteen feet high, which extended around the base of the hill towards 
 the west. Within two hundred yards of these batteries were some 
 dilapidated buildings, which afforded a partial cover to our advance. 
 Between these and the wall extended a low meadow, the long grass 
 of which concealed a number of wet ditches by which it was inter- 
 
STORMING OF CHAPULTEPEC. 91 
 
 sected. To this point the command, partially screened, advanced 
 by a flank, the storming parties in front, under a heavy fire from 
 the fortress, the batteries, and breastworks of the enemy. The ad 
 vance was here halted under the partial cover of the ruins, and upon 
 the arrival of the heads of the South Carolina and New York regi 
 ments, respectively, General Shields was directed to move them 
 obliquely to the left, across the low ground, to the wall at the base 
 of the hill. Encouraged by the gallant general who had led them 
 to victory at Churubusco, and in spite of the obstacles which they 
 had to encounter in wading through several deep ditches, exposed 
 to a severe and galling fire from the enemy, these tried regiments 
 promptly executed the movement, and effected a lodgement at the 
 wall. The same order was given to Lieutenant-Colonel Geary, and 
 executed by his regiment with equal alacrity and success. These 
 dispositions, so necessary to the final assault upon the works, were 
 not made without some loss. In directing the advance, Brigadier- 
 General Shields was severely wounded in the arm. No persuasions, 
 however, could induce that officer to leave his command, or quit the 
 field. The brave Captain Van O'Linden, of the New York regi 
 ment, was killed at the head -of his company. Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Baxter, of the same regiment, a valuable and esteemed officer, while 
 gallantly leading his command, fell mortally wounded near the wall. 
 And Lieutenant-Colonel Geary, 2d Pennsylvania regiment, was for 
 a time disabled from command by a severe contusion from a spent 
 ball. 
 
 " In the mean time, Brigadier-General Smith on our right was 
 driving back skirmishing parties of the enemy ; Lieutenant Benja 
 min, from battery No. 1, was pouring shot after shot into the fortress 
 and woods on the slope of the hill ; and Lieutenant H. J. Hunt, 2d 
 artillery, who had on the advance reported to me with a section of 
 Duncan's battery, had obtained a favourable position in our rear, 
 from which he threw shells and shrapnal shot into the Mexican lines 
 with good effect. Perceiving that all the preliminary dispositions 
 were made, Major Gladden, with his regiment, having passed the 
 wall by breaching it, the New York and Pennsylvania regiments 
 having entered over an abandoned battery on their left, and the bat 
 talion of marines being posted to support the storming parties, I or 
 dered the assault at all points. 
 
 " The storming parties, led by the gallant officers who had volun- 
 
92 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 teered for this desperate service, rushed forward like a resistless 
 tide. The Mexicans behind their batteries and breastworks 'stood 
 with more than usual firmness. For a short time the contest was 
 land-to-hand ; swords and bayonets were crossed, and rifles clubbed. 
 Resistance, however, was vain against the desperate valour of our 
 brave troops. The batteries and strong works were carried, and the 
 ascent of Chapultepec on that side laid open to an easy conquest. 
 In these works were taken seven pieces of artillery, one thousand 
 muskets, and five hundred and fifty prisoners of whom one hun 
 dred were officers among them, one general and ten colonels. 
 
 " The gallant Captain Casey having been disabled by a severe 
 wound, directly before the batteries, the command of the storming 
 party of regulars in the assault devolved on Captain Paul, 7th in 
 fantry, who distinguished himself for his bravery. In like manner 
 the command of the storming party from the volunteer division de 
 volved on Captain James Miller, of the 2d Pennsylvania regiment, 
 by the death of its chief, the brave and lamented Major Twiggs, 
 of the marine corps, who fell on the first advance at the head of his 
 command. 
 
 " Simultaneously with these movements on our right, the volun 
 teer regiments, with equal alacrity and intrepidity, animated by a 
 generous emulation, commenced the ascent of the hill on the south 
 side. Surmounting every obstacle, and fighting their way, they 
 fell in and mingled with their brave brethren in arms, who formed 
 the advance of Major-General Pillow's column. Side by side, 
 amid the storm of battle, the rival colours of the two commands 
 struggled up the steep ascent, entered the fortress* and reached the 
 buildings used as a military college, which crowned its summit. 
 Here was a short pause ; but soon the flag of Mexico was lowered, 
 and the stars and stripes of our country floated from the heights of 
 Chapultepec, high above the heads of the brave men who had 
 planted them there. The gallant New York regiment claims for 
 their standard the honour of being the first waved from the battle 
 ments of Chapultepec. The veteran Mexican general, Bravo, with 
 a number of officers and men, were taken prisoners in the castle. 
 They fell into the hands of Lieutenant Charles Brower, of the New 
 York regiment, who reported them to me. The loss of the enemy 
 was severe, especially on the eastern side, adjoining the batteries 
 taken. It should also be mentioned, that, at the assault upon the 
 
ADVANCE ON THE CAPITAL. 93 
 
 works, Lieutenant Frederick Steele, 2d infantry, with a portion of 
 the storming party, advanced in front of the batteries towards the 
 left, there scaled the outer wall through a breach near the top, made 
 by a cannon-shot, ascended the hill directly in his front, and was 
 among the first upon the battlements. The young and promising 
 Lieutenant Levi Gantt, 7th infantry, was of this party. He had 
 active ly'participated in almost every battle since the opening of the 
 war, but was destined here to find a soldier's grave. 
 
 "After giving the necessary directions for the safe-keeping of the 
 prisoners taken by my command, and ordering the several corps to 
 form near the aqueduct, I hastily ascended the hill, for the purpose 
 of reconnoitring the positions of the enemy in advance towards the 
 city. I there had the pleasure of meeting Major-General Pillow, 
 who, although seriously wounded, had been carried to the heights 
 to enjoy the triumph in which he and his brave troops had so largely 
 shared. 
 
 " Perceiving large bodies of the enemy at the several batteries on 
 the direct road leading from Chapultepec to the city,- by the garita 
 or gate of Belen, my whole command, after being supplied with 
 ammunition, was ordered to be put in readiness to march by that 
 route. When the batteries were taken, the gallant rifle regiment, 
 which had been deployed by General Smith on the right of his bri 
 gade, formed under the arches of the aqueduct in position to ad 
 vance by the Chapultepec or Tacubaya road. As the remainder 
 of General Smith's brigade came up from their position in reserve, 
 that officer, with his usual foresight, caused them to level the para 
 pets and fill the ditches which obstructed the road where the enemy's 
 batteries had been constructed, so as to permit the passage of the 
 heavy artillery, which was ordered up by the general-in-chief im 
 mediately upon his arrival at the batteries. In the mean time, 
 while General Shields, with the assistance of his and my staff offi 
 cers, was causing the deficient ammunition to be supplied, and the 
 troops to be formed for the advance. Captain Drum, supported by 
 the rifle regiment, had taken charge of one of the enemy's pieces, 
 and was advancing towards the first battery occupied by the enemy, 
 on the road towards the city in our front. 
 
 " The Chapultepec road is a broad avenue, flanked with deep 
 ditches and marshy grounds on either side. Along the middle of 
 this avenue runs the aqueduct, supported by arches of heavy ma- 
 
94 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 sonry, through the garita or gate of Belen into the city. The rifles, 
 supported by the South Carolina regiment, and followed by the re 
 mainder of Smith's brigade, were now advanced, from arch to arch, 
 towards another strong battery which had been thrown across the 
 road, about a mile from Chapultepec, having four embrasures with 
 a redan work on the right. 
 
 " At this point, the enemy in considerable force made an obstinate 
 resistance ; but, with the aid of the effective fire of an eight-inch 
 howitzer, directed by the indefatigable Captain Drum, and the daring 
 bravery of the gallant rifle regiment, it was carried by assault. The 
 column was here reorganized for an attack upon the batteries at the 
 garita of the city. The regiment of riflemen, intermingled with 
 the bayonets "of the South Carolina regiment, were placed in the 
 advance three rifles and three bayonets under each arch. They 
 were supported by the residue of Shields' brigade, the 2d Pennsyl 
 vania regiment, and the remainder of Smith's brigade, together with 
 a part of the 6th infantry, under Major Bonneville, who had fallen 
 into this road. In this order, the column resolutely advanced from 
 arch to arch of the aqueduct, under a tremendous fire of artillery 
 and small arms from the batteries at the garita, the Paseo, and a 
 large body of the enemy on the Piedad road to the right, extending 
 from the left of the garita. 
 
 "Lieutenant Benjamin having brought up a sixteen-pounder, 
 Captain Drum and his efficient subalterns were pouring a constant 
 and destructive fire into the garita. As the enfilading fire of the 
 enemy from the Piedad road became very annoying to the advance 
 of the column, a few rounds of canister were thrown by our artil 
 lery in that direction, which effectually dispersed them. The whole 
 column was now under a galling fire, but it continued to move for 
 ward steadily and firmly. The rifles, well sustained by the South 
 Carolinians, gallantly pushed on to the attack ; and at twenty mi 
 nutes past one the garita was carried, and the city of Mexico entered 
 at that point. In a few moments the whole command was com 
 pactly up a large part of it within the garita. 
 
 '* The obstinacy of the defence at the garita may be accounted 
 for by our being opposed at that point by General Santa Anna in 
 person, who is said to have retreated by the Paseo to the San Cosme 
 road, there to try his fortune against General Worth. 
 
 " On our approach to the garita, a body of the enemy who were 
 
GARITA OF BELEN CARRIED. 9t> 
 
 seen on a cross road threatening our left, were dispersed by a brisk 
 fire of artillery from the direction of the San Cosme road. I take 
 pleasure in acknowledging that this seasonable aid came from Lieu 
 tenant-Colonel Duncan's battery, which had been kindly advanced 
 from the San Cosme road in that direction by General Worth's 
 orders. 
 
 " Upon the taking of the garita, the riflemen and South Caro 
 lina regiment rushed forward and occupied the arches of the aque 
 duct, within a hundred yards of the citadel. The ammunition of 
 our heavy guns having been expended, a captured eight-pounder 
 was turned upon the enemy, and served with good effect until the 
 ammunition taken with it was also expended. The piece, support 
 ed by our advance, had been run forward in front of the garita. 
 Twice had Major Gladden, of the South Carolina regiment, furnish 
 ed additional men to work the gun, when the noble and brave Cap 
 tain Drum, who, with indomitable energy and iron nerve, had di 
 rected the artillery throughout this trying day, fell mortally wounded 
 by the side of his gun. A few moments afterwards, Lieutenant 
 Benjamin, who had displayed the same cool, decided courage, met 
 a similar fate. 
 
 " The enemy, now perceiving that our heavy ammunition had 
 been expended, redoubled their exertions to drive us out'- of the 
 lodgement we had effected. A terrible fire of artillery and small 
 arms was opened from the citadel, three hundred yards distant, from 
 the batteries on the Paseo, and the buildings on our right in front. 
 Amid this iron shower, which swept the road on both sides of the 
 aqueduct, it> was impossible to bring forward ammunition for our 
 large guns. While awaiting the darkness to bring up our great 
 guns and place them in battery, the enemy, under cover of their 
 guns, attempted several sallies from the citadel and buildings on the 
 right, but were readily repulsed by the skirmishing parties of rifles 
 and infantry. To prevent our flank from being enfiladed by mus 
 ketry from the Paseo, Captains Naylor and Loeser, 2d Pennsyl 
 vania regiment, were ordered with their companies to a low sand 
 bag defence, about a hundred yards in that direction. They gallantly 
 took this position, and held it in the face of a severe fire until the 
 object was attained. 
 
 "At night the fire of the enemy ceased. Lieutenant Tower, of 
 the engineers, who before and at the attack upon the batteries at 
 
UO MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 Chapultepec had given important aid, had been seriously wounded. 
 It was therefore fortunate that, in the commencement of the route 
 to the city, Lieutenant Beauregard, of engineers, joined me. 1 was 
 enabled, during the day, to avail myself of his valuable services ; 
 and, although disabled for a time by a wound received during the 
 day, he superintended, during the whole night, the erection of two 
 batteries within the garita for our heavy guns, and a breastwork on 
 our right for infantry, which, with his advice, I had determined to 
 construct. Before the dawn of day, by the persevering exertions 
 of Captains Fairchild and Taylor, of the New York regiment, who 
 directed the working parties, the parapets were completed, and a 
 twenty-four-pounder, and eighteen-pounder, and eight-inch howitzer 
 placed in battery by Captain Steptoe, 3d artillery, who, to my great 
 satisfaction, had rejoined my command in the evening. The heavy 
 labour required to construct these formidable batteries, under the 
 very guns of the citadel, was performed with the utmost cheerful 
 ness by the gallant men whose strong arms and stout hearts had al 
 ready been tested in two days of peril and toil. 
 
 " During the night, while at the trenches, Brigadier-General Pierce 
 one of whose regiments (the 9th infantry) had joined my column 
 during the day reported to me in person. He was instructed to 
 place that regiment in reserve at the battery in rear, for the protec 
 tion of Steptoe's light battery and the ammunition at that point. 
 The general has my thanks for his prompt attention to these orders. 
 
 "At dawn of day on the 14th, when Captain Steptoe was pre 
 paring his heavy missiles, a white flag came from the citadel, the 
 bearers of which invited me to take possession of this fortress, and 
 gave me the intelligence that the city had been abandoned by 
 Santa Anna and his army. My whole command was immediately 
 ordered under arms. By their own request, Lieutenants Lovell and 
 Beauregard were authorized to go to the citadel, in advance, to as 
 certain the truth of the information. At a signal from the ramparts, 
 the column, General Smith's brigade in front, and the South Caro 
 lina regiment left in garrison at the garita, marched into the citadel. 
 Having taken possession of this work, in which we found fifteen 
 pieces of cannon mounted and as many not up, with the extensive 
 military armaments which it contained, the 2d Pennsylvania regi 
 ment was left to garrison it. Understanding that great depredations 
 going on in the palace and public buildings, I moved the 
 
APPOINTED MILITARY GOVERNOR, 97 
 
 column in that direction in the same order, followed by Captain 
 Steptoe's light battery, through the principal streets into the great 
 plaza, where it was formed in front of the National Palace. Cap 
 tain Roberts, of the rifle regiment, who had led the advance com 
 pany of the storming party at Chapultepec, and had greatly dis 
 tinguished himself during the preceding day, was detailed by me 
 to plant the star-spangled banner of our country upon the National 
 Palace. The flag, the first strange banner which had ever waved 
 over that palace since the conquest of Cortez, vyas displayed and 
 saluted with enthusiasm by the whole command. The palace, al 
 ready crowded with Mexican thieves and robbers, was placed in 
 charge of Lieutenant-Colonel Watson, with his battalion of marines. 
 By his active exertions it was soon cleared and guarded from further 
 spoliation. 
 
 " On our first arrival in the plaza, Lieutenant Beauregard was 
 dispatched to report the facts to the gerieral-in-chief, who was ex 
 pected to enter the city by the Alameda, with the column under 
 General Worth. About eight o'clock the general-in-chief arrived 
 in the plaza, and was received and greeted with enthusiasm by the 
 troops. The populace, who had begun to be turbulent immediately 
 after our arrival in the plaza, appeared for a time to be checked ; 
 but, in one hour afterwards, as our troops began to disperse for quar 
 ters, they were fired upon from the tops of houses and windows. 
 This continued that day and the succeeding, until, by the timely 
 and vigorous measures adopted by the general-in-chief, the disturb 
 ances were quelled." 
 
 Here follows a list of the officers who particularly distinguished 
 themselves. 
 
 After the surrender of the city, General Scott immediately ho 
 noured Gluitman with the appointment of military governor. His 
 manly, dignified bearing, won the approbation of both friends and 
 enemies, and his plan of administration is said to have been admi 
 rable. 
 
 In November, General Quitman obtained leave of absence, in 
 order to revisit the United States. His parting on that occasion 
 with the brave men in Mexico is thus described by an eye-witness : 
 
 " The officers of the division having assembled together, visited 
 Genera] Quitrnan in a body, when Colonel Burnett, ol New York, 
 9 S 
 
98 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 on behalf of himself and brother officers, addressed him in a perti 
 nent speech, the conclusion of which was as follows : 
 
 " * We, as officers of your division, can only repay you upon your 
 sudden departure with an expression of our feelings. We shall 
 meet you again after the war as fellow-citizens, and our present 
 sentiments written upon our hearts as upon adamant, will lose no 
 thing by the hand of time uniting then with a gratified people, your 
 present sacrifices may be somewhat compensated by the only boon 
 of the patriot the grateful acknowledgments of your country. We 
 shall then have deposited our standards with the authorities of our 
 respective states, but ever ready to rally under our victorious ban 
 ners as the prestige of success, and ever ready to be directed by our 
 gallant general, whom we now part with as a father and a friend.' 
 
 " This speech was frequently interrupted by the company pre 
 sent, who expressed their approbation of the sentiments by warm 
 applause. When this had subsided, General Gluitman replied in 
 substance as follows : 
 
 "He said that when he looked around him and found himself in 
 the presence of the gallant officers who had participated so largely 
 in the recent brilliant events before the city, and heard himself ad 
 dressed by the senior officer of the division, yet leaning upon his 
 honourable crutch, in remarks so full of the elegant feeling of the 
 heart, he was overwhelmed with emotion, and felt himself wholly 
 unable to do justice to the occasion. Circumstances had rendered 
 it necessary as a matter of high duty that he should apply to the 
 proper authority for some permanent assignment to duty, where he 
 might be best enabled to serve his country. Had he consulted per 
 sonal feeling merely, he would have been gratified to remain with 
 the brave associates of his cares, his perils and fortunes in war, but 
 he regarded it the soldier's part to seek the path where duty called 
 him. That path now separated him from the gallant officers and 
 men to whose good conduct and services he took this occasion to 
 say he felt himself wholly indebted for whatever reputation or 
 honour he might have acquired in this campaign. It was theirs, 
 not his. They were entitled to his regard, his esteem and his 
 friendship. He would bear these feelings with him wherever his 
 lot should be cast. 
 
 " In conclusion, he expressed his heartfelt regret at his separation 
 from them, and hoped that they would receive for themselves, and 
 
RECEPTION ON ARRIVING AT NATCHEZ. 99 
 
 bear to the gallant rank and file under their commands, his friendly 
 farewell. 
 
 "After General Gluitman had concluded, Captain Hutton, of the 
 New York regiment, rose and presented Captain G. T. M. Davis 
 an elegant pair of silver spurs, accompanying the gift with a brief 
 but extremely apropos speech. Captain Davis made an appropriate 
 reply." 
 
 The following is a description of the festivities attending his arri 
 val at Natchez, the place of his family residence : 
 
 " Our Gluitman is at home and with us ; so excuse any high- 
 flown exhibition of our feelings of intense pleasure, pride, and tri 
 umph. Oh ! had you been here but yesterday morning, when that 
 veteran cannoneer, Captain James C. Fox, so well known in your 
 city of the Delta' as one of the most accomplished of the Natchez 
 firemen, let off those loud-mouthed Mexican trophy-cannon, captured 
 at Alvarado, and presented to General Gluitman with the permission 
 of the Secretary of the Navy, by Commodore Perry. They are 
 two long twelves, of a most excellent composition, originally in 
 tended for bow-chasers in the naval service. One was made in 
 Barcelona, old Spain, in 1768, and bears the name of El Sosto, and 
 the other the name of El Orion. There was a sublimity in making 
 these trophy-cannon announce that the hour of welcome to our vic 
 torious general had come ; and well did Fox instruct them how to 
 roar out a welcome to * the free* in * the home of the brave. 1 
 General Q,uitman's mansion, called ' Monmouth,' nestles in a beau 
 tiful grove in the environs of Natchez, only about a mile from the 
 centre of the city. A thrill of joy, precious as love and the idolatry 
 of the affections could make it, must have pervaded the bosoms of 
 his lovely and accomplished family, as the air vibrated around their 
 home with the cannon-bursts, and the swell of music and the roar 
 of the stirred city broke upon their ears. 
 
 " Doctor Blackburn, a noble-looking and chivalrous Kentuckian, 
 now captain of the Natchez Fencibles,' was the chief marshal, 
 assisted by General Smith, Messrs. Andrew McCreery, S. Win 
 ston, and General R. Stanton. A large and imposing procession 
 of military, led by the renowned 'Kendall's Brass Band, from 
 Spalding's monster Circus,' now here, the masonic fraternity, sur 
 vivors of the battle of New Orleans, invited guests, &c., was soon in 
 motion for Monmouth, where they received Major-General Gluitman 
 
100 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 and his staff; consisting of Major E. R. Price, of the 2d Mississippi 
 rifles ; Captain Douglass Cooper, of the 1st Mississippi rifles, and 
 Lieutenant Keiger, of the volunteers. The moment of the move 
 ment of the procession was announced by Captain R. Fitzpatrick, 
 from a new brass piece of state artillery, named * duitman,' and 
 carried in the procession. It was answered by Captain Fox, from 
 his stationary battery on the Esplanade, who kept up a running 
 cannon-accompaniment during the whole progress to the city. 
 When the procession came proudly down Main street and halted 
 opposite the City Hotel, the coup cVceil was most imposing ban 
 ners waved over the street, every balcony and window, and even the 
 roofs were filled with ladies and children, while the street below, 
 far and near, was choked with the plumed soldiery and the dense 
 masses of citizens. The civic welcome to Gluitman, amidst thun 
 ders of applause, was pronounced by the young and eloquent Mar 
 tin, the district attorney for this circuit. Colonel A. L. Bingaman 
 had been elected the orator of the day, but his unavoidable absence 
 to New Orleans prevented his acceptance, and Martin, as well as any 
 other orator could have done, supplied his place. Both the address 
 and Gluitman's rejoinder were extemporaneous, and thrilled the 
 multitude with the high impulses of the occasion. How wonderful, 
 said Martin, is it that the very city (Natchez) bearing the name of 
 a noble fragment of the Aztec race, who, in some convulsion or 
 other, perhaps to avoid the murderous sword of Cortez, had been 
 expatriated from Mexico, and stood on the bluff where their proud 
 name still remains how remarkable was it that from the very ashes 
 of their graves there should have risen an avenger of their wrongs, 
 and that our Gluitman, from fair Natchez, had been deputed by 
 Providence 'to spoil the spoiler!' I do not attempt to quote his 
 burning language. Gluitman's reply was modest, and replete with 
 gratitude to his fellow-citizens ; filled with encomiums upon those 
 great masters in the science of war under whom he had served 
 Taylor and Scott naming, with a heart full of affection, not only 
 the officers with whom he had associated, but those who had served 
 under his orders, and in particular the rank and file of the army ; 
 he spoke of the immense mountain of prejudice that had been re 
 moved from the minds of the regular army entertained against the 
 volunteer service, and trusted that the American name now stood 
 far higher in Europe and all over the world, in consequence of the 
 
RECEPTION ON ARRIVING AT NATCHEZ. 101 
 
 deeds performed in Mexico by both arms of the service the regu 
 lar and the voluntary. The collation now invited our whole popu 
 lation ladies, gentlemen and children -to a participation; and 
 such a generous, hearty, abundant * feast of the people' was rarely 
 ever seen. The cross-table at the head of the hall was most luxu 
 riously spread, and was the table of welcome to General Gluitman, 
 his staff, the invited guests, and the distinguished individuals com 
 posing the committee of arrangements, the civic authorities, &c. 
 Here the vitality of the feast, like the heart in the human body, 
 kept alive the longest ; and when the multitudinous waves of the 
 people had a little subsided, fourteen regular toasts were drunk, in 
 cluding the President of the United States ; the memory of Wash 
 ington ; Generals Scott, Taylor, Gluitman, Colonel Jefferson Davis, 
 Major Ezra R. Price, Captain Douglass H. Cooper, Lieutenants 
 Keiger and Posey ; our gallant army in Mexico ; the surviving 
 heroes of the war of 1812, and American mothers, wives and 
 daughters. General Felix Boston being absent, sent in the follow 
 ing volunteer toast : 
 
 " General John A. Quilman ' Second to none 1' Six hours be 
 fore any other chieftain, he fought his way into the centre of Mon 
 terey ; near eight hours before any other leader, he had stormed the 
 Garita and entered the city of Mexico ; the first to plant the Stars 
 and the Stripes over the Halls of the Montezumas ! 
 
 " Charles Reynolds, Esq., gave : 
 
 " Natchez The residence of Major-General John A. Gluitman, 
 the first Anglo-Saxon governor of the * City of the Aztecs !' 
 
 Captain James C. Fox gave, in allusion to the fact that, a quar 
 ter of a century ago, General Gluitman organized that splendid corps, 
 the Natchez Fencibles, and was their first captain : 
 
 " The First Captain of the Fencibles When the American 
 cannon and rifle, on the afternoon of September 13th, roared at the 
 Piedad Gate, Mexico cried out, Who 's dat knocking at de door ?' 
 The answer was, John A. Gluitman, a Natchez Fencible ! 
 
 "There were many other striking sentiments drunk, among 
 which were 
 
 " That Revel in the Halls of the Montezumas /' The dream 
 of General Samuel Houston realized by General Gluitman. 
 
 " General Quitman's passage along the Aqueduct from Chapnl- 
 9* 
 
102 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 tepee to the Garita de Belen, and the Piedad Gate, September 13, 
 1847 The bridge of Lodi in American history ! 
 
 *' General Gluitman's dinner-table response to the sentiment in his 
 honour was most happy. He spoke of his unexpected major-gene 
 ralship without any adequate command, but was too much of an 
 American ' to give it up so ;' had, temporarily, commanded soldiers 
 from nearly every state in the Union broken and wasted regiments 
 fragments the odds and ends of commands but he assured the 
 audience that when he commanded such officers as Generals Smith 
 and Shields, and such men as he led to Chapultepec and the Garita 
 de Belen, they were butt-enders, at least ! 
 
 " Among other sentiments, the * State of Kentucky' was toasted. 
 In response, a young and eloquent lawyer, now settled in New Orleans, 
 Thomas H. Holt, Esq., a native of Old Kentucky, made a most 
 eloquent and thrilling speech, which was received with tumultuous 
 applause. The sentiment which called him out, offered by J. A. 
 Van Hoesen, Esq., was : 
 
 " Old Kentucky The battles in Mexico attest the valour of her 
 sons ! 
 
 " No one can conceive the enthusiasm which the eloquent Holt 
 called up. He concluded by relating an anecdote of Madame Q,uit- 
 man, the wife of the general ; said he : When the brave veteran 
 was bursting open things at Monterey, some neighbouring ladies, 
 thinking that Mrs. Gluitman must feel in the depths of sorrow and 
 affliction at such terrible doings, went to condole and sympathize 
 with her asking her if she had not dreadful feelings at the danger 
 and exposure of her husband among those * rude-throated engines' 
 of death. She confessed that she had her feelings on the occasion, 
 among which one feeling was predominant, which was, that she 
 ' would rather be the widow of a man who had fallen fighting the 
 battles of his country, than the wife of a living coward !" 
 
 We cannot close this sketch of General Gluitman better, than by 
 giving extracts of a letter [October 15th, 1847] in which he gives 
 his opinion concerning the future duly of the United States, with 
 regard to Mexico. However parties may disagree on this important 
 subject, all will respect the fearlessness with which a war-worn vete 
 ran advocates the measures that he believes right. 
 
 " I wish now, instead of an epistle written in the reception-room 
 of the successors of Cortez, I could only have you by the button for 
 
LETTER OF QUITMAN. 103 
 
 one hour ; I would run over my reflections upon the future. I will 
 not repeat what, no doubt, ere this you have been wearied of read 
 ing. How this gallant army of nine thousand men descended into 
 this valley, broke through a line of almost impregnable batteries 
 in four battles defeated an enemy of thirty-five thousand, took more 
 than one hundred guns, and four thousand prisoners, and erected the 
 glorious stars and stripes' on this palace, where, since the conquest 
 of Cortez, no stranger banner had ever waved ; but I will be guilty 
 of one egotism I was among the first to enter the gates of the city, 
 after an obstinate defence, and it was my good fortune that, under 
 my personal orders, our flag was first raised on this palace. With 
 all this you will, however, have been surfeited in these days of 
 heroics. 
 
 * I have an opportunity to write you a line. My thoughts are 
 full of one subject, and I proceed to it in medias res. The Mexican 
 army is disbanded. The whole country, except where we govern 
 it, is in confusion. There appears to be no prospect of the estab 
 lishment of a new government. If we desire peace, there is no 
 power, nor will there be any legitimate power with which to make 
 peace. What, then, is to be done ? I speak to you boldly, as we 
 spoke when the Texas question arose. I say, hold on to this coun 
 try. It is its destiny. It is ours. We are compelled to this policy 
 we cannot avoid it. 
 
 " There are but three modes of prosecuting this war. One is, tc 
 increase our force to fifty thousand men, and overrun the whole 
 country, garrison every state capital, and take every considerable 
 city. The second is, to withdraw our armies from the country, and 
 take up the proposed defensive line. The third is to occupy the 
 line, or certain points in it ; and also to hold, not only the line and 
 the ports, but this capital, preserving an open communication with 
 the gulf. This last appears to me to be the true policy of the coun 
 try. The first has the objection of being too expensive, without the 
 prospect of any good results. It would, also, demoralize the army, 
 as a war of details always does. The second would be equally ex 
 pensive, and would protract the war indefinitely. The last appears 
 the only practicable alternative, and it is forced upon us. If we 
 abandon this capital, in thirty days after the army of officers and 
 office-holders, (emple.os,) now driven from the hive, will return and 
 re-establish a central military government, whose bond of union 
 
104 MAJOR-GENERAL QUITMAN. 
 
 would be preserved by our presence upon the frontier. They would 
 keep alive this distant war on the frontier from choice, force us into 
 the necessity of keeping up strong garrisons from the mouth of the 
 Rio Grande to the Pacific ; because, from the centre, they could 
 strike a blow upon any part of the line before it could be reinforced. 
 They would move on a semi-diameter, while our operations would 
 be on the circumference. If, on the other hand, the twenty thou 
 sand disbanded officers, the military aristocracy of the country, should 
 not be able to establish a government, the country would be left in a 
 state of absolute anarchy upon our withdrawal, and would soon be 
 wasted, plundered and depopulated. It would become derelict, and 
 would be seized as a waif by some European power. Think you 
 such a prize as this splendid country is, would be long without some 
 claimant ? England would be ready to throw in an army here to 
 protect her mining interests, or to league with France to establish a 
 monarchy. I do not exaggerate, when I say that it would become 
 derelict ! (that is, utterly forsaken.) It is already prostrated. Five, 
 out of its seven millions of inhabitants, are beasts of burden, with as 
 little of intellect as the asses whose burdens they share. Of the 
 population of this city, one hundred thousand are leperos, with no 
 social tie, no wives, no children, no homes ; Santa Anna was the only 
 man who could even for a time keep together the rotten elements 
 of his corrupt government. Here in this capital we are in the pos 
 session of all the machinery of that miserable contrivance which was 
 called the government ; out of this capital they cannot establish an 
 other. No sensible man in this country believes it. Then it follows, 
 that if we abandon this capital, either the official jackals return and 
 set up the old carcase of the state, or reduced to anarchy, the country 
 will be seized upon by some foreign power. 
 
 ' On the other hand, with ten thousand men, we can hold this 
 capital and Vera Cruz, and keep open a safe communication be 
 tween the two points. Possessing the heart, there could be no 
 sufficient force concentrated to annoy us upon the frontier line we 
 might choose to occupy. The expense would be less to hold this 
 point and the frontier line, than to occupy the latter, and leave this 
 as a rallying point for the enemy. I mean to say it would require 
 less men and less money, and would be attended with less difficulty 
 and risk, to keep this capital and the seaports, as a part of the policy 
 of the defensive line, than to adopt the latter exclusively. But by 
 
LETTER OF QUITMAN. 105 
 
 holding on to the seaports and the capital, and by keeping open the 
 communication between them, a large portion of the expenses of this 
 mode of prosecuting the war would be drawn, by very simple means, 
 from the country. The duties on imports into Vera Cruz, during 
 the month of August, with the very restricted internal commerce 
 which then existed, amounted to sixty thousand dollars. I do not 
 hesitate to say it will this winter amount to three times that sum per 
 month. If, then, we lay but half the duty on the exportation of 
 bullion and the precious metals, existing under the Mexican govern 
 ment, we may readily anticipate, from these sources alone, an income 
 of three millions of dollars per annum. 
 
 " Let foreign goods be brought to this capital under our low sys 
 tem of duties, and we should soon obtain a moral conquest over this 
 country which would bring us peace unless, indeed, it should pro 
 duce so violent a friendship for our institutions and government that 
 we would be unable to shake off our amiable neighbours a contin 
 gency, I assure you, not unlikely to occur. What then? Why, 
 the * old hunker' will say, as he has sung since the first new state 
 was admitted as he said when Louisiana and Florida were pur 
 chased, and latterly when Texas was annexed, that the Union is in 
 danger, the country will be ruined, &c. &c." * * * 
 
 With a glowing account of the resources of the country, and the 
 advantages of the commercial pass of Tehuantepec, the general 
 boldly strikes out for the policy of holding the country in possession; 
 and says : 
 
 " Let us try the policy, and not be alarmed, because, in process 
 of time, it may result in extending our federation to the isthmus." 
 
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 BKIGADIER-GENERAL TWIGGS. 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL DAVID E. TWIGGS is a native of Georgia. 
 His father, John Twiggs, was a major-general in the Revolution, 
 and by his valuable services obtained the title of " Saviour of Geor 
 gia." Born in Richmond county in 1790, young Twiggs grew up 
 in the immediate sunset of the revolution, and imbibed the spirit of 
 that glorious period in his earliest teachings. Accordingly, the study 
 of law, which he commenced in Franklin College, and prosecuted 
 under General Thomas Flourney, was abandoned as soon as our 
 difficulties with England gave promise of a war. Through the 
 exertions of his father he received a commission as captain of the 
 8th infantry, March 12th, 1812. He was not entrusted with a se 
 parate command during the war, but so far distinguished himself 
 ts to receive the commendations both of government and his native 
 ,tate. 
 
 Major Twiggs served under Generals Gaines and Jackson in the 
 difficulties with the Spaniards and the Seminole war. At the head 
 of two hundred and fifty men, he totally defeated a large party of 
 Indians, under the celebrated chief Hornetlimed. In 1817, he ac 
 companied General Jackson in his march toward St. Augustine, and 
 was appointed to take possession of St. Marks. He was subse 
 quently concerned in the Black Hawk war, stationed at the Augusta 
 arsenal during the national difficulties with South Carolina, and 
 then removed to New Orleans. His services in Florida, like those 
 of most other officers there, were arduous but not brilliant. On the 
 8th of June, 1836, he was appointed colonel of the 2d dragoons. 
 
 When General Taylor approached Point Isabel in his march to 
 the Rio Grande, he discovered it to be on fire. Colonel Twiggs 
 was immediately despatched with two hundred and fifty men, to 
 
 (106) 
 
GENERAL TW1GGS 
 

TWTGGS AT PALO ALTO, ETC. 107 
 
 arrest the conflagration, and succeeded in saving a few of the houses. 
 He found the town evacuated by the authorities and military, who 
 had fled at his approach. 
 
 The dispute between Colonels Twiggs and Worth has already 
 been noticed. Twiggs' commission was dated June 8th, 1836, that 
 of Worth, July 7th, 1838 ; but in 1842 the latter had been brevetted 
 brigadier-general. On this circumstance he claimed precedence 
 over Twiggs, who, however, refused to yield his authority as second 
 in command. The matter was referred to General Taylor, who de 
 cided in favour of Twiggs. 
 
 The following extracts are from Twiggs' own account of his ope 
 rations on the 8th and 9th of May : 
 
 "The enemy, at the distance of about half a mile, opened their 
 batteries on the right, which, being immediately responded to by 
 our two eighteen-pounders, in charge of Lieutenant Churchill, 
 brought on the action of the 8th instant. Major Ringgold's battery 
 was ordered to the right and front of the eighteen-pounders, at a 
 distance of about seven hundred yards from the enemy, when the 
 battery was opened with great effect, as was shown the next day, by 
 the number of the enemy's dead found along his line. The in 
 fantry, in the mean time, was formed in rear of the artillery, re 
 ceiving with the greatest possible coolness the enemy's fire, and only 
 anxious for the order to rush in and participate actively in the affair. 
 
 "A regiment of the enemy's lancers was observed to move to our 
 right, apparently to gain possession of our wagon train, a few hun 
 dred yards in rear. The 5th infantry and two pieces of Major 
 Ringgold's artillery, under the command of Lieutenant R. Ridgely, 
 were ordered to check this movement. Having gained ground to 
 the right, some four or five hundred yards, the 5th was formed in 
 square to receive a charge from the lancers, who advanced to with 
 in fifty yards, when the opposing side of the square fired into and 
 repulsed them, having received in the mean time several irregular 
 discharges from the enemy. The lancers re-formed, and continued 
 their movement to get in rear of our right flank, when I ordered 
 the 3d to move to the right and rear, around a pond of water, and 
 prevent their progress in that direction. Seeing their movement 
 frustrated in this point, the lancers commenced a retreat in good 
 order, marching apparently by squadrons, when First Lieutenant R. 
 flidgely, of Major Ringgold's battery, assisted by Brevet Second 
 
108 BRIGADIER-GENERAL TWIGGS. 
 
 Lieutenant French, opened a fire on them, and scattered them in 
 all directions. In this affair, the enemy lost some twenty-eight or 
 thirty men. This portion of the right wing served in about this 
 position until the close of the action. In the mean time, Major 
 Ringgold, with the remaining two pieces of his battery, continued 
 to play on the enemy with great success. The gallant major was 
 mortally wounded by a cannon ball towards the close of the action, 
 and his horse shot under him at the same time. The army and the 
 country will long deplore the loss of so brave and accomplished an 
 officer." 
 
 For his bravery in these battles, Twiggs was promoted to the 
 brevet rank of brigadier-general. He commanded the advance at 
 the capture of Matamoras, and was appointed military governor of 
 the city. This station he occupied until the movement of the arrny 
 toward Monterey. Twiggs was one of the most efficient officers 
 concerned in the storming of Monterey. In the street fight he es 
 pecially distinguished himself ; and the annexed portions of his re 
 port will show the trials endured by his con&mand, in the eventful 
 " three days :" 
 
 "On the morning of the 21st instant, my division advanced to 
 ward the city. Lieutenant-Colonel J. Garland's brigade, composed 
 of the 3d and 4th regiments of regular infantry, and Captain B. 
 Bragg's horse-artillery, Lieutenant-Colonel H. Wilson's brigade, 
 composed of the 1st regiment of regular infantry, and the Wash 
 ington and Baltimore battalion of volunteers, were ordered to the 
 east and lower end of the city, to make a diversion in favour of 
 Brevet Brigadier-General W. J. Worth's division, which was ope 
 rating against the west and upper part of the city. It being deemed 
 practicable, an assault was ordered against two of the enemy's ad 
 vanced works. The regular force of my division was thrown to 
 the right of the two works, with orders to take possession of some 
 houses in the city, on the right and rear of the enemy's advanced 
 position, with a view of annoying him in flank and rear. The 
 Washington and Baltimore battalion was ordered on the road leading 
 directly to the works. Under a most galling and destructive fire 
 from three batteries in front and one on the right, as well as from 
 that of small arms from all the adjacent houses and stone walls, my 
 division advanced as rapidly as the ground and the stern opposition 
 of the enemy would admit of. The 1st, 3d,'and 4th regiments of 
 
TWIGGS AT MONTEREY. 109 
 
 infantry gained the position to which they were ordered, and annoyed 
 the enemy in flank and rear, until he was obliged to evacuate his 
 two advanced works, which were hotly pressed by General Butler's 
 division of volunteers, and the Washington and Baltimore battalion, 
 under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Watson. 
 
 " The 3d and 4th advanced still further into the city, but finding 
 the streets strongly barricaded by heavy masses of masonry, behind 
 which batteries were placed, and the houses rilled with light troops, 
 were obliged to retire to the works first taken by the volunteers. 
 The position of the enemy's batteries, and the arrangement of his 
 defences, in every street and corner, rendered it necessary for the 
 regular troops who advanced into the city to be separated, each com 
 pany being led by its captain or immediate commander, and for the 
 time acting independently. After a most manly struggle of some 
 six hours, my men succeeded, after various repulses, in driving the 
 enemy from each and every of his positions in the suburbs. The 
 3d infantry, commanded by Major W. W. Lear, and part of the 
 4th, all under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel J. Garland, led 
 off towards the right, and in the direction of one of the enemy's 
 strongest works in front of a bridge in the city. Captain B. Bragg's 
 battery accompanied the command, under a destructive fire, which 
 killed and disabled several of his men and horses, until directed to 
 retire beyond the range of small arms. 
 
 * # # * * * * 
 
 " The number of killed and wounded in this assault, shows with 
 what obstinacy each position was defended by the enemy, as well 
 as the gallantry and good conduct displayed by our officers and 
 men. 
 
 " Captain B. Bragg's battery, having suffered severely, after ad 
 vancing some distance into the city, was obliged to withdraw to a 
 point out of range of the enemy's small arms. Captain R. Ridgely, 
 with one section of his battery, annoyed the enemy's advanced 
 works for some time in the commencement of the assault, but was 
 obliged to retire out of range of their batteries, that were playing on 
 him. Having used a twelve-pounder taken from the first work, 
 against the enemy, till the ammunition gave out, he was sent, with 
 one section of his own battery still further in advance ; but being 
 unable to accomplish much against the enemy's heavy breastworks, 
 returned to, and occupied with his battery, the first work taken from 
 10 
 
110 BRIGADIER-GENERAL TWIGGS. 
 
 the enemy. Captains R. Ridgely and B. Bragg, and their subal 
 terns, W. H. Shover, G. H. Thomas, J. F. Reynolds, C. L. Kil- 
 burn, and S. G. French, deserve the highest praise for their skill 
 and good conduct under the heaviest fire of the enemy, which, when 
 an opportunity offered, was concentrated on them. In the advanced 
 works referred to were taken four officers and sixteen men, prisoners 
 of war, together with five pieces of ordnance, some ammunition and 
 small arms. Having thrown up some slight breastworks, the 1st, 
 3d, and 4th infantry, and Captain R. Ridgely's battery, occupied 
 this position until the morning of the 22d. 
 
 ******** 
 " On the 23d, the advance into the city was resumed the in 
 fantry working their way from house to house, supported by Cap 
 tains R. Ridgely and B. Bragg's battery, driving the enemy before 
 them. When night closed our operations on the 23d, our men had 
 advanced to within two squares of the centre of the city." 
 
 After the surrender of the city, Twiggs occupied it with his di 
 vision, until ordered to join General Scott on the gulf coast. He 
 assisted at the taking of Vera Cruz, and received from the com 
 mander the honour of conducting the main attack at Sierra Gordo. 
 The annexed graphic description of the movements of his division, 
 on the night preceding the battle, is from the pen of one of its 
 number : 
 
 " The day preceding the battle of Sierra Gordo was one of ex 
 ceeding beauty, more so than even many of those seen beneath a 
 tropical sun. A gentle breeze, which was wafted across the Tierra 
 Caliente from the ' Blue Gulf,' unfolded upon the summit of the 
 Sierra Gordo the gay ensign of the haughty Mexican, and at the 
 same time floated the star-spangled banner in its balmy embrace 
 over a handful of Americans who came to battle in their country's 
 cause. Stretched along the heights behind strong fortifications, de 
 fended by frowning cannon and bristling bayonets, attired in all the 
 gay paraphernalia of a splendid army, lay the Mexican hosts, ga 
 thered to defend their country from the * northern barbarians,' who 
 kid quietly encamped in the small valley of the Plan del Rio, pa 
 tiently awaiting the order for battle, when they should rush forth 
 upon that proud army and drive them in confusion from their strong 
 holds. 
 
 " Among the latter party was myself an humble soldier in the 
 
TWIGGS AT SIERRA GORDO. Ill 
 
 cause seated in my tent. I thought of the home I had left behind 
 me, and the friends I had forsaken, to struggle amid strangers in a 
 foreign land the many chances against me in the game of life and 
 death that is for ever going on in the midst of an army. I thought 
 myself dreaming ; but I could not lay that * flattering unction to my 
 soul.' It was too true the reality was too plain. I was a soldier, 
 and upon the eve of a battle, with many chances o^bcing victimized 
 by a Mexican bullet. Well, well, thought I, if I am killed, it shall 
 be gloriously in defence of my country's honour; my name, among 
 others, will be handed down to posterity, printed on the page of 
 history, and ' enrolled upon the scroll of fame,' an example to future 
 belligerent young gentlemen that the pride and pomp of glorious 
 war,' no matter how imposing, does not counterbalance its circum 
 stance' in the scale of life. 
 
 "I looked out upon the camp : my fellow-soldiers were engaged 
 in various occupations. Some, thinking of the approaching contest, 
 were preparing their arms and ammunition to do bloody work ; 
 others, thinking of their latter end, were writing their wills and fare 
 well letters to their friends ; others, like Sergeant Dalgetty, thinking 
 of their provant, were cooking ; others, thinking that they were 
 brave, were talking in loud tones of the valorous deeds they intend 
 ed to perform on the morrow ; others, thinking that battles were 
 dangerous things, were musing on the chances of going through 
 safely ; and others still, thinking of nothing at all, were whistling, 
 singing, and playing cards. I was thinking of all these things, 
 when I was suddenly startled by the sullen booming of a cannon in 
 the direction of Sierra Gordo ; then another and another ; then the 
 rapid roll of musketry and successive cracks of rifles. It was all 
 too plain that the battle had commenced. General Twiggs had been 
 ordered in the morning to take the position assigned his division, 
 and protect the detail engaged in making a road for our artillery, 
 and the enemy had attempted to drive him back. The fight raged 
 with violence for some moments. Those ancient hills shook with 
 the thunder of artillery the valleys re-echoed the sound of small- 
 arms. I thought of the many sguls that took their departure from 
 earth with each discharge of the mangled limbs and painful looks 
 and cries of the wounded. I had j^een under fire before ; but some 
 how this seemed like getting into closer quarters than formerly, t 
 said not a word, but, like Paddy's owl, I kept up a thinking.' 
 
112 BRIGADIER-GENERAL TWIGGS. 
 
 " Up to this time it had been the impression that our brigade 
 would be held in reserve; hence the nonchalance manifested by 
 most of the corps ; but this pleasant hallucination was banished by 
 the 'long roll/ beaten by 'old Brown,' the drum-major a very 
 Paganini on the drum. Our colonel had prevailed on General 
 Scott to order us in the advance to support Twiggs. All thinking 
 now ceased ; he who was cleaning his musket quickly shouldered 
 it ; the letter-writer closed his mournful epistle ; the cook left his 
 supper at the mercy of the fire ; the gasconading youth was silent, 
 and hoped from the bottom of his heart that it was a false alarm ; 
 the silent thinker calmly equipped himself; the musician halted in 
 the middle of a tune ; the card-players threw down their hands, 
 and, instead of shuffling the papers, thought of shuffling off this 
 mortal coil. 
 
 "The drums beat a merry tune as the companies marched into 
 their places. The words, 'Attention shoulder arms!' from our 
 adjutant, made every man a soldier; and the regiment was formed 
 as fine a body of men as ever took the field. Our gallant colonel 
 drew his good sword, and, glancing proudly upon us, gave the com 
 mand, 'By the right flank right face forward march !' And 
 away we went. As we reached the road, I glanced behind me 
 upon our camp. The fires burned with lurid flickering flame ; the 
 camp-kettles, brimming full of good 'bean-soup,' sung a mournful 
 song ; our poor invalids, unable to follow us to the field of glory, 
 gazed with tearful eyes upon their departing comrades, and mourned 
 not so much because they could not go as because we were going. 
 On we went at a smashing pace, arid, having three miles to go, just 
 as we were ascending the first hill between our camp and the enemy, 
 we met Sergeant Scott, General Twiggs' orderly, coming at a forced 
 gallop with a prisoner seated upon the crupper of his horse. Scott 
 was a giant in comparison with the diminutive form of the Mexican, 
 who grasped him about the waist and held on, as you have seen a 
 dirty-faced urchin while riding behind his daddy, his ear glued to 
 Scott's back, as if osculating his spine. At every bound of the horse 
 his body flew out in a direct line from that of the sergeant's ; and 
 when he struck the horse again oh, awful, awful, indeed, was the 
 shock ! Thus had Scott ridden with him for three miles ; and I 
 guess the Mexican did not much admire that kind of transportation. 
 This is the way that Sergeant Scott takes prisoners. It is said that 
 
TWIGGS AT SIERRA GORtiO. 113 
 
 he has taken a prisoner in every fight in which his general has par 
 ticipated. 
 
 " Immediately after Scott, followed a wounded soldier leaning 
 upon his comrade. Never shall I forget the look of that man ; his 
 arm had been shattered by a shot and hung powerless, while a 
 stream of blood poured from a severed artery, flooding his whole 
 side ; yet not a look betrayed the least emotion of pain. He had 
 sacrificed his good right arm in his country's cause, and he rejoiced 
 in the sacrifice. 
 
 "About five o'clock, P. M., we reached the vicinity of Twiggs; 
 as we approached his position we met many of the wounded return 
 ing from the field ; and immediately in his neighbourhood we came 
 upon the surgeons at their bloody work. To hear the groans of some, 
 and even to witness the fortitude of others of the mangled soldiers, 
 was truly heart-rending : there lay men in the agonies of death, and 
 there lay lifeless bodies, which but a few moments before had moved 
 in the full enjoyment of all their faculties, now wrapped for ever in 
 the cold embrace of death. 
 
 " We found that the enemy had retired behind his batteries with 
 great loss, leaving Twiggs to bivouack upon his hard-earned field. 
 We were immediately reported to the old veteran, and directed to 
 pile arms and await further orders, which soon came for a detail of 
 one hundred men from each regiment (we having brigaded with the 
 3d Illinois and 1st New York regiments) for the purpose of placing 
 in battery a twenty-four-pounder upon the summit of an immense hill 
 lying between us and the Sierra Gordo. The gun was of immense 
 weight ; the hill steep and rugged ; but the * suckers' were hitched 
 on, and up that dreadful engine went, tearing down trees and crush 
 ing huge rocks in its course. 
 
 " This work occupied a great portion of the night ; and when the 
 piece was placed in battery, the men who played horses had the 
 satisfaction of reflecting that the feat they had performed excelled 
 any thing in the annals of warfare. 
 
 " This tremendous task performed, pickets were placed, and the 
 army sunk upon the blood-stained rocks to slumber, only to awake 
 on the morrow in order to imbrue their hands once more in the blood 
 of the degenerate sons of the Aztecs. Having no musket, I went in 
 search of one, and upon the bloody battle-field I found it. It was 
 formerly the property of a regular; its once bright barrel and glist- 
 10* 
 
114 BRIGADIER-GENERAL TWIGGS. 
 
 ening bayonet were dimmed with human gore. Oh, how loth was 
 I to touch it ; but self-preservation said * take it ;' and grasping it, I 
 sought a spot clear of rocks on which to stretch my weary limbs. It 
 was hard to find, and I made no choice, but laid myself cautiously 
 down with my head upon a stone and my gun by my side. I tried 
 to sleep ; but sleep seemed for ever banished : as often as I closed 
 my eyes, a bloody soldier sprang up and seemed to warn me of my 
 fate. A thousand visions flitted across my mind. I saw war in all 
 its hideous forms ; I saw the weeping widows and orphans, and 
 childless parents, when at the village post-office the bulletin of this 
 battle should be read. I heard the loud hurra of the nation over the 
 glorious victory, and saw her mourn for the loss of her sons. I saw 
 red-mouthed cannon belching forth death and destruction upon our 
 little army ; and I saw my companions falling around me like the 
 withered leaves of autumn." 
 
 Twiggs carried the strong work of Sierra Gordo, the key of the 
 entire position, and after the victory pushed on with rapid marches 
 after the fugitives. Next day he entered Jalapa, of which he took 
 undisputed possession. 
 
 In the march toward the capital, Twiggs' troops encountered 
 hardships more frightful than even those on the battle-field ; and in 
 turning Lake Chalco, near Penon, they were obliged to drag their 
 cannon over rocks and ravines, and rugged lava, where horses were 
 entirely useless. During the battles of the 19th and 20th of August,' 
 they fought and marched all day, and at night lay amid drenching 
 rains, with tents without blankets, on bare rocks. Their bearing 
 under these trials elicited the applause of every one, and was no 
 ticed by General Scott in terms of high commendation. 
 
 Twiggs was not concerned in the attack on Molino del Rey, al 
 though one brigade (Riley's) from his division formed the reserve 
 of the assailing force. The following extracts show the part he tooK 
 in the storming of Chapultepec : 
 
 " Steptoe's Jwelve-pounder battery was placed in position during 
 the night of the llth, and by daylight in the morning was enabled 
 to open on the enemy's batteries, situated at the garita in the San 
 Antonio road ; and between that and the San Angel road the firing 
 was kept up briskly during the day on both sides, with but little 
 loss to us, who were protected by a good temporary breastwork. On 
 the morning of the 13th the firing was renewed with great spirit, 
 
TWIGGS AT CHAPULTEPEC. 115 
 
 which compelled the enemy to withdraw his guns from the garita, 
 within the protection of the city walls. 
 
 " Smith's brigade was now ordered to proceed in the direction of 
 Chapultepec, and support one of the columns of attack, commanded 
 by Major-General Gluitman. With the stormers from my division 
 in front of the road, the attacking column on the left, and Smith's 
 brigade on the right of it, the force advanced in the face of a well- 
 directed fire from a battery at the base of Chapultepec, near a point 
 where the aqueduct leaves it, and also from musketry sheltered by 
 the aqueduct, and by breastworks across and on each side of the 
 road. When within charging distance, the stormers, with the as 
 sistance of the right of Smith's brigade, which had been thrown for 
 ward toward the aqueduct, rushed on the enemy's guns, drove off 
 or killed the cannoneers, and took possession of this strong point. 
 Smith's brigade having advanced three companies of mounted rifle 
 men considerably to its right, to protect the right of Gluitman's divi 
 sion, they were found near the first battery when the stormers were 
 about attacking, and were thus enabled to enter with the advance. 
 The brigade pushed on and captured a second battery in the rear 
 of the first, when several guns and many prisoners were taken ; 
 after some brisk skirmishing, the enemy was finally driven from 
 every point on the east of the hill, and were pursued on the San 
 Cosme road some distance by the storming party, under the com 
 mand of Captain Paul, 7th infantry ; this party having been over 
 taken by the 1st division, and their specific duties as stormers having 
 been accomplished, were ordered to return and rejoin their respective 
 regiments. 
 
 " Early in the action, Captain Casey, 2d infantry, who command 
 ed the storming party from my division, was severely wounded, and 
 obliged to retire. The command devolving upon Captain Paul, 7th 
 infantry, Lieutenant Gantt, 7th infantry, with a portion of the party, 
 was ordered to cross the ditch on the left of the road, and proceed 
 further to the left of the base of Chapultepec, and, by scaling the 
 wall, gain admittance to the body of the work. This gallant officer 
 was shot dead at the head of his men ; the command of this party 
 devolving upon Lieutenant Steele, 2d infantry, who led his men on 
 with intrepidity and success. * * * * * 
 
 " Smith's brigade the riflemen leading, supported by an eight 
 inch howitzer, in charge of the late and gallant Captain Drum, 4th 
 
116 BRIGADIER-GENERAL TWIGGS. 
 
 artillery carried a battery near the Casa Colorada, half way to the 
 garita on the Chapultepec road. The command was here reorganized 
 by the senior officer, Major-General Quitman, with the mounted 
 riflemen again in the advance, supported by the South Carolina re 
 giment the remainder of Smith's brigade being in reserve and 
 charged the battery at the garita; the reserve pushing up, arrived 
 at the battery at the same moment with the advance, and entered 
 the city at twenty minutes past one o'clock, P. M. The brigade 
 occupied buildings within the city during the night, and, the enemy 
 having in the mean time abandoned the city, our forces took posses 
 sion of it on the morning of the 14th. Our national colours were 
 planted on the enemy's palace by a non-commissioned officer of the 
 mounted rifles at seven o'clock, A. M. 
 
 "Until late in the afternoon of the 13th, Ri ley's brigade, with 
 Steptoe's and Taylor's batteries, were kept in the Piedad road to 
 watch the enemy in that quarter. It formed a junction with the 1st 
 division on the San Cosme road early in the night of the 13th." 
 
 For the remaining operations of Twiggs' command, we refer the 
 reader to the lives of Scott, Gluitman and Pillow. Twiggs is now 
 with the commander at the capital. Few officers can boast of more 
 valuable service than he has rendered, and the verdict of his nation 
 has placed him among those whom she delights to honour. 
 

 
 GENERAL SMITH. 
 
 BREVET BRIGADIER-GENERAL PERSIFOR F. SMITH has but recently 
 entered the army, in which he now occupies so honourable a station. 
 He is a native of Pennsylvania, although appointed from Louisiana. 
 His first commission as colonel of mounted rifles, is dated May 27th, 
 184G, and he was brevetted brigadier-general in September of the 
 same year. 
 
 Smith's first services in his new profession were brilliant and use 
 ful. He formed part of General Worth's division, and was in 
 trusted by that officer with the storming of the forts near the Bishop's 
 Palace. His troops marched through extensive corn-fields, over 
 rocks and ledges, and through a branch of the San Juan river, while 
 it was plashing and foaming with the Mexican shot. The enthu 
 siasm with which they attacked the forts, entering them at a perfect 
 rush, was not surpassed by any achievement of that eventful day. 
 For his manner of conducting the attack, and his subsequent ser 
 vices, General Smith is mentioned by Worth among those whom it 
 vas " his pleasing and grateful duty to present to the consideration 
 f the general-in-chief, and through him to the government." After 
 <he capitulation, he was appointed to receive the surrender of the 
 citadel, a ceremony which he conducted with forbearance and deli 
 cacy to the unhappy and humiliated foe. 
 
 General Smith was prevented by sickness from participating in 
 the battle of Sierra Gordo, but at Contreros and the succeeding ac 
 tions, he acted a most conspicuous part. We give extracts from his 
 official account of these victories : 
 
 * On the 19th instant, my brigade, with the rest of the division, 
 marched from San Augustin to cover the division of General Pil 
 low opening the road from San Augustin to that which runs through 
 this place to the city, in order to turn the position of San Antonio. 
 
 a 17) 
 
118 GENERAL SMITH. 
 
 Advancing about one and a half mile, we were met by the fire of 
 the Mexican batteries opposite to us on the San Angel road. Be 
 tween us was about a half mile of lava rocks, almost impassable for 
 a single footman, then a slope down towards a ravine, on the oppo 
 site bank of which were the road and the enemy's works, on a 
 height called Contreros. The front faced us, and the left flank 
 swept the road below it, a turn forwards in the road bringing the 
 work directly in the prolongation of the lower part of the road. The 
 work had upwards of twenty large guns, was full of infantry, and 
 large masses of cavalry and infantry were behind it and on its flanks. 
 Magruder's battery was ordered forward to a position in front of the 
 enemy, and partially covered by a ledge of rocks. My brigade was 
 ordered to follow and support it, and cover the advance of the party 
 making the road. We went forward under a very heavy fire, and 
 took a position on the left of Magruder's battery. We found Lieu 
 tenant Calender's howitzer battery at this point. When we took 
 this direction, Riley's brigade was sent to the right. Magruder's 
 battery and the howitzer battery were soon disabled, and, on ex 
 amining the ground, it was evident that we were advancing by the 
 only path that crossed the broken bed of lava, and on which the 
 enemy were prepared to receive us, having cleared away all the 
 bushes that obstructed their view. The guns could go no further, 
 and the infantry would, on its march down the slope, be exposed to 
 a terrible fire, without knowing whether the crossing of the ravine 
 below was possible. Being isolated from the division, I determined 
 to try one of the enemy's flanks ; and that on our right being pre 
 ferable, as it would cut off his retreat, I determined to move in that 
 direction. Captain Magruder was directed to open his fire as we 
 passed his rear, to occupy the enemy, and mask our movements to 
 the right. This he did most effectually, though suffering from a 
 great loss, especially of officers. 
 
 " To replace this loss, Lieutenant Haskins and twenty men were 
 detached from Major Dimick's regiment, and three companies of the 
 3d infantry were left to support him. With great difficulty we suc 
 ceeded in crossing the rock for near a mile, and descended towards 
 the village of Encelda, whose church was visible among the trees. 
 As we emerged from the rocks, we saw immense numbers of troops, 
 cavalry and infantry, approaching from Mexico, and forming on the 
 slope on the opposite side of the village. We crossed two small 
 
SMITH AT CONTREflOS. 119 
 
 streams at the bottom of deep and difficult gulleys, and found some 
 of our troops in the village, they proving to be four regiments, 
 chiefly of General Pillow's division, and under command of Gene 
 ral Cadwalader, who immediately reported to me. The village lay 
 entirely on the other side of the main road, and a small stream ran 
 between them at the bottom of a ravine. On the road, and between 
 it and the stream was a garden and house surrounded by a high and 
 tolerably strong stone wall. The village was intersected by narrow 
 lanes lying between high dikes enclosing gardens full of trees and 
 shrubbery the lanes affording cover, and the trees concealment for 
 the men. At the centre stood an old stone church. I drew Gene 
 ral Cadwalader's force up in the outer edge of the village, facing 
 the enemy placed the 3d infantry and rifles in column by company, 
 left in front, on the right flank occupied the church with Lieu 
 tenant Smith's engineer company and Captain Irwin's company of 
 the llth regiment placed Major Dimick's regiment in the garden 
 on the road, to secure that avenue and our rear. 
 
 "The enemy was now formed opposite to us in two lines the 
 infantry in front and cavalry in the rear about ten thousand strong. 
 It was now after sunset, when Colonel Riley's brigade arrived. It 
 had crossed and gone up towards Contreros [entrenched camp] and 
 driven off strong parties of the enemy. I now ordered an attack 
 on the enemy's right, intending to attack in two columns Colonel 
 Riley's on the left, and General Cadwalader's on the right of the 
 former retired in echellon ; but before the troops could be dis 
 engaged from the thickets, [the officers being without horses,] it 
 was so dark that the enemy's line could not be seen, and the order 
 for attack was countermanded. General Cadwalader took position 
 again in the outer edge of the village ; Riley's brigade parallel to 
 it in a long line inside ; the rifles, under Major Loring, on his right, 
 and the 3d infantry in the church-yard. The troops were without 
 shelter or fire, and it rained all night. At this time Lieutenant 
 Tower reported that he had been at the ravine towards the rear of 
 the enemy's works at Contreros, and thought it practicable for in 
 fantry, though very difficult. We had now in front and on our left 
 flank, eighteen thousand Mexicans, with between twenty-five and 
 thirty guns among the troops six or seven thousand cavalry. We 
 were, at most, three thousand three hundred strong, and without ar 
 tillery or cavalry ; and it was evident we could only maintain our 
 
 T 
 
120 GENERAL SMITH. 
 
 position, which was of the utmost importance to the commanding 
 general, by the most prompt and energetic action. I therefore di 
 rected an attack on the works at Contreros, [the entrenched camp,] 
 by turning their rear before day ; and Captain Lee, of the engineers, 
 offered to return to General Scott, (a most difficult task,) and inform 
 him of our position, and that I would march out at three o'clock, 
 A. M., so that any diversion that he could make in our favour from 
 that side might be prepared accordingly. 
 
 " At precisely three o'clock in the morning of the 20th, the troops 
 commenced their march. It had rained all night, and the men had 
 lain in the mud, without fire, and suffering from cold. It rained 
 now, and was so dark that an object six feet off could not be seen. 
 The men were ordered to keep within touch of each other, so that 
 the rear could not go astray. Lieutenant Tower, of the engineers, 
 with Lieutenant Brooks, acting assistant adjutant-general of the 2d 
 division, now acting in my staff, had, during the night, reconnoitred 
 the pass, to assure the practicability of the march. The path was 
 narrow, full of rocks and mud, and so difficult was the march that 
 it was daylight before the head of Cadwalader's brigade got out of 
 the village, where the path descends to the ravine ; and as the 
 march was by a flank, the command was stretched out thrice its 
 length. Having followed up the ravine to a point where it seemed 
 possible to get at the rear of the work, the head was halted, and the 
 rear closed up ; many loads that were wet were drawn, and Riley 
 formed two columns by divisions. 
 
 " He thus advanced further up the ravine, turning to his left, and 
 rising over the bank, stood fronting the rear of the work, but still 
 sheltered from its fire by a slight acclivity before him. Having re 
 formed his ranks, he ascended the top of the hill, and was in full 
 view of the enemy, who immediately opened a warm fire, not only 
 from the work, but on his right flank. Throwing out his two first 
 divisions as skirmishers, he rushed down the slope to the work. 
 The engineer company and rifles had been thrown across an inter 
 vening ravine, under the brow of the slope, and from that position 
 swept it in front of his column, and then, inclining towards their left, 
 joined in the attack on the troops outside of the left bank of the fort. 
 In the mean time, General Cadwalader followed the route taken by 
 Riley, and forming his columns as the troops came up, moved on 
 to his (Riley's) support. The first brigade had been ordered to fol- 
 
SMITH AT CONTREROS. 121 
 
 low the same route ; but, while it was still marching in that direc 
 tion by its right flank up the ravine, and nearly opposite the work, 
 seeing a large body of the enemy on its left flank, I ordered Major 
 Dimick to face the brigade to the left, and, advancing in line, attack 
 this force in flank. This was done in the finest style, and the 1st 
 artillery and 3d infantry, mounting the bank of the ravine, rushing 
 down the next, and up its opposite bank, met the enemy outside of 
 the work just as Riley's brigade poured into it, and the whole giving 
 way. Cavalry, formed in line for the charge, yielding to the bayo 
 nets of our foot, the rout was complete, while Riley's brigade cleared 
 the work, and planted their colours on it. The two first pieces cap 
 tured, which fell into the hands of the 4th artillery, proved to be 
 the pieces lost (but without loss of honour) by a company of that 
 very regiment at Buena Vista. Leaving a force to collect and guard 
 the captured ordnance, the pursuit was continued down the road. 
 
 " This, it will be recollected, passed not more than half a mile 
 off the garden and house occupied by a part of General Shields' 
 brigade, placed there to intercept the retreat of the enemy. This 
 skilful and gallant officer, when we marched, had spread his men 
 over the line we had occupied, and directed them to make fires to 
 wards daylight, as though preparing their breakfast. The enemy 
 in front had, during the night, placed batteries along the line, and 
 in the morning moved detachments forward to take in flank the at 
 tack he saw we were meditating the night before, which he was 
 prepared to meet ; supposing, from the indications he found, that 
 we were still in force in the village. When, after daylight, he saw 
 a column moving on Contreros, [the entrenched camp,] and already 
 prepared to turn it, he must have supposed we had been strongly 
 reinforced ; for his movements to and fro indicated great perplexity. 
 His doubts were soon resolved, however, by the loss of Contreros, 
 [the camp,] and he immediately commenced a hasty retreat along 
 the top of the hill, inclining towards the San Angel road. Shields' 
 force (five or six hundred men) having, under his skilful direction, 
 thus disposed of one enemy, he turned to the other, who, in their 
 flight, found themselves intercepted at the garden, and, under the 
 sure fire of the South Carolina regiment, broke away over the op 
 posite fields, and, taking shelter in the ditches and ravines, escaped, 
 many of them, to the rocks. Two squadrons of cavalry, either by 
 chance or a wise design, in a narrow part of the road between the 
 11 
 
122 GENERAL SMITH. 
 
 wall and dyke, laid down their arms, and so choked the way, that 
 the pursuit was interrupted for upwards of twenty minutes, which 
 sufficed (we having no cavalry) for the safety of many of the fugi 
 tives. A large body escaped upwards towards the mountains. 1 
 did not pursue them, being entirely out of our direction. 
 
 "Accounts from Mexican officers, intercepted since the battle, 
 inform us that there were seven thousand in and about Contreros, 
 [the entrenched camp,] commanded by General Valencia, and up 
 wards of twelve thousand in front of Encelda, [or the hamlet of 
 Contreros,] in reserve, commanded by General Santa Anna. We 
 killed seven hundred, and took fifteen hundred prisoners, among 
 them several generals. We captured twenty-two pieces of brass 
 ordnance, viz : four Spanish sixteen-pounders, four eight-inch how 
 itzers, two five and a half-inch howitzers, six six-pounders, and six 
 smaller pieces, with a large amount of shells and other ammunition. 
 We also took seven hundred pack mules and many horses, and an 
 immense number of small-arms, which we destroyed. After direct 
 ing the prisoners and property to be collected, I directed the pursuit 
 to be continued, and was forming the column, when General Twiggs 
 arrived. He immediately ordered the most vigorous pursuit, and 
 we moved forwards. As we approached San Angel, the rifles were 
 again thrown forward as skirmishers, and entered the town at the 
 heels of the enemy's lancers, capturing an ammunition wagon. 
 Here General Pillow assumed command, and at Coyoacan the 
 commander-in-chief. * * * * 
 
 " At this time the tremendous fire from the neighbourhood of the 
 church, showed clearly, not only that there was a strong force sta 
 tioned there, but that there was also a more considerable work than 
 was at first supposed ; but being all surrounded by very high corn, 
 its form could not be discovered. It afterwards proved that the 
 place was regularly fortified. The church buildings formed a large 
 square ; the lower front towards us was chiefly a wall scaffolded for 
 infantry. Behind it rose a higher building, also covered with infan 
 try ; behind it the church, and the high steeple on its right flank, 
 also filled with men. In front of the first was a curtain, connecting 
 two salient angles which flanked it, and were continued back to the 
 side walls of the church. It was garrisoned by about two thousand 
 men, and mounted seven pieces. What was supposed the one-gun 
 battery, was the right salient angle which enfiladed the road from 
 
SMITH AT CHURUBUSCO. 123 
 
 Coyoacan ; so that when the 1st artillery attempted to turn it, they 
 found themselves in front of this curtain, and exposed to all the mus 
 ketry of the walls beyond. They, however, stood their ground 
 with great loss, getting such cover as the ground afforded, and firing 
 at the embrasures when opportunity offered. It was now reported 
 that the other brigade (Riley's) was ordered round to the right of 
 the work, and General Pillow's division to its left. I therefore 
 ordered the 3d infantry to be ready, so soon as the fire of these corps 
 began to tell, to advance under the cover of some huts near the 
 right bastion, and, after silencing the fire of its musketry, to assault 
 it. In the mean time, Taylor's battery had continued its fire 
 uninterrupted by the severest shower of grape, canister, musketry, 
 round shot and shell, within short musket range, that was ever 
 witnessed. The conduct of Captain Taylor, Lieutenant French, 
 and the men who remained unhurt, was the admiration of all who 
 witnessed it. The pieces were served as though on drill, while 
 two of the officers, Lieutenants Martin and Boynton, and twenty 
 men wounded, and fifteen horses crippled, laid around, and testified 
 to the danger -of their position. Hearing now the fire from the 
 other corps, and finding that of the work to be less steady, I directed 
 Captain Alexander (commanding the 3d infantry) to advance to the 
 position indicated, and commence his work. 
 
 "After clearing the ramparts partially of their men, the 3d 
 rushed over the bastion, led by Captain J. M. Smith and Lieu 
 tenant Shepherd, and their companies, and a part of the 1st artil 
 lery, over the curtain, when the garrison held out a white flag, and 
 urrendered to Captain Smith, who was fortunate enough to be 
 the first in the work. Many had escaped from the back of the 
 church; but one hundred and four officers, among them several 
 generals, and eleven hundred and fifty-five men were counted after 
 the surrender. It is proper here to observe, in order to prevent 
 errors hereafter, that after Captain Alexander's command had 
 received the surrender of the garrison, and had gone up into the 
 gallery of the front house with General Rincon, from which he was 
 displaying the colours of his regiment, a staff officer from another 
 division, who had seen the white flag still flying, rode into the 
 work to receive the surrender which had been made some time 
 before to Captain Alexander. Seven pieces of brass cannon, 
 much ammunition and small-arms, the prisoners before mentioned, 
 
124 GENERAL SMITH. 
 
 and an important position, were the fruits of this victory. I should 
 have mentioned before that Captain Craig had in the morning 
 rejoined the regiment with the three companies left with Captain 
 Magruder; and those companies of riflemen who had been left 
 in the pedregal, [field of rocks and lavaj had also joined the 
 regiment." 
 
 General Smith was appointed one of the negotiators for the 
 armistice, and took an active part in the subsequent operations be 
 fore the capital ; the detailed accounts of which have been given 
 elsewhere. He is now with the commander-in-chief, at the 
 capital. 
 
GENERAL SHIELDS. 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL SHIELDS. 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JAMES SHIELDS, though appointed to the 
 army from Illinois, is a native of Ireland. He marched with the 
 Central Division, under General Wool, but left on its arrival at Mon- 
 clova, thus losing an opportunity to participate in the battle of Buena 
 Vista. He was at the siege of Vera Cruz, and in the battle of Sierra 
 Gordo received a musket-ball through the lungs. His recovery 
 from this wound seems almost miraculous. 
 
 The services he performed on the 19th and 20th of August, to 
 gether with his admirable deception of the enemy during their 
 retreat from Contreros, we give in his own words : 
 
 " Directing my march upon the village near Contreros, the troops 
 had to pass over ground covered with rocks and crags, and filled 
 with chasms, which rendered the road almost impassable. A deep 
 rugged ravine, along the bed of which rolled a rapid stream, was 
 passed, after dark, with great difficulty and exertion ; and to rest 
 the wearied troops after crossing, I directed them to lie upon their 
 arms until midnight. While occupying this position, two strong 
 pickets, thrown out by my orders, discovered, fired upon, and drove 
 back a body of Mexican infantry moving through the fields in a 
 direction from their position towards the city. I have since learned 
 that an attempt had in like manner been made by the enemy to 
 pass the position on the main road occupied by the 1st regiment of 
 artillery, and with a like want of success. About midnight I again 
 resumed the march, and joined Brigadier-General Smith in the vil 
 lage already referred to. 
 
 " General Smith, previous to my arrival, had made the most judi 
 cious arrangement for turning and surprising the Mexican position 
 about daybreak, and with which I could not wish to interfere. This 
 11* T* (125) 
 
126 BRIGADIER-GENERAL SHIELDS. 
 
 cast upon my command the necessity of holding the position to be 
 evacuated by General Smith, and which was threatened by the 
 enemy's artillery and infantry on the right, and a large force of his 
 cavalry on the left. About daybreak the enemy opened a brisk fire 
 of grape and round shot upon the church and village in which my 
 brigade was posted, as also upon a part of our own troops displayed 
 to divert him on his right and front evidently unaware of the 
 movement in progress to turn his position by the left and rear. 
 This continued until Colonel Riley's brigade opened its fire from 
 the rear, which was delivered with such terrible effect, that the 
 whole Mexican force was thrown into the utmost consternation. 
 
 " At this juncture, I ordered the two regiments of my command 
 to throw themselves on the main road, by which the enemy must 
 retire, to intercept and cut off his retreat ; and, although officers 
 and men had suffered severely during the march of the night, and 
 from exposure without shelter or cover to the incessant rain until 
 daybreak, this movement was executed in good order, and with ra 
 pidity. The Palmetto regiment, crossing a deep ravine, deployed 
 on both sides of the road, and opened a most destructive fire upon the 
 mingled masses of infantry and cavalry ; and the New York regi 
 ment, brought into line lower down, and on the roadside, delivered 
 its fire with a like effect. At this point many of the enemy were 
 killed and wounded ; some three hundred and sixty-five captured, 
 of which twenty-five were officers, and amongst the latter was 
 General Nicolas Mendoza. 
 
 " In the meanwhile the enemy's cavalry, about three thousand 
 strong, which had been threatening our position during the morning, 
 moved down towards us in good order, and as if to attack. I imme 
 diately recalled the infantry, to place them in position to meet the 
 threatened movement ; but soon the cavalry changed its direction 
 and retreated toward the capital. I now received an order from 
 General Twiggs to advance by the main road towards Mexico ; and 
 having posted Captain Marshall's company of South Carolina 
 volunteers and Captain Taylor's New York volunteers, in charge 
 of the prisoners and wounded, J moved off with the remainder of 
 my force, and joined the positions of the 2d and 3d divisions, already 
 en route on the main road. On this march we were joined by the 
 general-in-chief, who assumed command of the whole, and the march 
 continued uninterruplrd until we arrived before Churubusco. Here 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL SHIELDS. 127 
 
 the enemy was found strongly fortified, and posted with his main 
 
 force probably twenty-five thousand. 
 
 # * * ##*##* 
 
 " Leaving Coyoacan by a left-hand road, and advancing about a 
 mile upon it, I moved thence with my command towards the right, 
 through a heavy corn-field, and gained an open but swampy field, 
 in which is situated the hacienda de Jos Partales. On the edge of this 
 field, beyond the hacienda, I discovered the road by which the ene 
 my must retire from Churubusco, and found that his reserve of about 
 four thousand infantry already occupied it, just in rear of the town. 
 As my command arrived, I established the right upon a point re 
 commended by Captain Lee, engineer officer, in whose skill and 
 judgment I had the utmost confidence, and commenced a move 
 ment to the left to flank the enemy on his right, and throw my troops 
 between him and the city ; but finding his right supported by a 
 heavy body of cavalry of some three thousand strong, and seeing, 
 too, that with his infantry he answered to my movements by a cor 
 responding one towards his right flank, gaining ground faster than 
 I could, owing to the heavy mud and swamp through which I had 
 to operate, I withdrew the men to the cover of the hacienda, and 
 determined to attack him upon his front. I selected the Palmetto 
 regiment as the base of my line, and this gallant regiment moved 
 forward firmly and rapidly, under a fire of musketry as terrible, 
 perhaps, as any which soldiers ever faced ; the New York, 12lh 
 and 15th deployed gallantly on the right, and the 9th on the left, 
 and the whole advanced, opening their fire as they came up, and 
 moving steadily forward. The enemy began to waver, and when 
 my order to charge was given, the men rushed upon and scattered 
 his broken ranks. As we reached the road, the advance of Worth's 
 command appeared, driving the enemy from his stronghold of Chu 
 rubusco. I took command of the front, and continued in pursuit 
 until passed by Harney with his cavalry, who followed the routed 
 foe into the very gates of the city. 
 
 " In this terrible battle, in which a strongly-fortified enemy fought 
 behind his works, under the walls of his capital, our loss is neces 
 sarily severe. This loss, I regret to say, has fallen most severely 
 upon my command. In the two regiments of my own brigade, 
 numbering about six hundred in the fight, the loss is reported two 
 hundred and forty in killed and wounded. 
 
128 BRIGADIER-GENERAL SHIELDS. 
 
 " In this last engagement my command captured three hundred 
 and eighty prisoners, including six officers. Of this number forty- 
 two had deserted from the American army during the war, and at 
 their head we found the notorious O'Reilly, who had fought against 
 our troops at Monterey and elsewhere. A particular and detailed 
 report of the loss, as also of the prisoners captured by this command, 
 accompanies this report." 
 
 In the recent glorious battles of Mexico, Shields has exhibited 
 the same reckless daring, the sa'me impetuosity and ability which 
 he evinced at Sierra Gordo. He again received a severe, though 
 not dangerous wound. 
 
 The personal appearance of the general is thus described by a 
 visitor during his recent tour to the United States, where he still 
 remains. 
 
 " In the saloon we saw the gallant General Shields. He is stouter 
 than when we saw him, some two years since, at General Taylor's 
 camp at Camargo. He then, in his undress military uniform, 
 looked like an elegant gentleman. He had not a wrinkle on his 
 brow, and his countenance ever wore a smile. His beard was 
 closely shaven, and his eyes were lighted up with the brilliant fire 
 of hope. And yet, how a short term of service alters a man ? 
 Yesterday he looked like the hero of many wars. His brow was 
 seamed with the lines of fatigue and suffering, and his upper lip 
 was garnished with a thick moustache. His complexion was 
 bronzed, his arm, from a late wound, hung in a sling; but his eye 
 was still brilliant with martial fire. There were hundreds who 
 flocked around him and sought to grasp his hand, and all were re 
 ceived by him with the most cordial warmth and friendship. Those 
 around looked upon the gallant hero with feelings of respect and 
 admiration, and there was not one in that broad saloon who went 
 out, without saying in his heart, that man is a true soldier.' " 
 
BRIGADIER-GENEKAL LANE. 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JOSEPH LANE is a native of North Carolina, 
 but was appointed to the army from Illinois. He entered the army 
 July 1st, 1846, and marched to Mexico as one of General Wool's 
 column. The following is his own account of his operations at 
 Buena Vista : 
 
 "About nine o'clock I was informed by Colonel Churchill that 
 the enemy were advancing toward my position in great force, shel 
 tering themselves in a deep ravine which runs up towards the 
 mountain directly in my front. I immediately put my columns in 
 motion, consisting of those eight battalion companies, and Lieutenant 
 O'Brien's battery, amounting in all to about four hundred men, to 
 meet them. The enemy, when they deployed from the ravine and 
 appeared on the ridge, displayed a force of about four thousand in 
 fantry, supported by a large body of lancers. The infantry imme 
 diately opened a most destructive fire, which was returned by my 
 small command, both infantry and artillery, in a most gallant manner 
 for some time. I soon perceived that I was too far from the enemy 
 for my muskets to take that deadly effect which I desired, and im 
 mediately sent my aid-de-camp to Lieutenant O'Brien, directing him 
 to place his battery in a more advanced position, with the determi 
 nation of advancing my whole line. By this movement I should 
 not only be near the enemy, but should also bring the company on 
 my extreme left more completely into action, as the brow of the hill 
 impeded their fire. By this time the enemy's fire of musketry, and 
 the raking fire of ball and grape-shot of their battery posted on my 
 left flank had become terrible, and my infantry instead of advancing 
 as was ordered, I regret to say, retired in some disorder from their 
 position, notwithstanding my own and the severe efforts of my offi 
 cers to prevent them. About the same time, the riflemen and ca- 
 
 (129) 
 
130 BRIGADIER-GENERAL LANE. 
 
 valry on the mountains retired to the plain below. The Arkansas 
 cavalry, who had been posted by your orders in my rear, at the base 
 of the mountain, to act as circumstances might require, also left their 
 position, the whole making a retreating movement along the plain 
 towards the rear. At the same time one of the Illinois regiments, 
 not under my command, but stationed at some distance in rear of 
 the right of my position, also retired to the rear. These troops, the 
 most of them, were immediately rallied, and fought during the 
 whole day like veterans. A few of them, I regret to -say, did not 
 return to the field at all. By this apparent success the enemy were 
 much elated, and poured down along the side of the mountain, on 
 the extreme left of the field, their thousands of infantry and lancers, 
 and formed themselves in good order along the mountain fronting 
 perpendicularly to where our lines had been posted. At this critical 
 juncture, the Mississippi regiment, under the command of Colonel 
 Davis, arrived on the field, and being joined by a part of the 2d 
 Indiana, met the enemy in a most gallant style, and, after a severe 
 and bloody engagement, repulsed them with great loss. In the 
 mean time a large body of lancers, six or eight hundred in num 
 ber, who had passed down along the left toward our rear, made 
 a most desperate charge upon the Arkansas and Kentucky cavalry, 
 with a view of cutting off and plundering the baggage-train of the 
 army, which was at a rancho near the battle-field. 
 
 "This charge was met and resisted most gallantly by those 
 cavalry, aided by about two hundred infantry who had taken refuge 
 there after they had retired from the field. This repulse discouraged 
 the enemy; and the Mississippi regiment and part of the 2d Indiana, 
 being joined by the 3d Indiana regiment, commanded by Colonel 
 James H. Lane, now advanced up towards the foot of the mountain 
 for the purpose of dislodging the enemy's force stationed there. In 
 this enterprise I was aided by Captain 's battery of light artil 
 lery, and it was crowned with complete success, the enemy re 
 treating in disorder, and with immense loss, back along the side of 
 the mountain to the position which they had occupied in the morn 
 ing ; some flying in terror up the sides of the mountain, and into the 
 ravines, while a few were taken prisoners. Amongst the last des 
 perate attempts of the enemy to regain and hold the left of the field, 
 was a charge made by a large body of lancers upon my command. 
 This charge, for gallantry and determined bravery on both sides, 
 
LANE AT HUAMANTLA. 131 
 
 has seldom been equalled. The forces on either side were nearly 
 equal in numbers. Instead of throwing my command into squares 
 to resist the charge, the enemy were received in line of two ranks, 
 my force reserving its fire until the enemy were within about se 
 venty yards, which was delivered with a deadly aim, and which 
 proved most destructive in its effects the enemy flying in every 
 direction in disorder, and making a precipitate retreat towards their 
 own lines. About sunset the enemy withdrew from the field, and 
 the battle ceased. In a brief report it is impossible to enter into the 
 details of a day like the 23d. The fighting throughout consisted of 
 different engagements in different parts of the field, the whole of 
 them warm and well-contested ; many of them bloody and terrible. 
 The men under my command actually discharged eighty, and some 
 ninety, rounds of cartridges at the enemy during the day. The 2d 
 regiment of my command, which opened the battle on the plain in 
 such gallant style, deserves a passing remark. I shall attempt to 
 make no apology for their retreat ; for it was their duty to stand or 
 die to the last man until they received orders to retire ; but I desire 
 to call your attention to one fact connected with this affair. They 
 remained in their position, in line, receiving the fire of three or 
 four thousand infantry in front, exposed at the same time on the 
 left flank to a most desperate raking fire from the enemy 1 s battery 
 posted within point-blank shot, until they had deliberately dis 
 charged twenty rounds of cartridges at the enemy" 
 
 On the 9th of October, 1847, General Lane fought the battle of 
 Huamantla ; and on the 18th, he bombarded and captured the town 
 of Atlixco. His despatches contain full details of these two affairs : 
 " After my departure from Vera Cruz, and when near the San 
 Juan river, a party of guerillas was observed near the hacienda of 
 Santa Anna. Captain Lewis's company of mounted volunteers was 
 detached in pursuit; a portion of the command, under Lieutenant 
 Lilley, came upon the enemy, and had a smart skirmish with them. 
 Lieutenant Lilley behaved in the most gallant manner, rallying and 
 encouraging his men under a severe fire. Upon leaving Paso de 
 Ovejas, the rear-guard was fired upon by a small guerilla force, and 
 1 regret to have to announce the death of Lieutenant Cline, who was 
 shot in the affair. He is reported to have been a most energetic and 
 efficient young officer, belonging to Captain Lewis's company of 
 Louisiana mounted volunteers. 
 
J32 BRIGADIER-GENERAL LANE. 
 
 " At various points on the road rumours reached me that a large 
 force was concentrating between Perote and Puebla. These rumours 
 were confirmed on my arrival at the former place, and I also received 
 the additional intelligence that Santa Anna in person commanded 
 them, having about four thousand men and six pieces of artillery. 
 No molestation occurred until my arrival at the hacienda of San 
 Antonio Tamaris, at which place, through the medium of my spies, 
 I learned that the enemy were at the city of Huamantla. My force 
 consisted of Colonel Wynkoop's battalion, (from Perote,) Colonel 
 Gorman's regiment of Indiana volunteers, Captain Heintzelman's 
 battalion of six companies, Major Lally's regiment of four companies 
 of mounted men, under command of Captain Samuel H. Walker, 
 mounted riflemen, and five pieces of artillery under command of 
 Captain George Taylor, 3d artillery, assisted by Lieutenant Field, 
 artillery. On arriving near the city, at about one o'clock P. M., 
 Captain Walker, commanding the advance guard, (of horsemen,) 
 was ordered to move forward ahead of the column, (but within sup 
 porting distance,) to the entrance of the city, and if the enemy were 
 in force, to await the arrival of the infantry before entering. When 
 within about three miles, parties of horsemen being seen making 
 their way through the fields towards the city, Captain Walker com 
 manded a gallop. Owing to the thick maguey bushes lining the 
 sides of the road, it was impossible to distinguish his further move 
 ments. But a short time had elapsed when firing was heard from 
 the city. The firing continuing, the column was pressed forward 
 as rapidly as possible. At this time a body of about two thousand 
 lancers was seen hurrying over the hills towards the city. I directed 
 Colonel Gorman, with his regiment, to advance towards and enter 
 the west side of the city, while Colonel Wynkoop's battalion, with 
 the artillery, moved towards the east side, Captain Heintzelman's 
 moving on his right, and Major Lally's constituting the reserve. 
 
 "Upon arriving at the entrance to the city, Captain Walker dis 
 covering the main body of the enemy in the plaza, (about five hun 
 dred in number,) ordered a charge. A hand-to-hand conflict took 
 place between the forces ; but so resolute was the charge, that the 
 enemy were obliged to give way, being driven from their guns. 
 They were pursued by our dragoons for some distance, but the pur 
 suit was checked by the arrival of their reinforcements. Colonel 
 Gorman's regiment, on arriving at the entrance to the city at about 
 
LANE AT ATLTXCO. 133 
 
 the same time as the reinforcements of the enemy, opened a well- 
 directed fire, which succeeded in routing them. With the left wing 
 of his regiment he proceeded in person towards the upper part of 
 the town, where the enemy still were, and succeeded in dispersing 
 them. Colonel Wynkoop's command, with the batteries, assumed 
 their position ; but before they were within range the enemy fled in 
 haste. The same occurred with Captain Heintzelman's command. 
 The enemy entering the town becoming somewhat scattered, Major 
 Lally, with his regiment, proceeded across the fields to cut off his 
 rear and intercept his retreat. This movement not being perceived, 
 I ordered him to advance towards the town ; thus depriving him, 
 unintentionally, of an opportunity of doing good service. Captain 
 Walker's force had been engaged some three-quarters of an hour 
 before the infantry arrived to his support. He succeeded in capturing 
 two pieces of artillery from the enemy, but was not able to use them, 
 owing to the want of priming tubes, although every effort was made. 
 On this occasion every officer and soldier behaved with the utmost 
 coolness, and my warmest thanks are due to them. * * * 
 " The colours of the Indiana regiment were planted on the arsenal 
 the moment the enemy were routed. This victory is saddened by 
 the loss of one of the most chivalric, noble-hearted men that graced 
 the profession of arms Captain Samuel H. Walker, of the mounted 
 riflemen. Foremost in the advance, he had routed the enemy when 
 he fell mortally wounded. In his death the service has met with a 
 loss which cannot easily be repaired. Our total loss is thirteen killed 
 and eleven wounded. We succeeded in capturing one six-pounder 
 brass gun and one mountain howitzer, both mounted, together with 
 a large quantity of ammunition and wagons, which I was compelled 
 to destroy. The enemy's loss was about one hundred and fifty." 
 The following is his report of the taking of Atlixco : 
 "About four o'clock, P. M., when near Santa Isabella, seven 
 leagues from this place, the advance guard of the enemy was dis 
 covered. A halt was ordered until the cavalry, which had pre 
 viously been detached to examine a hacienda, should arrive. The 
 enemy, with his accustomed bravado, came to the foot of the hill in 
 small parties, firing their escopetas and waving their lances. On 
 the arrival of tha cavalry a forward movement was made by the 
 column. A large deep ravine appearing on the left of the road, 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Moore, with his Ohio regiment, was ordered to 
 12 
 
134 BRIGADIER-GENERAL LANE. 
 
 flank it, Major Lally with his battalion leading the advance. Our 
 column had scarcely commenced its movement, when signs of con 
 fusion were visible among the enemy, in consequence of which, 
 the cavalry was ordered to charge, follow them up, and engage 
 them until the infantry could arrive. Lieutenant Pratt, with his 
 battery, was ordered to follow in rear of the dragoons at a gallop. 
 Had this movement been performed, the whole force would have 
 been ours. But by an order from Major Lally, Lieutenant Pratt 
 was taken from the place assigned him by me, and in consequence 
 detained until a greater portion of the column had passed ; then, 
 owing to the nature of the ground, it was impossible for his battery 
 to proceed with rapidity. 
 
 " The cavalry pursued the retreating enemy for about a mile and 
 a half, skirmishing with them. On arriving at a small hill, they 
 made a stand and fought severely until our infantry appeared, when 
 they took flight. Our artillery fired a few shots as soon as it came 
 up, but without effect, as by their rapid retreat they had placed 
 themselves at Jong range. The dragoons were again ordered to 
 follow and keep them engaged. After a running fight of about 
 four miles, and when within a mile and a half of Atlixco, the whole 
 body of the enemy was discovered on a hill side, covered with chap- 
 paral, forming hedges, behind which they had posted themselves. 
 Our cavalry dashed among them, cutting them down in great num 
 bers. So thick was the chapparal that the dragoons were ordered 
 to dismount and fight them on foot. A most bloody conflict ensued, 
 fatal to the enemy. Our infantry for the last six miles had been 
 straining themselves to the utmost to overtake the enemy, pressing 
 forward most arduously, notwithstanding the forced march of sixteen 
 miles since eleven o'clock. Owing to the nature of the road, al 
 most entirely destroyed by gullies, the artillery could only advance 
 at a walk. As soon as the infantry again appeared in sight, the 
 enemy again retreated. So worn out were our horses, (the sun 
 having been broiling hot H day,) that they could pursue the enemy 
 no further. The column was pressed forward as rapidly as possible 
 towards the town ; but night had already shut in, giving us, how 
 ever, the advantage of a fine moonlight. As we approached, several 
 shots were fired at us, and, deeming it unsafe to risk a street fight 
 in an unknown town at night, I ordered the artillery to be posted on 
 a hill near to the town, and overlooking it, and open its fire Now 
 
* LANE AT ATLIXCO. 135 
 
 ensued one of the most beautiful sights conceivable. Every gun 
 was served with the utmost rapidity ; and the crash of the walls and 
 the roofs of the houses, when struck by our shot and shell, was 
 mingled with the roar of our artillery. The bright light of the 
 moon enabled us to direct our shots to the most thickly populated 
 parts of the town. 
 
 "After firing three-quarters of an hour, and the firing from the 
 town having ceased, I ordered Major Lally and Colonel Brough to 
 advance cautiously with their commands into the town. On enter 
 ing I was waited upon by the ayuntamiento, desiring that their town 
 might be spared. After searching the next morning for arms and 
 ammunition, and disposing of what was found, I commenced my 
 return. 
 
 " General Rea had two pieces of artillery ; but as soon as he was 
 aware of our approach, he ordered them with haste to Matamoras, 
 a small town eleven leagues beyond. The enemy state their own 
 loss in this action to be two hundred and nineteen killed and three 
 hundred wounded. On our part, we had one man killed and one 
 wounded. Scarcely ever has a more rapid forced march been made 
 than this, and productive of better results. Atlixco has been the 
 head-quarters of guerillas in this section of country, and of late the 
 seat of government of this state. From hence all expeditions have 
 been fitted out against our troops. So much terror has been im 
 pressed upon them, at thus having war brought to their own homes, 
 that I am inclined to believe they will give us no more trouble." 
 
 The capture of Atlixco has been the last military achievement of 
 General Lane, and he now remains with the army awaiting the 
 course of events. 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL CADWALADER. 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL GEORGE CADWALADER is a grandson of the 
 illustrious John Cadwalader, of revolutionary memory, and has 
 lately proven himself worthy of his name and family. He acted a 
 conspicuous part in quelling the Philadelphia riots in Kensington 
 and Southwark, in the year 1844, and was appointed to the army 
 in Mexico, March 3d, 1847. 
 
 Soon after his arrival at the seat of war, a small party under 
 Colonel Mclntosh was attacked by a considerable Mexican force, 
 and experienced some loss. In a few days it was joined by Gene 
 ral Cadwalader with eight hundred men and two howitzers, and the 
 whole command advanced toward the National Bridge. On ap 
 proaching it, the general occupied some neighbouring heights, from 
 which the enemy had previously fired on a party under Captain 
 Bainbridge. Here he was attacked by a large Mexican force, sta 
 tioned on the ridges and in the chapparal, and a battle ensued which 
 lasted several hours. During this time several brilliant charges 
 were made, the enemy driven from their positions, and the bridge 
 successfully passed. The troops were then attacked by guerilla 
 bands stationed in the thickets along the road, and fired upon during 
 several miles of their march. The total loss of the Mexicans in 
 this affair was nearly one hundred ; General Cadwalader's about 
 fifty, of whom fifteen were killed. 
 
 In his report of Contreroj^General Smith uses the following 
 complimentary language of General Cadwalader, who contributed 
 materially to the fall of that stronghold. 
 
 " Brigadier-General Cadwalader [in the morning] brought his 
 corps up from his intricate bivouack in good order, formed the head 
 of his column to support Riley's, and led it forward in the most 
 (136) 
 
BRIGADIER. GENERAL GEORGE CADWALADER. 
 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL CADWALADER. 137 
 
 gallant style under the fire directed at the latter. The first brigade 
 was conducted by Major Dimick, who charged in line with it on 
 the enemy's left, driving before him the force formed there outside 
 of the works, and putting to rout a far superior force, displaying 
 the skill of the commander as well as the bravery of the soldier. 
 But the opportunity afforded by his position to Colonel Riley was 
 seized by that gallant veteran with all the skill and energy for which 
 he is distinguished. The charge of his noble brigade down the 
 slope, in full view of friend and foe, unchecked even for a moment, 
 until he had planted all his colours upon their farthest works, was a 
 spectacle that animated the army to the boldest deeds." 
 
 During the assault, General Cadwalader was stationed in rear of 
 the fort, to watch the movements of Santa Anna's cavalry ; and in 
 the pursuit of the enemy, subsequent to the victory, he exhibited in 
 defatigable courage and perseverance. His operations during the 
 remainder of the day are included with those of the generals already 
 noticed. 
 
 The following spirited account of Cadwalader's participation in 
 the storming of Molina del Rey, is from the pen of one in his divi 
 sion : 
 
 " General Worth's division was charged with this duty, as it was 
 not supposed that there would be any thing of a fight, and it would 
 not require more than that division to take the mill. However, 
 General Cadwalader's brigade of the third division, was brought 
 into the field as a supporting column, though it was not expected 
 that it would be necessary to bring it into the fight. Accordingly, 
 the troops marched from Tacubaya, about three o'clock A. M., on 
 the 8th of September, and daylight saw them drawn up in position 
 in front of what was afterwards ascertained to be an extensive forti 
 fication, or rather a series of fortifications, defended by ten thousand 
 of the picked troops of Mexico, with several pieces of artillery. 
 
 " General Worth's division, numbering some sixteen or eighteen 
 hundred men, was drawn up in a line, about a cannon shot's distance 
 from the fortification ; and General Cadwalader's brigade was in line 
 some distance in Worth's rear. The action commenced just as day 
 began to dawn, by a few shots from Captain Drum's battery, occu 
 py ing "a position on the right of Worth's division. This did not 
 continue long ; for soon the spectator could observe a movement on 
 the part of our troops, and directly an enthusiastic shout arose from 
 
138 BRIGADIER-GENERAL CADWALADER. 
 
 Worth's ranks, and they rushed on to the charge. But now the 
 Mexicans opened their batteries on our devoted troops, and ten thou 
 sand muskets rang their crashing accompaniment. Our men went 
 down by hundreds, and the plain was strewed with their dead and 
 mangled bodies. For a short time nothing could be heard but an 
 incessant roar of artillery and small arms ; and when the smoke 
 arose from the scene, the intensely excited spectator might have seen 
 our troops giving way before the dreadful fire of the enemy. It was 
 an awful moment, and calculated to send a thrill of horror through 
 an American heart. The gallant division of General Worth was 
 forced to give way. Could any troops stand such a fire ? The 4th, 
 6th, and 8th infantry, were compelled to retire before those murder 
 ous batteries. 
 
 " General Cadwalader, seeing the situation of affairs, moved his 
 brigade forward, to retrieve the fortunes of the day. The voltiguers, 
 the advance regiment, was sent off to the left, to protect Duncan's 
 light battery, which was playing on the mill, and to keep in check 
 a large force of the enemy, who then occupied a hill near the scene 
 of action. The duty was performed, and the enemy driven back 
 several times. The llth regiment was ordered to charge the bat 
 tery, and the 14th, the remaining regiment of the brigade, was held 
 in reserve. The llth had to charge over the same ground where 
 fell so many of our gallant troops, and every one looked for its an 
 nihilation. Their gallant leader, Lieutenant-Colonel Graham, sat on 
 his horse in the coolest manner, and gave his commands as collect 
 edly as when on a parade. They advance steadily ; but now the 
 enemy is vomiting his grape and canister upon them, and they leave 
 a train of dead and dying. Do they falter ? No their gallant com 
 mander is waving his sword, and they are now rushing forward in 
 full run. On, on they go ! But, see do they halt ? They do, 
 but it is for a moment. Do you hear that shout ? Comes it from 
 the Mexican ranks ? No no ; that is a true Pennsylvania shout, 
 and tells of danger defied, and glory to be won. There they go, 
 onward, right up to the enemy's guns. Huzza for the Old Key 
 stone ! The Mexicans are giving way before our gallant little band, 
 who are now dealing vengeance and death on the murderers of their 
 slaughtered countrymen. Lieutenant Tippin is the first to spring 
 into the fort ; he mounts one of the guns, and waves his sword for 
 his men to come on. But just then, an unexpected and terrible fire 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL CADWALADER. 139 
 
 salutes him from the top of the building, and he is compelled to re 
 tire, being grazed by several balls. And see the enemy are rally 
 ing again, and returning to the attack. Their success at the com 
 mencement of the action has given them courage. Will the llth, 
 that gallant band, be crushed now ? No ! They remain firm and 
 determined. Lieutenant Johnson has just fallen, mortally wounded ; 
 he expires while cheering his men on to victory. Captains Irvin 
 and Guthrie are badly wounded, and yet they are both on the field, 
 animating their respective commands, and leading them on to the 
 attack." 
 
 General Cadwalader entered the capital with his gallant associates 
 in arms, and is now with General Scott at the National Palace. 
 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL PIERCE. 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL FRANKLIN PIERCE was appointed to the army 
 March 3d, 1847. He reached the gulf coast soon after the capture 
 of Vera Cruz. His operations from that time until the conclusion 
 of General Scott's armistice with Santa Anna, are thus detailed by 
 himself in a letter to a friend. The letter, not bei^g intended for 
 publication, contains more personal history than it otherwise would. 
 
 " Since I left Vera Cruz, to this hour, I have had no means of 
 communicatingjvith the states. Although but a few months in the 
 service, I know what is fatigue, anxiety, and exposure. Contrary 
 to my expectations, and contrary to my orders from the department 
 at Washington, I was compelled, for the want of the requisite pro 
 visions for transportation, to remain for more than three weeks at 
 Vera Cruz, and more than four in Terra Caliente, (the vomito re 
 gion, as it is called.) I left the dreaded city on the 10th of July, 
 with two thousand five hundred men of all arms, and a train of wa 
 gons, which, when closed up, extended more than two miles. On 
 the 6th of August I reached Puebla, without the loss of a single 
 wagon, with my command in fine condition. My command was 
 attacked six times on the march, but the enemy's force in each in 
 stance was easily dispersed, with trifling loss on our side. The 
 National Bridge afforded the enemy great natural advantages, to 
 which they had added breastworks on a high bluff which command 
 ed the bridge perfectly. Across the main bridge they had also thrown 
 a barricade. I soon discovered that there was no way in which his 
 position could be turned, and that my artillery was ineffective from 
 the most commanding point where it could be placed. I determined, 
 of course, to cross under the plunging fire of the enemy's escopetas. 
 My order to advance was admirably executed. At the moment 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Bonham's battalion rushed forward with a shout, 
 
 (140) 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL PIERCE. 141 
 
 the enemy poured down a heavy fire, by which several of my men 
 were severely wounded. Colonel Bonham's horse was shot near 
 me, and a ball passed through the rim of my hat, in very disagree 
 able proximity to my face. Our men leaped the barricade, followed 
 by Captain Duperu's company of cavalry, and in less than ten mi 
 nutes the enemy were in flight in every direction, and the American 
 flag waved upon the high bluff which they had occupied. The 
 Mexican force, as they said afterwards, consisted of five hundred 
 men. Had they possessed courage and skill in the use of arms, our 
 loss must have been very great. You can hardly conceive the 
 strength of the natural defences of the road over which we passed. 
 Rumours came to me almost every night that we would be attacked 
 by large forces the next day, but they made nowhere any thing like 
 a brave and stern resistance. 
 
 " The official reports of the great battle of Mexico will probably 
 reach you as soon as this letter, and I shall therefore not attempt to 
 give the minute details. It was fierce and bloody beyond any thing 
 that has occurred in this war. The battle differed in many respects 
 from that at Buena Vista. There General Taylor received the 
 enemy in a strong position selected by himself. Our force on the 
 20th consisted of less than nine thousand men ; the Mexican force, 
 within supporting distance and engaged, undoubtedly exceeded 
 thirty thousand. We attacked him in position, upon ground of his 
 own selection, admirably fortified. You will distinguish, so far as 
 numbers are concerned, between the battle of the morning and that 
 of the afternoon, although spoken of in the official reports as one 
 engagement, under the designation of * the battle of Mexico.' We 
 took, during the day, thirty-five pieces of artillery, an immense 
 quantity of ammunition, eight hundred mules and horses, and more 
 than two thousand prisoners, among them eight generals and any 
 number of colonels. 
 
 " The Mexican loss in killed and wounded must have been im 
 mense. Our troops buried five hundred Mexicans upon the field 
 of battle, commenced in the morning at Contreros, and the loss in 
 the afternoon was much greater. Our loss has been heavy. With 
 this small army we could not afford to purchase many such victories 
 at such a price ; one of the regiments of my brigade (the 13th) lost 
 in killed and wounded one-third of its entire force. In killed and 
 wounded we number not less than one thousand, and among them 
 
142 BRIGADIER-GENERAL PIERCE. 
 
 I lament to say an unusual proportion of valuable officers. The 
 New England regiment suffered severely, and behaved throughout 
 in the most gallant manner. My horse, at full speed on the evening 
 of the 19th, when leading my brigade through a perfect shower of 
 round shot and shells, fell under me upon a ledge of rocks, by which 
 I sustained a severe injury by the shock and bruises, but especially 
 by a severe sprain in my left knee, which came under him. At 
 first I was not conscious of any serious injury, but soon became ex 
 ceedingly faint, when Dr. Ritchie, surgeon of the 12th, (a portion 
 of my command,) who was following the advancing columns closely, 
 overtook me, and administered to me as well as he could under the 
 circumstances. In a few moments I was able to walk with diffi 
 culty, and pressed forward to Captain McGruder's battery, where I 
 found the horse of poor gallant Lieutenant Johnson, who had just 
 received a mortal wound, of which he died that evening. I was 
 permitted to take him, (my own having been totally disabled,) was 
 helped into the saddle, and continued in it until eleven o'clock that 
 night. It was exceedingly dark, the rain poured in torrents, and, 
 being separated from my servants and baggage, I was without tent 
 or covering; add to this that, during the afternoon of the 19th, we 
 had gained no advantages over the enemy, who remained firmly 
 entrenched with seven thousand men opposed to about four thou 
 sand on our side, without the possibility of bringing our artillery to 
 bear, and you will readily conceive that our situation was not the 
 most agreeable. The morning of the 20th was, however, as bril 
 liant as the night of the 19th was dark and gloomy. Soon after 
 daylight the enemy's works were carried with the bayonet, and of 
 their seven thousand men, regular troops, under the command of 
 General Valencia, probably four thousand cannot be found to-day. 
 As we passed this field in pursuit of the fugitives, the scene was 
 awful ; the road and adjacent fields everywhere strewed with man 
 gled bodies of the dead and dying. We continued the pursuit until 
 one o'clock, when our front came up with the enemy's strong works 
 at Churubusco and San Antonio, where the great conflict of the 
 afternoon commenced. At San Angel, dispositions having been 
 made to attack in reverse the enemy's works on the San Augustin 
 road, General Scott ordered me to march my brigade, in concert 
 with that of the intrepid General Shields, across the open country 
 between Santa Catarina and the above-named road, in order to cut 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL PIERCE. 143 
 
 off the enemy's retreat. We gained the position sought, and, 
 although the enemy's line was perfectly formed, and extended as 
 far as the eye could reach in either direction, they were attacked 
 vigorously and successfully. Arriving at a ditch which it was im 
 possible for my horse to leap, I dismounted and hurried forward, 
 without thinking of my injury, at the head of my brigade, for two 
 or three hundred yards, when, turning suddenly upon my knee, the 
 cartilage of which had been seriously injured, I fainted and fell 
 upon the bank, in the direct range and within perfect reach of the 
 enemy's fire. That I escaped seems to me now providential. 
 The rout and overthrow of the whole Mexican force soon became 
 complete, and we could easily have taken the city ; but General 
 Scott was met with a proposition for an armistice, (after demanding 
 the surrender of the city,) with a view to open negotiations for 
 peace. 
 
 "In my judgment, the army, full of ardour and confidence, was 
 humanely and wisely restrained. Major-General duitman, General 
 Persifor F. Smith, and myself, were appointed commissioners to 
 meet the Mexican commissioners to settle the terms of the armistice. 
 I had not taken off my spurs or slept an hour for two nights in con 
 sequence of my engagements and the pain of my knee. I obeyed 
 the summons, was helped into my saddle, and rode two and a half 
 miles to Tacubaya, where the commission assembled at the house 
 of Mr. Mclntosh, the British consul-general. Our conference com 
 menced late in the afternoon, and at four o'clock the next morning 
 the articles were signed. 
 
 " That I was thoroughly exhausted you will readily imagine. I 
 slept an hour or two that morning at General Worth's quarters, and 
 my sprained knee, which was by far my most serious injury, has 
 been daily improving, and to-day I ride without much inconveni 
 ence. I have lost several dear friends, although our acquaintance 
 had been of short duration. I visited the hospital yesterday, and 
 saw officers and men with shots in all parts of their persons. Al 
 though all who were not really dying seemed cheerful, and many 
 who had lost limbs in high spirits, still I sickened at the sight. My 
 general health has been good. I have been either in my saddle or 
 on my feet every rod since 1 left Vera Cruz, which can be said by 
 few officers in my command ; for almost all were obliged, at some 
 
144 BRIGADIER-GENERAL PIERCE. 
 
 point of the inarch, in consequence of the change of climate, water, 
 exposure, &c., to avail themselves of the ambulance. Colonel 
 Watson, with his marine corps, accompanied me, and has been uni 
 formly well. He is an excellent agreeable gentleman and admira 
 ble officer, and I regret that, having been left with General Quit- 
 man's division at San Augustin, he had no opportunity to participate 
 in the battles of the 19th and 20th." 
 
 General Pierce was prevented by his wound from participating in 
 the events of September, and he is still an invalid at the Mexican 
 capital. 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL ROBERT PATTERSON. 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL PATTERSON. 
 
 MAJOR-GENERAL ROBERT PATTERSON was born January 12th, 
 1792, near Strabane, County Tyrone, Ireland. His father, one of 
 the actors in the rebellion of 1798, emigrated to this country on the 
 failure of that ill-starred enterprise, and settled in Delaware county, 
 Pennsylvania. At the age of fourteen, Robert entered the counting- 
 house of Edward Thompson, Esq., who was then the principal 
 American merchant engaged in the East India trade. In October, 
 1811, he removed with his father's family to Tennessee; but after 
 the declaration of war with Great Britain, he returned to Pennsyl 
 vania, obtained a lieutenancy in the army, and after serving for a 
 time on the staff of Brigadier-General Bloomfield, was commis 
 sioned captain (April 19th, 1814) in the 32d infantry. When his 
 company was disbanded in consequence of the termination of the 
 war, he embarked in mercantile pursuits, devoting his leisure hours 
 to the study of tactics, and to the discipline and improvement of the 
 volunteers of Philadelphia, with whom he retained his connection 
 till after his appointment as major-general in the United States' army, 
 July 7th, 1846. 
 
 The command of the troops called out to repress the disturbances 
 at Harrisburg in the winter of 1838-9, devolved on him as senior 
 major-general ; he was again employed to quell the riots in Phila 
 delphia. 
 
 During the action at Madeline river, General Patterson brought 
 up a reinforcement of Tennessee volunteers, but declined super 
 seding Colonel Harney, preferring to fight under that gallant officer, 
 rather than by assuming the command to deprive him of the credit 
 of one of the most brilliant affairs of the war. Posting his Tennes< 
 13 U * (145) 
 
146 MAJOR-GENERAL PATTERSON. 
 
 seeans, he ordered them to lie down, as they were then exposed to 
 a heavy fire from the enemy without the opportunity of returning 
 it effectively. The order was obeyed very reluctantly, and some of 
 the men, thinking that the prudence which protected them should 
 be extended to himself, called out: "Lie down yourself, general, 
 or they will knock you over presently." " No," said he, " my duty 
 calls me where I am, and yours is to remain where you are, until 
 required to expose yourself. The President can make generals, 
 but he cannot make soldiers." 
 
 General Scott, in his general orders subsequent to the battle of 
 Sierra Gordo, says : 
 
 " Major-General Patterson, rendered for the moment supernume 
 rary, with this army, will accompany the returning volunteers of his 
 late gallant division, and render them such assistance on the way 
 as he well knows how to give. * * * * This distinguished 
 general officer will please accept the thanks of the general-in-chief, 
 for the gallant, able, and efficient support uniformly received from 
 the second in rank in this army." 
 
 Speaking of this order, a correspondent says : 
 
 " He leaves us with the regrets of all. We saw him at Vera 
 Cruz, and witnessed, during the whole of that harassing siege and 
 severe cannonade, his thorough devotion to his duties. He was so 
 lame as to be compelled to wear crutches, and could not get up 
 the hills into our positions without aid. I have seen him in ex 
 posed positions again and again, leaning on his crutches, and ex 
 amining the enemy's movements, when the shells and round shot 
 were flying around him and passing over him in every direction. 
 At Sierra Gordo, when so ill that it was almost madness to think of 
 leaving his bed, he astonished his command by riding in among 
 them immediately previous to the attack, and was received by a 
 simultaneous shout, from three or four thousand voices, which must 
 have made the enemy shake. At that time he was so weak that 
 he could scarcely manage the animal he rode." 
 
 General Patterson was second in command on the Rio Grande, 
 immediately after the capture of Matamoras, and was entrusted with 
 the control of all the forces on the river during General Taylor's 
 march toward Monterey. He assisted at Vera Cruz, but was pre 
 vented from taking an active part at Sierra Gordo, in consequence 
 of severe sickness. During Scott's march to the capital, he has 
 
MAJOR-GENERAL PATTERSON. 147 
 
 been stationed at Vera Cruz, to keep in check the numerous guer 
 illa parties of that region. In connection with his services in this 
 respect a correspondent writes : 
 
 " In the afternoon of the same day, Father Ahrouta (or Jarauta), 
 who commands a guerilla party, and has become notorious by his 
 misdeeds on the road from Jalapa to Vera Cruz, sent in a flag of 
 truce by two of his officers, proposing to surrender as a prisoner of 
 war or join the American army, if General Patterson would guaranty 
 the safety of himself and followers, and their property. To this 
 General Patterson replied that he wanted to have no intercourse 
 with the guerilla priest, but would advise him to return to his 
 prayers, and send his band back to their honest employments, if 
 they had any, as no one would molest them then, while, if they 
 continued to infest the road, and he should catch any of them, he 
 would certainly hang them. 
 
 "The name of Pennsylvania operated on the general here like a 
 charm, and in a manner quite gratifying to us. Among the first 
 of his acts on arriving at the bridge, where the 13th regiment and 
 the Baltimore artillery battalion were stationed, was to inquire what 
 amount of provision the garrison had on hand. He was informed, 
 among other things, that Captain Diller had drawn twenty-five hun 
 dred rations for Colonel Wynkoop's regiment. 'What is that 
 for?' said the general, sternly 'send him to me.' Captain Dil 
 ler in a few minutes was before the general, who asked him why 
 he had drawn for so many rations. The latter replied, that he had 
 brought but five days' rations with him, as he expected to meet 
 General Patterson's train and obtain more. ' It cannot be done, 
 sir,' said General Patterson, ' you must return them/ ' But, gene 
 ral,' said Captain Diller, ' they are in the wagons, and I have given 
 my receipt for them.' ' I can't help thatj' was the stern reply, ' you 
 ought to have brought more with you.' ' But, general,' again said 
 Captain Diller, imploringly, ' remember the Pennsylvania boys have 
 seen hard service and fought nobly, it will not do to let them starve.' 
 ' Ah, yes,' rejoined the general, while his face relaxed into a bene 
 volent smile, and his eye sparkled with proud recollections, ' they 
 were with me at Vera Cruz and Sierra Gordo say no more, but 
 keep the rations and start back to the Plan with them the first thing 
 in the morning the Pennsylvania boys shall not starve !' 
 
 " On his arrival the next day at the Plan del Rio, General Patter- 
 
148 MAJOR-GENERAL PATTERSON. 
 
 son was received by the regiment with the utmost enthusiasm, and 
 the joy of the men at seeing him seemed to know no bounds. He 
 was much gratified by this demonstration, and appeared as happy 
 to see us as if we had each and all been of his own family and blood. 
 We left him at the Plan that day (the 5th), and started for this 
 place, where, as I have already said, we arrived yesterday, the 6th. 
 He reached here this afternoon, but the rear-guard of his immense 
 train will not be in until long after midnight."* 
 
 * General Patterson's command on the Rio Grande amounted to nearly 
 eleven thousand men, many of whom having been but recently mustered 
 into service, were destitute both of discipline and subordination. To this 
 difficulty was added the great number of sick, occasioned by the unhealthi- 
 ness of the climate, and the troops' own carelessness. By judicious man 
 agement, and an occasional resort to energetic measures, the general suc 
 ceeded in rendering his command fit for active service. 
 
 In December, 1846, orders were issued to the army to prepare for a de 
 scent upon Tampico. One part of General Patterson's force was sent to 
 General Taylor, another down the Rio Grande, and the remainder under 
 his own direction, crossed the country from Matamoras, by way of Victoria, 
 a distance of about two hundred miles. Notwithstanding many obstacles 
 to this march, the head of the column entered Victoria simultaneously 
 with that of General Taylor from Monterey. From this place General 
 Patterson was ordered to Tampico, where he met General Scott, and pro 
 ceeded with him to Vera Cruz. 
 
 In October, 1847, the general commenced his march for the capital of 
 Mexico, where he arrived about the latter end of November. 
 

 COLONEL HARNEY. 
 
 FOR intrepidity, perseverance, and impetuosity in battle, no man 
 in the American army is superior to Colonel Harney. His dragoon- 
 fight at Vera Cruz, his charge at Sierra Gordo, and his recent heroic 
 actions before the capital, have rarely been surpassed, and have 
 won for him a reputation as brilliant as it is just. 
 
 The colonel's personal appearance is thus described by one who 
 visited him during his present journey through the United States : 
 
 " Our attention was next arrested by seeing a man of towering 
 height and gigantic frame, with a chest like that of Hercules and 
 an eye like that of Mars. He was, indeed, to use the language of 
 Hamlet, made * to threaten and command.' With a smile upon his 
 lips and a sparkle of pleasure in his light blue eyes, he stood the 
 * observed of all observers.' He was the gallant Colonel Harney 
 one of the most accomplished and heroic soldiers in the army to 
 whom has been so generally assigned the chief glory of the great 
 victory of Sierra Gordo." 
 
 Colonel William S. Harney was born in Louisiana, and received 
 his first appointment as 2d lieutenant 1st infantry February 13th, 
 1818. He was brevetted colonel December 7th, 1840, and raised 
 to full colonel June 30th, 1846. He served with great credit in the 
 Seminole wars, and when the present war with Mexico opened, 
 joined Wool's Division of the Centre, and was included among the 
 troops despatched for the Gulf coast. His famous dragoon-right, 
 during the bombardment of Vera Cruz, is thus described by a cor 
 respondent : 
 
 "Information was received in camp this morning that a body ot 
 Mexicans were hanging on our rear, intending to force the lines if 
 possible, and make their way into the city with a number of cattle, 
 13* (149) 
 
150 COLONEL HARNEY. 
 
 Colonel Harney, with one hundred and twenty dragoons, was or 
 dered out to search them, and report his observations. He dis 
 covered them, about two thousand in number, intrenched at a bridge, 
 and supported by two pieces of artillery, three miles from General 
 Patterson's head-quarters. Colonel Harney started on his return, 
 intending to prepare properly and attack them the next morning. 
 But the gallant old soldier, knowing that delays are dangerous, 
 could not bear the idea of leaving the enemy after having come in 
 sight of them, without having a brush. Accordingly, he returned 
 to the place, took a position where he could watch their movements, 
 and keep his men secure from the enemy's fire. The Mexicans 
 commenced firing at him, and threw a perfect shower of balls all 
 around him, but without injury. Colonel Harney then despatched 
 a messenger to camp for a small reinforcement, and some artillery to 
 break the breastworks. He was reinforced from General Patter 
 son's division, by Lieutenant Judd, with two pieces of artillery, 
 about sixty dragoons, dismounted, and six companies of the 1st and 
 2d Tennessee volunteers, under the command of Colonel Haskell, 
 accompanied by General Patterson in person, although he did not 
 take the command from Colonel Harney, but merely participated 
 as any other individual who was engaged. 
 
 "Colonel Harney then formed the Tennesseeans on the right, his 
 dragoons on the left, and advanced slowly, to draw the fire of the 
 Mexicans, until Lieutenant Judd got his artillery in such a position 
 as he desired. The movement succeeded admirably : Lieutenant 
 Judd got his ground within one hundred and fifty yards of the Mexi 
 cans, and commenced firing they attempted to return it, but as 
 soon as a slight breach was made in the parapet, Colonel Harney 
 ordered a charge, which was answered by a yell from the dragoons 
 and Tennesseeans. Colonel Haskell, Captain Cheatham, and Cap 
 tain Foster were the first men to leap over the breastwork, and, as 
 a naval officer remarked, who witnessed the whole affair, the balance 
 went over so much like a thousand of brick,' that there was no 
 telling who was first or last. As might have been expected, the 
 Mexicans were unable to stand a charge from ' Ae boys who stood 
 the fire of the Black Fort at Monterey.' A few of the incumbrances 
 were soon thrown out of the way, and Colonel Harney, with his 
 dragoons, leaped the breastwork and gave chase. 
 
 " He had not proceeded more than a mile before he found the 
 
COLONEL HARNEY. 151 
 
 enemy formed in line to receive him. Fie immediately deployed, 
 and from the head of the line ordered a charge. When he ap 
 proached within about twenty yards of the enemy's line, they gave 
 him a fire from their side-arms, but overshot. Then came the test 
 of strength and skill the dragoon, with sword in hand, met the 
 confiding lancer, with pointed lance, ready to receive him. The 
 contest was but for a short time. In many instances, lances were 
 twisted from their clenched hold ; the Mexicans were unsaddled, 
 and driven helter-skelter in every direction, and pursued by the dra 
 goons in detachments. 
 
 " Colonel Harney and several of his officers met their men in 
 single combat, but none of them received any injury except Lieu 
 tenant Neill, adjutant of the regiment, who was wounded severely 
 in two places, from his magnanimity in attempting to capture a 
 Mexican instead of killing him. In full run he overtook the re 
 treating Mexican, and placing his sword in front of him, commanded 
 him to surrender ; whereupon the Mexican drove his lance into his 
 magnanimous adversary. As the lieutenant wheeled his horse to 
 despatch him, another Mexican charged up and struck him with a 
 lance. However, severely wounded as he was, in two places, he 
 conquered one of his foes, and a corporal came up in time to ' settle 
 accounts' with the other. 
 
 "The Mexican force was near two thousand ; Colonel Harney's 
 about five hundred." 
 
 In the march from Vera Cruz to Sierra Gordo, Colonel Harney 
 performed excellent service as a scout, and advance guard ; and his 
 brilliant storming of the main work at Sierra Gordo elicited the 
 warmest commendation from the commander-in-chief, even on the 
 battle-field. The annexed description of this affair is from the pen 
 of an eye-witness : 
 
 " The storming and capture of the strong works on Sierra Gordo, 
 by the brigade under Colonel Harney, may be looked upon as one 
 of the most brilliant achievements of the Mexican war the fate of 
 the battle turned upon it, and here the enemy had placed an over 
 whelming force of his best troops. The hill was steep, and naturally 
 difficult of ascent ; but independent of this, the ground was covered 
 with loose, craggy rocks, an undergrowth of tangled chapparai, be 
 sides many small trees, the tops of which were cut off some four or 
 five fet from the ground, and turned down the hill, to impede the 
 
152 COLONEL HARNEY. 
 
 progress of the stormers. To climb the height at all, even without 
 arms of any kind, would be an undertaking that few would care 
 about essaying ; what then must it have been to men encumbered 
 with muskets and cartridge-boxes, and obliged to dispute every step 
 of the precipitous and rugged ascent ? Murderous showers of grape 
 and canister greeted our men at the onset, and as they toiled unfal 
 tering through a tempest of iron hail, a heavy fire of musketry 
 opened upon them. Not a man quailed with loud shouts they still 
 pressed upward and onward. At every step our ranks were thinned ; 
 but forward went the survivors. When within good musket range, 
 but not until then, was the fire of the enemy returned, and then 
 commenced the dreadful carnage of strife. The Mexicans held to 
 their guns with more than their usual bravery, but nothing could 
 resist the fierce onset of the stormers. Over the breastworks, with 
 which the Mexicans had surrounded the crest of the hill, they 
 charged, and shouting, attacked the enemy in their very stronghold. 
 The latter now fled, panic-stricken, but still they were pursued ; and 
 it was not until the affrighted fugitives had reached a point without 
 the extreme range of their own cannon, which had been turned 
 upon them at the onset, that they ceased in their flight. The na 
 tional colours of our country now supplanted the banner of the 
 enemy ; the different regimental flags were also planted on the crest ; 
 and shouts louder than ever from the victors rose upon the air, strik 
 ing terror into the very hearts of the enemy in the works still un- 
 taken, for they knew that their strong positions had been turned, and 
 that they were at the mercy of the men they had scoffed at in the 
 morning. Never was victory more complete, although purchased 
 with the blood of some of our best men. Lieutenant Ewell, of the 
 rifles, was among the first within the enemy's breastworks, and it 
 was here that he received his death wound. The interior of the 
 work was covered with the dead of the enemy, among them General 
 Vasquez, Colonel Palacio, and many of their officers, while the 
 hill-side down which they fled was strewn as well. Near two hun 
 dred men were left dead, while the wounded would swell the number 
 to at least five hundred some even put it down as high as seven 
 hundred." 
 
 In all the subsequent operations of the war Colonel Harney has 
 been most usefully employed. We give extracts from his report 
 of his duties in August: 
 
 "The cavalry force being necessarily weakened by Detachments 
 
COLONEL HARNEY. 153 
 
 to the different divisions of the army, I found myself on the morning 
 of the 19th instant in the immediate command of nine companies 
 only, consisting of six companies of the 2d dragoons, one company 
 of mounted riflemen, and two companies of mounted volunteers. 
 With this force I was ordered by the general-in-chief to report to 
 Brigadier-General Twiggs, who was at this time covering Major- 
 General Pillow's division in an effort to make a road through the 
 ridge of lava which forms the pass of San Antonio. Owing to the 
 nature of the ground I was compelled to halt within range of the 
 enemy's shells, and to remain in this position for several hours an 
 idle spectator of the action which ensued. After night I returned 
 with my command to San Augustin, and remained there until the 
 enemy's position at Contreros was carried on the morning of the 
 20th. 
 
 " As soon as the road was ascertained to be opened and practica 
 ble for cavalry, I was directed by the general-in-chief to proceed 
 with two squadrons and Captain McKinstry's company of volun 
 teers to the field of battle, and to take charge of the prisoners that 
 had been captured. While in the execution of this order, I received 
 instructions from the general-in-chief to leave one squadron in charge 
 of the prisoners, and to report to him in person with the other three 
 companies. Captain Blake, with his squadron, was directed to per 
 form this duty ; while Major Sumner and myself, with Captain 
 Ker's squadron, and Captain McKinstry's company of volunteers, 
 joined the commanding general near the field of Churubusco, just 
 after the engagement at that place had commenced. * * * * 
 
 "The three troops of horse brought by me on the field, being or 
 dered away in different directions, Major Sumner and myself soon 
 found ourselves without commands. I then employed myself with 
 my staff in rallying fugitives and encouraging our troops on the left 
 of the main road. Major Sumner, towards the close of the engage 
 ment, was placed by the general-in-chief in charge of the last reserve, 
 consisting of the rifle regiment and one company of horse, and or 
 dered to support the left. This force was moving rapidly to take its 
 position in line of battle, when the enemy broke and fled to the city. 
 At this moment, perceiving that the enemy were retreating in disor 
 der on one of the main causeways leading to the city of Mexico, I 
 collected all the cavalry within my reach, consisting of parts of Cap 
 tain Ker's company 2d dragoons, Captain Kearney's company 1st 
 
154 COLONEL HARNEY. 
 
 dragoons, and Captains McReynolds' and Duperu's companies of 
 the 3d dragoons, and pursued them vigorously until we were halted 
 by the discharge of the batteries at their gate. Many of the enemy 
 were overtaken in the pursuit, and cut down by our sabres. I can 
 not speak in terms too complimentary of the manner in which this 
 charge was executed. My only difficulty was in restraining the 
 impetuosity of my men and officers, who seemed to vie with 
 each other to be foremost in the pursuit. Captain Kearney gal 
 lantly led his squadron into the very entrenchments of the enemy, 
 and had the misfortune to lose an arm from a grape-shot fired from 
 a gun at one of the main gates of the capital. Captain McReynolds 
 and Lieutenant Graham were also wounded, and Lieutenant Ewell 
 had two horses shot under him. ***** 
 
 " In conclusion, I beg leave to state that the dragoons, from the 
 commencement of the march from Puebla, have been engaged on 
 the most active and laborious service. These duties have been the 
 more arduous in consequence of the small force of cavalry, compared 
 with the other arms of service. Small parties being constantly en 
 gaged in reconnoitring and on picket guards, the utmost vigilance 
 and precaution have been required to prevent surprise and disaster. 
 The gallant Captain Thornton, while reconnoitring the enemy near 
 San Antonio on the 18th instant, was shot through the body by a 
 cannon shot, and instantly killed. His death is much to be regretted. 
 On the 20th, although I had but four companies of my brigade with 
 me on the field, the remainder were actively employed in the per 
 formance of important and indispensable duties. Captain Hardee, 
 while watching the enemy with his company near San Augustin, 
 was attacked by a band of guerillas ; but the enemy was promptly 
 and handsomely repulsed, and a number of their horses, with arms 
 and accoutrements, captured." 
 
 After the capture of the Mexican capital, Colonel Harney return 
 ed to the United States, where he still remains [January, 1848.] 
 
COLONEL CHILDS. 
 

 ihnr'f- :hi~-i'> biL-jsucrll &no d)iw fe^ilfi eicjif] 5 
 
 COLONEL CHILDS. 
 
 COLONEL THOMAS CHILDS is a native of Massachusetts. He en 
 tered the army as 3d lieutenant, March llth, 1814; was brevetted 
 colonel, May 9th, 1846 ; raised to the full rank of major, February 
 16th, 1847 ; and soon after raised to his present rank. He greatly 
 distinguished himself at Palo Alto, and on the following day ; and 
 at Monterey he led one of the storming parties in General Worth's 
 division. The general mentions him in his official report with high 
 approbation ; and he was at the same time recommended by General 
 Taylor to the favourable consideration of the department. He fought 
 side by side at Sierra Gordo with the intrepid Harney, and like him 
 received the highest commendations of the commander-in-chief. 
 After the capture of Jalapa, he was appointed military commander 
 of that place ; and, in about a month after, military governor of 
 Puebla. During the absence of the main army from that place, he 
 was attacked, [September 13th, 1847,] by a large Mexican force, 
 and a siege commenced, which lasted nearly a month, conducted 
 part of the time by Santa Anna himself. The colonel gives a mi 
 nute account of these transactions in his official report, [dated Octo 
 ber 13th,] portions of which are subjoined : 
 
 " I have the honour to report that, after twenty-eight days close 
 investment, the enemy yesterday [October 12th] raised the siege 
 and left for Atlixco. 
 
 " I will avail myself of this opportunity to submit to the general- 
 in-chief a brief account of the operations of the troops at this point, 
 from the period of my assuming command to the termination of the 
 siege and the arrival of Brigadier-General Lane with reinforce 
 ments. 
 
 " On entering upon my duties as civil and military governor I found 
 myself in command of Captain Ford's company of cavalry, forty- 
 
 (155) 
 
156 COLONEL CHILDS. 
 
 six strong ; Captains Kendrick's and Miller's companies of artillery, 
 numbering one hundred ; together with six companies of the 1st 
 Pennsylvania volunteers, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Black 
 his total effective strength being two hundred and forty-seven 
 and hospitals filled with one thousand eight hundred sick. 
 
 " With this command, San Jose, the grand depot in this city, 
 Loreto, and Guadalupe were to be garrisoned, and held against the 
 combined efforts of the military and populace. 
 
 " The isolated position selected for the hospitals compelled me to 
 remove them within the protection of San Jose on the first demon 
 stration of hostility. This was not long in exhibiting itself, when I 
 put myself, with such means as I had at my disposal, in the best 
 possible state for defence, confining my efforts to the square imme 
 diately around San Jose ; and from these points the enemy, during 
 the entire siege, were not able to force in (but for a single moment) 
 a sentinel. 
 
 " No open acts of hostility, other than the murdering of straggling 
 soldiers, occurred until the night of the 13th of September, when a 
 fire was opened from some of the streets. On the night of the 14th 
 it recommenced, and from every street, with a violence that knew 
 of no cessation, for twenty-eight days and nights. 
 
 "The enemy, with their numerous cavalry, succeeded in cutting 
 off at once every kind of supply, and vainly attempted to change 
 the current of the stream of water, that we might become a more 
 easy prey. The night, however, before the cattle and sheep disap 
 peared from this vicinity, two well-directed parties obtained thirty 
 of the former and four hundred of the latter. 
 
 " The various points to be defended for the preservation of San 
 Jose, on which the safety of the other posts depended, demanded 
 the untiring vigilance of every officer and man. 
 
 " The enemy augmented in numbers daily, and daily the firing 
 was increased ; and finally, on the 22d of September, General Santa 
 Anna arrived with large reinforcements from Mexico, much to the 
 delight of the besiegers, on which occasion a general ringing of 
 bells took place, and was only stopped, as it had been several times 
 before, by a discharge of shells and round-shot from Loreto into the 
 heart of the city. 
 
 " On the 25th of September, General Santa Anna demanded my 
 surrender. 
 
COLONEL CH1LDS. 157 
 
 " So soon as I had despatched my answer, I supposed not a mo 
 ment would be lost by the general, who was to attack me at all 
 points with his eight thousand troops. I rode to the different posts, 
 and announced to the troops the demand, the force with which it 
 was backed, and my reply. Their response convinced me that all 
 was safe ; that a hard and bloody battle must be fought ere the great 
 captain of Mexico could overcome my little band. 
 
 " The point of attack was San Jose, commanded by Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Black, with Captain Ford's company of cavalry, Cap 
 tain Miller's company of 4th artillery, and four companies of his 
 own regiment, and one hospital, the guard of which was in com 
 mand of Captain Rowe, of the 9th regiment of infantry. 
 
 "A shower of bullets was constantly poured from the streets, the 
 balconies, the house-tops, and churches, upon their devoted heads. 
 Never did troops endure more fatigue by watching night after night, 
 for more than thirty successive nights, nor exhibit more patience, 
 spirit, and gallantry. Not a post of danger could present itself, but 
 the gallant fellows were ready to fill it ; not a sentinel could be shot, 
 but another was anxious and ready to take his place. Officers and 
 soldiers vied with each other to be honoured martyrs in their country's 
 cause. This is the general character of the troops I had the honour 
 to command, and I was confident the crown of victory would perch 
 upon their standard w r hen the last great effort should be made. 
 Their bold and determined front deprived them of what they anx 
 iously desired. 
 
 " On the 30th ultimo, General Santa Anna had established his 
 battery bearing upon San Jose, and opened with much spirit. 
 Having anticipated this movement, I had thrown up a traverse on 
 the plaza, and withdrawn a twelve-pounder from Loreto, by which 
 means I was enabled to answer his shot. Towards night his bat 
 tery ceased, and on the next morning was withdrawn, together with 
 from three to four thousand of the besieging force, to meet the rein 
 forcements then daily expected at PinaL 
 
 " On the 2d instant, I availed myself of some reduction of the 
 enemy's numbers to make a sortie against certain barricades and 
 buildings, whose fire had become very annoying. One of the ex 
 peditions was confided to Captain Small, of the 1st Pennsylvania 
 volunteers. Passing through the walls of an entire square with 
 fifty men^he gained a position opposite the barricade, and drove the 
 14 V 
 
158 COLONEL CHILDS. 
 
 enemy with great loss, they leaving seventeen dead on the ground. 
 The barricade, consisting of one hundred and fifty bales of cotton, 
 was consumed. In this affair Captain Small and his command be 
 haved with great gallantry, and for twenty-four hours were unceas 
 ing in their labours in accomplishing the object, when I sent Lieu 
 tenant Laidley, of the ordnance corps, to blow up a prominent 
 building, which was done by that excellent officer in good style, 
 when the entire party was withdrawn, with few wounded. 
 
 "At the same time, Lieutenant Morgan, of the 14th regiment, 
 with a detachment of marines, and Lieutenant Merrifield, of the 
 15th regiment, with a detachment of rifles, attempted to gain pos 
 session of certain buildings from which we were receiving a most 
 galling fire. Lieutenant Merrifield entered the buildings ; Lieu 
 tenant Morgan was not so fortunate. The enemy being present in 
 great force, I directed him to fall back, with the loss of one man 
 killed. On the 5th instant, Captain Herron was detached with his 
 company to take possession of a building from which the enemy 
 had been enfilading the plaza. This he did in a very handsome 
 manner, and to my entire satisfaction, with only a few men wounded. 
 
 "Other minor acts of gallantry and good conduct were exhibited 
 by officers and men at San Jose, and from Guadalupe one or two 
 successful sorties were made upon the enemy when engaged in 
 their daily attacks on San Jose. 
 
 " From Lieutenant-Colonel Black, the immediate commander of 
 San Jose, and his officers, I have received the most cordial support. 
 Colonel Black, for more than thirty days, was untiring in his efforts 
 and zeal for the safety of that point. Officers and men were at 
 their posts night and day, without regarding the pelting storm ; and 
 I cannot say too much in praise of the gallant colonel, his officers 
 and men, before and during the siege." 
 
 Immediately after this gallant defence, General Lane arrived at 
 Puebla ; but ascertaining that Santa Anna had retired to Atlixco, he 
 pushed forward for that place, leaving Colonel Childs still in com 
 mand of the post he had so ably defended. 
 
GENERAL GUSHING. 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL CALEB GUSHING is a native of Newburyport, 
 in the commonwealth of Massachusetts. He was educated at Har 
 vard University, where he graduated in the year 1817 with 
 very distinguished honours. He afterwards became a tutor in the 
 University, and was elected a member of the American Academy 
 of Arts and Sciences. During his connection with the University 
 he was one of the ablest of the contributors to the North American 
 Review. Abandoning these purely literary pursuits, he studied 
 law, and practised in his native town till the year 1835, when he 
 was elected a member of Congress from his native district, on the 
 Whig ticket. He continued to be a member of the House of Rep 
 resentatives until the year 1843, when he was sent on the mission 
 to China by President Tyler. 
 
 After his return he remained retired from public life until April 
 14th, 1847, when he was appointed brigadier-general in the army. 
 He joined General Taylor during the summer, but was afterwards 
 ordered to Vera Cruz. A number of important duties detained him 
 at this place until after the capture of the Mexican capital, thus pre 
 venting him from participating in the toils and dangers of our 
 army. His prompt discharge of every known duty, and his ami 
 ability as an officer and companion, have endeared him to all those 
 with whom the fortune of war has placed him. 
 
 (159) 
 
COLONEL EILEY. 
 
 COLONEL BENNET RILEY is a native of Maryland, and served 
 with distinction in the war of 1812. From the post of ensign of 
 riflemen, to which he was appointed January 19th, 1813, he has 
 risen by regular gradation to his present rank. At Contreros he led 
 the assailing party on both days, and finally carried the work with 
 the bayonet, in a style which has rarely been surpassed. During 
 the whole of those eventful days, his brigade endured hardships, 
 and performed actions, worthy of a place beside the wildest re 
 cords of chivalry. General Smith thus speaks of it : 
 
 "The opportunity afforded to Colonel Riley by his position 
 was seized by that gallant veteran with all the skill and energy 
 for which he is distinguished. The charge of his noble brigade 
 down the slope, in full view of friend and foe, unchecked even 
 for a moment, until he had planted all his colours upon their 
 farthest works, was a spectacle that animated the army to the bold 
 est deeds." 
 
 Similar was the conduct of Colonel Riley in the battle along 
 the aqueducts leading to the capital. He stormed some of the 
 enemy's positions, and on the night of December 13th had arrived 
 before the principal gate. He entered Mexico next morning, in 
 company with the commander-in-chief, and still remains at the head 
 of his troops in the capital. 
 
 (160) 
 
COLONEL BUTLER. 
 
 PIERCE M. BUTLER was colonel of the South Carolina regiment 
 rf volunteers, and highly distinguished himself in the battles of the 
 19th and 20th of August. He had left a sick-bed to share the 
 dangers of battle, and although twice wounded, he continued in the 
 saddle, animating his men, until struck down before Churubusco. 
 When his fall was announced in his native state, it caused sensa 
 tions of the deepest sorrow ; friends who knew his worth mourned 
 for him as for a brother, and strangers, acquainted with him only by 
 reputation, felt that a great and good man had been taken from 
 among them. General Shields thus announces his death to the 
 commander-in-chief : 
 
 " The noble and gallant colonel of the South Carolina regiment, 
 P. M. Butler, had risen from his sick-bed to share the hardships 
 of the field, and the dangers of the combat, with his devoted regi 
 ment. He survived the conflict of the morning to lead his command 
 where victory again awaited it. Although wounded himself, and 
 having lost his horse, shot under him, he still continued to press 
 onward near the colours of his regiment, until the fatal ball termi 
 nated his life. 
 
 " A gallant soldier in his youth, he has won in his death upon the 
 field of battle, fame for himself and his regiment, and added another 
 name to the roll of Carolina's departed heroes." 
 
 The New Orleans Delta has the following remarks upon the 
 colonel's death : 
 
 " The death of this gallant South Carolinian, the representative 
 on the bloody field of Churubusco of as noble a race of heroes as 
 any country has produced, will create a profound and extended 
 sorrow in this country. He has been for a long time a conspicuous 
 and prominent citizen of South Carolina, and was noted for his great 
 14* (161) 
 
162 COLONEL BUTLER. 
 
 resolution and indomitable courage. He possessed military quali 
 ties of the highest order, and gave promise of great success and dis 
 tinction in a career which, alas ! terminated at its very commence 
 ment. Colonel Butler had been very ill for several days previous 
 to the battle, but when he heard that the Palmetto flag was going 
 into the fight, unaccompanied by him to whose special charge it had 
 been committed, he broke loose from his physicians, abandoned his 
 sick couch, and, weak, ghastly, and almost fainting, mounted his 
 charger, and placed himself at the head of his regiment. With such 
 an example, men far less ardent and gallant than the South Caroli 
 nians would have been prompted to deeds of superhuman daring. 
 But there was no such incitement necessary to impel the sons of the 
 Harry Hotspur of the Union,' as Prentiss once styled the gallant 
 Palmetto State, to the most brilliant and conspicuous display of mili 
 tary qualities. Colonel Butler, though twice badly wounded, and 
 weighed down by faintness and loss of blood, maintained his position 
 until a third wound caused his death." 
 
 "We lay before our readers," says the Charleston Mercury, "the 
 following interesting correspondence. Its perusal cannot fail to 
 heighten our admiration of the character, and endear more strongly 
 the memory, of that gallant spirit whose heroic aspirations are now 
 quenched in the grave. Though doomed himself, with his brave 
 command, as was supposed, to inglorious inaction, and gloomy and 
 chafed from the disappointment, Colonel Butler could appreciate 
 the yearnings of a brother soldier for a closer participation in the 
 coming fray 'to be nearer the flashing of the guns' and lend his 
 friendly aid to secure their gratification. The letter of General 
 Worth is as honourable to himself as to the memory of the gallant 
 Butler. Kindred spirits ! they could appreciate each other ; and 
 gracefully has the survivor wreathed the laurel and cypress over 
 the grave of his friend. A soldier needs no nobler eulogist. 
 
 Letter from Major-General Worth to Hon. A. Butler, [dated 
 Tacubaya, Mexico, August 26th, 1847.] 
 
 " SIR : I trust a cordial intimacy and friendship of twenty-five 
 years with your late brother, the gallant Colonel Butler, will excuse 
 the trespass of a stranger. Your brother fell most gloriously in the 
 great battle of the 20th, before the gates of Mexico. In that bloody 
 conflict, no man gave higher evidence of valour and patriotism, or 
 
COLONEL BUTLER. 163 
 
 exhibited a brighter example. He fell when it was God's will, 
 precisely as he would have desired to die. His body rests here ; 
 his memory in the hearts of his countrymen ; his spirit, bright and 
 pure as his blade, with his God. 
 
 " The enclosed letter, written the day before the battle, I did not 
 receive until the day after, through the hands of Dickinson ; and it 
 is not because of the kind things said by a friend's partiality, but 
 because it is probably the last letter he penned, that I send it to 
 you ; begging that at some future day it may be returned to me, to 
 be preserved and cherished. 
 
 " The gallant Palmettos, who showed themselves worthy of their 
 state and country, lost nearly one half. This victory will carry joy 
 and sorrow into half the families of South Carolina. Colonel Dick 
 inson is getting on well, and will, it is hoped, save his leg. An 
 armistice is concluded, and commissioners meet to-morrow to treat 
 of peace. God speed them. 
 
 Letter from Colonel Butler to General Worth, [dated San Augus- 
 tin, August 19th, 1847.] 
 
 " DEAR GENERAL : We are here in tribulation ; I can but hope, 
 however, it is but temporary. It is ordered that this division remain 
 as protection to the train. There is gloom on us all : while I am 
 one who believes there will be fighting enough for all. -The moral 
 effect is withering. The regiment, though weak in numbers, is up 
 to the full point, and I trust South Carolina may have a place in the 
 picture. 
 
 " We have been watching you and your division for the last two 
 days with fraternal affection; but the entire voice of the army, 
 where I have been, or heard, is unbounded confidence in ' Worth.' 
 So mote it be.' But I have strayed from the principal point or 
 purpose of my note, which is to say, our friend, Colonel Dickinson, 
 more impatient, and not so long a soldier as myself, desires a place 
 nearer the flashing of the guns ; and with good taste, wishes to get 
 near you. If you can make him useful, he will feel much gratified. 
 I am aware you are surrounded by a talented staff, but a little more 
 of a good thing will render it not the less complete or effectual." 
 
MAJOK VINTON. 
 
 THE son of a lady of uncommon powers of mind, joined with 
 great worth and influence of character, the elder of four brothers, 
 now distinguished in the church and the army, Vinton was a boy of 
 unusual promise at school, and was celebrated at West Point, where 
 his instructors, in letters written at the time, pronounced him " un 
 rivalled" in genius, acquirements, and high tone of moral character. 
 He received a commission when scarcely seventeen, was employed 
 for several years on topographical duty on the Atlantic coast and 
 the Canada line, and yet was so good a tactician, that at an early 
 age he was appointed by General Eustis adjutant at the school of 
 practice, and gave entire satisfaction, in that arduous office, to a fas 
 tidious commander. While residing at Washington, as aid to Ge 
 neral Brown, he was employed by the government in several duties 
 of a special nature, and certain papers which he prepared were so 
 generally admired in Congress, that in a leading speech in favour 
 of the Military Academy, Lieutenant Vinton was referred to as an 
 instance of the kind of men the system of that institution could 
 produce. 
 
 By pursuing a course of rigid self-denial and discipline, he 
 was able to perform labours in various departments of art and science, 
 in such a manner as to command the respect of men to whom those 
 pursuits were professional. The works of his pencil are received 
 among artists ; his correspondence upon astronomical subjects was 
 valued by men of science ; his general scholarship procured him a 
 degree of Master of Arts in a leading university ; his edition of the 
 work on military tactics was highly satisfactory to the government 
 and the general-in-chief ; and in the second volume of Mr. Sumner's 
 Reports, the lawyer will find an argument prepared by him in a case 
 in which he was personally interested, depending before Judge 
 (164) 
 
HIS ACQUIREMENTS. 165 
 
 Story, to which that judge paid the best compliment of following, in 
 his decision, the same course of reasoning pursued in the argument. 
 
 His letters show him to have been as remarkable for the sound 
 ness* of his views as for his acquisitions. With reference to several 
 political and theological subjects of those times, they show us how 
 a thoughtful man, removed from the strife of parties and the whirl 
 of events, may take the same views at which the actors come to 
 after the retrospection of years. 
 
 But that which most interests us in his character, is the tender 
 ness and depth of his affections. He had married a lady of distin 
 guished merit and beauty, who died early, leaving three children, 
 two daughters and a son, who now survive both their parents. In 
 his relations as a father, a husband, a son, and a brother, he was 
 sensitive to every impression, and gave and received exquisite plea 
 sure in the interchanges of affection and esteem. In one letter we 
 find an earnest plea for the paternal affection, in answer to a sug 
 gestion that it might interfere with the love and duty we owe to the 
 Most High. He speaks from the heart, and will not permit the na 
 tural affections to be severed from religion, and set over against the 
 love of God. 
 
 While in Florida, in the prosecution of the war, his mind came 
 under the influence of religion far more than ever before. His 
 whole soul was warmed into a new life, and for a while, like the 
 bewildered apostles, he seemed to " stand, gazing up into heaven." 
 His journal and letters during this period are of the most intensely 
 interesting character. Nothing, in the famed life of Martyn, more 
 touches the heart, than the humility, self-accusation, and child 
 like devotedness of this high-minded, heroic man. At a secluded 
 post, in the midst of the interminable pine forests, the solitude and 
 silence of which he describes as awful and almost oppressive, far 
 from his family and friends, his mind and affections ripened into the 
 highest state of Christian experience and discipline. He then 
 turned his thoughts, or rather, they were turned for him, towards 
 the office of the Christian ministry. His letters are full of doubts, 
 hopes, and plannings for taking holy orders. He fears that his 
 health will not enable him to follow a sedentary life ; he doubts his 
 fitness ; fears that selfish motives, the prospect of bemg with his 
 family and friends, may combine with others ; and examines him 
 self in the most thorough and humble manner. He cannot honour 
 
 V* 
 
166 MAJOR VINTON. 
 
 ably quit the army then in the field, and the prospect of retiring 
 from it was somewhat distant. His pecuniary affairs, too, were 
 hardly such as to warrant him in yielding up all income for three 
 or four years ; and the banks in which his property was invested 
 were embarrassed and in danger. Then, too, he doubts if he is not 
 too old to begin the study of a new profession ; but modestly consi 
 ders his acquirements in the languages, and avers that he aims at 
 no distinction as a scholar or a preacher, but only at that degree of 
 fitness which the rules of the Church require, to enable him to do 
 his work in some humble part of the vineyard. To lose no time, 
 he sends for books, and in his tent and in the forest, he pores over 
 the Greek and Hebrew, the commentators and sermonizers, and de 
 voutly uses the best books of meditation and reflection. He pre 
 pared several outlines of sermons, and in his choice of subjects 
 leaned towards those of a pathetic and personal character, that are 
 more likely to bring tears into the eyes than to tax the understand 
 ing. As another preparation, he used to read parts of the service 
 aloud, by himself, in the forest. He says, in his journal : " It re 
 quires time and habitude for one to become reconciled to the sound 
 of his own voice. It throws one, at first, into absolute trepidation. 
 In the solitude it is sufficiently appalling. What must it be in an 
 assembly of people, a silent auditory, where a thousand eyes are 
 fixed upon you, a whole congregation of faces bent upon you, ready 
 to criticise and condemn the slightest fault ?" This, from a man 
 who could stand with firm nerves a three-hours' fire from concealed 
 Indians, scale the heights and walls of Monterey, and face the blaz 
 ing batteries of Vera Cruz ! 
 
 It was Captain Vinton's fortune to be engaged in one of the few 
 battles of that distasteful war the action at Lake Munroe. The 
 event, and his own feelings, are faithfully described in his letter of 
 February 12th, 1837: 
 
 "Early in the morning of the 8th instant, half an hour before 
 daylight, we were aroused by the war-cry of the savages, and a fire 
 was poured into our camp on all sides, except that towards the lake. 
 Our men, though recruits, almost without exception, repaired with 
 alacrity to their posts, and returned upon the enemy full volleys of 
 musketry. The morning was rendered still more obscure by a dense 
 fog, which, with the smoke from the fire-arms, nearly concealed the 
 enemy from our sight. But we had the direction with sufficient 
 
SERVICES IN FLORIDA AND RHODE ISLAND. 167 
 
 precision, and poured in our shot with interest. For three hours 
 this conflict continued, with only one or two slight intermissions, our 
 men gaining confidence and enthusiasm every moment. At length 
 the savages began to slacken their fire, and made off, carrying their 
 dead and wounded, but leaving behind many articles which they 
 would never have relinquished but for discomfiture and necessity. 
 They came down upon us with all their force, thinking, perhaps, to 
 take possession of our camp. Their numbers were large, variously 
 estimated at from three to five hundred, and their fire was sustained 
 with a vigour and pertinacity unprecedented." In this action Cap 
 tain Mellon was killed, and Lieutenant McLaughlin and thirteen 
 privates wounded. One man was struck down at Captain Vinton's 
 side, so near as to cover him with blood. 
 
 The continuance of the war in Florida, and the financial difficul 
 ties of the country, as well as his uncertain health, obliged him to 
 abandon his cherished hope of the ministry, and he made up his 
 mind to devote the remainder of his life to the duties of his profes 
 sion, to general studies, and the education of his children. 
 
 Being at Providence during the Dorr insurrection, he entered 
 ardently into the cause of the state, and saw the necessity of mili 
 tary organization and discipline to save the lives and property of the 
 inhabitants from the recklessness of an armed mob. He hastened to 
 Washington, and asked authority to offer his services to the state. 
 This was not given, and he was told that he must act on his own re 
 sponsibility. As he was not forbidden, he took the responsibility ; and 
 had he been called to account, would have made any sacrifice for the 
 good of his native state. He knew the risk he ran ; for it was generally 
 feared that if the Dorr movement prevailed in Providence, it would 
 also prevail in Washington. The people of Rhode Island well re 
 member and appreciate the value of his military counsels in that 
 crisis, of his incessant disciplining of the volunteer companies, and 
 the spirit and intelligence infused into the young citizen soldiers by 
 his course of military lectures. 
 
 While stationed at the arsenal at Augusta, Georgia, he received 
 orders to join the army of General Taylor on its march from the Rio 
 Grande toward the city of Monterey. During this march, he per 
 formed the duties of a field-officer, often with a separate command, 
 a proof of peculiar confidence in an enemy's country. He was sent 
 
168 MAJOR VINTON. 
 
 to take possession of Mier, which it was thought would be defended, 
 and to act as governor of the place during its occupation. This he 
 did, and remained there until the army passed on, and then rejoined 
 it in season to act a conspicuous part in the battle of Monterey. 
 
 On the night before the battle of Monterey, he writes to his 
 daughter, showing a spirit of preparation for the duties and chances 
 of the morrow, which could not but ensure him success in what 
 ever might fall to his lot to attempt. 
 
 He was with General Worth's division, and was actively and 
 prominently engaged in the operations of each day. He was with 
 the troops as they passed so long under the fire from the two heights, 
 in the storming of those heights, the capture of the palace, and the 
 penetrating into the town, the digging through walls, and firing from 
 house-tops. He was in five several engagements, in each of which 
 he was exposed to severe fire from the enemy. In the storming of 
 the second hill, he led a battalion on one side of the hill, while Co 
 lonel Childs commanded on the other; and after forcing their way 
 up, over rocks and brambles, amid a shower of musket-balls, they 
 drove the enemy from the top, at the point of the bayonet, and 
 forced them to retreat to the stronghold of the Bishop's Palace. 
 
 The part performed by him in the capture of the Bishop's Palace 
 was of so distinguished a character, and attracted such admiration at 
 the time, that it deserves a full recital here. We cannot present a 
 juster description of it than is contained in a letter from Captain 
 Blanchard, who served under him at the time. 
 
 " I found Captain J. R. Vinton in command of the advance, and 
 he then told me that his plan was to try to draw the erfemy from 
 their position, in and near the palace, and when they were fairly 
 out, to rise and charge them vigorously, and, if possible, to get 
 possession of the palace. The advance was covered as much as 
 possible behind the rocks, to protect them from the dreadful shower 
 of grape and musketry which the enemy kept up from their de 
 fences. I asked him if we should advance or fire. He told me 
 that I might advance if I did not expose my men too much, and that 
 he wished me to fall back whenever I saw the enemy coming out, 
 until we were upon his line of ambush, and then to close on him 
 and rush on them. It was a well-conceived plan, and the result 
 showed that it was well executed. The enemy were induced to 
 come out and charge, and as they came up the hill, Captain Vinton 
 
ORDERED TO JOIN SCOTT. 169 
 
 shouted, * Now, my men, close and drive them !' With one will they 
 closed to centre, delivered their fire, and with charged bayonets 
 rushed on the Mexicans. They were thunderstruck, and, after a 
 moment's stand, broke and ran. Our men were in the palace and 
 fort before they all escaped, and in ten minutes their own guns were 
 turned upon them. The main body under Colonel Childs came 
 down in solid column, and we were the victors. It was a stirring, 
 thrilling scene, and I cannot do it justice, for it should be seen to be 
 felt. Captain Vinton derived all the credit which his position en 
 abled him to obtain, and I shall always be of opinion that his plan 
 was an admirable one. I hope he will be promoted, not only for his 
 skilful and gallant conduct on that day, but for his general merito 
 rious conduct as an officer." 
 
 After some time spent at Monterey and Saltillo, he was ordered 
 with the greater part of the regulars to join General Scott in the 
 attack on Vera Cruz. Here it was that he wrote his last letter, 
 which has already been given to the public. Those who knew him 
 know how truly he speaks of his past life. His country will not 
 forget in what spirit he gave his life to her "in her time of appeal." 
 " I have hitherto lived mostly for others but my children will reap 
 some of the fruits of my self-denial, by the means I shall leave them 
 of living independently, and securing a good education. I commit 
 them, in full reliance, to the care of their Heavenly Father, and I 
 hope their trust in him will ever be at least as firm as my own. My 
 confidence in the overruling providence of God is unqualified, so 
 that I go to the field of action assured that whatever may befall me 
 will be for the best. I feel proud to serve my country in her time 
 of appeal ; and should even the worst, death itself, be my lot, I shall 
 meet it cheerfully." 
 
 His habits of order were singularly preserved to the last. On 
 the leaves of a pocket-book he made daily and almost hourly memo 
 randa in pencil, which he afterwards transferred at leisure to his 
 journal. These notes are carried down, in a clear hand, to within 
 less than an hour of his fall, and being found on his person are now 
 in the possession of his friends. The last entry is as follows : 
 
 "March %2d. Ordered to the trenches to command the batteries, 
 early. General Scott sent in a flag for the city to surrender, at 2 
 P. M. ; refused. Seven mortars opened at 4 P. M. Heavy cannon 
 ading" These were his last words. 
 
 15 
 
170 MAJOR VINTON. 
 
 Towards evening of the 22d of March, Major Vinton went out 
 upon an exposed situation, to watch the effect of our shot and the 
 direction of that from the enemy. He remained there for some time, 
 came down, and said to Major Martin Scott, who commanded the 
 covering party, " Tell the officers, major, as you pass the mortars, 
 that our guns are working accurately." He had just returned to 
 his post when a huge shell, striking the top of the parapet, glanced 
 and struck his head, fracturing the skull. He fell instantly dead, 
 lying upon his back, with his arms crossed over his breast ; his face, 
 as an officer writes who was present, " retaining its habitual expres 
 sion, sedate and earnest, but not harsh." The officers and men 
 rushed to him as he fell, and gathered about him. The shell did 
 not burst, fortunately, for it was found to be charged with a pound 
 of powder and three hundred and twenty musket-balls. Upon his 
 body were found letters from his children, stained with his life-blood, 
 which flowed from a wound in his breast. He was buried in the 
 military coat in which he fell. The funeral was attended by the 
 general-in-chief and all the officers who could be spared from duty, 
 and the service of the church was read over him by a brother officer 
 a friend of many years amid the roar of cannon, the falling of 
 the enemy's shot, and the whirling of sand in the fierce Norther 
 snatched from the victory of the morrow, that his spirit might gain 
 a greater victory over death and the grave. 
 
CAPTAIN THOKNTON. 
 
 CAPTAIN SETH B. THORNTON was a native of Virginia, and served 
 with credit in the late Seminole war. In June, 1836, he was ap 
 pointed 2d lieutenant in the army ; and in February, 1841, was 
 commissioned captain of the 2d dragoons. He joined the Corps of 
 Observation, at its first organization, and after its arrival at the Rio 
 Grande, was destined to command the first party attacked by the 
 Mexicans, and to begin the war. 
 
 In consequence of the rumoured intentions of the enemy, Captain 
 Thornton was despatched on the 24th of April, 1846, to the crossing, 
 above Fort Brown, and Captain Ker below. Accompanying Thornton 
 were Captain Hardee, Lieutenants Mason and Kane, and sixty-one 
 men. After proceeding about twenty-six miles, they encountered a 
 Mexican, who reported that at a short distance, the enemy were 
 stationed to the number of two thousand, under General Torrejon. 
 Partly from the cowardice of their Mexican guide, and partly from 
 ignorance of the country, they were led into a plantation surrounded 
 by a thick chapparal fence, round which was concealed an ambush 
 of more than ten times their number. Thornton, followed by his 
 command, crossed the plantation to the house, where he eutered into 
 conversation with one of the residents. While thus engaged, the 
 enemy took possession of the gate, and now for the first time, the 
 party perceived that the chapparal was crowded with infantry, sup 
 ported by cavalry, who were preparing for a charge. This was met 
 with gallantry and success ; but in the struggle Lieutenant Kane 
 was unhorsed, and the captain became separated from his command. 
 The whole Mexican force now poured in a destructive fire upon the 
 few men under Captain Hardee, who, notwithstanding, rallied and 
 endeavoured to retreat by way of the river. This he was unable to 
 
 (171) 
 
172 CAPTAIN THORNTON. 
 
 accomplish, and after having eleven men killed, including a sergeant 
 and two other officers, he consented to surrender, on condition of his 
 men being treated as prisoners of war, declaring that if this were 
 refused, they would continue the battle at all hazards. This was 
 acceded to, and the captain and twenty-five men were carried into 
 Matamoras. 
 
 The bravery of Captain Thornton deserves notice. As we have 
 stated, he met the charge of the cavalry with success, but was un 
 able to break the crowded lines of the infantry by whom they were 
 supported. The chapparal was at this time in one wide blaze of 
 fire, and in rushing toward it, the horse of the captain made a tre 
 mendous leap, completely clearing the whole enclosure, and alighted 
 in the midst of the enemy. This feat, however, was not performed 
 with impunity; the animal received a severe wound at the very 
 moment of its accomplishment, and was subsequently obliged to 
 carry his intrepid rider through a host of armed men. The captain 
 escaped unwounded, and though both horse and rider subsequently 
 encountered a severe fall, he succeeded in approaching within about 
 five miles of the American camp. But at this place he was inter 
 cepted by an advance-guard of the enemy, and conveyed prisoner 
 to Matamoras. 
 
 Lieutenant Mason was killed before the chapparal, and Kane 
 shared the fate of Thornton. 
 
 Notwithstanding the disadvantages against which the Americans 
 contended, this affair was a source of unbounded exultation to the 
 enemy. Besides public rejoicing in Matamoras, Arista wrote to 
 General Torrejon in terms of congratulation, which would have 
 been considered extravagant in General Taylor after the battle of 
 Palo Alto. 
 
 Captain Thornton was retained by the Mexicans until after the 
 battle of Resaca de la Palma, when an exchange of prisoners re 
 stored him to the American army. He was immediately placed 
 under arrest, and a court of inquiry held upon the causes of his 
 capture, which resulted in his honourable acquittal of all blame He 
 accompanied the army to Monterey, and subsequently joined the 
 comrnander-in-chief in his march toward central Mexico. The 
 hardships of that terrible journey preyed upon his naturally delicate 
 constitution, and rendered him an invalid before the city of the 
 Montezuma's greeted the army's longing sight. Eager, however, 
 
CAPTAIN THORNTON. 173 
 
 for duty, nothing could prevail on him to be inactive, as soon as 
 prospect of battle was presented. During the reconnoissance near 
 San Antonio, on the evening of the 18th August, he accompanied 
 the men, assisting personally in the most fatiguing duties. While 
 thus engaged, a discharge from a battery within the fort struck him 
 dead from his horse, and wounded a guide. 
 
 Thornton seemed born to misfortune. He was a passenger in the 
 ill-fated Pulaski, and after doing all he could to rescue others, he 
 attempted to save himself by seizing upon a chicken-coop. He 
 picked several out of the water ; but one by one they died and 
 dropped off, and he himself became a half-famished maniac, before 
 he was found. In military affairs he was always unfortunate. He 
 was endowed with a courage which nothing could daunt ; but his 
 spirit was much too ardent and impetuous for his physical structure, 
 he being of a small stature, and delicate constitution. 
 
GENEEAL KEARNY. 
 
 BRIGADIER-GENERAL STEPHEN W. KEARNY is a native of New 
 Jersey, and entered the army as first lieutenant of the 13th infantry, 
 March 12th, 1812. He rose by regular gradation to brigadier-gene 
 ral, April 30th, 1846. 
 
 Kearny was intended by his parents for one of the learned pro 
 fessions, and being placed at Princeton college, made rapid advances 
 in the various studies pursued there. The outrages perpetrated by 
 Great Britain on our commerce, roused him from a scholar's seclu 
 sion, and fired his spirit with ambition for distinction in the coming 
 contest. He marched under Captain [now General] Wool to the 
 Canada border, and fought with the army which so gallantly com 
 pensated for the disgrace of Hull's surrender at Detroit. He was 
 with Wool at Glueenstown, and in company with Colonel Scott, was 
 taken prisoner by an overwhelming British force on the Canadian 
 side, and sent to Quebec. In a little while he was exchanged, re 
 joined the army, and served with distinction and usefulness, until 
 the close of the war. 
 
 From this time, until the commencement of our struggle with 
 Mexico, he remained in the army, performing various duties, prin 
 cipally among the Indian tribes and the scattered posts owned by 
 government in the western wilderness. He conducted several ex 
 peditions to the Rocky Mountains and New Mexico, gaining valu 
 able information of those territories and their inhabitants, and ac 
 customing himself to the labours and privations of a western hunter. 
 At the same time he employed all his leisure hours in gaining a 
 knowledge of military tactics, both from books and by means of 
 personal intercourse with distinguished officers. 
 
 On the 30th of June, 1846, by order of government, General 
 (174) 
 
GENERAL KEARNY. 
 
DESCRIPTION OF SANTA FE. 175 
 
 Kearny marched from Fort Leavenworth with sixteen hundred 
 regulars and volunteers, on an expedition against Santa Fe, the 
 capital of New Mexico. He took possession of this place in Au 
 gust, having marched in six weeks eight hundred and seventy miles. 
 We annex a rough but lively sketch of the town, from the pen of a 
 volunteer, who wrote since General Kearny's arrival in the United 
 States. 
 
 " On the Cimmerone route to Santa Fe, the scene of Indian de 
 predations is chiefly between what is called the * Pawnee Fork' and 
 Cimmerone river, a distance of, say two hundred miles ; yet the 
 road is by no means safe, even until you arrive within the frontier 
 settlements of New Mexico. We travelled most of the way with 
 three companies of the mounted regiment, and attribute our safety 
 through the Indian country to the fact that the military were with 
 us as from signs frequently seen, there is no doubt the Indians 
 were constantly around, watching for a favourable opportunity to 
 attack us ; but we were always vigilant, and thus escaped. I am 
 glad the government has sent a force to guard the plains. Every 
 thing will depend upon the material of which the command is com 
 posed. Little need be expected if it is made up of officers and men 
 who sought the service because they had nothing to do at home to 
 keep them from starving. God knows there are enough such in the 
 service already. * * * * Every coffee-house in Sante Fe, arid 
 their name is legion, was provided with the various implements of 
 gambling, particularly the national game of ' monte.' Intemperance 
 and public disorder the never-failing attendants of gaming pre 
 vailed in the city. 
 
 " By order of the commanding officer, gaming of all kinds was 
 prohibited. Coffee-house keepers were forbidden to sell liquor to 
 soldiers fandangos were not allowed except on certain conditions 
 and terms. A provost marshal was appointed to enforce these or 
 ders. As if by magic the whole condition of things was changed. 
 All this has been brought about by the energetic, and at the same 
 time judicious, exertions of Colonel Easton, who has been indus 
 trious and indefatigable in the discharge of his various duties ; at 
 the same time has kept himself aloof from the temptations which 
 so easily beset every American who comes here, whatever be his 
 rank or station. Thoroughly acquainted with the duties of his 
 military profession, he has exhibited in his daily life and manners 
 
176 GENERAL KEARNY. 
 
 the example of a well-bred American gentleman an example sel 
 dom seen here, and which has not been lost upon these people. All 
 classes, Mexicans, and others, civil and military, are loud in their 
 praise of him. I only speak the sentiments of every one here, 
 when I say that no officer since General Kearny left, enjoys so uni 
 versally the good will and esteem of all classes as does Colonel 
 Easton at the present moment. Yet much which I know he con 
 templated doing towards redeeming this city, is left undone since he 
 was superseded in command ; but during his brief career as com 
 manding officer, he has done enough to secure for him a name which 
 will be long- remembered here with much honour. The St. Louis 
 battalion is rapidly improving in drill and discipline in this last 
 respect it is excellent while the drill is acknowledged to be supe 
 rior to any volunteer regiment of last year. * * The battalion is 
 doing well as an evidence, there are none sick that is dangerously 
 in the whole command. They occupy good quarters, barrack- 
 rooms once occupied by the Mexicans, which have since been re 
 paired and altered, so that they are very convenient, with an excel 
 lent parade-ground in front. The adjutant, Lieutenant Holmes, is, 
 next to Colonel Easton, the best officer in the battalion. He has 
 been most diligent in his application to his profession, and now ac^ 
 quits himself, in a manner that would honour the post of adjutant in 
 any regular regiment. He is highly esteemed by every officer and 
 soldier of the battalion, and by all who know him, as a good officer 
 and unimpeachable gentleman. 
 
 " The Mexicans all seem quiet, and are attending to their regular 
 business ; yet many who pretend to know, say that all this quiet is 
 but the calm which precedes the storm that a general insurrection 
 is brewing, and may at any moment break out. Others, again, who 
 also pretend to understand the Mexicans here, say there is no danger 
 to be apprehended. I am strongly inclined to the opinion that no 
 thing serious is at hand. Among these people, there are many who 
 are always ready for a row, upon the slightest pretence, but I be 
 lieve the majority are alike indifferent whether the Great Mogul or 
 James K. Polk rules over them, provided they can sell their grapes, 
 peaches, corn and red peppers, and smoke their segars in peace. 
 
 "An express, consisting of a captain, lieutenant and fifteen 
 men, started for Washington yesterday. The captain is bearer of 
 despatches from head-quarters here, sent by the commanding officer, 
 
KEARNY MARCHES FOR CALIFORNIA. 177 
 
 Colonel Newby, of the Illinois foot. ***** The Missouri 
 regiment is not in as good a condition as the St. Louis battalion. 
 The appointment of Colonel Price as brigadier-general is by no 
 means popular here. * * * * His command while here was 
 in a cbnstant state of disorganization no order, no discipline. I 
 could fill a sheet with authentic accounts of the deplorable state, 
 not only of his immediate command, but of the affairs of this post 
 while he was commanding officer, so far as he had the management. 
 One fact will suffice : A private, whom I know, and believe to be a 
 man of truth, told me that at one time there was not an officer or 
 non-commissioned officer of his company on duty ; that they used 
 up their rations, and were obliged to send a private to the colonel to 
 know what to do ; and it was some days, and with great difficulty, 
 before they at last obtained subsistence ! ***** Efforts 
 have been made to have Colonel Easton appointed governor of New 
 Mexico. Petitions have been circulated, and signed by almost all 
 the inhabitants and officers of the various regiments, to have the ap 
 pointment made ; but it is understood that he does not like to be 
 separated from his command ; if it goes south he wishes to go with 
 it. I am inclined to think nothing will be done here until Price ar 
 rives, unless an outbreak is attempted. The force now here is more 
 than enough to hold this whole country." * 
 
 After remaining for some time at Santa Fe, General Kearny 
 marched against the province of California, publishing at the same 
 time a proclamation in which he claimed New Mexico for the 
 United States, and exhorted the inhabitants to submit peaceably to 
 the new government. But on his road he received information 
 that the intended object of his expedition had been already attained 
 by a party under Colonel Fremont. He accordingly sent back the 
 greater part of his force, and with a small troop hurried on to join 
 Colonel Fremont. 
 
 New Mexico had been awed but not completely subdued ; and 
 soon after Kearny's departure the inhabitants rose in vindication 
 of their old government. Disturbances were also taking place in 
 California, and several bands of citizens spread themselves over the 
 country and kept up the spirit of opposition. On the 8th of De 
 cember, 1846, General Kearny encountered one of these under 
 the celebrated Pico, near the Indian town of San Pascual. The 
 following is his own account of this affair : 
 
178 GENERAL KEARNY. 
 
 " Having learned from Captain Gillespie, of the volunteers, that 
 there was an armed party of Californians, with a number of extra 
 horses at San Pascual, three leagues distant, on a road leading to 
 this place, I sent Lieutenant Hammond, 1st dragoons, with a few 
 men to make a reconnoissance of them. 
 
 " He returned at two in the morning of the 6th instant, reporting 
 that he had found the party in the place mentioned, and that he had 
 been- seen, though not pursued by them. I then determined that I 
 would march for and attack them by break of day. Arrangements 
 were accordingly made for the purpose. My aid-de-camp, Captain 
 Johnson, (dragoons,) was assigned to the command of the advance- 
 guard of twelve dragoons, mounted on the best horses we had ; then 
 followed about fifty dragoons under Captain Moore, mounted, with 
 but few exceptions, on the tired mules they had ridden from Santa 
 Fe (New Mexico, one thousand and fifty miles), then about twenty 
 volunteers of Captain Gibson's company, under his command, and 
 that of Captain Gillespie ; then followed our two mounted howitzers, 
 with dragoons to manage them, and under the charge of Lieutenant 
 Davidson, of the regiment. 
 
 " The remainder of the dragoons, volunteers, and citizens, em 
 ployed by the officers of the staff, &c., were placed under the com 
 mand of Major Swords (quartermaster), with orders to follow on 
 our trail with the baggage, and to see to its safety. 
 
 "As the day (December 6) dawned, we approached the enemy 
 at San Pascual, who were already in the saddle, when Captain 
 Johnson made a furious charge upon them with his advance-guard, 
 and was in a short time after supported by the dragoons ; soon after 
 this the enemy gave way, having kept up from the beginning a 
 continued fire upon us. 
 
 " Upon the retreat of the enemy, Captain Moore led off rapidly 
 in pursuit, accompanied by the dragoons mounted on horses, and 
 was followed, though slowly, by the others on their tired mules ; 
 the enemy well-mounted, and among the best horsemen in the world, 
 after retreating about half a mile, and seeing an interval between 
 Captain Moore with his advance, and the dragoons coming to his 
 support, rallied their whole force, charged with their lances, and, on 
 account of their greatly superior numbers, but few of us in front 
 remained untouched ; for five minutes they held the ground from 
 us, when our men coming up, we again drove them, and they fled 
 
BATTLE OF SAN PASCUAL. 179 
 
 from the field, not to return to it, which we occupied and encamped 
 upon. 
 
 "A most melancholy duty now remains for me : it is to report 
 the death of my aid-de-camp, Captain Johnson, who was shot dead 
 at the commencement of the action, of Captain Moore, who was 
 lanced just previous to the final retreat of the enemy, and of Lieute 
 nant Hammond, also lanced, and who survived but a few hours. 
 We have also had two sergeants killed, two corporals, and ten privates 
 of the 1st dragoons ; one private of the volunteers, and one man, an 
 engage in the topographical department. Among the wounded 
 are myself,- (in two places,) Lieutenant Warner, topographical engi 
 neers, (in three places,) Captains Gillespie and Gibson of the volun 
 teers, (the former in three places,) one sergeant, one bugleman, and 
 nine privates of the dragoons ; many of these surviving, although 
 having from two to ten lance wounds, most of them when unhorsed 
 and incapable of resistance. 
 
 " Our howitzers were not brought into the action ; but coming to 
 the front at the close of it, before they were turned, so as to admit 
 of being fired upon the retreating enemy, the two mules before one 
 of them got alarmed, and freeing themselves from their drivers, ran 
 off, and among the enemy, and were thus lost to us. 
 
 " The enemy proved to be a party of about one hundred and sixty 
 Californians under Andreas Pico, brother of the late governor ; the 
 number of their dead and wounded must have been considerable, 
 though I have no means of ascertaining how many, as just previous 
 to their final retreat they carried off all excepting six. 
 
 " The great number of our killed and wounded proves that our 
 officers and men have fully sustained the high character and repu 
 tation of our troops ; and the victory thus gained over more than 
 double our force may assist in forming the wreath of our national 
 glory. 
 
 " I have to return my thanks to many for their gallantry and good 
 conduct on the field, and particularly to Captain Turner, 1st dra 
 goons, (assistant acting adjutant-general,) and to Lieutenant Emory, 
 topographical engineers, who were active in the performance of their 
 duties, and in conveying orders from me to the command. 
 
 " On the morning of the 7th, having made ambulances for oui 
 wounded, and interred the dead, we proceeded on our march, when 
 the enemy showed himself, occupying the hills in our front, but 
 
 W 
 
180 GENERAL KEARNY. 
 
 which they left as we approached ; till reaching San Bernado, a 
 party of them took possession of a hill near to it, and maintained 
 their position until attacked by our advance, who quickly drove 
 them from it, killing and wounding five of their number, with no 
 loss on our part. 
 
 ** On account of our wounded men, and upon the report of the 
 surgeon that rest was necessary for them, we remained at this place 
 till the morning of the llth, when Lieutenant Gray, of the navy, in 
 command of a party of sailors and marines, sent out from San Diego 
 by Commodore Stockton, joined us. We proceeded at 10, A. M., 
 the enemy no longer showing himself; and on the 12th (yesterday) 
 we reached this place ; and I have now to offer my thanks to Com 
 modore Stockton, and all of his gallant command, for the very many 
 kind attentions we have received and continue to receive from 
 them." 
 
 After this battle, General Kearny continued his march, severely 
 harassed by scouting parties of the enemy, until the 8th of January, 
 1847, when he came up with their main army at' Puebla de los 
 Angelos. Here, in company with Commodore Stockton, he fought 
 a desultory battle, which lasted two days, and terminated in the over 
 throw of the Mexicans. The American loss was one killed and 
 thirteen wounded ; that of the enemy rather more. Kearny then 
 took possession of the city without further molestation. 
 
 The operations attending this battle have unfortunately become a 
 matter of serious misunderstanding between General Kearny, Com 
 modore Stockton, and Colonel Fremont. The commission of the 
 former as governor of California, was given by the President and 
 signed with his signature. To this Stockton objected, on the plea 
 that the province had been captured and placed under military gov 
 ernment prior to the date of the general's authority. To this Colo 
 nel Fremont agreed, and refused to obey the orders of Kearny. At 
 that time the general's force was so small that he was obliged to 
 yield to circumstances ; but on receiving reinforcements, he entered 
 upon full command, and seizing Colonel Fremont, sent him under 
 arrest to the United States. His trial for disobedience of orders is 
 utill going on, and elicits considerable public attention. 
 
oOLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 THE expedition of Colonel Doniphan is one of the most remark 
 able in all history. Like those of Kearny and Scott, it will form an 
 example to the world of the almost superhuman exertions of which 
 our soldiery, both regular and volunteer, are capable. The Honour 
 able Thomas Benton gave the subjoined vivid description of it in an 
 address to the colonel's command on its return home : 
 
 " Your march and exploits have been among the most wonderful 
 of the age. At the call of your country you marched a thousand 
 miles to the conquest of New Mexico, as part of the force under 
 General Kearny, and achieved that conquest without the loss of a 
 man or the fire of a gun. That work finished, and New Mexico, 
 itself so distant, and so lately the Ultima Thule the outside boun 
 dary of speculation and enterprise so lately a distant point to be 
 attained, becomes itself a point of departure a beginning point for 
 new and far more extended expeditions. You look across the long 
 and lofty chain the Cordilleras of North America which divide 
 the Atlantic from the Pacific waters ; and you see beyond that ridge 
 a savage tribe which had been long in the habit of depredating upon 
 the province which had just become an American conquest. You, 
 a part only of the subsequent Chihuahua column, under Jackson 
 and Gilpin, march upon them bring them to terms and they sign 
 a treaty with Colonel Doniphan, in which they bind themselves to 
 cease their depredations on the Mexicans, and to become the friends 
 of the United States. A novel treaty that ! signed on the western 
 confines of New Mexico, between parties who had hardly ever heard 
 each other's names before, and to give peace and protection to Mexi 
 cans who were hostile to both. This was the meeting and this the 
 parting of the Missouri volunteers, with the numerous and savage 
 tribe of the Navaho Indians, living on the waters of the gulf of Call- 
 16 (181) 
 
182 COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 fornia, and so long the terror and scourge of Sonora, Sinaloa, and 
 New Mexico, 
 
 " This object accomplished, and impatient of inactivity, and with 
 out orders, (General Kearny having departed for California,) you 
 cast about to carve out some new work for yourselves. Chihuahua, 
 a rich and populous city of nearly thirty thousand souls, the seat of 
 government of the state of that name, and formerly the residence of 
 the captains general of the Internal Provinces under the vice-regal 
 government of New Spain, was the captivating object which fixed 
 your attention. It was a far distant city about as far from St. Louis 
 as Moscow is from Paris ; and towns, and enemies, and a large river, 
 and defiles, and mountains, and the desert whose ominous name por 
 tends death to travellers el Jornada de los muertos the journey 
 of the dead all lay between you. It was a perilous enterprise, and 
 a discouraging one for a thousand men, badly equipped, to contem 
 plate. No matter. Danger and hardship lent it a charm, and the 
 adventurous march was resolved on, and the execution commenced. 
 First, the ominous desert was passed, its character vindicating its 
 title to its mournful appellation an arid plain of ninety miles, 
 strewed with the bones of animals that had perished of hunger and 
 thirst little hillocks of stone, and the solitary cross, erected by pious 
 hands, marking the spot where some Christian had fallen victim of 
 the savage, of the robber, or of the desert itself no water no ani 
 mal life no sign of habitation. There the Texan prisoners, driven 
 by the cruel Salazar, had met their direst sufferings, unrelieved, as 
 in other parts of the country, by the compassionate ministrations (for 
 where is it that woman is not compassionate?) of the pitying women. 
 The desert was passed, and the place for crossing the river approach 
 ed. A little arm of the river Bracito (in Spanish), made out from 
 its side. There the enemy, in superior numbers, and confident in 
 cavalry and artillery, undertook to bar the way. Vain pretension ! 
 Their discovery, attack, and rout, were about simultaneous opera 
 tions. A few minutes did the work ! And in this way our Missouri 
 volunteers of the Chihuahua column, spent their Christmas day of 
 the year 1846. 
 
 " The victory of Bracito opened the way to the crossing of the 
 river Del Norte, and to admission into the beautiful little town of 
 the Paso del Norte, where a neat cultivation, a comfortable people, 
 fields, orchards and vineyards, and a hospitable reception, offered 
 
DONIPHAN'S REMARKABLE EXPEDITION. 183 
 
 the rest and refreshment which toils and dangers and victory had 
 won. You rested there till artillery was brought down from Santa 
 Fe ; but the pretty town of the Paso del Norte, with all its enjoy 
 ments, and they were many, and the greater for the place in which 
 they were found, was not a Capua to the men of Missouri. You 
 moved forward in February, and the battle of the Sacramento, one 
 of the military marvels of the age, cleared the route to Chihuahua, 
 which was entered without further resistance. It had been entered 
 once before by a detachment of American troops ; but under circum 
 stances how different ! In the year 1807, Lieutenant Pike and his 
 thirty brave men, taken prisoners on the head of the Rio del Norte, 
 had been marched captives into Chihuahua: in the year 1847, 
 Doniphan and his men entered it as conquerors. The paltry triumph 
 of a captain-general over a lieutenant, was effaced in the triumphal 
 entrance of a thousand Missourians into the grand and ancient capi 
 tal of all the Internal Provinces .' and old men, still alive, could 
 remark the grandeur of the American spirit under both events the 
 proud and lofty bearing of the captive thirty the mildness and mo 
 deration of the conquering thousand. 
 
 "Chihuahua was taken, and responsible duties, more delicate 
 than those of arms, were to be performed. Many American citizens 
 were there, engaged in trade ; much American property was there. 
 All this was to be protected, both lives and property, and by peace 
 ful arrangement ; for the command was too small to admit of divi 
 sion, and of leaving a garrison. Conciliation and negotiation were 
 resorted to, and successfully. Every American interest was provided 
 for, and placed under the safeguard, first, of good will, and next, 
 of guaranties not to be violated with impunity. 
 
 "Chihuahua gained, it became, like Santa Fe, not the terminating 
 point of a long expedition, but the beginning point of a new one. 
 General Taylor was somewhere no one knew exactly where but 
 some seven or eight hundred miles towards the other side of Mexico. 
 You had heard that he had been defeated that Buena Vista had 
 not been a good prospect to hinu Like good Americans, you did 
 not believe a word of it ; but, like good soldiers, you thought it best 
 to go and see. A volunteer party of fourteen, headed by Collins, 
 of Boonville, undertook to penetrate to Saltiilo, and bring you infor 
 mation of his condition. They set out. Amidst innumerable dangers 
 they accomplish their purpose, and return. You march. A van- 
 
184 COLONEL DONIPIIAN. 
 
 guard of one hundred men, led by Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell, led 
 the way. Then came the main body, (if the name is not a burlesque 
 on such a handful,) commanded by Colonel Doniphan himself. 
 
 " The whole table-land of Mexico, in all its breadth, from west to 
 east, was to be traversed. A numerous and hostile population in 
 towns treacherous Camanches in the mountains were to be pass 
 ed. Every thing was to be self-provided provisions, transportation, 
 fresh horses for remounts, and even the means of victory and all 
 without a military chest, or even an empty box, in which govern 
 ment gold had ever reposed. All was accomplished. Mexican 
 towns were passed, in order and quiet; plundering Camanches 
 were punished ; means were obtained from traders to liquidate in 
 dispensable contributions ; and the wants that could not be supplied 
 were endured like soldiers of veteran service. 
 
 " I say the Camanches were punished. And here presents itself 
 an episode of a novel, extraordinary, and romantic kind Americans 
 chastising savages for plundering people who they themselves came 
 to conquer, and forcing the restitution of captives and of plundered 
 property. A strange story this to tell in Europe, where backwoods 
 character, western character, is not yet completely known. But to 
 the facts. In the muskeet forest of the Bolson de Mapimi, and in 
 the sierras around the beautiful town and fertile .district of Parras, 
 and in all the open country for hundreds of miles round about, the 
 savage Camanches have held dominion ever since the usurper Santa 
 Anna disarmed the people, and sally forth from their fastnesses to 
 slaughter men, plunder cattle, and carry off women and children. 
 Ah exploit of this kind had just been performed on the line of the 
 Missourians' march, not far from Parras, and an advanced party 
 chanced to be in that town at the time the news of the depredation 
 arrived there. It was only fifteen strong. Moved by gratitude for 
 the kind attentions of the people, especially the women, to the sick 
 of General Wool's command, necessarily left in Parras, and unwil 
 ling to be outdone by enemies in generosity, the heroic fifteen, upon 
 the spot, volunteered to go back, hunt out the depredators, and 
 punish them, without regard to numbers. A grateful Mexican be 
 came their guide. On their way they fell in with fifteen more of 
 their comrades ; and, in a short time, seventeen Camanches killed 
 out of sixty-five, eighteen captives restored to their families, and 
 
DONIPHAN'S REMARKABLE EXPEDITION. 185 
 
 three hundred and fifty head of cattle recovered for their owners, 
 was the fruit of this sudden and romantic episode. 
 
 " Such noble conduct was not without its effect on the minds of 
 the astonished Mexicans. An official document from the prefect of 
 the place to Captain Reid, leader of this detachment, attests the 
 verity of the fact, and the gratitude of the Mexicans ; and constitutes 
 a trophy of a new kind in the annals of war. Here it is in the 
 original Spanish, and I will read it off in English. 
 
 "It is officially dated from the Prefecture of the Department of 
 Parras, signed by the prefect, Jose Ignacio Arrabe, and addressed 
 to Captain Reid, the 18th of May, and says : 
 
 " * At the first notice that the barbarians, after killing many, and 
 taking captives, were returning to their haunts, you generously and 
 bravely offered, with fifteen of your subordinates, to fight them on 
 their crossing by the Paso, executing this enterprise with celerity, 
 address, and bravery, worthy of all eulogy, and worthy of the bril 
 liant issue which all celebrate. You recovered many animals and 
 much plundered property, and eighteen captives were restored to 
 liberty and to social enjoyments, their. souls overflowing with a lively 
 sentiment of joy and gratitude, which all the inhabitants of this town 
 equally breathe, in favour of their generous deliverers and their va 
 liant chief. The half of the Indians killed in the combat, and those 
 which fly wounded, do not calm the pain which all feel for the wound 
 which your excellency received defending Christians and civilized 
 beings against the rage and brutality of savages. All desire the 
 speedy re-establishment of your health ; and although they know- 
 that in your own noble soul will be found the best reward of your 
 conduct, they desire also to address you the expression of their gra 
 titude and high esteem. I am honoured in being the organ of the 
 public sentiment; and pray you to accept it, with the assurance of 
 my most distinguished esteem. 
 
 " ' God and Liberty !' 
 
 " This is a trophy of a new kind in war, won by thirty Missou- 
 rians, and worthy to be held up to the admiration of Christendom. 
 
 " The long march from Chihuahua to Monterey was made more 
 in the character of protection and deliverance than of conquest and 
 invasion. Armed enemies were not met, and peaceful people were 
 not disturbed. You arrived in the month of May in General Tay 
 lor's camp, and about in a condition to vindicate, each of you for 
 16* 
 
186 COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 himself, your lawful title to the double sobriquet of the general, 
 with the addition to it which the colonel of the expedition has sup 
 plied ragged as well as rough and ready. No doubt you all 
 showed title, at that time, to that third sobriquet ; but to see you 
 now, so gayly attired, so sprucely equipped, one might suppose that 
 you had never, for an instant, been a stranger to the virtues of soap 
 and water, or the magic ministrations of the blanchisseuse, and the 
 elegant transformations of the fashionable tailor. Thanks, perhaps, 
 to the difference between pay in the lump at the end of service, and 
 driblets in the course of it. 
 
 " You arrived in General Taylor's camp ragged and rough, as 
 we can well conceive, and ready, as I can quickly show. You re 
 ported for duty! you asked for service ! such as a march upon 
 San Luis de Potosi, Zacatecas, or the 'halls of the Montezumas,' or 
 any thing in that way that the general should have a mind to. If 
 he was going upon any excursion of that kind, all right. No matter 
 about fatigues that were passed, or expirations of service that might 
 accrue ; you came to go, and only asked the privilege. 
 
 " That is what I call ready. Unhappily the conqueror of Palo 
 Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, and Buena Vista, was not in 
 exactly the condition that the lieutenant-general, that might have 
 been, intended him to be. He was not at the head of twenty thou 
 sand men ! he was not at the head of any thousands that would 
 enable him to march ! and had to decline the proffered service. 
 Thus the long-marched and well-fought volunteers the rough, the 
 ready, and the ragged, had to turn their faces towards home, still 
 more than two thousand miles distant. But this being mostly by 
 water, you hardly count it in the recital of your march. But this 
 is an unjust omission, and against the precedents as well as unjust. 
 * The Ten Thousand' counted the voyage on the Black Sea as well 
 as the march from Babylon ; and twenty centuries admit the validity 
 of the count. The present age, and posterity, will include in the 
 going out and coming in' of the Missouri Chihuahua volunteers, the 
 water voyage as well as the land march ; and then the expedition 
 of the One Thousand will exceed that of the Ten by some two 
 thousand miles. 
 
 "The last nine hundred miles of your land march, from Chihua 
 hua to Matamoras, you made in forty-five days, bringing seventeen 
 pieces of artillery, eleven of which were taken from the Sacramento 
 
BATTLE OF SACRAMENTO. 187 
 
 and Bracito. Your horses, travelling the whole distance without 
 United States' provender, were astonished to find themselves regaled 
 on their arrival on the Rio Grande frontier, with hay, corn, and oats 
 from the States. You marched further than the farthest, fought as 
 well as the best, left order and quiet in your train, and cost less mo 
 ney than any. 
 
 " You arrive here to-day, absent one year, marching and fighting 
 all the time, bringing trophies of cannon and standards from fields 
 whose ames were unknown to you before you set out, and only 
 grieving that you could not have gone further. Ten pieces of can 
 non, rolled out of Chihuahua to arrest your march, now roll through 
 the streets of St. Louis, to grace your triumphal return. Many 
 standards, all pierced with bullets, while waving over the heads of 
 the enemy at the Sacramento, now wave at the head of your column. 
 The black flag, brought to the Bracito, to indicate the refusal of that 
 quarter which its bearers so soon needed and received, now takes 
 its place among your trophies, and hangs drooping in their nobler 
 presence. To crown the whole to make public and private hap 
 piness go together to spare the cypress where the laurel hangs in 
 clusters this long and perilous march, with all its accidents of field 
 and camp, presents an incredibly small list of comrades lost. Al 
 most all return ! and the joy of families resounds, intermingled with 
 the applauses of the State." 
 
 The following is the colonel's account of the great battle of Sacra 
 mento : 
 
 " On the evening of the 8th of February, 1847, we left the town 
 of El Paso del Norte, escorting the merchant train or caravan of- 
 about three hundred and fifteen wagons for the city of Chihuahua. 
 Our force consisted of nine hundred and twenty-four effective men ; 
 one hundred and seventeen officers and privates of the artillery ; 
 ninety-three of Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell's escort, and the re 
 mainder the first regiment Missouri mounted riflemen. We pro 
 gressed in the direction' of this place until the 25th, when we were 
 informed by our spies that the enemy, to the number of fifteen 
 hundred men, were at Inseneas, the country-seat of Governor Trias, 
 about twenty-five miles in advance. 
 
 "When we arrived, on the evening of the 26th, near that point, 
 we found that the force had retreated in the direction of this city. 
 On the evening of the 27th we arrived at Sans, and learned from 
 
 W* 
 
188 COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 our spies that the enemy, in great force, had fortified the pass of the 
 Sacramento river, about fifteen miles in advance, and about the 
 same distance from this city. We were also informed that there 
 was no water between the point we were at and that occupied by 
 the enemy; we therefore determined to halt until morning. At 
 sunrise on the 28th, the last day of February, we took up the line 
 of march and formed the whole train, consisting of three hundred 
 and fifteen heavy traders' wagons and our commissary and company 
 wagons, into four columns, thus shortening our line so as to make it 
 more easily protected. 
 
 " We placed the artillery and all the command, except two hun 
 dred cavalry proper, in the intervals between the columns of wagons. 
 We thus fully concealed our force and its position by masking our 
 force with the cavalry. When we arrived within three miles of the 
 enemy, we made a reconnoissance of his position and the arrange 
 ment of his forces. This we could easily do the road leading 
 through an open prairie valley between the sterile mountains. 
 The Pass of the Sacramento is formed by a point of the mountains 
 on our right, their left extending into the valley or plain so as to 
 narrow the valley to about one and a half miles. On our left was 
 a deep, dry, sandy channel of a creek, and between these points the 
 plain rises to sixty feet abruptly. This rise is in the form of a 
 crescent, the convex part being to the north of our forces. 
 
 " On the right, from the point of mountains, a narrow part of the 
 plain extends north one and a half miles farther than on the left. 
 The main road passes down the centre of the valley and across the 
 crescent, near the left or dry branch. The Sacramento rises in the 
 mountains on the right, and the road falls on to it about one mile 
 below the battle-field or entrenchment of the enemy. We ascer 
 tained that the enemy had one battery of four guns, two nine and two 
 six-pounders, on the point of the mountain on our right, (their left,) 
 at a good elevation to sweep the plain, and at the point where the 
 mountains extended farthest into the plain. 
 
 " On our left (their right) they had another battery on an eleva 
 tion commanding the road, and three entrenchments of two six- 
 pounders, and on the brow of the crescent near the centre another 
 of two six and two four and six culverins, or rampart pieces, mounted 
 on carriages ; and on the crest of the hill or ascent between the 
 batteries, and the right and left, they had twenty-seven redoubts dug 
 
BATTLE OF SACRAMENTO. 189 
 
 and thrown up, extending at short intervals across the whole ground. 
 In these their infantry were placed, and were entirely protected. 
 Their cavalry was drawn up in front of the redoubts in the intervals 
 four deep, and in front of the redoubts two deep, so as to mask them 
 as far as practicable. 
 
 " When we had arrived within one and a half miles of the en 
 trenchments along the main road, we advanced the cavalry still 
 farther, and suddenly diverged with the columns to the right, so as 
 to gain the narrow part of the ascent on our right, which the enemy 
 discovering endeavoured to prevent by moving forward with one 
 thousand cavalry and four pieces of cannon in their rear, masked by 
 them. Our movements were so rapid that we gained the elevation 
 with our forces and the advance of our wagons in time to form be 
 fore they arrived within reach of our guns. The enemy halted, 
 and we advanced the head of our column within twelve hundred 
 yards of them, so as to let our wagons attain the high lands and 
 form as before. 
 
 " We now commenced the action by a brisk fire from our battery, 
 and the enemy unmasked and commenced also ; our fires proved 
 effective at this distance, killing fifteen men, wounding several more, 
 and disabling one of the enemy's guns. We had two men slightly 
 wounded, and several horses and mules killed. The enemy then 
 slowly retreated behind their works in some confusion, and we re 
 sumed our march in the former order, still diverging more to the 
 right to avoid their battery on our left, (their right,) and their strongest 
 redoubts, which were on the left near where the road passes. After 
 marching as far as we safely could, without coming within range of 
 their heavy battery on our right, Captain Weightman, of the artil 
 lery, was ordered to charge with the two twelve-pound howitzers, 
 to be supported by the cavalry under Captains Reid, Parsons and 
 Hudson. 
 
 " The howitzers charged at speed, and were gallantly sustained 
 by Captain Reid ; but, by some misunderstanding, my order was 
 not given to the other two companies. Captain Hudson, anticipat 
 ing my order, charged in time to give ample support to the howit 
 zers. Captain Parsons, at the same moment, came to me and asked 
 permission for his company to charge the redoubts immediately to 
 the left of Captain Weightman, which he did very gallantly. The 
 remainder of the two battalions of the 1st regiment were dismount- 
 
J DO COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 fed during the cavalry charge, and following rapidly on foot, while 
 Major Clarke advanced as fast as practicable with the remainder of 
 the battery, we charged their redoubts from right to left, with a brisk 
 and deadly fire of riflemen, while Major Clarke opened a rapid and 
 well-directed fire on a column of cavalry attempting to pass to our 
 left so as to attack the wagons and our rear. 
 
 "The fire was so well directed as to force them to fall back ; and 
 cur riflemen, with the cavalry and howitzers, cleared the parapets 
 after an obstinate resistance. Our forces advanced to the very 
 brink of their redoubts and attacked the enemy with their sabres. 
 When the redoubts were cleared, and the batteries in the centre 
 and on our left were silenced, the main battery on our right still 
 continued to pour in a constant and heavy fire, as it had done 
 during the heat of the engagement ; but as the whole fate of the 
 battle depended upon carrying the redoubts and centre battery, this 
 one on the right remained unattacked, and the enemy had rallied 
 there five hundred strong. 
 
 " Major Clarke was directed to commence a heavy fire upon it. 
 Lieutenant-Colonels Mitchell and Jackson, commanding the 1st bat 
 talion, were ordered to remount and charge the battery on the left, 
 while Major Gilpin passed the 2d battalion on foot up the rough 
 ascent of the mountain on the opposite side. The fire of our battery 
 was so effective as to completely silence theirs, and the rapid advance 
 of our column put them to flight over the mountains in great confusion. 
 
 " Thus ended the battle of Sacramento. The force of the enemy 
 was twelve hundred cavalry, from Durango and Chihuahua, with 
 the Vera Cruz dragoons ; twelve hundred infantry from Chihuahua; 
 three hundred artillerists, and fourteen hundred and twenty ranche- 
 ros, badly armed with lassoes, lances, and machetoes, or corn knives ; 
 ten pieces of artillery, two nine, two eight, four six, and two four- 
 pounders, and six culverins, or rampart pieces. 
 
 " Their forces were commanded by Major-General Hendea, gene 
 ral of Durango, Chihuahua, Sonora, and New Mexico; Brigadier- 
 General Jastimani, Brigadier : General Garcia Conde, formerly Mi 
 nister of War for the Republic of Mexico, who is a scientific man, 
 and planned this whole field of defence ; General Uguerte and Go 
 vernor Tria, who acted as brigadier-general on the field, and colonels 
 and other officers without number. 
 
 " Our force was nine hundred and twenty-four effective men ; at 
 
CAPTURE OF CHIHUAHUA. 191 
 
 least one hundred of whom were engaged in holding horses and 
 driving teams. 
 
 " The loss of the enemy was his entire artillery, ten wagons, 
 masses of beans and pinola, and other Mexican provisions, about 
 three hundred killed and about the same number wounded, many 
 of whom have since died, and forty prisoners. 
 
 " The field was literally covered with the dead and wounded from 
 our artillery and the unerring fire of our riflemen. Night put a 
 stop to the carnage, the battle having commenced about three o'clock. 
 Our loss was one killed, one mortally wounded, and seven so wound 
 ed as to recover without any loss of limbs. I cannot speak too 
 highly of the coolness, gallantry and bravery of the officers and 
 men under my command. 
 
 "I was ably sustained by field officers Lieutenant-Colonels 
 Mitchell and Jackson of the 1st battalion, and Major Gilpin of the 
 2d battalion ; and Major Clarke and his artillery acted nobly, and 
 did the most effective service in every part of the field. It is abun 
 dantly shown, in the charge made by Captain Weightman, with the 
 section of howitzers, that they can be used in any charge of cavalry 
 with great effect. Much has been said, and justly said, of the gal 
 lantry of our artillery, unlimbering within two hundred and fifty 
 yards of the enemy at Palo Alto ; but how much more daring was 
 the charge of Captain Weightman, when he unlimbered within fifty 
 yards of the redoubts of the enemy. 
 
 " On the first day of March we took formal possession of the 
 capital of Chihuahua in the name of our government. We were 
 ordered by General Kearny to report to General Wool at this place ; 
 since our arrival, we hear that he is at Saltillo, surrounded by the 
 enemy. Our present purpose is either to force our way to him, or 
 return by Bexar, as our term of service expires on the last day of 
 May next." 
 
 We annex a vivid description, by Edwin Bryant, Esq., of the 
 desert through which Doniphan led his troops. A perusal of it 
 will increase our astonishment at his remarkable expedition. 
 
 " Monday, August 3. I rose from my bivouack this morning al 
 half-past one o'clock. The moon, appearing like a ball of fire, and 
 shining with a dim and baleful light, seemed struggling downwards 
 through the thick bank of smoky vapour that overhung and cur 
 tained the high ridge of mountains to the west of us. This ridge, 
 
192 COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 stretching as far to the north and the south as the eye can reach, 
 forms the western wall (if I may so call it) of the desert valley we 
 had crossed yesterday, and is composed of rugged, barren peaks of 
 dark basaltic rock, sometimes exhibiting misshapen outlines, at 
 others towering upwards, and displaying a variety of architectural 
 forms, representing domes, spires, and turreted fortifications. 
 
 " Our encampment was on the slope of the mountain, and the 
 valley lay spread out at our feet, illumined sufficiently by the red 
 glare of the moon, and the more pallid effulgence of the stars, to 
 display imperfectly its broken and frightful barrenness and its solemn 
 desolation. No life, except in the little oasis occupied by our camp 
 and dampened by the sluggish spring, by excavating which with 
 our hands we had obtained impure water sufficient to quench our 
 own and our animals' thirst, existed as far as the eye could penetrate 
 over mountain and plain. There was no voice of animal, no hum 
 of insect, disturbing the tomb-like solemnity. All was silence and 
 dearth. The atmosphere, chili and frosty, seemed to sympathize 
 with this sepulchral stillness. No wailing or whispering sounds 
 sighed through the chasms of the mountains, or over the gulfy and 
 waterless ravines of the valley ; no rustling zephyr swept over the 
 scant dead grass, or disturbed the crumbling leaves of the gnarled 
 and stunted cedars, which seemed to draw a precarious existence 
 from the small patch of damp earth surrounding us. Like the other 
 elements sustaining animal and vegetable life, the winds seemed 
 stagnant and paralyzed by the universal dearth around. I contem 
 plated this scene of dismal and oppressive solitude until the moon 
 sunk behind the mountain, and object after object became shrouded 
 in its shadow. 
 
 "Rousing Mr. Jacob, who slept soundly, and after him the other 
 members of our small party, (nine in number,) we commenced our 
 preparations for the long and much-dreaded march over the great 
 Salt Desert. Mr. Hudspeth, tht: gentleman who had kindly con 
 ducted us thus far from Fort Bridger as our pilot, was to leave us 
 at this point, for the purpose of exploring a route for the emigrant 
 wagons further south. He was accompanied by three gentlemen, 
 Messrs. Ferguson, Kirkwood, and Minter. Consequently, from 
 this time forward, we are without a guide or any reliable index to 
 our destination, except our course westward until we strike Mary's 
 river and the emigrant trail to California, which runs parallel with 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE CALFFORNIA DESERT. 193 
 
 it, some two or three hundred miles distant. The march across the 
 Salt Plain, without water or grass, was variously estimated by those 
 with whom I conversed at Fort Bridger at from sixty to eighty 
 miles. Captain Walker, an old and experienced mountaineer, who 
 had crossed it at this point, as the guide of Captain Fremont and 
 his party, estimated the distance at seventy-five miles, and we found 
 the estimate to be correct. 
 
 " We gathered the dead limbs of the cedars which had been cut 
 down by Captain Fremont's party when encamped here last au 
 tumn, and igniting them they gave us a good light during the pre 
 paration and discussion of our frugal breakfast, which consisted to 
 day of bread and coffee bacon being interdicted in consequence of 
 its incitement to thirst, a sensation which at this time we desired to 
 avoid, as we felt uncertain how long it might be before we should 
 be able to gratify the unpleasant craving it produces. 
 
 " Each individual of the party busied himself around the blazing 
 fires, in making his various little but important arrangements, until 
 the first gray of the dawn manifested itself above the vapoury bank 
 overhanging the eastern ridge of mountains, when, the word to 
 saddle up being given, the mules were brought to the camp-fires, 
 and every arm and muscle of the party was actively employed in 
 the business of saddling and packing ' with care' with unusual 
 care as a short detention during the day's march, to readjust the 
 packs, might result in an encampment upon the desert for the com 
 ing night, and all its consequent dangers the death or loss, by 
 staying in search of water and grass, of our mules, (next to death 
 to us,) not taking into account our own suffering from thirst, which, 
 for the next eighteen or twenty hours, we had made up our minds 
 to endure with philosophical fortitude and resignation. A small 
 powder-keg, holding about three or four pints of coffee, which had 
 been emptied of its original contents for the purpose, and filled with 
 that beverage made from the brackish spring near our camp, was 
 the only vessel we possessed in which we could transport water, 
 and its contents composed our entire liquid refreshment for the 
 inarch. Instructions were given to Miller, who had charge of the 
 important and precious burden, to husband it with miserly care, and 
 to make an equitable division whenever it should be called into use. 
 
 " Every thing being ready, Mr. Hudspeth, who accompanied us 
 to the summit of the mountain, led the way. We passed upwards 
 17 
 
194 COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 through the Canada, (pronounced kanyeada,) or mountain gorge, at 
 the mouth of which we had encamped, and, by a comparatively easy 
 and smooth ascent, reached the summit of the mountain after travel 
 ling about six miles. Most of us were shivering with cold, until 
 the sun shone broadly upon us, after emerging by a steep acclivity 
 from the gorge through which we had passed, to the top of the 
 ridge. Here we should have had a view of the mountain at the foot 
 of which our day's journey was to terminate, but for the dense 
 smoke which hung over and filled the plain, shutting from the 
 vision all distant objects. 
 
 "Bidding farewell to Mr. Hudspethand the gentleman with him, 
 (Mr. Ferguson,) we commenced the descent of the mountain. We 
 had scarcely parted from Mr. Hudspeth, when, standing on one of 
 the peaks, he stretched out his long arms, and with a voice and ges 
 ture as loud and impressive as he could make them, he called to us 
 and exclaimed, ' Now, boys, put spurs to your mules, and ride like 
 h !' The hint was timely given and well meant, but scarcely 
 necessary, as we all had a pretty just appreciation of the trials and 
 hardships before us. 
 
 " The descent from the mountain on the western side was more 
 difficult than the ascent, but two or three miles by a winding and 
 precipitous path, through some straggling, stunted, and tempest- 
 bound cedars, brought us to the foot and into the valley, where, after 
 some search, we found a blind trail, which we supposed to be that 
 of Captain Fremont, made last year. Our course for the day was 
 nearly due west, and following this trail where it was visible and 
 did not deviate from our course, and putting our mules into a brisk 
 gait, we crossed a valley some eight or ten miles in width, sparely 
 covered with wild sage (artimisia) and grease-wood. These shrubs 
 display themselves and maintain a dying existence, a brownish ver 
 dure, on the most arid and sterile plains and mountains of the desert, 
 where no other vegetation shows itself. After crossing the valley, 
 we rose a ridge of low volcanic hills, thickly strewn with sharp 
 fragments of basaltes and a vitreous gravel, resembling junk-bottle 
 glass. We passed over this ridge through a narrow gap, the walls 
 of which are perpendicular, and composed of the same dark material 
 as the debris strewn around. From the western terminus of this 
 ominous-looking passage, we had a view of the vast desert plain 
 oefore us, which, as far as the eye could penetrate, was of a snowy 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE CALIFORNIA DESERT. 195 
 
 whiteness, and resembled a scene of wintry frosts and icy desolation. 
 Not a shrub or object of any kind rose above the surface for the eye 
 to rest upon. The hiatus in the animal and vegetable kingdoms 
 was perfect. It was a scene which excited mingled emotions of 
 admiration and apprehension. 
 
 " Passing a little further on, we stood on the brow of a steep pre 
 cipice, the descent from the ridge of hills, immediately below and 
 beyond which a narrow valley or depression in the surface of the 
 plain, about five miles in width, displayed so perfectly the wavy 
 and frothy appearance of highly-agitated water, that Colonel Russell 
 and myself, who were riding together some distance in advance, 
 both simultaneously exclaimed, We must have taken a wrong 
 course and struck another arm or bay of the great salt lake.' With 
 deep concern we were looking around, surveying the face of the 
 country to ascertain what remedy there might be for this formidable 
 obstruction to our progress, when the remainder of the party came 
 up. The difficulty was presented to them ; but soon, upon a more 
 calm and scrutinizing inspection, we discovered that what repre 
 sented so perfectly the * rushing waters,' ^as moveless and made 
 no sound. The illusion soon became manifest to all of us, and 
 a hearty laugh at those who were the fiFet to be deceived was the 
 consequence, denying to them the merit of being good pilots or pio 
 neers, &c. 
 
 "Descending the precipitous elevation upon which we stood, we 
 entered upon the hard, smooth plain we had just been surveying 
 with so much doubt and interest, composed of bluish clay, encrusted 
 in wavy lines with a white saline substance, the first representing 
 the body of the water and the last the crest and froth of the mimic 
 waves and surges. Beyond this we crossed what appeared to have 
 been the beds of several small lakes, the waters of which have 
 evaporated, thickly encrusted with salt, and separated from each 
 other by small mound-shaped elevations of a white sandy or ashy 
 earth, so imponderous that it has been driven by the action of the 
 winds into these heaps, which are constantly changing their positions 
 and their shapes. Our mules waded through these ashy undula 
 tions, sometimes sinking to their knees, at others to their bellies, 
 creating a dust that rose above and hung over us like a 
 dense fog. 
 
 "From this point, on our right and left, diagonally in our front. 
 
196 COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 at an apparent distance of thirty or forty miles, high isolated moun 
 tains rise abruptly from the surface of the plain. Those on our left 
 were as white as the snow-like face of the desert, and may be of the 
 same composition, but I am inclined to the belief that they are com 
 posed of white clay, or clay and sand intermingled. 
 
 "The mirage, a beautiful phenomenon I have frequently men 
 tioned as exhibiting itself upon our journey, here displayed its won 
 derful illusions, in a perfection and with a magnificence surpassing 
 any presentation of the kind I had previously seen. Lakes dotted 
 with islands and bordered by groves of gently-waving timber, whose 
 tranquil and limpid waves reflected their sloping banks and the 
 shady islets in their bosoms, lay spread out before us, inviting us 
 by their illusory temptations to stray from our path and enjoy their 
 cooling shades and refreshing waters. These fading away as we 
 advanced, beautiful villas, adorned with edifices, decorated with all 
 life ornaments of suburban architecture, and surrounded by gardens, 
 shaded walks, parks, and stately avenues, would succeed them, 
 renewing the alluring invitation to repose, by enticing the vision 
 with more than calypsan enjoyments or elysian pleasures. These 
 melting from our view as those before, in another place a vast city 
 with countless columned edifices of marble whiteness, and studded 
 with domes, spires, and turreted towers, would rise upon the hori 
 zon of the plain, astonishing us with its stupendous grandeur and 
 sublime magnificence. But it is in vain to attempt a description of 
 these singular and extraordinary phenomena. Neither prose, nor 
 poetry, nor the pencil of the artist, can adequately portray their 
 beauties. The whole distant view around, at this point, seemed 
 like the creations of a sublime and gorgeous dream or the effect of 
 enchantment. I observed that where these appearances were pre 
 sented in their most varied forms and with the most vivid distinct 
 ness, the surface of the plain was broken, either by chasms hollowed 
 out from the action of. the winds, or by undulations formed of the 
 drifting sands. 
 
 "About eleven o'clock we struck a vast white plain, uniformly 
 level, and utterly destitute of vegetation, or any sign that shrub or 
 plant had ever existed above its snow-like surface. Pausing a few 
 moments to rest our mules, and moisten our mouths and throats from 
 the scant supply of beverage in our powder-keg, we entered upon 
 this appalling field of sullen and hoary desolation. It was a scene 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE CALIFORNIA DESERT. 197 
 
 so entirely new to us, so frightfully forbidding and unearthly in its 
 aspects, that all of us, I believe, though impressed with its sublimity, 
 felt a slight shudder of apprehension. Our mules seemed to sym 
 pathize with us in the pervading sentiment, and moved forward with 
 reluctance, several of them stubbornly setting their faces for a counter 
 march. 
 
 " For fifteen miles the surface of this plain is so compact that the 
 feet of our animals, as we hurried them along over it, left but little 
 if any impression for the guidance of the future traveller. It is 
 covered with a hard crust of saline and alkaline substances com 
 bined, from one-fourth to one-half of an inch in thickness, beneath 
 which is a stratum of damp whitish sand and clay intermingled. 
 Small fragments of white shelly rock, of an inch and a half in 
 thickness, which appear as if they once composed a crust, but had 
 been broken by the action of the atmosphere, or the pressure of 
 water rising from beneath, are strewn over the entire plain and em 
 bedded in the salt and sand. 
 
 "As we moved onward, a member of our party in the rear called 
 our attention to a gigantic moving object on our left, at an apparent dis 
 tance of six or eight miles. It is very difficult to determine distances 
 accurately on these plains. Your estimate is based upon the probable 
 dimensions of the object, and unless you know what the object is, 
 and its probable size, you are liable to great deception. The atmo 
 sphere seems frequently to act as a magnifier, so much so that I have 
 often seen a raven perched upon a low shrub or an undulation of 
 the plain, answering to the outlines of a man on horseback. But 
 this object was so enormously large, considering its apparent dis 
 tance, and its movement forward, parallel with ours, so distinct, that 
 it greatly excited our wonder and curiosity. Many and various 
 were the conjectures (serious and facetious) of the party, as to what 
 it might be or portend. Some thought it might be Mr. Hudspeth, 
 who had concluded to follow us ; others that it was some cyclopean 
 nondescript animal, lost upon the desert ; others that it was the 
 ghost of a mammoth or megatherium wandering on 'this rendezvous 
 of death ;' others that it was the d 1 mounted on an ibis, &c. It 
 was the general conclusion, however, that no animal composed of 
 flesh and blood, or even a healthy ghost, could here inhabit. A 
 partner of equal size soon joined it, and for an hour or more they 
 17* 
 
198 COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 moved along as before, parallel to us, when ihey disappeared appa 
 rently behind the horizon. 
 
 " As we proceeded the plain gradually became softer, and our 
 mules sometimes sunk to their knees in the stiff composition of salt, 
 sand, and clay. The travelling at length became so difficult and 
 fatiguing to our animals that several of the party dismounted, (my 
 self among the number,) and we Consequently slackened our hitherto 
 brisk pace into a walk. About two o'clock, P. M. we discovered 
 through the smoky vapour the dim outlines of the mountain in front 
 of us, at the foot of which was to terminate our day's march, if we 
 were so fortunate as to reach it. But still we were a long and weary 
 distance from it, and from the ' grass and water' which we expected 
 there to find. A cloud rose from the south soon afterwards, accom 
 panied by several distant peals of thunder and furious wind, rushing 
 across the plain, and filling the whole atmosphere around us with 
 the fine particles of salt, and drifting it in heaps like the newly- 
 fallen snow. Our eyes became nearly blinded and our throats 
 choked with the saline matter, and the very air we breathed tasted 
 of salt. 
 
 " During the subsidence of this tempest there appeared upon the 
 plain one of the most extraordinary phenomena, I dare to assert, 
 ever witnessed. As I have before stated, I had dismounted from my 
 mule, and turning it in with the caballada, was walking several rods 
 in front of the party, in order to lead in a direct course to the point 
 of our destination. Diagonally in front, to the right, our course being 
 west, there .appeared the figures of a number of men and horses, some 
 fifteen or twenty. Some of these figures were mounted, and others 
 dismounted, and appeared to be marching in front. Their faces and 
 the heads of their horses were turned towards us, and at first they 
 appeared as if they were rushing down upon us. Their apparent 
 distance, judging from the horizon, was from three to five miles. 
 But their size was not correspondent, for they appeared nearly as 
 large as our own bodies, and consequently were of gigantic stature. 
 At first view I supposed them to be a small party of Indians (pro 
 bably the Utahs) marching from the opposite side of the plain. But 
 this seemed to me scarcely probable, as no hunting or war party 
 would be likely to take this route. I called to some of our party 
 nearest to me to hasten forward, as there were men in front coming 
 toward us. Very soon the fifteen or twenty figures were multiplied 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE CALIFORNIA DESERT. JL99 
 
 into three or four hundred, and appeared to be marching forward 
 with the greatest action and speed. I then conjectured that they 
 might be Captain Fremont and his party, with others from Cali 
 fornia, returning to the United States by this route, although they 
 seemed to be too numerous even for this. I spoke to Brown, who 
 was nearest to me, and asked him if he noticed the figures of men 
 and horses in front. He answered that he did, and that he had ob 
 served the same appearances several times previously, but that they 
 had disappeared, and he believed them to be optical illusions similar 
 to the mirage. It was then, for the first time, so perfect was the 
 deception, that I conjectured the probable fact that these figures 
 were the reflection of our own images by the atmosphere, filled as 
 it was with fine particles of crystallized matter, or by the distant 
 horizon, covered by the same substance. This induced a more mi 
 nute observation of the phenomenon, in order to detect the deception, 
 if such it were. I noticed a single figure, apparently in front in 
 advance of all the others, and was struck with its likeness to my 
 self. Its motions too I thought were the same as mine. To test 
 the hypothesis above suggested, I wheeled suddenly around, at the 
 same time stretching my arms out to their full length, and turning 
 my face sideways to notice the movements of this figure. It went 
 through precisely the same motions. I then marched deliberately 
 and with long strides several paces, the figure did the same. To 
 test it more thoroughly, I repeated the experiment, and with the 
 same result. The fact then was clear. But it was more fully ve 
 rified still, for the whole array of this numerous shadowy host in 
 the course of an hour melted entirely away and was no more seen. 
 The phenomenon, however, explained and gave the history of the 
 gigantic spectres which appeared and disappeared so mysteriously 
 at an earlier hour of the day. The figures were our own shadows, 
 produced and reproduced by the mirror-like composition impregnat 
 ing the atmosphere and covering the plain. I cannot here more 
 particularly explain or refer to the subject. But this spectral popu 
 lation, springing out of the ground as it were, and arraying itself 
 before us as we traversed this dreary and Heaven-condemned waste, 
 although we were entirely convinced of the cause of the apparition, 
 excited those superstitious emotions so natural to all mankind. 
 
 " About five o'clock, P. M., we reached and passed, leaving it to 
 our left, a small butfe, rising solitary from the plain. Around this 
 
200 COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 the ground is uneven, and a few scattering shrubs, leafless and with 
 out verdure, raised themselves above the white sand and saline mat 
 ter, which seemed recently to have drifted, so as nearly to conceal 
 them. Eight miles brought us to the northern end of a short range 
 of mountains, turning the point of which and bending our course to 
 the left, we gradually came upon higher ground, composed of com 
 pact volcanic gravel. I was here considerably in the rear, having 
 made a detour towards the base of the butte, and thence toward the 
 centre of the short range of mountains to discover, if such existed, a 
 spring of water. I saw no such joyful presentation, nor any of the 
 usual indications ; and when I reached and turned the point, the 
 whole party were several miles ahead of me and out of sight. Con 
 gratulating myself that I stood once more on terra firma, I urged 
 my tired mule forward with all the life and activity that spur and 
 whip could inspire her with, passing down the range of mountains 
 on my left some four or five miles, and then rising some rocky hills 
 connecting this with a long and high range of mountains on my 
 right. The distance across these hills is about seven or eight miles. 
 When I had reached the most elevated point of this ridge the sun 
 was setting, and I saw my fellow travellers still far in advance of 
 me, entering again upon a plain or valley of salt, some ten or twelve 
 miles in breadth. On the opposite side of this valley rose abruptly 
 and to a high elevation another mountain, at the foot of which we 
 expected to find the spring of fresh water that was to quench our 
 thirst, and revive and sustain the drooping energies of our faithful 
 beasts. 
 
 "About midway upwards, in a Canada of this mountain, I noticed 
 the smoke of a fire, which apparently had just been kindled, as 
 doubtless it had been, by Indians, who were then there, and had 
 discovered our party on the white plain below, it being the custom 
 of these Indians to make signals by fire and smoke whenever they 
 notice strange objects. Proceeding onward, I overtook an old and 
 favourite pack-mule, which was familiarly called ' Old Jenny.' She 
 carried our meat and flour all that we possessed in fact as a suste 
 nance of life. Her pack had turned, and her burden, instead of 
 being on her back, was suspended under her belly. With the good 
 sense and discretion so characteristic of the Mexican pack-mule, be 
 ing behind and following the party in advance, she had stopped short 
 in the road until some one should come to re-arrange her cargo and 
 
DESCRIPTION OF THE CALIFORNIA DESERT. 201 
 
 place it on deck instead of under the keel. I dismounted and went 
 through by myself the rather tedious and laborious process of un 
 packing and repacking. This done, ' Old Jenny' set forward upon 
 a fast gallop to overtake her companions ahead ; and my own mule, 
 as if not to be outdone in the race, followed in the same gait. * Old 
 Jenny,' however, maintained the honours of the race, keeping con 
 siderably ahead. Both of them, by that instinct or faculty which 
 mules undoubtedly possess, had scented the water on the other side 
 of the valley, and their pangs of extreme thirst urged them forward 
 at this extraordinary speed, after the long and laborious march they 
 had made to obtain it. 
 
 " As I advanced over the plain, which was covered with a thicker 
 crust of salt than that previously described, breaking under the feet 
 of the animals like a crust of frozen snow, the spreading of the fires 
 in the Canada of the mountain appeared with great distinctness. 
 The line of lights was regular like camp-fires, and I was more than 
 half inclined to hope that we should meet and be welcomed by an 
 encampment of civilized men, either hunters or a party from the 
 Pacific bound homeward. The moon rose about nine o'clock, dis 
 playing and illuminating the unnatural, unearthly dreariness of the 
 scenery. 
 
 " ' Old Jenny' for some time had so far beat me in the race as to 
 be out of my sight and I out of the sound of her footsteps. I was 
 entirely alone, and enjoying, as well as a man could with a crust 
 of salt in his nostrils and over his lips, and a husky mouth and 
 throat, the singularity of rny situation, when I observed about a 
 quarter of a mile ahead of me a dark stationary object, standing in 
 the midst of the hoary scenery. I supposed it to be ' Old Jenny,' 
 in trouble once more about her pack. But, coming up to a speaking 
 distance, I was challenged in a loud voice with the usual guard 
 salutation, 'Who comes there ?' Having no countersign, I gave the 
 common response in such cases, A friend.' This appeared to be 
 satisfactory ; for I heard no report of pistol or rifle, and no arrow 
 took its soundless flight through my body. I rode up to the object, 
 and discovered it to be Buchanan sitting upon his mule, which had 
 become so much exhausted that it occasionally refused to go along, 
 notwithstanding his industrious application of the usual incentives 
 to progress. He said that he had supposed himself to be the ' last 
 man' before ' Old Jenny' passed, who had given him a surprise, and 
 
202 COLONEL DONIPHAN. 
 
 he was quite thunderstruck when an animal, mounted by a man, 
 came charging upon him in his half-crippled condition. After a 
 good laugh and some little delay and difficulty, we got his mule 
 under way again and rode slowly along together. 
 
 " We left, to us, in our tired condition, the seemingly interminable 
 plain of salt, and entered upon the sagey slope of the mountain 
 about ten o'clock. 'Hallooing as loudly as we could raise our voices, 
 we obtained by -a response the direction of our party who had pre 
 ceded us, and, after some difficulty in making our way through the 
 sage, grass, and willows, (the last a certain indication of water in 
 the desert,) we came to where they had discovered a faint stream 
 of water, and made their camp. Men and mules, on their first ar 
 rival, as we learned, had madly rushed into the stream and drank 
 together of its muddy waters, made muddy by their own disturb 
 ance of its shallow channel and sluggish current. 
 
 "Delay of gratification frequently gives a temporary relief to the 
 cravings of hunger. The same remark is applicable to thirst. Some 
 hours previously I had felt the pangs of thirst with an acuteness 
 almost amounting to an agony. Now, when I had reached the spot 
 where I could gratify my desires in this respect, they were greatly 
 diminished. My first care w r as to unsaddle my mule and lead it to 
 the stream, and my next to take a survey of the position of our en 
 campment. I then procured a cup of muddy water and drank it 
 off with a good relish. The fires before noticed were still blazing 
 brightly above us on the side of the mountain, but those who had 
 lighted them had given no other signal of their proximity. The 
 moon shone brilliantly, and Jacob, Buchanan, McClary, and my 
 self, concluded we would trace the small stream of water until we 
 could find the fountain spring. After considerable search among 
 the reeds, willow, and luxuriant green, we discovered a spring. 
 Buchannan was so eager to obtain a draught of cold pure water, 
 that in dipping his cup for this purpose the yielding weeds under 
 him gave way, and he sunk into the basin, from which he was 
 drawn out after a good ducking' by one of those present. The 
 next morning this basin was sounded to the depth of thirty-five feet, 
 and no bottom found. We named this spring ' Buchanan's Well/ 
 We lighted no fires to-night, and prepared no evening meal. Worn 
 down by the hard day's travel, after relieving our thirst, we spread 
 our blankets upon the ground, and, laying our bodies upon them 
 
DONIPHAN'S PERSONAL APPEARANCE. 203 
 
 slept soundly in the bright moonshine. Several of our party had 
 been on the road upwards of seventeen hours, without water or re 
 freshment of any kind, except a small draught of cold coffee from 
 our powder-keg, made of the salt-sulphur water at our last encamp 
 ment, and had travelled the distance of seventy-five miles. The Salt 
 Plain has never at this place, so far as I could understand, been 
 crossed but twice previously by civilized men, and in these instances 
 two days were occupied in performing the journey." 
 
 " Colonel Doniphan," says a volunteer who accompanied him in 
 the march, " is in age about forty, and in stature, six feet two inches, 
 of large frame, and with a very intelligent face. His great charm lies 
 in his easy and kind manner. On the march he could not be dis 
 tinguished from the other soldiers, either by dress or from his con 
 versation. He ranked high as a lawyer in Missouri." 
 
 
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FREMONT. 
 
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL JOHN C. FREMONT is a native of South 
 Carolina. He served as first assistant to the celebrated Nicollet, and 
 was appointed to the United States' army as second lieutenant topo 
 graphical engineers, July 7th, 1838, and in that capacity has several 
 times conducted expeditions across the Rocky Mountains to the Pa 
 cific. By the instrumentality of his father-in-law, Hon. Thomas 
 H. Benton, he has lately [May 27th, 1846] been appointed to his 
 present station. 
 
 In May, 1845, Fremont received orders from the War Department 
 at Washington, to pursue his explorations in the regions beyond the 
 Rocky Mountains. His force amounted to sixty-two men. One 
 of the objects contemplated, was the discovery of a new and shorter 
 route from the western base of the Rocky Mountains to the mouth 
 of the Columbia river. To accomplish this it was necessary to 
 journey, for a part of the distance, through the unsettled portions 
 of California, and a small tract of the inhabited region. He ap 
 proached these settlements in the winter of 1845-6, and halting his 
 command on the frontier, one hundred miles from Monterey, he 
 proceeded alone to that city, to explain the object of his coming, and 
 obtain permission to enter the valley of the San Joaquin. This was 
 granted, but scarcely had he reached the desired spot, than he re 
 ceived authentic information, that the Mexican general, Castro, was 
 preparing to attack him with a large force of artillery, cavalry and 
 infantry, supposing that, under cover of a scientific mission, Fre 
 mont was exciting the American settlers to revolt. The captain did. 
 not retreat ; but taking a position on a mountain overlooking Mon 
 terey at a distance of about thirty miles, he entrenched it, raised the 
 (204) 
 
COLONEL FREMONT. 
 
OPERATIONS IN CALIFORNIA. 205 
 
 flag of the United States, and with his men awaited the approach 
 of the enemy. 
 
 From the 7th to the 10th of March, Lieutenant-Colonel Fre 
 mont and his little band maintained this position. General Castro 
 did not approach within attacking distance, and Captain Fremont, 
 adhering to his plan of avoiding all collisions, and determined neither 
 to compromit his government, nor the American settlers, ready to 
 join him at all hazards if he had been attacked, abandoned his po 
 sition, and commenced his march for Oregon, intending by that route 
 to return to the United States. Deeming all danger from the Mexi 
 cans to be passed, he yielded to the wishes of some of his men who 
 desired to remain in the country, discharged them from his service, 
 and refused to receive others in their stead, so cautious was he to 
 avoid doing any thing which would compromit the American set 
 tlers, or give even a colour of offence to the Mexican authorities. 
 He pursued his march slowly and leisurely, as the state of his men 
 and horses required, until the middle of May, and had reached the 
 northern shore of the greater Tlamath lake, within the limits of the 
 Oregon Territory, when he found his further progress in that direc 
 tion obstructed by impassable snowy mountains and hostile Indians, 
 who had been excited against him by General Castro, had killed and 
 wounded four of his men, and left him no repose either in camp or 
 on his march. At the same time, information reached him that 
 General Castro, in addition to his Indian allies, was advancing in 
 person against him, with artillery and cavalry, at the head of four 
 or five hundred men ; that they were passing around the head of 
 the Bay of San Francisco to a rendezvous on the north side of it, 
 and that the American settlers in the valley of the Sacramento were 
 comprehended in the scheme of destruction meditated against his 
 own party. Under these circumstances, he determined to turn upon 
 his Mexican pursuers, and seek safety both for his own party, and 
 the American settlers, not merely in the defeat of Castro, but in the 
 total overthrow of the Mexican authority in California, and the es 
 tablishment of an independent government in that extensive depart 
 ment. It was on the 6th of June, and before the commencement 
 of the war between the United States and Mexico could have been 
 known, that this resolution was taken ; and, by the 5th of July, it 
 was carried into effect by a series of rapid attacks by a small body 
 of adventurous men, under the conduct of an intrepid leader, quici. 
 
 18 
 
206 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FREMONT. 
 
 to perceive and able to direct the proper measures for accomplish 
 ing such a daring enterprise. On the llth of June, a convoy of 
 two hundred horses for Castro's camp, with an officer and fourteen 
 men, were surprised and captured by twelve of Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Fremont's party. On the 15th, at daybreak, the military post of 
 Sonoma was surprised and taken, with nine brass cannon, two hun 
 dred and fifty stands of muskets, and several officers, and some men 
 and munitions of war. Leaving a small garrison in Sonoma, Lieu 
 tenant-Colonel Fremont went to the Sacramento to arouse the Ame 
 rican settlers : but scarcely had he arrived there, when an express 
 reached him from the garrison of Sonoma, with information that 
 Castro's whole force was crossing the bay to attack that place. This 
 intelligence was received in the afternoon of the 23d of June, while 
 he was on the American fork of the Sacramento, eighty miles from 
 the little garrison at Sonoma ; and, at two o'clock on the morning 
 of the 25th, he arrived at that place with ninety riflemen from the 
 American settlers in that valley. The enemy had not yet appeared. 
 Scouts were sent out to reconnoitre, and a party of twenty fell in 
 with a squadron of seventy dragoons, (all of Castro's force which 
 had crossed the bay,) attacked and defeated it, killing and wounding 
 five, without harm to themselves ; the Mexican commander, De la 
 Torre, barely escaping with the loss of his transport boats, and nine 
 pieces of brass artillery, spiked. 
 
 The country north of the Bay of San Francisco being cleared 
 of the enemy, Lieutenant-Colonel Fremont returned to Sonoma on 
 the evening of the 4th of July, and, on the morning of the 5th, 
 called the people together, explained to them the condition of things 
 in the province, and recommended an immediate declaration of in 
 dependence. The declaration was made, and he was selected to 
 take the chief direction of affairs. The attack on Castro was the 
 next object. He was at Santa Clara, an intrenched post on the 
 upper or south side of the Bay of San Francisco, with four hundred 
 men and two pieces of field-artillery. A circuit of more than one 
 hundred miles must be traversed to reach him. On the 6th of July 
 the pursuit was commenced, by a body of one hundred and sixty 
 mounted riflemen, commanded by Colonel Fremont in person, who, 
 in three days, arrived at the American settlements on the Rio de los 
 Americanos. Here he learnt that Castro had abandoned Santa Clara, 
 and was retreating south, towards Ciudad de los Angelos, the seat 
 
LETTER TO THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL. 207 
 
 of the governor-general of the Californias, and distant four hundred 
 miles. It was instantly resolved to pursue him to that place. At 
 the moment of departure, the gratifying intelligence was received 
 that war with Mexico had commenced ; that Monterey had been 
 taken by our naval forces, and the flag of the United States there 
 raised on the 7th of July ; and that the fleet would co-operate with 
 the army against Castro and his forces. The flag of independence 
 was hauled down, and that of the United States hoisted amidst the 
 hearty greetings, and to the great joy of the American settlers and 
 forces under the command of Lieutenant-Colonel Fremont. 
 
 The combined pursuit was rapidly continued ; and on the 12th 
 of August, Commodore Stockton and Lieutenant-Colonel Fremont, 
 with a detachment of marines from the squadron, and some rifle 
 men, entered the City of the Angels without resistance ; the go 
 vernor-general, Pico, the commandant-general, Castro, and all of 
 the Mexican authorities, having fled and dispersed. Commodore 
 Stockton took possession of the whole country as a conquest of the 
 United States, and appointed Lieutenant-Colonel Fremont governor, 
 under the law of nations ; to assume the functions of that office 
 when he should return to the squadron. 
 
 Unfortunately, Colonel Fremont became involved in the dispute 
 between Commodore Stockton and General Kearny, concerning the 
 supreme command of the conquered territories. As he had served 
 under the Commodore previous to this affair, he still continued to do 
 so, in violation of the commission from the President held by General 
 Kearny. For awhile the latter submitted ; but on the arrival of re 
 inforcements he assumed the chief command, arrested Fremont, and 
 sent him as a prisoner to Washington. On his arrival he addressed 
 the following letter [dated September 17th, 1847] to the adjutant- 
 general : 
 
 " 7b the Adjutant- General: SIR: According to the orders of 
 Brigadier-General Kearny, I have the honour to report myself to 
 you in person, in a state of arrest, and to make the following 
 requests : 
 
 " 1 . A copy of the charges filed against me by the said general. 
 
 " 2. A copy of the orders under which the said general brought 
 back from California to the United States myself and the topogra 
 phical party of which I formerly had the command. 
 
 " 3. A copy of the communication from Senator Benton, asking 
 
208 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FREMONT. 
 
 for my arrest and trial on the charges made in the newspapers 
 against me, and which application from him I adopt and make my 
 own. 
 
 "4. That charges and specifications, in addition to those filed by 
 General Kearny, be made out in form against me, on all the news 
 paper publications which have come, or shall come to the knowledge 
 of the office, and on all other information, oral or written. 
 
 " 5. That I may have a trial as soon as the witnesses now in the 
 United States can be got to Washington ; for, although the testi 
 mony of the voice of California, through some of its most respectable 
 inhabitants, is essential to me, and also that of Commodore Stockton, 
 who has not yet arrived from that province, yet I will not wish the 
 delay of waiting for these far-distant witnesses, and will go into trial 
 on the testimony now in the United States part of which is in the 
 state of Missouri, and may require thirty days to get it to Washing 
 ton. I therefore ask for a trial at the end of that time. 
 
 " These requests I have the honour to make, and hope they will 
 be found to be just, and will be granted. I wish a full trial, and a 
 speedy one. The charges against me by Brigadier-General Kearny 
 and the subsidiary accusations made against me in newspapers, 
 when I was not in this country, impeach me in all the departments 
 of my conduct (military, civil, political, and moral) while in Cali 
 fornia, and, if true, would subject me to be cashiered and shot under 
 the rules and articles of war, and to infamy in the public opinion. 
 It is my intention to meet these charges and accusations in all their 
 extent ; and for that purpose to ask a trial upon every point of alle 
 gation or insinuation against me, waiving all objections to forms 
 and technicalities, and allowing the widest range to all possible tes 
 timony. These charges and accusations are so general and exten 
 sive as to cover the whole field of my operations in California, both 
 civil and military, from the beginning to the end of hostilities, and 
 as my operations, and those of which I was the subject or object, 
 extend to almost every act and event which occurred in the country 
 during the eventful period of those hostilities, the testimony on my 
 trial will be the history of the conquest of California, and the expo 
 sition of the policy which has been heretofore pursued there, and 
 the elucidation of that which should be followed hereafter. It will 
 oe the means of giving valuable information to the government, 
 which it might not otherwise be able to obtain, and thus enlighten it 
 
LETTER TO THE ADJUTANT-GENERAL. 209 
 
 both with respect to the past and the future. Being a military 
 subordinate, I can make no report, not even of my own operations ; 
 but my trial may become a report, and bring to the knowledge of 
 the government what it ought to know, not only with respect to the 
 conduct of its officers, but also in regard to the policy observed, or 
 necessary to be observed, with regard to the three-fold population 
 (Spanish-Americans, Anglo-Americans, and aboriginal Americans) 
 which that remote province contains. Viewed under these aspects 
 of public interest, my own personal concern in the trial already 
 sufficiently grave acquires an additional and public importance ; 
 and for these high objects, as well as to vindicate my own character 
 from accusations both capital and infamous, it is my intention to re 
 quire and to promote the most searching examination into every 
 thing that has been done in that quarter. -*' ' 
 
 " The public mind has become impressed with the belief that 
 great misconduct has prevailed in California ; and, in fact, it would 
 be something rare in the history of remote conquests and govern 
 ments, where every petty commander might feel himself invested 
 with proconsular authority, and protected by distance from the su 
 pervision of his government, if nothing wrong or culpable has beerf 
 done by the public agents of the United States in that remote pro 
 vince. The public believe it ; and the charges filed against me 
 by Brigadier-General Kearny the subsidiary publications made 
 against me whilst I was not in this country my arrest on the fron 
 tier, and the premonitory rumours of that event the manner of my 
 being brought home for trial, not in irons, as some newspapers sup 
 pose, but in chains stronger than iron, and with circumstances of 
 ostentatious and galling degradation have all combined to present 
 me as the great malefactor, and the sole one. 
 
 " Heretofore I have said nothing, and could have said nothing, in 
 my own defence. I was ignorant of all that was going on against 
 "me ; ignorant of the charges sent from California; ignorant of the 
 intended arrest, and of the subsidiary publications to prejudice the 
 public mind. What was published in the United States in my 
 favour, by my friends, was done upon their own view of things here, 
 and of which I knew nothing. It was only on my arrival at the 
 frontiers of the United States that I became acquainted with these 
 things, which concerned me so nearly. Brought home by General 
 Kearny, and marched in his rear, I did not know of his design to 
 18* X* 
 
210 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FREMONT. 
 
 arrest me until the moment of its execution at Fort Leaven worth. He 
 then informed me that, among the charges which he had preferred, 
 were mutiny, disobedience of orders, assumption of powers, &c. ; 
 and referred me to your office for particulars. Accordingly, I now 
 apply for them, and ask for a full and speedy trial, not only on the 
 charges filed by the said general, but on all accusations contained in 
 the publications against me. 
 
 " The private calamity [the severe illness of his mother] which 
 has this evening obtained for me permission from the department to 
 visit South Carolina, does not create any reason for postponement or 
 delay of the trial, or in any way interfere with the necessary preli 
 minaries. 
 
 " Hoping, then, sir, that you will obtain and communicate to me 
 an early decision of the proper authorities on these requests, I 
 remain, &c." 
 
 In conformity with the desire of Colonel Fremont, his trial com 
 menced soon after his arrival at the capital, and is still [January, 
 1848] progressing. 
 
 The following account of the Colonel's celebrated ride in Cali 
 fornia, will exhibit his capability of enduring fatigue and hardships : 
 
 " It was at daybreak on the morning of the 22d of March, that 
 the party set out from la Ciudad de los Angelos (the City of the 
 Angels,) in the southern part of California, to proceed in the shortest 
 time to Monterey, on the Pacific Ocean, distant full four hundred 
 miles. The way is over a mountainous country, much of it unin 
 habited, with no other road than a trace, and many defiles to pass, 
 particularly the maritime Defile of El Rincon, or Punto Gordo, fifteen 
 miles in extent, made by the jutting of a precipitous mountain into 
 the sea, which can only be passed when the tide is out and the sea 
 calm, and even then in many places through the waves. The towns 
 of Santa Barbara and San Luis Obispo, and occasional ranchos, 
 are the principal inhabited places on the route. Each of the party 
 had three horses, nine in all, to take their turns under the saddle. 
 The six loose horses ran ahead, without bridle or halter, and required 
 some attention to keep to the track. 
 
 When wanted for a change, say at distances of twenty miles, 
 they were caught by the lasso, thrown either by Don Jesus Pico, 
 or the servant Jacob, who, though born and raised in Washington, 
 in his long expeditions with Colonel Fremont had become as ex 
 
FREMONT'S CELEBRATED RIDE. 211 
 
 pert as a Mexican with the lasso, as sure as a mountaineer with the 
 rifle, equal to either on horse or foot, and always a lad of courage 
 and fidelity. None of the horses were shod, that being a practice 
 unknown to the Californians. The most usual gait was a sweeping 
 gallop. The first day they ran one hundred and twenty-five miles, 
 passing the San Fernando mountain, the defile of the Rincon, se 
 veral other mountains, and slept at the hospitable rancho of Don 
 Tomas Robberis, beyond the town of Santa Barbara. The only 
 fatigue complained of in this day's ride was in Jacob's right arm, 
 made tired by throwing the lasso and using it as a whip to keep 
 the loose horses to the track. 
 
 " The next day they made another one hundred and twenty-five 
 miles, passing the formidable mountain of Santa Barbara, and count 
 ing upon it the skeletons of some fifty horses, part of near double 
 that number which perished in the crossing of that terrible moun 
 tain by the California battalion on Christmas day, 1846, amidst a 
 raging tempest, and a deluge of rain and cold more killing than that 
 of the Sierra Nevada the day of severest suffering, say Fremont 
 and his men, that they have ever passed. At sunset, the party 
 stopped to sup with the friendly Captain Dana, and at nine San 
 Luis Obispo w^s reached, the home of Don Jesus, where an affect 
 ing reception awaited Lieutenant-Colonel Fremont, in consequence 
 of an incident which occurred there, that history will one day re 
 cord ;* and he was detained till eleven o'clock in the morning, re- 
 
 * This affecting incident is thus related by Lieutenant Talbott, who ac 
 companied Colonel Fremont. Pico had headed an insurrection, and being 
 captured was condemned to death : 
 
 " There was no time to lose ; the hour of twelve, next day, was fixed 
 for the execution. It was eleven o'clock, and I chanced to be in the 
 Colonel's room, when a lady with a group of children, followed by many 
 other ladies, burst into the room, throwing themselves upon their knees, 
 and crying for mercy for the father and husband. It was the wife and 
 children and friends of Pico. Never did I hear such accents of grief. 
 Never did I witness such an agonizing scene. I turned my eye, for I could 
 not look at it, and soon heard from Colonel Fremont (whose heart was 
 never formed to resist such a scene,) the heavenly word of pardon. 
 
 " Then the tumult of feeling took a different turn. Joy and gratitude 
 broke out, filled the room with benedictions, and spread to those without. 
 To finish the scene, the condemned man was brought in, and then I saw 
 the whole impulsiveness and fire of the Spanish character, when excited 
 
212 LIEUTL'N ANT-COLONEL FREMONT. 
 
 ceiving the visits of the inhabitants, (mothers and children included,) 
 taking a breakfast of honour, and waiting for a relief of fresh horses 
 to be brought in from the surrounding country. 
 
 "Here the nine horses from Los Angelos were left, and eight 
 others taken in their place, and a Spanish boy added to the party to 
 assist in managing the loose horses. Proceeding at the usual gait 
 till eight at night, and having made some seventy miles, Don Jesus, 
 who had spent the night before with his family and friends, and 
 probably with but little sleep, became fatigued, and proposed a halt 
 for a few hours. It was in the valley of the Salinas, (Salt river, 
 called Buena Ventura in the old maps,) and the haunt of marauding 
 Indians. For safety during their repose, the party turned off the 
 trace, issued through a Canada into a thick wood, and lay down, the 
 horses being put to grass at a short distance, with the Spanish boy 
 in the saddle to watch. Sleep, when commenced, was too sweet to 
 be easily given up, and it was half way between midnight and day 
 when the sleepers were aroused by an estampedo among the horses 
 and the calls of the boy. 
 
 " The cause of the alarm was soon found ; not Indians, but white 
 bears this valley being their great resort encountered some hun 
 dred of them before, killing thirteen upon the ground. The cha 
 racter of these bears is well known, and the bravest hunters do not 
 like to meet them without the advantage of numbers. On discover 
 ing the enemy Colonel Fremont felt for his pistols, but Don Jesus 
 desired him to lay still, saying that * people could scare bears,' and 
 immediately he hallooed at them in Spanish, and they went off. 
 
 by some powerful emotion. He had been calm, composed, quiet, and al 
 most silent, under his trial and condemnation, but at the word pardon, a 
 storm of impetuous feeling burst forth, and throwing himself at the feet 
 of Colonel Fremont, he swore to him eternal fidelity, and demanded the 
 privilege of going with him and dying for him. 
 
 u But it was not all over yet with Colonel Fremont. His own men re 
 quired the death of Pico he had done so much harm, and in fact was 
 the head of the insurrection in that district, and had broken his parole 
 The Colonel went among them, and calmed the ferment in his own camp. 
 He quieted his own men ; but others, who were not there, have since 
 cried out for the execution of Pico, and made his pardon an accusation 
 against Colonel Fremont. The pacified state of the country will answer 
 the accusation, and show that it was a case in which policy and humanity 
 went together." 
 
FREMONT'S CELEBRATED RIDE. 213 
 
 ? k ) went off also ; and the recovery of the horses frightened by 
 the bears, building a rousing fire, making breakfast from the hospi 
 table supplies of San Luis Obispo, occupied the party till daybreak, 
 when the journey was resumed. Eighty miles and the afternoon 
 brought the party to Monterey. 
 
 " The next day, in the afternoon, the party set out on their return ; 
 and the two horses ridden by Colonel Fremont from San Luis Obispo 
 being a present to him from Don Jesus, he (Don Jesus) desired to 
 make an experiment of what one of them could do. They were 
 brothers, one a grass younger than the other, both of the same colour, 
 (cinnamon,) and hence called el canalo or los canalos, (the cinna 
 mon, or the cinnamons.) The elder brother was taken for the trial ; 
 and the journey commenced upon him at leaving Monterey ; the 
 afternoon well advanced. Thirty miles under the saddle done that 
 evening, and the party stopped for the night. In the morning, the 
 elder canalo was again under the saddle for Colonel Fremont, and 
 for ninety miles he carried him without a change and without ap 
 parent fatigue. It was still thirty miles to San Luis Obispo, where 
 the night was to be passed ; and Don Jesus insisted that canalo 
 could easily do it, and so said the horse by his looks and action. 
 But Colonel Fremont would not put him to the 'trial ; and shifting 
 the saddle to the younger brother, the elder was turned loose to run 
 the remaining thirty miles without a rider. 
 
 " He did so, immediately taking the lead and keeping it all the 
 way, and entering San Luis in a sweeping gallop, nostrils distended, 
 snuffing the air, neighing with exultation of his return to his na 
 tive pastures, his younger brother all the while running at the head 
 of the horses under the saddle, bearing on his bit, and held in by 
 his rider. The whole eight horses made their one hundred and 
 twenty miles each that day, (after thirty the evening before) the 
 elder cinnamon making ninety of his under the saddle that day, be 
 sides thirty under the saddle the evening before ; nor was there the 
 least doubt that he would have done the whole distance in the same 
 time if he had continued under the saddle. 
 
 " After a hospitable detention of another half day at San Luis 
 Obispo, the party set out for Los Angelos on the same nine horses 
 which they had ridden from that place, and made the ride back in 
 about the same time they had made it up, namely, at the rate of 
 one hundred and twenty-five miles a day. 
 
214 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL FREMONT. 
 
 " On this ride the grass on the road was the food for the horses. 
 At Monterey they had barley; but those horses, meaning those 
 trained and domesticated, as the canalos were, eat almost anything 
 in the way of vegetable food, or even drink, that their master uses, 
 by whom they are petted and caressed, and rarely sold. Bread, 
 fruits, sugar, coffee, and even wine, (like the Persian horse,) they 
 take from the hand of their master, and obey with like docility his 
 slightest intimation. A tap of the whip on the saddle springs them 
 into action ; and the check of a thread rein (on the Spanish bit) 
 would stop them ; and stopped short at speed they do not jostle the 
 rider or throw him forward. They leap at any thing man, beast, 
 or weapon, on which their master directs them. But this descrip 
 tion, so far as conduct or behaviour is concerned, of course only ap 
 plies to the trained and domesticated horse." 
 
ADJUTANT-GENERAL JONES. 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL JONES. 
 
 BREVET BRIGADIER-GENERAL ROGER JONES, Adjutant-General of 
 the United States' army, is a native of Westmoreland county, Vir 
 ginia, and brother to the distinguished Commodore Jones. After 
 receiving a good education, he entered the army [January 26th, 
 1809] while quite young, as a lieutenant of marines, in which capa 
 city he was actively employed until July 6th, 1812, when he was 
 appointed a captain of artillery. 
 
 At the opening of the campaign of 1813, Captain Jones joined 
 the regiment of Colonel [General] Macomb, at Greenbush, where 
 was established a camp of instruction. Soon after, the whole army, 
 under Major-General Dearborn, marched to Sackett's Harbour and 
 prepared for a descent upon Upper Canada. Immediately after the 
 capture of York, and in full view of Fort Niagara, Captain Jones 
 received from Brigadier-General Chandler the appointment of 
 major of brigade, a station for which his high reputation as a dis 
 ciplinarian and an active, zealous officer, eminently qualified him. 
 
 In his new capacity, Captain Jones was actively and efficiently 
 engaged in the taking of Fort George, May 27th, 1813 ; and eight 
 days afterward [June 5th] he was with Brigadier-General Chandler 
 at the battle of Stony Creek, where, after displaying great bravery, 
 he received a severe wound from a bayonet. On the 13th of Au 
 gust he was transferred to the staff as assistant adjutant-general, with 
 the brevet rank of major. 
 
 In the memorable campaign of 1814 on the Niagara- frontier, 
 Major Jones bore a distinguished part. At its commencement ne 
 was attached to the staff of Major-General Brown, commanding the 
 left division of the army. He assisted in the crossing of the Nia 
 gara, and taking of Fort Erie, [July 3d, 1814,] and was in the battle 
 
 (215) 
 
216 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JONES. 
 
 of Chippewa, July 5th, 1814. In his official report of this event, 
 General Brown says : 
 
 "Colonel Gardner, Major Jones," &c., "have been as active, 
 and as much devoted to the cause as any officers of the army. 
 Their conduct merits my warmest acknowledgments ; of Gardner 
 and Jones I shall have occasion again to speak to you." 
 
 For his "distinguished services in the battle of Chippewa," 
 Major Jones received from President Madison the brevet rank of 
 major in the corps of artillery to which he belonged. 
 
 In the great battle of Niagara, [July 25th, 1814,] Major Jones 
 again acted well and honourably his part, and received high com 
 mendation from Major-General Brown. He participated in the 
 battle of Fort Erie [August 15th, 1814] under General Gaines, 
 when that post was assaulted by the British under Lieutenant- 
 General Drummond. In his official report of the battle, General 
 Gaines says : 
 
 , "To Major Jones, assistant adjutant-general, Major Hall," &c. s 
 " much credit is due for their constant vigilance and strict attention 
 to every duty previous to the action, and the steady courage, zeal, 
 and activity, which they manifested during the action." 
 
 Major Jones was engaged in the subsequent defence of Fort Erie, 
 and sortie from the works, where "one thousand regulars," says 
 General Brown, " and an equal number of militia, in one hour of 
 close action, blasted the hopes of the enemy, destroyed the fruits 
 of fifty days' labour, and diminished his effective force one thousand 
 men at least." For his conduct in the affair the major received 
 from President Madison the further promotion of brevet lieutenant- 
 colonel. During the whole siege, he performed the duties of adju 
 tant-general (chief of staff) during the sickness of Colonel Gardner. 
 When General Izard's command arrived, he was transferred to the 
 left division of the army, and continued to exercise the duties of his 
 office until the close of the campaign of 1814, when the Americans 
 retired into winter quarters at Sackett's Harbour. 
 
 In June, 1815, at the solicitation of General Brown, Lieutenant- 
 Colonel Jones joined the staff of that officer as aid-de-camp and adju> 
 tant-general. "When he left the general's military family, he 
 received from him an elegant sword as a testimonial of his friendship 
 and gratitude ; and a short time previous to the close of the war, 
 Generals Brown, Porter, and Scott each addressed letters to the 
 
BRIGADIER-GENERAL JONES. 217 
 
 Secretary of War, [Mr. Monroe,] warmly recommending Brevet 
 Lieutenant-Colonel Jones for the full lieutenant-colonelcy of the 
 24th infantry. 
 
 'On the 15th of February, 1834, the legislature of Virginia voted 
 swords to Colonel Jones and his brother of the navy, as proofs of 
 esteem for their distinguished services. Owing to accidental causes, 
 this testimonial was not presented to the colonel until February 
 22d, 1841. pt-4.'.-- 
 
 Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Jones remained with his company 
 from December, 1815, until August, 1818, and the admirable con 
 dition to which he brought it is still remembered in the service. It 
 excelled in all that constitutes a model corps. August 10th, 1818, 
 he was appointed adjutant-general of the Northern Division, with 
 the "brevet rank of colonel. He remained in this capacity until 
 1821, when, notwithstanding the reduction of the army, he was 
 retained with his full lineal rank, and assigned to the 3d regiment 
 of artillery. While yet a captain in the line, he was appointed 
 [March 7th, 1825] adjutant-general of the United States' army, 
 with the rank of colonel. On the 17th of February, 1827, he was 
 promoted as major of the 2d artillery in the regular line. In 1829 
 he received the brevet of colonel, [ranking from September 17th, 
 1824,] and on June 17th, 1832, he was raised to brevet brigadier- 
 general, which rank he now holds in the military service. 
 
 In October, 1844, Brigadier-General Jones, Lieutenant-Colonel 
 Mason, and Governor Butler, Cherokee Agent, were constituted by 
 the President a commission to the Cherokees, in order to invest and 
 report upon the causes and extent of the discontents and difficulties 
 among them. The report which, as president of the commission, 
 General Jones drew up, was able and conclusive, eventuating in the 
 formal pacification of the Indians. 
 
 General Jones has now been adjutant-general of the army foi 
 more than twenty years. A glance at the army regulations will 
 show, that his office is one of the principal military bureaus of the 
 war department. Its civil and ministerial relations to the head of 
 the department are numerous, weighty, and often confidential; 
 whilst in all organizations of the general staff of the army, it occu 
 pies a position, as regards matters purely military, of the first im 
 portance. As the chief of staff to the commander of the army, the 
 adjutant-general is charged with all orders, military correspondence, 
 19 
 
218 BRIGADIER-GENERAL JONES. %. 
 
 &c. And it should be remembered that the amount of business 
 connected with his office, which had been more than quadrupled 
 since the war of 1812, has been vastly augmented during our dis 
 pute with Mexico. 
 
 How General Jones has sustained the heavy pressure of official 
 business, how faithfully and intelligently he has performed his duty 
 to the army and the country, is well known. No officer stands 
 higher in the estimation of those who are best able to form a correct 
 judgment of his character and services. The successive chief ma 
 gistrates of the nation, the various secretaries of war and generals- 
 in-chief, and the records of Congress during the last twenty years, 
 have all testified to his official worth and the value of his labours. 
 
 During the Florida war and other Indian outbreaks, together with 
 the troubles on our northern and north-eastern borders, the labours 
 of General Jones have been great ; but the country is especially in 
 debted to him, for his able, zealous, and unremitting services, during 
 the war with Mexico. The increase of the regular army to more 
 than double its previous number ; the raising, organizing, and send 
 ing to the field fifty thousand volunteers ; the legislation necessary 
 to meet the change from peace to war, and to place the enlarged 
 military establishment upon the proper basis ; the voluminous and 
 highly important orders and correspondence indispensable to such a 
 state of affairs, has each received due attention at his hands. And 
 no small share of the efficiency of our armies in Mexico results from 
 the skilful administration of Adjutant-General Jones. 
 
LIEUTENANT CHRISTOPHER CARSON 
 
LIEUTENANT CHRISTOPHER CARSON. 
 
 THE famous Christopher Carson was born in Kentucky, in 
 1810, but in the following year his father removed, and settled in 
 Missouri. In this wilderness young Carson remained until he ar 
 rived at the age of fifteen, when he joined a trading party destined 
 for Santa Fe. After roaming over the vast plains beyond the Mis 
 souri, he reached New Mexico after various adventures, and was 
 employed as teamster in the copper mines of Chihuahua. 
 
 When seventeen years old, he made his first expedition as a 
 trapper. The party proceeded to the Rio Colorado (California), 
 met with numerous hardships and adventures, and had several bat 
 tles with the Indians. It returned, however, safely to Taos, New 
 Mexico ; and soon after "Kit" joined another party, to visit the head 
 waters of the Arkansas. After this he passed eight years as a trap 
 per among the Rocky Mountains and in Oregon. Here he became 
 noted as a successful hunter, an unfailing shot, an unerring guide, 
 and a brave, sagacious, and steady warrior. At one time, with a 
 party of twelve, he tracked a'band of nearly sixty Crows, who had 
 stolen some of their horses ; cut loose the animals, which were tied 
 within ten feet of a strong log fort belonging to the Indians, attacked 
 them and made good his retreat with the horses a friendly Indian 
 bringing away a Crow scalp as a trophy. In a combat with the 
 Blackfeet Indians, Carson received a rifle-ball in his left shoulder, 
 breaking it ; but excepting this he has escaped the manifold dan 
 gers to which he has been exposed without serious injury. 
 
 Colonel Fremont owed his good fortune in procuring Carson's 
 services, to an accidental meeting on a steamboat above St. Louis 
 neither having ever before heard of the other. It was at the com 
 mencement of Fremont's first expedition. Carson continued with 
 
 (219) 
 
220 LIEUTENANT CARSON. Ifc. 
 
 it until, in its return, it had recrossed the mountains. His courage, 
 fidelity, and excellent character, so far conciliated the good will of 
 the commander, that in his second expedition he gladly availed 
 himself again of Kit's services, on meeting with him, as he chanced 
 to do, on the confines of New Mexico. Kit again left the party 
 after its arrival this side of the mountains not, however, until Fre 
 mont had obtained a promise from him to join the third expedition 
 in case one should be organized. Some incidents will be interest 
 ing, connected with this latter expedition, which was interrupted in 
 Us purely scientific character, by the hostility of the Mexican 
 chief (Castro), compelling Fremont to change his peaceful employ 
 ment. 
 
 In the interim between Fremont's second and third expeditions, 
 Carson had settled himself near Taos, and had begun to farm, pre 
 paring to lead a quiet life, when he received a note from Fremont, 
 written at Bent's Fort, reminding him of his promise, and telling 
 him he would there wait for him. In four days from receiving the 
 note, Carson had joined the party, having sold house and farm for 
 less than half the sum he had just expended upon it, and put his 
 family under the protection of his friend, the late Governor Bent, 
 until he should return from a certainly long and dangerous journey. 
 This protection, unfortunately, was taken from them in the late 
 massacre at Taos, when Carson's brother-in-law was also one of the 
 victims to the fury of the Mexicans against all connected with the 
 Americans. Mrs. Carson saved her life by flight, leaving them to 
 rob the -house of every thing. 
 
 The route of the third expedition led the party to the southern 
 and western side of the great Salt Lake a region entirely unex 
 plored, and filled, according to the superstitions and tales current 
 among the Indians and trappers of the mountains, with all imagina 
 ble horrors. A vast desert, void of vegetation and fresh water, 
 abounding in quicksands and in brackish pools and rivers, with only 
 subterranean outlets. The southern border of the lake was found 
 to be skirted with a salt plain of about sixty miles in width. Over 
 this, as elsewhere, Carson, in his capacity of scout, was always with 
 the advance party, to search for water and convenient places for 
 camp the usual signal of the prairies, a fire, serving, by its column 
 of smoke, to point out where the advance were halting. 
 
 When Fremont's party, in May, 1846 (not knowing of the exist 
 
FIGHT WITH THE TLAMATH INDIANS. 221 
 
 ence of the war with Mexico), retired from California, they pro 
 ceeded north as far as the Tlamath lake, in Oregon, proposing to 
 explore a new route into the Willhameth valley. 
 
 A courier having reached Colonel Fremont there, to say that 
 Mr. Gillespie and five men were endeavouring to overtake him, he 
 took ten men and returned sixty miles with the courier ; making 
 all haste in order to reach them before night, and prevent any attack 
 which the Indians might be tempted to make on a small party. 
 The events of that night and the days following illustrate so fully 
 the nightly danger of an Indian country, and the treacherous nature 
 of savages, that they will be given in Carson's own words : 
 
 "This was the only night in all our travels, except the one night 
 on the island in the Salt Lake, that we failed to keep guard ; and as 
 the men were so tired, and we expected no attack now that we had 
 sixteen in the party, the colonel didn't like to ask it of them, but sat 
 up late himself. Owens and I were sleeping together, and we were 
 waked at the same time by the licks of the axe that killed our men. 
 At first, I didn't know it was that ; but I called to Basil, who was 
 that side ' What 's the matter there ? what 's that fuss about ?' 
 he never answered, for he was dead then, poor fellow, and he never 
 knew what killed him his head had been cut in, in his sleep ; the 
 other groaned a little as he died. The Delawares (we had four 
 with us) were sleeping at that fire, and they sprang up as the Tla- 
 maths charged them. One of them caught up a gun, which was 
 unloaded ; but, although he could do no execution, he kept them at 
 bay, fighting like a soldier, and didn't give up until he was shot 
 full of arrows three entering his heart; he died bravely. As soon 
 as I had called out, I saw it was Indians in the camp, and I and 
 Owens together cried out ' Indians.' There were no orders given ; 
 things went on too fast, and the colonel had men with him that 
 didn't need to be told their duty. The colonel and I, Maxwell, 
 Owens, Godey, and Stepp, jumped together, we six, and ran to the 
 assistance of our Delawares. I don't know who fired and who 
 didn't; but I think it was Stepp's shot that killed the Tlamath 
 chief; for it was at the crack of Stepp's gun that he fell. He had 
 an English half axe slung to his wrist by a cord, and there were 
 forty arrows left in his quiver the most beautiful and warlike ar 
 rows I ever saw. He must have been the bravest man among 
 them, from the way he was armed, and judging by his cap. When 
 19* Y 
 
222 LIEUTENANT CARSON. 
 
 the Tlamaths saw him fall, they ran ; but we lay, every man with 
 his rifle cocked, until daylight, expecting another attack. 
 
 "In the morning we found by the tracks that from fifteen to 
 twenty of the Tlamaths had attacked us. They had killed three 
 of our men, and wounded one of the Delawares, who scalped the 
 chief, whom we left where he fell. Our dead men we carried on 
 mules; but, after going about ten miles, we found it impossible to 
 get them any farther through the thick timber, and, finding a secret 
 place, we buried them under logs and chunks, having no way to 
 dig a grave. It was only a few days before this fight that some of 
 these same Indians had come into our camp ; and, although we had 
 only meat for two days, and felt sure that we should have to eat 
 mules for ten or fifteen days to come, the colonel divided with them, 
 and even had a mule unpacked to give them some tobacco and 
 knives." 
 
 The party then retraced its way into California, and two days 
 after this rencontre they met a large village of Tlamaths more than 
 a hundred warriors. Carson was ahead with ten men, but one of 
 them having been discovered, he could not follow his orders, which 
 were to send back word and let Fremont come up with the rest in 
 case they found Indians. But as they had been seen, it only re 
 mained to charge the village, which they did, killing many, and 
 putting the rest to flight. The women and children, Carson says, 
 we didn't interfere with ; but burnt the village, together with 
 &.*ir canoes and fishing-nets. In a subsequent encounter the same 
 day, Carson's life was imminently exposed. As they gallopped up, 
 he was rather in advance, when he observed an Indian fixing his 
 arrow to let fly at him. Carson levelled his rifle, but it snapped, 
 und in an instant the arrow would have pierced him, had not Fre 
 mont, seeing the danger, dashed his horse on the Indian and knocked 
 feim down. 
 
 The hostile and insulting course of Castro drew Fremont into 
 retaliatory measures ; and, aided by the American settlers, he pur 
 sued the Mexicans for some time ; but being unable to make them 
 stand and fight, they always flying before him, the flag of indepen 
 dence was raised at Sonoma, on the 5th of July, 1846. Learning 
 soon after of the existence of the war, the American flag was 
 promptly substituted, and the party proceeded to Monterey, where 
 they found the fleet under Commodore Sloat already in possession. 
 
FURTHER OPERATIONS IN CALIFORNIA. 223 
 
 Castro, with his forces, had retreated before Fremont, and, to pre 
 vent their escape into Sonora, Colonel Fremont with a hundred and 
 sixty men, was offered the sloop of war Cyane to carry them down 
 to San Diego and facilitate the pursuit, as he hoped by that means 
 to intercept Castro at Pueblo de los Angelos. Then Carson, for the 
 first time, saw the blue ocean, and the great vessels that, like white- 
 winged birds, spread their sails above its waters. The vast prairies, 
 whose immense green surface has been aptly likened to the sea, 
 together with all objects ever seen upon it, were familiar to him ; 
 but it proved no preparation for actual salt water, and the pride and 
 strength of the backwoodsmen were soon humbled by the customary 
 tribute to Neptune. The forces were landed, and raised the flag at 
 San Diego, and then they proceeded jointly to the capital, Ciudad 
 de los Angelos, where, although from the detention at sea, Castro 
 had escaped, American authority was also established. 
 
 From this point, on the 1st of September, 1846, Carson, with 
 fifteen men, was despatched by Fremont with an account *of the 
 progress and state of affairs in that distant conquest. Carson was to 
 have made the journey from Puebla to Washington city and back 
 in one hundred and forty days. He pushed ahead accordingly, not 
 stopping even for game, but subsisting on his mules, of which they 
 made food as the animals broke down in the rapidity of the journey. 
 He had crossed the wilderness, as he expected, in thirty days, 
 when, meeting with General Kearny's company, within a few days 
 of Santa Fe, he was turned back by that officer, to whose orders he 
 believed himself subject, and with infinite reluctance resigned his 
 despatches to another, and returned to guide Kearny's command 
 into California. 
 
 General Kearny entered California without molestation until the 
 fight of San Pascual ; an official account of which has been pub 
 lished. In the charge made upon the Mexicans, Carson, as usual, 
 was among the foremost, when, as he approached within bullet- 
 range of the enemy, who were drawn up in order of battle, his horse 
 stumbled and fell, pitching him over his head, and breaking his 
 rifle in twain. Seizing a knife, he advanced on foot, until he found 
 a killed dragoon, whose rifle he took, and was pressing on, when he 
 met the mounted men returning from the charge, the Mexicans hav 
 ing gallopped off. At the instance of Carson, the American party 
 then took possession of a small rocky hill, near the scene of the bat 
 
224 LIEUTENANT CARSON. 
 
 tie, as the strongest position in reach. Not being in a situation to 
 go forward, they encamped here ; and the enemy collecting in 
 force, they remained in a state of siege. There was little of grass 
 or water on the hill, and soon both animals and men began to suffer. 
 The way was so thickly beset with the enemy, that the commander 
 doubted the propriety of attempting to cut a passage through, when, 
 after a four days' siege, Carson and Passed Midshipman Beale, of 
 the navy (who had been sent to meet Kearny, with some thirty 
 men, as a complimentary escort to San Diego), volunteered to go to 
 Commodore Stockton, at that place, and bring a reinforcement. 
 
 Leaving the frontier settlements of California on the 25th of Feb- 
 'ruary, Carson arrived in St. Louis about the middle of May . 
 making the journey, notwithstanding the inclemency of the season, 
 and an unavoidable detention of ten days at Santa Fe, in a shorter 
 time than it was ever before accomplished. 
 
 Carson subsequently visited Washington, where he received from 
 President Polk a commission of lieutenant in Fremont's rifle regi 
 ment, in reward for his num' rous services. 
 
 THE END, 
 
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 From the Professors at Princeton Theological Seminary. 
 
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 9 
 
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 The engravings are excellent and well selected. It is the best library edition extant. 
 
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 10 
 
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 "'In a single volume, not larger than an ordinary duodecimo, the publishers have embraced the 
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 " We have to add our commendation in favour of this beautiful volume, a copy of which has 
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 12 
 
UPPINCOTT, 6B.AMBO & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 THE FARMER'S AND PLANTER'S ENCYCLOP/EDIA, 
 
 fijjE /annrrVnnu" planter's dEnnjrlnprcMa nf Jxural Main 
 
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 BY RICHARD MASON 1 , 3X1. D., 
 
 Formerly of Surry County, Virginia. 
 
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 13 
 
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 " Lists of Medicines, and other articles which ought to be at hand about every training and livery 
 stable, and every Farmer's and Breeder's establishment, will be found in these valuable works." 
 
 TO CARPENTERS AND MECHANICS, 
 
 Just Published. 
 
 A NEW AND IMPROVED EDITION OF 
 
 THE CARPENTER'S NEW GUIDE, 
 
 BEING A COMPLETE BOOK OF LINES FOR 
 
 ARFENTRY A1TD JOINERY; 
 
 Treating fully on Practical Geometry, Safllt's Brick and Plaster Groins, Niches of every description, 
 
 Sky-lights, Lines for Roofs and Domes : with a great variety of Designs for Roofe, 
 
 Trussed Girders, Floors, Domes, Bridges, <kc., Angle Bars for Shop 
 
 Fronts, &c., and Raking Mouldings. 
 
 AL SO, 
 
 Additional Plans for various Stair-Cases, with the Lines for producing the Face and Falling Moulds/ 
 never before published, and greatly superior to those given in a former edition of this work. 
 
 BY WILLIAM JOHNSON, ARCHITECT, 
 
 OF PHILADELPHIA. 
 
 The whole founded on true Geometrical Principles ; the Theory and Practice well explained and 
 fully exemplified, on eighty-three copper plates, including some Observations and Calculations on 
 the Strength of Timber. 
 
 BY PETER NICHOLSON, 
 
 Author of " The Carpenter and Joi icr's Assistant," " The Student's Instructor to the Five 
 Orders," &c. 
 
 Thirteenth Edition. One volume, 4to., well bound. 
 
 u 
 
LIPPINCOTT, QRAMBO & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 A DICTIONARY OF SELECT AND POPULAR QUOTATIONS, 
 
 WHICH ARE IN DAILY USE. 
 
 TAKEN FROM THE LATIN, FRENCH, GREEK, SPANISH AND ITALIAN LANGUAGES. 
 
 Together with a copious Collection of Law Maxims and Law Terms, translated into 
 
 English, with Illustrations, Historical and Idiomatic. 
 
 NEW AMERICAN EDITION, CORRECTED, WITH ADDITIONS. 
 One volume, 12mo. 
 
 This volume comprises a copious collection of legal and other terms which are in common use, 
 with English translations and historical illustrations ; and we should judge its author had surely 
 been to a great "Feast of Languages," and stole all the scraps. A work of this character should 
 have an extensive sale, as it entirely obviates a serious difficulty in which most readers are involved 
 by the frequent occurrence of Latin, Greek, and French passages, which we suppose are introduced 
 by authors for a mere show of learning a difficulty very perplexing to readers in general This 
 " Dictionary of Quotations," concerning which too much cannot be said in its favour, effectually 
 removes the difficulty, and gives the reader an advantage over the author ; for we believe a majority 
 are themselves ignorant of the meaning of the terms they employ. Very few truly learned authors 
 will insult their readers by introducing Latin or French quotations in their writings, when "plain 
 English" will do as well ; but we will not enlarge on this point. 
 
 If the book is useful to those unacquainted with other languages, it is no less valuable to tho 
 classically educated as a book of reference, and answers all the purposes of a Lexicon indeed, on 
 many accounts, it is better. It saves the trouble of tumbling over the larger volumes, to which 
 every one, and especially those engaged in the legal profession, are verv often subjected. It should 
 have a place in every library in the country. 
 
 RUSCHENBERGER'S NATURAL HISTORY 1 , 
 
 COMPLETE, WITH NEW GLOSSARY. 
 
 e CUmnib of Uatnrnl listonj, 
 
 EMBRACING ZOOLOGY, BOTANY AND GEOLOGY: 
 
 FOR SCHOOLS, COLLEGES AND FAMILIES. 
 BY W. S. W. RUSCHENBEHGER, M. D. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 
 WITH NEARLY ONE THOUSAND ILLUSTRATIONS, AND A COPIOUS GLOSSARY. 
 VoL I. contains Vertebrate Animals. Vol. II. contains Jhtervertebrate Animals, Botany, and Geology. 
 
 A Beautiful and Valuable Presentation Book. 
 THE POET'S OFFERING. 
 
 EDITED BY MRS. HALE. 
 
 With a Portrait of the Editress, a Splendid Illuminated Title-Page, and Twelve Beautiful Engrav 
 ings by Sartain. Bound in rich Turkey Morocco, and Extra Cloth, Gilt Edge. 
 
 To those who wish to make a present that will never lose its value, this will be found the most 
 desirable Gift-Book ever published. 
 
 " We commend it to all who desire to present a friend with a volume not only very beautiful, but 
 of solid intrinsic value." Washington Union. 
 
 "A perfect treasury of the thoughts and fancies of the best English and American Poets. The 
 paper and printing are beautiful, and the binding rich, elegant, and substantial; the most sensible 
 and attractive of all the elegant gift-books we have seen." Evening Bulletin. 
 
 " The publishers deserve the thanks of the public for so happy a thought, so well executed. The 
 engravings are by the best artists, and the other portions of the work correspond in elegance." 
 Public Ledger. 
 
 " There is no book of selections so diversified and appropriate within our knowledge." Pennsylv'n. 
 
 " It is one of the most valuable as well as elegant books ever published in this country." Godeu's 
 Lady's Book. 
 
 " It is the most beautiful and the most useful offering ever bestowed on the public. No individual 
 of literary taste will venture to be without it." The City Item 
 
 15 
 
LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. fc . 
 
 THE YOUNG DOMINICAN; 
 OR, THE MYSTERIES OF THE INQUISITION, 
 
 AM) OTHER SECRET SOCIETIES OF SPAIN. 
 BY M. V. DE FEREAL. 
 
 WITH HISTORICAL NOTES, 3Y M, MANUEL DE CUENDIAS, 
 
 TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED WITH TWENTY SPLENDID ENGRAVINGS BY FRENCH ARTISTS 
 One volume, octavo. 
 
 SAY'S POLITICAL ECONOMY. 
 
 A TREATISE ON POLITICAL ECONOMY; 
 Or, The Production, Distribution and Consumption of Wealth. 
 
 BY JEAN BAPTISTS SAY. 
 
 FIFTH AMERICAN EDITION, WITH ADDITIONAL NOTES, 
 BY C. C. BIDDLE, ESQ. 
 
 In one volume, octavo. 
 
 It would be beneficial to our country if all those who are aspiring to office, were required by their 
 constituents to he familiar with the pages of Say. 
 
 The distinguished biographer of the author, in noticing this work, observes : "Happily for science, 
 he commenced that study which forms the basis of his admirable Treatise on Political Economy ; a 
 work which not only improved under his hand with every successive edition, but has been translated 
 into most of the European languages." 
 
 The Editor of the North American Review, speaking of Say, observes, that " he is the most 
 popular, and perhaps the most able writer on Political Economy, since the time of Smith." 
 
 LAURENCE STERNE'S WORKS, 
 
 WITH A LIFE OF THE AUTHOR: 
 
 WRITTEN BY HIMSELF. 
 
 WITH SEVEN BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATION'S, ENGRAVED BY GILBERT AND GIHON, 
 FROM DESIGNS BY DARLEY. , 
 
 One volume, octavo; cloth, gilt. 
 
 To commend or to criticise Sterne's Works, in this age of the world, would be all " wasteful and 
 extravagant excess." Uncle Toby Corporal Trim the Widow Le Fevre Poor Maria the 
 Captive even the Dead Ass, this is all we have to say of Sterne; and in the memory of these 
 characters, histories, and sketches, a thousand follies and worse than follies are forgotten. The 
 volume is a very handsome one. 
 
 THE MEXICAN WAR AND ITS HEROES; 
 
 BEING 
 
 A COMPLETE HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAR, 
 
 EMBRACING ALL THE OPERATIONS UNDER GENERALS TAYLOR AND SCOTT. 
 
 WITH A BIOGRAPHY OF THE OFFICERS. 
 
 ALSO, 
 
 AN ACCOUNT OF THE CONQUEST OF CALIFORNIA AND NEW MEXICO, 
 
 Under Gen. Kearny, Cols. Doniphan and Fremont. Together with Numerous Anecdotes of U*B 
 
 War, and Personal Adventures of the Officers. Illustrated with Accurate 
 
 Portraits, and other Beautiful Engravings. 
 
 In one volume, 12mo, 
 
LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 NEW AND COMPUTE COOK-BOOK. 
 THE PRACTICAL COOK-BOOK, 
 
 CONTAINING UPWARDS OP 
 
 O3STE THOUSAND RECEIPTS, 
 
 Consisting of Directions for Selecting, Preparing, aud Cooking all kinds of Meats, Fish, Poultry, and 
 Game ; Soups, Broths, Vegetables, and Salads. Also, for making all kinds of Plain and 
 Fancy Breads, Pastes, Puddings, Cakes, .Creams, Ices, Jellies, Preserves, Marma 
 lades, &c. &.c. <kc. Together with various Miscellaneous Recipes, 
 and numerous Preparations for Invalids. 
 
 BY MRS. BLISS. 
 In one volume, 12mo. 
 
 JIB (City jffimjjirat ; nr ; \)i 
 
 BY J. B. JONES, 
 
 AUTHOR OF "WILD WESTERN SCENES," "THE WESTERN MERCHANT," &C. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED WITH TEN ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 In one volume, 12mo. 
 
 EL PUCHERO ; or, A Mixed Dish from Mexico. 
 
 EMBRACING GENERAL SCOTT'S CAMPAIGN, WITH SKETCHES OF MILITARY LIFE IN 
 FIELD AND CAMP; OF THE CHARACTER OF THE COUNTRY, MANNERS 
 
 AND WAYS OF THE PEOPLE, <tc. 
 BY RICHARD M 'SHERRY, M. D., IT. S. N., 
 
 LATE ACTING SURGEON OF REGIMENT OF MARINES. 
 
 In one volume, 12mo. 
 WITH NUMEROUS ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 
 " MONEY-BAGS AND TITLES : 
 
 A HIT AT THE FOLLIES OF THE AGE. 
 
 TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF JULES SANDEAU. 
 
 BY LEONARD MYERS. 
 
 One volume, 12mo. 
 
 " 'Money-Bags and Titles' is quite a remarkable work, amounts to a kindly exposure of the folly 
 of human pride, and also presents at once the evil and the remedy. If good-natured ridicule of 
 the impostures practised by a set of self-styled reformers, who have nothing to lose, and to whom 
 change must be gain if, in short, a delineation of the mistaken ideas which prevent, and the 
 means which conduce to happiness, be traits deserving of commendation, the reader will find 
 much to enlist his attention and win his approbation in the pages of this unpretending, but truly 
 meritorious publication." 
 
 WHAT IS CHURCH HISTORY? 
 
 A VINDICATION OF THE IDEA OF HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENTS, 
 
 BY PHILIP SGHAF. 
 
 TRANSLATED FROM THE GERMAN. 
 In one volume, 12mo. 
 
 17 
 
LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 DODD'S LECTURES. 
 
 DISCOURSES TO YOUNG MEX. 
 
 ILLUSTRATED BY NUMEROUS HIGHLY INTERESTING ANECDOTES. 
 
 BY WILLIAM DOED, L!,. D., 
 
 CHAPLAIN IN ORDINARY TO HIS MAJESTY GEORGE THE THIRD. 
 
 FIRST AMERICAN EDITION, WITH ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 One volume, 18mo. 
 
 THE IRIS: 
 
 AN ORIGINAL SOUVENIR. 
 With Contributions from the First Writers in the Country. 
 
 EDITED BY PROF. JOHN S. HART. 
 
 With Splendid Illuminations and Steel Engravings. Bound in Turkey Morocco and rich Papier 
 
 Mache Binding. 
 
 IN ONE VOLUME, OCTAVO. 
 
 Its contents are entirely original. Among the contributors are names well known in the republic 
 of letters; such as Mr. Boker, Mr. Stoddard, Prof. Moffat, Edith May, Mrs. Sigourney, Caroline May, 
 Mrs. Kinney, Mrs Butler, Mrs. Pease, Mrs. Swift, Mr. Van Bibber. Rev Charles T. Brooks, Mrs. 
 Dorr, Erastus W. Ellsworth, Miss E. W. Barnes, Mrs. Williams, Mary Young, Dr. Gardette, Alice 
 Carey, Phebe Carey, Augusta Browne, Hamilton Browne, Caroline Eustis, Margaret Junkin, Maria 
 J. B. Browne, Miss Starr. Mrs. Brotherson, Kate Campbell, <kc. 
 
 (g?m0 from tlje |amh Mine; 
 
 OR, HOLY THOUGHTS UPON SACRED SUBJECTS. 
 
 BY CLERGYMEN OF THE EPISCOPAL CHURCH. 
 
 EDITED BY THOMAS WYATT, A.M. 
 
 In one volume, 12mo. 
 
 WITH SEVEN BEAUTIFUL STEEL ENGRAVINGS. 
 
 The contents of this work are chiefly by clergymen of the Episcopal Church. Among the con 
 tributors will be found the names of the Right Rev. Bishop Potter, Bishop Hopkins, Bishop Smith, 
 Bishop Johns, and Bishop Doane ; and the Rev. Drs. H. V. D. Johns, Coleman, and Butler ; Rev. G. 
 T. Bedell, M'Cabe, Ogilsby, <fec. . The illustrations are rich and exquisitely wrought engravings upon 
 the following subjects: "Samuel before Eli," "Peter and John healing the Lame Man," "The 
 Resurrection of Christ," " Joseph sold by his Brethren," " The Tables of the Law." " Christ's 
 Agony in the Garden," and "The Flight into Egypt." These subjects, with many others in pros* 
 and verse, are ably treated throughout the work. 
 
 HAW-HO-NOO: 
 
 ,0R, THE RECORDS OF A TOURIST. 
 
 BY CHARLES LANMAN, 
 
 Author of " A Summer in the Wilderness," &c. In one volume, 12mo. 
 " In the present book, 'Haw-lw-noo? (an Indian name, by the way, for America,) the author has 
 gathered up some of the relics of his former tours, and added to them other interesting matter. It 
 contains a number of carefully written and instructive articles upon the various kinds offish in our 
 country, whose capture affords sport for anglers; reminiscences of unique incidents, manners, and 
 customs in different parts of the country ; and other articles, narrative, descriptive, and sentimental. 
 In a supplement are gathered many curious Indian legends. They are related with great simplicity 
 and clearness, and will be of service hereafter to the poem-makers of America. Many of them are 
 quite beautiful." National Intelligencer. 
 
 18 
 
LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 LONZ POWEKS: Or, The Regulators. 
 
 A ROMANCE OF KENTUCKY. 
 
 FOUNDED ON FACTS. 
 BY JAMES WEIR, ESQ. 
 
 IN TWO VOLUMES. 
 
 The scenes, characters, and incidents in these volumes have been copied from nature, and from 
 real life They are represented as taking place at that period in the history of Kentucky, when 
 the Indian, driven, after many a hard-fought field, from his favourite hunting-ground, was succeeded 
 by a rude and unlettered population, interspersed with organized bands of desperadoes, scarcely 
 less savage than the red men they had displaced. The author possesses a vigorous and graphic 
 pen, and has produced a very interesting romance, which gives us a striking portrait of the times 
 he describes. 
 
 THE WESTERN MERCHANT, 
 
 A NARRATIVE, 
 
 Containing useful Instruction for the Western Man of Business, who makes his Purchases in the 
 East. Also, Information for the Eastern Man, whose Customers are in the West. 
 Likewise, Hints for those who design emigrating to the West. De 
 duced from actual experience. 
 
 BY LUKE SHORTFIELD, A WESTERN MERCHANT. 
 
 One volume, 12mo. 
 
 This is a new work, and will be found very interesting to the Country Merchant, <tc. <fec. 
 A sprightly, pleasant book, with a vast amount of information in a very agreeable shape. Busi 
 ness, Love, and Religion are all discussed, and many proper sentiments expressed in regard to each. 
 The " moral" of the work is summed up in the following concluding sentences : " Adhere stead 
 fastly to your business ; adhere steadfastly to your first love ; adhere steadfastly to the church." 
 
 A MANUAL OF POLITENESS, 
 
 COMPRISING THE 
 
 PRINCIPLES OF ETIQUETTE AND RULES OF BEHAVIOUR 
 
 IN GENTEEL SOCIETY, FOR PERSONS OF BOTH SEXES. 
 
 18mo., with Plates. 
 
 Book of Politeness. 
 
 THE GENTLEMAN AND LADY'S 
 BOOK OF POLITENESS AND PROPRIETY OF DEPORTMEN1 
 
 DEDICATED TO THE YOUTH OF BOTH SEXES. 
 BY MADAME CELNART. 
 
 Translated from the Sixth Paris Edition, Enlarged and Improved 
 Fifth American Edition. 
 One volume, 18mo. 
 
 THE ANTEDILUVIANS; Or, The World Destroyed. 
 
 A NARRATIVE POEM, IN TEN BOOKS. 
 
 BY JAMES M'HENRY, M.D. 
 , One volume, 18mo. 
 
 19 
 
LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 .- 
 
 Bennett's (Rev. John) Letters to a Young Lady, 
 
 ON A VARIETY OF SUBJECTS CALCULATED TO IMPROVE THE HEART, 
 TO FORM THE MANNERS, AND ENLIGHTEN THE UNDERSTANDING. 
 
 " That our daughters may be as polished corners of the temple." 
 
 The publishers sincerely hope (for the happiness of mankind) that a copy of this valuable little 
 work will be found the companion of every young lady, as much of the happiness of every family 
 depends on the proper cultivation of the female mind. 
 
 THE DAUGHTER'S OWN BOOK: 
 
 OR, PRACTICAL HINTS FROM A FATHER TO HIS DAUGHTER. 
 
 One volume, 18mo. 
 
 This is one of the most practical and truly valuable treatises on the culture and discipline of the 
 female mind, which has hitherto been published in this country ; and the publishers are very confi 
 dent, from the great demand for this invaluable little work, that ere long it wUl be found in the 
 library of every young lady. 
 
 THE AMERICAN CHESTERFIELD : 
 
 Or, "Youth's Guide to the Way to Wealth, Honour, and Distinction/' k 18mo. 
 
 CONTAINING ALSO A COMPLETE TEEATISE ON THE ART OF CARVING. 
 
 "We most cordially recommend the American Chesterfield to general attention; but to young 
 persons particularly, as one of the best works of the kind that has ever been published in this 
 country. It cannot be too highly appreciated, nor its perusal be unproductive of satisfaction and 
 usefulness." 
 
 SENECA'S MORALS. 
 
 BY WAY OF ABSTRACT TO WHICH IS ADDED, A DISCOURSE UNDER 
 
 THE TITLE OF AN AFTER-THOUGHT. 
 BY SIR ROGER L'ESTRANGE, KNT. 
 
 A new, fine edition ; one volume, 18mo. 
 A copy of this valuable little work should be found in every family library. 
 
 NEW SONG-BOOK. 
 
 drigg'0 Inutjjern nnh -Kfesttra 
 
 BEING A CHOICE COLLECTION OF THE MOST FASHIONABLE SONGS, MANY OF WHICH 
 ' ARE ORIGINAL. 
 
 care was 
 elicate or i 
 
 In one volume, 18mo. 
 
 Great care was taken, in the selection, to admit no song that contained, in the slightest degree, 
 any indelicateor improper allusions ; and with great propriety it may claim the title of " The Pai- 
 lour Song-Book, or Songster." The immortal Shakspeare observes 
 
 
 ' The man that hath not music in himself, 
 Nor is not moved with concord of sweet sounds, 
 Is fit for treasons, stratagems, and spoils." 
 
 ROBOTHAM'S POCKET FRENCH DICTIONARY, 
 
 CAREFULLY REVISED, 
 
 AND THE PRONUNCIATION OF ALL THE DIFFICULT WORDS ADDED. 
 
 20 
 
LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 THE LIFE AND OPINIONS OF TRISTRAM SHANDY, GENTLEMAN, 
 
 COMPRISING THE HUMOROUS ADVENTURES OF 
 
 UNCLE TOBY AND CORPORAL TRIM. 
 
 BY Zi. STERNE. 
 Beautifully Illustrated by Darley. Stitched. 
 
 A SENTIMENTAL JOURNEY. 
 
 BY L. STERNE. 
 Illustrated as above toy Dai-ley. Stitched. 
 
 The beauties of this author are so well known, and his errors in style and expression so few and 
 far between, that one reads with renewed delight his delicate turns, &c. 
 
 THE LIFE OF GENERAL JACKSON, 
 
 WITH A LIKENESS OF THE OLD HERO. 
 One volume, 18mo. 
 
 LIFE OF PAUL JONES. 
 
 In one volume, 12mo. 
 WITH ONE HUNDRED ILLUSTRATIONS 
 
 BY JAMES HAMILTON. 
 
 The work is compiled from his original journals and correspondence, and includes an account of 
 his services in the American Revolution, and in the war between the Russians and Turks in the 
 Black Sea, There is scarcely any Naval Hero, of any age, who combined in his character so much 
 of the adventurous, skilful and daring, as Paul Jones. The incidents of his life are almost as start 
 ling and absorbing as those of romance. His achievements during the American Revolution the 
 fight between the Bon Homme Richard and Serapis, the most desperate naval action on record 
 and the alarm into which, with so small a force, he threw the coasts of England and Scotland are 
 matters comparatively well known to Americans ; but the incidents of his subsequent career have 
 been veiled in obscurity, which is dissipated by this biography. A book like this, narrating the 
 actions of such a man, ought to meet with an extensive sale, and become as popular as Robinson 
 Crusoe in fiction, or Weems's Life of Marion and Washington, and similar books, in fact. It con 
 tains 400 pages, has a handsome portrait and medallion likeness of Jones, and is illustrated with 
 numerous original wood engravings of naval scenes and distinguished men with whom he was 
 familiar. 
 
 THE GREEK EXILE; 
 
 Or, A Narrative of the Captivity and Escape of Christophorus Plato Castanis, 
 
 DURING THE MASSACRE ON THE ISLAND OF SCIO BY THE TURKS. 
 TOGETHER WITH VARIOUS ADVENTURES IN GREECE AND AMERICA, 
 
 WRITTEN BY HIMSELF, 
 
 Author of an Essay on the Ancient and Modern Greek Languages ; Interpretation of tne Attributes 
 of the Principal Fabulous Deities ; The Jewish Maiden of Scio's Citadel ; anJ 
 the Greek Boy in the Sunday-School. J^L 
 
 One volume, 12rno. 
 
 THE YOUNG CHORISTER; 
 
 A. Collection of New and Beautiful Tunes, adapted to the use of Sabbath-Schools, from some of the 
 most distinguished composers ; together with many of the author's compositions. 
 
 EDITED BY MINARD W. WILSON. 
 21 
 
LIPPINCOTT, GRAMBO & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 CAMP LIFE OF A VOLUNTEER, 
 
 A Campaign in Mexico; Or, A Glimpse at Life in Camp. 
 
 BY "ONE WHO HAS SEEN THE ELEPHANT." 
 
 lift of dnural ,5ar jjarq 
 
 COMPRISING A NARRATIVE OF EVENTS CONNECTED WITH HIS PROFESSIONAL 
 CAREER, AND AUTHENTIC INCIDENTS OF HIS EARLY YEARS. 
 
 BY J. REESE FRY AND R. T. CONRAD. 
 
 With an original and accurate Portrait, and eleven elegant Illustrations, by Barley. 
 In one handsome 12mo. volume. 
 
 "It is by far the fullest and most interesting biography of General Taylor that we have ever seen." 
 Richmond ( Wlwj) Cknmicle. 
 
 "On the whole, we are satisfied that this volume is the most correct and comprehensive one yet 
 published." Hunt's Merchants' Mayazine. 
 
 "The superiority of this edition over the ephemeral publications of the day consists in fuller and 
 more authentic accounts of his family, his early life, and Indian wars. The narrative of his pro 
 ceedings in Mexico is drawn partly from reliable private letters, but chiefly from his own official 
 correspondence." 
 
 ''It forms a cheap, substantial, and attractive volume, and one which should be read at the fire 
 side of every family who desire a faithful and true life of the Old General." 
 
 GENERAL TAYLOE AND HIS STAFF: 
 
 Comprising Memoirs of Generals Taylor, Worth, Wool, and Butler; Cols. May, Cross, Clay, Hardin, 
 
 Yell> Hays, and other distinguished Officers attached to General Taylor's 
 
 Army. Interspersed with 
 
 NUMEROUS ANECDOTES OF THE MEXICAN WAR, 
 
 and Personal Adventures of the Officers. Compiled from Public Documents and Private Corre 
 spondence. With 
 
 ACCURATE PORTRAITS, AND OTHER BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 In one volume, 12mo. 
 
 GENERAL SCOTT AND HIS STAFF I 
 
 Comprising Memoirs of Generals Scott, Twiggs, Smith, Quitman, Shields, Pillow, Lane, Cadwalader, 
 
 Patterson, and Pierce; Cols. Childs, Riley, Harney, and Butler; and other 
 
 distinguished officers attached to General Scott's Army. 
 
 TOGETHER WITH 
 
 Notices of General Kearny, Col. Doniphan, Col. Fremont, and other officers distinguished in the 
 Conquest of California and New Mexico ; and Personal Adventures of the Officers. Com 
 piled from Public Documents and Private Correspondence. With 
 
 ACCURATE PORTRAITS, AND OTHER BEAUTIFUL ILLUSTRATIONS. 
 In one volume, 12mo. 
 
 FAMILY DENTIST, 
 
 INCLUDING THE SURGICAL, MEDICAL AND MECHANICAL TREATMENT 
 
 OF THE TEETH. 
 Illustrated \vlth thirty-one Engravings* 
 
 By CHARLES A. DU EOUGHET, M. D., Dental Surgeon. 
 In one volume, 18mo. 
 
 22 
 
LIPPINCOTT, CRAMBO & CO.'S PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 MECHANICS FOR THE MILLWRIGHT, ENGINEER AND MACHINIST, 
 CIVIL ENGINEER, AND ARCHITECT: 
 
 CONTAINING 
 
 THE PRINCIPLES OF MECHANICS APPLIED TO MACHINERY 
 
 Of American models, Steam-Engines, Water- Works, Navigation, Bridge-building, &c. Ac. Ry 
 
 FREDERICK OVERMAN, 
 Author of "The Manufacture of Iron," and other scientific treatises. 
 
 Illustrated by 150 Engravings. In one large 12mo. volume. 
 
 WILLIAMS'S TRAVELLER'S AND TOURIST'S GUIDE 
 
 Through the United States, Canada, &c. 
 
 This book will be found replete with information, not only to the traveller, but likewise to the 
 man of business. In its preparation, an entirely new plan has been adopted, which, we are con 
 vinced, needs only a trial to be fully appreciated. 
 
 Among its many valuable features, are tables showing at a glance the distance, fare, and time 
 occupied in travelling from the principal cities to the most important places in the Union ; so that 
 the question frequently asked, without obtaining a satisfactory reply, is here answered in full. 
 Other tables show the distances from New York, Ac., to domestic and foreign ports, by sea; and 
 also, by way of comparison, from New York and Liverpool to the principal ports beyond and around 
 Cape Horn, <fec., as well as via the Isthmus of Panama. Accompanied by a large and accurate Map 
 of the United States, including a separate Map of California, Oregon, New Mexico and Utah. Also, 
 a Map of the Island of Cuba, and Plan of the City and Harbor of Havana ; and a Map of Niagara 
 River and Falls. 
 
 THE LEGISLATIVE GUIDE: 
 
 Containing directions for conducting business in the House of Representatives ; the Senate of the 
 United States; the Joint Rules of both Houses ; a Synopsis of Jefferson's Manual, and copious 
 Indices; together with a concise system of Rules of Order, based on the regulations of the 
 U. S. Congress. Designed to economise time, secure uniformity and despatch in con 
 ducting business in all secular meetings, and also in all religious, political, and 
 Legislative Assemblies. 
 
 BY JOSEPH BARTLETT BURLEIG-H, LL. D. 
 In one volume, 12mo. 
 
 This is considered by our Judges and Congressmen as decidedly the best work of the kind extant. 
 Every young man in the country should have a copy of this book. 
 
 THE INITIALS; A Story of Modern Life. 
 
 THREE VOLUMES OF THE LONDON EDITION COMPLETE IN ONE VOLUME 12MO. 
 A new novel, equal to " Jane Eyre." 
 
 WILD WESTERN SCENES! 
 
 A NARRATIVE OF ADVENTURES IN THE WESTERN WILDERNESS. 
 
 Wherein the Exploits of Daniel Boone, the Great American Pioneer, are particularly described 
 
 Also, Minute Accounts of Bear. Deer, and Buffalo Hunts Desperate Conflicts with the 
 
 Savages Fishing and Fowling Adventures Encounters with Serpents, <kc. 
 
 By LUKE SHORTFIELD, Author of " The Western Merchant." 
 
 BEAUTIFULLY ILLUSTRATED. One volume, 12mo. 
 
 POEMS OF THE PLEASURES: 
 
 Consisting of the PLEASURES QF IMAGINATION, by Akenside; the PLEASURES OF MEMORY 
 
 hy Samuel Rogers; the PLEASURES OF HOPE, by Campbell ; and the PLEASURES OF 
 
 FRIENDSHIP, by M'Hcnry. With a Memoir of each Author, prepared expressly 
 
 for this work. 18ino. 
 
 23 
 
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 CALIFORNIA AND OREGON; 
 Or, Sights in the Gold Region, and Scenes by the Way. 
 
 BY THEODORE T. JOHNSON. 
 With a Map and Illustrations. Third Edition. 
 
 With AN APPENDIX, containing Full Instructions to Emigrants by the Overland Route to Oregon. 
 By Hon. SAMUEL R. THURSTON, Delegate to Congress from that Territory. 
 
 VALUABLE STANDARD MEDICAL BOOKS. 
 DISPENSATORY OF THE UNITED STATES. 
 
 BY DRS. WOOD AND BACHE. 
 New Edition, much enlarged and carefully revised. One volume, royal octavo. 
 
 A TREATISE ON THE PRACTICE OF MEDICINE, 
 
 BY GEORGE B. WOOD, M. D., 
 One of the Authors of the " Dispensatory of the U. S.," <tc. New edition, improved. 2 vols. 8vo. 
 
 AN ILLUSTRATED SYSTEM OF HUMAN ANATOMY; 
 
 SPECIAL, MICROSCOPIC, AND PHYSIOLOGICAL. 
 
 BY SAMUEL GEORGE MORTON, M. D. 
 With 891 beautiful Illustrations. One volume, royal octavo. 
 
 MATERIA MEDICA AND THERAPEUTICS, 
 
 With ample Illustrations of Practice in all the Departments of Medical Science, and copious No 
 tices of Toxicology. 
 
 BY THOMAS D. ESITCHELL, A.M., M.D., 
 
 Prof, of the Theory and Practice of Medicine in the Philadelphia College of Medicine, 6x. I vol. 8vo. 
 
 THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF SURGERY, 
 
 By GEORGE M'CLELLAN, M. D. 1 vol. 8vo. 
 
 EBERLE'S PRACTICE OF MEDICINE. 
 
 New Edition. Improved by GEORGE M'CLELLAN, M. D. Two volumes in 1 vol. 8vo. 
 
 EBERLE'S THERAPEUTICS. 
 
 TWO VOLUMES IN ONE. 
 
 A TREATISE ON THE DISEASES AND PHYSICAL EDUCATION OF CHILDREN, 
 
 By JOHN EBERLE, M. D., &c. Fourth Edition. With Notes and very large Additions, 
 
 By THOMAS D. MITCHELL, A. M., M. D., &c. 1 vol. 8vo. 
 EBERLE'S NOTES FOR STUDENTS-NEW EDITION, 
 
 ** These works are used as text-books in most of the Medical Schools in the United States. 
 
 A PRACTICAL TREATISE ON POISONS: 
 
 Their Symptoms, Antidotes, and Treatment. By 0. H. Costill, M. D. 18mo. 
 IDENTITIES OF LIGHT AND HEAT, OF CALORIC AND ELECTRICITY, ' 
 
 BY C. CAMPBELL COOPER. 
 
 UNITED STATES' PHARMACOPEIA, 
 
 Edition of 1831. Published by authority of the National Medical Convention. 1 roL Sro 
 
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