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DEPOSITED BY THE

LINONIAN AND BROTHERS LIBRARY

(Breat Commanbcrs
EDITED BY JAMES GRANT WILSON

GENERAL TAYLOR

xrbe (Breat Commanber Series.
Edited by General James Grant Wilson.

Admiral Farragut. By Captain A. T. Mahan, U. S. N.
General Taylor.
By General O. O. Howard, U. S. A.
TN PREPARATION:
General Jackson. By James Parton.
General 'Washing-ton. By General Bradley T. Johnson.
General Greene.
By Captain Francis 'V. Greene, U. S. A.
General Sherman. By General Manning F. Force.
General Grant. By General James Grant Wilson.
General J. E. Johnston.
By Robert M. Hughes, of 'Virginia.
General Scott. By General Marcus J. Wright.
Admiral Porter.
By James R. Soley, Assist. Sec. of the Navy.
General Lee. By General Fitzhugh Lee.
General Thomas. By Henry Coppee, LL. D.
General Hancock. By General Francis A. 'Walker.
General Sheridan. By General Henry E. Davies.

New York; D. Appleton & Co., i, 3, & 5 Bond St.

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D.Aijple'iorL 8c Co.

GREAT COMMANDERS
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GENERAL TAYLOR

BY
OLIVER OTIS HOWARD
major-general u. s. army

IVITIf PORTRAIT AND MAPS

NEW YORK
D. APPLETON AND COMPANY
1892

Copyright, 1892,
By D. APPLETON AND COMPANY.

AU rights reserved.

Electrotyped and Printed
AT THE Appleton Press, U. S. A.

t\:>G^.8^.

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.
PAGE
Explanatory remarks at the threshold of Zachary Taylor's bi
ography — Why his life may vei-y properly be reviewed —
The development of his career compared with that of
Lincoln and Grant — His daughter's testimony to intrinsic
worth — How he kept back United States aggression
against Mexico^How he thwarted the forerunners of
secession — Some brief testimonies and sketches recently
gathered . . . . i
CHAPTER II.
A brief family history — Colonel Richard, the father of Zach
ary Taylor — A Revolutionary ofScer — The mother, Mary
Strother Taylor — Zachary Taylor's birth — An emigration
— The uncle, Hancock Taylor — President 'Washington's
remembrance of Colonel Richard Taylor — Elisha Ayres,'
the teacher — Colonel Richard Taylor's death — Zachary's
childhood — Influence of his mother — The environments
— The farm-drill — Aaron Burr's scheme — The young vol
unteer — His longings for a regular commission . i6
CHAPTER III.
James Madison's influence — Jeflferson's appointment of Taylor
to a first lieutenancy — First duty at New Orleans — Leave
and sickness — Military study — His marriage — Prom.oted
to the captaincy of the Seventh Infantry — General 'Will
iam H. Harrison's operations in Northwest Territory —
Tecumseh and his brother — Captain Taylor's participa-

VI GENERAL TAYLOR. page
tion in the campaign — Tippecanoe — The War of 1812 —
The right of search claimed, and how instanced — A
blockade — Taylor's patriotic feeling — Declaration of war
— Approved June 18, 1812 — Canadian hostile expedition
— Major Muir and Chief Tecumseh — General Harrison's
successful move — Fort Harrison, on the Wabash, com
manded by Captain Zachary Taylor — The small garrison
— Illness — The attack of Indians, and how repulsed —
Captain Taylor's own report — The road from Fort Har
rison to 'Vincennes^The ten days of hope deferred — At
last relief came — Captain Taylor's two communications
to General Hopkins — General Hopkins's strong approval
of Captain Taylor — The first brevet — General Hopkins
advances — Major Taylor helps in the expedition — Gen
eral Harrison commends him ...... 25
CHAPTER IV.
An increase of regiments — And then promotion to a majority
— His Rock River expedition^A sudden reduction to
ten thousand men — Major Zachary Taylor declines to go
back to a captaincy — Again in civil life — How General
William H. Harrison and other friends sought his return
to service — Next recommissioned a major of the Third
Infantry — A furlough spent in Kentucky — Again a pro
motion — A lieutenant-colonel. Fourth Infantry — On a
great variety of duties, as recruiting, boards for construc
tions, for reorganizing the army, for uniform, etc. — Sta
tioned at Baton Rouge — Then at Fort Crawford, North
west Territory — Indian Superintendent for a time by
detail — Incidents in the Black Hawk War — Taylor's
superb regulars — General Atkinson's praises . . .41
CHAPTER V.
The Florida troubles — Osceola — The Creeks — The Seminoles
— The threatened Western removals — The black flag
and massacres — Major Dade and his detachment — The
Everglades of Florida — Old Generals Clinch, Jessup,
and others — President Van Buren's message — Taylor's

CONTENTS. vii
page
fac-simile letter written at Fort Crawford, July 14, 1837
— Taylor's careless dress — A young officer's mistake and
chagrin — General Jessup defeated and wounded at Ju
piter Inlet, Fla.— General Taylor's arrival at Tampa Bay
and Fort Gardner— His campaign of the Kissimmee and
successful battle of Okeechobee — His dispatches— His
excellent dispositions of troops and districts — He seeks
to be relieved— Is sent to Fort Jessup, Louisiana . . 48
CHAPTER VI.
General Taylor at Baton Rouge in 1840 — The plantation —
The beautiful home near the barracks — How Mrs. Hol-
loway pictures the cottage— Mrs. Taylor's comfort and
joy — How the civil experience ended — Sent to the Lou
isiana and Texas frontier — How the Mexican War began
— Taylor's position — Taylor's letter of July 20th, New
Orleans, 1845 — Sets out for St. Joseph's Island — Moved
to Corpus Christi — The forces — Twiggs's Cavalry — A
pleasant camp . 76
CHAPTER VII.
Holding the Nueces — Rio Grande claimed — Testimony of a
distinguished friend still living — Taylor's judiciousness —
Insists on orders — The move to Point Isabel — General
Taylor by land — Major Monroe by sea — Mexican Gen
erals, Mejia and Ampudia — What they did — Taylor's
correspondence with the enemy — His first discourage
ments aud losses — How operations were commenced in
the Rio Grande valley — The blockade of the Rio Grande
(or Rio del Norte) — Arista's coming — His aims^His
strong protest — General I'aylor's reply . . . . qo
CHAPTER VIIL
The defense of Fort Brown — Its garrison — The move to
Point Isabel — Arista's dispositions — He takes the offen
sive — Taylor's work at Point Isabel — His march — His
meeting Arista in battle — The lines of both — The differ-

VlU GENERAL TAYLOR. page
ent attacks, and how met — The end of the day — The
council — The results of the day  104
CHAPTER IX.
Resaca de la Palma — The appearance of the region — Taylor's
anxiety for Fort Brown — Details of the decisive battle —
Artillery resistance — May's celebrated charge — General
Taylor's story of the conflict — The after-battle — His
tenderness toward the wounded — A brief summary —
Texas secured to the Rio Grande  115
CHAPTER X.
Taylor's endowment — Reports — Exchange of prisoners — The
rancheros again — Important visit to Point Isabel — Ring
gold's and Blake's death — After-battle shadows — Words
to La Vega — The taking of Barita and Lower Rio Grande
— Lieutenant-Colonel Wilson's expedition — ^Bridges and
launches — Arista's ruse de guerre — Crossing the Rio
Grande in force — The drowning of Lieutenant George
Stevens — Arista in full retreat — Arista's report — Contrast
of Arista and Taylor, their equipoise, and manners —
Matamoros in l8g2 — Schools and public improvements
evincing progress  r- . .125
CHAPTER XI.
Three months' rest of Taylor's army — Leaders of the Whig
party looking to Taylor as candidate for the presidency —
Extracts from letters relating thereto — Taylor brevetted
Major-General — Given full rank a little later — Taylor's
plans coincident with Scott's — Movement on Camargo
begun — Taylor's popularity with his soldiers — His self-
denial — Care for the sick on the steamer .... 139
CHAPTER XII.
The storming and capture of Monterey — The city and en
vironments — Arista relieved, Monterey defended by Am
pudia — His inspiring address — Taylor's troops — Prepara-

CONTENTS. IX
page
tions for battle — Rain and severe cold of the first night —
Battle at daybreak — Cheers drew a heavy fire — Quickness
of Worth's batteries astonishes the Mexicans — Worth at
tempts the mountain forts — Federacion captured, its guns
turned on Saldado — Mexican panic — Soldado captured —
Effort of Mexican commander to charge, driven back —
Duncan and Mackall's batteries ... . 149
CHAPTER XIII.
The stoi-ming and capture of Monterey (continued) — S^ory of
the north front — Baltimore and Washington volunteers
break — Regulars worked forward under great resistance
into Monterey — Brilliant work of Captain Backus — Lieu
tenant-Colonel Garland withdraws his men — Terrible en
counter of the Fourth Infantry — General Quitman sur
prises his foes, who abandon their wounded and flee —
General Butler and Colonel Mitchell wounded — Lieu
tenant-Colonel Garland again — The strong diversion ac
complished — The night rest at El Bosque — Prolonged
through the 22d of September — Lieutenant-Colonel
Child's night march and morning assault — The redoubt
upon Loma de Independencia captured at dawn — Bishop's
Palace taken — A combined Mexican effort — How met by
General Worth and defeated — General Morales's proposal
miscarried — General Taylor and Jefferson Davis — Am
pudia's letter — Taylor's reply — Preliminaries to the armis
tice and capitulation — The terms agreed upon . . 164
' CHAPTER XIV.
Terms of the capitulation objected to — Causes of Taylor's
leniency — Comments of American members of the Joint
Commission — Bravery of both sides — Taylor's force too
small for complete investment — Too small for effective
pursuit — Ammunition and supplies gained, etc. — Taylor's
own defense — Letters to the Secretary of War — Sure es
cape of the bulk of Ampudia's force except for the capitu
lation — Loss of life — Explosions of magazines — Damage
to the city — The capitulation paralyzed the enemy for a

X GENERAL TAYLOR. PAGE
period when he could not have moved for want of
wagons — Troops taken from Taylor without consultation
— Results of liberal treatment — Private letter of Taylor's
which explains the situation and the necessity of the ca
pitulation — His good heart — General Taylor's graceful
commendation of his officers and men . . . 185
CHAPTER XV.
New Washington plans — Reduction of force — Santa Anna
and P^redes — Hon. William L. Marcy's letter to Taylor
— Taylor's occupation deemed a blessing — More fault
finding — Taylor's official replies — General Wool's col
umn — The new line . . .... 203
CHAPTER XVI.
Planning to take Saltillo — Worth's division on the lead — Gen
eral Worth's column — Its line of march — Jose Maria's
letter — Mexican feeling — Worth and Taylor meet — Re
turn to Monterey — Patterson's movements approved by
Taylor — General Scott comes to the front — Secretary of
War writes — Taylor replies, and makes just complaints —
Scott's good letter — Remarks eulogistic of two remark- ,
able heroes . 219
CHAPTER XVII.
Preliminary to the battle of Buena Vista — Why Scott was
obliged to levy upon General Taylor's army — Wojfh and
Wool's movements — Saltillo — The advance to Agua
Nuevo — The falling back to Angostura — Posting of the
troops for battle — Visit of Taylor to Saltillo and return —
Santa Anna's advance from San Luis Potosi — Santa
Anna's letter demanding the surrender of Taylor — Tay
lor's prompt reply, declining — Santa Anna's dispositions . 234
CHAPTER XVIII.
Battle of Buena Vista — The 22d of February — First day's
^meute — Second day's engagement — Return to Saltillo —
The rest at night — The first combat in the morning —

CONTENTS. XI
PAGE
The Mexican order and advance — General Wool's efforts
— His left driven back — General Taylor's timely arrival
— The fearful struggle for the plateau — The batteries ;
how handled — Lieutenant Kingsbury's story of the Mis-
sissippians and their coadjutors — The victory . . . 250
CHAPTER XIX.
Comments made by General Taylor and others, with letters
bearing upon the remarkable battle of Buena Vista — Sig
nificant statement — Sorrow tempers his rejoicing — Good
conduct of the troops — Effectiveness of Taylor's artillery
— The enterprise of volunteers — How Colonel Jefferson
Davis became forgiven — Letter to General Butler from
Agua Nueva — Letter to Henry Clay — Another to Gov
ernor Lincoln — Defensive communication to the Secre
tary of War — Santa Anna's defense of his retreat — Formal
orders of congratulation . ... 274
CHAPTER XX.
A messenger sent to Washington — Escort attacked — Mexican
General Urrea took the field, and filled the military de
partment with troublesome detachments — General Tay
lor defeated him, and cleared his whole front — Head
quarters again at Monterey — Walnut Springs — Com
parative quiet — Perplexing letters from all parts— How
answered — The candidacy for the presidency of the
United States kept before General Taylor's mind in spite
of efforts to mind only his military work . . 292
CHAPTER XXI.
Five national parties in the field — The Oregon Question irri
tates — Tariff — Internal improvements — Slavery — Mr.
Clay's compromises — Taylor and his three hundred
slaves — Taylor a Whig, but never a partisan — Defines
his principles in the Allison letter — Daniel Webster's
feeling — Democratic Baltimore Convention of 1848 —
Whig Philadelphia Convention — Taylor nominated by a
large majority .... . . 302

xil GENERAL TAYLOR.

CHAPTER XXII.
Receptions and public dinners — The inaugural ball — The ad
dress as published — Clear enunciation of principles — The
Cabinet — The household at the White House — Mrs.
Bettie Bliss at a public gathering — Some great names
associated with Zachary Taylor ..... 314
CHAPTER XXIII.
The state of the country after Taylor's election — The testi
mony of Dr. Upham, a living witness — Northern senti
ments — Southern fears and feeling — Conservative minds
illustrated — President Taylor the " steadying center " —
Hon. Herman White, of Cohoes, New York, shows the
angry element in Congress — A Northern man and a
Southern of sympathetic Union views meet — A " Fire-
eater " and Edward Stanley — The last speech of John C.
Calhoun — Pierce and Calhoun — How General Taylor
met disloyal threats — The six Southern friends — Con
fidence in Daniel Webster and what he accomplished —
Georgia's vote — How Union men turned away — The
faults of Pierce's administration — Taylor loved the flag . 348
CHAPTER XXIV.
Concluding remarks — White House routine — Mrs. Bliss at
the White House — Some gentle criticisms — The Fourth
of July — The laying of the comer-stone of Washington's
monument — President Taylor's part — The heat of the
day — The imprudences of the President — His sudden
sickness — The general alarm — The reports fro and con —
The last scene, and the last words of President Taylor —
Millard Fillmore, the Vice-President — What he did —
The funeral ceremonies — The testimony of Thomas H.
Benton, Daniel Webster, and other public men — All
honor to the American soldier ! . . . . 366

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

FACING PAGE

Portrait of Zachary Taylor .... Frontispiece
Part of Texas and Northern Mexico, showing the Field of
Taylor's Operations .' . . . .go
Plan of the Battle of Palo Alto ... . . Ii6
Vicinity of Monterey and Saltillo . . . I49
Plan of the City of Monterey, State of New Leon, Septem
ber, 1846  173
Plan of the Battfe of Buena Vista . 241

GENERAL TAYLOR.

CHAPTER I.
Explanatory remarks at the threshold of Zachary Taylor's biogra
phy — Why his life may very properly be reviewed — The de
velopment of his career compared with that of Lincoln and
Grant — His daughter's testimony to intrinsic worth — How
he kept back United States aggression against Mexico — How
he thwarted the forerunners of secession — Some brief testi
monies and sketches recently gathered.
To make a thorough study of one -who has long
had a prominent place among historic characters,
there ought to be abundant material derived from
independent sources. The unconscious testimony
of intimates -who have lived near him or -written con
cerning him often lets you see the bona-fi.de indi
vidual. A -well-preserved likeness or portrait may
exhibit the size and shape of his head, the strength
of his chin, the firmness of his closed lips, or the
closely knit frame. His letters or other -writings will
contain not only the style of the composer, but to
the persistent, appreciative searcher, the very spirit
of the man may be discovered and absorbed from
them. And, of course, while small things indicate
phases of character, his choicest achievements, if
there be a fair record of them, must contain the best
and fullest revelations of a noble soul.

2 GENERAL TAYLOR.
But to make an appropriate and acceptable ex
hibit of your wares is something quite different from
the simple possession of them. Such exhibit demands
a knowledge of the tastes and desires of the people
who are to come to see them. And, certainly, whenever
any conscientious biographer, who has studied well
and pondered long the thoughts and acts of his sub
ject, puts forth the results, it always is problematical
whether he can or can not be able to bring other
minds into close enough fellowship to behold them.
It is therefore with no little trepidation that the
unknown reading public is herein invited to a re
view of the life of Zachary Taylor.
This subject of our sketch, as an army officer, had
served in peace and in active campaign before the
Mexican War sufficiently long to gain a practical
and extended military knowledge and personal dis
cipline. In the War of 1812, as we shall see, he made
his brilliant points and gained a substantial reward
by receiving a brevet commission above his grade —
among the first of that kind given to any officers in
our country. After this war, stationed at different
points throughout our extended Western frontier,
like other officers associated with him, he did his in
cumbent duty, certainly without serious official criti
cism ; but as yet there was nothing in the wake of
his genius or special superiority to be seized upon.
When, however, imbecility and weakness had been
exhibited by one commander after another in the
management of a Southern department, the minds
of our administrators were at last turned toward
Taylor, who had in his favor a long and sturdy
record. Slowly promoted from grade to grade, he
had now become a middle-aged colonel.

A COMPREHENSIVE VIEW. 3
As an untried experiment in Florida affairs, a sort
of forlorn hope, he was communicated with and or
dered to the new field. His marches, battles, and
partial successes in this difficult area of operations
are unique and of intrinsic interest. At last he made
an active campaign, without hesitancy, fought a
bloody battle, and thereby gained considerable public
notice, and was raised to the honorary rank of the
next grade, so that after- this campaign he was de
nominated General Taylor.
In the days when information was so long in
going from place to place, even his Indian campaign
and gallant conduct did not really bring him very
much before the general public. A few people sim
ply knew that there was an officer of the army by
the name of Taylor, from Kentucky, who, in several
emergencies like those referred to, had done his duty
nobly, for which he had received a major's commis
sion, and afterward one of brigadier-general. Proba
bly few persons beyond the army circles and, some
members of Congress knew even as much as that
concerning Zachary Taylor.
When the Mexican War commenced, his sterling
qualities were recalled and published, and brought
him quickly into demand. His aptitude for war that
had steadily developed in remote places, like that of
Von Moltke, began to manifest itself — e. g., in Texas,
at Corpus Christi — and was more apparent as soon as
he reached the Rio Grande. The battles of Palo Alto,
Resaca de la Palma, Monterey, and Buena Vista
surprised his countrymen, and much more so his ene
mies. Over the Mexican forces, always exceeding
his own in numbers, and well commanded, he uni
formly gained a victory. The last battle, Buena

4 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Vista, which with the others will hereafter be dis
cussed in detail, was certainly phenomenal, for there
had been taken from him, shortly before, nearly all
his regular troops, and his volunteers were not only
few in number, but many of them recruits unaccus
tomed to hostile shots; yet fearlessly he took a po
sition with a view to the defending of a city outside
and beyond the limits of that city ; he met without
hesitation a greatly superior force, commanded by
one of the ablest generals of the age, and delivrered
such a successful battle figainst him that it put an
end, for the war, to the enemy's efforts along that
important line of operations.
If we trace the lives of Washington, of Lincoln,
or of Grant, step by step, we see in each of them a
time of unconscious preparation. There seemed to
be at first little or no anticipation in their own minds
of the great parts they were to play. Still, as we go
back along their early pathways we find the process
of molding and fitting very thoroughly done ; and
at the proper time— in fact, in the fullness of time —
they are each of them launched out before the whole
world, like ships well constructed and well equipped,
as superior men, equal to the greatest, equal to the
leading generals of the century, yes, markedly su
perior to sundry great kings and princes who have
been reared avowedly for the conception, study, and
accomplishment of high things. As with these three,
so with Zachary Taylor. His early education was
very limited. His work in early manhood was for
the most part out of sight and outside the pale of
ordinary society ; on a -Kentucky farm ; at small
frontier posts ; or campaigning far off from civilized
centers against a few bands of savages.

A COMPREHENSIVE VIEW.

5

It is now late in life. Nothing especially brilliant
during its brief term is expected of him by his coun
trymen. But suddenly this man is raised up to be
the most noticeable figure of the land; and then
soon, like Lincoln and Grant, he comes to sit in the
presidential chair, holding as high an office as the
world can offer. It is surely the Lord's doings, and
it is marvelous in our eyes. One beholder said of
Taylor : " He was upright, it is admitted. Yet in all
the biographies, in all the speeches made concerning
him, his enlargement of soul has not been dwelt upon ;
nobody has indicated that he had attained even a de
gree in spirituality, as becometh a man of God ! "
A friend of Zachary Taylor's, hearing this remark,
answered: "That may be so, but an honest man is
the noblest work of God. He was, like Cyrus of old,
an exponent of God's handiwork; he was an instru
ment in God's hands for e'xecuting his purposes."
His daughter's picture gives undoubtedly the true
version ; she says : " My father's nature was most
kindly and affectionate ; and, while not a professor
of religion, he had the greatest respect for true piety,
and was honorable, straightforward, and conscien
tious in all his dealings. He was a constant reader
of the Bible and practiced all its precepts, acknowl
edging his responsibility to God. There never was
a more tender and devoted father; and his children
had the highest respect, love, and confidence in him.
His letters, written while I was separated from him,
were models of good counsel, and I regret that I
have not been able to preserve them."
Such was Zachary Taylor. A man of noble parts,
and one, without doubt, chosen from among his coun
trymen, like Moses and Joshua and David, by the

6 GENERAL TAYLOR.
great Disposer of human events, to work out for
other hands to record a most important part of hu
man history — that which lies in the formative period
of a great liberty-bearing nation. It is a fine model.
And so there falls to the writer a singularly pleasant
task — viz. : step by step to review his unique biog
raphy and endeavor to present somewhat in detail
the achievements of his career.
It may be well to notice in these primary state
ments a few things which, if there were nothing else,
will justify this biography in an historic point of view.
It will be seen, in the course of the story —
First. How Taylor, by his carefulness in a great
crisis, preserved the honor of the nation. For the
sake of personal ambition and the glory of his arms
he did not hasten into the great conflict with Mexico,
not advancing till constrained by imperative orders
to do so, and even under such orders his army did
not strike the first blow. This was the enemy's
doing. Second. How again as President, when the sen
timents and sympathies of his section of the United
States had become already ripe for secession or revo
lution, he carefully kept himself informed, and pre
pared his forces against a sudden outbreak, and, to
the chagrin of extremists, so suppressed the budding
rebellion that it had to be postponed for more than
ten years. How providential that we had such a
President in the very nick of time ! For then the na
tional elements were charged with opposite currents,
and no national party, had he but favored secession,
would have been ready or able to save the Union
from a disastrous wreck. Then all honor, under
God, to Zachary Taylor, clad as he was from youth

A COMPREHENSIVE VIEW. 7
to age in national armor, for the unflinching and in
dispensable part he bore in preserving the nation.
During a recent visit to Louisville, Ky., Baton
Rouge, La., Point Isabel, Texas, and to the several
battle-fields connected with the name and fame of
General Taylor in Texas and Mexico, it was the
writer's privilege to meet several aged men who knew
the subject of his sketch at the time of Taylor's most
active days, nearly half a century ago. The first re
membrance uniformly mentioned is his gentleness
of manner and kindness of heart. One veteran, a
political friend, at Baton Rouge, said : " Oh, yes, I
knew the old man well. He was a kind, courteous
man, but a little close with his money when he lived
here and carried on his plantation up the river."
Ques. " Did he pay his debts ? "
A-ns. " Why, certainly ; he was an honest man,
but never lavish; always economical."
The venerable Dr. Charles Macmanus, living at
Matamoras, who at twenty-two years of age was a
surgeon in Taylor's army and who knew him well,
when asked by General Howard how Taylor looked,
said: "Ah, general, he looked like you ; he was as
old as you are now, with iron-gray hair and full
beard. He was very solicitous for the health of his
men. I was called from Louisiana because, though
young, I had already had experience with the cholera
which was then threatening his troops in the Rio
Grande valley."
A veteran physician by the name of Smith, at
Saltillo, who came there just after the Mexican War,
talked of Taylor's operations as evincing genius,
firmness, and perseverance ; but his dignity and kind
ness of manner were especially emphasized. At the

8 GENERAL TAYLOR.
City of Mexico a Mr. Carr, a strongly built, gray-
bearded veteran, who was an army trader approach
ing Monterey in company with a train under mili
tary escort just after the battle of Buena Vista, and
who lost all he had in the train, had many reminis
cences of his interviews with General Taylor. The
strong impression made by the general upon him,
he being at the time a very young man, has never
been effaced. The officer in charge of the train and
escort, on hearing of the approach of hostile cavalry,
after consulting with all concerned, concluded to dis
obey General Taylor's orders that had been sent and
acknowledged — viz .: " to turn back and go into park."
He, on the contrary, thought it safer to push straight
on night and day and try to reach Monterey. The
officer was overwhelmingly attacked and lost his
train, and so General Taylor was vexed beyond
measure. Mr. Carr, who with' a few others escaped
capture, made his way after a time to General Tay
lor's camp. The general at once sent for the young
man to make inquiries. To use Mr. Carr's own
language: "General Taylor, on my coming to his
tent, was so angry that he could not finish a sen
tence. You know," he said, " he stammered some
when excited. 'Why did that ofiicer disobey my or
ders? ' He was so excited and angry that he would
not then hear my explanation, and so after a few
monosyllables I went off. Next day he sent for me
again, treated me most kindly, and, after he had
heard all about the affair, thanked me. Two or three
times after that he had me come and explain ; and
finally forgave the disobedient officer his offense."
Such an incident, remembered so long, is a revela
tion. Of course, Taylor was a man of like passions as

A COMPREPIENSIVE VIEW. g
ourselves. The more points of observation we have
from which to study him, the more he seems to re
semble Grant and Thomas. He had Grant's firm
ness and generosity to subordinates, with Thomas's
sturdiness, gentleness, not excluding a capacity for
excitement in an emergency. We will be better able,
however, by and by to make a fuller estimate of the
character of the man. The childhood, the boyhood,
and the young manhood of noble men are always
as needful to completeness of portraiture as is the
solidity of after-life; and they are especially helpful to
the young who are thoughtful and aspiring.
The scenes of Zachary Taylor's childhood in Ken
tucky, not far from the Ohio, have not changed much
since the early days. There are the same rolling
prairies, the same open stretches, the same limpid
streams, with cotton-wood trees now of immense
size. A few of the log-houses of early settlers are
still there attached as kitchens to large farm houses,
and high fences divide up the old farm that in Zach
ary's young days had no such divisions to hinder his
riding in straight lines, so making shorter distances
than by present roads to the growing town. A
country cemetery is formed by a rectangular stone
wall, where we find a famous, handsome, granite
monument surmounted by a rather diminutive figure
of our hero. The natural size, not of the real man
but of the statue, has grown small by too much ele
vation. The old evergreens in the northeast corner
are large, umbrageous, and solemn. The ancient
tomb, half buried, faced with stone blocks which have
been moved out and in by the winter's frosts, with
its low, closed door in the middle front, gives the
visitor a feeling that he is within the precincts of a

IO GENERAL TAYLOR.
distant past. This effect upon his thought is in
creased by the different members of the great Tay
lor family that he finds here buried near the same
sacred corner. With difficulty he deciphers the old
dates upon the little monuments and moss-covered
headstones, which are themselves, like all things ma
terial and mortal, bending with years.
So here, a few short miles from the active, throb
bing city of Louisville, the signs of youth and age, of
the present and the past, meet, and, if we can read
them aright, furnish us with object-lessons which en
hance the value of the fleeting years and take fresh
hold upon that which is beyond the natural vision.
The people there buried, both men and women, were
once tenants of good, humble homes. They were
pioneers and patriots; and as we touch here and
there the memorials of their deeds, we revere them.
Their spirits in their appointed time went back to
God who gave them. So every old tree, every old
tomb, monument, or headstone, while it reminds us of
a bit of history, yet speaks more distinctly of trees
that can not wither, of dwelling places whose fitness
and beauty pass human knowledge and description —
but, with even more emphasis, of the tenants that can
never, never lose their life and glory.
At Baton Rouge, the charming family cottage of
Mrs. Taylor, from which she dispensed, during the
great suspense and agonies of a grievous war, com
fort and blessing to her humble neighbors, the absent
soldiers' wives and children, has been torn down and
carried away. But the grand old Mississippi flows
there still, having encroached somewhat upon the
door-yard in its unsparing greed; but it has dili
gently kept green the surrounding turf and well

A COMPREHENSIVE VIEW. n
watered the roots of the four China trees which once
sheltered the inmates of a unique American home.
These trees have a few old knots and dry limbs, but
are still green and flourishing, and give shelter to
the flocks of happy birds that even in winter empha
size the attractions of such a Southern site. No
wonder Mrs. Taylor loved this choice spot of earth
with its home comforts more than a palace upon the
banks of the Potomac.
As we stood and looked at the great portrait at
the Baton Rouge capitol, an old resident told a
strange story about it, to wit : " Why, sir, that is
Zachary Taylor's head and body with another man's
legs ! "
" How so, my friend ? "
" Oh, the old gentleman would not sit as a model.
When he was little thinking of it the artist sketched
his head and body ; but, as the general declared that
he could not afford the time for further operations,
the poor artist was obliged to finish with another man."
Well, the result is fairly good. The face is not so
firm and strong as that of other portraits, and he ap
pears like a taller man than his actual height would
perhaps warrant ; yet it is a well-executed and well-
preserved full-length picture, comparing favorably
with its companion piece, that of the indomitable
hero of New Orleans.
The writer has received from General C. L. Kil
burn, who was a lieutenant with General Taylor in
his Mexican campaign, an engraving of his general
which, more than any other likeness that has been
presented, reveals the strong points in his features
which always affected those who came in daily con
tact with him.

12 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Through the kindness of General Porfirio Diaz,
the eminent and most respected president of the
Republic of Mexico, who served his country at the
age of eighteen during the Mexican War, have been
obtained sketches of the uniform then used by the
Mexican army. He enabled the writer to have ac
cess to every historic place, and demonstrated that
now every iota of even sensitive feeling has passed
away, and that respect, friendship, and wholesome
emulation have been for some time the attitude of
the citizens of the two republics. The Mexicans
have constantly honored their own faithful soldiers,
as they should — and we, too, honor them as we
attempt to record the deeds of our own.
In the passion of the hour of conflict and for
years afterward, stories are told and perpetuated
which are partial and biased; but little by little that
which is hurtful is eliminated, while the truth only,
which is somehow a common final judgment, is abid
ing. The Mexicans, the actual people of to-day, are
a kindly, happy people. They are particularly kind
to one another in their family relations — fathers and
mothers and grandparents especially so to the chil
dren, and children to one another. And such, when
met with Christian courtesy, are quick to reciprocate
good will — yes, even that of the stranger. And in
deed the best of our citizens, with their capital and
their learning and their varied abilities, are now par
ticularly welcome ; for under their present rulers
there is a general awakening in the line of public
education and public enterprise — an awakening in
which the humblest citizen is made to participate.
Long may the good will and friendship between the
two republics continue.

A COMPREHENSIVE VIEW. 13
What marvelous changes in our country since
Zachary Taylor came on the stage of action ! The
battle-fields of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, where
Wayne, Harrison, and Taylor marched far, fought
hard, and won their first laurels against powerful
tribes of Indians, are now scarcely known to the in
habitants of the region. Large thriving cities, such
as Vincennes, Terre Haute, and Peoria, have so long
existed and been so connected with each other, and
with greater cities, as Louisville, Chicago, St. Louis,
Columbus, and Cincinnati, that the actual history of
their sites appears to our youth, who are obliged to
master the facts of early days, like mysterious tales
of the middle ages.
If Captain Zachary Taylor had been told by some
inspired prophet that those vast stretches of Illinois
— those almost limitless prairies, which it took him
weeks to cross, and where there was no house or
fence or inhabitant except the venturesome trapper
and the roving Indian — would be completely occupied
with villages, cities, and farms, and traversed and
checked throughout their entire length and breadth
with public railways and telegraph lines, before the
close of the nineteenth century, he would have
laughed at the revelator and accounted his story
but a beautiful dream. We of to-day know the facts,
and they hardly strike us, amid our abundance, with
wonder. Yet, as gray-haired men pause for a few
weeks from the intense activity of to-day's business
and ride, as the writer has just done, in Pullman cars,
from St. Louis to Cincinnati and Columbus, Ohio,
they might call up the past decades, and not fail to
honor in their hearts the sturdy pioneer patriots who
opened up these immense avenues of wealth and hap-

14 GENERAL TAYLOR.
piness to the nation and the world. We can not hesi
tate to reckon young Zachary Taylor among the most
prominent, the most fearless, the most deserving of
those heroes.
The Florida lands day by day are covered with
sweet winter residences, superb hotels, and the
choicest villages and cities. Railroads connect them
and render them a practicable luxury to those who
dwell in the colder parts of our domain. Fruits, like
the orange, the lemon, the fig, and the banana, are
filling up the intervening spaces, and the whole State
is fast becoming a home of pure rest and refresh
ment to winter residents of refinement and culture.
Even those luxuries have cost toil, suffering, and
blood. Thousands of soldiers have marched through
its swamps and laid down their lives that the beau
tiful land might have permanent peace and unstinted
plenty. Among the boldest, the ablest, the most suc
cessful, was Colonel Zachary Taylor. Let those who
cross the smooth and placid surface of the Okeecho
bee in a luxurious steamer call up the old battle
field of " Okeechobee," and honor the " Rough and
Ready " American who took this Gennesaret from the
bloody Philistines of later days but a few years ago !
And there is Texas, large enough for a kingdom,
teeming with a prosperous, self-respecting, industri
ous, rising population. That it came to us at all
and in perpetuity, the honor may be shared by great
leaders. But I behold General Zachary Taylor, in
1845, 1846, and 1847, working with his might in Ar
kansas, on the Texas border at Fort Jesup, at Cor
pus Christi, at Point Isabel, and all along in the
magnificent and fertile valley of the Rio Grande  he
is at Matamoras, then at Camargo — a few weeks later

A COMPREHENSIVE VIEW.

IS

at Monterey, and then he clears the villages of the
gigantic mountains of Sierra Madre. What results
have come since then ! Texas is free, is rich in land,
and is now extending a generous welcome to man
kind. Who more than Taylor secured tl
boundaries of this extraordinary State ? Wl
tributed more than he to the present possibil  _^
the country against which he was constrained to
fight? Though Taylor and Scott could not have dreamed
of such possibilities, they shall receive the writer's
salute of honor for having projected, secured, and
transmitted them. Let us now return to the more
immediate work of our biography.

CHAPTER II.
A brief family history — Colonel Richard, the father of Zachary Tay
lor — A Revolutionary officer — The mother, Mary Strother
Taylor — Zachary Taylor's birth — An emigration — The uncle,
Hancock Taylor — President Washington's remembrance of
Colonel Richard Taylor — Elisha Ayres, the teacher — Colonel
Richard Taylor's death — Zachary's childhood — Influence of
hismother — The environments — The farm-drill — Aaron Burr's
scheme — The young volunteer — His longings for a regular
commission.
The sketch of nearly every American family be
gins with a migration ; to wit, two brothers cross the
Atlantic and settle, one in Massachusetts and the
other in Maryland. Or, three brothers in Vermont
leave the paternal roof in early manhood. One
makes his abode in Illinois, a second in Iowa, and
the third takes up a claim in western Oregon. So
the children of Anglo-Saxons migrate and divide the
family name. The Taylor family is no exception.
The English transference of the sixteenth cen
tury carried the name from the old country to Vir
ginia. The first prominent scion of this family,
which comes to us from the Revolutionary period," is
Richard Taylor, a citizen-soldier of eastern Virginia,
born March 22, 1744. Like a late descendant, who
somehow wandered into the ranks of the Confeder
ates during our civil war of i86i-'65, he was famil
iarly denominated " Dick Taylor." He acquired such

FAMILY HISTORY.

17

practical education as the schools and the home fam
ily could afford him. He exhibited, even in boy
hood, a strong desire for adventure, and then pledged
a few of his school-fellows to go with him to explore
the Indian country and the as yet unknown wilds of
the great West. And, indeed, young Dick Taylor
was hardly of age when he himself, at least, made
his projected journey through the western counties
of Virginia, across Kentucky even as far as the Mis
sissippi valley, and then southward, descending the
great river to Natchez. From this hamlet, then but
a trading post, he changed his course northward,
and, as his biographer remarks, " without guide or
companion, through pathless woods, over rivers and
mountains, fearless alike of the seasons, of savages,
or of any peril of his long and lonely way, he walked
back to his father's house in Virginia."
As one might anticipate, Dick Taylor early took
sides with the patriots of 1776. We soon find him a
colonel and in command of a Virginia regiment.
He .was a trusted soldier of General Washington,
and during the long Revolutionary struggle formed
part of his field force. Colonel Richard Taylor was
thirty-five years old before he married. And, as
with most bachelors advancing in years, he was cap
tivated by a very young lady. On August 20, 1779,
he wedded the charming captor, Mary Strother, then
but nineteen. As sons are more likely to possess
and to exhibit the characteristics of their mothers
than of their fathers, the writer regrets that he can
find so little record concerning this good woman.
It is certain that she came of excellent family, and
there are not wanting abundant evidences of a pa
tient, heroic fidelity to family duties as she found

1 8 GENERAL TAYLOR.
them, and an untiring support to the rougher, ener
getic pioneer citizen and soldier husband whom she
faithfully loved.
They first went to housekeeping on a Virginia
plantation in Orange County. It is even now but a
thinly settled country. Taking at the Potomac River
the Orange and Alexandria Railroad train which
passes through Manasses, the famous Bull Run bat
tle-ground, and keeping on southward, you cross
the Rappahannock. Ten miles from this crossing
is Culpeper, and ten miles farther on is Orange
Court-House, the county seat of Orange County.
Here, in 1781, the first child of Colonel Richard and
Mary S. Taylor was born. Here also came to them
two other children — the third, Zachary, the subject
of this sketch, first seeing the light November 24,
1784. Before this child was a year old, and when the
eldest was but four — that is, during Zachary's first
summer — the family began to make real the hopes
that the worthy father had cherished ever since
his much-talked-of romantic expedition to the Mis
sissippi. They made the rough, hard journey from
Orange County to the banks of the Ohio, and settled
near what is now Louisville, Ky. Fortunately, Rich
ard's brave brother, Hancock Taylor, the enterpris
ing surveyor, whom subsequently the Indians killed
while pressing forward his pioneer work, had pre
ceded the little family. His warm welcome relieved
the hardship of the change.
Hancock Taylor, as nearly as can be ascertained,
himself occupied a farm all of which is now within
the limits of the great city of Louisville. Richard
took up his plantation a little above that of his
brother, erecting his main house five or six miles in

FAMILY HISTORY.

19

a straight line from his brother's. The Bear-grass
Creek drained the grounds of this large estate, or
" farm," as Zachary called the tract occupied and
cultivated under his father's supervision.
Allow me a few words more concerning this
frontier sire before we pass on to dwell on the pecul
iar characteristics and work of his remarkable son.
"Though, by his frugality and enterprise, he suc
ceeded in acquiring a choice property and making
his growing family most comfortable, he did not suc
ceed in keeping himself from public affairs. Presi
dent Washington, remembering his distinguished
services and suitable character, appointed him Col
lector of the Port of Louisville, for Louisiana was
as yet a foreign country, and so this growing town
on the Ohio naturally became, to the country beyond
the Mississippi, a port of entry, and had a bona-fide
custom-house. " The young American's library " has these preg
nant words regarding Richard Taylor : " Renowned
for his desperate encounters with Indians, he was a
prominent man in civil life, holding many offices in
the State of his adoption, and serving in many of
the national electoral colleges." So much for Rich
ard Taylor's public life. His domestic record is
meager, but pertinent and without blemish. He
provided well for his large family, consisting of a
wife and eight healthy children — five sons and three
daughters. After the emigration to Kentucky he was at first
puzzled as to their proper education. At last he em
ployed a private tutor from New England. For sev
eral years Elisha Ayres served him acceptably in that
capacity. And as Mr. Ayres finally had something

20 GENERAL TAYLOR.
like a New England school-house in his keeping and
for his charge, it is inferred that Colonel Taylor had
these educational privileges extended to the children
of his neighbors, none of whom abode at that day
very near to him or to each other. After a long and
useful life, beloved by his family and highly esteemed
by his neighbors. Colonel Taylor died in peace at his
own homestead, at the age of eighty-two.
The preceding history gives glimpses of the in
heritance of Zachary Taylor, Richard's son, a health
ful American boy. From babyhood he was in the
country on a large farm and in a sizable family.
His father, as we have seen, was a solid man of much
energy and worthy achievement. His mother was a
woman of mark. She always, and often under the
most unfavorable circumstances, gave to husband
and children a cheerful and happy home. In the
midst of personal exposure and untold danger, in
Kentucky, she ever kept up her fortitude and cour
age. These characteristics indeed are not extraor
dinary, but when we discover a firm superstructure
we love to inspect the foundation, and generally find
it, as in this case, very good.
The surroundings of young Taylor in childhood
were peculiar, probably too exciting, had he been of
a nervous temperament; but for a sturdy, hardy lad
like him, with a cool and self-possessed mother to
encourage, him, they were calculated to strengthen
and develop the child into a self-possessed, sturdy
American youth. Mr. Ayres's picture of the people
of the neighborhood is suggestive : " They were often
engaged in offensive or defensive skirmishes with the
Indians." A number of those wild men were known
to be in the woods not far distant from the school-

FAMILY HISTORY. 21
house, and on one occasion one of them was shot
" wearing a British uniform."
Think of the mother after breakfast bidding her
boy good-by and sending him off afoot or on his
pony to the famous school so situated and so en
vironed ! Imagine her anxiety all day till his safe
return to the paternal roof ! Behold her watching
the operation of a valiant neighbor who was teach
ing her boys how to trail Indians, and how to save
themselves if attacked by more than one warrior at
a time ! Behold her kindling eye, half anxious, and
yet thrilling with future hopes, as she listens to the
well-known stories of the old war — stories many
times told by her brave husband to Zachary and the
rest, recitals always mingled with his Indian expedi
tions, Indian fights, long-continued perils, and final
success. We need but few incidents to tell us how
a strong lad would think and speak and act in the
presence of such influences in his home, his neighbor
hood, and his school ; how, as a matter of course, he
went with his brothers and with other young com
panions on dangerous hunting expeditions ; how he
took wild rides through the woods and across the
open prairies to the east and south of his home ;
how in the spring-time, while the water was still cold,
he once swam the broad and swift Ohio.
Before the successful Indian campaign of General
Anthony Wayne to the north of the Ohio River in
1794, when Zachary was ten years old, the inhabit
ants on both banks of the river were in constant
alarm; the people, and especially the family doctor,
always went from house to house well armed ; and
small encounters between the white men and savages
were of almost daily occurrence. The story of
3

22 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Wayne's victory gave the Taylors and their neighbors
great satisfaction. After that, Kentucky, in fact,
grew more peaceful and increased its inhabitants.
Colonel Taylor destined the older son, William, to
the army, and in 1802 secured a commission for him,
but his third child was to be a farmer. That meant
to work with axe and fire and plow to clear up and
extend the cultivated land. The youth had un
doubtedly helpers at hand, but he himself worked at
every variety of the farm work. What a wise thing
it is to so bring up an intelligent boy on a farm ! His
pliant hands themselves are taught. They become
skillful in yoking the oxen, harnessing the horses,
driving the team, holding the scythe and the rake
and the hoe. They are taught to make and to mend,
to plant and to sow, to plan, to reap, and to harvest,
to house and to feed and to water the stock, to kindle
the fire on the hearth, and what not — to do, and to
do well, all things, little and great, which make up the
summum bonum bi home life in the country. It is
doubtful if for the operations of active military
campaigning any other callings afford advantages in
the way of practical instruction and preparation
equal or superior to those derived from the daily
drill of the farm work. With but the briefest inter
vals Zachary had this daily drill till he was twenty-
three years of age.
At the time Aaron Burr's party threatened a
terrible breach in the country during the year 1806
he joined a volunteer company and remained with it
for a few months, participating in its duties, drill, and
discipline. When the storm blew over he returned
to his father's farm. It was, however, well known in
the household that Zachary was restless and wished

FAMILY HISTORY.

23

much to go into the army. It is said that he was
" an alumnus of William and Mary College." If so,
he must, after Mr. Ayres's and his father's teaching,
have simply submitted himself for examination and
so won a degree from that venerable institution.
The testimony of Mr. Ayres represents Zachary as
"quick in learning, and still patient in study." This
epigrammatical statement is a key to his whole life.
Herein lay the power of Washington, Scott, Lincoln,
Grant, Sherman, and Thomas. Thomas, perhaps, was
not so quick of apprehension as the other five, yet he
was more persistent than any, and abundantly suc
cessful in his execution.
-- It is not excessive to put Taylor well up along
this scale of men ; but let us judge of the proper
degree nearer the close of our sketch. He is to us
at this stage but a farmer boy just emerging into
manhood. He has health, vigor, a fair knowledge
derived from elementary school-books, and is deemed
by his few neighbors a prosperous and promising
young man. He was, of course, acquainted with his
brother William's army career, and doubtless, through
correspondence and conversation with him during
his furloughs, he had a clear knowledge not only of
General Wayne and his glorious operations, but of
Captain W. H. Harrison's work just begun in Indiana,
who was soon, after Wayne's campaign, to be made
secretary and afterward governor of all that terri
tory beginning just across the Ohio River. He was
already a careful reader of such books and papers as
reached the valley of Bear-grass Creek. Something,
not easily divined, never really described, made him
sit still and ponder, made the blood of youth come
and go in his cheeks, till a sudden impulse would set

24 GENERAL TAYLOR.
him on his feet and a marked decision firmly close
his lips. " Yes," he thought, "I must do something.
How can I get a commission ? " His cherished
though seemingly hopeless longing was suddenly to
be granted, but not in the way that he had dreamed
or desired.

CHAPTER III.
James Madison's influence — Jefferson's appointment of Taylor to
a first lieutenancy — First duty at New Orleans — Leave and
sickness — Military study — His marriage — Promoted to the cap
taincy of the Seventh Infantry — General William H. Harri
son's operations in Northwest Territory — Tecumseh and his
brother — Captain Taylor's participation in the campaign —
Tippecanoe — The War of 1812 — The right of search claimed,
and how instanced — A blqckade — Taylor's patriotic feeUng —
Declaration of war — Approved June 18, 1812 — Canadian
hostile expedition — Major Muir and Chief Tecumseh — Gen
eral Harrison's successful move — Fort Harrison, on the Wa
bash, commanded by Captain Zachary Taylor — The small
garrison — Illness — The attack of Indians and how repulsed —
Captain Taylor's own report — The road from Fort Harrison
to Vincennes — The ten days of hope deferred — At last relief
came — Captain Taylor's two communications to General
Hopkins — General Hopkins's strong approval of Captain
Taylor — The first brevet — General Hopkins advances — Major
Taylor helps in the expedition — General Harrison commends
him.
It is not certain that the influence of James
Madison and other prominent relatives and friends
exerted in Zachary's behalf, when several new regi
ments were organized, might not, sooner or later, have
secured his commission ; but while they were press
ing his claims his brother William D. S. Taylor,
second lieutenant of artillery, died; and so, it is
said, without further objection, President Jefferson
commissioned him a first lieutenant in the Seventh

26 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Infantry. His commission was dated May 3, 1808.
The young man was twenty-three years of age. In
the fall of this same year the relative and friend of
the family, Mr. Madison, was elected to the Presi
dency of the United States. Surely the auspices were
now favorable to this young man's military pros
pects, a friend and relative at the head of affairs, and
entering a first lieutenancy, a grade in advance of
the ordinary appointments.
He reported for duty to the famous General
Wilkinson, then in New Orleans. He had not, how
ever, been long on duty in that then malarious region
before he was taken down with the yellow fever. As
soon as possible he returned, to his Kentucky home
to the care and nursing of his devoted mother. He
must have had a considerable leave of absence, or, as
is more than probable, have been for a time stationed
in a more northern garrison, for we find two very
important things were done by the ambitious, lieuten
ant. He first took a very practical and complete
course of military reading and study. Mr. Fry says
of him at this time : " He appears to have employed
his time sedulously in the study of his profession."*
He, as a second step, managed to take to himself
a lovely young wife. During the second year of his
service he evidently went back and forth from his
Kentucky home to his father's old homestead in
Virginia, and sometimes extended his reconnoissances
into Maryland ; for there, in Calvert County, he found
that charming helpmate, Miss Margaret Smith, who
consented to share his fortunes, and to whom he was

* The Life of Zachary Taylor. By Joseph Reese Fry and
Robert Taylor Conrad, Philadelphia. 12 mo. 1847.

FORT HARRISON.

27

united in marriage June 18, 1810.* There are no
more beautiful pictures of domestic peace and com
fort than those sketched here and there in the West
and South wherever this lovely, industrious, home-
loving, Christian woman appears as the counterpart,
the complement, the ornament of her strong, soldierly
husband. There were no mental reservations, be as
sured, when she gave him her heart and hand.
In the same year, 1810, on account of an existing
uncertainty as to the permanency of this new regi
ment (the Seventh Infantry), the older officers avoided
as far as possible going into it, so that promotion
became unusually rapid, and Zachary Taylor, soon
after his marriage, was made, November 30, 1810, a
captain. Taken in connection with his share of the
family income, the captain's pay made the young
people, as army gossips would say, " very comfort
ably off."
In 1811, not long after Taylor's promotion, the
Seventh Regiment, either in part or as a whole, came
North with the Fourth Infantry, three hundred and
fifty strong, constituting an important part of the
force with which General Harrison, acting as Gov
ernor of the Northwest Territory, was endeavoring
to meet and overcome the combined attacks of
several tribes of Indians not yet subdued. He had
against him the celebrated Tecumseh and his scarcely
less renowned brother, El-ska-wa-ta-wa, who was by
white men called the Prophet. These energetic In
dians — the one as a fierce warrior, and the other in
fatuating his followers by a new religion as pro-
* The record of this marriage is in Louisville, Ky. It took
place in a little log-house on the Taylor farm about six miles
above the citv.

28 GENERAL TAYLOR.
nounced as that of the modern Mahdi — went from
tribe to tribe till the whole country north of the Ohio
was as wild and dangerous as it had been before
the great victory of Anthony Wayne.
General Harrison in his letters to Washington
strenuously maintained that Great Britain persistently
negotiated and made treaties with separate Indian
nations, and was stirring up such leaders as Tecum
seh and the Prophet to give trouble to the frontier
and prevent the extension of the United States settle^
ments to the North and West. There were several
expeditions to the Northwest and North where the
regulars that we have named and the Kentucky
volunteers were more or less engaged. Captain
Taylor, being called to active field duty, was obliged
to leave his young wife and her first-born child with
his mother at the Taylor farm. Nothing just here
beyond the fact of his participation in this campaign
appears of record.
Harrison, it will be readily recalled, succeeded in
bringing the Indians to battle on his own chosen
ground. In this combat on his side there were en
gaged principally Indiana and Kentucky militia and
United States regulars, some nine hundred in all.
The Indian warriors numbered about the same. It
was a hard battle, but not very decisive. Harrison
said in his report that " the Indians " who attacked
three hours before daylight " manifested a ferocity
uncommon even with them." The savages were,
however, repulsed at every point, and General Har
rison held for two or three days the field of Tippe
canoe. Zachary Taylor could not have been com
manding a company or have been present at all in
this battle. He would surely have been mentioned

FORT HARRISON.

29

in the full reports. He was undoubtedly this seventh
day of November, 181 1, in some other part of the
territory of operations. When we find him mentioned
he is with detachments reconnoitring or holding
points farther west.
This battle of Tippecanoe was on the eve of the
great war with England in which Taylor bore a small
part ; so, in order to keep before us the fever and
state of the country, it is well to sketch briefly its
beginnings not only among the Indians, but also
among the whites. The Indians were still numerous,
but every year diminished their hunting-grounds and
their fancied domain. The settlers, with the usual
vanguard of frontier hunters and trappers and illicit
traders, had been ever pushing them back toward
the lakes on the north and toward the Mississippi on
the west. The energetic Tecumseh and the Prophet,
his brother, arising in Ohio, catching from somewhere
ideas of combination, of discipline, and energy, akin
to Cromwell's conception and outfitting, in fact gave
evidence of real genius. They went from tribe to
tribe ; they cemented their wild forces and put them
at the disposal of some Canadian or Englishman to
work mischief. They organized single and joint at
tacks upon our forts all along the northern and
western line of our extensive frontier as then exist
ing, where,^ though justly so or not, our Western
citizens imputed all the horrors of Indian war and
Indian massacre to British influence. This was espe
cially the case after the attack of the Leopard, a war
ship of Great Britain, upon the United States frigatej
the Chesapeake, not far from Norfolk, Va.
The lieutenant commanding the Leopard had
fired but a few shots, and the Chesapeake, carrying

30 GENERAL TAYLOR.
our Commodore Barron and Captain Gordon, being
in a shameful, unserviceable condition, had made but
a single feeble reply before her flag was struck.
About a dozen, including the commodore, were dis
abled—three by death. The British lieutenant board
ed the Chesapeake and carried off four of her United
States seamen, claiming them as deserters from the
British navy. These all were claimed by Captain
Gordon and our Government as Americans. True,
the British lieutenant had exceeded his instruction,
and some quasi apologies were offered by Great
Britain ! Yet one had died and another of the four
had been already put to death through a court-mar
tial before the other two men were restored.
Out of this singular affair grew those angry pro
ceedings of Congress which at first resulted in pro
hibiting any vessels of the English navy from coming
to our shores. The feeling against Great Britain
was then bitter indeed and broadcast. Statesmen
like Madison and Clay sought to settle everything
for a time by negotiation ; and many of the most
prominent leaders were strongly opposed to another
costly war, for no country could have been more
thoroughly unprepared for such a conflict than our
young republic, yet the currents of indignation and
hostility were so deep and so swift that they easily
swept away all barriers and forced the leaders to
join the war cry, and so, it was hoped, bring to a
close forever the arrogant conduct and unreasonable
claims of British administration.
In these feelings of his countrymen Zachary
Taylor shared. It was a war period. His patriot
ism had led him to seek the army. He entered that
small body, and, as we have seen, believing a conflict

FORT HARRISON. ^I
inevitable, or rather believing it already begun when
Tecumseh and the Prophet sounded their battle
cries, he labored with all his might to fit himself for
any command or any responsibility that his country
might devolve upon him. The actual declaration of
war did not come so soon as he anticipated, but it
came at last. That act declaring war was, June i8,
1812, approved by Mr. Madison, who, before the last
election, had changed front on the question. It was,
however, two months after the first hostilities before
Captain Taylor was called to bear an active part in
the .second contest with England.
Major Muir, from Maiden, Canada, of the British
Auxiliaries, and Chief Tecumseh, had concerted to
move against the two at that time remaining garri
sons of the Northwest — one at Fort Wayne on the
Maumee, and the other at Fort Harrison, a few miles
above the present site of Terre Haute, on the Wabash.
The Auxiliaries left Maiden August 18, 1812, and were
to co-operate with bands of Indian allies waiting for
them en route in the valley of the Maumee. These
bands of savage warriors were drawn from the Pot-
tawattamies and the Ottawas. While they were
stealthily approaching Fort Wayne, the Prophet was
to lead an independent force of Indians of the Miamis
and the Winnebagoes, at least four hundred strong,
against Fort Harrison.
General Harrison himself sent a force in time to
anticipate the move of Major Muir and Tecumseh,
and defeat it. He himself with the main body passed
rapidly from Cincinnati to Pequa, Ohio, having ad
vanced troops into close p/oximity to re-enforce the
garrison at Wayne before September ist, the day
selected for the combined hostiles to commence their

32

GENERAL TAYLOR.

attack, but the general had not heard a word of the
designs against Fort Harrison. Captain Zachary
Taylor was there in command of a single company
of the Seventh Infantry. His garrison all told (ex
cept a few women and children) was not over fifty,
many of whom, including himself, had been some
time ill from a prevailing fever. There were reports
of several hundred Indians. They reached the fort
under the cover of the night and began their vigorous
assault about eleven o'clock of September 4th, and
continued it with firing, shouting, and yelling till
after daylight of the sth. Captain Taylor's first re
port to General Harrison, which did not reach him
at the time, has been preserved, and that tells the
story. As it will subserve a double purpose — viz. :
give some idea of his literary achievement at that
early period of his life, and furnish a natural and
uniform account of the battle itself — abundant ex
tracts are selected and here introduced.
" Fort Harrison, September 10 1812.
" Dear Sir : On Thursday evening, the 3d inst.,
after retreat-beating, four guns were heard to fire
in the direction where two young men (citizens who
resided here) were making hay, about four hundred
yards distant from the fort. I was immediately im
pressed with an idea that they were killed by the
Indians, as the Miamis or Weas had that day informed
me that the Prophet's party would soon be here for
the purpose of commencing hostilities, and that they
had been directed to leave this place, which they
were about to do. I did qot think it prudent to send
out, at that late hour of the night, to see what had
become of them [the citizens], and their not coming

FORT HARRISON.

33

in convinced me that I was right in my conjecture.
I waited until eight o'clock next morning, when I sent
out a corporal with a small party to find them, if it
could be done without running too much risk of being
drawn into an ambuscade. He soon sent back to
inform me that he had found them both killed, and
wished to know my further orders. I sent the cart
and oxen, and had them brought in and buried ; they
had been shot with two ball-s, scalped, and cut in
the most shocking manner. Late in the evening of
the 4th instant old Joseph Lenar and between thirty
and forty Indians arrived from the Prophet's town
with a white flag, among whom were about ten
women, and the men were composed of the chiefs of
the different tribes that compose the Prophet's party.
A Shawanoe man that spoke good English informed
me that old Lenar intended to speak to me next
morning and try to get something to eat. At re
treat-beating I examined the men's arms and found
them all in good order, and completed their cartridges
to sixteen rounds per man. As I had not been able
to mount a guard of more than six privates and two
non-commissioned officers for some time past, and
sometimes part of them every other day, from the
unhealthiness of the company, I had not conceived
my force adequate to the defense of this post should
it be vigorously attacked. For some time past, as I
had just recovered from a very severe attack of the
fever, I was not able to be up much throughout the
night. After tattoo I cautioned the guard to be
vigilant, and ordered one of the non-commissioned
officers, as the sentinels could not see every part of
the garrison, to walk around on the inside during the
whole night, to prevent the Indians taking any ad-

34 GENERAL TAYLOR.
vantage of us, provided they had any intention of
attacking us. About eleven o'clock I was awakened
by the firing of one of the sentinels. 1 sprang up,
ran out, and ordered the men to their posts, when
my orderly sergeant, who had charge of the upper
block-house, called out that the Indians had fired the
lower block-house (which contained the property of
the contractor, which was deposited in the lower
part, the upper having been assigned to a cor
poral and ten privates as an alarm post). The guns
had begun to fire pretty smartly from both sides. I
directed the buckets to be got ready and water
brought from the well, and the fire extinguished im
mediately, as it was perceivable at that time; but,
from debility or some other cause, the men were
very slow in executing my orders. The word fire
appeared to throw the whole of them into confusion ;
and by the time they had got the water and broken
open the door the fire had, unfortunately, communi
cated to a quantity of whisky (the stock having licked
several holes through the lower part of the building,
after the salt that was stored there), though they had
introduced the fire without being discovered, as the
night was very dark, and in spite of every exertion
we could make to extinguish it. As that block-house
adjoined the barracks that made part of the fortifi
cations, most ofthe men immediately gave themselves
up for lost, and I had the greatest difficulty in get
ting my orders executed ; and, sir, what from the
raging of the fire, the yelling and howling of sev
eral hundred Indians, the cries of nine women and
children (a part soldiers' and a part citizens' wives,
who had taken shelter in the fort), and the despond
ing of so many of the men, which was worse than

FORT HARRISON.

35

all, I can assure you that my feelings were very un
pleasant, and, indeed, there were not more thap ten
or fifteen men able to do a great deal, the others
being either sick or convalescent ; and, to add to our
other misfortunes, two of the stoutest men in the
fort, and that I had every confidence in, jumped the
picket and left us. But my presence of mind did
not for a moment desert me. I saw, 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 temporary breastwork might be erected 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
with more firmness or desperation. Those that were
able (while the others kept up a constant fire from
the other block-house and the bastions) mounted the
roofs of the houses with Dr. Clark at their head
(who acted with the greatest firmness and pres
ence of mind the whole time the attack lasted, which
was seven hours), under a shower of bullets, and in
less than a moment threw off as much of the roof
as was necessary. This was done only with the loss
of one man and two wounded, and I am in hopes
neither of them dangerous ; the man that was killed
was a little deranged, and did not get off the house
as soon as directed, or he would not have been hurt;
and although the barracks were several times in a
blaze, and an 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

36

GENERAL TAYLOR.

man's head, although the Indians continued 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 galleries in the bastions and fired over the
pickets, and called out to his companions that he
had killed an Indian, and neglecting to stoop down,
in an instant he was shot dead. One of the men
that jumped the pickets returned an hour before day,
and, running up toward the gate, begged for God's
sake for it to be opened. I suspected it to be a
stratagem of the Indians to get in, as I did not recol
lect the voice ; I directed the men in the bastion, where
I happened to be, to shoot him, let him be who he
would ; and one of them fired at him, but, fortunately,
he ran up to the other bastion, where they knew his
voice, and Dr. Clark directed him to lie down behind
an empty barrel that happened to be there, and at
daylight I had him let in. His arm was broken in a
most shocking manner, which he says was done by
the Indians, which I suppose was the cause of his re
turning ; I think it probable that he will not recover.
The other they caught about one hundred and thirty
yards from the garrison and cut him all to pieces.
After keeping up a constant fire until about six
o'clock the next morning, which we began to return
with some effect, after daylight they moved out of
the reach of our guns. A party of them drove up
the horses that belonged to the citizens here, and, as
they could not catch them very readily, shot the
whole of them in our sight, as well as a number of
their hogs. They drove off the whole of the cattle.

FORT HARRISON.

37

which amounted to sixty-five head, as well as the
public oxen. I had the vacancy filled up before
night (which was made by the burning of the block
house) with a strong row of pickets, which I got by
pulling down the guard-house. We lost the whole of
our provisions, but must make out to live upon green
corn until we can get a supply, which I am in hopes
will not be long, I believe the whole of the Miamis
or Weas were among the Prophet's party, as one
chief gave his orders in that language, which resem
bled Stone Eater's voice, and I believe that Negro
Legs was there likewise. A Frenchman here under
stands their different languages ; and several of the
Miamis or Weas, that have been frequently here,
were recognized by the Frenchman and soldiers next
morning. The Indians suffered smartly, but were so
numerous as to take off all that were shot. They
continued with us until the next morning, but made
no further attempt on the fort, nor have we seen any
thing of them since. I have delayed informing you
of my situation, as I did not like to weaken the gar
rison, and I looked for some person from Vincennes,
and none of my men were acquainted with the
woods, and therefore I would either have to take the
road or river, which I was fearful was guarded by
small parties of Indians that would not dare to at
tack a company of rangers that was on a scout ; but,
being disappointed, I have at length determined to
send a, couple of my own men by water, and am in
hopes they will arrive safe."
From Fort Harrison to Vincennes, apparently the
temporary headquarters of Captain Taylor's regi
ment, the river and the trails were infested by small
4

38 GENERAL TAYLOR.
parties of Indians, who fired upon his men at sight,
so that his messengers who had tried the river were
interrupted on their way and forced to return. It
was known afterward that Taylor and his men had
inflicted so much damage upon the attacking party
that they had not the heart to return and renew the
conflict; but nobody at the fort knew this, so that
the first ten days after the siege was raised the
inmates of the little garrison, almost without the
necessities of life, were in a state of intense anxiety
and suspense. After the first messenger came
back, the captain sent his first sergeant and another
enlisted man to try the trails, adding a few more
words, addressed to General Harrison, to the message
they bore :
" I wrote you on the loth instant, giving you an
account of an attack on this place, as well as my
situation, which account I attempted to send by
water, but the two men whom I dispatcheiin a canoe
after night found the river so well guarded that
they were obliged to return. The Indians had built
a fire on the bank of the river, a short distance be
low the garrison, which gave them an opportunity
of seeing any craft that might attempt to pass, and
were waiting with a canoe ready to intercept it. I
expect the fort, as well as the road to Vincennes, is
as well or better watched as the river. But my
situation compels me to make one other attempt by
land, and my orderly sergeant, with one other man,
sets out to-night, with strict orders to avoid the road
in the day-time and depend entirely upon the woods,
although neither of them has ever been to Vincennes
by land, nor do they know anything of the country ;
but I am in hopes they will reach you in safety. I

FORT HARRISON. 3g
send them with great reluctance, from their ignorance
of the woods. I think it very probable there is a
large party of Indians waylaying the road between
this and Vincennes, likely about the narrows, for the
purpose of intercepting any party that may be coming
to this place, as the cattle they got here will supply
them plentifully with provisions for some time to
come." The sergeant found General Hopkins at Vin
cennes. Of course, relief and provisions were sent
to the brave captain, and all hearts among sympa
thizing comrades were thrilled with the story of the
attack and defense of the fort. After he had verified
Taylor's modest account, General Hopkins wrote :
" The firm and almost unparalleled defense of Fort
Harrison by Captain Zachary Taylor has raised for
him a fabric of character not to be effaced by eulogy."
The report of the affair went not only to Colonel
Russell, his regimental commander, General Hopkins,
and General, then Governor, Harrison, but to Presi
dent Madison, who immediately nominated him to
the United States Senate for the brevet rank of
major. Taylor, with his regiment, was kept in the North
west Territory during the entire War of 1812 and
1814. The battle of Tippecanoe had not even broken
up the Prophet's town. It became the head and
center of a thousand petty depredations and small
guerrilla affairs. The settlers were everywhere in
terror of their lives all along the northern border
from nightly forays of the savage foe. General
Hopkins moved up to Taylor, who was still holding
Fort Harrison. With some regulars and hasty levies
of volunteers from the territory, he set out in about

40 GENERAL TAYLOR.
a month after the attack at Fort Harrison to sur
prise and if possible destroy the numerous Indian
villages in Illinois, in what was then called the
Peoria district. He gave Major Taylor a section of
his command. Owing to the misconduct of the
volunteers, the expedition was a partial failure. But
Colonel Russell, of the Seventh Regulars, with a de
tachment taking advantage of the absence from home
ofthe warriors who were stirred up by General Hop
kins's movement, destroyed some of their most im
portant villages and caches of supplies.
The general himself, accompanied by Major
Taylor, though deserted by the volunteers, turned
northward to the Tippecanoe River and aimed his
blows against the Prophet's village and against other
Indian settlements in that quarter. There were
many small combats The Indians would waylay
and surprise the troops and then run ; so that our
men suffered severely in this thankless work of
clearing a wilderness from savages. Their expedition
on the whole was successful ; and again our young
officer was highly praised in orders by General Har
rison. His dispatches, when giving honor to special
gallantry, said : " And also to Captain Zachary Tay
lor, of the Seventh United States Regiment, for a
prompt and efficient support in every instance."

CH.\PTER IV.
An increase of regiments — And then promotion to a majority — His
Rock River expedition — A sudden reduction to ten thousand
men — Major Zachary Taylor declines to go back to a captaincy
— Again in civil life — How General William H. Harrisbn and
other friends sought his return to service — Next recommis
sioned a major of the Third Infantry — A furlough spent in
Kentucky — Again a promotion — A lieutenant-colonel, Fourth
Infantry — On a great variety of duties, as recruiting, boards
for constructions, for reorganizing the army, for uniform, etc.
— Stationed at Baton Rouge — Then at Fort Crawford, North
west Territory — Indian Superintendent for a time by detail —
Incidents in the Black Hawk War — Taylor's superb regulars
— General Atkinson's praises.
About four years previous to this second war of
our republic the army, from almost nothing, as we
have noted, was suddenly increased by several regi
ments. The augmenting went steadily on till peace
commenced ; so that we are not surprised to find
that Zachary Taylor, May 15, 1814, received the
regular commission of major in a regiment with as
high a number as twenty-six — i. e., in the Twenty-
sixth United States Infantry. After the promotion
he had charge of an independent column during that
year intended to operate against those portions of
the. combined tribes that were crossing the Rock
River from Wisconsin, and making forays into the
Peoria country and Indiana Territory.
Touching this important work, Appletons' Cyclo-

42 GENERAL TAYLOR.
pcedia of American Biography remarks : " In 1814, with
his separate command, he, being then a major by
commission, made a campaign against the hostile
Indians and their British allies on Rock River, which
was so successful as to give subsequent security to
that immediate frontier. In such service, not the
less hazardous or indicative of merit because on a
small scale, he passed the period of his employment
on that frontier until the treaty of peace with Great
Britain disposed the Indians to be quiet."
In March, 1815, our army, naturally enough, for
a simple peace establishment, was reduced to ten
thousand men. Notwithstanding the large reduction,
Major Taylor was retained in the small army, but
with reduced rank. He was put back to a captain
in the former regiment, the Seventh Infantry. This
method was pursued after each of our wars, and
many a good officer has been kept, with his own
assent, in a lower grade than that which he held
during the active operations of war. There was
really no offense and no hardship in the matter.
Major Taylor, after his long service in the wilds of
the country, preferred to decline that backward mo
tion, and was honorably discharged, June 15, 1815,
some five months after the last battle of the war.
Zachary Taylor made no complaint. He went
straight home, as he himself expressed his purpose
and conduct, " to make a crop of corn."
But neither the prominent officers, in or out of
service (his friend General Harrison was among the
latter), nor his influential relatives and friends, would
long leave him to his corn-crop making and farm-
ditching. His character, knowledge, and service
were too much needed. So that one month less

INDIAN SERVICE.

43

than a year from the acceptance of his resignation,
May 17, 1816, President Madison, whose own heart
doutless pleaded for his esteemed and worthy rela
tive, made him major in the Third Infantry.
We can not help thinking that this brief episode
in civil life was most wholesome. It was a tonic
against the too frequent reaction after the activity
of war. It brought him into business relations with
numerous civilians of his own age, and established
friendships and confidences that were to come in
play when they should be needed. Grant and Sher
man, after the Mexican War, realized this civil boon,
though to each of them it seemed at the time almost
anything except a boon. Taylor's " civil " experi
ence was less than theirs; but he might count the
period of four years which they spent at the military
academy for himself, for he had previously spent
that in civil life.
A portion of the Third Infantry at the time of
the return of Major Taylor was stationed in the far
North, at Green Bay, Wisconsin, then wild territory,
and he went there immediately and commanded
Fort Winnebago for the two succeeding years. He
then had a leave of absence for one year, which he
passed with his family in Kentucky. He received
his promotion meanwhile to the lieutenant-colonelcy
of the Fourth Infantry, and at once went to New
Orleans and reported to Colonel William King. He
now came, by transfer, to the Eighth Regiment, and
remained in the South till, on a second reduction of
the army, he was again transferred to the First In
fantry, June I, 1821. Curiously enough, he passed
to the Seventh Infantry the ensuing August, and
back again to the First Regiment January i, 1822,

44

GENERAL TAYLOR.

and in that he remained a lieutenant-colonel for the
next ten years.
During his majority and lieutenant-colonelcy a
variety of duties fell to him. For example, in 1822,
when in Louisiana, he was sent to establish and
build Fort Jesup. It was placed on the extreme
frontier of the State near the Texas line. It was a
pleasant and convenient camping place for many
enterprising emigrants to Texas, and its garrison,
doubtless, no little encouragement to that brave
band of our people who were striving, first, for the
independence, and next were hoping for subsequent
annexation of Texas to the United States. In 1824
he had, part of the year as a recruiting officer, another
pleasant sojourn at his own favorite city of Lotiis-
ville. The latter part of 1824 he was called to Wash
ington on a large board of officers, of which General
Winfield Scott was the chairman. It worked to cre
ate plans for the organization and government of
the militia of the country, and to recommend a
proper uniform. Taylor's views were very pro
nounced against a considerable minority on the
board who wanted substantially to make regulars
of the citizen-soldiery. General Scott sided with
the majority, and an excellent report was adopted
and sent to Congress.
During 1827 and 1828 Taylor was again in the
Southwest. His post was for the most part at that
beautiful place on the banks of the Mississippi, Baton
Rouge, where his family subsequently in trying times
found a secluded and charming home. The years
1829, 1830, 1831, and the early part of 1832, accord
ing to the Register, were passed in the Northwest ;
his headquarters were at Fort Snelling, that well-

INDIAN SERVICE.

45

built Northern fort which is situated at the confluence
of the two great rivers, the Mississippi and the Min
nesota, not many miles from St. Paul.
He appears, by the reports, to have been long " a
superintendent " in charge of Indian affairs for a
section of the Northwest, but this was, as customary
at that time, in connection with his military com
mand. His constant intercourse with the Indians,
long experience in dealing with them, and his singu
larly substantial characteristics, made him feared
and greatly respected by the Indians. They for a
time put him in their soubriquets at the head of all
chiefs who dealt with them.
Lieutenant-Colonel Taylor received his promo
tion to a colonelcy April 4, 1832, and passed to the
command of the First Infantry. He had been almost
thirteen years in the same grade. He was now forty-
seven years of age, robust, studious, practical, in the
very prime of his manhood. His new military station
was Fort Crawford, whose post-office address was
Prairie du Chien. His men, away there in that cold
north country, were drilled in mid-winter by the col
onel himself. When off duty, he was during the day
generally to be found in his post library, where he soon
made himself master of the more solid books, prefer
ring works on military jurisprudence, international
law, and historical sketches of battles and campaigns.
A visitor to Prairie du Chien, meeting him, was as
much impressed by Colonel Taylor's well-furnished
mind as by his dignified and hearty appearance.
General Atkinson writes of Colonel Taylor, of date
August 25, 1832: "... I crossed the Ouisconsin on
the 27th and 28th ult., with a select body of troops,
consisting of regulars, under Colonel Taylor, four

46 GENERAL TAYLOR.
hundred in number, . . . amounting in all to thirteen
hundred men, and immediately fell upon the trail of
the enemy, and pursued it by a forced march, through
a mountainous and difficult country, till the morning
of the 2d inst., when we came up with his main body
on the left bank of the Mississippi, nearly opposite
the mouth of the Iowa, which [main body] we at
tacked, defeated, and dispersed, with a loss on his
part of about one hundred and fifty men killed, and
thirty-nine women and children taken prisoners ; the
precise number could not be ascertained, as the
greater portion was slain after being forced into the
river. . . . The remnant of the enemy, cut up and
disheartened, crossed to the opposite side of the
river, and has fled into the interior with a view, it is
supposed, of joining Keokuk and Wapello's bands of
Sacs and Foxes." Atkinson speaks in glowing terms
of both Taylor's regulars and the volunteers in this
and a preceding battle. He placed Black Hawk and
other prisoners under Taylor's charge, who gave
them a long journey southward to Jefferson Bar
racks, and delivered them over to the permanent
garrison at that post.
There is a single incident of the Black Hawk War
given at length by J. Reese Fry which is so charac
teristic that it is worthy of extract. Colonel Taylor
was commanding volunteers and regulars. The vol
unteers refused to cross Rock River. " They were
militia," they said, " called out for the defense of the
State, and it was unconstitutional to order them to
march bej'ond its frontier into the Indian country."
Taylor said nothing, but sent back a report and
waited for orders. " During the night orders came "
for him to follow up Black Hawk to the last.

INDIAN SERVICE. 47
" The quietness of the regular colonel, meanwhile,
had rather encouraged the mutinous militia to bring
their proceedings to a head. A sort of town-meet
ing was called upon the prairie, and Taylor invited
to attend. After a time, having heard enough, Colo
nel Taylor stepped forward and made a brief speech :
' I have heard,' he said, ' with much pleasure, the
views which several speakers have expressed of the
independence and dignity of each private American
citizen. I feel that all gentlemen here are my equals
— in reality, I am persuaded that many of them will
in a few years be my superiors, and perhaps, in the
capacity of members of Congress, arbiters of the
fortunes and reputation of humble servants of the
republic, like myself. I expect then to obey them
as interpreters of the will of the people; and the
best proof that I will obey them is now to observe
the orders of those whom the people have already
put in the places of authority to which many gentle
men around me justly aspire. In plain English, gen
tlemen and fellow-citizens, the word has been passed
on to me from Washington to follow Black Hawk,
and to 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 be
hind you on the prairie.' " Of course, at this point all
argument ceased, and the work, without regard to
State lines, was, as we have seen, pushed on to com
pletion. Herein was no undue recognition of State
rights, and there was displayed the spirit of careful
ness, submission to proper authority, firmness, and
courage that it is ever madness to resist.

CHAPTER V.
The Florida troubles — Osceola — The Creeks — The Seminoles —
The threatened Western removals — The black flag and
massacres — Major Dade and his detachment — The Everglades
of Florida — Old Generals Clinch, Jesup, and others — Presi
dent Van Buren's message — Taylor's fac-simile letter written
at Fort Crawford, July 14, 1837 — Taylor's careless dress — A
young officer's mistake and chagrin — General Jesup defeated
and wounded at Jupiter Inlet, Fla. — General Taylor's arrival
at Tampa Bay and Fort Gardner — His campaign of the Kis
simmee and successful battle of Okeechobee — His dispatches
— His excellent dispositions of troops and districts — He seeks
to be relieved — Is sent to Fort Jesup, Louisiana.
After Indian troubles had been allayed, though
not permanently settled, in the then Northwest, after
Tecumseh, Black Hawk, and the Prophet had passed
from the stage, a fiery Spirit from the South suddenly
sprang to the front, and for a time carried terror and
destruction in his path. He bore among the Indians
the beautiful euphonic name of Osceola. He appeared
in Florida, though a Creek by birth, as a chief among
the Seminoles. The Seminoles in the " thirties " had
an abundance of special grievances and had added
a hundredfold to their natural hatred of white
men because of the great treaty which had been
made after the manner of all our treaties with the
Indian tribes. Some chiefs and followers had agreed
to it, while other chiefs and their people, including

THE FLORIDA WAR. ^g
four or five hundred escaped slaves, had not agreed
to its provisions. Three years were to be given to
the Indians to effect their removal from Florida
(such was the agreement on paper) to their new
lands beyond the Mississippi; The malcontents de
clared they would not go, and as they saw the troops
coming to enforce the terms of the hateful bargain,
they succeeded in firing the hearts of the majority of
the young warriors. This was the turbid condition
of the waters when Osceola plunged in. He was a
great natural leader. The terms which our whites
used concerning him are probably true, such as
"talented; implacable in hatred ; full of cunning";
then suddenly, as he rose to leadership, " defiant, un
scrupulous, hesitating at no crime, relentless, re
vengeful, reckless of danger," yet "wise in council
and ambitious." As soon as he had stirred the war
riors to fury, he unfurled the black flag and kept
it at their head. He overbore all mild measures
and timid advice. He slew every hereditary chief
tain, whom our Florida officers had not already de
throned, that dared stand out against his bitter pur
pose. Such was the man — a bona fide, shrewd, con
scienceless savage.
When the writer first passed along the paths just
east of the plain at the West Point Academy he saw
there in a pretty, shady nook, the monument to
Major Dade and his companions. The inscription
below on the modest shaft tells .the story of " Dade's
massacre." The story is substantially as follows :
On December 23, 1835, six months after the expira
tion of the time of Indian removal, Major Dade
with two hundred and twelve officers and enlisted
soldiers set out from Tampa, Fla., to form a junction

50

GENERAL TAYLOR.

with a few hundred other troops at Fort Drane, under
the immediate command of the Department Chief,
General Clinch. There had thus far been no outbreak
of any considerable extent, so that the major had no
special apprehensions of danger. As the detachment
was leisurely marching along and passing one of those
high wooded knolls peculiar to Florida, usually
called hammocks or hummocks, where the trees and
vines and roots are inextricably mingled, the fittest
sort of a place for an ambuscade, the savages, who
till that moment had not given the slightest sign of
their presence, poured forth their full forces, at least
three to one, upon the astonished command of Major
Dade, firing as they came. Of course our regulars
fought, as they generally do when brought into
battle. Here against Alligator, the follower of
Osceola, no surrender was dreamed of and little hope
from the outset was entertained, so that Dade's men
sold their lives as dearly as possible. Two hundred
and nine of that devoted band were slain. Three
badly wounded managed to hide in the thickets, and
finally to work their way back to Fort Brooke to give
their account of the bloody massacre.
After this sad affair and Osceola's attack upon
General Clinch a month later, it is easy to imagine
the consternation that followed throughout that
thinly settled State, especially along the frontier
which bordered the forests, the swamps, and the cele
brated Everglades of Florida. Neither General
Gaines, nor General Clinch, nor General Scott him
self, who succeeded Clinch, nor General Jesup, could
give satisfaction to the white inhabitants of the State,
nor to the expectant authorities at Washington. The
Indians only appeared suddenly to kill and outrage.

THE FLORIDA WAR.

51

rob and burn, and then pass into their singular fast
nesses. Here and there some old Indians, women
and children, were run down and captured, but other
tribes — probably increased by negroes and half-breeds
— besides the Seminoles, when they heard of their suc
cess, came to swell the number of their fighting
force, and so, though there were several combats and
Indian massacres, no sensible progress toward the
removal of the Seminoles, Creeks, and other bands
was effected.
President Van Buren, in his first annual message
of December 4, 1837, has one significant remark
which shows that Indians and negroes and half-
breeds, including the fierce Osceola, were not at this
period of the war wholly the cause of the abnormal
state of things in Florida. It is to this effect : " In
most instances they [the savages] have been insti
gated to resistance by persons to whom the trade
with them and the acquisition of their annuities were
imjDortant ; and some by the personal influence of in
terested chiefs." A year later, after the President
had become more familiar with Florida, he gives a
graphic picture of the situation. He says :
" The continued treacherous conduct of these peo
ple, the savage and unprovoked murders they have
lately committed, butchering whole families of the
settlers ofthe Territory without distinction of age or
sex, and making their way into the very center and
heart of the country, so that no part of it is free
from their ravages ; their frequent attacks upon the
light-houses along that dangerous coast ; and the
barbarity with which they have murdered the pas
sengers and crews of such vessels as have been
wrecked upon the reefs and keys which border the

52 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Gulf — leave the Government no alterative but to con
tinue the military operations against them until they
are totally expelled from Florida."
As the Indians had organized under their shrewd
est and ablest leader, at last the War Department
came to the wise conclusion to send there to oppose
him its most experienced, most indomitable officer,
though his rank might not yet rightly entitle him to
a geographical department. By a fac-simile of a
letter written by Colonel Taylor from Fort Crawford,
dated July 14, 1837, we find that he and his regiment,
the First Infantry, were then under orders for Louisi
ana, and that the headquarters would be at Fort
Jesup, La., near the Texas border. He received in
structions at some intermediate halting place or while
en route to proceed to Florida and take command of
the field force. The instructions were issued July 31st,
and were to the effect that the First Infantry was
to arrive at Tampa Bay between the loth and 15th
of October. Going down the Mississippi to New
Orleans, Colonel Taylor doubtless passed with his
regiment from the city by water to Tampa Bay, ar
riving in ample time for a compliance with his orders.
Leaving at Fort Brooke Lieutenant-Colonel Daven
port in immediate charge of the troops, the colonel
appears to have set out for the department head
quarters just then at Fort Drane, a post in Marion
County, near Orange Lake. He may have taken a
steamer, skirted the west coast northward, and as
cended the Suwanee River to near Newnansville, and
then have gone by stage to what is now Micanopy,
and thence ten miles by Government conveyance to
Fort Drane.
There is one of those traditionary tales located

THE FLORIDA WAR. 53
at Newnansville and vicinity which probably had some
foundation in fact. With all his virtues it is often
stated that Colonel Taylor, though a good disciplina
rian, in other regards was a little careless concerning
the uniform of his officers and men, and especially
so with his own. In fact, he never wore a complete
regulation suit except when imperative duty, like
that of a formal inspection, demanded it. He often
had on some homespun material, wearing a loose
sack-coat, and in the warm climate a broad-brimmed
straw hat. The night after his arrival at Newnans
ville, so the story is told, he was sitting in some such
old garb in the tavern office which had, as in the old
inns, a bar at hand. With him were Lieutenant-Colo
nel Ichabod B. Crane, Colonel Croghan Ker, and
Captain D. D. Tompkins, all veterans of the prairies
and frontiers, and about as roughly dressed as Colo
nel Taylor himself. Suddenly, on the arrival of the
Eastern stage, there appeared on the scene a sprightly
young officer recently from the Military Academy,
rather fine in general attire for a traveler, and not a
little confident in the manner of his address. His
linen duster but poorly concealed the bright buttons
beneath. He was an army officer, and meant it should
be so known. He at first took but slight notice of the
farmer-looking men who sat there talking, smoking,
or reading a chance paper. Then observing the oldest
in appearance, he probed him for some information.
Q. " Well, old man, how are the Indians now ? "
A. " I believe, sir, they are giving considerable
trouble." Q. " Oh, they are, are they ? Well, we'll fix
matters soon. I'm an army officer and on my way
to take a hand in the war. How are the crops ? "
5

54

GENERAL TAYLOR.

A. "Very fair, sir, I understand, where the In
dians can keep quiet."
And so on, with pert questions by the youth and
very respectful answers from Taylor, who sturdily
kept up the imputed character without betrayal.
At last the young man grew generous.
Q. " Come now, old codger, you and your neigh
bors take something — some beer with me ? "
A. " Oh, certainly." They rose and solemnly
pledged the bold young warrior.
About this time, the stage being ready, the vet
erans proceeded on their journey, while the young
officer staid back for a brief good time before report
ing to his command. A few days later he arrived at
Fort Drane, and at the first inspection of his com
pany by the senior commander present, what was his
astonishment and mortification to see dressed in the
full uniform of a colonel the old farmer of the tavern,
and coming straight toward him. Colonel Taylor
smiled when near him, and said reflectively : " Come
now, old codger ! "
The young man, after this mortifying interview,
asked some experienced officers, with no little trepi
dation, what he should do ? They laughingly said :
" Oh, with Colonel Taylor, simply nothing ! "
After a day or so the colonel called him up, and,
as the young man tried to apologize for his rudeness,
said : " My young friend, you have had a good lesson.
Let me give you one piece of advice that I think
will be of immense advantage to you : ' Never judge a
stranger by his clothes' "
The incident was never alluded to again by
Colonel Taylor.
The department commander, General Jesup,

THE FLORIDA WAR.

55

whom Taylor was eventually to relieve, had, June 24,
1838, succeeding the arrival of infantry and cavalry
re-enforcements including the First Infantry and
General Twiggs's cavalry, a severe Indian combat
at Jupiter Inlet. Here General Jesup was quite
severely wounded in the face. He was so roughly
handled by the foe that he lost all hope of getting
the Indians removed from the State, and earnestly
recommended that this purpose be abandoned, and
that the enterprising savages and negroes be allowed
for their occupancy a large portion of the State,
especially the fastness that they held and so well
knew how to keep and use. The results of General
Jesup's fears and recommendations were soon after
this to procure his removal from that command ; but
a few days before that battle of Jupiter Inlet, Colonel
Zachary Taylor had in another part of the same field
of operations a measure of success.
About the first of December, 1837, Colonel Taylor,
passing from Tampa via Fort Frazier, had collected
at Fort Gardner between eleven and twelve hundred
men all told. What he and the brave men with him
did during that month is best told in the account
that he gave at the end of probably the most hardy
and the most noticeable expedition that Florida ever
saw. The report, in the form of a letter to the
adjutant-general, is as follows:
" Headquarters First Brigade, Army South of the
WiTHLACOOCHEE, FORT GARDNER, January 4, 1838.
"On the 19th ultimo I received at this place a
communication from Major-General Jesup, inform
ing me that all hopes of bringing the war to a close
by negotiation, through the interference or media-

56 GENERAL TAYLOR.
tion of the Cherokee delegation, were at an end,
Aviaka [Sam Jones], with the Mickasukies, having
determined to fight it out to the last, and directing
me to proceed with the least possible delay against
any portion of the enemy I might hear of within
striking distance, and to destroy or capture him.
" After leaving two officers and an adequate
force for the protection of my depot, I marched the
next morning with twelve days' rations (my means
of transportation not enabling me to carry more),
with the balance of my command, consisting of
Captain Monroe's company of the Fourth Artillery,
total thirty-five men ; the First Infantry, under the
command of Lieutenant-Colonel Foster, two hundred
and seventy-four ; the Sixth Infantry, under Lieuten
ant-Colonel Thompson, two hundred and twenty-one ;
the Missouri Volunteers, one hundred and eighty;
Morgan's spies, forty-seven ; pioneers, thirty ; pon-
toniers, thirteen ; and seventy Delaware Indians —
making a force, exclusive of officers, of one thousand
and thirty-two men, the greater part of the Shawnees
having been detached, and the balance refusing to
accompany me, under the pretext that a number of
them were sick, and the remainder were without
moccasins. " I moved down the west side of the Kissimmee,
in a southeasterly course, toward Lake Istopoga, for
the following reasons : i. Because I knew a portion
of the hostiles were to be found in that direction. 2.
If General Jesup should fall in with the Mickasukies
and drive them, they might attempt to elude him by
crossing the Kissimmee from the east to the west
side of the peninsula between this and its entrance
into the Okeechobee, in which case I might be near

THE FLORIDA WAR.

57

at hand to intercept them. 3. To overawe and in
duce such of the enemy, who had been making propo
sitions to give themselves up, and who appeared very
slow in complying with their promises on that head,
to surrender at once ; and, lastly, I deemed it advisa
ble to erect block-houses and a small picket work
on the Kissimmee, for a third depot, some thirty or
forty miles below this, and obtain a knowledge of
the intervening country, as I had no guide who could
be relied upon, and by this means open a communi
cation with Colonel Smith, who was operating up the
Caloosehatchee under my orders.
" Late in the evening of the first day's march I
met the Indian chief Jumper with his family and a
part of his band, consisting of fifteen men, a part of
them with families, and a few negroes, in all sixty-
three souls, on his way to give himself up, in con
formity with a previous arrangement I had entered
into with him. They were conducted by Captain
Parks and a few Shawnees. He [Parks] is an active,
intelligent half-breed, who is at the head of the
friendly Indians, both Shawnees and Delawares, and
whom I had employed to arrange and bring in
Jumper and as many of his people as he could pre
vail on to come in. We encamped that night near
the same spot, and the next morning, having ordered
Captain Parks to join me and take command of the
Delawares, and having dispatched Jumper, in charge
of some Shawnees, to this place, I continued my march,
after having sent forward three friendly Seminoles to
gain intelligence as to the position of the enemy.
"About noon of the same day I sent forward
one battalion of Gentry's regiment, under command
of Lieutenant-Colonel Price, to pick up any stragglers

58

GENERAL TAYLOR.

that might fall in his way, to encamp two or three
miles in advance of the main force, to act with great
circumspection, and to communicate promptly any
occurrence that might take place in his vicinity im
portant for me to know. About lo p. m. I received
a note from the colonel stating that the three Semi
noles sent forward in the morning had returned ;
that they had been at or near where Alligator had
encamped, twelve or fifteen miles in his advance ;
that he [Alligator] had left there with a part of his
family four days before, under the pretext of separat
ing his relations from the Mickasukies preparatory
to his surrendering with them ; that there were
several families remaining at the camp referred to,
who wished to give themselves up, and would remain
there until we took possession of them, unless they
were forcibly carried off that night by the Mickasu
kies, who were encamped at no great distance from
them. " In consequence of this intelligence, after direct
ing Lieutenant-Colonel Davenport to follow me early
in the morning with the infantry, a little after mid
night I put myself at the head of the residue of the
mounted men and joined Lieutenant-Colonel Price,
proceeded on, crossing Istopoga outlet, and soon
after daylight took possession of the encampment re
ferred to, where I found the inmates, who had not
been disturbed. They consisted of an old man and
two young ones, and several women and children,
amounting in all to twenty-two individuals. The old
man informed me that Alligator was very anxious to
separate his people from the Mickasukies, who were
encamped on the opposite side of the Kissimmee,
distant about twenty miles, where they would fight

THE FLORIDA WAR.

59

US. I sent him to Alligator to say to him, if he
were sincere in his professions, to meet me the next
day at the Kissimmee, where the trail I was marching
on crossed and where I should halt.
" As soon as the infantry came up I moved on to
the place designated, which I reached late that even
ing and where I encamped. About ii p.m. the old
Indian returned, bringing a very equivocal message
from Alligator, whom, he stated, he had met accident
ally ; also that the Mickasukies were still encamped
where they had been for some days, and where they
were determined to fight us.
" I determined at once on indulging them as soon
as practicable. Accordingly, next morning, after lay
ing out a small stockade work for the protection of a
future depot, in order to enable me to move with the
greatest celerity I deposited the whole of my heavy
baggage, including artillery, and having provisioned
the command to include the Twenty-sixth, after leav
ing Captain Monroe with his company, the pioneers,
ppntoniers, with eighty-five sick and disabled infantry,
and a portion of the friendly Indians, who alleged
that they were unable to march farther, I crossed the
Kissimmee, taking the old Indian as a guide who
had been captured the day before, and who accom
panied us with great apparent reluctance in pursuit
of the enemy, and early the next day I reached
Alligator's encampment, situated on the edge of
Cabbage-Tree-Hammock, in the midst of a large
prairie, from the appearance of which and other en
campments in the vicinity, and the many evidences
of slaughtered cattle, there must have been several
hundred individuals.
"At another small hammock, at no great distance

6o GENERAL TAYLOR.
from Alligator's encampment and surrounded by a
swamp impassable for mounted troops, the spies sur
prised an encampment containing one old man,
four young men, and some women and children.
One of the party immediately raised a white flag,
when the men were taken possession of and brought
across the swamp to the main body. I proceeded
with an interpreter to meet them. They proved to
be Seminoles, and professed to be friendly. They
stated that they were preparing to come in ; they
had just slaughtered a number of cattle, and were
employed in drying and jerking the same. They
also informed me that the Mickasukies, headed by
Aviaka [Sam Jones], were some ten or twelve miles
distant encamped in a swamp, and were prepared to
fight. " Although I placed but little confidence in their
professions of friendship or their intentions of com
ing in, yet I had no time to look up their women
and children, who had fled and concealed themselves
in the swamp, or to have encumbered myself with
them in the situation in which I then -was. Accord
ingly, I released the old man, who promised that he
would collect all the women and children and take
them in to Captain Monroe at the Kissimmee the
next day. I also dismissed the old man who had
acted as guide thus far, supplying his place with the
four able warriors who had been captured that
morning. " These arrangements being made, I moved under
their guidance for the camp of the Mickasukies.
Between 2 and 3 p. m. we reached a very dense cy
press swamp, through which we were compelled to
pass, and in which our guides informed us we might

THE FLORIDA WAR. 6 1
be attacked. After making the necessary disposi
tions for battle, it was ascertained that there was no
enemy to oppose us. The army crossed "over and
encamped for the night, it being late. During the
passage of the rear. Captain Parks, who was in ad
vance with a few friendly Indians, fell in with two of
the enemy's spies between two and three miles of
our camp, one on horseback, the other on foot, and
succeeded in capturing the latter. He was an active
young warrior armed with an excellent rifle, fifty
tails in his pouch, and an adequate proportion of
powder. This Indian confirmed the information
which had been previously received from other In
dians, and, in addition, stated that a large body of
Seminoles, headed by John Cohua [Co-a-coo-chee]
and, no doubt, Alligator, with other chiefs, were en
camped five or six miles from us, near the the Micka
sukies, with a cypress swamp and dense hammock
between them and the latter.
" The army moved forward at daylight the next
morning, and, after marching five or six miles,
reached the camp of the Seminoles on the border of
another swamp, which must have contained several
hundred and bore evident traces of having been
abandoned in a great hurry, as the fires were still
burning and quantities of beef lying on the ground
unconsiimed. " Here the troops were again disposed of in line
of battle ; but we found no enemy to oppose us,
and the command was crossed over about ii a.m.,
when we entered a large prairie in our front, on
which two or three hundred head of cattle were
grazing and a number of Indian ponies. Here
another young Indian warrior was captured, armed

62 GENERAL TAYLOR.
and equipped as the former. He pointed out a dense
hammock on our right, about a mile distant, in which
he said the hostiles were situated and waiting to
give us battle.
" At this place the final disposition was made to
attack them, which was in two lines, the volunteers,
under Gentry, and Morgan's spies to form the first
line in extended order, who were instructed to enter
the hammock, and, in the event of being attacked
and hard pressed, were to fall back in rear of the
regular troops out of reach of the enemy's fire ; the
second was composed of the Fourth and Sixth In
fantry, who were instructed to sustain the volunteers,
the First Infantry being held in reserve.
" Moving on in the direction of the hammock,
after proceeding about a quarter of a mile we reached
the swamp which separated us from the enemy, three
quarters of a mile in breadth, being totally impassa
ble for horses, and nearly so for foot, covered with a
thick growth of saw-grass, five feet high, and about
knee-deep in mud and water, which [saw-grass] ex
tended to the left as far as the eye could reach ; and
to the right, to a part of the swamp and hammock we
had just crossed through, ran a deep creek. At the
edge of the swamp the men were dismounted, -and
the horses and baggage left under a suitable guard.
Captain Allen was detached with the two companies
of mounted infantry to examine the swamp and ham
mock to the right, and, in case he should not find the
enemy in that direction, was to return to the baggage,
and, in the event of his hearing a heavy firing, to
join me immediately.
" After making these arrangements I crossed the
swamp in the order stated. On reaching the bor-

THE FLORIDA WAR.

63

ders of the hammock the volunteers and spies re
ceived a heavy fire from the enemy, which was re
turned by them for a short time, when their gallant
commander. Colonel Gentry, fell mortally wounded.
They mostly broke; and, instead of forming in the
rear of the regulars, as had been directed, they re
tired across the swamp to their baggage and horses ;
nor could they again be brought into action as a
body, although efforts were made repeatedly by my
staff to induce them to do so.
" The enemy, however, were promptly checked
and driven back by the Fourth and Sixth Infantry,
which in truth might be said to be a moving battery.
The weight of the enemy's fire was principally con
centrated on five companies of the Sixth Infantry,
which not only stood firm, but continued to advance
until their gallant commander, Lieutenant-Colonel
Thompson, and his adjutant, Lieutenant Center,
were killed ; and every officer, with one exception,
as well as most of the non-commissioned officers,
including the sergeant-major and four of the orderly
sergeants, killed and wounded of those companies,
when that portion of the regiment retired to a
short distance and were again formed, one of
these companies having but four members left un
touched. " Lieutenant-Colonel Foster, with six companies,
amounting in all to one hundred and sixty men,
gained the hammock in good order, where he was
joined by Captain Noell, with the two remain
ing companies of the Sixth Infantry, and Colonel
Gentry's volunteers, with a few additional men,
continued to drive the enemy for a considerable
time, and by a change of front, separated his line

64 GENERAL TAYLOR.
and continued to drive him, until he reached the
great Lake Okeechobee, which was in the rear of the
enemy's position, and on which their encampment
extended for more than a mile. As soon as I was
informed that Captain Allen was advancing I or
dered the First Infantry to move to the left, gain
the enemy's right flank and turn it, which order was
executed in the promptest manner possible ; and as
soon as that regiment got in position the enemy
gave one fire and retreated, being pursued by the
First, Fourth, and Sixth, and some of the volunteers
who had joined them, until near night and until
these troops were nearly exhausted and the enemy
driven in all directions.
" The action was a severe one, and continued
from half-past twelve until 3 p. m., a part of the
time very close and severe. We suffered much, hav
ing twenty-six killed and one hundred and twelve
wounded, among whom are some of our most valu
able officers. The hostiles probably suffered, all
things considered, equally with ourselves, they hav
ing left ten dead on the ground, besides doubtless
carrying off more, as is customary with them when
practicable. "As soon as the enemy were completely broken
I turned my attention to taking careof the wounded,
to facilitate their removal to my baggage, where I
ordered an encampment to be formed. I directed
Captain Taylor to cross over to the spot and employ
every individual whom he might find there in con
structing a small foot-way across the swamp ; this
with great exertion was completed in a short time
after dark, when all the dead and wounded were car
ried over in litters made for the purpose, with one

THE FLORIDA WAR.

65

exception, a private of the Fourth 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 with indiffer
ence, 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 the unexplored wil
derness without guides, who had so gallantly beaten
the enemy, under my orders, in his strongest posi
tion, and who had to be conveyed back through
swamps and hammocks from whence we set out,
without any apparent means of doing so. This ser
vice, however, was encountered and overcome, and
they have been conveyed thus far and pushed on to
Tampa Bay on rude litters, constructed with the
knife and axe alone, with poles and dry hides, the
latter being found in great abundance at the encamp
ment 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 com
fort to the sufferers than I could have supposed, and
with as much as they could have been afforded in
ambulances of the most improved and modern con
struction. " The day after the battle we remained at our
encampment, occupied in taking care of the wounded
and collecting, with a portion of the mounted men,
the horses and cattle in the vicinity belonging to the
enemy, of which we found about one hundred of the
former, many of them saddled, and nearly three hun
dred of the latter.

66 GENERAL TAYLOR.
"We left our encampment on the morning of the
27th for the Kissimmee, where I had left my heavy
baggage, which place we reached about noon of the
28th. After leaving two companies and a few In
dians to garrison the stockade — which I found nearly
completed on my return by that active and vigilant
officer, Captain Monroe, Fourth Artillery — I left the
next morning for this place, where I arrived on the
31st, and sent forward the wounded the next day to
Tampa Bay, with the Fourth and Sixth Infantry, the
former to halt at Fort Fraser, remaining here myself
with the First, in order to make preparations to take
the field again as soon as my horses can be recruited,
most of which have been sent to Tampa, and my
supplies be in a sufficient state of forwardness to
justify the measure.
" In speaking of the command I can only say
that, so far as the regular troops are concerned, no
one could have been more efficiently sustained than
I have been from the commencement of the cam
paign ; and I am certain that they will be always
willing and ready to discharge any duty that may be
assigned to them.
"To Lieutenant-Colonel Davenport and the of
ficers and soldiers of the First Infantry I feel under
many obligations for the manner in which they have
on all occasions discharged their duty ; and al
though held in reserve and not brought into battle
till near its close, it evinced by its eagerness to
engage and the promptness and good order with
which they [the men] entered the hammock, when
the order was given them to do so, this is the best
evidence that they would have sustained their own
characters, as well as that of the regiment, had it

THE FLORIDA WAR.

(>7

been their fortune to have been placed in the hot
test of the battle.
"The Fourth Infantry, under their gallant leader,
Lieutenant-Colonel Foster, was among the first to
gain the hammock, and maintained this position, as
well as driving a portion of the enemy before him,
until he arrived at the borders of Lake Okeechobee,
which was in the rear, and continued the pursuit un
til near night. Lieutenant-Colonel Foster, who was
favorably noticed for his gallantry and good conduct
in nearly all the engagements on the Niagara front
ier, during the late war with Great Britain, by his
several commanders, as well as in the different en
gagements with the Indians in this territory, never
acted a more conspicuous part than in the action of
the 25th ult. ; he speaks in the highest terms of the
conduct of Brevet-Major Graham, his second in
command, as also the officers and soldiers of the
Fourth Infantry, who were engaged in the action.
Captain Allen with his two mounted companies of the
Fourth Infantry sustained his usual character for
promptness and efficiency. Lieutenant Hooper, of
the fourth regiment, was wounded through the arm,
but continued on the field, at the head of his company,
until the termination of the battle.
" I am not sufficiently master of words to express
my admiration of the gallantry and steadiness of the
officers and soldiers of the Sixth regiment of in
fantry. It was their fortune to bear the brunt of
the battle. The report of the killed and wounded
which accompanies this is more conclusive evidence
of their merits than anything I can say. After five
companies of this regiment, against which the enemy
directed the most deadly fire, were nearly cut up,

68 GENERAL TAYLOR.
there being only four men left uninjured in one of
them, and every officer and orderly sergeant of those
companies, with one exception, were either killed or
wounded. Captain Noell, with the remaining two com
panies, his own company ' K,' and Crosman's 'B,'
commanded by Second Lieutenant Woods, which was
the left of the regiment,- formed on the right of the
Fourth Infantry, entered the hammock with that regi
ment, and continued the fight and pursuit until its
termination. It is due to Captain Andrews and
Lieutenant Walker to say they commanded two of
the five companies mentioned above, and they con
tinued to direct tl^em until they were both severely
wounded and carried from the field, the latter re
ceiving three separate balls.
" The Missouri volunteers, under command of
Colonel Gentry, and Morgan's spies, who formed
the first line, and, of course, were the first engaged,
acted as well or even better than troops of that. de
scription generally do ; they received and returned
the enemy's fire with spirit for some time, when they
broke and retired, with the exception of Captain
Gillam and a few of his company, and Lieutenant
Blakey also with a few men, who joined the regulars
and acted with them, until after the close of the
battle, but not until they had suffered severely, the
commanding officer of the volunteers. Colonel Gen
try, being mortally wounded while leading on his
men and encouraging them to enter the hammock
and come to close quarters with the enemy ; his son,
an interesting youth eighteen or nineteen years of
age, serfeant-major of the regiment, was severely
wounded at the same moment.
" Captain Childs, Lieutenants Rogers and Flana-

THE FLORIDA WAR,

69

gan, of Gentry's regiment, Acting Major Sconce and
Lieutenants Hase and Gordon, of the spies, were
wounded while encouraging their men to a discharge
of their duty.
" The volunteers and spies, as before stated, hav
ing fallen back to the baggage, could not again be
formed and brought up to the hammock in anything
Uke order ; but a number of them crossed over in
dividually, and aided in conveying the wounded
across the swamp to the hammock, among whom
were Captain Curd and several other officers. . . .
" To my personal staff, consisting of First Lieu
tenant J. M. Hill, of the Second, and First Lieutenant
George H. Griffin, of the Sixth Infantry, the latter
aide-de-camp to Major-General Gaines and a volun
teer in Florida from his staff, I feel under the great
est obligations for the promptness and efficiency
with which they have sustained me throughout the
campaign, and more particularly for their good con
duct and the alacrity with which they aided me
and conveyed my orders during the action of the
25th ult.
" Captain Taylor, Commissary of Subsistence,
who was ordered to join General Jesup at Tampa
Bay as Chief of the Subsistence Department, and
who was ordered by him to remain with his column
until General Jesup joined it, although no command
was assigned Captain Taylor, he greatly exerted
himself in trying to rally and bring back the volun
teers into action, as well as discharging other impor
tant duties which were assigned him during the
action. " Myself, as well as all who witnessed the atten
tion and ability displayed by Surgeon Satterlee,
6

ijQ GENERAL TAYLOR.
medical director on this side of the peninsula, as
sisted by Assistant Surgeons McLaren and Simpson,
of the medical staff of the army, and Doctors Hannah
and Cooke, of the Missouri volunteers, in ministering
to the wounded, as well as their uniform kindness to
them on all occasions, can never cease to be referred
to by me but with the most pleasing and grateful
recollections. " The quartermaster's department, under the di
rection of that efficient officer. Major Brant, and his
assistant, Lieutenant Babbit, have done everything
that could be accomplished to throw forward from
Tampa Bay and keep up supplies of provisions, for
age, etc., with the limited means at their disposal.
Assistant Commissaries, Lieutenants Harrison, sta
tioned at Fort Gardner, and McClure, at Fort Fraser,
have fully met my expectations in discharge of the
various duties connected with their department, as
well as those assigned them in the quartermaster's
department. " This column in six weeks penetrated one hun
dred and fifty miles into the enemy's country, opened
roads and constructed bridges and causeways, when
necessary, on the greater portion of the route, estab
lished two depots and the necessary defenses for the
same, and finally overtook and beat the enemy in his
strongest position ; 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 Ou-la-too-gee,
Tus-ta-nug-gee, and other principal men, the cap
turing and driving out of the country six hundred
head of cattle, upwards of one hundred head of

THE FLORIDA WAR. yi
horses, besides obtaining a thorough knowledge of
the country through which we operated, a greater
portion of which was entirely unknown except to the
enemy. "Colonel Gentry died a few hours after the bat
tle, much regretted by the army, and will be, doubt
less, by all who knew him, as his State did not contain
a braver man or a better citizen.
" It is due to his rank and talents, as well as to
his loiig and important services, that I particularly
mention Lieutenant-Colonel A. R. Thompson, of the
Sixth Infantry, who fell in the discharge of his duty
at the head of his regiment. He was in feeble health,
brought on by exposure to this climate during the
past summer, refusing to leave the country while his
regiment continued in it. Although he received two
balls from the fire of the enemy early in the action,
which wounded him severely, yet he appeared to dis
regard them, and continued to give his orders with
the same coolness that he would have done had his
regiment been under review or on any parade duty.
Advancing, he received a third ball, which at once
deprived him of life. His last words were : ' Keep
steady, men, charge the hammock — remember the
regiment to which you belong.' I had known Colo
nel Thompson personally only for a short time, and
the more I knew of him the more I wished to know ;
and had his life been spared, our acquaintance no
doubt would have ripened into the closest friendship.
Under such circumstances there are few, if any, other
than his bereaved wife, mother, and sisters, who
more deeply and sincerely lament his loss, or who
will longer cherish his memory than myself.
" Captain Van-Swearingen, Lieutenant Brooke,

72 GENERAL TAYLOR.
and Lieutenant and Adjutant Center, of the same
regiment, who fell on that day, had no superiors of
their years in service, and in point of chivalry ranked
among the first in the army or nation ; besides their
pure and disinterested courage, they possessed other
qualifications, which qualified them to fill the highest
grades of their profession, which, no doubt, they
would have attained and adorned had their lives
been spared. The two former served with me on
another arduous and trying campaign, and on every
occasion, whether in the camp, on the march, or on
the field of battle, discharged their various duties to
my entire satisfaction.
" With great respect, etc., etc.,
" Z. Taylor, Colonel Commanding.
" To Brigadier-General Jones, Adjutant-General, U. S. Army,
Washington, D, C,"
This faithful story of a trying campaign of six
weeks, a dreadful battle in the Everglades, and the
self-sacrifice and suffering of his command, stamps
the ability, the efficiency, the gallantry, and the
subsequent gentleness of Colonel Taylor. His ex
cellent wife, who never would be long separated
from her husband and had accompanied or fol
lowed him to nearly every frontier post, did not
fail him here. She remained at Fort Brooke (Tampa),
and there met the column of wounded men as it
slowly filed in and successively unloaded its pallid
and helpless burdens at the temporary canvas hos
pital. Her positive helpfulness, her example, and
her " unfailing hopefulness " in sad hours materially
aided the perfunctory work of the medical officers,
nurses, and attendants, so that many a poor fellow

THE FLORIDA WAR. 73
who eventually recovered, never after that failed to
speak of Mrs. Taylor with gratitude and affection.
Two substantial rewards, as a soldier counts re
wards, came to Colonel Taylor for his well-timed
victory. First there was an appreciative letter from
the commander-in-chief, General Alexander Macomb,
dated February 20, 1838 ; and, second, there followed
in time the new commission to which we have previ
ously referred, to wit : " Colonel Zachary Taylor is
promoted to the rank of Brigadier-General by brevet
for distinguished services in the battle of Kissimmee
(Okeechobee) in Florida."
It was a little later when General Jesup asked
to be relieved from that troublesome field, and
the entire command was devolved upon General
Taylor. The latter immediately introduced a new
plan of operations, dividing his forces, volunteer and
regular. He caused a reasonable limited district to
be patrolled by the detatchment which he sent to
occupy it. He armed the white settlers so that by
stockading, a few assembled, if sufficiently watchful,
could defend themselves against sudden assault.
His men thus distributed had many small battles
here and there which were reported successful, but
still the end was not to come during his reign. He
gathered up a few parties of hostiles and sent them
West, yet the great body of the different tribes, with
a sprinkling of escaped slaves, still clung to their im
penetrable fastnesses and managed, at the most un
expected times, in small bands, to rob and outrage a
family, to burn a house, to fire, always hitting their
mark, from close thickets upon passing wagons, and
then quickly to disappear without leaving a trail or
trace that could be followed.

74 GENERAL TAYLOR.
In his first visit, in 1856, to Florida, the writer
remembers that the place where " Harney's surprise "
occurred was pointed out to him on the Caloosehat
chee, not far from Fort Meyers. In that vicinity,
in accordance with a sort of half-and-half policy,
lately introduced by General Alexander Macomb, a
place for trading with the Indians was established,
and Colonel Harney was sent with a detachment of
dragoons to guard it. The scattered Indians soon
found out this kind provision for them, and flocked
in and bartered their skins, bows and arrows, and
the trinkets of their own manufacture for the sutler's
goods. The place was so generally understood and so
well established that even that wary Indian fighter,
Lieutenant-Colonel Harney, was, as if in a civilized
center, off his guard. His camp was by the right bank
of the beautiful river. On July 23, 1839, like the sud
den bursting of a dam which was in apparent order,
the Indians at the dawn of day swooped in upon the
trading establishment, destroying everything as they
rushed. Harney and a few of his men instantly,
as they heard the first yell, ran, without stopping to
dress themselves, into the water, and waded out to
some boats anchored near at hand, and in these he
and the others managed to escape. About twenty
soldiers and citizens were slain. Some of those run
ning down the river were decoyed, by a clear voice
ringing out in good English, to the wooded bank
and killed. Lieutenant-Colonel Harney never for
got this treachery, nor could apparent friendliness
of savage foes ever find him again off his guard.
From that day the Indians were to be relentlessly
followed till a complete and final surrender and re
moval were effected, under a new policy which grew

THE FLORIDA WAR.

75

out of the morbid fears of settlers, notwithstanding
the avarice of the traffickers and their numerous
friends who strove to prolong the war. However,
certain army men always insisted that they be al
lowed " the worthless parts of that wretched coun
try." The army leaders, always having too few
troops, became confused in their judgment, and even
the dauntless Zachary Taylor, though commended
for his success and his activity by Government and
people, finally, after two hard unsatisfactory years,
asked to be relieved from that situation.
His request was, though with considerable re
luctance at Washington, at last, on April 21, 1840,
granted ; and so he passed back to Fort Jesup, La.,
to have, as department commander, charge of several
States in the Southwest. This move afforded him a
respite — a much needed rest — and this period of
repose was to be of considerable duration. The
solid, enduring work which, as yet unknown to any
body, was to come, demanded an interval of quiet
waiting.

CHAPTER VI.
General Taylor at Baton Rouge in 1840 — The plantation — The
beautiful home near the barracks — How Mrs. Holloway pict
ures the cottage- — Mrs. Taylor's comfort and joy — How the civil
experience ended — Sent to the Louisiana and Texas frontier
— How the Mexican War began — Taylor's position — Taylor's
letter of July 20th, New Orleans, 1845 — Sets out for St. Joseph's
Island — Moved to Corpus Christi — The forces — Twiggs's
Cavalry — A pleasant camp.
During the year 1840 the headquarters of the
First Infantry were at Baton Rouge, and General
Taylor was stationed there ; so I presume, if the new
department of the Southwest had been announced in
orders, as several authors intimate, with headquarters
far away at Fort Jesup, that General Taylor must
have asked to exercise the command from Baton
Rouge. This accords too with the stories concern
ing his plantation and the modest little home of his
family. Lossing gives a picture of the choice
Southern cottage with its broad porches ; and Mrs.
Holloway, the authoress, says much of the sweet
home and the family life there. She writes :
" The soldiers usually quartered at Baton Rouge
were mustering along the banks of the Red River,
and the buildings were left, save a single company of
infantry, without occupants, and Mrs. Taylor could
select her 'quarters' with all the facilities the place
afforded. Leaving the imposing brick buildings, with

ANNEXATION OF TEXAS. jy
their comfortable arrangements for housekeeping, to
the entire possession of one or two officers' families,
Mrs. Taylor selected a little tumble-down cottage,
situated directly on the bank of the river, which was
originally erected for and inhabited by the captain
commandant when the post belonged to Spain.
" In the long years of its existence the cottage,
consisting only of a suite of three or four rooms,
inclosed under galleries, had become quaint in
appearance and much out of repair, and was hardly
considered else than a sort of admitted wreck of
former usefulness, left because it was a harmless,
familiar object, entirely out of the way of the lawn
and parade ground. To Mrs. Taylor's eyes this
old cottage seemed to possess peculiar charms, for
she promptly decided to give up the better quarters
at her disposal, as the wife of the commander-in-
chief of the military department, and move into this
cottage. "With the aid of her own servants, two in num
ber, and the usual assistance always afforded by in
valid soldiers unfit for military duties, she soon put
the neglected place in proper order. It was re
marked by the people of Baton Rouge how rapidly
the old Spanish commandant's cottage became
transformed into a comfortable dwelling under the
superintendence of the new occupants. And in a
country where so much is left to servants and where
the mistress and daughters had so many at command,
they set the noble example of doing much them
selves. "The house had but four rooms, surrounded on
all sides by a veranda, and thus in the hottest
weather there was always a shady side, and in the

78

GENERAL TAYLOR.

coldest, one most sheltered ; and so cozy and com
fortable did the house become under the manage
ment of its new mistress, that Mrs. Taylor was most
thoroughly justified in her choice by the universal
commendation of the citizens of the town, that it
was now the pleasantest residence in all the country
round, and its immates were probably as contented
and happy as people can be." As soon as he could,
the general purchased not only this pretty cottage,
but a large estate near at hand, higher up the river,
and this ever after afforded him a convenient home
and a place for his family during all subsequent field
operations. When in 1841 the First Infantry went back to the
Northwest and divided itself betwen Forts Crawford
and Snelling and a few other posts, General Taylor
was transferred in July, 1843, to the Sixth Infantry;
but he was kept on detached duty commanding
" Department No. i " ; and his headquarters, prob
ably for the convenience of the supply corps, were
put at New Orleans. This enabled him easily to
inspect the scattered garrisons — such as Towson,
Gibson, Jesup, Wood, Pike, Pickens, and others within
his limits at will, and also to spend part of the peace-
days on his own estate near Baton Rouge.
General Taylor could in any event always be
trusted to give all essential thought and time to the
public service. These glimpses into his public and pri
vate life afford samples sufficient to enable us to see
what that life was during the five years of his resi
dence on the Mississippi. When at one time he was
offered a public reception he wrote, in declining, that
he was hopeful of accomplishing the object of his
having a frontier command, and his fellow-citizens

ANNEXATION OF TEXAS.

79

might be sure that he would not be recreant to his
trust. This could not mean, however, that General
Taylor was, from the time it became a national issue,
in favor of the immediate annexation — or, as the word
was, reannexation — of Texas to the United States.
His sentiments are often expressed in his letters.
In one he says: "At the last Presidential danvass
(1844) it was well known to all with whom I mixed,
Whigs and Democrats — for I made no concealments
in the matter — that I was decidedly in favor of Mr.
Clay's election." President John Tyler, after the
death of General Harrison, made this one issue, the
speedy annexation of Texas, the main plank in his
platform ; but Mr. Clay, when war seemed inevitable
as a result,' opposed him in this with all his might.
We then may understand General Taylor as sim
ply a true and faithful soldier, loyal to his country
and to his flag. The ostensible object of the forma
tion of this department of the Southwest was : peace
with the Indian tribes and peace, if possible, with
other neighbors. The announced object by Presi
dent and Congress was never till 1845 more than to
observe and steady matters along the Texan border,
where disturbance was likely to occur at any time.
In another letter, written to a Mexican general, Tay
lor says : " I hardly need advise you that, charged as
I am, in only a military capacity, with the perform
ance of specific duties, I can not enter into a discus
sion of the international question involved in the
advance of the American army." This one sentence
explains the attitude of Taylor, Scott, and the com
manders, military and naval, in the Mexican War.
The cause of the war may be briefly stated:
Texas fought for some years for her independence.

8o GENERAL TAYLOR.
She was greatly helped by men who, like General
Houston, had gone from the United States and set
tled within her boundaries. Her efforts were at last
so far successful that her independence was not only
recognized by foreign powers, but finally there was
a quasi-conditional acquiescence and recognition by
the Mexican republic itself. Undoubtedly the en
terprising American emigrants, who were foremost
in fighting the battles of Texas, and never failed to
come to the front when conventions assembled to
form a " free and independent government," were all
the time desirous of forming part and parcel of the
great American republic. There were various rea
sons :
1st. Their population was sparse, and the people
found it difficult to maintain themselves alone finan
cially or defensively for any length of time.
2d. They better secured the kind of govern
ment they most desired under the sgis of our gen
eral government.
3d. The majority of the emigrants had come
from the slave States, and they freely co-operated
with the Southern political sentiment that had
not failed from the first to keep an equipoise be
tween the free and the slave country, particularly
when new States had knocked at the doors of the
Union for admission. Texas must swell the slave
area. Texas can be divided when population shall
warrant the division, and so furnish several new
States. These were reasons and arguments without and
within our boundaries. The first propositions for
annexation were favorably considered by the ma
jority of Congress. For a State to separate itself

ANNEXATION OF TEXAS. 8 1
from one republic ostensibly to establish its own
independent sovereignty, and then offer itself imme
diately to a sister republic, seemed to some of our
statesmen to border upon sharp practice. It was too
much like a husband seeking a divorce upon some
pretense, while he cherished the secret design of
marrying another.
It not only appeared faithless on the part of
Texas, but, if we annexed, it argued a previous col
lusion on our part, and was sure to give offense to
Mexico. Orators and statesmen for years rang the
changes upon this and like objections to annexation.
We mentioned the word reannexation. This was a
claim set up by those who, with much show of reason,
tried to demonstrate that Texas once belonged to
the United States in the Louisiana purchase, and
had, of course, been improperly severed by the
Mexican people. It was therefore claimed to be right
and proper that Texas should be reunited to the
American republic.
Just before President John Tyler's term expired
this measure of annexation — which, against the policy
and platform of the party that elected him, he had
ardently supported — was passed by Congress. It be
came a law March i, 1845. The Hon. James G.
Blaine, looking back, remarks : " Its terms were
promptly accepted by Texas, and at the next session
of Congress, beginning December, 1845, the constitu
tion of the new State was approved. Historic in
terest attached to the appearance of Sam Houston
and Thomas J. Rusk as the first senators from the
great State which they had torn from Mexico and
added to the Union." He adds some further senti
ments that some aged Whigs would hardly indorse,

82 GENERAL TAYLOR.
but which now commend themselves to the majority
of thinking people. He writes :
"The lapse of forty years and the important
events of intervening history gave the opportunity
for impartial judgment concerning the policy of ac
quiring Texas. We were not guiltless towards Mex
ico in originally permitting if not encouraging our
citizens to join in the revolt of one of the States of
that Republic. But Texas had passed definitely and
finally beyond the control of Mexico, and the practi
cal issue was, whether we should incorporate her in
the Union or leave her to drift in uncertain currents
— possibly to form European alliances, which we
should afterwards be compelled, .in self-defense, to
destroy. An astute statesman of that period summed
up the whole case when he declared that it was wiser
policy to annex Texas, and accept the issue of im
mediate war with Mexico, than to leave Texas in
nominal independence to involve us probably in ulti
mate war with England. The entire history of sub
sequent events has vindicated the wisdom, the cour
age, and the statesmanship with which the Demo
cratic party dealt with this question in 1844."
It will be readily recalled that the Mexican Min
ister, on the passage of the joint resolution by our
Congress, demanded his passports and left the coun
try. President Polk, though just elected, did not
hesitate to grapple with the difficulties that immedi
ately arose. Mexico went further than her Minister's
action and protest. She organized an army, and
publicly proclaimed her intention to go to war with
the United States ; though not actually declaring war,
she would certainly cross the boundaries and make
an effort to seize upon Texas. These facts Mr.

ANNEXATION OF TEXAS. 83
Polk set forth in a message to Congress and avowed
his intention, as a precautionary act, to order a strong
naval squadron to the Mexican coast and " to concen
trate an efficient military force on the Western front
ier of Texas." ,
Texas laid claim to the Rio Grande del Norte as
the proper boundary to her domain. Mexico, now
bent on a quarrel, insisted that the Texas and Mexi
can dividing line should be the Nueces River. The
aggressive party was in power at Washington, and so
the Texas claim was warmly sustained by the ad
ministration ; still, President Polk at first made an
effort to settle the question in dispute by negotia
tion, which could easily have been done had Mexico
been willing to yield the two principal points at
issue — viz.: First, the right of Texas as an inde
pendent State to seek and receive admission into
our Union. Second, the right of Texas, and hence
of the United States, to the region lying between
the Nueces and the Rio Grande. Mr. Polk had the
able and energetic William L. Marcy as Secretary
of War. The author, Fayette Robinson, in his volume en
titled The Army, places General Taylor, May 28,
1845, at Fort Jesup, La. The headquarters, "army
of observation," however, were at New Orleans ; so
that General Taylor must have gone to that border
post, as is most probable, in order to carry out Mr.
Marcy's instructions which he received at that date
— to wit : To get as near Texas as he could while
waiting for Texas' accepting our conditions of ad
mission, to keep his troops in hand ready to cross
the Texas line, " to repel invasion either of Mexicans
or Indians," to call for volunteers should Mexico be-

84

GENERAL TAYLOR.

gin war, and to keep himself informed of Texas' ac
tion by holding communication with that Govern
ment at the town of Washington, Texas, and with
Hon. A. J. Donelson, the United States agent resi
dent there.
The Texas Congress assembled in accordance
with President Anson Jones's call of date June 4,
at Washington, Texas, June 16, 1845. After debate,
by a joint resolution approved June 23, 1845, the
Congress assented to the conditions for annexation,
and ordered a call for a convention to assemble at
the city of Austin, July 4, 1845. The convention met
pursuant to the above call, and on the day it assem
bled, passed unanimously an ordinance, fifty-seven
delegates sent from previous county conventions sub
scribing to the same. The last clause of the ordi
nance is as follows : " Now, in order to manifest the
sentiment of the people of this republic, as required
in the above recited portions of the said resolutions
(those of the Texas Congress, and of the United
States Congress, March i, 1845), we, the deputies of
the people of Texas, in convention assembled, in
their name, and by their authority, do ordain and
declare that we assent to and accept the proposals,
conditions, and guarantees contained in the first and
second sections of the resolutions of the Congress of
the United States aforesaid.''
On June 28 Mr. Donelson wrote an important
letter to General Taylor, still at Fort Jesup, and he
did this in anticipation of the favorable action of the
convention. A few extracts will explain the situa
tion : " At all events, it [the invasion] is so probable
as to justify the removal of your force, without
delay, to the Western frontier of Texas, in order

ANNEXATION OF TEXAS. 85
that you may be ready to give the protection which
the President of the United States has felt himself
authorized to offer. ... I would advise you to send
your dragoons overland. . . . Your infantry . . .
with transportation from New Orleans to Corpus
Christi, as being the most certain and less expensive
route . . . Corpus Christi is the most western point
now occupied by Texas. . . . But it should be dis
tinctly understood that your action will be strictly
defensive, and aimed at the protection of the rights
of Texas." After showing General Taylor the disputed terri
tory between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, Mr.
Donelson remarks : " The threatened invasion, how
ever, of Texas, is founded upon the assumption that
she has no territory independent of Mexico.'' And
lastly, evidently the inspiration of President Polk
himself, he adds : " You can safely hold possession
of Corpus Christi and all other points up the Nueces;
and if Mexico attempts to dislodge you, drive her
beyond the Rio Grande." Curiously enough, thirteen
days earlier — June 15 — George Bancroft, Secretary
of the Navy, and acting Secretary of War, prophet
like, informed General Taylor that on July 4 the
people of Texas would have acceded to the union
and Texas become de facto and de jure one of the
United States. He was forthwith ordered to march to
the mouth of the Sabine, or wherever he might
think it advisable within Texas. He was also au
thorized to occupy any post on or near the Rio Grande
which he might think necessary to repel invasion.
Mr. Bancroft at this time forbade him to cross the
Rio Grande, " unless Mexico should make the first
attack." 7

86 GENERAL TAYLOR.
It has been necessary to be thus specific in
showing General Taylor's instructions, in order to
demonstrate that there was no effort or haste on
his part to inaugurate a war. The Washington,
D. C, authorities were, as we notice, even ahead
of those in Texas. But probably our administra
tion hoped that we might not be compelled be
yond a defensive atttiude. Donelson shows pretty
plainly in his dispatches that agents from England
and France to Mexico worked against this an
nexation and warmly favored the Mexican threats
of war. General Taylor came back from the Lousiana
frontier to New Orleans, where he hastened the
preparations for embarking his infantry, artillery,
and supplies. He soon received from the War De
partment a reiteration of instructions similar to those
above detailed. They were dated at Washington,
July 8, and acknowledged by a brief letter from
Taylor dated July 20. This letter is so expressive
and characteristic of General Taylor that it is in
serted in full :
'¦ Headquarters First Military Department,
New Orleans, La., July 20, 1845.
" Sir : I respectfully acknowledge your communi
cation of July 8, conveying the instructions of the
Secretary of War of the same date, relative to the
Mexican settlements on this side of the Rio Grande.
These instructions will be closely obeyed ; and the
Department may rest assured that I will take no step
to interrupt the friendly relations between the United
States and Mexico. I am gratified at receiving these
instructions, as they confirm my views, previously

ANNEXATION OF TEXAS. 87
communicated, in regard to the proper line to be oc
cupied at present by our troops.
" I am, sir, very respectfully,
" Your obedient servant,
" Z. Taylor,
'^Brevet Brigadier-General U, S. A,, Commanding,
" To the Adjutant-General of the Army, Washington, D. C,"
General Taylor, with eight companies of the
Third Infantry, left New Orleans by transports so as
to arrive at St. Joseph's Island, Texas, July 25. He
found " the difficulties of a debarkation on this coast
and of establishing depots for supplying the army "
much greater than he had anticipated. He had now
received positive information from Austin of the
action of the Texas convention ; he named his forces
"Army of Occupation," and he still advised not to
send two companies to Austin, but to keep concen
trated till Mexico should show her hand.
In twenty days he had sufficiently reconnoitred
the coast and had moved up to Corpus Christi ; he
had just received the news that Mexico had taken
" the preparatory steps " toward a declaration of
war against the United States ; he gave the report
of General Arista's intended move from Mon
terey forward to Matamoras, August 4, with fifteen
hundred men, five hundred being cavalry ; but did
not hear that an invasion of Texas was yet contem
plated. There is abundance of interesting correspondence
between General Taylor and the War Department
and other such with the Texas officials. More
troops soon followed the Third Infantry to Corpus
Christi, among them the Fourth, Fifth, and Eighth

88 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Infantry, and considerable artillery, besides the
Louisiana volunteers. He says of his military posi
tion (October 4, 1845) that it combined many ad
vantages — " healthy, easily supplied, and well situated
to hold in observation the course of the Rio Grande
from Matamoras to Laredo." It exercised a salutary
effect upon the Mexicans. ..." They are struck by
the spectacle of a large camp of well-appointed and
disciplined troops, etc." Still, if he understands
the views of the Government — viz., to make the Rio
Grande the ultimatum — he " can not doubt that the
settlement will be greatly facilitated and hastened by
our taking possession at once of one or two suitable
points on or quite near that river ; should he be
ordered forward, he recommends Point Isabel and
Laredo for depot and observing stations. " Isabel is
accessible by water," and easily defended; "Laredo
(on the left bank of the Rio Grande) will require a
land march " ; he was already reconnoitring in view
of the apparent wishes, but not yet the instructions, of
the administration ; he had from Governor Anson
Jones the promise of one thousand Texas volunteers ;
a part of this promise was fulfilled ; he went out to
meet two squadrons of the Second regiment of dra
goons, who were approaching Corpus Christi, and
August 27 escorted them to the vicinage of his
beautiful camp. They, under the famous Colonel
Twiggs, had marched from Fort Jesup, La., to Cor
pus Christi in thirty-two days, resting eight days
eti route. The distance in a right line is about four
hundred miles, but the dragoons by the routes they
took made at least five hundred. A writer says : " The
position taken by General Taylor is one of extreme
beauty, and when our eyes first rested upon his camp,

ANNEXATION OF TEXAS.

89

clustered with a thousand spotless white tents along
the shelly margin of the shore of Corpus Christi
Bay, irresistible bursts of admiration followed. . . ."
The Louisiana volunteers had the left of this
charming camp, Twiggs with his dragoons the right,
while the center was filled by the Third, Fourth,
Fifth, Seventh, and Eighth regiments of U. S. In
fantry, and a battalion of artillery troops equipped
as infantry. The salubrity of the climate here on
Taylor's plateau could hardly be excelled in Italy.
The days even in summer were comfortable under
the constant breezes, and the nights always cool, and
the troops not, as in Florida, worried by fleas or
mosquitoes. They had oysters in abundance and
fish at will. The hunting also rewarded the efforts
of officers and men when allowed to go beyond the
encampment. Here, then, at Corpus Christi, the
little army of occupation, perhaps all told three thou
sand souls, remained till March 8, 1846. Here his
army obtained that discipline, drill, organization,
essential instruction, and social cementing which
such a completely furnished, untiring general as
Zachary Taylor could secure to it. It became strong,
and conscious of its strength, under the leader that
the soldiers believed in ; this was an esprit de corps
hard to produce, but, when produced, hard enough
for a foe to face and overcome.

CHAPTER VII.
Holding the Nueces — Rio Grande claimed — Testimony of a
distinguished friend still living — Taylor's judiciousness — In
sists on orders — The move to Point Isabel — General Taylor
by land — Major Monroe by sea — Mexican generals, Mejia
and Ampudia — What they did — Taylor's correspondence with
the enemy — His first discouragements and losses — How
operations were commenced in the Rio Grande v?illey — The
blockade of the Rio Grande (or Rio del Norte) — Arista's
coming — His aims — His strong protest — General Taylor's
reply.
This is the situation March i, 1846: General
Taylor occupied the line of the Nueces, and for de
fensive purposes can hold it against successful dis-
lodgment. He has sufficiently reconnoitred all the
territory and all the coast as far as the Rio Grande.
If the Government decides to make the Rio Grande
the boundary, General Taylor deems it wise to move
to that river before the Mexican general shall take
the initiative. In case this be done, Point Isabel
(held by a small detachment and the navy), provided
a vessel of war will come and stay, will constitute
the main depot of supply. General Taylor was a
judicious soldier. He had long schooled himself
never to deviate from his instructions except when
there was a plain, indisputable necessity for it, and
so now, before breaking camp, he reviewed his orders
and discussed them with his trusted staff.

ADVANCE TO THE RIO GRANDE.

91

A distinguished writer, Dr. Francis W. Upham, of
New York, who was at that time in the prime of his
young manhood and who reveres the memory of our
hero, General Taylor, almost worshiping at his shrine,
now makes, concerning the period at Corpus Christi,
a very suggestive recital of the testimony of an army
friend. He says : " On the question of whether the
Mexican War was the deliberate plan and purpose of
President Polk, I have thought and inquired much,
and the result has been to show me the uncertainty
and doubt which hangs, and will forever, around
many important and interesting questions. As bear
ing upon this, let me state that I formed the ac
quaintance of Captain Cram, who at his death had
become an officer of much higher rank, an officer of
the engineers, employed at that time on the coast
survey. Captain Cram was with the army com
manded by General Taylor, but, falling a victim to
the malarious nature of that country, he was sent
North for his health before the battle of Palo Alto.
At the time he was employed on the coast survey
near Portsmouth, N. H., he had a very sad and
dangerous relapse, at which time I took care of him.
I merely state this to show the nature of the inter
course between us. He told of a council or con
ference which General Taylor held with such officers
as were near his person, and at which he himself was
present, at receiving a voluminous dispatch from Mr.
Marcy, Secretary of War. In this long letter, written,
of course, with the approval of President Polk, the
Secretary argued in favor of the policy of the army
moving over to the extreme limit of the territory that
was in dispute — that is, to the Rio Grande; and it
was clearly apparent that, whatever might have been

92

GENERAL TAYLOR.

the judgment of so clear-headed a man as the Secre
tary, the administration was decidedly in favor of it.
The day was hot, and in the sultry air General Taylor
listened to the dispatch till he was fully possessed of
the idea that his Government wished the army to
march, and so paid small attention to the few words
which concluded the message. He said : ' Gentle
men, it seems to me that our orders are that this army
move at once to the Rio Grande.' Captain Cram,
who appears to have been somewhat of a favorite
with General Taylor, who had been lately a large
planter and interested in engineering operations on
his plantation, ventured to say to the general : ' Be
fore acting upon this, permit me to call your atten
tion to the few lines that conclude this long dis
patch.' General Taylor was at once on the alert,
and as soon as these few lines were read again he
saw that the letter appeared to place the whole re
sponsibility of the movement upon him, and with the
evident intention of shielding the Secretary. As
soon as Taylor's mind was brought to bear on these
few lines, he turned to his adjutant and told him to
write a dispatch to this effect : ' This army will obey
any orders that may be received from the Govern
ment ; and if it wills that this army march to the
Rio Grande, an order must issue to that effect.'
That was not a dispatch to be trifled with, and the
order at last came imperative." On February 4, 1846,
the general acknowledged the receipt of a communi
cation from Mr. Marcy containing these very in
structions of the President — i. e., " to move forward
with my force to the Rio Grande." Captain Cram
gave Mr. Upham the impression that General Taylor
was remarkable in many ways, and particularly a

ADVANCE TO THE RIO GRANDE. 93
man of more general intelligence than was commonly,
at that time, credited to him — judicious, decided,
and yet courteous inhis manner.
Everything at Corpus Christi was in readiness by
March 12. Major Monroe went with transports by
water. He took with him a battery of field guns
and a siege train and several officers of Taylor's per
manent staff. Instead of a ship-of-war, the revenue
cutter Woodbury, Captain Foster commanding, ac
companied this expedition. All supplies not taken
by the marching men went this way to Brazos
Santiago, and thence through the straits to Point
Isabel. The water movement was to regulate itself
as to time by the land march.
General Taylor's famous peace orders were issued
about this time of setting out. They were printed
in Spanish and in English and widely circulated
among the inhabitants along the coast. They show
that his forward movement was no secret spring or
sudden seizure, and need not have led to war, and
doubtless would not have, had there not been other
causes. Here is an extract of field orders: "The army of
occupation of Texas being about to take position
upon the left bank of the Rio Grande, under the
orders of the Executive of the United States, the
General-in-Chief desires to express the hope that the
movement will be advantageous to all concerned,
and with the object of attaining this laudable end he
has ordered all under his command to observe, with
the most scrupulous respect, the rights of all the in
habitants who may be found in peaceful prosecution
of their respective occupations, as well on the left as
on the right side of the Rio Grande. . . . Whatso-

54 GENERAL TAYLOR.
ever may be needed for the use of the army will be
bought by the proper purveyor, and paid for at the
highest price. The General-in-Chief has the satis
faction to say that he confides in the patriotism and
discipline of the army under his command, but that
he feels sure that the orders will be obeyed with the
utmost exactness."
Habitually during this forward movement these
small divisions which were organized into brigades
for the convenience of the camps, the supply, ^nd the
essential mutual support in case of open hostilities,
were some few miles apart. General Taylor moved
along with a designated brigade till the army had
reached and passed the Colorado. Then while he
sent the main column straight forward toward what
afterward became Fort Brown, opposite Matamoras,
he himself took Colonel Twiggs's dragoons with him
as an escort and deviated to the left and eastward,
aiming to reach Point Isabel, and so in the outset
secure to himself a proper base of supply.
There was little vegetation along the line of the
march from Corpus Christi, and the water supply was
poor enough. The soldiers had more than once the
common but irritating experience of all who pass
over comparatively barren prairies in a hot climate.
Sheets of water, lakes and streams, and green trees
would spread themselves out before them, and when
they had eagerly pressed forward to quench their
ever-increasing thirst, or gain the tempting shade,
the deception of the delusive mirage would at last
be revealed. The vision was more real when Mexi
cans, mounted, appeared here and there, an observ
ing force, only to retire before the steady advance
of the army.

ADVANCE TO THE RIO GRANDE.

95

At the Colorado valley there was great refresh
ment and invigoration for men and animals, for there
they found abundant water. There is no better or
briefer description of the military situation March
25, 1846, than General Taylor's own dispatch, writ
ten after his arrival at Point Isabel. It is addressed
to the Adjutant-General at Washington, D. C. He
writes :
" After a march of fifteen miles (from the Colora
do) we reached, on the morning of the 24th, a point
on the route from Matamoras to Point Isabel, eight
een miles from the former and ten miles from the
latter place. I here left the infantry brigades under
General Worth, with instructions to proceed in the
direction of Matamoras until he came to a suitable
position for encampment, where he would halt, hold
ing the route in observation, while I proceeded to
this point to communicate with our transports, sup
posed to have arrived in the harbor, and make the
necessary arrangements for the establishment and
defense of a depot."
En route the general met some Mexicans bearing
a white flag. "It proved," he continues, "to be a
civil deputation from Matamoras, desiring an inter
view 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 neces
sary, from want of water, to continue the route to
this place. The deputation halted while yet some
miles from Point Isabel, declining to come farther,
and sent me a formal protest of the prefect of the
northern district of Tamaulipas against our occupa
tion of the country, which I inclose herewith. At
this moment it was discovered that the buildings at

q6 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Point Isabel were in flames. I then informed the
bearer of the protest that I would answer it when
opposite Matamoras, and dismissed the deputation.
I considered the conflagration before my eyes as a
decided evidence of hostility, and was not willing to
be trifled with any longer, particularly as I had rea
son to believe that the prefect, in making this protest,
was but a tool of the military authorities at Mata
moras. The advance of the cavalry fortunately ar
rived here in season to arrest the fire, which consumed
but three or four houses.
" The post captain who committed the act under
the orders, it is said, of General Mejia, had made his
escape before its [the cavalry's] arrival. ... I was
gratified to find that the water expedition had exact
ly answered to our land movement, the steamers ar
riving in the harbor only two or three hours before
we reached Point Isabel, with the transports close
in their rear. The Porpoise and Lawrence, brigs
of war, and cutter Woodbury are lying outside. I
have thought it necessary to order Captain Porter's
company to this place to re-enforce Major Monroe.
. . . The engineer officers are now examining the
ground with a view to tracing lines of defense and
strengthening the position. As soon as a sufficient
amount of supplies can be thrown forward toward
Matamoras, I shall march in the direction of that
town and occupy a position as near it as circum
stances will permit." A single sentence from the
protest of the prefect explains the grounds taken by
the Mexicans at that movement. "So long as it
[General Taylor's army of occupation] remains with
in the territory of Tamaulipas, the inhabitants must
consider that whatsoever protestations of peace may

ADVANCE TO THE RIO GRANDE.

97

be made, hostilities have been openly commenced by
your Excellency, the lamentable consequences of
which will rest before the world exclusively on the
heads of the invaders."
General Taylor now turned his force toward the
Rio Grande. With his little army he marched boldly
toward the river till Matamoras from the opposite
bank was in sight, and there encamped. The 28th of
March, sixteen days from his departure from Cor
pus Christi, marks the possession of the great river
boundary which Mexico, still claiming the whole of
Texas, purposed should not be held by the United
States without a struggle. General Ampudia was
on his way to relieve and re-enforce Mejia, while
General Taylor was strengthening his position by
defensive works and urgently calling for recruits to
fill up his regiments. " The militia of Texas," he
said, " are so remote from the border that we can
not depend upon their aid." There was in all this
movement, establishment of depots, and encamp
ment there on the left bank of the great river, con
sidering the smallness of the force, a military bold
ness never surpassed by Thomas or Sherman during
the war of the rebellion.
Mexico had now finally rejected the overtures
of President Polk, and our Minister, bearing his dis
patches, had, March 21, 1846, received his passports
at the Mexican capital, and immediately returned to
the United States. General Ampudia reached Mata
moras April nth, and his conduct showed to both
friends and foes that at last the Mexican administra
tion had agreed upon a positive plan of action. The
next day, April 12th, he addressed General Taylor one
of those graceful letters which, whether friendly or

98

GENERAL TAYLOR.

hostile, gives evidence of the beauty and completeness
of the Spanish language — to wit : " God and Liberty !
. . . Your Government in an incredible manner — '
you will permit me to say, an extravagant one, if
the usages, or general rules, established and received
among civilized nations are regarded — has not only
insulted, but has exasperated the Mexican nation,
bearing its conquering banner to the left bank of the
Rio Bravo del Norte ; and in this case, by explicit
and definite orders of my Government, which neither
can, will, nor should receive new outrages, I require
you in all force, and at latest in the peremptory term
of twenty-four hours, to break up your camp and
retire to the other bank of the Nueces River, while
our Governments are regulating the pending ques
tions in relation to Texas. If you insist upon remain
ing upon the 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 in
justice on your part, you provoke us, and that, on
our part, this war shall be conducted conformably to
the principles established by the most civilized na
tions ; that is to say, that the law of nations and of
war shall be the guide of my operations, trusting
that on your part the same will be observed. With
this view, I tender you the consideration due your
person and respectable office."
A part of General Taylor's reply has been used
in another connection. He further spoke, in his
rejoinder, of our Government's desire for a peaceful
settlement, and of the repudiated United States En
voy to the City of Mexico ; of his own army's care
fully abstaining from any acts of hostility, and of his

ADVANCE TO THE RIO GRANDE. pg
hitherto adhering to " the plain dictates of justice and
of humanity." He adds : " The instructions under
which I am acting will not permit me to retrograde
from the position I now occupy. In view of the
relations between our respective Governments, I re
gret the alternative which you offer; but, at the
same time, wish it understood that I shall by no
means avoid such alternative, leaving the responsi
bility with those who rashly commence hostilities."
Thus plainly did General Pedro de Ampudia lay
down the gauge of battle, and as plainly and for
mally did General Taylor take up the same.
General Ampudia had the chief command of the
Mexicans near the Rio Grande but a few days. Of
course, General Taylor now apprehended a speedy
attack. He strengthened his fort ; he watched the
river-crossings ; and, on hearing of the approach of
a Mexican vessel to the mouth of the river with sup
plies for Ampudia, he at once established a blockade,
the revenue cutter and the steamer Lawrence hold
ing the entrance to the Rio Grande. Against this
blockading Ampudia was, April 19th, loud in his pro
testation. He says to General Taylor: "You have
taken possession of these provisions by force, and
against the will of the proprietors (one a Spaniard
and the other an Englishman). . . . Nothing can
have authorized you in such a course. The com
merce of nations is not suspended or interrupted,
except in consequence of a solemn declaration of
blockade, communicated and established in form
prescribed by international law, etc. . . ." He com
plained also that two Mexican citizens making their
way down the river were fired upon and detained.
In his reply General Taylor showed clearly enough

lOO GENERAL TAYLOR.
that he and his army had been treated as an enemy
ever since he had crossed the Colorado ; that the
alternative of war had been given by General Am
pudia himself and accepted — the blockade was "a
proceeding perfectly consonant with the state of
war so often (by the Mexicans) already declared to
exist." He referred also to the killing of Colonel
Trueman Cross, the chief quartermaster of his army,
a few days before by the rancheros. He, of course,
detained two Mexican messengers sent to his [Am
pudia's] vessels with information.
The dignified style of General Taylor is manifest
in the closing of his message to this Mexican officer,
who, notwithstanding former courtesy and ample
promise, yet, in his great vexation at being outgen
eraled by the quasi-blockade, once or twice used the
harshest terms in his correspondence. General Tay
lor remarked : " In conclusion, I take leave to state
that I consider the tone of 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." A few days after
this contretemps General Arista arrived (April 24,
1846) at Matamoras and took the supreme command
of the Mexican army. Division of the North.
We pause in the chronological order of this narra
tive to speak a word concerning Colonel Cross, prob
ably the first victim of the Mexican War. On April

ADVANCE TO THE RIO GRANDE. jqi
9th — that is, twenty days after the army encamped
opposite Matamoras — Colonel Trueman Cross, the
assistant quartermaster-general, with his son, yet but
a lad, took a ride beyond the limits of the camp. The
little lad, probably being weary from too much recon
noitring, after a time made for the camp, coming in
without Colonel Cross. When much time had elapsed
and the colonel did not return, the trails were fol
lowed, the bushes and swamps and thickets were
searched far and wide. But, as he could not be
found, the notion at last prevailed that he, like the
two imprisoned dragoons, which General Mejia after
ward gave up, had been captured. The Mexican
general, Ampudia, was corresponded with, but all in
vain. As some officers had surmised, at the end of
two weeks from his disappearance it was made ap
parent that the cruel rancheros had murdered and
robbed him not long after he had parted with his
child. His mutilated remains, found among the
chaparral, were brought in and buried with the hon
ors of war due to his rank. General Taylor's order
for interment speaks feelingly : " The high rank of
the deceased, and the ability and energy which he
carried into the discharge of important duties of his
office, will cause his loss to be seriously felt in the
service, while the untoward circumstances of his de
mise will render it peculiarly affecting to his family
and personal friends."
Colonel Cross was the first sacrifice that General
Taylor had to suffer ; the second was of a piece with
the first. Lieutenant Theodoric Henry Porter, of
the Fourth Infantry, had been sent out with a de
tachment of twelve men to make a reconnoissance —
an entire regiment was kept at the time picketing

102 GENERAL TAYLOR.
the left bank of the Rio Grande up and down a mile
or more each way. A party of Mexicans, probably
those same rancheros (Mexican Cossacks), during
the third day of his scout met him and attacked ; the
lieutenant and three men were undoubtedly killed ;
the remainder of his detachment succeeded in reach
ing the army. Neither Lieutenant Porter nor the
others missing could ever be found, though the
vicinity of the encounter was visited in force the
next day.
It is now easy to conceive the situation of affairs
when General Arista had brought up his re-enforce
ments to Matamoras. He probably had, of all arms,
a little upward of six thousand effectives. After the
briefest study of the situation he resolved to take
the offensive. His plan was to feign a crossing of
the Rio Grande above General Taylor's camp and
works, but to make the principal crossing Ijelow,
throw his main force upon Taylor's line of supply,
stand on the defensive, if possible, against Taylor
himself till he had broken the blockade and capt
ured Point Isabel, and then exert all his strength to
defeat, destroy, or capture the entire American force.
The intention of Arista to cross was quickly
known to General Taylor. On the day after Arista
took command, Captain Seth B. Thornton, of the
dragoons, was sent by Taylor with a squadron to re-
connoiter the river above, and Captain Croghan Ker,
with another squadron, below. A Mexican prisoner
from Matamoras was taken by Thornton as a guide.
General Torrejon watched Thornton's squadron of
sixty souls as it worked its way westerly through the
chaparral. About twenty-five or twenty-six miles
from camp the Mexican commander, with ten times

ADVANCE TO THE RIO GRANDE.

103

the number of Thornton's party, having already
crossed the Rio Grande, sprung his ambush and suc
ceeded in bringing the dragoons to bay, though
Captain Thornton himself on his horse leaped a
hindering barricade, and might have escaped but
for a subsequent untimely fall of his horse.
Lieutenant George T. Mason was killed in the
affair and nine dragoons were slain. The remainder,
including Captains Thornton and Hardee, and Lieu
tenant Kane, surrendered to General Torrejon as
prisoners of war. Captain Ker was more wary than
his comrades, or rather, perhaps, the main crossing
which he discovered was less developed. He at least
found no considerable enemy north of the river, and
returned with his report. An affair timed like that
of Thornton's squadron is very depressing to a com
mander. One can sympathize with those blunt
words of General Taylor as he finished up his budget
of dispatches: "P. S. — Since writing the above an
engagement has taken place between a detachment
of our cavalry and the Mexicans, in which we are
worsted. So the war has actually commenced and
the hardest must fend off."

CHAPTER VIIL
PALO ALTO.
The defense of Fort Brown — Its garrison — The move to Point
Isabel — Arista's dispositions — He takes the offensive — Tay
lor's work at Point Isabel — His march — His meeting Arista
in battle — The lines of both — The different attacks and how
met — The end of the day — The council — The results of the
day.
After putting Fort Brown- in as good a state of
defense as possible and manning it with Captain
Allen Lowd's and Lieutenant Braxton Bragg's bat
teries of artillery and the Seventh Infantry, six hun
dred strong. General Taylor immediately made an
excellent strategic movement with his main body.
To prevent the possibility of being cut off from his
small reserve, then at- Point Isabel, and from what
was more important, his safe depot of supplies, he
concluded to drop back eastward with his main force
to that point. He knew very well that General Arista,
who was crossing the Rio Grande in force, would re- •
gard his movement as a retreat, and that he [Arista]
would endeavor first to clear up Fort Brown. Tay
lor doubtless hoped that his enemy would meet at
the hands of the commander of the new fortress a
determined, persistent resistance, so that whenever
General Taylor felt ready he could turn upon Arista,
and fall upon his rear unless Arista should divide his

PALO ALTO. 105
force, leaving a part to deal with Fort Brown while
bringing the remainder to encounter him. This last
is precisely what the Mexican general did.
Again, General Taylor had called upon the Presi
dent for re-enforcements, and was, though without
much hope, looking for them. He knew that his
enemy had in the neighborhood of two to one against
him, and Taylor's re-enforcements would come by
water to Point Isabel. Strategically the movement,
in retreat, though it gave a sudden joyous impulse
to the enemy with false hopes, was, in fact, a wise
one. At the end of five days the Mexicans were still
thundering away against the beleaguered fortress.
No doubt, in spite of his sturdiness, General Taylor
could not help being very solicitous.
He remained at Point Isabel long enough to re
arrange the defense there, accumulate supplies, and
prepare a train for his sub-depot at the front. On
the evening of May 7 he started out with his little
army, about three thousand strong, escorting at least
three hundred wagons. One curious and most useful
section of his column when on the road appeared
in ten yoke of oxen drawing siege carriages, upon
which were mounted two eighteen-pounders.* True
enough, he had but a small force ; besides his bat
teries and footmen, only a little over two hundred
cavalrymen to clear his front and guard his flanks,
yet there was a sprinkling of artillery and his four
regiments of superb infantry ; and though the offi
cers were for the most part of junior rank, yet it
was the material from which first-class commanders
always spring.
*The remainder of Taylor's artillery was, fortunately, fairly
supplied with good American horses.

lo6 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Colonel David E. Twiggs was designated to com
mand the right and Colonel William G. Belknap the
left wing. The dashing Captain Charles A. May was
the senior officer on duty with the two squadrons of
dragoons. Ringgold's and Duncan's batteries of
light artillery, accompanied by the four regiments of
infantry, lengthened out the column. Small as this
diminutive army appeared, yet, considering its dis
cipline and drill, the courage and ability of its sev
eral commanders, and, in fact, the pluck and energy
of all its commissioned officers, never forgetting the
wariness, watchfulness, and unflinching character of
its senior commander, might well make an army even
better organized or larger than that of the Mexican
general, Arista, anxious for its safety.
Behold this little force as it stretched itself upon
the road from Point Isabel toward Matamoras ! How
fearless; hov; cheery; how confident ! When Taylor
had gone perhaps eight miles, he bivouacked for
the night. At dawn of May 8 the column moved
out of camp and pursued its steady tramp till about
mid-day. While he was considering the subject of a
noon rest, some scouts discovered the Mexicans ap
parently in force along the line of his horizon south
ward. This news gave only animation to General
Taylor himself, and an instant hope that he might
there bring his enemy to battle. The troops, soon
partaking of his feeling, forgot their weariness and
pressed forward more rapidly.
The moment it was plain that Arista had halted
and was forming a battle line. General Taylor also
checked his advance and brought up his main body
as rapidly as possible. There was a small lake or
water-hole near the road on which the American

PALO ALTO.

107

troops were marching. Near here the American chief
gathered his command into masses, giving them an
hour's rest. It is a matter of no little interest to
observe how General Taylor assured himself of the
position, the distribution, and the apparent intention
of the Mexican forces.
In those days the Topographical Engineers still
had their comparatively independent existence. Lieu
tenant Jacob E. Blake, of that corps, approached the
general and offered his services to reconnoiter.
With permission he rode out boldly to points within
two hundred yards of the enemy's position and along
his front. His careful observation from point to
point found the enemy's left resting against a swamp
large and impassable, near which were clumps of
chaparral. In the chaparral Arista had placed a
considerable body of cavalry. I^ieutenant Blake
found at least two batteries of artillery on the right
of the cavalry or in the intervals of the line. The
enemy's infantry was at the time held in a line
of masses, with still another column or mass of cav
alry, probably one thousand strong, guarding the
extreme right flank. Near this flank was a gentle
rise in the prairie that made it look like a hill or
knoll, covered with the usual growth of small trees
which we find all along the sea -coast of the
South.* Notwithstanding the impassable nature of the
marshy places, General Taylor, noticing Arista's ex
cess of cavalry on his left, at once considered this
* The spring of 1846 was unusual for its rains in the Rio
Grande Valley, and the small swales or resacas and depressions of
the prairie were full of water.

Io8 GENERAL TAYLOR.
portion of the enemy's line to be a weak one, so he
arranged his own lines accordingly, putting great
strength into his own right flank. He sought no spe
cial covering for his men, as he expected — let the cost
be what it might — to take a prompt offensive. He
had Colonel Twiggs arrange the right wing as fol
lows : The Fifth Infantry and Ringgold's artillery on
the right of the road extending somewhat beyond the
enemy's flank, with room enough promptly to form
a line of battle ; then the two eighteen-pounders,
under Lieutenant William H. Churchill, substantially
following the road supported by the Third Infantry,
Captain Lewis N. Morris. Next to the Third, left
ward, came the Fourth Infantry, Major George W.
Allen. One squadron of dragoons, under Captain
May, watched the right, while the other squadron,
under Captain Croghan Ker, guarded the trains that
had come up and been parked near the water. The
left wing, Belknap's, had for its right, first, a battalion
of artillery acting as infantry near the center of the
line, under Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Thomas Childs ;
next, leftward, Duncan's light battery ; and then,
opposite the enemy's extreme right, the Eighth In
fantry, commanded by CaptainWilliam R. Montgom
ery. Captain Ker, of the dragoons, seems to have
had a double office during this memorable day, not
only covering the train, but having his eye constantly
upon the left flank of the whole American line, and
watching against any possible movement of the
enemy's cavalry in that direction.
Such are the positions of the two forces so soon
to be engaged in battle at Palo Alto.
General Taylor's own description of the combat
itself, which has considerable detail, coming from

PALO ALTO.

109

one who saw the battle with all the intense emphasis
of such an occasion, is better than any other account
of the event. He says, speaking of the enemy's bat
teries between Arista's cavalry and infantry : " These
batteries were opened upon us, when I ordered the
columns halted and deployed into line, and the fire
to be returned by all our artillery. The Eighth In
fantry, on our extreme left, was thrown back to
secure the flank. The first fires of the enemy did
but little execution, while our eighteen-pounders
and Major Ringgold's artillery soon dispersed the
cavalry which formed his [Arista's] left. Captain
Duncan's battery, thrown forward in advance of
the line, was doing good execution at this time.
Captain May's squadron was now detached to sup
port that battery and the left of our position." This
movement took all the cavalry for Taylor's left
and rear. He continues : " The Mexican cavalry,
with two pieces of artillery, were now reported
to be moving through the chaparral to our right to
threaten that flank, or make a demonstration against
the train. The Fifth Infantry was immediately de
tached to check this movement, and, supported by
Lieutenant Ridgely, with a section of Major Ring
gold's battery and Captain Walker's company of
volunteers, effectually repulsed the enemy, the Fifth
Infantry repelling a charge of lancers by promptly
forming, like Wellington's regiments at Waterloo, the
moving square, and, not only firing, but using the
bayonet along the threatened fronts, and the artil
lery doing great execution in their ranks. The Third
Infantry was now detached to the right as a still
further security to that flank yet threatened by the
enemy. Major Ringgold, with the remaining section,

no GENERAL TAYLOR.
kept up his fire from an advanced position and was
supported by the Fourth Infantry."
It is presumed that Ringgold saw better ground
before him, for, after leaving Ridgely, he pushed
boldly ahead till his shots would tell and then fired
rapidly. "The grass of the prairie had been acci
dentally fired by our artillery, and the volumes of
smoke now partially concealed the armies from each
other. As the enemy's left (near the marshy swale)
had evidently been driven back, and left the road
free, the cannonade having been suspended, I ordered
forward the eighteen-pounders on the road nearly to
the position first occupied by the Mexican cavalry,
and caused the First brigade to take up a new posi
tion still, on the left of the eighteen-pounder battery.
The Fifth was advanced from its former position,
and it occupied a point on the extreme right of the
new line. The enemy made a change of position
corresponding to our own, and after a suspension of
nearly an hour the action was resumed."
This action, from the new line, is like another bat
tle : " The fire of artillery was now most destructive.
Openings were constantly made through the enemy's
ranks by our fire, and the constancy with which the
Mexican infantry sustained severe cannonade was a
theme of universal remark and admiration. Captain
May's squadron was detached to make a demonstra
tion on the left of the enemy's position, and suffered
severely from the fire of artillery to which it was for
some time exposed.
" The Fourth Infantry, which had been ordered
to support the eighteen-pounder battery, was exposed
to a most galling fire of artillery, by which several
men were killed, and Captain Page dangerously

PALO ALTO. Ill
wounded. The enemy's fire was directed against
our eighteen-pounder battery, and the guns under
Major Ringgold in its vicinity. The major himself,
while coolly directing the fire of his pieces, was
struck by a cannon-ball and mortally wounded.
" Meanwhile the battalion of artillery (used as
infantry), under Lieutenant-Colonel Childs, had been
brought up to support the artillery on our right. A
strong demonstration of cavalry was now made by
the enemy against this part of our line and the
(enemy's) column continued to advance under
(against) a severe fire from the eighteen-pounders.
The battalion was instantly formed in square, and
held ready to receive the charge of cavalry ; but
when the advancing squadrons were within close
range a deadly fire of canister from the eighteen-
pounders dispersed them. A brisk fire of small arms
was now opened upon the square, by which one
officer, Lieutenant Luther, Second Artillery, was
slightly wounded ; but a well-directed volley from the
front of the square silenced all further firing from
the enemy in this quarter. It was now nearly dark,
and the action was closed on the right of our line,
the enemy having been completely driven back from
his position, and failed in every attempt against our
line. " While the above was going on on our right, and
under my own eye, the enemy had made a serious
attempt against the left of our line. Captain Dun
can instantly perceived the movement, and, by the
bold and brilliant manoeuvring of his battery, com
pletely repulsed several successive efforts of the ene
my to advance in force upon our left flank. Sup
ported in succession by the Eighth Infantry and

112 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Captain Ker's squadron of dragoons, he gallantly
held the enemy at bay, and finally drove him, with
immense loss, from the field. The action here and
upon the whole line continued until dark, when the
enemy retired into the chaparral in rear of his posi
tion. Our army bivouacked on the ground it occu
pied. During the afternoon the train had been
moved forward about half a mile, and was parked in
rear of the new position.
" Our loss this day was 9 killed, 44 wounded, and
2 missing" — certainly a remarkable showing for a
battle so long continued. " Our own force is shown
by the field report to have been 177 officers and
2,111 men — aggregate 2,288.
" The Mexican force, according to the statement
of their own officers, was not less than 6,000 regu
lar troops, with 10 pieces of artillery, and probably
exceeded that number ; the irregular force not known.
Their loss was not less than 200 killed and 400
wounded ; probably greater. This estimate is very
moderate, and founded upon the number actually
counted upon the field and upon the reports of their
own officers.
" As already reported in my first brief dispatch,
the conduct of our own officers and men was every
thing that could be desired. Exposed for hours to
the severest trial — cannonade of artillery — our
troops displayed a coolness and constancy which
gave me throughout the assurance of victory."
Strange to record, the Mexican general, Arista,
at the close of this affair uses these words in his
dispatches : " And night coming on, the battle was
concluded, the field remaining for our arms." As
Taylor's men slept where they fought, and as Arista

PALO ALTO.

113

had lost his first position altogether, his statement
is misleading. Probably a part did remain on the
last bloody field till the dawn of the 9th of April.
The Americans, though worn out as they were by
the prolonged struggle, never for an instant doubted
their victory. The historian, J. Reese Fry, condoling
with the splendid army of Arista, philosophically ac
counts for his surprising defeat as follows: "The
want of impetuous, self-abandoning, indomitable
bravery in his officers affords the only explanation.
Their men sustained the destructive volleys of our
guns with noble firmness, and had they been led on
by superiors worthy of them, they might have more
nearly balanced the fortunes of the day, even if they
had failed to overpower their adversaries, who en
tered the field reckless of any opposing force, and
resolved to maintain it [the field] at any cost."
This last clause shows that General Zachary
Taylor had been long enough with his little army
to infuse into their minds and hearts his own strong,
steady, self-reliant, unselfish spirit. True, it was
not a great battle, but it was a great beginning; and
so the nation, thrilled with the news of this first vic
tory, greatly applauded General Taylor and his con
quering troops.
Point Isabel, the depot and place of departure of
General Taylor the day before " Palo Alto," where
he connected with the harbor and the sea, afforded
a quiet offing for the navy and the supply transports.
The highest point of the landing had been crowned
with a regular bastioned redoubt, which was defended
by a small garrison ; so that the wounded were sent
thither at once to a safe, well-supplied hospital, and
also crippled wagons and carriages to the temporary

114 GENERAL TAYLOR.
shops for repairs. Meanwhile busy commissaries
and ordnance men were from there hastening for
ward food and ammunition, preparatory to another
trial of arms. As the mind rests upon the unwonted
boldness of Taylor's movement it can not fail, after
looking in upon the charming sheltered nook of
Point Isabel, so complete a citadel of refuge, to feel
the force of his carefulness, which would have made
of even a defeat to himself only a temporary repulse.
This battle, the more we study it, appears to
have been mainly a battle of artillery. In this arm,
considering the fine horses, the thorough drill, and
the quick manoeuvring, Taylor was superior to the
Mexicans. True, the eighteen-pounders, as with
the Mexican artillery, were drawn by oxen, but in
this one battery the range of the guns was greater
than any that Arista could bring against them. The
prompt and successful use of the squares indicates
a very thorough drill on the part of the infantry
and the artillery men that acted as infantry. As
General Taylor called some of his leading officers
into council the following morning, we have a record
of the misgivings and fears of a few lest the enemy
might take the offensive. They gave the usual con
servative advice. But the old general, having heard
them courteously, spoke but a single sentence : " Go
to your respective commands ; we move forward in
thirty minutes."

CHAPTER IX.
Resaca de la Palma — The appearance of the region — Taylor's
anxiety for Fort Brown — Details of the decisive battle —
Artillery resistance — May's celebrated charge — General Tay
lor's story of the conflict— The after-battle — His tenderness
toward the wounded — A brief summary — Texas secured to
the Rio Grande.
Like the soldiers of i86i,at Fair Oaks, the night
of the 8th of April, 1846, the soldiers of both armies
lay down not far apart, and there was doubtless a
determination on both sides, after a brief respite, to
renew the struggle on the next, the morning of the
9th. There was everywhere an apparent readiness.
The cavalrymen's horses were unsaddled, being held
by the lariats while they fed. Certainly the guards
were over-weary; but the fear of a possible night-
alarm had kept the numerous sentinels on the alert.
Yet the bulk of Taylor's small army slept soundly
after Palo Alto, and, on awaking, the soldiers showed
no reluctance at the prospect of an advance.
It was just the time of year for the finest weather,
and that day, April 9th, the sun rose without a cloud.
The officers saw that men and animals had their
morning meal. There was no hurry, no nervous,
spasmodic haste in the United States army. When
certain officers around him would have him wait for
re-enforcements, General Taylor, thinking of his faith-

Il6 GENERAL TAYLOR.
ful commander, Captain Brown, with his little garri
son so long besieged opposite Matamoras, and of the
risk to his own army of wasting even one day in that
exposed situation, declared his resolve with empha
sis : " I will be at Fort Brown to-night if I live ! "
Then slowly the general began his advance from his
right, along and near the road. At the marshy swale
and neighboring thickets, before described, he halted,
as he saw a few hostiles in the distance, and de
ployed the usual line of skirmishers. He sent out
Ker's squadron to reconnoiter, for only a few of the
enemy's cavalry were then in view, and those in the
edge of an extensive chaparral, nearly half a mile
away in a southwesterly direction.
With some difficulty Captain Ker, supported by
the steady advance of some other chosen troops un
der Captain George A. McCall, came near enough to
discover Arista's new position. He and McCall sent
back three dragoons, and they reported to General
Taylor that it was next to impossible to dislodge the
enemy, for Arista was holding the "Palm Ravine" —
i. e., Resaca de la Palma — and his artillery swept the
road. The whole sweep of country in that direction is a
slightly rolling, comparatively level tract. The high
ground of Palo Alto, where Arista had rested his
right flank, was a long knoll or slight elevation of
perhaps twenty or thirty feet at the highest points.
The chaparral, clumps of scrub trees, and bunches of
thickets, mingled here and there with clusters of the
prickly pear, the tops of the trees high enough and
dense enough to conceal fairly well even the mount
ed men, was, on the first field, only in groves and
scattered groupings. When General Taylor had

Field covered with high ^ass, called Zeccahistle. B^ Fourth Regiment, a battalion ; C, Tenth Regiment, a battalion ; D^ Sixth
Regiment, a battalion ; .£", First Regiment, abattalion ; Fy Battalion guarding coast of Tampico; G, Second Light Regiment, a bat
talion ; Hr Battalion of Sappers ; b^ Eighth Regiment, cavalry, twu squadrons ; c, Seventh Regiment, cavalry, three squadrons ; d^
Light Regiment, cavalry, two squadrons ; /, Guards, one squadron ; K^ low swanips ; j?-, Re-enforcements from the towns \ A^ O^
second charge of the cavalry \ A^B,, third position, change of front ; 5, fifth position, firing upon the enemy ; Q. place where the
cavalry reformed when it rallied ; M^ march to the camp the night of the 8th. Americans : L, Infantry in different positions ;
Yy Vy line burned by the Americans ; ZyZy third position, second line of battle ; Vy cavalry, first position ; Wy cavalry, second posi
tion ; Ky small ravine.

RESACA DE LA PALMA. 117
passed the marshy swale there was before him a
stretch of open prairie, almost treeless, some half
mile or more in breadth ; then began what he called
" the forest," a chaparral growth denser than such as
we have described, a few miles across, upon a meas
urably rough, sandy-bottom terrain. It extended up
and down the Resaca for some miles.
While the general remained halted, Captains
Mackall and Ker, followed by Walker's Texas Rangers
with a hundred or more picked men, made their way
cautiously through the numerous paths and along
the main Matamoras road, running southerly, till
they came to the edge of an open space. The first
troops that appeared in sight received a shot from
the Mexican battery on the other side of what some
called "the prairie."
Conceive of this " prairie," a small opening like a
forest-glade, intersected by a ravine ten or twelve
feet in depth and about two hundred feet wide, at an
oblique angle to the main avenue of approach, which
is, here, the north and south road. The forest thicket,
interrupted by the small " prairie," began again close
on the south bank of the ravine. The cut for the
wagon-road through the banks made " the pass ' of
the Resaca. This cross ravine was long enough to
enable General Arista to post his front line under
good cover. It was a good position for a small
division of six thousand against an advancing bri
gade of less than three thousand — a natural fort.
General Arista, hardly acknowledging his defeat
of the previous day, and much chagrined at his want
of success, did not hasten his march to his new
ground. By ten o'clock he had made the five inter
vening miles and planted his forces with great care.
9

Il8 GENERAL FAYLOR.
Being but three miles from the crossing of the Rio
Grande, near Fort Brown, he had already received
sufficient re-enforcements to replace the losses at
Palo Alto, and so had for the coming contest, as be
fore, about six thousand men.
He arranged, facing northward behind the edge
of the ravine, a line of soldiers covered to their
breasts when standing by the natural rise of the
ground ; this line consisted of the Sixth and Tenth
Regular Infantry, the sappers and miners, the Second
Light Infantry, and the First Infantry Regulars, on
his right of the road, that is, eastward; then, in
echelon, in rear of the ravine, on the left of the
road, westward, the Second Mexican Infantry, the
Costa Guards and the Tampico company, and the
Fourth Infantry ; still farther to the rear, as a re
serve, or prepared to cover the flanks of those in
front, the Presidentials ; extending the group, the
light cavalry, and the Seventh and Eighth Regiments
of heavy cavalry.
For the artillery, a three-gun battery was ar
ranged and covered with light epaulements near the
southern d^bouchd from the ravine, and so placed as
to sweep the road of approach and the vicinity with
its fire ; another work, with one cannon, near the
middle of his left wing. Two other batteries, with
two guns each, were so located as to bring a concen
trated fire upon any column emerging upon the little
prairie beyond them. Arista shielded his entire
front with a skirmish line of his sharp-shooters, ex
tending them into the thick chaparral to the right
and left of the opening. Surely no government or
critic could censure these dispositions against so
small odds as Taylor's army.

RESACA DE LA PALMA.

119

Nothing better shows the strong confidence that
General Taylor had in his men, himself, and in the
God of battles, than his preliminary work. He had,
as we said, sent his wounded of Palo Alto under
escort to Point Isabel ; he then had detached the
artillery battalion, except the flank companies, to re
main in reserve and protect his trains in park near
the late battle-ground, and also left there the two
eighteen-pounders and the two twelve-pounders
which had not yet been used. Thus depleted, he set
forth with but a little over two thousand men, hoping
to fight another battle, and one on which hung the
fate of Fort Brown and the issue of the campaign.
Again General Taylor may tell the story. He,
a few days after the affair, wrote : '' About three
o'clock I received a report from the advance (to
wit : the light companies of the First Brigade, under
Captain Charles F. Smith, and some other companies
of select infantry with Ker's squadron of cavalry,
all commanded by Captain McCall, of the Fourth
Infantry) that the enemy was in position on the
road with at least two pieces of artillery. The com
mand was immediately put in motion, and at about
four o'clock I came up with Captain Mackall, who re
ported the enemy in force in our front, occupying a
ravine which intersects the road and is skirted by
thickets of dense chaparral. Ridgely's battery
(which had come up at a rapid pace) and the ad
vance under Captain Mackall were at once thrown
forward on the road and into the chaparral on either
side, while the Fifth Infantry and one wing of the
Fourth were thrown into the forest on the left ; and
the Third (Infantry) and the other wing of the
Fourth on the right of the road. These corps were

J20 GENERAL TAYLOR.
employed as skirmishers to cover the battery (Ridge
ly's) and to engage the Mexican infantry." This
was equivalent to our habit in later years of doub
ling the skirmish line and pressing forward.
"Captain Mackall's command became at once
engaged with the enemy, while our light artillery,
though in a very exposed position, did great exe
cution. The enemy had at least eight pieces of
artillery, and maintained an incessant fire upon our
advance. The action now became general ; and
although the enemy's infantry gave way before the
steady fire and resistless progress of our own, yet
his artillery was still in position to check our a,dvance,
several pieces occupying the pass across the ravine
which he had chosen for his position.
" Perceiving that no decisive advantage could be
gained until this artillery was silenced, I ordered
Captain May to charge the batteries with his squad
ron of dragoons." [Indeed, it was a hard thing to
do in such a place.] " This was gallantly and ef
fectually executed ; the enemy was driven from his
guns, and General La Vega, who remained alone at
one of the batteries, was taken prisoner. The squad
ron, which suffered much in this charge, not being
immediately supported by infantry, could not retain
possession of the artillery taken, but it was com
pletely silenced.
" In the mean time the Eighth Infantry had been
ordered up and had become warmly engaged on the
right of the road. This regiment and part of the
Fifth were now " [following up May's movement]
" ordered to charge the batteries, which was hand
somely done, and the enemy driven from his artillery
and (from) his position on the left (east) of the road.

RESACA DE LA PALMA. 12 1
"The light companies of the First Brigade and
the Third and Fourth Regiments of infantry had been
deployed on the right of the road, where at various
points they became briskly engaged with the enemy.
A small party under Captain Robert C. Buchanan
and Lieutenants Wood and Hays, Fourth Infantry,
composed chiefly of men of that regiment, drove the
enemy from a breastwork which he occupied (that
one farthest from the road) and captured a piece of
artillery. An attempt to recover this piece was re
pelled by Captain Barbour, Third Infantry.
" The enemy was at last completely driven from
his position on the right of the road and retreated
precipitately, leaving baggage of every description.
The Fourth Infantry took possession of a camp where
the headquarters of the general-in-chief [Arista]
were established. All his official correspondence was
captured at this place.
" The (artillery) battalion was now ordered up
(from the park of wagons) to pursue the enemy ; and
this, with the Third Infantry, Captain Ker's dragoons,
and Captain Duncan's battery, followed him rapidly
to the river, making a number of prisoners. Great
numbers of the enemy were drowned in attempting
to cross the river near the town. The corps last
mentioned — i. e., the pursuing force — encamped near
the river ; the remainder of the army on the field of
battle. " The actual number (of the aggregate, 2,222) en
gaged with the enemy did not exceed 1,700. Our
loss was three officers killed and twelve wounded,
thirty-six men killed and seventy-one wounded.
Among the officers killed I have to regret the loss of
Lieutenant Inge, Second Dragoons, who fell at the

122 GENERAL TAYLOR.
head of his platoon while gallantly charging the ene
my's battery; of Lieutenant Cochrane, of the Fourth
Infantry, and Lieutenant Chadbourn, of the Eighth
Infantry, who likewise met their death in the thickest
of the fight."
General Taylor mentions as wounded Lieutenant-
Colonels Matthew M. Payne and James S. Mcintosh ;
Captains A. S. Hooe and William R. Montgomery;
Lieutenants Stephen D. Dobbins, S. H. Fowler, C.
R. Gates, Charles D. Jordan, Joseph Seldon, Robert
P. Maclay, John G. Burbank, and Charles F. Morris.
General Taylor adds : " The enemy's loss was very
great. Nearly two hundred of his dead were buried
by us on the day succeeding the battle. His foss in
killed, wounded, and missing, in the two affairs of the
8th and 9th (April), is, 1 think, moderately estimated
at one thousand men."
The historian (Fry) has given a vivid picture of
the after-battle which is most affecting He says :
" If the carnage among the Mexicans on the 8th
(April) excited the pity even of their enemies, that
of the 9th must have appealed still more to their
sympathies. The evening closed on hundreds of
them wounded, dying and dead, upon the field and
on the road to the river. In the panic of flight, self-.
preservation was the single thought of each individ
ual. The bleeding and the exhausted were borne
down and forsaken by the sound and the strong. The
parties on foot were trampled by the cavalry ; and
none of the multitude fleeing from the foe found aid
or comfort from their friends. The thickets and
the hollows, distant from the scene of strife, long
afterward told the story of many a wounded soldier
who had struggled on to some secluded spot, there

RESACA DE LA PALMA. 123
to linger, to thirst, to hunger, to faint, to bleed, to
perish, alone in his long and varied agony."
General Taylor, however, after his own hard duty
in battle had been done, was always most compas
sionate. He made no distinction of friends and ene
mies in his provisions for the wounded. When he
found himself short of help, he sent across the river
for Mexican surgeons to come to the relief of his
own weary workers. The next day, the loth of
April, the burial parties were sent out to gather up
those who had been slain ; friend and foe, here too,
were served alike and received a soldier's burial.
When brought together they all received "the honors
of war " before being finally laid to rest.
The part played by the little garrison at Fort
Brown has already been alluded to. General Tay
lor's anxiety for this fortified place and the troops
that had been exposed to overwhelming odds against
them was now relieved. Yet his brief dispatch con
cerning it is a sad one — indeed, no war victory is
ever cloudless. He wrote at ten o'clock on the night
of Resaca :
" It affords me pleasure to report-that the field-
work opposite Matamoros had sustained itself hand
somely during a cannonade and bombardment of one
hundred and sixty hours. But the pleasure is alloyed
with profound regret at the loss of its heroic and im
mediate commander, Major Jacob Brown, who died
to-day from the effects of a shell. His loss would
be a severe one to the service at any time, but to the
army under my orders it is deemed irreparable."
The list of property captured exhibits features of
General Taylor's great victory. Very nearly all that
had been brought into the field or been used in camp

124

GENERAL TAYLOR.

had fallen into his hands. Plate and private prop
erty, " correspondence of their general-in-chief, the
arms, ammunition, standards, provisions, pack-sad
dles, and every equipment of seven thousand men
and two thousand horses," excepting, of course, what
many individuals carried off upon their persons. A
defeat and a panic strip the loser of nearly all that
he possesses. That brief campaign had done a great work. It
had cleared Texas forever from Mexican control. It
had established the Rio Grande as the permanent
boundary between the two nations — the United States
and Mexico — and it had gained a prestige for our
arms that the world has never forgotten. The name
of Zachary Taylor at once became national, and his
indomitable manhood has ever since strongly influ
enced every true soldier of the republic. They
called him " Rough and Ready," and thousands of
college boys translated the sobriquet into Latin, and
durus et setnper paratus became the classic motto for
many a class signet and many a class badge through
out the land.

CHAPTER X.
Taylor's endowment — Reports — Exchange of prisoners — The
rancheros again — Important visit to Point Isabel — Ringgold's
and Blake's death — After-battle shadows — 'Words to La Vega —
The taking of Barita and Lower Rio Grande — Lieutenant-
Colonel 'Wilson's expedition — Bridges and launches — Arista's
ruse de guerre — Crossing the Rio Grande in force — The
drowning of Lieutenant George Stevens — Arista in full
retreat — Arista's report — Contrast of Arista and Taylor,
their equipoise and manners — Matamoros in 1892 — Schools
and public improvements evincing progress.
To carry on war successfully requires strong
qualities — physically, mentally, and morally. Our
great civil war demonstrated this fact to this genera
tion, so that our childhood conceptions of a great
warrior have been much modified. General Taylor
had, indeed, a complete endowment in the requisite
qualities, and such an endowment rendered him inde
fatigable. There was rest for his commanders after
an unusual fatigue ; rest for his soldiers after an
arduous march, a series of battles, and an abundant
triumph ; but no rest for himself. Responsibility to
his Government and to God pressed him; possi
bilities for his adversaries' recuperation and action
crowded his thoughts and plans for the present and
for the future of his own campaign. These would
give him no vacation. Yet his physique was so su
perb that his digestion was never disturbed, and he

126 GENERAL TAYLOR.
slept soundly whenever the call for exceeding watch
fulness was over.
The next day after Resaca he completed his re
ports, gathered his army opposite Matamoros, buried
the dead, and provided for the sick and wounded.
On May nth he arranged with General Arista an ex
change of prisoners, so that Captains Thornton and
Hardee, with their soldiers, appeared again among
their comrades. Though there is occasional com
plaint, as we have noticed, in the annals concerning
the cruelty of the rancheros and camp-followers, who
stripped and mutilated the victims and were found
killing wounded men and robbing the dead, yet, for
humanity's sake, it is pleasant to listen to the report
of our prisoners returning from Matamoros : " They
treated us with courteoiis attention and kindness
during our captivity."
Now, having put everything in order at the front,
General Taylor, hearing that the combined military
and naval force at his principal depot, Point Isabel,
again demanded his immediate presence, placed
Colonel Twiggs in command of his field army and
went there at once. His letter, dated May 12th, at
Point Isabel, Texas, to the adjutant-general of the
army, is full of interest :
" Sir : I am making a hasty visit to this place for
the purpose of having an interview with Commodore
Conner, whose squadron is now at anchor off the
harbor, and arranging with him a combined move
ment up the river (Rio Grande). The Mexican forces
are almost disorganized, and I shall lose no time in
investing Matamoros and opening the navigation of
the river.
" I regret to report that Major Ringgold died the

OCCUPATION OF MATAMOROS. 127
morning of the nth inst., of the severe wound in the
action of Palo Alto. With the exception of Captain
Page, whose wound is dangerous, the other wounded
officers are doing well." After adding Lieutenant
Dobbin, whose name by some accident he had be
fore omitted, to his list of wounded officers, he
goes on to say : " I am under the painful necessity
of reporting that Lieutenant Blake, Topographical
Engineers, after rendering distinguished services on
my staff during the affair of the 8th inst., accidentally
shot himself with a pistol on the following day, and
expired before night. . . . General Vega and a few
other officers have been sent to New Orleans, hav
ing declined a parole, and will be reported to Major-
General Gaines. I am not conversant with the
usages of war in such cases, and beg that such pro
vision be made for these prisoners as may be author
ized by law. Our own prisoners have been treated
with great kindness by the Mexican officers."
The letter from which these extracts are made
betrays the shadows of the severe battles through
which his heroic spirit had just passed; but there is
no self-assertion — no claim even to personal merit.
It is the expression of a warm and tender heart. He
thinks of the seriously wounded and of the dying ;
of the precious dead; of his enemy's virtues and of
his prisoners' comfort. This thoughtful commander,
like King David of old, did not forget those who had
been forced to remain at the depot of supplies at
Point Isabel. He named that fortified place •'' Fort
Polk," to honor his own commander-in-chief. He
published in orders his great satisfaction with the
defense and protection of Point Isabel. " To Major
John Monroe, the commanding officer ; Captain San-

128 GENERAL TAYLOR.
ders, of the Engineers; Majors Thomas and McRee,
and Captains Sibley and Hill, of the Quartermaster's
Department ; Captain Ramsay, of the Ordnance ; and
Lieutenant Montgomery, of the Subsistence Depart
ments, credit is especially due for their zeal and
activity." He then thanks the citizen volunteers,
and adds : " The re-enforcements from the brig
Lawrence, under Lieutenant Renshaw, and the
large force of seamen and marines so promptly fur
nished by the (naval) squadron on its arrival, require
a special acknowledgment to Commodore Conner
and Commander Mercer, of the navy. The army is
deeply grateful for this support and co-operation
from a kindred branch of the public service." In
the same general line of kindly feeling and uniform
courtesy may be mentioned the words reported to
have been used to La Vega when this captured Mexi
can general was first brought to General Taylor:
" General," he said, " I do assure you I deeply
regret that this misfortune has fallen upon you. I
regret it sincerely, and I take great pleasure in re
turning you the sword which you have this day
worn with so much gallantry."
To return to the newly named fort. General
Taylor and Commodore Conner had well arranged
their co-operative plans not only for the proper de
fense of the fort and the harbor, but for the more
complete opening and holding of the Rio Grande.
This project was essential to secure what had been
gained by the campaigns and battles to the east and
north of that river. Then, leaving the Commodore
to remain and begin his part of the plan, he — Taylor —
was hastening to his army, when he met a messenger
from Colonel Twiggs, telling him that the enemy

OCCUPATION OF MATAMOROS.

129

across the river already showed signs of recupera
tion. Re-enforcements were coming into Matamoros,
and the Mexicans had begun to fortify Barita and
other points near the mouth of the Rio Grande
This was indeed a quick turn of affairs. Our general
never hesitated ; he could give move for move ; blow
for blow is the game of war. He at once retraced
his steps. Fortunately, there had been an arrival of
his long-looked-for re-enforcements, both volunteers
and regulars.
A small detachment was immediately put in
marching order, made up of three hundred and fifty
Alabama and Louisiana volunteers and about three
hundred of the regular army, and Lieutenant-Colonel
Henry Wilson, of the First Infantry, was assigned to
its command. Commodore Conner hastened a part
of his squadron to ascend the Rio Grande, while
Wilson's column marched straight across the coun
try to Brazos. On their arrival the naval vessels
promptly ferried the troops across to the right bank
of the river, and Wilson pushed forward to Barita,
and seized that town on May 17th. This, we under
stand, was General Taylor's first lodgment on that
bank of the great river. Whatever might be the
final boundary, this occupancy was necessary to
secure his base of supplies. His foresight and
promptitude doubtless saved him from another
severe combat.
The general was already back at Fort Brown
when Barita was captured, and getting ready to
cross his army and take Matamoros. The critics
ask: "Why did he not do so at once — the day after
the battle of Resaca de la Palma ? "
He needed two things that are often slow in

130

GENERAL TAYLOR.

coming to the front : the one, a pontoon bridge or
boats to cross that broad stream, that often taxes the
utmost skill and energy to get over in unfavorable
times; the other, the proper siege material — i. e.,
the mortars and their ammunition. These things
had been among the first which the general had
asked for ; but for some unexplained reason they
were not at the front and ready for use till May
17th, and then there was no bridge, only boats and
launches, for crossing.
The shrewdness of General Arista now appears.
The instant he saw that the American troops were
ready to cross, and that a bombardment of the city
was certain to take place, he dispatched a mes
senger of high rank with a flag of truce — General
Raquena — to General Taylor, and begged for an
armistice. This request Taylor at once refused.
His first reason, th,at he himself had offered an
armistice before the battles, which offer had not
been entertained for one moment. He next men
tioned his abundant re-enforcements. The possession
of the city was indispensable to safety. He spoke
of the mutilation and robbery of the dead on the
part of the rancheros, and proposed to be where he
could control them.
Another reason, which both parties well under
stood but did not speak of to each other, was, that
Matamoros was a depot of supplies of all kinds.
Taylor meant that the stores should not be carried
off, and Arista hoped to get away a goodly portion
before his evacuation of the place. So at last Gen
eral Taylor made a positive demand for Matamoros,
extending to General Arista good terms, to be ob
tained by a quick compliance. Raquena went back

OCCUPATION OF MATAMOROS. 131
to his chief, promising an answer by 3 p. m. of that
day. All this negotiation was, however, only ruse
de guerre. Arista was already making off, and ma
noeuvred only to gain time while he put in motion
the wagons with military stores. During the night
of the 17th he took flight with what was left of his
army, and was before the morning of the i8th so far
on his route to Monterey that it would have been
extremely difficult to have overtaken him. Before
night of the 17th, the mortars being placed opposite
the city, Colonel Twiggs had moved his force, in
order to cross the Rio Grande, to a favorable point
two miles above Fort Brown. The artillery, includ
ing those favorite eighteen-pounders, was so placed
as to cover the landing on the west bank. All the
boats and launches that could be collected were se
cured to the shore, and everything was ready, wait
ing the word.
On May i8th General Taylor, speaking of Gen
eral Raquena's promised message, reports : " An
answer to the above was promised in the afternoon,
but none came; and I repaired at sundown to join
the army, already in position at a crossing some two
miles above the town. Very early this morning (the
1 8th) the bank was occupied by two eighteen-pound
ers and three batteries of field artillery, and the
crossing commenced ; the light companies of all the
battalions were first thrown over, followed by the
volunteer and regular cavalry. No resistance was
made, and I was soon informed from various quar
ters that Arista had abandoned the town, with all his
troops, the evening before, leaving only the sick and
wounded. I immediately dispatched a staff officer
to the prefect to demand a surrender ; and in the

132

GENERAL TAYLOR.

mean time a commission was sent by the prefect to
confer with me on the same point. I gave assurance
that the civil rights of the citizens would be respect
ed, and our troops at once dropped down opposite
the town and crossed at the ' upper ferry,' the
American flag being displayed at Fort Paredes, a
Mexican redoubt near the crossing.
" The different corps now encamped in the out
skirts of the city . . . More than three hundred of
the enemy's wounded have been left in the hospitals.
Arista is in full retreat toward Monterey, with the
fragments of his army. I deeply regret " (how often
the regret !) " to report that Lieutenant George Ste
vens, a very promising young officer of the Second
Dragoons, was accidentally drowned this morning
while attempting to swim the river with his squad
ron." Undoubtedly, however, there was soon great joy
in the American camp. As the first crossing began,
the boats steered along in groups, borne downward
by the swift current, followed by platoons of troops
on their horses swimming for dear life, the bands of
music upon the east shore were playing the thrilling
air of "Yankee Doodle."
Here again we behold the thoughtful and humane
general. He protects the property and lives of the
citizens. He appoints General Twiggs Governor;
but, excepting the proper guards, he stations the
troops outside of the city. He puts even his own
headquarters in camp. Colonel Twiggs's wing is
above, and General Worth, now back from a brief
absence with his wing, below Matamoros. The Sev
enth Infantry is still left to garrison and hold Fort
Brown.

OCCUPATION OF MATAMOROS. 133
Meanwhile General Arista was making his way
over that thirsty land as fast as his impedimenta
would allow him. Lieutenant-Colonel Garland, with
the volunteer and regular cavalry, pushed out, May
19th, in pursuit, and marched as far as he dared over
a barren waste — as far as his horses' strength permit
ted. He touched a remnant of Arista's rear guard,
took a few prisoners, and then without much satis
faction returned to the Rio Grande with his half-
famished command. The color which General Arista
gives to his situation in a letter of the i8th is enter
taining. He writes: "All the means of subsistence
of this division being consumed, its activity para
lyzed, and its artillery diminished, while that of the
enemy greatly increased in the number of his pieces
and the caliber of his guns in such a manner that,
were he to open his fire, the city of Matamoros
would be destroyed, to the utter ruin of national and
foreign interests, I have decided to retire from it
with the forces under my command before being
summoned and obliged to evacuate it with dishonor,
which I shall thus avoid ; for the march is slow, our
pieces being drawn by oxen, and our munitions in
carts. My object now is to defend the soil of those
departments which have been intrusted tome; and
for that purpose I am going to post myself at those
points most convenient and within reach of supplies,
etc." Probably, under all the circumstances then exist
ing. Arista acted wisely. General Taylor, with a co
operating naval squadron, had already shut up the
Rio Grande; he had made a firm lodgment upon
the western bank of the river at Barita. Arista
might possibly stop a near-at-hand crossing for a

134

GENERAL TAYLOR.

time; but probably he could not do even that, con
sidering the nature of the landing and the possibili
ty of Taylor's covering it thoroughly with artillery,
heavy and light ; and certainly those terrible mor
tars, if opened, would utterly destroy the little city
itself. Again, there is in Arista's words a half-ex
pressed acknowledgment of a loss of morale among
his troops. They had just been twice defeated un
der, to him, most favoring conditions. How could
they now hold their own against an increase of num
bers of these unconquerable fighters ?
The primary and avowed object of the United
States Government and of the Texans had now been
fully secured ; the Rio Grande was ours, and there
was almost a barren desert of sixty or seventy miles
westward and southward to aid the conquering army
to keep what it had gained. General Taylor, having
given the poor inhabitants a better and safer govern
ment than any they had probably ever before en
joyed, could afford to indulge himself in a few days
of much-needed rest while he waited for further
orders. General Arista was a representative Mexican
commander, and — may I say it ? — General Taylor was
a representative American officer. Arista's surround
ings, even in the field and during his active cam
paign, and his methods of procedure, were in remark
able contrast to those of Taylor. Arista had for his
own occupancy a large marquee, striped with differ
ent colors in its texture, giving expanse and brilliancy
to his surroundings. Other tents were symmetrically
located for effect in respect to the great marquee.
Officials of every rank, obsequious in deportment,
clustered around, displaying a variety of brilliant

OCCUPATION OF MATAMOROS.

135

uniform. Orderlies and personal staff officers were
ready at all times in sight, with their horses saddled
and equipped near at hand. The pack trains for the
headquarters were numerous, and the aparejos, with
all appertaining to them when on the ground, were
arranged in squares and rectangles in the right or
left rear of the central tents. If you glanced through
the open front to the inside of Arista's compartments
you saw tables laden with maps ; chairs in plenty and
settees; silver and other table furniture like that of
a palace. In the midst of this luxury was General
Arista, continually receiving from his officers official
reports and acts of personal obeissance, which added
to the picturesque display. Music of the bands,
though not always of the best, brought in from the
regiments, was never wanting during reception and
official hours to keep up the bewildering effects. It
was like the brilliant court of some mediaeval prince.
The distance from this general in command to the
humble subordinate or to the common soldier, how
ever brave and faithful, was too great to be esti
mated. Behold the contrast between this brilliant Mexi
can officer and the plain man who commanded our
army ! A witness who visited the encampment of
the army beyond the river gives a sketch pertaining
to this time which speaks for itself : " About a mile
above the city of Matamoros, a little distance from
the bank of the Rio Grande, are to be seen (June i,
1846) some stunted and ill-shaped trees which bend
their gnarled and almost leafless limbs over a group
of three or four small tents, only different from
those of the common soldiers in this, that they are
heterogeneously disposed for shade, instead of being

136 GENERAL TAYLOR.
in a line, regardless of all else than military precis
ion. The plain about is dotted over with thousands
of tents, before many of which were pieces of artil
lery and groups of soldiers, and over some waved
in triumphant folds our national flag, giving promise
of more importance and pomp than the little knot
to which we have particularly alluded. . . . We
wound our way toward the dwarfish trees . . . that
were distinguished from being a few feet higher than
the surrounding brush, and for the little group of
tents that rested beneath them ; for they were
pointed out as marking the headquarters of the com
manding general of a triumphant American army.
Not the slightest token was visible to mark one tent
from another ; there were no sentinels, or any mili
tary parade present ; a chubby, sunburned child, be
longing to the camp, was playing near by in the
grass. . . . We presented ourselves at the opening
of one of the tents, before which was standing a
dragoon's horse much used by hard service. Upon
a camp-stool at our left sat General  , in busy
conversation with a hearty-looking old gentleman
sitting on a box (cushioned with an Arkansas blan
ket), dressed in Attakapas pantaloons and a linen
roundabout, and remarkable for a bright, flashing
eye, a high forehead, a farmer look, and ' rough-and-
ready ' appearance." Of course, this was General
Zachary Taylor.
" There was no pomp about his tent. A couple of
rough, blue chests served for his table, on which
were strewn in masterly confusion a variety of official-
looking documents. A quiet-looking, citizen-dressed
personage made his appearance upon hearing the
call of ' Ben,' bearing on a tin salver the usual re-

OCCUPATION OF MATAMOROS.

•37

freshments. These refreshments were deposited
upon a stool, and ' we helped ourselves ' by invita
tion. We bore to the general a complimentary gift
from some of his fellow-citizens of New Orleans,
which he declined receiving for the present, giving at
the same time a short but ' hard-sense ' lecture on the
impropriety of people naming children and places
after men before they were dead ; or of his receiving
a reward for his services before the campaign, so
far as he was concerned, was finished."
Matamoros is still a small city of about twenty-
five thousand inhabitants. It has changed so little
that even the places of encampment of Taylor's
troops are traceable. Everything has the appear
ance of age. Pavements are rough, but kept clean.
The old churches are, like all in Mexico, of venerable
appearance, but presenting fine points in architect
ural effect, and well preserved without and within. A
commodious opera-house and various school build
ings are among the modern productions. The depot
of the railroad, and the railroad itself, well furnished
and in the best condition throughout, running from
Matamoros to San Miguel — that is, within twenty-one
miles of Camargo — is evidence of progress. As soon
as this road has its proper and promised extension
to Monterey, the lower Rio Grande Valley, rich in
every production, will be thus connected with the
City of Mexico and the outside world. Several ex
cellent schools, fostered by the Mexican Govern
ment, are in existence in Matamoros. Some of them
have exceptional educational advantages. So that,
to-day, the visitor to this part of General Taylor's
operations is made to feel that though there has
been a small growth, even this part of the country.

138 GENERAL TAYLOR.
remarkably shut in, which General Taylor was con
strained to take, is making progress. The interest
of General Lojero, the manly commandant and gov
ernor, and all connected with him, in carrying out
the present policy of thorough tolerance in religion
and complete protection to the schools, are harbin
gers of untold blessings to this people.

CHAPTER XI.
Three months' rest of Taylor's army — Leaders of the Whig party
looking to Taylor as candidate for the presidency — Extracts
from letters relating thereto — Taylor brevetted Major-General
— Given full rank a little later— Taylor's plans coincident with
Scott's — Movement on Camargo begun — Taylor's popularity
with his soldiers — His self-denial — Care for the sick on the
steamer.
From the last of May to the last of August, full
three months, the army of General Taylor to the peo
ple seemed to be idle. It certainly fought no battle
and made no offensive movement likely to bring on
one. Politicians attributed the delays to faults of
the Executive. Taylor's letters, extracts being pub
lished, showed that there was something wanting.
Soldiers who were lying in hospital wrote their own
darkened version of affairs, and these were published
by political opponents to the war and made much of.
The various discontents that arose resulted in politi
cal reactions, so that the Whigs felt that the tide
was setting against the party in power. Their
shrewdest leaders, when canvassing, as usual, for the
most available candidate for the next President, fixed
their eyes upon General Taylor. For a time the
sturdy old chief was greatly troubled by the mul
titude of soliciting letters that he received ; and,
indeed, he was in a position of embarrassment.

I40

GENERAL TAYLOR.

Mr. Polk's party was ardently pursuing the demo
cratic policy, with the Southern States plainly in the
lead General Taylor was at the front, the chief in
command under President Polk as his own com
mander-in-chief, a representative of the democratic
administration, and yet General Taylor was known
to be a Whig The situation had the effect to make
him exceedingly cautious. Extracts from his replies
to political friends, or managers, will show how
steadily and stoutly- he avoided any partisan stand.
A letter of July 21, 1846, has these expressions:
" But it becomes me sincerely and frankly to acknowl
edge to you that for that office (the presidency) I
have no aspiration whatever. Although no politician,
having always held myself aloof from the clamors
of party politics, I am a Whig, and shall ever be de
voted to the principles of that party. Even if the
subject which you have in your letter opened to me
were acceptable at any time, I have not the leisure
to attend to it now; the vigorous prosecution of the
war with Mexico, so important to the interests of
the country, demands every moment of my present
time, and it is my great desire to bring it to a speedy
and honorable termination.''
How far-seeing he was ! The vigorous prosecu
tion of the war would undoubtedly bring honor and
strength to the party in power, but there was some
thing to be gained far beyond any partisan project or
purpose. His nation, as a nation, though reluctantly
drawn into the struggle, was in it too deeply to retire
without disaster. The United States had accepted
Texas as a State; the border-line had now been fixed
and must be maintained unless civil negotiations and
compromises should change it. Mexico had wanted

SUMMER OF 1846. 141
the war ; had refused negotiation ; had crossed the
border and attacked the nation's army ; and, though
defeated in two battles and driven back to the river,
still insisted on its claim to the whole of Texas.
For the nation, independent of party, there was noth
ing now to be done except to push forward all the
columns and compel a peace. So all men through
out the land believed and acted, the Whigs as well
as the Democrats. The Whigs even strove to outdo
the Democrats, and complained loudly at the delays
that somebody was causing to General Taylor's su
perb and gallant army.
In another letter of later date Taylor, with brief
emphasis, says : " In no case can I permit myself to
be the candidate of any party, or yield myself to
party schemes." Again: " Should I ever occupy the
White House, it must be by the spontaneous move
of the people, and by no act of mine, so that I could
go into the office untrammeled, and be the chief mag
istrate of the nation and not of a party." This cer
tainly is a high and honorable stand. It seems in all
this correspondence as if the soul of Washington had
found in Taylor a worthy successor — broad as the
nation, unselfish in his devotion to duty, and with
no other object or ambition except that he might
contribute to the nation's honor. What a source of
gratulation and thanksgiving that God has ever
given us such leaders just when they were most
needed !
During this three months' interval of comparative
inactivity many things of importance came about.
Taylor was promptly brevetted Major - General.
Then, a little after, Congress, taking the lead, secured
for him the full rank. The expedition of General

142

GENERAL TAYLOR.

Kearny through New Mexico to end in California,
where, in conjunction with Commodore Stockton, of
the navy, and Colonel Fremont, the great Path
finder, the Pacific coast was taken, was already on
foot. So also had taken place the marvelous march
and work of Colonel Doniphan to Chihuahua, end
ing in a final junction with General Taylor. Again,
there was just then a lively correspondence between
Washington and General Taylor about different lines
of operation ; some of this correspondence, unfortu
nately, fell into the hands of the enemy. A principal
question was : Should another co-operating column go
toward the City of Mexico ? Should it be via Tam
pico, or could we get a lodgment near Vera Cruz,
and go that way ?
General Scott, who was also a strong Whig, and
who quickly resented civilian interference with his
plans, was known to be an able military thinker, and
he was the senior general ; but he was not liked by
Mr. Polk or by his secretary, William L. Marcy.
He finally was required to submit his views on the
route via Vera Cruz, and make his estimates of men
and means. He did so, yet, had it not been for
General Taylor's thorough self-abnegation and re
markable coincidence with Scott as to the route and
plan of operations, it is doubtful whether the latter's
services there would ever have been put to the test.
As it was, General Scott was only given a little more
than half his estimates of the required force to carry
on an offensive campaign from Vera Cruz to the City
of Mexico. All this discussion, planning, and final action were
to affect General Taylor's operations. To seize the
Rio Grande, to conquer the more northern states of

SUMMER OF 1846. 143
Mexico and to hold them tenaciously, at least as far
as. the Sierra Madre Mountains, was General Tay
lor's real work. He did at no time advise his Gov
ernment to make that crooked and long and easily
obstructed line the road to the capture of the
Mexican capital. So General Scott's plan from the
outset met his sincere and hearty approbation.
The statements of writers that Taylor had during
this interval too few troops, is not exact. In fact,
he had too many volunteers ; not only those pro
vided for by the administration's call, but those also
brought into the field through the Department of
the Southwest then commanded by General Gaines
at New Orleans. There were more than could be
immediately utilized. Still, as General Taylor filled
up the time of his long enforced delay at Corpus
Christi by thoroughness of equipment, organization,
discipline, and essential drill, and so prepared his
small force to exceed the enemy's in every particular
of fitness and preparation, so now the new levies, both
regular and volunteer, were remodeled and trained.
Taylor's plan in the first place was to seize Ca
margo as soon as he could supply a depot there, and,
of course, take and hold all intermediate points, and
then make that river port the base of his advance
into the interior for the capture of Monterey. Ca
margo was some one hundred and eighty miles above
Matamoros. His force was increased, but not his
wagons. His requisitions made long before were
not yet filled. The best way to supply Camargo was,
of course, by water ; but the right kind of steamers
were not sent. His chief quartermaster had been
murdered by the rancheros; the younger officer
selected and sent to New Orleans in his place was

144 GENERAL TAYLOR.
hindered in his work of hiring steamboats by some
Washington interference, probably for economy's
sake, that all additions that should require money
outlay might be done at the one Washington office ;
so that for more than two months General Taylor did
not have the proper river transports, while his army
was lying in the lowest Rio Grande Valley exposed
to all the dangers of a warm climate at a sickly season.
The conclusion is plain enough that the quarter
master-general did not then comprehend the situa
tion, nor make the indispensable preparation, till
about two and a half months later, notwithstanding
the clearest demand for it. To some extent Gen
eral Taylor and those around him made noteworthy
amends by following the Mexican example — that is,
by improvising pack-trains. They soon brought into
training whole herds of those docile, hardy little
mules which were found in abundance in Texas and
Mexico, and so, after procuring or making saddles,
managed to move without the additional wagons
which yet, as well as the steamboats, unaccountably
delayed their coming.
Finally, in August, 1846, the movement to Camargo
began. Artillery, cavalry, and one brigade of in
fantry went by land, using such roads as they could
find. To avoid the dangerous heat of the sun, the
troops and trains marched by night. Meanwhile
the steamers were used for the greater part of the
supplies and for the remainder of the command which
General Taylor decided to take with him. Even yet
the steamers were so few — those that could stem the
current of the Rio Grande — that their cargoes had to
be repeated. General Taylor went on them back and
forth as the necessities for his presence required. An

SUMMER OF 1846. 145
incident of one of these trips to Camargo shows the
characteristic method by which he checked the too
great self-love of some of his subordinates, and won
the confidence and affection of his soldiers. The story,
in fact, became public, and was often repeated on the
stump in the next presidential campaign. It appears
that when he came on board the ascending steamer
— then, in addition to other portage, carrying many
sick and disabled men — General Taylor found all the
berths except his own already occupied by army con
tractors, sutlers, some officers, and other privileged
classes. He immediately sent them instructions to
vacate, and filled the rooms and berths they had
occupied with the disabled soldiers. Somebody,
trying to find him [Taylor] in the morning, went to
his state-room, and, lo ! his place was filled by a sick
man. After search, they at last found the old gen
eral wrapped in his blanket on the deck of the vessel,
sound asleep. His thoughtful tenderness, of which
this is an example, made him very popular among
the men, and nerved them also to the easy endurance
of the greatest privation and hardship.
It perhaps should be said, in abatement of the
stupid inefficiency of the quartermaster's department
at this critical time, that Congress itself made some
checks and hindrances to the progress of the war.
As soon as it became evident to the opposition, then,
that there was a clear prospect of acquirement by
this struggle of large territories, they put a brake
upon the passage of the "three-million-money bill."
It was an amendment offered to the bill by the Hon.
David Wilmot, of Pennsylvania. It was ever after
briefly denominated " The Wilmot Proviso." It
read as follows :

146 GENERAL TAYLOR.
"¦Provided, That, as an express and fundamental
condition to the acquisition of any territory from the
Republic of Mexico by the United States by virtue
of any treaty that may be negotiated between them,
and to the use by the Executive of the moneys herein
appropriated, neither slavery nor voluntary servitude
shall ever exist in any part of said territory, except
for crime whereof the party shall be duly con
victed." Whigs and antislavery men were numerous
enough in the House to pass the amended bill, but
it failed in the Senate ; so that the energetic Presi
dent lost his three millions, was limited in his re
sources, and, moreover, was taught by the character
of the opposition to go forward in all his operations
with caution.
General Worth led the advance from Camargo
the last of August, 1846. The road toward Monte
rey was by no means good ; often it was little better
than a horse-trail. This difficulty was partially over
come by an excellent body of " sappers and miners,"
and detailed parties from the troops who freely used
the pick and shovel. Want of wagons, as we have
seen, was made up by an abundance of pack-trains ;
and there was, as usual, a great change for the better
in the health and spirits of the command as the sol
diers advanced, ascending to the higher table-lands,
or traversed the pathways and horse-trails leading
over the mountains of Mexico. The three columns
into which General Taylor divided his army followed
substantially the same road, but always with intervals.
Colonel Twiggs with his brigade followed General
Worth, leaving Camargo September 5th ; and Gen
eral Quitman set out with the rear brigade on Septem-

SUMMER OF 1846. 147
ber 17th. The distance from Camargo to Monterey
is one hundred and eighty miles, and that region for
the most part is described as rough, dry, desolate,
and dreary.
General Taylor brought his divisions together at
Ceralvo, a small town at the base of the Sierra
Madre, sixty miles from the city of Monterey. Three
days' rest were deemed enough; then he pushed on
through a mountain defile and encamped in front of
Marin ; next he moved to within ten miles of Monte
rey, to a small village named San Francisco. Soon
after leaving this town the advance guard encount
ered a sudden opposition, and received a few shots
from the Mexican cannon. General Taylor at this
time took for his guard and escort a squadron of the
Texas Rangers and pushed ahead to reconnoiter.
After he emerged from the mountain road he reached
and crossed an extended plain that slopes gently to
ward the city. Here the fire from the enemy reopen
ed, and a twelve-pounder ball struck the ground a
few feet from him. This plain then afforded a lovely
region, extending several miles from the city lim
its, whither the wealthier of the inhabitants in the
hot season resorted. General Taylor had Colonel
Twiggs put his brigades into camp in a beautiful sub
urban field, while he with his field-glass, and aided
by his active staff, continued to study the splendid
little city half encompassed by grand mountains be
fore him, and to observe the foot-hills, crowning
redoubts, and separate fortress.
Note. — General James Grant Wilson furnishes the following
interesting incident, derived from one of his visits to England :
The favorite horse of General Taylor, and the one he was riding
on his approach to Monterey, and afterward in the battle near

148 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Saltillo, was called by the soldiers " Whitey," or, fondly, " Old
Whitey." General Wilson says : " When I first visited the second Duke
of Wellington at Strathfieldsaye in 1872, I observed hanging on
the walls of my sleeping-room, called the ' Coronation Chamber '
— from the circumstance of its containing a large picture of the
coronation of Queen Victoria in Westminster Abbey, in which the
Iron Duke was a prominent personage — a portrait of General
Zachary Taylor, wearing a broad-brimmed straw hat and mounted
on ' Old Whitey,' with both legs on one side of the saddle. The
picture was sent to the Duke soon after the battle of Buena Vista
by an anonymous American friend, and he was so much inter
ested in the quaint representation of old ' Rough and Ready ' that
it was hung in one of the principal sleeping-apartments of Strath
fieldsaye, his country seat, presented to him for a day's work at
Waterloo. The second Duke said to me that his father (the Iron
Duke) watched the Mexican campaigns with the greatest interest,
and entertained a high opinion of the military genius of Generals
Taylor and Scott."
To show General Taylor's habit of resting, even in battle,
upon his saddle in the position given by the Iron Duke's picture,
in one of the early engagements, the story is that he and several
members of his staff rode to a prominent knoll to make observa
tions. A Mexican battery commander, seeing the group, poured
upon them at once his grape and canister. One of Taylor's staff
cried out in trepidation : " We'll all be killed here ! "
" Upon my word," said Taylor, " I do believe the rascals
want to hit me ! "
Now an officer, remonstrating, begged him to retire to a safer
place. " Well," said the general, who had been sitting all the time
at his ease, with his leg over the saddle, closely scanning the
movements going forward, " let us ride up nearer, and then their
balls will go over us.''
He thereupon rode forward to another hardly less exposed
position, where he could keep in view the operating forces.
The color of his favorite horse, " Old Whitey," was indeed a
source of special peril, but he never appeared to think of that.

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CHAPTER Xn.
The storming and capture of Monterey — The city and environ
ments — Arista relieved, Monterey defended by Ampudia —
His inspiring address — Taylor's troops — Preparations for bat
tle—Rain and severe cold of the first night — Battle at day
break — Cheers drew a heavy fire — Quickness of Worth's bat
teries astonishes the Mexican.s — Worth attempts the mountain
forts — Federacion captured, its guns turned on Soldado —
Mexican panic — Soldado captured — Effort of Mexican com
mander to charge, driven back — Duncan and Mackall's bat
teries.
Leaving General Taylor on the extended plateau
with his sturdy face turned southward, looking over
the city and the hill-country before him, closely
observing several rounded knolls and high points,
buildings, and military works, let us go on beyond
his actual vision and see if we can not so map out
this region as to give the reader an intelligent con
ception of the environments of Monterey, and of
the extraordinary engagements very soon to take
place in and near that city.
Monterey is the capital of the State of Nuevo
Leon. The population in 1846 was somewhere from
ten to twelve thousand. Like most Mexican cities,
it had a few rich and many poor inhabitants ; yet
this was the most thriving town in the State, and
more so than any as near to the lower valley of the

Ijo GENERAL TAYLOR.
Rio Grande. It had fair accumulations of property,
with thriving suburbs. To General Taylor's front,
on the southern side of the city, running just at this
place eastward, is the small San Juan River ; across
this river, making a background for the general's
picture, comes a branch of the Sierra Madre Mount
ains, trending southeast. Just at his feet, near the
north side, passes the smaller stream, a branch of
the San Juan, which inclines southward and enters
the main river at a northern bend east of the city.
Off to his right — that is, farther west — there is a long,
gourd-shaped hill of considerable height, with very
little on it of buildings or trees. On this hill, one
may say, on the first terrace, was located the Bishop's
Palace. The palace and the protecting works give
the name Obispado to that neighborhood. Still far
ther to the west are the great Sierra Madre Mount
ains. Without the city limits, and on the near north
side, was moderately high ground, which was hand
somely crowned with " The Citadel " or " Black
Fort." Between General Taylor and the main plaza,
to the east of the Citadel, was the stone bridge, a
solid structure, guarded by a tite-de-pont. Again, to
the east of the city, was a grand spur of the Sierra
Madre, called, from the shape of its double crest,
"Saddle Mountain."
These features, hemming in the pretty valley
with hills, mountains, and streams, the general and
his staff quickly took in. Now their glasses dwelt
on the forts and redoubts. Before him, at the stone
bridge entrance to the city, he saw the enveloping
intrenchments before mentioned — i. e., the tite-de-pont.
On the near bank of the small river, farther east,
near the confluence of the two rivers, a strong re-

MONTEREY UNDER FIRE.

151

doubt named " El Teneria," manned with four heavy
guns ; above that a second redoubt with three guns,
called " Rincon del Diablo " ; and above, farther up the
valley, another, " Libertad." These, with the Cita
del, formed a system of works guarding the northern
and eastern approaches. On the west, on the second
natural terrace above the Bishop's Palace, the bare,
abrupt knoll carried one redoubt upon " Loma del
Independencia." The palace and this fort were well
constructed, equipped, and manned. South, over
the river, high up on the foot-hill of the Sierra spur,
were two more redoubts, " Federacion " and " Solda
do." These swept the Little San Juan valley up and
down with their cannon-fire.
There was something not yet mentioned, of which
the general had already had knowledge from the
maps that his topographical engineers had carefully
prepared and furnished. It was the roads and streets
around and within Monterey. Unrolling his maps,
he studied and compared. The road on which Gen
eral Taylor had come, and near which he was stand
ing, entered the city on the north side. It was the
main thoroughfare from Camargo via Mier, Ceralvo,
and Marin ; from the east side was the Guadeloupe
road ; and on the west, coming toward the city down
through a gorge and leaving the Obispado height to
the left, the Saltillo road made its way along the left
bank of the San Juan till it disappeared within the
city limits. All the roads that led to the city from
the direction of the Rio Grande stopped there at
Monterey, and one issue only existed westward, and
that was this Saltillo pass or gorge.
The historian Fry, to whom we have before al
luded, who has drawn his descriptions either from

15^

GENERAL TAYLOR.

personal observation or from the narrative of an able
observer, gives life to the picture of this beautiful
valley in which nestles the handsome, compact city
of Monterey. Speaking of the level stretch where
General Taylor was observing, he says : " The plain
is varied with patches of chaparral and fields of corn
and sugar-cane, and the light of the sunny under
growth is relieved by the umbrage of orange, lemon,
citron, and olive groves, and other beautiful natives
of that genial climate. The mountains which wall
up the southern and western horizon rear their
rugged and mighty heads far above the clouds of the
valley, and a single gorge marks the only continua
tion to Saltillo of the roads from Rio Grande which
coalesce at Monterey. . . ." Speaking of the Citadel,
or Black Fort, he says : " Standing on the plain, it
covers an area of about three acres, the walls of solid
masonry thick and high, with bastions commanding.
all approach from the northeast, the north, and north
west." Besides the forts and redoubts which have now
been named and located, the Saltillo approach had,
according to this writer, another formidable obstruc
tion, viz., " the walls of a cemetery, forming a strong
breastwork with embrasures." And finally, in addi
tion to the carefully arranged street barricades :
" Monterey presents in its plan and in the form of
its buildings extraordinary obstacles to an assault.
Regularly laid out, a few pieces of artillery command
the whole length of the principal streets. But its
chief security is the stone walls of th£ houses, which,
rising above the flat roofs and forming around
them and the courts regular parapets, afford
thorough protection to their defenders. Each dwell-

MONTEREY UNDER FIRE. 153
ing is thus a separate castle, and the whole city one
grand fortification, suggested by nature and consum
mated by art."
The earthworks of the Teneria have long before
to-day (in 1892) been absorbed by the surrounding
gardens, but the old tannery itself is still standing,
and its thick, parapet-like '' walls, rising above the
flat roofs," are still there hard as granite.
General Arista, after the close of his disastrous
Texas, Rio Grande, campaign, had been relieved and
ordered to the capital of Mexico, and the defense
of Monterey fell to General Pedro de Ampudia. He
had, before the engagements, between 7,000 and
8,000, regular Mexican troops, and, according to
estimate, probably 3,000 militia. His forces were
well armed and well supplied. His artillery num
bered forty-two cannon, and was excellently dis
tributed for a stubborn resistance. The hopeful
spirit of Ampudia is manifest in his address to his
soldiers given on September 24, 1846. An extract
reads as follows :
" Soldiers : The enemy, numbering only 2,500
regular troops, the remainder being only a band of
adventurers, without valor or discipline, are, accord
ing to reliable information, about advancing upon
the Ceralvo, to commit the barbarity of attacking
this most important place. We count near 3,000
regulars and auxiliary cavalry " (if exact, the re-
enforcements came later), "and these will defeat
them again and again before they can reach this
city. Soldiers, we are constructing fortifications,
to make our base at a convenient time, and drive
back this enemy at the point of the bayonet. . . ."
Ampudia closes his address most patriotically :

154

GENERAL TAYLOR.

" Soldiers ! ' Victory or death ' must be our only
device ! "
General Taylor, as soon as a careful reconnaissance,
conducted by that excellent officer, Major Joseph K.
F. Mansfield, had been added to his own observation
and that of some other officers upon whom he relied,
proceeded to form a simple and sensible plan ; and it
was certainly — like that of Grant at Vicksburg — a bold
one. It was, to push a force sufficient for the pur
pose around to the right, beyond the city, make a
lodgment as soon as possible upon the Loma del
Independencia (the Obispado), and hasten to secure
the enemy's only line of retreat — namely, the Saltillo
gorge and road. All else was to be subsidiary to this
main movement — i. e., first, carefully to cover his sup
plies ; second, to re-enforce as needed ; and, third, to
demonstrate against the north front so strongly as
to hold a large part of Ampudia's men inside their
prepared defenses, so that he [Ampudia] could not
strengthen or increase his defenders at the point of
the principal attack.
The aggregate under General Taylor, to a less
bold and sanguine spirit, would have caused at least
some trepidation — 6,645 officers and men ! The ar
tillery was limited to two twenty-four-pounder how
itzers, four light batteries of four and six guns, and
a ten-inch mortar — surely a meager allowance for
assaulting and carrying permanent works or for the
siege of a well-fortified place !
General Worth, who had but recently returned
to the front, and had not hitherto had part in the
operations, being an officer of rank and experience,
was chosen by General Taylor and charged with the
duty of the turning movement and the main attack.

MONTEREY UNDER FIRE. 155
Worth's division, as selected, was not a large one.
It consisted of the First Brigade, under Lieutenant-
Colonel Thomas Staniford, made up as follows :
Duncan's battery ; Child's battalion of artillery,
armed as infantry ; and Screven's Eighth Infantry.
Second Brigade, under Colonel Persifor F. Smith,
to wit : Mackall's battery, Scott's Fifth Infantry,
Miles's Seventh Infantry, and Blanchard's Louisiana
volunteers. Worth's cavalry, when he set out, was
the regiment of Texas mounted riflemen, commanded
by Colonel John G. Hays.
General Worth put his division in motion from
Walnut Springs about 2 p. m. of the 20th of Septem
ber. Captain John Sanders, of the engineers, and
Lieutenant George G. Meade, of the topographical
engineers, then on General Taylor's staff, accom
panied this column.
Worth for a while made rather slow progress in
his large detour well out and along the western front
of the city. The object being first to get upon
what was called the Pezqueria-Grande road, it was
necessary for some distance to construct a road-bed
for the cannon through soft fields of sugar-cane and
grain. When darkness came on, the division gen
eral had made only six miles, but he had reached the
Pezqueria roadway. Here he had come near enough
to encounter the fire of the Obispado works. The
redoubt " Independencia " was nearest and annoyed
him most. Under escort of the Texas riflemen he
sought at once to get around behind that fort, to the
junction of the Pezqueria with the Saltillo road.
Ampudia had quickly understood the intention of
his foes, and sent to that important junction consid
erable cavalry under command of Generals Romero

156

GENERAL TAYLOR.

and Torrejon, and had also strengthened the Bishop's
Palace and Independencia by an entire regiment
of infantry. So General Worth, being too much
resisted for his small escort, wisely halted and biv
ouacked for the night. The rain and the severe
cold of that night are mentioned in the reports ; but
probably these discomforts were about equally trying
to both combatants.
The only precautionary moving of other troops
than Worth's from their charming camp near " El
Bosque," or the Walnut Springs, except a temporary
showing about sundown of the divisions of both
Twiggs and Butler on that part of the elevated plain
visible to the city sentinels, was Taylor's sending
forward toward the north front the Fourth Regiment
of Infantry to guard the workmen who were planting
the ten-inch mortar in a natural trench or ravine which
crossed the road leading to the Citadel, and pushing
up the artillerymen who were locating the twenty-
four-pounder howitzers in the same neighborhood.
These efforts were completed after dark, and had
the effect on Ampudia's mind of a threatened siege,
or perhaps a meditated assault upon the Citadel
itself. Such was the preparation. The morrow promised
a great conflict. Neither of the opposing generals
could be free from an unusual anxiety. Ampudia
had the previously prepared positions, the superior
numbers, and a third more cannon than the Ameri
cans. Taylor had a well-disciplined, well-organized,
and well-commanded little army, full of confidence
in itself, and an unswerving trust in the skill of its
officers and the ability of its chief. Indeed, these
forces, then and there, were by no means very un-

MONTEREY UNDER FIRE.

157

equally matched, and no man on either side could
with any assurance predict the consequences of the
movements already begun.
Before daylight on September 21st General Hen
derson, who had a detachment consisting of Lieu
tenant-Colonel May's Second Dragoons and Colonel
Wood's Texas mounted volunteers, by General Tay
lor's orders moved his little column rapidly over the
new way that General Worth had opened the pre
ceding afternoon, marching swiftly to strengthen
Worth's division. This march of Henderson was
interrupted by a countermanding order to return to
the north front of the city. Though not that day
engaged, this column subserved the purpose of keep
ing up a clear connection between Worth's division
and the remainder of the army at a critical epoch ;
and May's efficient dragoons continued this most
important guarding service to the end of the battle.
The 2 ist had hardly dawned before the battle
was joined. Henderson's cavalry brigade, made up
partly from the First Division (General Twiggs) and
partlyfrom the Third Division (General Butler), had,
as we have seen, set out to re-enforce Worth's divis
ion. A regiment of the First Division was already on
the front line supporting the batteries which were
operating against the Citadel. General Taylor, hav
ing his own plan strengthened by a request from
Worth to make "a strong diversion," had General
Twiggs push off another force to attempt to secure
" El Teneria," enter the city at the east side, and, if
feasible, turn El Diablo and the Citadel. It was but a
diversion to help General Worth, so that whether the
works were taken or not was not vital to the success
of the day. The chosen brigade, Lieutenant-Colonel

158 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Garland's, consisting of the First and Third Infantry,
Captain Bragg's battery of artillery, and the Wash
ington and the Baltimore battalion of volunteers,
marched off in fine style silently toward the eastern
quarter assigned, the cautious Mansfield, accompanied
by Captain William G. Williams and Lieut. John Pope,
pointing the way. Garland had passed into a corn
field and behind the thick chaparral without awaken
ing much opposifion from front or flank, when some
soldiers of his caught sight across the city of General
Worth's troops ascending the heights to the south
west. The cheers for Worth that ensued, which no
body could restrain, are said to have betrayed their
location and to have drawn upon themselves an im
mediate and heavy fire from the forts and works
near at hand. Surely no better diversion than this
could have occurred, though it cost many lives.
Before giving more in detail an account of the
fighting of Twiggs's division and that of its emulating
rival, Butler's volunteer division, it is better first to
return to General Worth's Second Division and see
how he had carried forward the main attack. About
6 A. M. Worth began his march for the Saltillo road.
He set out with two columns so stretched out as to
form lines right, left, or front at the word; front
and flank were covered by his mounted Texans, and
his light artillery was near the head of each column.
The quickness of those perfectly drilled batteries
was most astonishing to the Mexicans. They came
into position at a trot, fired without hesitation so
rapidly and so accurately, and changed position so
soon when they were annoyed by the enemy's guns,
that the Mexican troops could not stand long before
their surprisingly effective discharges.

MONTEREY UNDER FIRE.

159

As General Worth was thus sweeping across the
valley, not only did the forts on the Independencia
Heights (Obispado) and the two from the foot-hill
slope play upon his men, but there issued from be
hind a hamlet not far from the road-crossing a
heavy column of Mexican cavalry under General
Romero, the brave Colonel Juan Najera with his
Jalisco Lancers in the advance. The Texas rifle
men against these were the first in action. The light
companies of the regular regiments, in skirmish or
der, supported the Texans, and, even before the
Mexicans could deploy and begin their fire, Duncan
had brought his superb battery into action and com
menced his swift resistance ; Mackall's was not many
minutes behind him in artillery practice. The lead
ing brigade (Lieutenant-Colonel Staniford's First)
had time to deploy its line and when within close
range open a rapid and continuous musketry fire.
Before twenty minutes the attacking force of Mexi
cans was broken and dispersed, leaving upon the
field a large number of killed and wounded. Colonel
Juan Najera and a hundred Mexicans here lost their
lives. The First Brigade, the Second being kept for
the time in reserve, let no time go to waste. They,
with their mounted comrades, drove on so fast that
they caught many prisoners, and, what was of most
consequence, secured the Saltillo road and gorge,
and so cut off the enemy's only line of retreat or
supply. Now, General Worth from the gorge naturally
turned his face straight toward the city and made
his way slowly, skirmishing and observing as he
went. His engineer officers assured him that it
would be foolhardy to undertake the city itself till

l6o GENERAL TAYLOR.
the protecting redoubts — two, Federacion and Sol
dado on the mountain foot-hill spur to his right,
and the Independencia redoubt and the Bishop's
Palace and Chapel, converted into a strong work, on
the Obispado knoll to his left — were captured. And,
furthermore, the straight road was shut up by lower
batteries at or near the cemetery, and by musketry
everywhere behind safe barricades along the city
front. He instantly ordered his officers 'to get ready
and attempt the mountain forts first.
Captain Charles F. Smith, who at the beginning
of our late civil war ranked among the best of our
leaders, was put in charge of a special assaulting
column. This force was made up of two companies
(as infantry) of the Fourth and one company each
of the Second and Third Artillery ; also Major Chev-
alie, acting in support with six .companies of the
Texas riflemen. There were a little more than three
hundred men. Federacion was to give the first trial
of arms. Methinks I see this little band as they de
ploy at the base of the mountain spur. There is no
straggling ; there is no delay. As one man they com
mence the toilsome ascent. Fry says of them :
" Upward they went, breasting sometimes the plung
ing discharges of the enemy's batteries high above
them, and sometimes screened for a moment by a
protecting rock or a cluster of underwood. Occa
sionally they paused to return the fire, and in a mo
ment were again climbing the rugged and perilous
steep, from whose crowning crest balls of iron and
copper rained upon them."
The Mexicans did their best. Their men of the
light troops, seeking cover outside the works, picked
off not a few ; but doubtless here, as elsewhere, high

MONTEREY UNDER FIRE. i6l
and steep hills were not the most favorable for the
defense. Neithei cannon nor small arms were suffi
ciently depressed for the best execution. General
Worth, perceiving the difficulties to be met when
Captain Smith with his handful of heroes had fairly
reached the crest, with such numbers swarming
against him, promptly sent forward the Seventh In
fantry. This regiment had not gone far up the as
cent before the anxious general, calling to him Colo
nel Persifor F. Smith, directed him to take the Fifth
Infantry and the Louisiana regiment, hasten on, and
make assurance doubly sure. Colonel Smith, in no
way reluctant, made all speed. With such a support,
and full of emulation, the advance did nowhere delay
Jong. They ran straight upon the outside Mexican
supports, they mingled with them, and charged with
them at once over the parapets, which, fortunately,
were not high and steep enough to prevent. A panic
now seized their enemies, and they ran in utter dis
order down the opposite slope of the foot-hill spur.
Cheer followed cheer as the flag of Mexico came
down and the Stars and Stripes went up to the top
of the flag-staff.
Seeing the likelihood of the three hundred getting
the first prize. Colonel Persifor F. Smith turned part
of his force with orders to pass into the separating
ravine and make for Soldado. Here, now, Colonel
Smith and his men were on the lead, but the gallant
Captain Smith quickly lent them aid. He turned the
cannon of Federacion upon Soldado, and sent over a
support that might be needed.
The story of the next capture is about the same
as the last. The soldiers toiled up the steeps, getting
all the cover they could and firing up against a

I 62 GENERAL TAYLOR.
ceaseless discharge of heavy guns and musketry, till
they came to within fifty or sixty yards of the crest ;
then accumulating their strength, with a shout and an
old-fashioned charge they cleared all obstacles and
took the fort, turning some of the cannon left loaded
against their fleeing foes. Soon these pieces were re
loaded and opened upon the Bishop's Palace and In
dependencia redoubt, from which they received an
instant and hostile reply. The reserves of regulars
and volunteers, including the artillery of Duncan and
Mackall, under the keen eye of General Worth, had
watched and guarded the rear of the attacking
troops. They had all the afternoon repulsed or
checked every effort of Torrejon to interpose a
Mexican force of cavalry between the gorge and the
the forts upon the mountain spur that we have seen
so successfully assailed.
All day without food ; in the cold rain with little
or no cover the night of the 20th ; fighting and toil
ing up the steeps for hours, with the dead and dying
marking their progressive steps all the 2 1 st ; and now,
as the sun went down, exposed to a violent storm,
the gallant soldiers of Worth had, it would seem, no
common hardships to bear ; but the joy of a great
victory was so great that it made the hardships seem
a pleasure ; and even the wild storm did not abate
the expressions of their triumph.
The aiding forces of Twiggs and Butler, in the
immediate presence of General Taylor on the north
east portion of the city, have had even harder tasks,
though such was not originally contemplated in Gen
eral Taylor's simple plan of attack. But no human
will, however strong, can control all the details of a
battle. A plan may be wise, and every effort be

MONTEREY UNDER FIRE. 163
made to carry it into effective execution, yet some
slight misunderstanding or sudden dash of the enemy
may disconcert the whole preliminary arrangement.
That the plan for taking Monterey could have been
so thoroughly adhered to throughout is a marvel.

CHAPTER XIII.
The storming and capture of Monterey (continued) — Story of the
north front — Baltimore and Washington volunteers break
— Regulars worked forward under great resistance into Mon
terey — Brilliant work of Captain Backus — Lieutenant-Colo
nel Garland withdraws his men — Terrible encounter of the
Fourth Infantry — General Quitman surprises his foes, who
abandon their wounded and flee — General Butler and Colonel
Mitchell wounded — Lieutenant-Colonel Garland again — The
strong diversion accomplished — The night rest at El Bosque
— Prolonged through the 22d of September — Lieutenant-
Colonel Child's night march and morning assault — The re
doubt upon Loma de Independencia captured at dawn —
Bishop's Palace taken — A combined Mexican effort — How met
by General Worth and defeated — General Morales's proposal
miscarried — General Taylor and Jefferson Davis — Ampudia's
letter — Taylor's reply — Preliminaries to the armistice and
capitulation — The terms agreed upon.
Now let US go back to Garland. After the cheer
ing of his men as they caught the first glimpse of
their companions on the high ground beyond the
city, he made an immediate deployment fronting El
Teneria, Major William W. Lear's Third Infantry
occupying the right, .Major John J. Abercrombie's
First Infantry the center, and Lieutenant-Colonel
Watson's Baltimore and Washington volunteers the
left. This line, with its advanced guard well ahead,
and Bragg's battery near the right, moved toward the

THE FALL OF MONTEREY. 165
fort at a quick step. The fire from El Teneria was
kept up against their front, and their right flank was
especially exposed to the cannonade from the Citadel.
This increasing danger was aggravated by an order
for the whole detachment to change direction more to
their right. In Lieutenant-Colonel Watson's effort
to manoeuvre the volunteers they broke up and the
majority ran to the rear, some seeking the first sub
stantial cover at hand, while others continued their
retreat to the camp at El Bosque. Deserted by
the Washington and Baltimore volunteers, except
by its galUant commander and some seventy brave
men, the remainder, the regulars, worked their way
forward into the suburbs under fearful resistance,
over light intrenchments, then across to a ditch and
into the edge of the city.
Captain Electus Backus, of the First Infantry,
with Mansfield, became the brilliant point in these
operations. He gained the roof of the tannery
proper, a sort of sentinel post in rear of the Teneria
redoubt, by a quick movement, capturing a number
of prisoners; and he, having less than one hundred
men, with another captain, J. M. Scott, remained in
that singular corner exposed to the fire of this
Teneria redoubt and Diablo for some time. Here
discovering that a suburban distillery was another
sentinel post behind the Teneria redoubt, he had his
men concentrate their fire on that.
Captain Joseph H. La Motte's company of the
same regiment appears here to have been incorpo
rated with these two, after great losses, including
that of La Motte, wounded twice in this vicinity. By
ten o'clock the distillery, that had been filled with
Mexican soldiers and many women and children, was
12

l66 GENERAL TAYLOR.
entirely evacuated. The party had run in terror
and confusion to the shelter of Rincon del Diablo.
Thus Captain Backus secured the entering wedge
for his general to the main work. El Teneria.
Now, a little after ten, came a backset. Major
Mansfield made up his mind that the forts on the
north front could not be carried, and that it was a
waste of life to stay there in the city ; so Garland,
under Mansfield's advice, began to withdraw his de
tachment very steadily. But our gallant Captain
Backus, who once or twice debouched to harass his
foe, fortunately did not receive any orders to retire.
He greatly strengthened his defense in the tannery
and the distillery, and stood fast.
General Taylor, seeing how hard pressed Gar
land was, who had pushed so well into the city, had
ordered up the Fourth Infantry, also Colonel Mit
chell's Ohio regiment, Colonel Campbell's Tennessee
regiment, and Colonel Davis's Mississippi rifles in
support, the Ohioans to aid Bragg's battery, and the
other (Quitman's brigade) to follow the Fourth In
fantry toward the left. General Butler, the division
commander, accompanied the Ohio troops. They
came a little too late to save the front positions that
Garland had reached. The three companies of the
Fourth Infantry in the advance encountered in front
of the terrible El Teneria a most murderous dis
charge of guns from the now re-enforced and confident
enemy. Nearly a third of the officers and men were
killed and wounded.
Naturally enough, El Teneria opened her gate
way, pushed out a part of the artillery, and began to
play upon Captain Backus'scompanies at the distillery.
Backus's men made return. The battery lost heavily,

THE FALL OF MONTEREY. 167
and the Teneria garrison began to lose many of its
defenders, when, to the joy of Backus's devoted band,
they saw General Quitman moving his brigade
straight upon El Teneria. Being partially occupied
with Backus, the Mexican garrison was quickly de
feated. The Mexicans fled, even abandoning their
wounded comrades, fleeing as rapidly as they could
to El Diablo. Captain Backus pressed the fugitives
hard as they crossed the creek, and captured some
twenty soldiers from the mass.
Meanwhile General Butler, Quitman's division
commander, moved against the city more directly
with his Ohio troops of Hamer's brigade; but the
engineer officer thinking there would be too great
loss there against the heavily manned defenses,
General Taylor ordered the withdrawal of the troops.
The withdrawal was commenced, but, immediately
the order for it was countermanded, Quitman's cap
ture of the Teneria redoubt having been at that mo
ment reported to General Taylor.
Butler made another effort, pushing into a posi
tion intermediary between the bridge-head and Rincon
del Diablo. From the bridge-head the cross-fire was
too hot to be endured. Among others who fell here.
General Butler himself, the colonel (Mitchell) of the
Ohio regiment, and his adjutant, were seriously
wounded ; and in consequence of these losses, and
with no gain apparent to them, the devoted men
were drawn back to ther plain. A writer says this
move was made " amidst the vivas of the enemy ;
and the bells of the cathedral rang a merry peal in
evidence of the general joy." A cavalry charge of
two regiments of Mexican lancers, under General
Conde, followed up this repulse and retreat. The

I 68 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Ohioans, aided by our batteries, ran to a neighboring
hedge, faced about, and fired rapidly till they had
driven Conde's cavalry back and out of sight.
After the withdrawal of the Ohio regiment by Gen
eral Hamer, to whom General Butler when wounded
had turned over the command, the situation was as
follows : Quitman's brigade of volunteers and com
panies of the three regular regiments had taken
cover in the Teneria redoubt and buildings near it.
They were receiving a heavy fire from the Rincon
del Diablo and the occupied houses toward the
Purisima bridge. General Twiggs, although quite
ill, arrived at this time and caused the captured
artillery — served by Randolph Ridgely, who had
been since Palo Alto promoted a brevet captain and
assistant adjutant-general, but readily went back to
artillery work — to fire upon the next redoubt until
the arrival of Captain Webster with the twenty-four-
pounder howitzer. Bragg's battery during the same
period was firing into the city from near the same
point. A salient of the defenses of Monterey, with
the Teneria redoubt as its apex, had been captured
and was firmly held. At last, between one and two
o'clock, Lieutenant-Colonel Garland, with praise
worthy perseverance, gathered the scattered por
tions of his command of the morning and made
another effort. Under instructions from General Tay
lor, he was to enter the city and attempt Fort Rin
con del Diablo. Garland, speaking of the two parts
of his detachment inhis report, says: "These two
commands, although few in number, sustained them
selves in the most admirable manner under the
heaviest fire of the day," for the fort (Diablo), the
bridge-head, and a fresh battery, but one hundred

THE FALL OF MONTEREY. 169
yards away, all concentrated upon them a continu
ous and destructive fire.
After very heavy losses in officers and men and
the expenditure of his ammunition, he writes : " I
reluctantly ordered the Spartan band to retire, and
I am truly proud to say, under all their aflflictions, it
was accomplished in good order." General Taylor,
doubtless seeing that Garland was greatly disap
pointed that he had been twice repulsed and forced
to retire before the Mexicans, showed his confidence
in him by giving him the command for the night of
a front line composed of the First Kentucky, the
regular infantry of Twiggs's division, and Randolph
Ridgely's improvised battery.
Just at dark, as a heavy storm of rain, the ordinary
sequence of continued cannonading, set in, Ampudia
made one more attempt to regain some of his lost
ground. From the southeast corner of the city,
crossing the San Juan, the Mexicans made a sud
den display of cavalry ; but the well-served battery
of Ridgely, quickly leaving El Teneria, chose a
favorable position and opened its guns upon the
swift-comers. The rapid fire soon checked their
advance and drove them from the field.
Thus during this memorable day had General
Taylor fully complied with his promise to make a
strong diversion on the northern and eastern fronts
of the city, in order to keep the enemy engaged there,
while the faithful Worth and his brave men were exe
cuting their — ^the most important — part of the plan.
Butler and Twiggs had, under his eye, charged the
most formidable works, had got possession of the
tannery, the distillery, and the Teneria redoubt, and
so had made a strong lodgment in the city itself.

jyo GENERAL TAYLOR.
While Worth's tired but victorious soldiers were
sleeping in the rain where they fought, their com
rades, except Garland's front line, went back to
get rest and refreshment at El Bosque or Walnut
Springs. The night that followed was a hard one
for the wounded. These pallid sufferers always
plead against the arbitrament of war — and certain
ly the field of Monterey that night of September
21, 1846, furnished most touching arguments for
peace and good-will among men. The previous
hard fighting, the extraordinary excitement under
alternate success and repulse, the long distance to
the camp at El Bosque, occasioning morning and
evening lengthy marches, had so much weakened the
men — that is, those left after the dreadful loss of
life — that Geaeral Taylor concluded, cost what it
might, to let Butler's and Twiggs's divisions have a
rest during the whole of the 22d. The light
batteries of Bragg and Ridgely, the heavy guns in
the ravine which fronts the Citadel, and the mortar
battery, all of which had been here and there in
constant requisition and use from the beginning,
were, of course, in their places on the front lines and
always well supported by regular troops, so that no
ground already held would be lost ; and the enemy
would not dare diminish any in proximity, for Tay
lor's active and watchful front-line men would quick
ly see and take advantage of such withdrawals. So
that, as we have said, further demonstrations and
diversions were wisely postponed till General Worth
could complete his great work undertaken outside of
Monterey. General Worth, selected Lieutenant - Colonel
Childs to command an expedition that required all

THE FALL OF MONTEREY. 171
the resources of an able and experienced soldier.
He put under him one company of the artillery, two
companies of the Fourth and three of the Eighth In
fantry, the six together to be led by Captain Screven.
In addition were two hundred Texas riflemen under
Colonel Hays. The first order to Childs was to
take the Independencia redoubt. The expedition be
gan the ascent of the hill toward the fort before the
dawn. After the heavy rain the air was misty, and at
the crest very dark with clouds. Steadily and silently
the men made their way up the rough ascent till with
in perhaps a hundred yards of the outworks of the
fort, when they received from a watching force of
Mexicans a fire in their faces ; but this did not
stagger any except the few who were hit. Quick as
thought, after a return volley, Childs's order to charge
was repeated by the almost breathless officers, when
all sprang forward as one man, mingled with the re
treating foe, and rushed into the fort. The Mexican
garrison lost no time in running pell-mell down the
opposite side of the slopes, making all haste for the
Bishop's Palace.
As the sun rose above the horizon that morning
and cleared away the clouds and mists from Obis
pado, the Stars and Stripes were seen waving from
the flag-staff of Independencia. General Worth was
not a little disappointed to find that the Mexicans
had during the night removed all the artillery from
the fort to the Palace. The Bishop's Palace, though
neither a fort nor a redoubt, was a very strong bar
ricaded place. It had thick defensive walls of
masonry, and they were now defended by at least
three cannon and plenty of musketry.
The Independencia redoubt dominated the posi-

172

GENERAL TAYLOR.

tion. Lieutenant John F. Roland, of Duncan's bat
tery, guided by Captain Sanders, of the Engineer
Corps, who had found a practicable path to climb,
soon succeeded in lifting and dragging a twelve-
pounder howitzer to the fort, and then so placed
it under good cover as to fire shells into the inner
circles of the Bishop's Palace — the distance was
perhaps four hundred and twenty yards — with a
plunging fire. The ordnance at the Palace could
make no effective return, so that the officer in com
mand at once saw the absolute necessity of retaking
Independencia redoubt. General Worth, seeing sev
eral attempts undertaken by the Mexicans "which
Colonel Childs's men had thus far repelled, and no
ticing a further more concerted preparation to gain
the lost fort, ordered over from the opposite ridge
the Louisiana volunteers and the Fifth Regulars.
Fortunately, everything on the Obispado side was
ready, when a large body of Mexican cavalry began
boldly to ascend the Obispado hill, evidently making
for the fort. At the same time a considerable force
of infantry issued from the Paface and formed in
support. It was to be a supreme effort to regain a
lost field.
Behold Worth's preparations ! His little army,
all that was on that side of the valley, was de
ployed near the crest of the hill. Colonel Hays,
with part of the mounted riflemen, was on one flank,
and Lieutenant-Colonel Walker, with the remainder,
on the other. The whole front was covered by
skirmishers under Captain John R. Vinton. As the
Mexicans came on, Vinton skirmished as if on pa
rade, retiring little by little, till the enemy came
within effective range of Worth's strong line. Then

.^'^ WORTH'S COLUMN,
^¦'jS". aao OF SEItTEMBER

^^.!^.<

%4.

II II II II

EXPLANATION.
A< Principal square.
S. Mariott place.
C. Heat market,
J}. Plaza of San Antonio.
£ult-Tina. PUaa ofthe " Th-gen del RobUh
O. Ho^ital.
S. Plaxa iiftha Capuehina.
2. Citadel.
IT. Ibrt Ibntrio.
III. IbrtJ)iabUi.
1^. Ibrt Libertad.
V. ^shop's grounds.
VI. Cemetery.
Vil. Jbre iWeracicwi.
1. Intrenchments.
2. The enemy's mortar battery on
the night of the 2drd.
GithcdroL
San Framnaco,
San Antonio.
San Oaralampio.
Virgen del Sable.
Senate haute.

I PLAN ;
/ OF THE CITY OF />
^3I0NTEREY, STATE OP NEW LEQjf

THE FALL OF MONTEREY. 173
began one of those destructive and continuous dis
charges which, even before the day of breech-load
ing guns, mowed down the opposing ranks like ri
pened grain before the scythe. The Mexicans were
stopped. They wavered a moment as comrades and
horses fell to the ground, and then they broke into
fragments and fled down the steeps toward the Pal
ace and toward the city. Worth's line, commanded
by Childs, sprang up and followed. With those who
ran through the gates of the Palace, Childs's men en
tered, took prisoners, tore down the Mexican flag,
hoisted their own, and at once turned the guns, which
had been loaded to destroy them, against the Mexi
can masses that were hurrying down the road and
paths to get beyond the city barricades to safety.
This ended the first stage of the main attack.
General Taylor had done two good things in this
affair: first, he had with great good judgment made
the plan, and, second, he had committed the execution
to General Worth. He later had exceeded the per
sonal efforts of his chief in one respect. He had
thus far so arranged the order and manner of his
assaults as to give abundant results with but com
paratively small loss of life.
There is little more for this day, the 22d. The
heavy guns that were taken were put in position for
the bombardment of the city itself, and Worth's di
vision was brought together at the Bishop's Palace
preparatory, at the word, to push into the streets of
Monterey and struggle for its capture.
General Taylor had, about mid-day, sent Quit
man's brigade of Butler's division to relieve the
north front lines and give the watchers there the
needed refreshment and rest. The batteries were so

174 GENERAL TAYLOR.
placed and covered by epaulements that they could
resist any kind "of sortie from the Citadel or from
the streets on that side.
General Ampudia had very naturally become
alarmed at the turn things were taking. He had
evidently supposed that General Taylor, with his two
divisions, was making the main effort against him
from the north side of the city. His soldiers had
there made a most persistent and gallant defense,
and they had by no means lost hope of holding out.
But General Worth's progress was deliberate, guard
ed, and sure. The gorge and Ampudia's line of sup
ply and retreat had been taken, and now the four
strong places- on the southwest had fallen and their
armament was turned against the city itself. The
morrow would see this [Worth's] triumphant division
swarming into the city. There was one hope for the
Mexican general — namely, to concentrate all his force
within narrower limits, such as could be held with
few men, and so leave him a strong movable force
with which to attack General Worth, drive him back,
defeat him utterly, and recover his lost line of supply.
In keeping with this — a desperate resolve — General
Ampudia withdrew, during the night of the 22d, the
garrison from Rincon del Diablo, El Libertad, and
from the northern and eastern fronts, except from
the Citadel itself. The inner lines, including all
street barricades, were diligently strengthened. One
hopeful measure, however, proposed early in the
morning of the 23d, miscarried ; it was General
Morales's application to General Taylor for permis
sion to remove from the city all the non-combat
ants. It was refused.
At daylight of this eventful day (September 23d)

THE FALL OF MONTEREY. 175
General Taylor joined General Quitman, now the
division commander, and saw him move forward his
columns into the city — first, to occupy the evacu
ated works, and, second, to reconnoiter as far ahead
as practicable. Here General Taylor's enterprising
son-in-law. Colonel Jefferson Davis, came into promi
nence. Quitman had sent him with four or five
companies of Mississippi and Tennessee volunteers
to work his way as far as he could. He did so ; but
soon the opposition from barricades and housetops
became so terrific that his detachment was re-en
forced. General Taylor sent him Bragg's battery
and other supports, including the Third Regular
Infantry. The troops slowly made their way, now
by breaking through the yard house-walls, now
by clearing the flat roofs and using them like forts.
The resistance was strong and dogged, and only
yielded to superior numbers or to superior skill. At
last Colonel Davis had led his men from house to
house, from court to court, till they were within one
block of the main plaza.
Meanwhile Worth on his side, after a few hours'
delay for orders, had not been idle. He took a
good place of observation, sending forward two co
operating columns of attack. They were to push
along the available streets as far as they could with
out fatal exposure. Parties were armed with iron
bars, sledge-hammers, and picks, and directed to do
as we have seen Quitman's men doing — that is, take
a house, break through its walls and through the
court-walls, and so pass from house to house in
engineering style. The workmen, probably the sap
pers and miners, were followed by good marksmen
who kept their foes too busy to hinder the work;

176 GENERAL TAYLOR.
and the marksmen were followed by cannon which
were distributed among the officers — Duncan, Ro
land, Mackall, Martin, and others — so that each
might have only the care of a single piece. These
troops, before night of the 23d, had, like so many
moles, tunneled their way along till they had come
to a street but one remove from the great plaza.
In all probability, General Taylor — at night not
hearing from Worth, and not even knowing that his
last instructions, which required concert of action
and co-operation, had reached him — had concluded
that it would be too hazardous to stay where Colonel
Davis had penetrated, so that he withdrew all Quit
man's and Twiggs's men to the captured forts and
corresponding barricades. But Worth kept open his
tunnels and remained in place all night. His men
wanted the great honor of seizing that principal
plaza. That dreadful ten-inch mortar, cared for and
controlled by Major Monroe, had found its way
around the suburbs and was sending shells from its
square (San Antonio) into the heart of the city.
From one of those flat roofs near by two howitzers
and another field-piece were noisily throwing pro
jectiles in different directions, for they were said to
dominate everything except, perhaps, the Citadel
itself. Not long after this artillery began to send forth
its missiles of destruction, General Ampudia, seeing
the hopelessness of further resistance, on September
23, 1846, at nine o'clock at night, penned the follow
ing good letter :
" General : As I have made all the defense of
which I believe this city capable, I have fulfilled my

THE FALL OF MONTEREY.

177

obligation, and done all required by that military
honor which, to a certain degree, is common to all
the armies of the civilized world; and as a continua
tion of the defense would only bring upon the popu
lation distress, to which they have already been suffi
ciently subjected by the evils consequent upon war,
and believing that the American Government will
appreciate these sentiments, I propose to your Ex
cellency to evacuate the city and Citadel, taking with
me the personnel and materiel of war which is left,
and under the assurance that no prosecution shall be
undertaken against the citizens who have taken part
in the defense.
" Be pleased to accept the assurance of my most
distinguished consideration.
" Pedro de Ampudia.
"Senor Don Z. Taylor, General-in-Chiej oj the American Army."
This letter did not go through the lines till day
light. At 7 A.M. of September 24th General Taylor
wrote his answer :
" In answer to your proposition to evacute the
city and fort, with all the personnel and materiel of
war, I have to state that my duty compels me to de
cline acceding to it. A complete surrender of the
town and garrison, the latter as prisoners of war, is
now demanded. But such surrender will be upon
terms ; and the gallant defense of the place, credit
able alike to the Mexican troops and nation, will
prompt me to make those terms as liberal as possible.
The garrison will be allowed, at your option, after
laying down its arms, to retire to the interior, orr
condition of not serving again during the war or

178

GENERAL TAYLOR.

until regularly exchanged. I need hardly say that
the rights of non-combatants will be respected.
" An answer to this communication is required by
twelve o'clock. If you assent to an accommodation,
an officer will be dispatched at once, under instruc
tions to arrange the conditions.
" I am, sir, very respectfully,
" Your obedient servant,
"Z. Taylor,
'¦^Major-General, U. S.Army, Commanding.
"Seiior Don Pedro Ampudia, General-in-ChieJ, Monterey''
Of course this gentle non-concurrence of General
Taylor with the conditions of the evacuation only
delayed the final consummation. Hostilities were to
cease till noon of the 24th. So General Ampudia
hastened to reply, and asked, through General Worth,
for a personal interview with the commander-in-
Chief of the attacking army. In compliance, General
Taylor immediately rode over to the headquarters
of his division general, and the two commanders, at
II A. M., met and consulted. The Mexican general
was no longer as straightforward as one from his
letters would have judged him to be. It was now
news from Mexico which caused delay; there was
there, so he claimed, a change in the administration.
The original orders from his capital were no longer
of such mandatory effect. He was, nevertheless,
disposed to make terms. But after a few minutes'
conversation it was evident to General Taylor that
Ampudia intended to avoid a veritable surrender, so
that the former at once declared for a continuance
of the battle. But before the generals had separated
several Mexican officers interceded, and effected a

THE FALL OF MONTEREY.

179

compromise in the establishment of a joint com
mission, instructed to consider and agree, if possible,
upon terms of capitulation.
Generals Worth and Henderson and Colonel
Jefferson Davis represented General Taylor, while
Generals Ortega and Raquena and the Governor of
Nueva Leon, Senor Llano, represented the Mexican
commander. Taylor's demands were set forth, simply and
briefly, in six propositions, viz. :
" I. As the legitimate result of the operations be
fore this place, and the present position of the con
tending armies, we demand the surrender of the
town, the arms and munitions of war, and all other
public property within the place.
" II. That the Mexican armed force retire beyond
the Rinconada, Linares, and San Fernando, on the
coast. " III. The commanding general of the army of
the United States agrees that the Mexican officers
reserve their side-arms and private baggage, and
the troops be allowed to retire under their officers
without parole, a reasonable time being allowed to
withdraw the forces.
" IV. The immediate delivery of the main work,
now occupied, to the army of the United States.
" V. To avoid collisions, and for mutual conven
ience, that the troops of the United States shall not
occupy the town until the Mexican forces have been
withdrawn, except for hospital purposes, store
houses, etc.
"VI. The commanding general of the United
States agrees not to advance beyond the line speci
fied in the second section before the expiration of

l8o GENERAL TAYLOR.
eight weeks, or until the respective governments
can be heard from."
Ampudia's commissioners would not at first fully
agree to these terms. Jefferson Davis's subsequent
celebrity renders his minutes upon the work of this
joint commission of perhaps an increased interest.
His notes are as follows :
" Upon returning to the reception-room, after the
fact had been announced that the commissioners
could not agree upon terms. General Ampudia en
tered at length upon the question, treating the point
of disagreement as one which involved the honor of
his country, spoke of his desire for a settlement
without further bloodshed, and said he did not care
about the pieces of artillery which he had at the
place. General Taylor responded to the wish to
avoid unnecessary bloodshed. It was agreed that
the commission should reassemble, and we were in
structed to concede the small arms ; and I supposed
there would be no question about the artillery. The
Mexican commissioners now urged that, as all other
arms had been recognized, it would be discreditable
to the artillery if required to march out without any
thing to represent their arm, and stated, in answer
to an inquiry, that they had a battery of light artil
lery, manoeuvred and equipped as such. The com
mission again arose, and reported the disagreement
on the point of artillery.
" General Taylor hearing that no more was de
manded than the middle ground, upon which, in a
spirit of generosity, he had agreed to place the ca
pitulation, announced the conference at an end, and
rose in a manner which showed his determination to
talk no more. As he crossed the room to leave it,

THE FALL OF MONTEREY. i8l
one of the Mexican commissioners addressed him,
and some conversation which I did not hear ensued.
General Worth asked permission of General Taylor,
and addressed some remarks to General Ampudia,
the spirit of which was that he had manifested
throughout the negotiation — viz., generosity and le
niency, and a desire to spare the further effusion of
blood. The commission reassembled, and the points
of capitulation were agreed upon. After a short re
cess we again repaired to the room in which we had
parted from the Mexican commissioners ; they were
tardy in joining us, and slow in executing the instru
ment of capitulation. The seventh, eighth, and
ninth articles were added during this session. At a
late hour the English original was handed to Gen
eral Taylor for his examination, the Spanish origi
nal having been sent to General Ampudia. General
Taylor signed and delivered to me the instrument
as it was submitted to him, and I returned to receive
the Spanish copy with the signature of General Am
pudia, and send that having General Taylor's signa
ture, that each general might countersign the origi
nal to be retained by the other. General Ampudia
did not sign the instrument, as was expected, but
came himself to meet the commissioners. He raised
many points which had been settled, and evinced a
disposition to make the Spanish differ in essential
points from the English instrument. General Worth
was absent. Finally he was required to sign the in
strument prepared for his own commissioners, and
the English original was left with him, that he might
have it translated (which he promised to do that
night) and be ready the next morning, with a Spanish
duplicate of the English instrument left with him.
13

J 32 GENERAL TAYLOR.
By this means the two instruments would be made
to correspond, and he be compelled to admit his
knowledge of the contents of the English original
before he signed it.
" The next morning the commissioners again met ;
again the attempt was made, as had been often done
before by solicitation, to gain some grant in addi
tion to the compact. Thus we had, at their request,
adopted the word capitulation in lieu of surrender ;
they now wished to submit stipulation for capitula
tion. It finally became necessary to make a per
emptory demand for the immediate signing of the
English instrument by General Ampudia, and the
literal translation (now perfected) by the commis
sioners and their general. The Spanish instrument
first signed by General Ampudia was destroyed in
presence of his commissioners ; the translation of
our own instrument was countersigned by General
Taylor, and delivered. The agreement was com
plete, and it only remained to execute the terms."
The instrument itself is :
" Terms of capitulation of the city of Monterey,
the capital of Nueva Leon, agreed upon by the un
dersigned commissioners, to wit : General Worth, of
the United States Army, General Henderson, of the
Texas Volunteers, and Colonel Davis, of the Mis
sissippi Riflemen, on the part of Major-General
Taylor, commanding the United States forces; and
General Raquena and General Ortega, of the Army
of Mexico, and Seftor Manuel M. Llano, Governor
of Nueva Leon, on the part of Senor Don Pedro
Ampudia, general-in-chief of the army of the north
of Mexico. "Art. I. As the legitimate result of the opera-

THE FALL OF MONTEREY.

183

tions before this place, and the present condition of
the contending armies, it is agreed that the city, the
fortifications, cannon, the munitions of war, and all
other public property, with the undermentioned ex
ceptions, be surrendered to the commanding-general
of the United States forces now at Monterey.
"Art. 2. 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 accoutre
ments, the artillery one field battery, not to exceed
six pieces, with twenty - one rounds of ammu
nition. "Art. 3. That the Mexican armed forces retire,
within seven days from this date, beyond the line
formed by the pass of the Rinconada, the city of
Linares, and San Fernando de Pusas.
" Art. 4. That the Citadel at Monterey be evac
uated by the Mexican and occupied by the Ameri
can forces to-morrow morning at ten o'clock.
" Art. 5. To avoid collisions and for mutual
convenience, that the troops of the United States
will not occupy the city until the Mexican forces
have withdrawn, except for hospital and storage
purposes. " Art. 6. That the forces of the United States
will not advance beyond the line specified in the
second (third) article before the expiration of eight
weeks, or until the orders or instructions of the re
spective governments can be received.
"Art. 7. That the public property to be delivered
shall be turned over and received by officers ap
pointed by the commanding generals of both armies.
"Art. 8. That all doubts as to the meaning of

1 84

GENERAL TAYLOR.

any of the preceding articles shall be solved by an
equitable construction, and on principles of liber
ality to the retiring army.
" Art. 9. That the Mexican flag, when struck at
the Citadel, may be saluted by its own battery.
"Done at Monterey, September 24, 1846."

CHAPTER XIV.
Terms of the capitulation objected to — Causes of Taylor's leniency
— Comments of American members of the Joint Cornmission
— Bravery of both sides — Taylor's force too small for com
plete investment — Too small for effective pursuit — Ammuni
tion and supplies gained, etc. — Taylor's own defense — Letters
to the Secretary of War — Sure escape of the bulk of Ampudia's
force except for the capitulation — Loss of life — Explosions of
magazines — Damage to the city. — The capitulation paralyzed
the enemy for a period when he could not have moved for
want of wagons — Troops taken from Taylor without con
sultation — Results of liberal treatment — Private letter of
Taylor's which explains the situation and the necessity of
the capitulation — His good heart — General Taylor's graceful
commendation of his ofiicers and men.
The terms of agreement, as signed by the Joint
Commission and approved by Generals Ampudia
and Taylor, were substantially carried into execu
tion. General Taylor, who was never a politician
or partisan, was nevertheless known to belong to
the Whig party, which was not at this time in power.
His phenomenal success had already brought him
into the focus of public observation, and caused the
Whigs to talk of him as their representative leader —
that is to say, as their probable candidate for the
presidency for the ensuing political campaign. This
attitude, for which Taylor was in no other way re
sponsible except, perhaps, by his public deeds and
noble character, necessarily brought to bear upon

1 86 GENERAL TAYLOR.
him more or less the jealousy and criticism of the
party in power ; so that it is not at all wonderful
that from time to time members of that party were
looking for grounds of reproach.
When his terms, like those of Sherman with John
ston during our late war, first reached Washington,
they gave apparent disappointment and caused much
fault-finding — not only in the administrative depart
ments,, but soon in public speeches on the floors of
Congress, and from political platforms in different
parts of the country. The Mexican general [Am
pudia] promoted this spirit of fault-finding by his
proclamation announcing to his army that there had
been, previous to the surrender, " a great scarcity of
ammunition and provisions." This statement was a
falsehood, but it justified those hostile to Taylor in
stating " that if he [Taylor] had pressed the Mexi
cans a little longer he might have taken their whole
army prisoners of war."
The opposition to General Taylor was at its height
when a member of Congress presented a " resolution
of thanks to General Taylor and the army under
his command for their gallantry in the capture of
Monterey." A significant amendment was made to
the resolution — viz., "that nothing herein contained
shall be construed into an approbation of the terms
of capitulation at Monterey."
It was exceedingly mortifying to General Taylor
and his friends that the resolutions took this shape,
so that for some time efforts were made by him and
other distinguished officers to spread the truth upon
the records of the Government; and undoubtedly
it is due to General Taylor's memory, in any sketch
that can be made, to quote some of the reasons

THE CONVENTION DEFENDED. 187
which have been offered so faithfully and which so
amply justified him in the lenient course which he
took with the Mexican general and those under his
command. General Ampudia, though an able com
mander, had what our American Indians term " a
forked tongue." His representations concerning the
changes in the Mexican policy, about the time of his
own surrender, appear to have sprung from his own
inventive genius rather than from the facts in his
possession ; for Santa Anna, when he did come, was
more strongly for war than his predecessors, and
would not have been likely to have ordered a cessa
tion of resistance or anything like it at Monterey.
So that the readers of this biography may throw
out of the account all that General Ampudia at the
conference alleged, except to admit that his uncon
tradicted statements there made must have greatly
influenced all the members of the Joint Commission
in the construction of the terms of the capitulation ;
and, considering General Taylor's ever-present desire
for an honorable peace, they must have softened his
natural and usual desire for a completeness of sur
render of any and every army that waged battle with
him. First, here are some notes of the Joint Commis
sion :
" 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
while the main fort (called the New Citadel) remained
in the hands of the enemy. Being without siege
artillery or intrenching tools, we could only hope
to carry this fort by storm after a heavy loss from
our army, which, isolated in a hostile country, now

1 88 GENERAL TAYLOR.
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, bearing his light arms. Our
army, poorly provided and with very insufficient
transportation, could not have overtaken if they had
pursued 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 sup
pose their general would have surrendered at discre
tion. The moral effect of retiring under the capitu
lation was certainly greater than if the enemy had
retired without our consent. By this course we
secured the large supply of ammunition he had col
lected 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 espe
cial aim of our pieces. The destruction which this
explosion would have produced must have involved
the advance of both divisions 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 negotiation."
But next, perhaps. General Taylor's own public
letter contains the most complete and strongest
answer to any apparently valid objections to his
terms of capitulation: " Camp near Monterey, November 8, 1846.
" Sir : In reply to so much of the communication
of the Secretary of War as relates to tVie reasons

THE CONVENTION DEFENDED.

189

which induced the convention resulting in the capitu
lation of Monterey, I have the honor to submit the
following remarks :
" The convention presents two distinct points :
First, the permission granted the Mexican army to
retire with their arms, etc. ; 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 mili
tary 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 maga
zines, 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 considera
tion of humanity was present to my mind during the
conference which led to the convention, and out
weighed, in my judgment, the doubtful advantages
to be gained by a resumption of the attack upon the
town. This conclusion has been fully confirmed by
an inspection of the enemy's position and means
since the surrender. It was discovered that his
principal magazine, containing an immense amount
of powder, was in the Cathedral, completely ex-

190

GENERAL TAYLOR.

posed to our shells from two directions. The explo
sion of this mass of powder, which must have ulti
mately resulted from a continuance of the bombard
ment, 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 hostili
ties, 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 rea
sons which dictated this suspension of arms. It
paralyzed the enemy during a period when, from
the want of necessary means, we could not possibly
move. I desire distinctly to state, and to call the
attention of the authorities to the fact, that, with all
diligence in breaking mules and setting up wagons,
the first wagons in addition to our original trains from
Corpus Christi (and but one hundred and twenty-five
in number) reached my headquarters on the same day
with the Secretary'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 endeavors, we
have not more than twenty-five. The task of fight
ing and beating the enemy is among the least diffi
cult that we encounter. The great question of sup
plies 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 Depart
ment would direct an important detachment from my
command without consulting me, or without waiting
the result of the main operations under my orders.

THE CONVENTION DEFENDED. igi
" 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 con
ference with General Ampudia, I was distinctly told
by him that he had invited it to spare the further
effusion of blood, and because General Santa Anna
had declared himself favorable to peace. I knew
that our Government had made propositions to that
of Mexico to negotiate, and I deemed that the
change of government in that country since my last
instructions, fully warranted me in entertaining con
siderations of policy. My grand motive in moving
forward with very limited supplies had been to in
crease the inducements of the Mexican Government
to negotiate for peace. Whatever may be the actual
views or disposition of the Mexican rulers or of
General Santa Anna, it is not unknown to the Gov
ernment that I had the very best reason for believ
ing 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 favorable influence in our
behalf. " The result of the entire operation has been to
throw the Mexican army back more than three hun
dred miles to the city of San Luis Potosi, and to
open the country to us as far as we choose to pene
trate it up to the same point.
"It has been my purpose, in this communication,
not so much to defend the convention from the cen
sure which I deeply regret to find implied in the Sec-

IQ2 GENERAL TAYLOR.
retary'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."
General Taylor, in a private letter dated Monte
rey, Mexico, November 5, 1846, wrote very fully
upon the same subject — that is, of the terms of the
surrender of Monterey. Extracts from this letter
not only justify General Taylor's action, but show
the goodness of his heart.
" Headquarters Army of Occupation or Invasion,
Monterey, Mexico, November 5, 1846.
" After considerable apparent delay on the part
of the Quartermaster's Department in getting steam
boats into the Rio Grande adapted to its naviga
tion, I succeeded toward the latter part of August in
throwing forward to Camargo (a town situated on
the San Juan River three miles from its junction
with the Rio Grande, on the west side, nearly five
hundred miles from Brazos Island by water and two
hundred by land, and one hundred and forty from
this place), a considerable depot of provisions, ord
nance, ammunition, and forage, and then, having
brought together an important portion of my com
mand, I determined on moving on this place. Ac
cordingly, after collecting seventeen hundred pack-
mules, with their attendants and conductors, in the
enemy's country (the principal means of transporta
tion for our provisions and baggage), I left, on the
5th of September, to join my advance, which had
preceded me a few days to Seralvo, a small village

THE CONVENTION DEFENDED. 1^3
seventy-five miles on the route, which I did on the
9th, and, after waiting there a few days for some of
the corps to get up, moved on and reached here on
the 19th (September, 1846), with 6,250 men — 2,700
regulars, the balance volunteers. For what took
place afterwards I must refer you to several reports,
particularly to my detailed one of the 9th ultimo.
I do not believe the authorities at Washington are
at all satisfied with my conduct in regard to the
terms of capitulation entered into with the Mexican
commander, which you no doubt have seen, as they
have been made public through the official organ,
and copied in various other newspapers. I have
this moment received an answer (to my dispatch an
nouncing the surrender of Monterey, and the cir
cumstances attending the same) from the Secretary
of War, stating that ' it was regretted by the Presi
dent that it was not advisable to insist on the terms
I had proposed in my communication to the Mexi
can commander in regard to giving up the city,'
adding that ' the circumstances which dictated, no
doubt justified the change.' Although the terms
of capitulation may be considered too liberal on
our part by the President and his advisers, as well
as by many others at a distance, particularly by
those who do not understand the position which
we occupied, (otherwise they might come to different
conclusion in regard to the matter), yet, on due re
flection, I see nothing to induce me to regret the
course I pursued.
" The proposition on the part of General Am
pudia, which had much to do in determining my
course in the matter, was based on the ground that
our Government had proposed to his to settle ex-

194

GENERAL TAYLOR.

isting difficulties by negotiation, (which I knew was
the case, without knowing the result), which was
then under consideration by the proper authorities,
and which he (General Ampudia) had no doubt
would result favorably, as the whole of his people
were in favor of peace. If so, I considered the fur
ther effusion of blood not only unnecessary, but im
proper. Their force was also considerably larger
than ours, and from the size and position of the
place we could not completely invest it; so that the
greater portion of their troops, if not the whole, had
they been disposed to do so, could any night have
abandoned the city at once, entered the mountain
passes, and effected their retreat, do what we could !
Had we been put to the alternative of taking the
place by storm (which there is no doubt we should
have succeeded in doing), we should in all probabil
ity have lost fifty or one hundred men in killed, be
sides the wounded, which I wished to avoid, as
there appeared to be a prospect of peace, even if a
distant one. I also wished to avoid the destruction
of women and children, which must have been very
great had the storming process been resorted to.
Besides, they had a very large and strong fortifica
tion a short distance from the city, which, if carried
with the bayonet, must have been taken at great
sacrifice of life; and, with our limited train of heavy
or battering artillery, it would have required twenty
or twenty-five days to take it by regular approaches.
"That they should have surrendered a place
nearly as strong as Quebec, well fortified under the
direction of skillful engineers, their works garnished
with forty-two pieces of artillery, abundantly sup
plied with ammunition, garrisoned by seven thou-

THE CONVENTION DEFENDED.

195

sand regulars and two thousand irregular troops, in
addition to some thousand of citizens capable of,
and no doubt actually, bearing arms and aiding in
its defense, to an opposing force of half their num
ber, scantily supplied with provisions, and with a
light train of artillery, is among the unaccountable
occurrences of the times.
" I am decidedly opposed to carrying the war
beyond Saltillo in this direction, which place has
been entirely abandoned by the Mexican forces, all
of whom have been concentrated at San Luis Potosi ;
and I shall lose no time in taking possession of the
former as soon as the cessation of hostilities re
ferred to expires, which I have notified the Mexican
authorities will close on the 13th instant by direc
tion of the President of the United States.
" If we are (in the language of Mr. Polk and Gen
eral Scott) under the necessity of ' conquering peace,'
and that by taking the capital of the country, we
must go to Vera Cruz, take that place, and then
march on the city of Mexico. To do so in any other
direction I consider out of the question. But, ad
mitting that we conquer a peace by so doing, say at
the end of the next twelve months, will the amount
of blood and treasure, which must be expended in
doing so, be compensated by the same ? I think
not, especially if the country we subdue is to be
given up ; and I imagine there are but few individ
uals in our country who think of annexing Mexico
to the United States.
" I do not intend to carry on my operations (as
previously stated) beyond Saltillo, deeming it next
to impracticable to do so. It then becomes a ques
tion as to what is best to be done. It seems to

ig6 GENERAL TAYLOR.
me the most judicious course to be pursued on our
part would be to take possession at once of the line
we would accept by negotiation, extending from the
Gulf of Mexico to the Pacific, and occupy the same,
or keep what we already have possession of ; and
that, with Tampico (which I hope to take in the
course of next month, or as soon as I can get the
means of transportation), will give us all on this side
of the Sierra Madre, and, as soon as I occupy ^1-
tillo, will include six or seven states or provinces,
thus holding Tampico, Vittoria, Monterey, Saltillo,
Monclova, Chihuahua (which I presume General
Wool has possession of by this time), Santa F^, and
the Californias, and say to Mexico, 'Drive us from'
the country ! ' throwing on her the responsibility and
expense of carrying on offensive war, at the same
time closely blockading all her ports on the Pacific
and on the Gulf. A course of this kind, if perse
vered in for a short time, would soon bring her to
her proper senses, and compel her to sue for peace,
provided there is a government in the country suffi
ciently stable for us to treat with, which I fear will
hardly be the case for many years to come. With
out large re-enforcements of volunteers from the
United States, say ten or fifteen thousand (those
previously sent out having already been greatly re
duced by sickness and other casualties), I do not
believe it would be advisable to march beyond Sal
tillo, which is more than two hundred miles beyond
our depots on the Rio Grande, a very long line on
which to keep up supplies (over a land route in a
country like this) for a large force, and certain to be
attended with an expense which it will be frightful
to contemplate when closely looked into.

THE CONVENTION DEFENDED.

197

" From Saltillo to San Luis Potosi, the next place
of importance on the road to the city of Mexico, is
three hundred miles, one hundred and forty badly
watered, where no supplies of any kind could be
procured for men or horses. I have informed the
War Department that twenty thousand efficient men
would be necessary to insure success if we move on
that place (a city containing a population of sixty
thousand, where the enemy could bring together and
sustain, besides the citizens, an army of fifty thou
sand), a force which I apprehend will hardly be col
lected by us, with the train necessary to feed it, as
well as to transport various other supplies, particu
larly ordnance and munitions of war.
" In regard to the armistice, which would have
expired by limitation in a few .days, we lost nothing
by it, as we could not move even now had the enemy
continued to occupy Saltillo ; for, strange to say,
the first wagon that has reached me since the decla
ration of war was on the 2d instant, the same day on
which I received from Washington an acknowledg
ment of my dispatch announcing the taking of Mon
terey, and then I received only one hundred and
twenty-five; so that I have been since May last com
pletely crippled, and am still so, for want of trans
portation. After raking and scraping the country
for miles around Camarg^o, collecting every pack-
mule and other means of transportation, I could
bring here only eighty thousand rations (fifteen days'
supply), with a moderate supply of ordnance, ammu
nition, etc., to do which all the corps had to leave
behind a portion of their camp equipage necessary
for their comfort, and in some instances, among the
volunteers, their personal baggage. I moved in such
14

Ig8 GENERAL TAYLOR.
a way and with such limited means that, had I not suc
ceeded, I should no doubt have been severely repri
manded, if nothing worse. I did so to sustain the
administration. " Of the two regiments of mounted men from
Tennessee and Kentucky who left their respective
States to join me in June, the latter has just reached
Camargo ; the former had not got to Matamoros at
the latest dates from there. Admitting that they
will be as long in returning as in getting here (to
say nothing of the time necessary to recruit their
horses), and were to be discharged in time to reach
their homes, they could serve in Mexico but a very
short time. The foregoing remarks are not made
with the view of finding fault with any one, but to
point out the difficulties with which I have had to
contend. " Monterey, the capital of New Leon, is situated
on the San Juan River where it comes out of the
mountains, the city (which contains a population of
about twelve thousand) being in part surrounded by
them, at the head of a large and beautiful valley.
The houses are of stone, in the Moorish style, with
flat roofs, which, with their strongly inclosed gar
dens in high stone walls all looped for musketry,
make them each a fortress within itself. It is the
most important place in northern Mexico or on the
east side of the Sierra Madre, commanding the only
pass or road for carriages from this side, between it
and the Gulf of Mexico to the table-lands of the
Sierra, by or through which the city of Mexico can
be reached. " I much fear that I shall have exhausted your

THE CONVENTION DEFENDED. — jgg
patience before you get half through this long and
uninteresting letter. If so, you can only commit it
to the flames and think no more about it, as I write
in great haste, besides being interrupted every five
minutes; so that you must make great allowances
for blots, interlineations, and blunders, as well as
want of connection in many parts of the same.
" Be so good as to present me most kindly to
your excellent lady; and accept my sincere wishes
for your continued health, prosperity, and fame.
" I remain, truly and sincerely, your friend,
" Z. Taylor."
Considering the length of the operations at Mon
terey — a partial siege we may call them — and the
many combats of Taylor's troops, including the as
saults upon forts, bridge-heads, and redoubts, be
sides those upon the stone walls of public buildings,
private courts, and dwelling-houses, and for the
most part at each point of attack carried on against
equal or superior numbers, it is surprising to find the
casualties so few. Taylor's entire loss, after he
came in sight of the city, was but one hundred and
thirty-three officers and men killed, and three hun
dred and ninety-eight officers and men wounded and
missing. It is always a difficult task for a commander
properly to discriminate with reference to those un
der him in action so as to award praise or blame with
justice, and give to those concerned anything like ade
quate satisfaction. General Taylor's efforts in this
respect, in all his reports now recorded, are models.
After the battle of Monterey he commences his com
mendation — for here it is only commendation — of

200 GENERAL TAYLOR.
both regulars and volunteers, in this graceful expres
sion : " I am proud to bear testimony to their coolness
and constancy in battle, and the cheerfulness with
which they have submitted to exposure and priva
tion." He evidently took sufficient time to consider
the reported conduct of every officer, besides those
whom he himself noticed in the field. So that we
have here a beautiful record from the three division
commanders to the humblest lieutenant who served
in the army of occupation.
From this long list there are very few who lived
who did not also gain great distinction in the war of
the rebellion of 1861 to 1865. He exercises a simi
lar care in the enumeration of the deeds of the non
commissioned officers, and refers feelingly to the re
ports of sub-commanders, of which one historian says :
(These reports) " must therefore close the record
of personal merit which shone forth on that memo
rable occasion — memorable not only in the annals of
America, but in the records of modern warfare. . . ."
He further says : " Commentary can not magnify the
luster of such an achievement. If it is right and
reasonable to applaud actions involving of necessity
the infliction of misery and the sacrifice of life, the
capture of Monterey is one to command unqualified
admiration.'' In the preliminary march, during the operations
of the partial siege, in his instructions to the joint
commission, and in all his reports and letters, Gen
eral Zachary Taylor showed his usual sterling quali
ties ; for example : i. In setting out upon the march
with so few troops, and so poorly supported by the
supply departments, he evinced decided boldness,
with great confidence in himself and his men.

THE CONVENTION DEFENDED. 20 1
2. His quick appreciation of the situation at Mon
terey ; and entering at once upon the best practicable
plan of attack, and carrying it on unflinchingly against
vastly superior numbers, show, at every stage, the
sterling firmness and persistency of the man.
3. His tenderness of heart, in the face of his in
domitable action, was constantly brought out ; he
had too much humanity to admit of the sacrifice of
life for any uncertain issue. His own declaration has
a sincere and dignified appearance. He writes : " The
consideration of humanity was present to my mind
during the conference which led to the convention,
and outweighed, in my judgment, the doubtful ad
vantage to be gained by the resumption of the attack
upon the town." How soon he apprehended the im
mense loss of life that would have followed an attempt
to assault or evacuate the town by the enemy, and
particularly from the almost certain explosion of the
great powder magazine, dealing death to friend and
foe alike, and slaying perhaps thousands of innocent
women and children !
4. The objections to his extended cessation from
hostilities have long since redounded to Taylor's
good judgment ; for it required time to prepare for a
new campaign, and hostilities are always, especially
in time of preparation, a serious, disturbing factor.
5. No one who reviews this campaign can fail
to see that much of General Taylor's success was
obtained in spite of bad treatment from senior au
thority. It seems now to be almost incredible that
the necessary transportation and supplies should
have been so long held back ; and no one can fail to
believe that rivalry or jealousy was at the bottom of
the policy which detached from General Taylor a

202 GENERAL TAYLOR.
large proportion of his command without even con
sulting him. Still, his complaints are never fretful,
but always reasonable and dignified in their state
ment. 6. Another notable feature is the good influence
of General Taylor's lenient conduct upon the Mexi
can mind ; and who can tell what might have been
the result had his wise counsels been more fully fol
lowed. His letters concerning the future conduct
of the whole campaign are written with large ca
pacity, practical good sense, and honest, patriotic
fervor.

CHAPTER XV.
New Washington plans — Reduction of force — Santa Anna and
Paredes — Hon. William L. Marcy's letter to Taylor — Tay
lor's occupation deemed a blessing — More fault-finding — Tay
lor's official replies — General Wool's column — The new line.
We may pause here to notice the effect upon Gen
eral Taylor and his career of the new plans emanat
ing from Washington. General Taylor's operations
at Monterey had reduced his army to about fifty-five
hundred men, and as soon as they became compara
tively idle in the climate of Mexico there was a further
reduction on account of sickness. Certainly it was
impracticable to move by this Monterey route much
farther into the interior, unless there could be estab
lished a series of depots and sub-depots well guarded.
The line was already one hundred and fifty miles in
length from the Rio Grande. There had been sev
eral attempts on the part of our administration to
secure terms of settlement with the Mexicans by
peaceable measures. By September, 1846, the prom
ises of Santa Anna, who had come to replace Paredes
as President and commander of the army, had proved
futile. With a view to placing before the reader the
attitude of our Government at this time, it may be
well to quote from the able instructions of the Hon,
William L. Marcy, given from Washington in a com
munication to Gen. Taylor, the 22d of September,

204

GENERAL TAYLOR.

particularly those with regard to living on the coun
try :
" Public opinion," he writes, " it is to be presumed,
will have some influence upon the decision of that [the
Mexican] Congress. The progress of our arms, and
the positions we may occupy when that body shall
come together, can not fail to have effect upon its
action in regard to our proposal to negotiate. Should
the campaign be successful, and our troops be in pos
session of important departments of the enemy's coun
try, the inducement for a speedy peace will be greatly
strengthened. " It is far from being certain that our military oc
cupation 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 author
ities, protected in their persons, and furnished with
a most profitable market for most kinds of their
property. A state of things so favorable to their
interests may induce them to wish the continuance
of hostilities. " 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 re
quirements of civilized warfare. An invading army
has the unquestionable right to draw its supplies from
the enemy without paying for them, and to require con
tributions 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

FUTURE PLANS DISCUSSED.

205

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 prac
ticable, 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
without regard to the enhanced value resulting from
the presence of a foreign army ; and, third, to re
quire them as contributions, without paying or en
gaging to pay therefor.
"The last mode is the ordinary one, and you are
instructed to adopt it, if in that way you are satis
fied you can get abundant supplies for your forces ;
but should you apprehend a difiiculty in this respect,
then you will adopt the policy of paying the ordi
nary price, without allowing to the owners the ad
vantages of the enhancement of the price resulting
from the increased demand. Should you apprehend
a deficiency under this last mode of dealing with the
inhabitants, 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 need from the United States. Should you at
tempt to supply your troops by contributions, or the
appropriation of private property, you will be care
ful to exempt the property of all foreigners from any
and all exactions whatsoever. The President hopes
you will be able to derive from the enemy's country,

2o6 GENERAL TAYLOR.
without expense to the United States, the supplies
you may need, or a considerable part of them; but
should you fail in this, you will procure them in the
most economical manner."
Mr. Marcy further states : " It is proposed to
take possession of the Department of Tamaulipas, or
some of the principal places in it, at the earliest
practicable period. In this enterprise it is believed
that a co-operation of our squadron in the Gulf will
be important, if not necessary. It is presumed that
a force of about three or four thousand men will be
sufficient for this purpose — one third of which should
be of the regular army.
" We have not now sufficiently accurate knowl
edge of the country to determine definitely as to the
manner of conducting this enterprise. The danger
ous navigation of the Gulf at this season of the year
induces the hope that a column may be advanced by
land from the present base of operations — the Rio
Grande; and that it may have an occasional com
munication with our ships in the Gulf. Should this
land route be adjudged impracticable, or a debarka
tion be preferred, two points of landing have been sug
gested, one at the Bay of Santander and the other
at Tampico. If a force be landed at the Bay of
Santander, or in the vicinity of Soto la Marina, it
could probably reach, without much difficulty, some
of the principal places in the Department of
Tamaulipas, and march to and take possession of
Tampico. While the route is yet open to be settled,
as a better knowledge of the country may .indicate,
it is proper to speak more in detail of the force to
be qpiployed in this service.
" It is not proposed to withdraw any of that now

FUTURE PLANS DISCUSSED. 207
with you in your advance into the interior, nor to
divert any of the re-enforcements that you may need
to carry on your operations in that quarter. It is
believed that a sufficient force of the regular army
for this expedition — about one regiment — may be
drawn from the seaboard, including such companies
as may have been left on the lower Rio Grande, and
can be spared for that purpose. If a column should
advance beyond the river into the interior of Tamau
lipas, a part of the troops now on that line might,
it is presumed, be safely withdrawn to augment the
invading column. It is not, however, intended to
weaken the force on that line any further than it can,
in your opinion, be safely done.
" It is also proposed to put the force for the in
vasion of Tamaulipas under the immediate command
of Major-General Patterson, to be accompanied by
Brigadier-Generals Pillow and Shields, unless it
should interfere with your previous arrangement
with regard to these officers. To prevent delay,
General Patterson will be directed to make prepara
tions for this movement, so far as it can be done
without disturbing your present arrangements on
the Rio Grande, and proceed immediately and with
out further orders from the Department, unless you
should be of opinion that the withdrawal of the
force proposed for this expedition would interfere
with your operations. This direction is given to
General Patterson^ because the time necessary to
receive information from you and return an answer
from the Department may be the propitious moment
for operating with effect. The movement ought to be
made with the least possible delay consistently with
the health of the troops. It will be left to General

2o8 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Patterson, under your instructions, to decide whether
the movement shall be by land or sea, or partly by
each. It is desired that you should give liim your
views in regard to the best mode of prosecuting this
expedition, particularly as to the amount and descrip
tion of force, and the quantity and kind of ordnance
which may be required. Preparatory arrangements
will be immediately ordered here for fitting out the
expedition therein proposed, by which transports and
provisions will be in readiness at the Brazos San
tiago. By the time this communication will be re
ceived by you, it is expected that you will have
reached Monterey, and perhaps Saltillo, and be
able to present to the Department a satisfactory
opinion of your ability to progress beyond that
point. We shall anxiously look for information
from you. Your advance to San Luis Potosi, if
practicable, is rendered greatly more important by
the movement contemplated to Tampico, by which
you will, it is believed, be enabled to effect a co
operation with the squadron, and with the column
under Major-General Patterson, on a line in advance
of the Rio Grande. The squadron is now under
orders to attack Tampico, with every prospect of
success, and the probability is that the place will be
captured in advance of General Patterson's move
ment." By a careful reading of these instructions and
what follows, and by the orders sent to General Pat
terson and other officers, it was made plain to Gen
eral Taylor that the President and his Cabinet were
not pleased with the terms of his capitulation at
Monterey. They especially demurred at the pro
longed armistice. Here are some of the expressions

FUTURE PLANS DISCUSSED.

209

of regret. Mr. Marcy says : " By the arrangements
you have made for a temporary suspension of hos
tilities within certain limits of the enemy's country,
if continued to the end of the time stipulated, a con
siderable part of Tamaulipas will be exempted from
military operations until within a few days of the time
fixed for the meeting of the Mexican Congress, and
the expedition — that is, the one projected to Tampi
co — thereby delayed, or, if prosecuted by the land or
naval forces, might bring into question the good faith
of the United States. ... It is an object of much
interest to the Government to be put in possession
of your views as to your future operations."
A Uttle after, something beyond the Tampico proj
ect Mr. Marcy reveals to Taylor, when he says : " It
is under consideration by the Government, though not
yet fully determined, to land a considerable force in
the vicinity of Vera Cruz and invest that city. Should
this be undertaken, a larger force of regular troops
will be required than that assigned to the Tamauli
pas expedition. It is desired to know if, in your
opinion,- a detachment of two thousand of this de
scription of force can be spared for that purpose
from those under your command, without essentially
interfering with your plans and operations. It is
not designed or intended to weaken the force with
you at Monterey, or to embarrass you by diverting
troops from the Rio Grande, which you may deem
necessary as reinforcements to the execution of your
own contemplated operations."
General Taylor appears to have answered, early
in October, that he could not, consistent with good
faith, detach a force and send it south of a line run
ning through Linares to San Fernando. A little

2 to GENERAL TAYLOR.
later, the 15th of October, the general was aroused
by a sort of undercurrent of dissatisfaction in the
communications which he received. There is nothing
that hurts the feelings of a general so much as such
a tone of fault-finding and unfavorable criticism, com
ing in letter after letter, and reflected in all the pub
lic press of the country, where he had rightfully
expected and really deserved only commendation.
The following letter, written under just these cir
cumstances, speaks for itself :
" Headquarters, Army of Occupation,
Camp near Monterey, October 15, 1846.
"Sir: In my acknowledgment, dated the 12th
instant, of the instructions of the Secretary of War
of September 2 2d, I briefly stated that the detach
ment to Tampico could not be made without contra
vening the convention at Monterey. Other reasons,
and more detailed views on this point and the gen
eral question of the campaign, I left to a subsequent
communication, which I have now the honor to sub
mit for the information of the General-in-Chief and
the Secretary of War. Such a point has been reached
in the conduct of the war and the progress of our
arms as to make it proper to place my impressions
and convictions very fully before the Government.
" I wish to remark, first of all, that I have con
sidered Brigadier-General Wool, though formally un
der my orders, yet as charged by the Government with
a distinct operation, with which I was not at liberty
to interfere. Though greatly in doubt as to the
practicability of his reaching Chihuahua with artil
lery, and deeming the importance of the operation,
at any rate, to be not at all commensurate with its

FUTURE PLANS DISCUSSED. 2 II
difiiculty and expense, I have accordingly refrained
from controlling his movements in any way. His
force, therefore, forms no element in my calcula
tions, particularly as it is now, or soon will be, en
tirely beyond my reach.
" The Mexican army under General Ampudia has
left Saltillo and fallen back on San Luis Potosi— the
last detachment, as I understand, being under orders
to march to-day. General Santa Anna reached San
Luis on the 8th instant, and is engaged in con
centrating and organizing the army at that point.
Whether the withdrawal of the forces to San Luis be
intended to draw us into the country, far from sup
plies and support, or whether it be a political move
ment, connected with Santa Anna's return to power,
it is impossible to say ; it is sufficient for my present
argument to know that a heavy force is assembling
in our front. Saltillo, the capital of Coahuila, is
virtually in our possession, and can be occupied, if
necessary, the moment the convention is at an end.
The occupation of Saltillo will lengthen our line sev
enty-five miles, but, on the other hand, may enable
us to draw at least a portion of our breadstuffs from
the country. San Luis is about three hundred miles
from Saltillo, perhaps more.
San Luis is a city of some sixty thousand inhab
itants, in a country abundant in resources, and at
no great distance from the heart of the Republic,
whence munitions of war and reinforcements can
readily be drawn. It is at the same time nearly six
hundred miles from the Rio Grande, which must con
tinue to be the base of our operations, at least until
we reach San Luis.
" In view of the above facts, I hazard nothing in

212 GENERAL TAYLOR.
saying that a column to move on San Luis from Sal
tillo should, to insure success, be at least twenty
thousand strong, of which ten thousand should be
regular troops. After much reflection, I consider
the above as the smallest number of effective troops
that could be employed on this service without in
curring the hazard of disaster, and perhaps defeat.
There would be required, besides, to keep open our
long line, protect the depots, and secure the country
already gained, a force of five thousand men — this,
without including the force necessary to send to
Tampico to take or hold that place.
" The above estimate may seem large, when it is
remembered that important results have been gained
with a much smaller force; but we have hitherto
operated near our own base, and the Mexicans at a
great distance from theirs. Saltillo may be consid
ered about equidistant from the Rio Grande and
San Luis. Every day's march beyond it lengthens
our already long line and curtails theirs — weakens
us and gives them strength. Hence the movement
should not be undertaken except with a force so
large as to render success certain.
" In the above calculations I have supposed the
Mexicans able to concentrate at San Luis a force of
forty thousand to fifty thousand men. With tol
erable stability in the Government, I doubt not their
ability to do this, and it is not safe to assume any
less number as a basis. The force of twelve months'
volunteers has suffered greatly from disease. Many
have died, and a great number have been discharged
for disability. So much has their effective strength
been reduced by this cause and present sickness
that, in the absence of official returns, I am satisfied

FUTURE PLANS DISCUSSED.

213

that five hundred men per regiment would be a large
average of effectives among the volunteers. This
would give, including the cavalry, a force a little
short of nine thousand men, or, adding four thousand
regulars (our present strength is not three thousand),
a total force of thirteen thousand. Leaving the very
moderate number of three thousand to secure our
rear, I should not be able to march from Saltillo,
with present and expected means, at the head of
more than ten thousand men — a number which, from
considerations above stated, I deem to be entirely
inadequate. " And now I come to the point presented in the
Secretary's letters. A simultaneous movement on
San Luis and Tampico is there suggested ; but it will
readily be seen that, with only half the force which I
consider necessary to march on one point, it is quite
impossible to march on both, and that nothing short
of an effective force of twenty-five thousand to thirty
thousand men would, on military principles, justify
the doube movement. And it is to be remarked that
the possession of Tampico is indispensable in case we
advance to San Luis, for the line hence to the latter
place is entirely too long to be maintained perma
nently, and must be abandoned for the shorter one
from Tampico the moment San Luis is taken.
" I have spoken only of the number of troops
deemed necessary for the prosecution of the cam
paign beyond Saltillo. It will be understood that
largely increased means and material of every kind
will be equally necessary to render the army efficient
— such as cavalry and artillery horses, means of
transportation, ordnance stores, etc.
" The Department may be assured that the above
15

214 GENERAL TAYLOR.
views have not been given without mature reflection,
and have been the result of experience and careful
inquiry. It will be for the Government to deter
mine whether the war shall be prosecuted by direct
ing an active campaign against San Luis and the
capital, or whether the country already gained shall
be held, and a defensive attitude assumed. In the
latter case, the general line of the Sierra Madre
might very well be taken ; but even then, with the
enemy in force in my front, it might be imprudent
to detach to Tampico so large a force as three
thousand or four thousand men, particularly of the
description required for that operation. If the co
operation of the army, therefore, be deemed essential
to the success of the expedition against Tampico, I
trust that it will be postponed for the present.
"I have not been unmindful of the importance of
taking Tampico, and have at least once addressed
the Department on the subject. Nothing but the
known exposure of the place to the ravages of the
yellow fever prevented me from organizing an ex
pedition against it last summer. I knew that, if
taken, it could not with any certainty be held, and
that the cause would not be removed before the last
of November or the first of December.
" It may be expected that I would give my views
as to the policy of occupying a defensive line, to
which I have above alluded. I am free to confess
that, in view of the difficulties and expense attending
a movement into the heart of the country, and par
ticularly in view of the unsettled and revolutionary
character of the Mexican Government, the occupa
tion of such a line seems to me the best course that
can be adopted. The line taken might either be that

FUTURE PLANS DISCUSSED. 215
on which we propose to insist as the boundary
between the republics — say, the Rio Grande — or the
line to which we have advanced — viz., the Sierra
Madre, including Chihuahua and Santa Fe. The
former line could be held with a much smaller force
than the latter; but even the line of the Sierra
Madre could be held with a force greatly less than
would be required for an active campaign. Mon
terey controls the great outlet from the interior ; a
strong garrison at this point, with an advance at
Saltillo, and small corps at Monclova, Linares, Vit
toria, and Tampico, would effectually cover the line.
" I have limited my remarks to the position of the
army on this frontier, and the requirements of a cam
paign against San Luis Potosi, the suggestions in
the Secretary's letter being confined to this general
theatre of operations. Should the Government de
termine to strike a decisive blow at Mexico, it is my
opinion that the force should land near Vera Cruz
or Alvarado, and, after establishing a secure depot,
march thence on the capital. The amount of troops
required for this service would not fall short, in my
judgment, of twenty-five thousand men, of which at
least ten thousand should be regular troops.
" In conclusion, I feel it my duty to make some
remarks which I would gladly have been spared the
necessity of submitting. I feel it due to my posi
tion, and to the service, to record my protest against
the manner in which the Department has sought to
make an important detachment from my command,
specifically indicating not only the general officers,
but, to a considerable extent, the troops that were
to compose it. While I remain in command of the
army against Mexico, and am therefore justly held

2i6 GENERAL TAYLOR.
responsible by the Government and the country for
the conduct of its operations, I must claim the right
of organizing all detachments from it, and regulating
the time and manner of their service. Above all do
I consider it important that the Department of War
should refrain from corresponding directly with my
subordinates, and communicating orders and instruc
tions on points which, by all military precept and
practice, pertain exclusively to the general in chief
command. Confusion and disaster alone can result
from such a course. The reason alleged — viz., the
loss of time in communicating with General Patter
son — has no application ; for the Secretary's dispatch
came from that office to my headquarters in sixty
hours, and he could not move, at any rate, without
drawing largely upon this column for artillery and
regular troops.
" I beg it may be understood that my remarks
have no personal application. It is quite probable
that, in the event of making such a detachment, I
would have placed it under Major-General Patterson ;
but I conceive that this mode of regulating details,
and ordering detachments direct from the Department
of War, is a violation of the integrity of the chief
command in the field, pregnant with the worst evils,
and against which I deem it my duty respectfully but
earnestly to protest. I am, sir, very respectfully,
your obedient servant,
"Z. Taylor,
"Major-General U. S. A,, commanding.
" The'Adjutant-General of the Army, Washington, D. C."
This dignified communication exhibits the manli
ness and ability of the writer, and shows how nearly
his views, without any consultation whatever with

FUTURE PLANS DISCUSSED. 217
him, coincided in the main with those of General
Winfield Scott. That idea of living upon the country
originated outside of the country itself. The whole
region near the Sierra Madre was too desolate and
unproductive to warrant any extraordinary foraging,
so that only partial supply could be counted on.
They had secured the simplest food — viz., bread and
meat— by prompt cash payments, and at very rea
sonable figures ; and General Taylor believed, and
with reason, that should a system of armed en
forcement be introduced— that is, to take provisions
without pay — the people of the country, sympathiz
ing with their own Government, would plant fewer
crops, or destroy what they had. So that it was in
no spirit of weak opposition that he insisted for the
time upon purchasing and having the means of pur
chase. In one letter the good general remarks :
" Should the army in its future operations reach a
portion of the country which can be made to supply
the provisions with advantage, I shall not fail to con
form to the wishes and instructions of the Department
in this particular."
Just as soon as President Polk decided against
the length of the armistice, he communicated with
General Taylor, and so, as speedily as possible, the
Mexican commanders were notified that hostilities
would be resumed on the 13th of November.
With a view to comprehend the whole situation in
that Tamaulipas region at this date, we remark that
General Wool was in command of another column,
already alluded to, moving under information which
did not prove reliable or practicable, aiming to reach
and hola the province of Chihuahua, and striking
for its central city. He left San Antonio on Sep-

2i8 GENERAL TAYLOR.
tember 28, crossing the Rio Grande at the Pre
sidio, and by November 3 his forces had reached
Monclova. Wool had principally volunteers from
Arkansas, Illinois, and Kentucky, two batteries of
regular artillery, having with them six field-guns — in
all about twenty-five hundred men. As General
Taylor, in camp at Monterey, was facing southward,
this force was now to his rear some seventy-five
miles distant ; so that when General Wool reported
to him, it was a long line that he was holding, or
soon to hold, with not to exceed six thousand men —
a line extending from Monclova through Saltillo
and Vittoria to Tampico on the Gulf. Of course,
Monterey had to be firmly held as a depot and most
important strategic point in any event for Taylor's
operations.

CHAPTER XVI.
Planning to take Saltillo — Worth's division on the lead — General
Worth's column — Its line of march — Jose Maria's letter —
Mexican feeling — Worth and Taylor meet — Return to Mon
terey — Patterson's movements approved by Taylor — General
Scott comes to the front — Secretary of War writes — Taylor
replies, and makes just complaints— Scott's good letter — Re
marks eulogistic of two remarkable heroes.
As soon as Taylor felt strong enough, the armis
tice having been terminated, and being notified of
the position of General Wool at Monclova, and also
being assured that Wool would now form part of his
active command, he decided to move forward and
at least take Saltillo. He had briefly recorded his.
reasons. Substantially, he said : First, Saltillo is a
necessary outpost for Monterey, standing, as it does,
near the issue of the defile that passes from the
lower lands to the lofty table-lands. Second, it is
near the route from Monclova, so that a hostile force
at Saltillo would prevent strategic connection with
Wool's force. Third, it held open a region filled
with cattle, breadstuffs, and other supplies ; it made
the fertile country around Parras available to his
army. Fourth, it was the capital of the province of
Coahuila, a point essential to take and keep, from its
civil as well as its military importance.
That General Taylor did not at this time — that is,

220 GENERAL TAYLOR.
early in November, 1846 — contemplate any ambitious
forward movement into the heart of the country —
say, to San Luis Potosi — is evident from an expression
in a dispatch : " I consider," he avers, " the occupa
tion of that point " (Saltillo) " as ja. necessary comple
ment to our operations,- and to the policy of holding
a defensive line, as the Sierra Madre, and trust the
Department will concur with me in this view." It
was as if one said, To keep back the sea, the dyke is
the barrier ; but the dyke would avail little without
holding in strength and repair the principal gate.
The mountain range was a good dyke against the
waves of Mexican hordes ; but Saltillo, the capital,
furnished the gate of ingress. There is another idea
that the thoughtful general ever bore in mind, that
the left of his new strategic line was Tampico on
the Gulf. He already planned to push forward suf
ficient forces, if he could possibly ever get them in
hand, to take first Vittoria and then Tampico. For
the latter enterprise he could, as we have seen, un
doubtedly count upon co-operation from the navy,
and other direct aid from the War Department.
On November 12th General Taylor started
Worth's division for that important capital of the
province. Worth had two regular regiments of in
fantry, eight companies of artillery that acted as in
fantry, eight pieces of field artillery, and one good
company of volunteers, having in this small detach
ment an aggregate of about two thousand effectives.
General Wool, who had asked for orders, was in
structed by General Taylor to remain at Monclova
till he (Taylor) could consider the situation from the
new standpoint of Saltillo. The next day, the 13th,
he took two squadrons of dragoons for escort and

THE SIERRA MADRE LINE. 22 1
put himself on the road. The entire distance from
Monterey to Saltillo is sixty-five miles. The way is
rough enough, but picturesque and comfortable, for
horsemen. He had hardly come within the borders of
the classic land of Coahuila when he was met by a
courier from the Governor, who was still at Sal
tillo. The courier took to General Taylor a brief
communication, which should form a part of this
story. It is as follows :
" Saltillo, Novevibcr 16, 1846.
" God AND Liberty !
" The movement you are making with the forces
under your command leaves no doubt that your ob
ject is to invade this city, as have been the greater
part of the towns of Coahuila by the troops which
have advanced to Monclova. The want of arms in
this State leaves me no means to oppose force to
force, and will enable you to occupy this capital with
out opposition, and compel me to retire from it; but
in doing so, I ought and I desire to place upon rec
ord, in the most authentic manner, this protest,
which I solemnly make, in the name of the State of
Coahuila, against the Government of the United
States of the North for the usurpation of the terri
tory occupied by their arms, for the outrages and
damages which may accrue to the persons and prop
erty of the inhabitants of these defenseless towns,
for the injuries the public interests may suffer, and
for all the evils consequent upon the most unjustifi
able invasion ever known to the world.
" Josifi Maria de Aguirre.
" Major-General Taylor,
¦¦ General-in-Chief of the Army of the United States,"

222 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Jose Aguirre was right in his interpretation of
the intentions of General Taylor; and really, in this
brief paper, he set forth the common feeling among
the Mexicans of that time touching General Taylor's
whole campaign, as " the most unjustifiable invasion
ever known to the world." Yet probably to-day
nearly the universal sentiment is the other way ; for
to the permanently acquired parts of Old Mexico —
viz., California, Arizona, New Mexico — there have
come all the blessings and prosperity of the most
favorable parts of the world, and to the unsevered
States the improvements are wonderful, and good
fortune has resulted directly and indirectly to all of
Mexico from that war of invasion. The causes may
have been insufficient, and the motive of war on the
part of the Administration may have been wrong, yet,
as it was with the sale of Joseph, the son of the pa
triarch, to the Egyptians, the Lord has overruled the
acts to the benefit of the actors and mankind.
Educated as General Taylor had been for years
in frontier conflicts, battles with the Indians, and in
active campaigning of two wars, his conscience con
formed readily to the situation. He had done what
he believed to be his plain duty. He went where he
was ordered by his Government to go. He fought
the battles that this obedience brought ; and after
the A'texicans had declared war, he pushed the war,
never violating its rules, and inclining strongly to
the side of humanity. He nevertheless, from his
nature as well as purpose, pushed an offensive cam
paign when it was ne^cessitated with unparalleled
vigor, and then, holding the conquered territory with
tenacity, cherished a hope that our forces would be
able speedily to conquer an honorable peace. Such

THE SIERRA MADRE LINE.

223

being his character and his principles, he carefully
read the protest of the Governor of Coahuila without
for an instant delaying his march. That very day
in which the letter was written General Worth had
entered Saltillo without a combat. Here, a little
later. General Taylor himself joined him.
The city of Parras is on the road from Mon
clova, about sixty miles distant from Saltillo ; in fact,
Monterey, Parras, and Saltillo form nearly an equi
lateral triangle ; so that it was natural, after an ex
amination of the country, for General Taylor to
bring Wool's force forward to Parras. This would
enable the general to cover by his garrisons and
his scouting parties vastly more of the rich country
of that table-land. In a couple of days, by easy
marches, he could bring General Wool to his own
support, or move him farther forward in case of
need. For these reasons General Wool was posted
at Parras. Having thoroughly reconnoitered the
whole front, and gathered all the information with
reference to any hostile plans in his vicinity, Gen
eral Taylor, to better attend to his whole field of
operations, returned to Monterey, taking only half
of his cavalry escort with him. General Worth re
quired the remainder for the purpose of watching
his extensive front.
Soon after his arrival at Monterey, General Tay
lor discovered that his plans with reference to
Tampico had already been anticipated by the navy,
and that, on November 14th, Commodore Perry with
his naval squadron had seized and was holding that
port. General Patterson, who was at the time com
manding in the valley of the Rio Grande, received a
letter from the naval commander requesting that he

224

GENERAL TAYLOR.

furnish sufficient troops to make Tampico secure.
General Patterson at once sent to him six companies^
of infantry, and went on without special authority to
transport by sea the requisite provisions — that is,
guns, ammunition, and other supplies. This action
was at once reported to his own commander, General
Taylor, and received his prompt and hearty approv
al ; and, to make matters doubly secure, Taylor di
rected him, as soon as possible, to increase the force
by an entire regiment of volunteers.
At this juncture of events the field of operations in
Mexico was suddenly enlarged, and the senior ma
jor-general of the army, General Winfield Scott, was
made to bear a most important part in the further
prosecution of the war. In one of the eulogies upon
General Scott soon after his death are to be found
a few expressions, which, in a proper estimation of
his character, appear to be explicit and exact :
" General Scott was throughout his long life consci
entious in the discharge not only of his official but
of his social and religious duties. . . . His devotion
to his conscientious convictions could not have been
better illustrated than by his conduct at different
times in preventing the outbreaking of war between
his own and another country. . . . General Scott
was an intrepid man, but only in a just cause; he
was impetuous, but only in assaulting the base and
unworthy; he was a proud man, but he respected
authority ; he was ambitious, but only of an honor
able renown. . . . He was one of the most vigor
ous and amply and variously endowed of our public
men. In the course of a long life he was frequently
applauded, and once hailed pacificator and once
savior of his country ; yet he was content and proud

THE SIERRA MADRE LINE. 225
to be thought — what in truth and in the highest
sense he was — a Christian gentleman." The writer
subscribes very fully to this estimate of General
Winfield Scott, so that he repudiates at once any
statements going to show that in the year 1846 Gen
eral Scott planned or proposed to carry out the plans
of others against his lifelong friend and fellow-sol
dier. General Zachary Taylor, who had but lately
attained to Scott's army grade.
It may be wise, just here, to set forth a few plain
facts which will show the cordial relationship of
these two great men at this time, and how it came
about that when Scott entered upon his campaign —
which only ended at the City of Mexico — he so de
pleted the army of General Taylor that the latter
was left much crippled, and ostensibly on the defen
sive ; but even for that, with too few troops to guard
the doors of approach against any considerable force
which the new Mexican President and General, Santa
Anna, might bring against him.
When requested by his Commander-in-Chief — the
President of the United States — to submit a plan of
operations which should, in his opinion, result in the
conquering of a peace with Mexico, General Scott
had at once obeyed the instructions, and furnished
to the President a clear and explicit paper that indi
cated the plans, the forces, and the material essential
to a complete and vigorous offensive campaign.
Herein Scott, as was his wont, covered the whole
ground. About November 18, 1846, orders were sent
to him to proceed to Vera Cruz and take the imme
diate command of the army in the field. The de
signs of the Administration were not only made
known to General Scott, but also by Mr. Marcy, the

226 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Secretary of War, to General Taylor. Some extracts
from the Secretary's letter, dated October 2 2d, are
essential to this history. He first indicated to Gen
eral Taylor that it had been determined that, so soon
as Tampico had been taken, an organized attempt
would be made to effect a lodgment at Vera Cruz.
He then went on to say : " If the expedition could
go forth without the object being known to the ene
my, it is supposed that four thousand troops would
be sufficient for the enterprise, receiving, as they
would, the co-operation of our naval force in the
gulf ; but at least fifteen hundred or two thousand of
them should be of the regular army, and under the com
mand of officers best calculated for such an undertaking.
In looking at the disposition of the troops, it appears
to be scarcely possible to get the requisite number of regu
lars without drawing some of those now with you at Mon
terey, or on the way to that place. Should you decide
against holding military possession of any place in
Coahuila or Chihuahua, and order the troops under
General Wool to join you, it is presumed that the
requisite force for the expedition to Vera Cruz could
be detached without interfering with your plans of
operation. You will therefore, unless it materially
interferes with your own plan of operations, or
weakens you too much in your present position,
make the necessary arrangements for having four
thousand men, of whom fifteen hundred or two
thousand should be regular troops, ready to embark
for Vera Cruz, or such other destination as may be
given them, at the earliest practicable period. The
place of embarkation will probably be the Brazos
Santiago, or in that vicinity."
The next day Mr. Marcy wrote General Scott.

THE SIERRA MADRE LINE.

227

After detailing a little of the object of the expedi
tion, he proceeded to say : " It is not proposed to
control your operations by definite and positive in
structions, but you are left to prosecute them as
your judgment, under a full view of the circum
stances, shall dictate. The work is before you, and
the means provided or to be provided for accom
plishing it are committed to you, in the full confi
dence that you will use them to the best advantage.
The objects which it is desirable to obtain have been
indicated, and it is hoped that you will have the
requisite force to accomplish them. Of this you
must be the judge, when preparations are made and
the time for action has arrived."
It may be well for us to enumerate some of the
articles that were to be provided. The most impor
tant, ten new regiments to be added to the regular
army, and placed under his command. Congress
was to be asked to sanction this increase as soon
after its meeting — the ist of December — as possible.
Next, a siege train was to be formed and forwarded
immediately, the guns and carriages to be obtained
from convenient arsenals ; and, again, there were to
be also ample vessels for transportation, including
the small boats and lighters for landing the troops
and supplies. General Scott, though ,an ardent
Whig, and not politically in sympathy with the Ad
ministration, had doubtless chafed a little at being
kept in the background during an important war ;
but now, full of hope that party lines had been
passed, and that the President and Secretary were
reposing full confidence in him, he set out from the
capital, November 24, 1846, to inaugurate the pro
jected campaign.

228 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Edward D. Mansfield, LL. D., says : " The only
reluctance which Scott felt in accepting the high
trust confided in him by the President arose from an
unwillingness to interfere in the slightest degree with
the command of an old friend and brother-soldier."
Surely nothing shows this better than a letter that he
¦firote. en route to that brother-soldier, General Taylor:
" I left Washington late in the day yesterday, and
expect to embark for New Orleans the 30th instant.
By the 12th of December I may be in that city, at
Point Isabel the 17th, and Carmago, say, the 23d, in
order to be within easy corresponding distance from
you. It is not probable that I may be able to visit
Monterey, and circumstances may prevent your
coming to me. I shall much regret not having an
early opportunity of felicitating you in person upon
your many brilliant achievements ; but we may meet
somewhere in the territory of Mexico.
" I am not coming, my dear general, to supersede
you in the immediate command on the line of opera
tions rendered illustrious by you and your gallant
command. My proposed theatre is different. You
may imagine it ; and I wish very much that it were
prudent, at this distance, to tell you all that I expect
to attempt or hope to execute. I have been admon
ished that .dispatches have been lost, and I have no
special messenger at hand.
" But, my dear general, I shall be obliged to take
from you most of the gallant officers and men (regu
lars and volunteers) whom you have so long and
nobly commanded. I am afraid that I shall, by im
perious 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,

THE SIERRA MADRE LINE. 22g
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 the high emi
nence ; and I even flatter myself that any benefit that
may result to me personally from the unequal divis
ion of troops alluded to will lessen the pain of your
consequent inactivity. You will be aware of the re
cent call for nine regiments of new volunteers, in
cluding 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 accom
modation ; and, long before the spring (March) it is
probable you will be again in force to resume offen
sive operations.
" It was not possible for me to find time to write
from Washington, as I much desired. I only re
ceived an intimation to hold myself in preparation
for Mexico on the i8th instant. Much has been
done toward that end, and more remains to be exe
cuted." It is painful to find that the then existing Ad
ministration did not deal ingenuously with either
Scott or Taylor; for, befpre projecting this planned
campaign via Vera Cruz, it had already been secretly
determined to urge upon Congress to revive the
rank of lieutenant-general, and select some able
man, who was politically in full sympathy with the
President and his party, to fill the office. By this
project it was hoped more surely to reap the fruits
of the new victories, and those to be expected under
1(3

230 GENERAL TAYLOR.
the leadership of General Scott. It seems incredible
that President Polk, in his last interview with this
noble commander of the army, when sending him
forth upon an active campaign to fight the battles of
his country, should have withheld from him his in
tentions to so soon supersede him; and "it is a little
worse on that occasion," as Edward D. Mansfield,
says, " to have given him the most solemn assur
ances of his confidence and support."
In corroboration of all these statements is the
plain fact that, as soon as Congress assembled, the
President's bill was introduced to establish the new
rank of lieutenant-general. There is no doubt that
what was then deemed party necessity and unity of
administration were operating in two ways : first, to
supersede both of these indomitable heroes and'great
soldiers; and, secondly, to so place and use them
that whatever might be their successes they could
not very well be conjoined ; and, further, to so an
tagonize their interests that a natural rivalry would
abate and hold in check the fame of both. It is
plain that General Scott in a measure opened the
sack and defeated the latter intentions, by his noble
letter to General Taylor. However, the party neces
sity went a step further : it led the Administration
and the friends of the Administration in Congress to
postpone any contemplated additions to the regular
army, which were deemed by General Scott so mate
rial to success in Mexico, until the very last of the
session. The writer may not claim that the treachery — it
is too strong a word — but very properly that the
political planning, was altogether defeated by these
two wonderful men and brother-officers. The one

THE SIERRA MADRE LINE. 23 1
(Scott) carried forward a long and successful cam
paign with half the promised force — with far less than
that with which he deemed success possible. The
other (Taylor) as we shall see, however irritated,
however reduced in numbers, rose above all the
oppositions and all the adverse environments, to
secure a final and glorious victory before sitting
down to defend the newly acquired territory left to his
care. History plainly shows that it was the Lord's
work, and that he could and did strengthen his serv
ants to conquer by the few rather than by the many.
Viewing matters as we can now, nearly fifty
years after the events, in the clear light of history,
we behold these two campaigns of Taylor and Scott
as parts of a unique whole fitting each other. Tay
lor preceded, cleared Texas and the Rio Grande,
swept everything before him to Monterey, and occu
pied that city, a fortified stronghold. The fewness
of his troops in each battle had eventuated in dem
onstrating the ability of the man, the confident cour
age of his army, and the glory of his country. On
this as a foundation General Scott began to build.
He came to the front, he took Taylor's disciplined
troops. While Taylor was holding the main Mexi
can army in check, Scott was not idle ; he came up
abreast, and, himself with about half the forces prom
ised him, went straight forward to take Vera Cruz
and open his new lines of operations. Before long,
Scott drew upon himself, as another representative
American, the eyes of friend and foe throughout the
world. We behold again a splendid exhibition of
ability, courage, and the completeness of success.
There were, between leaders and officials, misunder
standings, heart-burnings, controversies — at times

232

GENERAL TAYLOR.

evidences of the miasmatic influences that hover
over low lands and poison those who can not get up
to higher levels. But long before the end of the
work these two heroes had ascended to the very
mountain-tops of fame ; and now it is delightful to
find so much evidence of brotherly courtesy and
kindness between them, and that they were men of
such exalted virtue that neither envy, revenge, nor
malice could canker their souls.
Just then, when General Scott was beginning his
campaigns. General Taylor was destined to suffer
most. His best troops must go. He has to take
the descent into the valley of bitter disappointments
just after the censures thrown out against his capitu
lation and armistice at Monterey. He must now
stand on the defensive against the Mexicans, without
sufficient supplies, wagons, guns, or men to render
the defensive scheme at all practicable. He might
possibly get General Wool and his Chihuahua col
umn into co-operation and conjunction, provided he
(Wool) could not get over the mountains to Chihua
hua. The way to General Taylor seemed for a time
shut up. Disaster, perhaps, or a series of defeats,
awaited him, and his countrymen might see him
forced to abandon all that frontage from Tampico to
Monclova. He might be cut off from Camargo by a
small cavalry corps of the enemy, be obliged to go
back — like Sherman, after Atlanta had been won —
to the Rio Grande, and perhaps to the other side
of the river. Where was the force adequate to do
what even General Scott thought must be done — viz.,
stand still, defend and keep Monterey ? These were
sad reflections, very dark prospects. With his grand
troops all gone except a few regular batteries, pray

THE SIERRA MADRE LINE.

233

what was left to prevent defeat and disgrace ? Why,
Zachary Taylor was left ! He was there at Mon
terey, and though he pleaded for the privilege of
going with Scott as a subordinate commander, the
plea was not granted ; and thanks be to the foreseeing
Providence that said to him, " Stay thou there at
Monterey, gird up thy loins, buckle on thine armor,
for there is a gigantic work yet for thee to accom
plish." It is good for a great soul at times to suffer
affliction, for that soul is sure to emerge therefrom
purified and enlarged. The remaining story will
justify this old-fashioned statement, that General
Zachary Taylor, as he had been throughout the war,
was the right man for the time and place.

CHAPTER XVn.
CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.
Preliminary to the battle of Buena Vista — Why Scott was obliged
to levy upon General Taylor's army — Worth and Wool's
movements — Saltillo — The advance to Agua Nuevo — The
falling back to Angostura — Posting of the troops for battle —
Visit of Taylor to Saltillo and return — Santa Anna's advance
from San Luis Potosi — Santa Anna's letter demanding the
surrender of Taylor — Taylor's prompt reply, declining — Santa
Anna's dispositions.
When Scott reached the Rio Grande the new
year of 1847 was already there. The messages that
followed him from Washington, from officials and
from friends, were very discouraging, and it soon
became evident that he had nothing to rely upon
except what force he could draw from General Tay
lor's field of operations, if he added, perhaps, a few
new levies of volunteers and the assistance that the
navy would cheerfully furnish.
Santa Anna had already begun to accumulate a
considerable army in front of Taylor. At a central
point — San Luis Potosi — the strength of the force, as
ascertained by Taylor's scouts, was already between
twenty and twenty-five thousand men. From this
point the wily Santa Anna could march northward
with a view of recovering Coahuila ; or he could turn
eastward to Tampico, or southeast to Vera Cruz ; or,

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 235
should necessity demand it, return for a larger con
centration to the capital of Mexico. By the capture
and slaying of an important courier (Lieutenant
Ritchie) he had become possessed of the new plans
of the United States Government, and surely he
showed the ability of a general in placing his largest
force at this important strategic center (San Luis
Potosi). At that time Santa Anna held Vera Cruz
with about seven thousand men. Of course, it be
came a question with General Scott, which he must
immediately answer : " What is the wisest thing to
do under the circumstances ? "
Now, going back to General Taylor at Monterey,
let us see what he had been doing while General Scott
was en route from New York to the Rio Grande.
General Twiggs's division, by Taylor's direction, had
passed out toward Vittoria on the 13th of December,
and General Quitman, the enemy's cavalry retiring,
with his famous Louisiana volunteers entered that
city on the 29th. A little earlier (December 17th), the
Second Infantry and a Tennessee regiment from the
Rio Grande had re-enforced Monterey ; here Gen
eral Butler was left in command. General Patterson,
with his Illinois brigade, was pushing on via Vittoria
toward Tampico to fulfill his instructions, hereto
fore alluded to. On the 4th of January, about the
date of Scott's arrival at Matamoros, General Tay
lor himself, escorted by Twiggs's division and Pat
terson's brigade, joined General Quitman at the little
city of Vittoria, the front, just then, of his field of
operations. General Worth, with his proud division,
was as yet back at Saltillo.
A sudden rumor that Santa Anna was coming to
destroy Worth, Butler, and perhaps Wool, in detail,

236 GENERAL TAYLOR.
caused an immediate concentration, by forced
marches of Wool's and Butler's troops at Saltillo
The rumor was not really true, yet it served, like a
ruse de guerre, to put Taylor's whole force in position
for a forward movement. Such was the situation
when, at Matamoros, General Scott issued his cele
brated orders assuming command of all the troops in
active campaign, and took away from General Taylor
the veterans on whom he was relying to meet the
thousands that were speedily gathering like a heavy
cloud along his front.
General Scott's order reached General Taylor
November 14th, while he was yet at Vittoria, and,
though General Taylor had been warned by dis
patches from Washington that he would be obliged
to make large detachments, yet he did not dream of
so sweeping an order as that which now came to
hand. Neither did General Scott, primarily, de
sign to do this ; but as he looked upon the whole
field, viewing it, as such men must, like a single field
of battle, Vera Cruz, and not San Luis Potosi, became
the objective point for the main attack — an attack
soon to be made by his forces. This order swept
away all the regular artillery and infantry except
four batteries, a single artillery company acting as in
fantry, and two companies of cavalry ; and called for
the veteran volunteer divisions of Worth, Quitman,
and Twiggs, together with the later levies under Pat
terson. Whatever might have been his feelings, Gen
eral Taylor was too good a soldier to hesitate an
instant in his obedience. The troops were imme
diately sent. General Worth, with his division, leav
ing Saltillo in the charge of Wool, made his way
rapidly to Camargo and thence down the river to

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 237
Brazos, seven companies of the Second Dragoons
marching directly to the latter place, where Worth
joined General Scott in person. The other troops
proceeded straight onward to Tampico, whence they
were taken in ample time for the exciting operations
at Vera Cruz and vicinity.
How keenly General Taylor felt these acts, in
view of this dividing and reducing process, may be
judged by a brief extract from a private letter writ
ten in February, 1847 : " I have been stripped by the
Government of regular troops, and reduced in volun
teers ; and, thus stripped and at the mercy of the foe,
have been expected by my country to retreat or re
sign. I shall do neither. I do not care for myself.
but feel deeply for the noble soldiers who are about
to be sacrificed by their country " (he referred here
to his own volunteers, and those of General Wool,
which had thus far scarcely been under fire). He
says, resolutely : " We shall stand still and give them
battle, relying on a just Providence for a right re
sult." There are no better tests of the manhood of any
leader of men than the exhibit he makes of the quali
ties of his soul in an unexpected emergency. We
have seen how resolute was our general in the sud
den and unexpected loss of what then seemed the
reliable portion of his command. The picture would
be incomplete without a corresponding exhibit of the
gentleness and affection. which he had for those about
to depart. He bids them Godspeed in the follow
ing words: "It is with deep sensibility that the
commanding general finds himself separated from
the troops he has so long commanded. To those
corps, regular and volunteer, who have shared with

238 GENERAL TAYLOR.
him the active services of the field, he feels the at
tachment due to such associations; while to those who
are making their first campaign, he must express his
regret that he can not participate with them in its
eventful scenes. To all, both officers and men, he
extends his heartfelt wishes for their continued suc
cess and happiness, confident that their achieve
ments on another theatre will redound to the credit
of their country and its arms."
As General Scott had kindly advised him to do,
and as a less able, less patriotic, and less bold man
than Taylor might have done, the War Department
was confident that Taylor would now fall back to
Monterey and stand wholly upon the defensive. It
was well for the War Department and for General
Scott himself that he did not do that. It would have
cost Scott more time, more means, and greater losses
of soldiers than he suffered, and perhaps the loss of
the campaign, had General Taylor shown the least
disposition to give up the capital of Coahuila and
retreat before Santa Anna's advance troops. Gen
eral Santa Anna would not have followed him far,
for he knew the whole American plan ; he knew
how Scott was moving upon Vera Cruz ; how he had
weakened Taylor's " army of occupation " ; how
Taylor proposed to stay upon the table-land and de
fend Saltillo ; for, as we have seen, Santa Anna had
taken the American bearer of dispatches ; he had
covered all the roads between him and Taylor with
his own scouting parties, and thus picked up several
American scouts and foragers, and had also effectu
ally obstructed the usual methods of gathering news
by Taylor's information-corps. This was so much
the case that General Taylor has by some critics

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.

239

been pronounced as lacking in the ability to discover
an enemy's plans and doings.
The facts are that, using the two companies of
dragoons, some volunteer cavalry, and a battery of
artillery, General Taylor had constant, well-timed
reconnaissances made. The last such party went
beyond, Encarnacion, passing from hacienda to ha
cienda into the immediate presence of the enemy's
cavalry, till some four hundred men, under Lieuten
ant-Colonel May, had great difficulty in saving his
observing out-posts, and in making good a night re
treat before General Mifion's squadrons.
As General Taylor had now, all told, only four
thousand six hundred and ten men, his own bold for
ward move from Saltillo through Buena Vista, thread
ing the passes of Angostura, pushing forward as far
as Agua Nueva, was itself an essential reconnais
sance ; for he knew very well, as he had been divided
and subdivided for the benefit of the Vera Cruz line,
that he must now and henceforth keep his little re
maining force together, or nearly so, for he would
very soon need — as he did a quarter of a century
before when he was a captain at Fort Harrison —
every available man. His information obtained was,
it is true, meager ; yet he did ascertain to a certainty
that Santa Anna had nearly five times his own ag
gregate. To Taylor and Wool, on the morning of February
2 ist, Lieutenant-Colonel May brought the news of
the rapid advance of the Mexicans. These Ameri
can generals were then consulting together at Agua
Nueva. A short time afterward Major Benjamin
McCulloch came in from observing with his Texas
Rangers. He reported to them that from a high

A, Defile held by Washington's Battery and two companies of the First Illinois
Volunteers ; B, six companies of the First Illinois ; C, Third Indiana Regiment ;
D, Second Kentucky Regiment and Sherman's Battery ; E, Second Illinois Regi
ment and first section of Bragg's Battery ; F, Second Indiana Regiment and three
pieces of Washington's Battery ; G, Kentucky Horse Regiment and one squadron
of the Second Dragoons ; H, Arkansas Horse Regiment and one squadron of the
First Dragoons; K, Rifle companies of Arkansas and Kentucky Cavalry dis
mounted, Battalion Rifles Indiana Brigade, and detachment from Second Regi
ment Illinois Volunteers ; I, Position of Second Kentucky Regiment, Bragg's Ar
tillery, and detachment of horse, on evening of the 22d and morning of the 23d ;
M, Mississippi Regiment ; O, column of attack, infantry and cavalry against A ;
P, strong column concentrated to force the American left ; Q, battery of eight
pieces ; R, light troops engaged in the mountains ; S, reserve ; T, Mexican col
umns turning the American left ; V, Position of Mexican Battery after .gaining
the left of the American line ; X, Cavalry from head of column T attacking Buena
Vista ; Y, springs.

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.

241

From Saltillo to Buena Vista, following the road
southward after you ascend to the table-land, you
span a distance of six miles of comparatively level
country. Then the appearance is of a cut or break
across spurs, which branch out nearly perpendicular
to the general trend of the Madre Mountains in
that neighborhood ; but really, if you pursue the cut,
there is a narrow valley which finally leads through
the great mountain range.
Though the bottom of the valley is apparently
perfectly smooth, with a moderate fall throughout
its length, there meanders a dry arroyo or deep gully
with precipitous banks twenty feet high. Winter
floods have so broken through the necks of some of
the peninsulas made by the arroyos that in places the
ravines form a net-work of these gullies impractica
ble for any troops, for the reason that the troops,
who may have with labor crossed one, find another
hidden pitfall after a few more yards of flat plain.
The only road from the south comes down this val
ley near the eastern bank of the arroyo, and between
it and the next rise a series of bluffs cut by deep
ravines with somewhat less precipitous sides than
the gully, but nearly as difficult by reason of their
greater elevation. These ravines in their gen
eral course make an angle a little less than a right
angle with the road or the axis of the valley — that
is, they trend off to the southeast. The plateau
which ends on the promontories overlooking the flat
was made by some prehistoric flow of lava and scoriae
from the volcanic mountains, and next by the storms
of ages has been gullied deeply near its lower end.
Some of the ravines reach all the way back to the
steep mountains to which the plateau gradually rises.

242 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Upon three of the ridges made by the ravines, per
haps six hundred yards across their tops and twelve
hundred yards long, and at the head of the ravines
separating the ridges, the main battle scenes were
enacted. Here one of these ridges, very steep and
in a rounded terminus, came nearer the stream-bed
than any other — so near that there was at that time
just room for the wagon roadway. It served as a
cover to the high plateau and cross-ravines behind
it. The artillery position under its protection swept
the road far southward.
As we have seen, the western spread of the val
ley, flat beyond the stream-bed, was really impracti
cable except by a complete transfer of the Mexican
army off all roads. This was on account of the net
work of gullies and cross gullies where the feeding
ravines had been for ages cutting deeper into the soil
and into the sides of the irregular foothills and
mountain-spurs, which to the eyes of the soldiers
projected back into the huge mountains that formed
the western boundaries of the valley. It is not to be
wondered at that fifty or more American officers, as
they passed up the valley and came toward these
singular landmarks — these natural fortification-lines
that make the defile or pass of Angostura — remarked
to one another, " What a strong place for defense ! "
From Saltillo, by the way of Buena Vista and
Angostura, to Agua Nueva is eighteen miles; En
carnacion, the farthest point reached by Taylor's
cavalry in reconnoitring, is thirty miles more ; and
from the hacienda of Buena Vista to Angostura and
the plateau of the main battle the distance is about
one mile. Having thus with considerable detail lo
cated and described the ground and vicinity of the

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.

243

conflict, we are prepared to post General Taylor's
little army, which we have seen, according to a pre
concerted plan, so suddenly fall back before the
coming hosts of Mexicans in battle array.
Arriving at Angostura on the evening of Feb
ruary 2 ist, General Taylor directed General Wool to
encamp the command there, as he afterward writes,
" at the new position, a little in front of the hacienda
of Buena Vista." He himself, with a small escort,
passed on rapidly to Saltillo with the object of put
ting that town in a state of defense against any
possible turning movement of his shrewd adversary.
Before his return, on the morning of February 22d,
the field had been carefully studied by General Wool
and other officers present, and the line selected for
a defensive battle. Naturally General Wool first
protected the roadway. In it and to the right of it
were placed ready for action five field guns of the
battery of eight, under Captain J. M. Washington, of
the Fourth Regular Artillery. A parapet had been
prepared running from the base of this hill at Angos
tura to the gully, with a narrow passage next to the
hill, which was to be filled, in case of attack, by two
wagons loaded with stone. Six companies of the
First Illinois — Colonel John J. Hardin — occupied a
position along the top of the height to the left of the
battery and dominating it. They had been ordered
to construct a parapet along their entire front. Two
companies of the same regiment, under Lieutenant-
Colonel William Weatherford, occupied the parapet
leading to" the gully to the right of the battery.
The rest of the army bivouacked in the rear of this
position the night of the 21st.
The difficulty found by the historian in locat-

244

GENERAL TAYLOR.

ing General Taylor's positions is in the fact that
there never was near Buena Vista any absolute line
of battle, and because he and his officers continued
to change the place of artillery, cavalry, and jnfantry
from time to time as the designs of Santa Anna were
developed and became apparent. We may draw a
line from the road at Angostura straight to the ex
treme left, where Colonels Marshall and Yell fought
so bravely ; that straight line was crossed and re-
crossed many times during the battle — troops occu
pied it supporting batteries or separate guns, some
en echelon and some thrown forward irregularly. In
fact. General Taylor defended a position too large
for his small force, and rested his hope for victory
more upon the incessant activity of his cannon and
their supports than upon any impregnable battle
line. Now, turning to the Mexican side, let us mark a
few points of Santa Anna's approach. He had come
on from San Luis Potosi in division blocks, much
like McClellan with a larger army in later years on
the peninsula of Virginia. General Torrejon, cav
alry. Third Brigade, eight hundred strong, from Po
tosi to Bocao. General Juvera, cavalry, Second
Brigade, eleven hundred strong, from Potosi to Ver-
rado. General Andrade, cavalry, Fourth Brigade,
four hundred strong, from Potosi to Cedral. Gen
eral Minon, cavalry, First Brigade, fourteen hundred
strong, from Potosi to Encarnacion.
As soon as the cavalry had cleared the front, on
the 28th and 29th of January, 1847, General Pacheco
started his division (the first), about 4,850 in aggre
gate, Santa Anna having put in the advance of it
some 600 artillerymen, besides trains of supplies, his

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.

245

sapper and miner corps, and that famous conglomera
tion of worthies, United States deserters, named the
" St. Patrick's Company."
On the 30th, General Lombardini led out the
Second division, 4,300 in number; and on the 31st
General Ortega brought on the rear division, the
Third, having about 3,200 men. Allowing 1,200 men
detailed to the supply department, 100 for sappers
and miners, and 100 for " St. Patrick's Company,"
and 1,000 each for the brigades of General Ampudia
and General Parrodi, which joined from garrisons
picked up en route, we have an entire Mexican force
of 20,050 souls.
Before February 21st Santa Anna had concen
trated his main body at Encarnacion, with his ad
vance as far forward as the pass of Carnero.
.Early on the morning of the 2 2d of February,
when we may be sure the unyielding courage and
devotion of Washington, whose birthday it was,
were not for one moment forgotten by the sturdy
army of Americans, the brilliant Mexican cavalry, and
somewhat later in the day the no less showy infan
try with their more clumsy artillery, came into plain
view before the higher crests which General Wool was
occupying. General Taylor, early apprised of the near ap
proach of the Mexican army, and already having a
small detachment of howitzers and troops, put his
depot at Saltillo in a condition of defense, and hast
ened back to Angostura. Reaching the battle plateau,
behold him as he halted, still sitting on his stately
horse ! His presence, with his firm, confident look,
and his reassuring words and voice, more than dou
bled the reserves of his army.
17

246 GENERAL TAYLOR.
It was a glorious morning. The sun had risen
that winter day with unwonted clearness. The hills
and mountains, changing their hues from moment to
moment as the sun climbed above them and shed its
illuminating rays more and more into the darker
nooks, touching peak after peak with golden light,
seemed like gigantic living forms, veritable Godlike
supporters to the little army which had confided
itself to their embrace. As the breezes played with
their beautiful national flag, they seemed to the hearts
of Taylor's men as did the breathings from the ever
lasting hills to the great king of Israel, and carried
everywhere a remarkable inspiration and enthusiasm.
Doubtless many souls looked higher than the mount
ains for help. General Taylor himself certainly did,
and found it.
About eleven o'clock, as the general sat there, in
the morning glow, and with his accustomed eye was
running over and over the military positions dotting
the rough ground from the little San Juan beside the
road, across the plateau, and up to the mountains, a
message, which had come to his outer picket under
cover of a white flag, was brought to him. He
opened and read it. It was from Santa Anna him
self, confidently calling'him to an absolute surrender
at the expiration of one hour.
"Camp at Encantada, February 22, 1847.
"You are surrounded by twenty thousand men,
and can not in any human probability avoid suffer
ing 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

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 247
you may surrender at discretion, under the assurance
that you will be treated with the consideration be
longing to the Mexican character ; to which end you
will be 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. God and liberty !
"Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.
" To General Z. Taylor,
" Commanding ttie forces of the United States.''
Such was the message. General Taylor's reply,
so expressive of his character, dictated from horse
back on the spot, was briefer, but sufficiently explicit.
It was as follows :
" Headquarters Army of Occupation,
" Near Buena Vista, February 22, 1847.
" Sir : In reply to your note of this date sum
moning 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,
"Z. Taylor,
"Major-General U. S. Army, Commanding,
" Senor Gen. D. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna,
" Commander-in-Chief, La Encantada''
It took some time for the escorted messenger of
Santa Anna to come from the plain of Encantada to
General Wool's outer pickets, and then some time
more for the picket officer to ride to General Tay
lor's place of observation, obtain his reply, and re-

248 GENERAL TAYLOR.
turn with it to the waiting Mexican bearer of dis
patches, and probably a half hour longer for the
latter to rejoin his proud general at the Mexican
headquarters. Meanwhile Santa Anna had not been
idle. Many a volunteer sentinel from the north had
been all the morning watching the volumes of dust,
like white clouds great and small, which indicated
the successive approach of brigades, regiments, and
batteries. Here and there were observed flags and
gleaming armor, till the whole irregular front ap
peared covered with lines and compact bodies of
armed men, well established cannon and brilliant
troops of cavalry.
General Santa Anna's dispositions, as gathered
from Mexican accounts, were these : Two divisions of
infantry under Lombardini and Pacheco — probably
side by side — with the (Mexican) left resting against
the deep, dry river-bed. This left was strengthened
by Colonel Blanco's engineer regiment, placed in
direct support of three batteries. These, well
manned, could not only sweep the roadway, but
reach a part of Taylor's front line. This arrange
ment made a strong flank for attack or defense.
The other infantry division (Ortega's) was sub
stantially in reserve. The Mexicans had an abun
dance of cavalry, so that while General Miiion was
workinghis wayby a wide circuit through the mount
ains around to the east of Saltillo, Juvera's combined
brigades were kept behind two batteries located
pretty well to the (Mexican) right, having the famous
regiment of hussars, commanded by Lieutenant-Col
onel D. Miguel Andrade, to the right front. Those
batteries — five eight-pounder guns and five twelve-

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.

249

pounders — were well placed on high ridges, so as to
enfilade considerable portions of General Taylor's
lines. Santa Anna not only moved into battle lines in a
general way, but, as if preparing for an attack, de
tached General Ampudia, now in command of a
brigade of light batteries with supports, and directed
him to drive back Taylor's skirmishers and seize
without delay that " other high knoll " held by Tay
lor's pickets — that one well to his own right — and to
hold that ground at all hazards. And this was done,
resulting in considerable firing of all arms by those
who were near enough to participate in the combat.
So, at dark Santa Anna, though losing some officers
and men, scored his first success and gained a van
tage ground for the morrow. General Taylor, in
this preliminary contest for position, had a few
wounded but none killed. But, to make the narra
tive a little fuller, the reader is invited to return to
the standpoint of General Taylor when he received
the message of Santa Anna and replied to it.

CHAPTER XVIII.
Battle of Buena Vista — The 22d of February — First day's imeute
— Second day's engagement — Return to Saltillo — The rest at
night — The first combat in the morning — The Mexican order
and advance — General Wool's efforts — His left driven back —
General Taylor's timely arrival — The fearful struggle for the
plateau — The batteries ; how handled — Lieutenant Kings
bury's story of the Mississippians and their coadjutors — The
victory.
Santa Anna's words were bold, and only a single
hour given to General Taylor to give his decision ;
therefore, as soon as the tenor of the general's brief
reply became circulated among the officers and men
along the lines, there was an eager and universal
expectancy of battle. All eyes and ears were strained
to catch every varying sight or sound. But weary
hours passed by, with little to vary the monotony.
There were here and there noticeable some unim
portant changes of position made by the Mexicans,
and an occasional volunteer shout on Taylor's side,
till at last, perhaps two hours before sunset, a single
Mexican shell came hissing through the air, struck
near the lines upon the plateau, and exploded. This
odd commencement of the action was followed by
several discharges from Mexican howitzers, which
caused no loss.
Though Generals Taylor and Wool found them
selves somewhat hampered by Ampudia's position

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.

2SI

threatening their left, it was too late, after his seiz
ure of the mountain-spur, to remedy it. They said
to themselves, doubtless, " We must not try with this
little army to stretch over too much space.'
About noon on the 22d there was a movement of
Mejia's brigade of the Mexican army opposite the
American right flank. The Second Kentucky In
fantry, Colonel McKee, had been posted as part of
the reserve. General Taylor sent it and Bragg's
battery, with a detachment of mounted men, to take
post on the first foot-hill to the right of the dry
arroyo in the plain, and somewhat in advance of
Washington's battery. The enemy's movement in
dicated a possible attempt to pass General Taylor's
right. This detachment had hardly gone, however,
when the enemy's true intention of turning General
Taylor's left, and not his right, was suggested by
light troops moving toward the mountains on the
left. The Kentucky cavalry regiment. Colonel Hum
phrey Marshall, the Arkansas mounted regiment.
Colonel Archibald Yell, with Lieutenant-Colonel
Roane in command of the rifle companies, dis
mounted, and the four Indiana rifle companies,
Major W. A. Gorman commanding, had been sent to
stop such a movement. Brigadier-General Joseph
Lane, with the Second Indiana Regiment, and a sec
tion of Washington's battery under Brevet Captain
J. P. J. O'Brien, was ordered to the left of the posi
tion proper on the high plateau, with orders to pre
vent the enemy from passing between the center and
the base of the mountain.
Having left his horses with the cavalry which
remained mounted, under Colonel Yell, at the base of

252

GENERAL TAYLOR.

the mountain. Colonel Marshall formed a skirmish
line of riflemen of his own and Colonel Yell's rifle
companies and those of the Indiana brigade, under
Major Gorman, to hold a mountain-spur and knoll
on the flank of Taylor's army, facing another knoll
in advance of Santa Anna's right. He had origi
nally sent a battalion of dismounted riflemen to the
southernmost spur, but upon receiving word from
General Wool that this force might be cut off by the
enemy who was marching up the ravine beyond,
thinking it to be his general's wish, Marshall with
drew it. General Wool now reached him, and ex
plained that his message was cautionary only, put
him in entire charge of the left, and returned to the
plain. Gorman was sent to re-occupy the advanced
knoll across the ravine, but the enemy had fore
stalled him and he came back.
At 3.30 p. M. Colonel Marshall began skirmishing
with the enemy s infantry on the side of the mount
ain, and firing continued throughout the rest of the
afternoon. General Taylor, believing that the time for a
formal attack that day had passed, rode with his
staff to a high point of the plateau, and was sur
veying with his field - glass the whole stretch of
ground then held by his enemy. The sun was just
disappearing in the west. Its parting rays lighted
up with unusual brilliancy the bright sabers, the
gleaming bayonets, the moving and stationary uni
forms, and the waving standards, with varying
effects. The shadows lengthened and deepened,
and the mountains, hills, and spurs, now irregularly
brightened with silvery hues near their summits,
shot up from the more darkly painted valleys, and

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.

253

gave a scene of exceeding beauty and glory, a spec
tacle that could hardly be reproduced. At this hour
there were everywhere distant music of bands, drum-
beatings, bugle-notes, and occasional skirmish-shots
to break the stillness, and a hum that busy men and
waiting animals always make.
General Taylor, satisfied with observing, was
about to turn away and. ride back to General Wool
near the center of his line, when, of a sudden, the com
parative quiet was broken. There was a burst of
cannon and musketry resounding and re-resounding
among the hills, and clouds of smoke suddenly aris
ing off there to his left. " A fierce attack is coming,
after all," he thought. The Mexicans under Am
pudia, from their own dominating spur, had opened
a rapid, raking fire, but happily ineffective by reason
of firing too high upon the dismounted Kentucky
and Arkansas cavalry. The Mexicans then began
ascending the ridge which connected their knoll with
the mountain chain, evidently to get above ra
vines and to work around the left flank of Colonel
Marshall. He kept his men well in hand, gave back
volley for volley, and his soldiers clambered up a
parallel ridge as fast as the Mexicans, and fired at
them their effective rifle-shots. The firing, which
caused the loss of a few men on both sides, finally,
after producing the impression upon the sky of
flashing fire-works, slowly died away. Each com
mander (Marshall and Ampudia) waited in place,
holding to his own recently attained elevated ground.
So ended this natal day, the glorious 22d of Febru
ary, 1847, on the rough, strange field of Buena Vista.
Now, feeling sure that there would be no further
action till the morrow. General Taylor, recalling the

254 GENERAL TAYLOR.
presence of a large cavalry force reported to be in
his rear, took with hi-m a fair esco'rt, consisting of
Colonel Davis's Mississippi regiment of infantry and
May's squadron of dragoons, and went back to
Saltillo. He very properly had a feeling that his
battle-ground was not confined to Angostura. That
was surely his front position. His entire field in
cluded Saltillo, the intervening plateaus, and spurs of
the mountains. Hence his evident anxiety about the
hacienda of Buena Vista, the rough road to Saltillo,
and the depot there. This anxiety caused his sec
ond visit. And did he not leave that able veteran,
Wool, to execute his orders till his return ? The
two armies lay down to rest upon the plateaus and
slopes where they had been put in position. No fire
that night was built for a target to tempt some eager
battery-officer to try his guns ; and so, except for the
watchful guards and keen-sighted pickets, there was
for the most of the weary men on both sides an un
interrupted sleep till the morning's dawn. Santa Anna
had caused one exception to this rule. His chief of
staff, Miguel Torena, under cover of the night, had
caused Captain Ballarta's five gun batteries of eight-
pounders to be dragged up to a spot sufficiently high
toward the mountain to enable him more easily to
throw his shot upon Taylor's choice plateau. This
was a shrewd preparation for an attempt to be made
at daylight to push across the natural barriers and
break up his enemy's whole front.
After a few hours' indispensable repose at the
city of Saltillo, we find our American general on the
road at an early hour. He uses in his report a few
pregnant words concerning this visit : " The city "
(Saltillo) " was occupied by four excellent companies

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.

255

of Illinois volunteers, under Major Warren of the
First Regiment. A field-work which commanded
most of the approaches was garrisoned by Captain
Webster's company of the First Artillery, and armed
with two 24-pounder howitzers, while the train and
headquarter camp was guarded by two companies of
Mississippi riflemen, under Captain Rogers, and a
field-piece [from Bragg's battery] commanded by
Captain Shover, Third Artillery.
" Having made these dispositions for the protec
tion of the rear, I proceeded, on the morning of the
23d, to Buena Vista, ordering forward all the other
available troops."
While General Taylor, hearing the sounds of
cannon in the distance, is pushing on as fast as he
can toward the field, we will attempt briefly to re
cord what had already taken place at Angostura. At
2 A. M. on the 23d the Mexicans began their move
ments, and at dawn firing began on the mountain.
The American position was then occupied as fol
lows: The First Illinois, and five guns of Washing
ton's battery, as described, in the center, near the
road. Major Mansfield had been sent to take the
Second Kentucky and Bragg's battery, if prudent,
from the right to the left. On the left, in echelon to
the front of the First Illinois's position and nearly a
mile from it, the interval protected by three ravines
with heads near together, down which one could look
from the right of this regiment, was the Second Illi
nois, Colonel W. H. BisseU, facing south, and watch
ing for the enemy's infantry to come up out of a still
longer ravine than those on its right. Captain
Enoch Steen's squadron of the First Dragoons stood
behind, and secured the interval between the Illinois

256 GENERAL TAYLOR.
regiments. This hostile ravine extended all the way
to the mountains. On the left of the Second
Illinois, a little in advance, and facing more to
the southwest, stood the Second Indiana, under
Colonel Bowles, and three pieces (one 12-pounder,
one 6-pounder, and one 4-pounder Mexican gun)
of Washington's battery, under Brevet-Captain
O'Brien. Then came an interval, in rear of which
stood a part of the Kentucky horse ; and still
further to the rear, back of a ravine which reached
the valley in the American rear, the Arkansas horse.
Beyond the interval, leftward, up the side of the
mountain, were the rifle companies of the Kentucky
and Arkansas cavalry and the battalion of riflemen
from the Indiana Brigade. Three companies under
Major Trail, two of the Second Regiment of the Illi
nois Volunteers and Captain Conner's company of
Texans, soon re-enforced them. In reserve in rear of
the Angostura was the Third Indiana Regiment.
Sherman's battery so soon came into position with
the Second Illinois (Bissell's) Regiment on this morn
ing of the 23d that it was but a short time a re
serve. About eight o'clock the Second Kentucky
Infantry arrived from across the valley, and was put
at the head of the ravines in the interval that still
remained between the First and Second Illinois Regi
ments. Bragg's battery, which had been brought
in by Mansfield from the extreme right at daylight,
went toward Saltillo on account of a large dust ris
ing in that direction, which might have been caused
by Miiion ; but when it proved to be from General
Taylor and re-enforcements, the battery found a
place near Captain Steen's squadron of the First
Dragoons.

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.

257

Stimulated by an animated address of Santa
Anna — a speech full of denouncements of the
wickedness of his foes, and fraught with most patri
otic fervor — the Mexicans, though much worn by
their long marches, and poorly supplied, nevertheless
sprang forward with a reasonable enthusiasm to
begin the projected attacks. General Ampudia, as
soon as it was light enough to see, with his own
brigade re-enforced strongly from the center and the
8-pounders before mentioned, opened the noisy
assault. Marshall with his demi-brigade was in
waiting. Major Trail, as we saw, with the three
companies, had arrived on the mountain-side to help
him. General Taylor, in one brief, grim sentence,
describes the gallant defense : " Our riflemen . . .
maintained their ground handsomely against a
greatly superior force, holding themselves under
cover, and using their weapons with deadly effect."
This Mexican move in Santa Anna's plan was es
sential to clear the way. Again, as an intended
blind — a sort of ruse de guerre — General D. Santiago
Blanco, using his three batteries and his fine regi
ment of engineers, from his place on and near the
road and stream-bed moved rapidly forward. He
was sustained by enough other troops to make a solid-
looking column. Blanco had hardly opened fire,
when Captain Washington replied with that quick
ness and accuracy which distinguished the Northern
artillery during that war. With scarcely any casual
ties on his side, he soon broke and put to flight the
hostile column. These Mexicans, in their confusion,
ran in all directions seeking shelter against his death-
dealing missiles.
Now for a main assault. Behold Ampudia still

258

GENERAL TAYLOR.

hammering away on the mountain ! It is eight
o'clock. At this instant, nearer the middle of the
American line, Generals Lombardini and Pacheco,
side by side, bring up a strong column of 7,000.
Ortega is still kept in reserve back of the interval
between Ampudia and Pacheco. General Juvera,
with 2,000 cavalry, stands ready to follow up any ad
vantage they may gain. Full of confidence, Santa
Anna remains, with his colors flying, on an eminence
in the rear, watching the advance, not for one mo
ment relaxing the belief expressed in the last words
of his address — " their utter extermination, without
pity or quarter."
General Wool was just then at his own right bat
tery, whither Washington's rapid discharges had
drawn him. He was undoubtedly in some trepida
tion, owing to the extent of the ground to hold and
the fewness of his troops. How quickly at the sig
nal that attack began ! Cannon and musketry on
mountain-side from the south ; then prompt re
sponses of carbine and musket from the north. A
steady advance of the Mexican center columns of
attack straight toward O'Brien's little battery, lately
run out there in front. Now observe. Cannon-shots
from Ballarta's guns were plowing a swath for the
Mexicans through the Northern volunteer infantry,
and their canister taking effect on the left of
O'Brien. On the Mexicans come, firing as they ad
vance. The roaring and the rattle were soon con
tinuous, and the great battle was joined from mount
ain-side to sloping plateau, from the plateau to the
uneven roadway and the impassable river-bed.
There was soon developed a weak point — that
which O'Brien with his three field-guns was defend-

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.

259

ing, the left of General Wool's line; for Colonel
Marshall, with his command skirmishing on the
mountain-side, was virtually detached. The divisions
of Lombardini and Pacheco, in some confusion, it is
true, but in overwhelming numbers, were pushing
nearer. Those behind kept up the impulse when the
front men fell or stopped to fire ; nearer and nearer
they came to O'Brien. The official report says of
this meUe : " The Second Indiana and Second Illi
nois formed this part of our line, the former sup
porting these pieces of light artillery, Brigadier-
General Lane being in the immediate command.
In order to bring his men within more effective
range, General Lane ordered the artillery forward,
intending to follow the movement with the Second
Indiana. 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." Here took place the
first break. At first firing well, the Second Indi
ana — every observer hated to confess it — did not
long face that storm and advance in support of
O'Brien. The regiment encountered the terrific hail
from the front, also the plunging fire of those Mexi
can 8-pounders to their left, and, if we may trust
to fault-finders among them, they received confusing
orders from their own colonel. All this was more
than the regiment could bear, and it went to pieces
and fled from the field.
Until the forward movement, which was probably
not a wise one at that stage of the battle, all Gen
eral Lane's troops had been kneeling in ranks and
pouring in their discharges against the on-coming,
determined Mexicans. Now, O'Brien, with his artil-

26o GENERAL TAYLOR.
lery, left with no small arms near at hand on right
or left to help him, nevertheless redoubled his vigor.
All the men and all the horses at one of his guns were
killed or disabled, and so at the last minute he lim
bered up the other two and fled before the storm, but
without losing either order or control of his remain
ing battery-men. Here the Second Illinois Regiment,
having Mexicans already beyond either flank, began
to retire fighting, till everything on the plateau be
fore the Lombardini and Pacheco column was for
a while swept back. Santa Anna was delighted.
Marshall's force — that is, the Arkansas and Kentucky
cavalry — dismounted, and Major Trail's three com
panies had done all that men could do. They had
skirmished from knoll to knoll against Ampudia;
they had strained their lines to face four times their
numbers ; but who can tell their feelings, to be now
absolutely cut off, in the very midst of the turmoil,
by the sudden flight of the Second Indiana men, and
the swinging back of all others toward the gorge-
road, leaving them — Marshall's little forlorn hope —
completely severed from the main body ? Ampudia
unceasingly pressed them in front, and the Mexican
cavalry, hugging the mountain, tried to ride them
down. So, at last, Marshall, uniting with Yell, who
was soon wounded, mounting as many men as he had
kept with him, gave back, back, back, swinging off
toward the hacienda of Buena Vista. The fugitives
of the Second Indiana and Marshall's fragments had
preceded them. General Wool was meanwhile doing
all he could to reorganize his lines — as did Wright at
Winchester before the arrival of Sheridan, as did
Wellington before Blucher came at Waterloo; but
his hope was growing smaller, when General Taylor

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 261
arrived. Taylor brought up with him Lieutenant-
Colonel May's dragoons. A little farther back fol
lowed Colonel Jefferson Davis and his fresh regiment
of Mississippi infantry.
Behold this sturdy old soldier, Zachary Taylor,
as with his little bevy of staff officers around him he
rode forward and ascended to the plateau and halted !
He quickly took in the situation. Now, without
hurry or confusion, things soon took better shape.
Look for a moment at the present lines. Washing
ton, with five guns, had stopped all direct attack in
his front, and now had received back O'Brien and
his two remaining guns. Of his infantry supports,
four companies of the First Illinois had wheeled so
as to face the mountain, and had moved in that
direction to the plateau. Colonel Bissell had retired
his regiment (the Second Illinois) from its first posi
tion, and faced it, with the First, more to the left, in
an oblique line, supporting Bragg's and Sherman's
light batteries. The Second Kentucky had just been
hurrying into position across the plateau to the right
of the Illinois men, so that we now have a new line
making a large angle with the old one.
Davis's Mississippi regiment was soon halted
down there nearer the Buena Vista hacienda, then
deploying and moving toward the Mexican columns
which had passed over the ground where had stood
the Second Indiana. Colonel May's regulars now,
including Steen's squadron, under Lieutenant Rucker,
and Captain Pike's Arkansas squadron, were on the
plateau, but were hastening leftward to strengthen
Colonel Marshall's retiring command, and so en
deavor, with Colonel Davis, to hold the ground be
tween Buena Vista and the great Angostura plateau.
iS

262 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Major Monroe, that indomitable, self-reliant actor,
is gathering the fragments of companies that had
fled from the battle to aid him — if such men will — at
the hacienda and the trains. Colonel Bowles, with a
sprinkling of brave men from his regiment, joined him
self with them to the Mississippians. General Wool,
encouraged by the arrival of his chief, and hoping to
brace up his shattered left, hurried off to Davis. As
Taylor arrived, General Wool said to him, " We are
whipped ! " Taylor's terse rejoinder bespeaks the
man : " That remains for me to determine."
The Third Indiana, under Colonel J. H. Lane,
was hastening, accompanied by one cannon con
ducted by Lieutenant Kilburn, to re-enforce Colonel
Davis, who had as quickly as possible formed across
a bridge leading from the upper part of the plateau
to a point in front of Buena Vista. The enemy's
troops were bearing down with a rapid tread. With
these changes, the left being turned, we find al
together a new line. The battle to some men would
have been already lost; but not so to Taylor.
True, his new left, as now posted, was over a mile
away at Buena Vista ; his center was held only in
points, and his men there were few; but those points
were on parallel ridges, and the enemy could not,
except with extreme peril, pass down the ravines ;
his right was solid enough at the gorge, but in a
defeat it was likely to be cut off and destroyed. Yet
there stood the resolute, fearless man. Every soul
that was not a coward, beholding him there with
them, caught his spirit and prepared for another
strong effort.
Behold the Mexicans ! They enveloped every
thing. They were approaching Buena Vista ; they

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.

263

were coming down upon Davis and Colonel Lane ;
even their infantry rolled along the mountain face,
over the plateau and the foot-hills, and filled the
cross ravines. Taylor's whole new front was covered
and masked by them ; and, indeed, but for the fear-
fulness of the approach, it was a handsome, brilliant,
superb array. Now the battle is renewed ; the cessa
tion, for the breathing-space has been but brief.
Now notice Taylor's artillery; Sherman, Bragg,
Thomas, Reynolds, and Kilburn, and their rapid, con
tinuous, accurate, terrible fire ; grape, canister, and
shell, and here and there a solid shot; they hurl
them against the Mexican masses ; then the infan
try are arranged in the places most exposed, and
wherever muskets can reach they are used to
their fullest extent. The concentrated fire of Sher
man's and Bragg's batteries at last broke the
Mexican column, which had been toiling along the
fearfully rough, stony ground by the foot-hill of the
mountain, and, almost sooner than it takes to tell it,
the Mexicans in rear of them were turning back.
Yes, there was an enormous break in their march
ing troops, and, strange to say, the plateau was once
more cleared of Mexicans, with at least a fourth
of Santa Anna's force hopelessly cut off — a worse
break for them than that made for Wool by the un
fortunate Second Indiana a few hours before. To
accomplish this, Lieutenant George H. Thomas had
been left with one gun near the old position, and
Sherman and Bragg had limbered up and pushed to
ward the mountain, the Illinois infantry moving in
support. Meanwhile Marshall and Yell had attacked by
carbine fire and charged against the head of the

264 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Mexicans who were pushing them. In the charge
Yell gave his life ; while their small command was
borne back, friend and foe mingled in a cloud of
dust, toward the hacienda. The regular dragoons
and Reynolds's section of artillery arrived to succor
them. Davis had attacked a part of the column
which had turned to face him. The Third Indiana
and Kilburn with his field-piece were coming to his
aid. After the break had been effected, Bragg,
finding himself too near a Mexican battery which
had come into action upon the plateau, took advan
tage of the -mobility of his own, and moved off, re
plenished ammunition, and then hurried toward
Buena Vista, where the noise was now the loudest;
but that attack over, he turned to his right and fired
upon the Mexicans in front of Davis. In fact, this
part was kept so busy by Colonel Davis with his
Mississippians and other troops. Colonel May with
dragoons and artillery, and by Major Monroe with
his improvised defenders of the train and town, that
they did not at first notice their perilous situation —
not until it was next to impossible to get back any
where through the pass, over the plateau, or by way
of the foot-hills. Lieutenant Kingsbury, of the ord
nance corps, a staff-officer of General Taylor, and
an eye-witness of this scene, which began just before
aid reached the brave Mississippians, writes : " Colo
nel Davis was therefore compelled to receive the
attack with a single regiment. ... It was com
posed of the men of Monterey, and, unawed by
the overwhelming mass which had now reached a
critical proximity, it marched unfalteringly forward.
When within good range, each rifle sent ahead its
messenger of death with certain execution. The

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 265
sight of broken companies and disordered squadrons
which followed seemed to impart new zeal, and, re
gardless of the odds, the regiment crossed a ravine
by which they had been separated from the enemy
with a shout of defiance and of triumph, and again
the report of their unerring rifles proved the death-
knell of many an Aztec warrior." The Mexicans
were thrown into disorder, and were compelled to
retire to the mountains before a reorganization could
be effected. At this stage, Lieutenant Kingsbury continues:
" While the dispersed cavalry of t'ne Mexicans
were rallying, Colonel Davis was joined by the Third
Indiana regiment, and one piece of artillery under
Lieutenant Kilburn, and a short time subsequently
by Captain Sherman with a 12-pound howitzer.
The action, being renewed, was maintained with
great warmth and obstinacy at this point, the enemy
making several efforts to force the line, and being
as often repulsed with considerable loss. The con
fidence of the Mexicans was indeed of short duration.
" In the mean time several bodies of lancers were
concentrating somewhat to the rear of the Ameri
can left, with the apparent design of making a
descent upon the hacienda of Buena Vista, in the
vicinity of which the provision and baggage trains
were deposited. Two pieces of artillery from Sher
man's battery had previously been ordered thither,
under Lieutenant Reynolds, supported by regular
dragoons and a squadron of Arkansas cavalry, under
the poet Captain Pike. The scattered forces about
the hacienda — the accumulation of fugitives from the.
different parts of the field — were soon partially or
ganized under the direction of Major Munroe, of

266 GENERAL TAYLOR.
the artillery, assisted by Major Morrison, of the
volunteer staff, and were posted to defend the posi
tion. Before the dragoons and artillery reached the
hacienda the columns of lancers, advancing at a
gallop, were met near the Saltillo road by the Ken
tucky and Arkansas cavalry under Marshall, who,
after discharging their carbines with but little effect,
succeeded in dividing the Mexican columns, one por
tion of which was driven back to its previous po
sition. The advancing squadrons swept past the
hacienda, where the fugitive Americans, from a se
cure retreat, opened a well-directed and. effective
fire upon them; while Reynolds's artillery followed
fast upon their precipitate course with a fierce dis
charge of shot and shells, drove them across the
entire valley, and forced them up a steep ascent,
through a gorge in the opposite range of mountains.
" Notwithstanding these repeated repulses, those
of the Mexicans who had been driven back from the
hacienda were soon joined by another body of cav
alry, and, thus re-enforced, again advanced with a
view to engage the Indiana and Mississippi troops,
which now held a position nearly midway between
the base of the mountains and the hacienda. As
one regiment was armed with rifles, the formation
of a square would have afforded no strength ; the
two corps [regiments] were therefore posted so as
to form a re-entering angle, the opening toward the
enemy, and the vertex resting upon the edge of a deep
ravine, and thus awaited the attack. For a while on
came the enemy with lances in rest, dashing ahead
with a haughty confidence and proud contempt for
the insignificant numbers opposed to them. But as
the distance diminished, their progress gradually be-

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 267
came slower and slower, until, by a strange fatality,
the whole body halted within a hundred yards of the
Americans. The movement seemed a mockery, and
had they borne charmed lives they could not have
exhibited more indifference to human power. But
that halt sealed their destiny. Both lines had fol
lowed Warren's instructions at Bunker Hill, and
'the whites of the eyes ' being now ' fairly visible,'
the arms were leveled, and then gleamed forth a
sheet of fire that scattered the foe like chaff, felling
many a gallant steed to the earth, and sending scores
of riders to the sleep that knows no waking."
Again Lieutenant Kingsbury, noticing the Mexi
can lancers and other Mexican troops cut off and
defeated, says :
" At this time the entire Mexican force, which
had gained the rear of the Americans, was in a criti
cal position. The infantry held it on the left, while
the artillery in front was making fearful carnage at
every discharge. It was impossible to advance, and
a junction with the main body seemed hopeless."
In this emergency a remarkable method was resorted
to : " Four officers from a distant point were suddenly
observed galloping at full speed toward the Ameri
can lines. They were met by several officers of the
Kentucky and Illinois regiments, which then occu
pied an advanced position on the plateau, and one
of them was conducted by Lieutenant-Colonel Clay
to the presence of General Taylor. It then appeared
that he bore a verbal interrogatory from Santa Anna,
' to know what General Taylor wanted !'" This absurd
message was at once believed to be a mere ruse, but
under the sanctity of a white flag the American com
mander was not at liberty to regard it as an act of

268 GENERAL TAYLOR.
bad faith, and dispatched General Wool to meet the
Mexican general-in-chief, at the same moment trans
mitting orders to cease firing. Mexican historians
state that the ruse of the white flag and pretended
message originated with a junior officer who had been
cut off, and not with Santa Anna. When General
Wool reached the Mexican lines, however, the Mexi
can battery refusing to cease firing, thereby at once
exposing the stratagem resorted to and the decep
tion which had been thus successfully consummated,
he declared the parley at an end, and returned with
out seeing Santa Anna. The cessation of the Ameri
can fire had enabled the extreme right of the enemy —
that is, the fourth part cut off — to complete its re
treat along the base of the mountain, and effect a
reunion with the main body of the Mexican army.
It will be remembered how General Taylor had
garrisoned Saltillo. General Miiion with his Mexi
can cavalry brigade was often in sight of the garrison
during the engagement then taking place near Buena
Vista ; but Minon was seemingly waiting for Taylor's
final defeat at the front, to render that defeat a dis
graceful rout. At noon he drew near the garrison.
He intercepted the roads which led to the front, capt
uring some stragglers from the battle-field. Finally,
he came within range of the garrisoned redoubt,
when Captain Webster rapidly discharged his two
howitzers. Minon, not wishing his horsemen to face
this fire, drew off toward the southeast, as it was not
his part to attack a fortified post. Captain Shover,
however, from the guard of the train, with his own
field -piece took the field, followed by Captain
Wheeler with a company of Illinois volunteers, and
Lieutenant Donaldson with a howitzer from the re-

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 269
doubt. They pressed nearer and nearer to the mov
ing Mexicans. Miiion formed once or twice as if to
charge but refrained. The guns followed him con
tinuously, firing whenever an opportunity presented.
The Mexican column having disappeared in a ravine
near the mountains. Captain Shover reports : " Just
at this moment, by some accident, the pole of the
gun limber was broken. I immediately caused the
limber of the caisson to supply its place. The
men, with most commendable activity, replaced it
with a spare pole from the caisson. While this was
being done I galloped to the top of the hill above
Arispa's Mills, where a grand sight burst upon my
view. The whole column of Minon was winding its
way along the foot of the mountain and through the
ravines, more than half the column being within
range of my gun. I galloped back to bring it up,
placed it in position, and fired rapidly into their
crowded ranks, producing considerable confusion
and much execution. One squadron faced to the
rear by fours, and began to move briskly with the
evident intention of charging me, when a shot lodged
in their ranks sent them off to the left-about in a
gallop. I continued to fire upon them as long as
they were in reach, evidently doing them much dam
age. Owing to the deep ravines over which they
passed, I could follow them no farther, but I felt
very much gratified that we had been able to drive
them from the plain. During the latter part of the
firing the howitzer under Lieutenant Donaldson did
serious execution, as we could see shells bursting in
and near their ranks."
Well on in the afternoon, as a last effort to secure
the victory that for a time he thought already won,

270

GENERAL TAYLOR.

when the troops which had pushed so far toward
Buena Vista were returning, Santa Anna moved for
ward cannon so as to sweep all approaches to Tay
lor's new lines re-established on the main plateau of
Angostura. He transferred the superb engineer regi
ment to his own right, uniting them to other reserve
troops under Brevet-General Don Francisco Perez ;
he had reformed in columns of attack all the avail
able men of the divisions of Perez, who had replaced
the wounded Lombardini, Ortega, and Pacheco. The
main column he caused Perez to form in a deep
ravine, and prepare to lead. By five o'clock all was
ready. General Perez sent up to the plateau an
advance guard, a sort of feeler before a grand
charge. Captain O'Brien, who had again obtained
two guns from Captain Washington and had gone
upon the plateau, and Lieutenant George H. Thomas,
ready with another, met and showered this Mexican
advance with iron hail, and cleared the plateau as
quickly as the scattered hostiles could run to cover.
The enterprising Colonel Hardin, commanding for
the time five companies of his sturdy regiment, the
First Illinois, the Second Illinois, and the Second
Kentucky, thought he could gloriously close out the
day by pursuing the retreating infantry, and also
possibly by capturing those troublesome batteries
which Santa Anna had just ordered to fire. The
projectiles appeared to come from the mountain
side. Hardin began his advance. He had hardly
emerged from the heads of the ravines in which
they were lying, and cleared the edge of the plateau,
when he encountered, face to face, an overwhelming
force of Mexicans already in motion. Perez had
begun his strong charge. A looker-on says graphic-

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.

271

ally: "The small band under Hardin was met by a
rampart of bayonets, and hurled back as the spray
is dashed from the billow." Volley after volley was
thrown against these moving masses ; bullets filled
the spaces. Thomas and O'Brien, who rapidly used
their field-guns, kept losing horses and men, till the
infantry was driven down a ravine, and O'Brien left
two of his guns in the enemy's hands. He had
loaded and fired till all his cannoneers were killed or
wounded, retreating mostly by the recoil of each
piece. He had held on until Captain Bragg, having
with weary horses come from the left, again went
resolutely into battery within a few yards of Perez's
front men, and discharged canister into their faces.
General Taylor, with teeth set, stood close by, grimly
looking on. His report of this is condensed into a
sentence : " The first discharge of canister caused the
enemy to hesitate ; the second and third drove him
back in disorder, and saved the day." Of course, the
general means Bragg turned the tide. Yet there
were left a few hurtful eddies ; for example, some
Mexican regiments had swept away the infantry, and
were driving them toward the road down one of the
ravines in front. As they emerged on the lower
plain Torrejon charged. In watchful readiness the
gallant Captain Washington opened upon these ener
getic and hopeful Mexicans. His first shell exploded
in the leading squadron, and dispersed it. The rem
nant of the three infantry regiments retreated to
him, covered by his accurate and rapid firing.
Notice again the imperturbable commander. In
fantry supports had been almost destroyed. Arkan
sas, Kentucky, Illinois, Mississippi, Texas, and some
Indiana men had fought hard, all this dreadful

272

GENERAL TAYLOR.

day. All present were crippled too much to sup
port the batteries. The companies of the regular
cavalry — i. e., of the First and Second Dragoons —
were but a handful, and Santa Anna still had a mul
titude of horsemen. Was it not time to give back,
and seek safety, now clearly practicable, in flight ?
The lightning was sharply flashing from cloud to
cloud, and the voice of thunder gave a double bass
to the cannon discharges up there arhong the re
verberating hills. No, no ! Zachary Taylor never
thought of surrender or flight. As his ordnance
staff officer says ; " How his lofty spirit, amid the
awful peril of the occasion, bore it all nobly, has
already passed into history. . It is true there was
then neither cavalry nor infantry on which to rely,
but there was that which was superior to both ! it
was the moral power of the presence of the com
manding general." Washington, Bragg, Sherman,
Thomas, Kilburn, everybody that had a battery, a
section, a single gun left, with ammunition to fire un
der his direct supervision, brought up his quota and
showed at that moment how fearless and skillful ar
tillerists could load and fire effective shots. The por
tions of the solid Mexican columns which had not yet
ceased to come up from the hollows and forward and
along the terrible plateau, were pierced by the dis
charges through and through. Leaders lost their
lives or their control. At first, gaps in Santa Anna's
ranks were speedily filled, and the momentum pressed
unwilling men toward the fatal spot. At last, how
ever, after several vain attempts to spring forward and
seize the murderous cannon, all the hostile host, as
if by a common impulse, began to break right and
left and to run for the nearest shelter. The Missis-

CAMPAIGN AND BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 273
sippians and Third Indiana, who had already done so
much in the ravines toward Buena Vista, had again
come forward to resolutely help the artillery and the
few shattered infantry by Taylor's side. They then
made a clear and final sweep of the plateau. Vic
tory ! Victory ! The ten mortal hours of battling
were over. The storm and the night came in mercy
to close out the struggle. Then Taylor laid down
right there with his men upon the field he had won,
fully prepared — just as General Grant at a later
period always was in such an emergency — to renew
the conflict at the dawn of the next day. During
the ensuing darkness the now beaten Mexicans made
a weary, sorrowful retreat. Taylor's was a wonder
ful victory. His own tired men could at first hardly
believe it — a victory won against such great odds, and
withal so thoroughly completed.

CHAPTER XIX.
Comments made by General Taylor and others, with letters bear
ing upon the remarkable battle of Buena Vista — Significant
statement — Sorrow tempers his rejoicing — Good conduct of
the troops — Effectiveness of Taylor's artillery — The enter
prise of volunteers — How Colonel Jefferson Davis became
forgiven — Letter to General Butler from Agua Nueva —
Letter to Henry Clay — Another to Governor Lincoln — De
fensive communication to the Secretary of War — Santa Anna's
defense of his retreat — Formal orders of congratulation.
In General Taylor's admirable report of Buena
Vista he has given some historic facts that we may
emphasize by a reference more in detail. " During
the night of the 23d of February," says Taylor, "the
wounded were removed to Saltillo, and every prep
aration made to receive the enemy should he again
attack our position." Yet, very early in the morn
ing, it was ascertained first by the brave Colonel
Marshall that Santa Anna had fled. " The great
disparity of numbers, and the exhaustion of our
troops, rendered it inexpedient and hazardous to at
tempt pursuit." The list of casualties in that pro
longed struggle attest this simple statement of the
case. More than a sixth of the whole of Taylor's
force had been dropped out as killed, wounded, and
missing ; the missing not known to be killed or
wounded were extraordinarily few — indeed, as re
ported, but twenty-three men.

COMMENTS ON BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.

275

The 24th of February was spent in exchanging
prisoners, according to agreement with Santa Anna,
responding to General Taylor's missive ; and there
was other sadder work — that of burial. " Our own
dead," the General remarks, " 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 circum
stances would permit."
After this faithful duty, General Taylor slowly
pressed his reconnaissances upon the heels of his
enemy. The evening of the 26th he found but a
small rear-guard of Santa Anna at Agua Nueva,
which retired upon the approach of the Northern
troops, excepting, of course, " the considerable num
ber of wounded." Agua Nueva was again seized
and held. Colonel Belknap, with a reconnoitering
detachment, went, March ist, as far as Encarnacion.
Here were found "some two hundred wounded, and
about sixty Mexican soldiers." General Taylor fur
ther uses this significant, sadly pictorial expression :
" The army [Santa Anna's] having passed on in the
direction of Matehuela,with greatly reduced numbers,
and suffering much from hunger, the dead and dying
were strewed upon the road and crowded the build
ings of the hacienda." By hacienda is here meant
the farms or small hamlets connected therewith. It
is from this picture very evident that the victory was
bloody and decisive. Santa Anna in his offensive
advance had gone beyond his proper supplies of
food, and hence hunger as well as the bullets of the
Americans had fought against him.
General Taylor's heart has appeared in his com
ments on this battle. He says with sorrow : " Our

276 GENERAL TAYLOR.
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, as
sistant adjutant-general, serving on the staff of
General Wool, a young officer of high bearing and
approved gallantry, who fell early in the action. No
loss falls more heavily upon the army in the field
than that of Colonels Hardin and McKee and Lieu
tenant-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 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 stead
fast courage with which they maintained their posi
tions during the day, fully realized my hopes, and
caused me to feel yet more sensibly their untimely
loss. " I perform a grateful duty in bringing to the
notice of the Government the general good conduct
of the troops. Exposed for successive nights, with
out 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 disci
plined 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, coolness,
and gallantry in trying situations, and under a con
tinued and heavy fire, seem to merit particular
notice. "To Brigadier-General Wool my obligations are

COMMENTS ON BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 277
especially due. The high state of discipline and in
struction of several of the volunteer regiments was
attained under his command, and to his vigilance
and arduous service before the action, and his gal
lantry and activity on the field, a large share of our
success may largely 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 honorable notice of
the Government."
To entertain a generous, unselfish appreciation
of a subordinate who has rank sufficient to be a
rival, and give him due credit not only by praising
him but specifying the work actually done by him,
indicates a quality that all the so-called great gen
erals do not possess. This sort bespeaks magna
nimity. This noble quality every letter and report
of General Taylor from the fields of active opera
tions unreservedly exhibits.
In reviewing the accounts of Buena Vista — in fact
of the entire Mexican War — one must be struck with
the wonderful skill, independence, and effectiveness
of General Taylor's artillery. With regard to the
artillerists in the last engagement, the General re
ported : " The services of the light artillery, always
conspicuous, were more than usually distinguished.
Moving rapidly o.ver 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." It seems as though
language was not strong enough to enable him to
sketch and convey his appreciation. He afterward,
in writing, called many by name who had rendered
"valuable service " or shown " gallant conduct" in
19

278 GENERAL TAYLOR.
such a way as to be brought to his notice ; for ex
ample, Major Munroe, Captains Washington, Sher
man, Bragg, and O'Brien, Lieutenants Brent, Whit
ing, Couch, Bryan, Thomas, Reynolds, French,
Shover, Kilburn, and Donaldson. These men were
then attached to some part of his artillery. Again he
mentions Lieutenant-Colonel May, Captain Steen, and
Captain Pike, with the regular or volunteer cavalry,
and many, many others, from the officers command
ing brigades and regiments to those who in humbler
capacities did something worthy of mark, and to
those who fell or were wounded in the battle. There
appears to the reviewer of these reports a grace and
a generosity which army and navy commanders may
well pattern after in their important public reports.
It will be recalled that Lieutenant (now Colonel)
Jefferson Davis, when an officer in his regiment, had
not been to General Taylor a very acceptable suitor
for the hand of his beloved daughter. But the per
severing young man, having inspired her with senti
ments akin to his own and in his own favor, had fol
lowed up his advantage, till, some years before the
war, he succeeded in securing with her an elopement.
General Taylor was greatly grieved at his child's
conduct, and incensed beyond measure with Davis,
so much so that the young people were for a time
forbidden his home. Then, to make matters more
grievous, the young wife, before the expiration of
the first year of her married life, died, and before
there had been any expressed forgiveness from her
father. It is said that not until this battle did the strong-
hearted old man altogether give over his indignation
against his son-in-law. Here, however, Davis's sol-

COMMENTS ON BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 279
dierly bearing and extraordinary efficiency shown in
the engagement broke down every hostile partition
that had remained in his mind. Notice how General
Taylor mentions the new colonel and his command
after Buena Vista ! He says : " The Mississippi
riflemen, under Colonel Davis, were highly conspicu
ous for their gallantry and steadiness, and sustained
throughout the engagement the reputation of vet
eran troops. Brought into action against an im-
m.ensely superior force, they maintained themselves
for a long time unsupported and with heavy loss,
and held an important part of the field until re-en
forced. 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 par
ticular notice of the Government." In the light of
such a report it is not at all strange that the gen
eral who, with such a nature as his, could not long
entertain anger, "offered the olive-branch. He prob
ably only needed a pretext to extend to Colonel
Davis his hand with an entire forgiveness.
An extract from a private letter wiitten from
Agua Nueva to General E. G. W. Butler by General
Taylor further affords some pertinent facts concern
ing the battle of Buena Vista that ought not to be
omitted. He writes of the onslaught of the Mexicans
during the 23d of February in these words : " A por
tion of the time the conflict was much the severest I
have ever witnessed, particularly toward 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 exertion I have ever witnessed on
both sides, drove us, by an immense superiority of

28o GENERAL TAYLOR.
numbers, for some distance. He had at least five to
one at that point against us. Fortunately, 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 com
pelled 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 of
our power to bring them off; nor did I deem it ad
visable to attempt to regain them.
" For several hours the fate of the day was ex
tremely doubtful ; so much so that I was urged by
some of the most experienced of^cers 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, after our left was turned, became alternately
points of attack and defense by both sides. These
extended along and near the base of the mountain
for about two miles, and the struggle for them may
very appropriately be compared 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 ar
tillery did more than wonders.
"We lay on our arms all night, as we had done
the two previous ones, without fires, there being no
wood to be had, and the mercury below the freezing-

COMMENTS ON BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 28 1
point, ready and expectant to renew the contest the
next morning; but we found, at daylight, that 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 everything else, and taking
up a position at this place [i. e., Agua Nueva]. We
did not think it advisable to pursue — not knowing
whether he would renew the attack, continue his re
treat, or wish 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
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 — between
two and three hundred, enough to exchange for all
that have been taken from us — as well as some medi
cal officers left behind to take care of the wounded,
declare that their killed and wounded are not less
than fifteen hundred, and 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 magistrate, to retreat, with less than five hun
dred 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."

282 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Very soon after making his most important re
ports and official returns, and after he had published
his order of congratulation to his proud little army,
he moved his headquarters forward to Agua Nueva.
He did much from this point toward putting his de
partment — for it was now a geographical department
in fact, if not in name — into a proper defensive atti
tude. His troops had several skirmishes and minor
combats with the enemy's cavalry, which resulted in
every instance favorably to his arms. While so en
gaged he found time to pen some of those admirable
letters which have become historic. Like Grant and
Sherman in the civil war, Taylor had the faculty of
expressing himself with great clearness, and with
words that not only show a large mental capacity,
but refinement and goodness of heart. The few fol
lowing witness for themselves :
" Headquarters, Agua Nueva, March i, 1847.
" My dear Sir : You will no doubt have received,
before this can reach you, the deeply distressing in
telligence of the death of your son in the battle of
Buena Vista. It is with no wish of intruding upon
the sanctuary of parental sorrow, and with no hope
of administering 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 owed to the memory of the distinguished dead to
pay a willing tribute to his many excellent qualities,
and, while my feelings are still fresh, to express the
desolation which his untimely loss, and that of other
kindred spirits, has occasioned.
" I had but a casual acquaintance with your son
until he became for a time a member of my military

COMMENTS ON BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 283
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
honorable in every impulse, with no feeling but for
the honor 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 disap
pointed. Under the guidance of himself and the
lamented McKee, gallantly did the sons of Ken
tucky, in the thickest of the strife, uphold the honor
of the State and of 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 Mc
Kee and Hardin, I can say with truth that I feel no
exultation in our success.
" With the expression of my deepest and most
heartfelt sympathies for your irreparable loss,
" I remain your friend,
"Z. Taylor.
" Hon. Henry Clay.''
"Headquarters, Agua Nueva, April % 1847.
" Sir : Your letter of the 4th ult., in relation to
the remains and effects of your much lamented son,
Captain George Lincoln, has safely reached me. I
beg leave to offer my heartfelt sympathies with you
in the heavy affliction which has befallen you in
the death of this accomplished gentleman. In his
fall you have been bereaved of a son of whom you
might be most justly proud, while the army has lost

284

GENERAL TAYLOR.

one of its most gallant soldiers. It is hoped, how
ever, that your deep grief will be assuaged in some
degree in the proud reflection that he fell nobly upon
the field of battle, while gallantly discharging the
duties of his profession.
" I learn, upon inquiry, that the body of your son
was carefully removed from the field immediately
after his death, and that it was decently interred by
itself. Its identity is therefore a matter of certainty.
His effects are understood to have been collected
with due care, and are now under the direction of
General Wool.
" I shall take an early occasion to convey your
wishes on this subject to that officer, with the re
quest that he will be kind enough to put the remains
and effects, carefully prepared for transportation, en
route for New York or Boston, by the first safe op
portunity, and that he give you, at the same time,
due notice thereof. " I am, sir, with great respect,
" Your obedient servant,
"Z. Taylor.
" Ex-Govemor Lincoln, Massachusetts"
Another letter from the same place, dated March
3d, indicates in a measure something of the hard
usage General Taylor was at that time receiving
from the Administration at Washington, and also the
fearlessness and manliness which the general himself
evinced in repelling unjust censure. The letter was
addressed to Mr. Marcy, Secretary of War, and
reads as follows :
" I have had the honor to receive your communica
tion of January 27th, inclosing a newspaper slip, and

COMMENTS ON BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 28?
expressing the regret of the Department that the let
ter copied in that slip, and which was addressed by
myself to Major-General Gaines, should have been
published. Although your letter does not convey
the direct censure of the Department and the Presi
dent, yet, when it is taken in connection with the
revival of the paragraph in the Regulations of 1825,
touching the publication of private letters concern
ing operations in the field, I am not permitted to
doubt that I have become an object of Executive
disapprobation. To any expression of it coming
from the authority of the President I am bound by
my duty, and by my respect for his high office,
patiently to submit; but lest my silence should be
construed into a tacit admission of the grounds and
conclusions set forth in your communication, I deem
it a duty which I owe to myself to submit a few re
marks in reply.
"I shall be pardoned for speaking plainly. In
the first place, the published letter bears upon its
face the most conclusive evidence that it was in
tended only for private perusal, and not at all for
publication. It was published without my knowl
edge and contrary to my wishes. Surely I need not
say that I am not in the habit of writing for the
newspapers. The letter was a familiar one, written
to an old military friend with whom I have been for
many years interchanging opinions on professional
subjects. That he should think proper under any
circumstances to publish it, could not have been
foreseen by me.
" In the absence of proof that the publication
was made without my authority or knowledge, I may
be permitted to say the quotation in your letter of

286 GENERAL TAYLOR.
the 650th paragraph of the superseded Regulations
of 1825, in which the terms 'mischievous and dis
graceful ' are employed to characterize certain let
ters or reports, conveys, though not openly, a meas
ure of rebuke which, to say the least, is rather
harsh, and which I may think not warranted by the
premises. " Again, I have examined the letter in question,
and I do not admit that it is obnoxious to the objec
tions urged in your communication. I see nothing
in it which, under the same circumstances, I would
not write again. To suppose that it will give the
enemy valuable information touching our posts or
respective line of operations, is to know very little
of the Mexican sources of information, or of their
extraordinary sagacity and facilities in keeping con
stantly apprised of our movements. As to my par
ticular views in regard to the general policy to be
pursued toward Mexico, I perceive from the public
journals that they are shared by many distinguished
statesmen ; also, in part, by conspicuous officers of
the navy, the publication of whose opinions is not,
perhaps, obstructed by any regulations of the De
partment. It is difficult, then, to imagine how the
diffusion of mine can render any peculiar aid to the
enemy, or specially disincline him to enter into nego
tiations for peace.
" In conclusion I would say that it has given me
great pain to be brought into the position in which I
now find myself in regard to the Department of War
and the Government. It has not been of my own
seeking. To the extent of my abilities and the
means placed at my disposal I have sought faith
fully to serve the country by carrying out the rules

COMMENTS ON BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 287
and instructions of the Executive ; but it can not be
concealed that, since the capture of Monterey, the
confidence of the Department, and, I too much fear,
of the President, has been gradually withdrawing,
and my consideration and usefulness correspond
ingly diminished. The apparent determination of
the Department to place me in an attitude antagonis
tical to the Government, has an apt illustration in
the well-known fable of ^sop.
" I ask no favor and I shrink from no responsi
bility while intrusted with the command in this quar
ter. I shall continue to devote all my energies to
the public good, looking for my reward to the con
sciousness of pure motives and to the final verdict
of impartial history."
While General Taylor occupied his humble tent
at Agua Nueva and conducted his compassionate
and able correspondence, Santa Anna was gradually
drawing back his forces into the interior of Mexico.
The latter had almost ignored his own wounded, but
finally he declared that, "as I had not means for
their conveyance, the enemy [General Taylor] might
take them to Saltillo, under the protection of the laws
of nations." He could not conceive where Taylor
had obtained any prisoners, " unless it were some of
our dispersed troops, or some who, from the fatigue
of the two previous days, had remained asleep when
we moved " ; still, he at last condescended to make
the proposed exchange, and he furthermore gra
ciously allowed the bandage to be removed from the
eyes of the officer bearing the white flag — an honor
indeed only rendered to him personally — permitting
him to behold the abundance of his troops and the
sickness of his camp. Santa Anna's reasons for his

288 GENERAL TAYLOR.
retreat were ample — not beeves enough to last a
week, horses without forage, the wounded that were
still with him suffering for everything needful, the
rigor of the climate in that early spring, " the entire
want of bread," and the alkaline water, increasing
sickness, more than half of his army laid by from its
ravages. We do not wonder that he wrote such
graphic sentences as these :
" I knew that a retrograde movement to our
former position had become inevitable ; but though
everything around me proclaimed this necessity, my
feelings revolted against it, solely because I foresaw
that, from ignorance, malice, or presumption, the
countermarch would be condemned, and that those
who did not witness our situation would imagine the
possibility of the army's continuing its operations.
. . A mere determined number of men will not, as
many imagine, suffice for the prosecution of war ; it
is indispensable that they be armed, equipped, dis
ciplined, and habilitated, and that a systematized
support for such an organized force be provided.
We must bear in mind that we have to combat in a
region deficient of all resources, and that everything
for subsistence has to be carried along with the sol
diery. The good will of a few will not suffice, but
the co-operation of all is needed."
The foregoing pregnant discourse is a clear
demonstration also of the exceeding hardness of
General Taylor's tasks ; but, as we have clearly seen
in offensive and defensive operations, in campaign
and battle, in a country that from barrenness itself
fought against him, he overcame all opposition. He
was subjected to an extraordinary depletion, his best
troops taken from him, and himself rewarded with

COMMENTS ON BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 289
fault-finding from executive officials; and yet, calmly
trusting in himself and his little band, under a Prov
idence most unreservedly believed in, he went on,
like Joshua of old, to a splendid victory — a marvel
ous success. We can not better close this chapter of
Taylor's doings and sayings than by giving his
beautiful congratulatory address to his victorious
little army :
" I. The commanding general has the grateful
task of congratulating the troops upon the brilliant
success which attended their arms in the conflicts of
the 2 2d and the 23d [February, 1847]. Confident in
the immense superiority of numbers, and stimulated
by the presence of the distinguished leader, the
Mexican troops were yet repulsed in efforts to force
our lines, and finally withdrew with immense loss
from the field.
" 2. The general would express his obligations to
the officers and men engaged for the cordial sup
port which they rendered throughout the action. It
will be his highest pride to bring to the notice of
the Government the conspicuous gallantry of differ
ent officers and corps, whose unwavering steadiness
more than once saved the fortunes of the day. He
would also express his high satisfaction with the
conduct of the small command left to hold Saltillo.
Though not so seriously engaged as their comrades,
their services were very important, and were efficient
ly rendered. While bestowing this just tribute to
the good conduct of the troops, the general deeply
regrets to say that there were not a few exceptions.
He trusts that those who fled ingloriously to Buena
Vista, and even to Saltillo, will seek an opportunity
to retrieve their reputation, and to emulate the

290

GENERAL TAYLOR.

bravery of their comrades who bore the brunt of the
battle, and sustained against fearful odds the honor
of our flag.
" The exultation of success is checked by the
heavy sacrifices of life which it has cost, embracing
many ofiicers of high rank and rare merit. While the
sympathies of a grateful country will be given to the
bereaved friends and families of those who nobly
fell, their illustrious example will remain for the
benefit and admiration of the army."
Note. — Taking with me Lieutenant Guy Howard and Mr. L.
M. Johnson, the railroad manager of the Mexican International
road, I left Monterey at 3.30 a.m., Thursday, March 10, l8g2, for
Saltillo. The connecting railroad is of the narrow gauge ; the
ascent is gradual but continuous over the entire route, about sixty-
eight miles. By seven o'clock we were breakfasting at the princi
pal hotel (Esterban) of that beautiful city. Immediately after
breakfast we paid our respects to the Governor of the State, Gen
eral Garza Galan, at his palace. He had his own interpreter, Senor
Mesquez. Having explained the object of my visit, the courteous
Governor, regretting that he could not go himself, gave us, for escort
to the battle-field of Buena Vista, the interpreter, the mayor ofthe
city, Jesus LoValde, also a friend of the mayor. Two good car
riages were furnished for the party, and a Mexican guide, whose
name is Sanchez, the son of General Sanchez. This guide was a
young soldier in Santa Anna's cavalry at the time of the great
battle. Through the excellent interpreter this now aged Mexi
can soldier went over the ridges and plateaus and through the
ravines to point out to us the position the troops had occupied
from Angostura, obliquely forward to the mountain ranges. He
was very clear in his recollections of the events of Buena Vista,
particularly of the ground occupied by General Santa Anna's
army. By a spring of water near an old cotton-wood tree was
the place our friends selected to cook a " kid " and to spread
the choice lunch which the Governor had ordered for our benefit.
' My personal survey and that of those with me, under such guid
ance, gave me an altogether new conception of the situation of the
pass, of the ridges and ravines, of the mountains, and of the little

COMMENTS ON BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.

291

hacienda of Buena Vista to the rear. I was particularly struck
with the exceeding roughness of the region, the steepness of the
ridges, and tlie inevitable loose stones which rendered it so exceed
ingly difficult to ascend over them with cavalry and artillery horses.
The altitude of the pass renders it cool at any time. On returning
the six miles to Saltillo, the work of General Taylor's detachments
and the different points where the struggle was the fiercest became
very apparent. The Governor himself, later in the day, went with
me to the height fortified and occupied by General Taylor's guard
and reserve left at SaltiUo. An immense spring of water is close by
the steep hill, now crowned by a redoubt, which was renewed in
1865 during the Maximilian campaign. In fact, the other twin
hill south of Saltillo is now fortified. I can not help feeling,
even after forty-five years, how plain are the evidences not only ol
the boldness of General Taylor's operations, but of his thorough
ness and carefulness in his preparations for battle. And, taking into
the account my knowledge of the superiority of Taylor's artillery,
and of the singular disabilities under which General Santa Anna
labored from the condition of his command, to which he had but
recently come, with the hardness of the country over which he
marched, my respect for the energy and ability of Santa Anna
himself was increased rather than diminished. Had not a good
Providence raised up for us that indomitable hero, Zachary Tay
lor, to meet him at the pass of Angostura, surely he would have
succeeded in his enterprise, even unfavorable as the situation ne
cessarily was for him. The Author.

CHAPTER XX.
A messenger sent to Washington — Escort attacked — Mexican Gen
eral Urrea took the field, and filled the military department
with troublesome detachments — General Taylor defeated him,
and cleared his whole front — Headquarters again at Monte
rey — Walnut Springs — Comparative quiet — Perplexing letters
from all parts — How answered — The candidacy for the presi
dency of the United States kept before General Taylor's mind
in spite of efforts to mind only his military work.
General Taylor sent to Washington his report
of Buena Vista by the hands of Mr. Thomas L. Crit
tenden, of whom he said in the report, " though
not in service, he volunteered as my aide-de-camp on
this occasion, and served with credit in that capaci
ty." Some one hundred and fifty wagons and this
honorable messenger were directed toward Camargo.
They had a good escort of about three hundred men,
including a section of artillery. More than five
times this escort, under the Mexican cavalry general
Urrea, ran upon the detachment at Seralvo and gave
them a hard battle. The Mexican cavalry was badly
beaten, and the escort went on to the Rio Grande
without further interruption. General Taylor was
rejoicing that he had provided a sufficient escort,
when he heard that Urrea had been re-enforced, and
was aiming to cause more trouble to trains and small
parties going to and from within his lines. The old

ENCAMPING AT WALNUT SPRINGS.

293

general took the field at once, using May's dragoons,
Bragg's battery, and two regiments of volunteers.
He speedily cleared the boundaries of the small
detachments, driving the last remnants through the
little town of Cadereyta and across the Sierra Madre
range. Then he quietly and leisurely marched back
to Monterey, and took up his headquarters at Wal
nut Springs, north of the city, where they had been
before and during the battles in that neighbor
hood. Here, after sending out trusty commanders and
occupying the necessary posts and outposts for a
defensive attitude, he rested for many days. Soon
his volunteer troops were further diminished by the
expiration of service, and the general was not in
condition again to take up offensive movements. In
fact, the interest of military men was already di
rected to other fields, being transferred to Scott's
now most important line of operations via Vera
Cruz and the interior of Mexico.
After the hard labor of the last six weeks. Gen
eral Taylor experienced a feeling of comfort when
he walked out from his little tent, on April 28th,
and took a good resurvey of that high plateau,
already as familiar as the home of his youth — the
springs, the small rivulet running therefrom with its
clear and abundant water, the now delicious climate,
the picturesque views of the hills and mountains, and
the charming little city projected into the grand
background, with its castles, its mills, its tannery, its
citadel, and its checkered streets. What a different
feeling warms the commander's heart as he now
gazes upon all this, from that on the eve of battle
the morning of his first arrival, when he stood in the
20

294

GENERAL TAYLOR.

same place with his staff officers near at hand and
tried to take in only the military features of the
situation ! Then came the rattle of musketry and
the roar of cannon ; now it is the hum of happy
voices, with a beautiful and quiet landscape. "If
my wife and family were only here, it would not be
a bad place to dwell in," he said to himself.
Some one of his friends who could sketch fairly
well has given a drawing and description of General
Taylor's headquarters at this place. In the right-
hand front corner of the picture appears about a
third of his common wall tent ; in the other front
corner is the trunk of a large tree, probably a wal
nut, with enough bushy branches included to show
the grandeur and indicate the sweetness of its shades
when the hot days come. And then, away back,
there are other trees and shrubs for a finish to the
sketch, while among them, and near at hand, are the
fillings-out of the simple headquarters. " Here are
barrels, tubs made of old barrels, pails, tin dishes,
and the good old coffee-pot, arranged before you,
with not a few stumps of old trees. An odd place,
I assure you, is this same kitchen [the rearmost con
trivance]. It [the kitchen] is all outdoors, for there
is nothing but a rude roof made of slabs, with a
few large rocks piled up beneath it on one side,
against which the fire is made to keep it from being
utterly blown away. Don't forget the harness of
General Taylor's traveling-wagon, upon one of the
corners of the mess-tent, part of which you see on
the right, with the interpreter's [small] tent between
it and the general's."
The soldier postman having brought him a bundle
of letters, official and unofficial, he went into that

ENCAMPING AT WALNUT SPRINGS.

295

small tent and pulled a camp-stool to the side of his
improvised table, and then broke the seals first of
the official envelopes, and these being disposed of
he examined the others. They were letters from
different cities of the United States, from places far
asunder ; some from stricken parents, whose sons had
fallen near him in battle ; but the most from promi
nent citizens who were part and parcel of some
prominent political organization, and who now were
striving to be earliest in the political field with the
brave general as their leader.
On this day, April 28, 1847, after a few minutes
of quiet meditation, he caught up his pen and wrote
one reply. His adjutant was then called and re
quested to make and preserve a copy. This short
letter is important, and is the key-note to hundreds
of others that multitudes of enthusiastic friends
caused to be written during the ensuing year. As
this copy indicates the nature of one epistle which
General Taylor that day received, we will here in
sert it in full :
'¦ Headquarters Army of Occupation,
" Camp near Monterey, Mexico, April 28, 1847.
"Sir: Your letter under date of the i6th of
March has been duly received. To the inquiry as
to whether I am disposed to accept the nomination
of President of the United States if tendered to me
from the Native American Convention, I would most
respectfully reply, and with full appreciation of the
kind feeling which dictated the mention of my name
in connection with the dignity and honor of so high
an office, that, even if an aspirant for the presidential
office (which is not the case), I could not, while the

296

GENERAL TAYLOR.

country is involved in war, and while my duty calls
me to take part in the operations against the enemy,
acknowledge any ambition beyond that of bestowing
all my best exertions toward obtaining an adjust
ment of our difficulties with Mexico.
" I have the honor to remain, dear sir, your most
obedient servant,
" Z. Taylor, Major-General U. S. A."
General Taylor was what was called, during the
political campaign to which the foregoing communi
cation refers, a " Henry Clay Whig." Though not
a partisan, he had nevertheless, upon all subjects
which he had examined, the most decided convic
tions. There had been nothing connected with the
Mexican War to change his political faith.
From April to October editors of newspapers,
secretaries of clubs and conventions, well-known
party leaders, governors of States, and members of
Congress endeavored to draw him out and commit
him to sundry pledges and indorsements of distinct
ive party measures. During that period he dwelt
in the same small tent and lived his simple, unpre
tentious soldier-life, and answered his correspond
ents with admirable dignity and reserve. Over and
over again he wrote such phrases and sentiments as
these : " I have no wish for the presidency"; " I can
not consent to be exclusively a party candidate " ;
" I greatly doubt my qualifications for the office " ;
" If the good people think proper to elevate me at
the proper time to the highest office in their gift, I
will serve them from a principle of duty"; " If I ever
occupy the White House, it must be by the spon
taneous movement of the people." He deprecated

ENCAMPING AT WALNUT SPRINGS. 297
and denounced self-seeking, and preliminary pledges
except to cling to the Constitution. He must be un
trammeled, that, if President at all, he might be
President of the country and not of a party.
The extent of the general's spirit of self-abnega
tion may be inferred by the following. From the
same place, June 9, 1847, in reply to a letter from a
Louisiana friend, he wrote: "As regards being a
candidate for the presidency at the coming elec
tion, I have no aspirations in that way, and regret
that the subject has been agitated at this early day,
and that it had not been deferred till the close of the
war. . . . Very many changes may take place be
tween now and 1848, so much so as to make it de
sirable for the interests of the country that some
other individual than myself, better qualified for the
situation, should be selected; and could he be elect
ed, I would not only acquiesce in such an arrange
ment, but would rejoice that the republic had one
citizen — and no doubt there are thousands of them —
more deserving than I am, and better qualified to
discharge the duties of the office."
The historian may follow General Taylor by the
several successively published letters back to the
Rio Grande. On November 25th, from Brazos Isl
and, Texas, he gave to the Hon. Andrew Stewart,
of Pennsylvania, who wrote him and conveyed the
proceedings of a Whig meeting held at Waynes-
burg, of that State, in his behalf, a brief, graceful,
and fitting reply. Herein he expresses " pride and
pleasure " for the good tidings conveyed, but reit
erates his unalterable resolution to take no partisan
stand. Next we find that he has joined his family at

298 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Baton Rouge. His public communications are, from
and after December 30, 1847, from his humble cot
tage near the fort. They are probably longer, be
ing more elaborate and more systematic in state
ment than any that came from the field.
Early in 1848 a public meeting was held in Bal
timore, Md., Mr. Mayer, the secretary of the meeting,
sent to General Taylor a copy of the preamble and
resolutions passed by the assembly. The first, it is
probable, did not reach its destination, so that a du
plicate was forwarded to Baton Rouge. In his re
joinder the general shows that his Baltimore friends
had reached his heart : " The political sentiments
adopted at that meeting, I rejoice to say, meet with
my cordial approval and assent. No movements in
any part of the country having the object to offer
testimonials of honor and respect toward myself, or
to advocate my election to the presidency, have
caused me more lively pleasure or demand more of
my gratitude."
They had put this heroic character, this modest,
manly man, in nomination, with the distinct averment
that he should make no promises of reward for party
services ; that he should be bound by no paper re
strictions except the law of the land ; and that it
should be universally understood that he belonged
to the whole people. Unconsciously, however, he
gave the strongest assurance when he saidJie was a
"moderate Clay Whig"; that he preferred Henry
Clay, who was an accomplished statesman, at all
times, even up to the time of the National Conven
tion, to himself. Of course this drew taut enough
the slavery line ; this made the principle of protection
more popular and secure ; this fixed forever the

HOME AT BATON ROUGE.

299

right of the General Government to consider and
make "internal improvements." It gave all patri
otic Whigs great vantage-ground.
General Taylor at first, after his return to Baton
Rouge, could with difficulty realize or conform to the
new order of things. He had little privacy, for men,
women, and children came from near and from far
to do homage to the hero who had gained so many
victories, and who had already been so long before
the public in a great war that his name and deeds
had become familiar in every intelligent household
throughout the country ; and the almost universal
agitation of the question of his candidacy for the
presidency of the republic increased tenfold the
desire of the people to see him, and, hardly less, the
members of his family. The Mississippi steamers,
loaded with passengers, were constantly passing by
his cottage up and down the great river, so that few
indeed were the days when visitors were not throng
ing the porches and seeking a look at his sturdy
face and a shake of his hand, and with their keen,
curious eyes taking in the surroundings.
Mrs. Taylor for a brief time seemed to have se
cured her heart's desire, when her husband at last,
after those almost interminable battles, had actually
returned and joined herself and daughter in their
pretty, humble home. But she frankly told him to
keep out of political life. She would not even agree
to his willingness to submit himself to the will of the
people regardless of party lines. Oh, no ; she thought
it was some dark conspiracy to carry them into new
and untried ways of thinking and living, for which
they had not been fitted by education or previous
habits. Like other unambitious army women, she

300

GENERAL TAYLOR.

had been looking forward to a happy period of rest
for herself and husband after those years of almost
unending change, exposure, and privation to which
she had been subjected ever since she came to him as
a bride. Here, now, not far away, was the plantation
that filled his leisure, and gave to him and to her
work enough with agreeable entertainment. Here
was the charming little cottage, with their beautiful
daughter, Mrs. Bliss, at hand to give them enough
of youth and freshness. Here was the little chapel,
with its welcome service. Around them and near
them was the society that they understood and pre
ferred. She did not welcome either the excitement
of the political campaign, or the brilliant prospects
at Washington which were to come after the election.
But she yielded to her good husband's decision ; for
was he not already committed when he penned his first
letter from Agua Nueva ? The will of the people,
under God, as soon as it should be expressed by the
ballot, was a law to this veteran patriot. His coun
try's interest and honor had long been dearer to him
than life. At any rate, his noble wife finally gave
up her own wishes, and with no substantial show of
opposition carried out his plans ; but the unusual
scene presented itself to every visitor, and particu
larly to every ardent partisan who came for favors,
of a household without political enthusiasm or seem
ing ambition. It appeared as if, instead of approach
ing the fulfillment of grand hopes and joys without
limit, they were venturing into a shadowy and un
tried land, where trials and duties were more potent
than any anticipated personal advantage.
Even General Taylor's mind, so reflective and
even-tempered, seems to have been touched by his

HOME AT BATON ROUGE.

301

good wife's forebodings. These women-instincts are
all marvelous! They often feel for their beloved
what they can not put into words. But duty called,
and the members of this family, while preparfed for
any future, schooled themselves to obey the suc
cessive signals.

CHAPTER XXI.
POLITICAL OPINIONS.
Five national parties in the field — The Oregon Question irri
tates — Tariff — Internal improvements — Slavery — Mr. Clay's
compromises — Taylor and his three hundred slaves — Tay
lor a Whig, but never a partisan — Defines his principles in
the Allison letter — Daniel Webster's feeling — Democratic
Baltimore Convention of 1848 — Whig Philadelphia Conven
tion — Taylor nominated by a large majority.
There seemed to be such a universal call, judg
ing only by the letters and extracts from the public
journals which General Taylor received, that for a
time he felt that, if he were a candidate for the office
of President, he might have what he had coveted
— that is to say, men of all parties supporting him.
But practically, at the close of the Mexican War,
there were at least five parties in the field, all striv
ing for national recognition.
First, the Democratic party, which, strange to
say, had greatly lost its popularity during its suc
cessful contest with Mexico ; second, the Whig
party, in which the two great orators and statesmen,
Clay and Webster, were the acknowledged leaders ;
third, the Free-Soil party, just then headed by an
ex-President, Martin Van Buren — a party which was
mainly drawn from both of the old organizations,
and which planted itself simply upon the ground

POLITICAL OPINIONS. 303
that all acquired territory should be forever free ;
fourth, the Liberty party, which was indeed the out-
and-out Abolition party, advocating the immediate
freeing of the slaves without regard to other conse
quences; and, fifth, what was known as " the Ameri
can party," holding tenaciously to the idea that
native Americans should bear rule in the United
States. So that in the political field there were just
then a multitude of combatants and great turmoil,
and, as the names of the parties indicate, many act
ive and disturbing issues under discussion.
The Oregon Question, as it was termed, which
had been decided against the claimants, who were in
favor of a more northern boundary from the Rocky
Mountains to the Pacific coast being actually estab
lished along the parallel of latitude 54° 40", was not
yet out of mind. It had been defeated principally
through the leadership of Mr. Calhoun, of South
Carolina, and his ardent followers. The question in
the books was settled, but the shadow of its irrita
tions still remained. Men of all parties, on account
of the surrender of territory, were crying out against
the Administration and the Calhoun partisans.
" You," they cried, " back down before a great power
like Britain, and accept .the forty-ninth parallel for
our boundary, while you push the weak Republic of
Mexico to extremes, and seize upon her domain!"
The questions, also, of a protective tariff and of
public improvements at the nation's expense, strongly
advocated by Mr. Clay, were then living issues. The
settlement of the boundary between Mexico and the
United States — in fact, the securement of peace
for which Mr. Polk, through a special message and
consequent bill, had asked of Congress the appro-

304

GENERAL TAYLOR.

priation of two million dollars to be placed ex
clusively at his disposal — had not yet been fully
effected. Out of that had come the celebrated Wil
mot Proviso — the money to be given, provided
slavery should never enter the acquired domain. The
dangers to our Union growing out of the contro
versies between the North and the South seemed
then so imminent, that our ablest public men, in Con
gress and out, were everywhere propounding tenta
tive measures which to them seemed necessary for its
preservation. Mr. Clay's compromise clauses and amendments,
that were so long under discussion, and were not
finally disposed of until after the death of General
Taylor, were published in all the dailies and weeklies,
and everywhere agitated the people. They were, in
substance : To place a line of demarkation, like that
secured through the Wilmot Proviso, against the ex
tension of human slavery. This item was tendered
to all Free-Soilers, and, in fact, to all who were op
posed to slavery, secretly or openly. He also pro
posed the passage of a stronger United States law to
render more effectual the returning to bondage of
every slave who should escape to the free States
or Territories. This item was the tender of a
douceur to all men of every stripe who held to the
righteousness of the slave system and were striving
for its perpetuity.
Great care had long been exercised to keep what
was called the balance of power between slavery and
freedom ; there should always be just as many slave
States as free States. This division was secured and
long maintained. If, then, a free State came into the
Union, a slave State must enter at the same time.

POLITICAL OPINIONS. 305
Now that our Western Territories were being very
rapidly settled, from various causes which we need
not pause to enumerate, at every session of Congress
new States were carved out of the Territories, and
they were knocking at the door of Congress for ad
mission into the family of States. The immense
territory which we had just acquired at the end and
in consequence of the Mexican War, intensified in
activity these civil and political agitations and oper
ations. As we plainly see, in looking back over the dis
cussions of those days, the political seas of our fa
thers were unusually stirred up. There were cur
rents and counter-currents ; there were gales and
strong waves which seemed to carry everything be
fore th€m. The disturbing influence in all those tu
multuous waters was the slave question; so that it
was simply impossible for General Taylor, or any
other man, to have smooth sailing. Therefore, how
ever wise he might be, if he accepted a candidacy, it
was simply impossible for him to save himself from
the turnings, boiling, and eddies of the currents, or
from the buffeting of the storms.
With these few words, simply suggestive, upon
the then existing political conditions of the country,
we can not do better than notice how General Tay
lor met the crisis. One letter, for example, was
written him by a friend in Mississippi, stating that he
(the friend) had a large number of slaves, and before
voting he desired to know General Taylor's views
with reference to the slave question at issue, so as
to determine whether or not his slave property
would be enhanced or diminished in value by his
election.

3o6

GENERAL TAYLOR.

The general, remarkably like a veritable politi
cian, very quietly replied that he himself had three
hundred slaves, and he thought it was not necessary
for him to make any other answer in reference to the
political issues in question. But, being very hotly
pursued, the old general at last, on April 22, 1848,
wrote a letter to Mr. J. S. Allison, of Pennsylvania, in
which he set forth distinctly his views upon some of
the questions in controversy — more so than he had
done before ; and very probably that letter gained
him many votes from moderate men of all parties,
but lost him also many more from those who dis
trusted his sentiments in all things which pertained
to the slavery question, more especially because he
himself lived in Louisiana, was a Southern man, and
an acknowledged owner of slaves. Here is the
Allison letter:
" My opinions have so often been misconceived
and misrepresented, that I deem it due to myself, if
not to my friends, to make a brief exposition of
them upon the topics to which you have called my
attention. " I consented to the use of my name as a candi
date for the presidency. I have frankly avowed my
own distrust of my fitness for this high station ; but
having, at the solicitation of many of my country
men, taken my position as a candidate, I do not feel
at liberty to surrender that position until my friends
manifest a wish that I should retire from it. I will
then most gladly do so. I have no private pur
pose to accomplish, no party projects to build up,
no enemies to punish — nothing to serve but my
country. " I have been very often addressed by letter, and

POLITICAL OPINIONS.

307

my opinions have been asked upon almost every
question that might occur to the writers as affecting
the interests of their country or their party. I have
not always responded to these inquiries, for various
reasons. " I confess, while I have great cardinal princi
ples which will regulate my political life, I am not
sufficiently familiar with all the minute details of
political legislation to give solemn pledges to exert
myself to carry out this or to defeat that measure.
I have no concealment. I hold no opinion which I
would not readily proclaim to my assembled country
men ; but crude impressions upon matters of policy,
which might be right to-day and wrong to-morrow,
are perhaps not the best tests for fitness for office.
One who can not be trusted without pledges, can
not be confided in merely on account of them.
" I will proceed, however, now to respond to your
inquiries :
" First, I reiterate what I have so often said — I
am a Whig. If elected, I would not be the mere
President of a party. I would endeavor to act inde
pendent of all party domination. I should feel
bound to administer the Government untrammeled
by party schemes.
" Second, the veto power. The power given by
the Constitution to the Executive to interpose his
veto is a high, conservative power, but, in my opin
ion, should never be exercised except in cases of clear
violation of the Constitution, or manifest haste and
want of consideration b)' Congress. Indeed, I have
thought for many years past that the known opin
ions and wishes of the Executive have exercised un
due and injurious influence upon the legislative de-

3o8

GENERAL TAYLOR.

partment of the Government ; and for this cause I
have thought our system was in danger of undergo
ing a great change from its true theory. The person
al opinions of the individual who may happen to occupy
the Executive chair ought -not to control the action of Con
gress upon questions of domestic policy ; nor ought his ob
jections to be interposed where questions of constitutional
power have been settled by the various departments of the
Government and been acquiesced in by the people.
" Third, upon the subject of the tariff, the curen-
cy, the improvement of our great highways, rivers,
lakes, and harbors, the will of the people, as ex
pressed through their representatives in Congress,
ought to be respected and carried out by the Ex
ecutive. " Fourth, the Mexican War. I sincerely rejoice
at the prospect of peace. My life has been devoted
to arms, yet I look upon war at all times, and under
all circumstances, as a national calamity, to be
avoided if compatible with the national honor. The
principles of our Government, as well as its true
policy, are opposed to the subjugation of other na
tions and the dismemberment of other countries by
conquests. In the language of the great Washington,
'Why should we quit our own to stand on foreign
ground ? ' In the Mexican War our national honor
has been vindicated ; and in dictating terms of peace
we may well afford to be forbearing and even mag
nanimous, to a fallen foe.
" These are my opinions upon the subjects re
ferred to by you, and any reports or publications,
written or verbal, from any source, differing in any
essential particular from what is here written, are
unauthorized and untrue.

POLITICAL OPINIONS.

309

" I do not know that I shall again write upon the
subject of national politics. I shall engage in no
schemes, no combinations, no intrigues. If the
American people have not confidence in me, they
ought not to give me their suffrages. If they do
not, you know me well enough to believe me when I
declare I shall be content. I am too old a soldier to
murmur against such high authority."
The foregoing letter, while it is characteristic,
showing the modesty, the patriotism, the unselfish
ness, almost the self-distrust of a grand soul, never
theless is an indication of positiveness which was not
to be gainsaid.
Taylor had long contemplated his country as a
whole, and Henry Clay was his ideal of a statesman.
He had naturally imbibed Mr. Clay's sentiments and
spirit, and would at one time have greatly preferred
to see Mr. Clay in the presidential chair to any other
man, not excepting himself. Yet, once having given
his word, that was enough for Zachary Taylor — his
word was always equal to his bond — and so good
people, unless biased by some extraordinary political
affinity and hopes, in the end fully trusted him.
In this letter the writer would emphasize General
Taylor's views of war and of conquest. It seems to
us now a grand destiny for the United States to
have mowed and harvested its full swath of territory
from the Atlantic to the Pacific ; but it gives greater
satisfaction to the philanthropic mind to be assured
that really nothing was taken from Mexico by con
quest. The additional territory came after the war,
it is true, but more by the powers of negotiation and
the rights of purchase than from the potency of
our arms. '21

3IO

GENERAL TAYLOR.

The high principles of General Taylor enunciated
in the Allison letter were not only watch-words in a
successful political campaign, but, like the princi
ples of Washington to which Taylor briefly and co
gently refers, they should be treasured, and should
influence American patriots from generation to gen
eration. It is said that for a long time there was a cool
ness between General Taylor and Daniel Webster.
From the best authority it is learned that Webster
wrote one of his admirable letters, full of heartiness
and congratulation, to General Taylor just after the
battle of Buena Vista. To this letter Mr. Webster
for more than a year received no reply. Chafing
somewhat under this apparent discourtesy, Webster
became cool toward our hero. Further, Webster
naturally had his own strong aspirations to be the
nominee of the "Whig party." He did not think
that a soldier like Taylor, however able he might
be, would be so well fitted for the presidency as
an already recognized statesman ; for example, he
much preferred Mr. Clay, or some other promi
nent Whig leader, who had during the vigor and
activity of his manhood served in the councils of
the nation, and made public measures the study of
his life.
Under the inspiration of these feelings he once
remarked, in substance, that General Taylor's was a
nomination that ought not to be made. Still, after
it was made it should be remembered that Webster
engaged actively in the political canvass, supporting
the " Whig party," and General Taylor as its nomi
nee, with all his inimitable eloquence and powerful
influence. How warmly and actively after the elec-

POLITICAL OPINIONS. 311
tion Mr. Webster sustained Taylor's administration,
eventful as it was even in its brevity, we shall see
hereafter. It would be of interest to trace the gradual con
solidation of influences, the separation and regather-
ing of the political elements by small meetings, by
ward gatherings, by county and State conventions,
by the letters of statesmen, by monthly, weekly, and
daily publications ; and it would be of more especial
interest to us to see how the little family at Baton
Rouge worried on from day to day amid the extraor
dinary publicity that these interests gave to every
member of the household, and to notice how the
sensitive mind of General Taylor was affected by
the praise and blame borne in upon him by every
breeze and from every quarter ; but, for the sake of
reasonable brevity, we forbear.
The experiences of a political canvass in the
United States are too much alike to admit of a de
tailed record. Every name made prominent for a
candidacy for high office is for a time subjected to
unusual praise or blame. The common phrase is,
" it is torn to shreds." Accusations undreamed of
are often put forth ; but if the name can bear the
pounding and the tearing, and pass through a fire
without too much burning and blackening it be
comes the stronger for the process. It wins the ad
miration, and after the election — if elected — that
name regains its wonted valuation or exceeds its old
ascendency. There seems to be a universal agree
ment thereafter among- good citizens to quash every
indictment and withdraw every charge ; so that we
will not follow General Taylor and those who loved
him, just as we did in the Mexican campaign.

312

GENERAL TAYLOR.

through the curious conflicts to which his political
warfare subjected him.
The Democratic National Convention of 1848
met, in May, in the city of Baltimore. General
Lewis Cass, of Michigan, was nominated, on the
fourth ballot, for President, and William O. Butler,
of Kentucky, was nominated for Vice-President.
Severe controversies shook that convention on ac
count of two delegations from New York presenting
themselves for admission, one of which, leaning
strongly to the " Free-Soil " movement, finally with
drew, and caused considerable dissatisfaction ; and
this faction, in the ensuing election, induced its fol
lowers to give their votes mainly for Mr. Van Buren
and the Free-Soilers.
Again, one Southern delegate introduced a resolu
tion which acted like a firebrand in the convention.
It was simply an effort to nationalize slavery. The
objectionable resolution was rejected by a large ma
jority ; yet delegates from several Southern States
made speeches and voted for it, and so there was a
resultant division of feeling on this account.
Southern men declared : " Wherever slavery ex
ists it is like a powder magazine, or a series of them,
and we politically demand complete protection against
the firebrands that abolitionists and Free-Soilers are
continually attempting to hurl into the explosives."
We may say that even as early as 1848 the Demo
cratic party itself showed signs of breakage.
The Whig Convention assembled a little later,
on June 7th, in the city of Philadelphia. On the
very first ballot General Taylor received iii votes
for the presidency ; Henry Clay, 97 ; General Scott,
43; Daniel Webster, 22; and there were 6 scattering

POLITICAL OPINIONS.

313

votes. The fourth ballot showed, for Taylor, 171,
against 107 for the other candidates ; he was there
upon declared the nominee of the party, and Millard
Fillmore, of New York, was nominated for the vice-
presidency. So that Taylor and Fillmore consti
tuted the Whig ticket for the following November
election.

CHAPTER XXIL
THE ELECTION AND INAUGURATION.
Receptions and public dinners — The inaugural ball — The address
as published — Clear enunciation of principles — The Cabinet
— The household at the White House — Mrs. Bettie Bliss at a
public gathering — Some great names associated with Zachary
Taylor,
In the process of time the election came. Horace
Greeley, in his American Conflict, says : " General
Cass carried fifteen States, choosing 137 electors.
Mr. Van Buren carried no electors, but received a re
spectable support in every free State, Rhode Island
and New Jersey excepted. New York, Massachu
setts, and Vermont each gave a larger popular vote
to him than to General Cass ; Wisconsin gave him
nearly as many as to General Taylor. The entire
popular vote (South Carolina not casting any) stood:
Taylor and Fillmore, 1,360,752 ; Cass and Butler,
1,219,962; Van Buren and Adams, 291,342. Gen
eral Taylor had a majority of the electoral and a
plurality of the popular vote, both in the free and
slave States, respectively."
General Taylor, considering the character of the
vote itself, which gave him a large plurality of all the
votes of the United States, became the President not
simply of a party but of his country. It is true that

THE ELECTION AND INAUGURATION.

315

every President of the United States, however elect
ed, has been rather the President of the whole peo
ple than of the party which elected him ; but Gen
eral Taylor, considering his Southern interests, and
the intense partisan spirit of his section existing at
that time, was eminently the President of the re
public. By this election, then, Zachary Taylor reached
the consummation of his wishes, and for a time was
borne along steadily upon the popular wave. Yet
the times themselves were too turbulent to allow
the new President though the choice of the people,
however large the majority, to remain long in the
quiet enjoyment of the vantage he had gained. It
requires a stout ship to withstand a rugged sea.
There were the usual scenes in Washington on March
4, 1849. Everything about the Capitol was ar
ranged in the usual manner. Portions of it were
closed for the day, proper guards established at the
outer gates, in the basement, and in the hallways,
with some reserve force at hand ready for any emer
gency. A field battery was placed east of the Capitol,
properly manned for the salute. At ten o'clock in
the morning the sergeant-at-arms directed that all
the doors of the Senate chamber should be opened.
It took but a few moments after the opening for the
throng of ladies to fill their gallery to overflowing.
The small space allotted to the newspaper men
was soon overfull ; and it is not easy to depict the
struggling efforts of men of all classes and condi
tions to pass through the narrow doorways and so
find seats or standing-room in the larger gallery
receptacle permitted to the crowd. Of course vast

3i6 GENERAL TAYLOR.
numbers were disappointed and obliged to with
draw. These soon hastened out to join the masses,
that could only that day look at the great buildings
and catch perhaps but one glimpse of the public men
who were to be actors in the inaugural scenes.
Some little business had been transacted by the
Senate, and a single resolution adopted -without
division. After this, the out-going Vice-President,
George M. Dallas, and the newly elected, Millard
Fillmore, entered, arm in arm, the southern door, and
walked down the aisle, presenting themselves before
Mr. Atchison, who had been temporarily called to the
chair. He administered the oath to Mr. Fillmore,
and then gave place to him on the platform as the
new presiding officer of the Senate. At once, with
out embarrassment, Mr. Fillmore took his stand and
delivered an interesting, conservative, and eloquent
speech. The address, however, was brief. At its
close came in, two by two, the dignified justices of
the Supreme Court in their court robes, and they
were followed by the gayly uniformed diplomatic
corps, between forty and fifty in number if we in
clude the several attache's who accompanied them.
The justices occupied seats in the area to the left of
the Vice-President, and the foreign delegations those
to the right. Next came three of the old Cabinet —
James Buchanan, Secretary of State ; William L.
Marcy, Secretary of War ; and Reverdy Johnson,
Attorney-General. They were seated to the right
of Mr. Fillmore, on the floor.
Twelve o'clock, the long-expected hour, at last
arrived, but neither the new nor the old President
had yet made his appearance. The delay was un
usual, and there was manifest uneasiness and im-

THE ELECTION AND INAUGURATION.

317

patience, from Mr. Fillmore's desk to the remote
corners of the galleries. A half-hour which passed
seemed an age. What occasioned the delay was
not, however, explained, but probably arose from
the usual underestimate that public men place upon
distances in Washington. A stranger seldom be
lieves, before trial, that there are two miles from
the War Department or White House to the Capitol.
Judging by the correspondence and by the state
ments in the public press which had been made con
cerning the relationship between Presidents Polk
and Taylor from the time he had become a candi
date until the date of this inauguration, these two
were not very warm personal friends. They were
certainly, as everybody knew, political enemies. But
at last President Polk, doubtless very weary with his
hard and exciting term of office, was indeed glad to
see his successor arrive. He extended to him a cor
dial greeting, and the two rode in the same car
riage from the President's house, along Pennsylvania
Avenue, to the Capitol grounds, and then walked
arm in arm to the Senate chamber. It was 12.30
p. M. when they entered and took seats near the
front, beside Mr. Dallas.
President Taylor then spent a few moments in
conversation with Justice McLean and the Chief-
Justice, Taney. This interview, doubtless, was to
acquaint General Taylor with the part he was to
play in the further ceremonies of the morning.
After the usual preliminary exercises the Senate
took a recess, and the President-elect led the way to
the eastern portico of the Capitol, where the masses
of his fellow-citizens had been all the morning as
sembling. Large numbers had come in the grand

3i8 GENERAL TAYLOR.
procession. The military escort and reserve of police
men were standing, as usual, near the saluting battery.
The crowd was estimated at upward of ten thou
sand people. At the appearance of the old general,
who was so familiarly called " Rough and Ready,"
cheer followed cheer. The acclaim was magnified
by repeated discharges of cannon. The venerable
Chief-Justice stepped to the front, and, facing Gen
eral Taylor, who seemed to be absorbed and some
what abashed by his new surroundings, administered
the oath of office with solemnity. The new Presi
dent, " pulling down his spectacles, which had here
tofore slept in his hair," at once proceeded to read
from a manuscript his brief inaugural address.
Of course but a few of the host from the open
grounds below, being far away, could do more than
gather here and there a sentiment of the address;
but the people knew their man ; they knew that he
would always be true to the interests of the nation ;
and they enjoyed looking at him while he, in his
quiet, modest manner, went through the process of
delivery. As soon as it was ended the cheering was
renewed, and the national salute was fired from the
waiting battery. There seemed to be then for the
new Administration and the nation nothing but joy
and gladness. The usual receptions, dinners, and
gala assemblages followed in the evening. The new
President appeared for a short time at the inaugural
ball. He went to the theatre, which was, of course,
filled to repletion, and performed all the perfunctory
and well-established duties which custom had already
introduced and rendered imperative on that quad
rennial occasion. Perhaps no better insight can be
gained of the hopes, the fears, and the patriotic faith

THE ELECTION AND INAUGURATION.

319

of General Taylor than can be obtained from the
inaugural itself, which is remarkable for its simplici
ty and directness. Our readers will enjoy the full
report of it that follows :
" Elected by the American people to the highest
office known to our laws, I appear here to take the
oath prescribed by the Constitution, and, in compli-
,ance with a time-honored custom, to address those
who are now assembled.
" The confidence and respect shown by my coun
trymen in calling me to be the Chief Magistrate of
a republic holding a high rank among the nations of
the earth, have inspired me with feelings of the most
profound gratitude ; but when I reflect that the ac
ceptance of the office which their partiality has be
stowed imposes the discharge of the most arduous
duties, and involves the weightiest obligations, I am
conscious that the position which I have been called
to fill, though sufficient to satisfy the loftiest ambi
tion, is surrounded by fearful responsibilities. Hap
pily, however, in the performance of my new duties
I shall not be without able co-operation.
" The legislative and judicial branches of the
Government present prominent examples of distin
guished civil attainments and matured experience ;
and it shall be my endeavor to call to my assistance in
the executive departments individuals whose talents,
integrity, and purity of character will furnish ample
guarantees for the faithful and honorable perform
ance of the trusts to be committed to their charge.
With such aids, and an honest purpose to do what is
right, I hope to execute diligently, impartially, and
for the best interests of the country, the manifold
duties devolved upon me.

320

GENERAL TAYLOR.

"In the discharge of these duties my guide will be
the Constitution, which I this day swear to preserve,
protect, and defend. For the interpretation of that
instrument I shall look to the decisions of the judi
cial tribunals established by this authority, and to
the practice of the Government under the earlier
Presidents, who had so large a share in its forma
tion. " To the example of those illustrious patriots I
shall always defer with reverence, and especially to
his example who was, by so many titles, the Father
of his Country.
" To command the army and navy of the United
States ; with the advice and consent of the Senate,
to make treaties, and to appoint embassadors and
other officers; to give to Congress information of
the state of the Union, and recommend such meas
ures as it shall judge to be necessary; and to take
care that the laws shall be faithfully executed — these
are the most important functions intrusted to the
President by the Constitution ; and it may be ex
pected that I shall briefly indicate the principles
which will control me in their execution.
" Chosen by the body of ^-he people, under the
assurance that my administration would be devoted
to the welfare of the whole country, and not to the
support of any particular section or merely local in
terest, I this day renew the declarations I have here
tofore made, and proclaim my fixed determination to
maintain, to the extent of my ability, the Govern
ment in its original purity, and to adopt, as the basis
of my public policy, those great republican doc
trines which constitute the strength of our national
existence.

THE ELECTION AND INAUGURATION.

321

" In reference to the army and navy, lately em
ployed with so much distinction in active service,
care shall be taken to insure the highest condition
of efficiency ; and in furtherance of that object, the
military and naval schools, sustained by the liberality
of Congress, shall receive the especial attention of
the Executive.
"As American freemen we can not but sympa
thize in all efforts to extend the blessings of political
and civil liberty ; but at the same time we are warned
by the admonitions of history and the voice of our
own beloved Washington, to abstain from entangling
alliances with foreign nations. In all disputes be
tween conflicting Governments it is our interest, not
less than our duty, to remain strictly neutral ; while
our geographical position, the genius of our insti
tutions and our people, the advancing spirit of civili
zation, and, above all, the dictates of religion, direct
us to the cultivation of peaceful and friendly relations
with all other powers.
"It is to be hoped that no international questions
can now arise which a government, confident in its
own strength, and resolved to protect its own just
rights, may not settle by wise negotiation ; and it
eminently becomes a government like our own,
founded on the morality and intelligence of its citi
zens, and upheld by their affections, to exhaust every
resort of honorable diplomacy, before appealing to
arms. " In the conduct of our foreign relations I shall
conform to these views, as I believe them essential
to the best interests and the true honor of the
country. " The appointing power vested in the President

322

GENERAL TAYLOR.

imposes delicate and honorable duties. So far as it
is possible to be informed, I shall make honesty,
capacity, and fidelity indispensable prerequisites to
the bestowal of ofiice; and absence of either of
these qualities shall be deemed sufficient cause for
removal. " It shall be my duty to recommend such constitu
tional measures to Congress as may be necessary and
proper to secure encouragement and protection to
the great interests of agriculture, commerce, and
manufactures ; to improve our rivers and harbors; to
provide for the speedy extinguishment of the public
debt ; to enforce a strict accountability on the part
of all officers of the Government, and the utmost
economy in all public expenditures ; but it is for the
wisdom of Congress itself, in which all legislative
powers are vested, by their consent to regulate these
and other matters of domestic policy.
"I shall look with confidence to the enlightened
patriotism of that body to adopt such measures of
conciliation as may harmonize conflicting interests
and tend to perpetuate that union which should be
the paramount object of our hopes and affections.
In any action calculated to promote an object so near
the heart of every one who truly loves his country, I
will zealously unite with the co-ordinate branches of
Government. " In conclusion, I congratulate you, my fellow-
citizens, upon the high state of prosperity to which
the goodness of divine Providence has conducted
our common country. Let us invoke a continuance
of the same protecting care which has led us from
small beginnings to the eminence we this day oc
cupy ; and let us seek to deserve that continuance by

THE ELECTION AND INAUGURATION.

323

prudence and moderation in our councils, by well-
directed attempts to assuage the bitterness which too
often makes unavoidable differences of opinions,
by the promulgation and practice of just and liberal
principles, and by an enlarged patriotism which shall
acknowledge no limits but those of our own wide
spread republic."
With his usual promptitude he selected the new
Cabinet : For Secretary of State, John M. Clayton, of
Delaware ; for Secretary of the Treasury, William M.
Meredith, of Pennsylvania ; for Secretary of War,
George W. Crawford, of Georgia; ior Secretary of the
Navy, William B. Preston, of Virginia ; for Secretary
of the Interior, Thomas Ewing, of Ohio ; for Post
master-General, Jacob Collamer, of Vermont; all of
whom were promptly confirmed by the Senate with
out objection.
As usual after the 4th of March, the inhabitants
of the White House were speedily changed. During
Mr. Polk's administration everything had combined
to make social life at the President's mansion — and,
in fact, at the capital itself — of a serious character.
First there was a preparation for a long war with
Mexico ; then the actual war, with all the heavy re
sponsibilities always at such times necessarily de
volving upon the Executive. There were already
strained relations between the North and the South,
and constant forebodings of some great political and
social upheaval. The President's wife, Mrs. Polk,
was of a domestic turn, and a woman of refinement
and piety. In view of all the circumstances, it is no
wonder that people said she was "grave and formal."
Certainly he and she alike were of a serious natural
disposition ; and the times themselves, a little out of

324

GENERAL TAYLOR.

joint, gave an extraordinary somber hue to our Presi
dent's habitation.
But now the war was successfully over. The
conservative Whig party, then eminently the Union
party of the nation, had had a large popular victory.
General Taylor, though retiring, had always a cheer
ful manner, and ever made those around him, as far
as he could, contented and sunshiny. His good wife,
surely his true friend, did not like the new order of
things, and seemed bound to carry out her predic
tions that city life would never agree with her or the
family. Yet the general had that beautiful daughter,
Mrs. " Bettie " Bliss, only twenty-two years of age,
and her accomplished husband, Brevet-Lieutenant-
Colonel William W. S. Bliss, who had long been his
close friend and confidential adviser and adjutant.
Of course youth and beauty, inspired by the
bright changes in the whole country, came from near
and far and clustered around these noble representa
tives of our American life. Mrs. Bliss was particu
larly charming and popular. Her intelligence was
equal to her grace, and in a few days after her en
trance to the White House it was admitted that no
princess could do the honors of a palace better than
she; for her mother insisted on keeping in the back
ground, where she, in comparative retirement, en
deavored to make the most of what she hardly en
joyed. Doubtless, however, she was still proud of
her good husband, though he had left the army
against her wishes, and glad that her daughter had
so much genuine independence, energy, and pluck,
and was becoming properly appreciated in every
quarter, Mrs. Holloway, in her Ladies of the White House,

THE ELECTION AND INAUGURATION. 325
gives this picture of Mrs, BHss at a large public
gathering. After describing a throng of ladies in
costly attire, she says : " Then behind these came
Mrs, Bliss, plainly dressed in white, a simple flower
in her hair, timid and faltering, yet with an expres
sion in her eye that showed she was Zachary Tay
lor's favorite child. The expectations of the vast
crowd were for the moment realized ; then followed
expressions of enthusiasm that were overwhelming."
There is always in the social life in and around
the White House a commingling of public men — men
who influence their age, and who, with their families,
modify, if they do not regulate, the manners and
customs of the capital. Henry Clay was still there,
though seventy-three years of age, recently re
elected to the Senate. General Cass, with his sturdy
manners, represented the Northwest ; he had en
ergy and enterprise in his composition. Webster,
the New England orator, upon whose face no man
could look without feeling impressed with the
grandeur of the man, was now more than ever co
operating with Clay in compromise measures, and
rivaled him in being the observed of all observers.
Thomas H. Benton, stanch for the Union, was
a tower of strength among his Southern con-
frlres. Calhoun was growing weaker, and his frame
more and more feeble ; still, he kept his seat in the
Senate, and influenced the State-supremacy measures
more than any other. Some young men were com
ing in. The President's son-in-law. Colonel Jeffer
son Davis, whom we have met before on the battle
fields of Mexico, following the doctrines of Cal
houn, was soon to be a leader in the errant path
ways of that statesman.

326 GENERAL TAYLOR.
Stephen A. Douglass, the rival of Lincoln, the
stout young Democrat from Illinois, had just ap
peared in Congress. We find here also at the capi
tal, mingling actively in society, another fine figure,
a man who was almost perfect in his abundant and
eloquent utterances — William H. Seward, of New
York. Thomas Corwin and S. P. Chase were just
emerging from Ohio politics and taking their stand
at the capital as national men. Here were also
found John Bell, Nathan Clifford, and Hannibal
Hamlin, -whose names were familiar to all men of
the last generation. The hearty John P. Hale, the
remarkable " Free-Soiler " from New Hampshire, and
James M. Mason, his diametric opposite in politics,
from Virginia, were together in the Senate. Here
were found the "Fire-eaters," as they were called —
those who were openly advocating secession unless
their own interpretation of the Constitution should
obtain ; abolitionists who believed that the Consti
tution had better be broken into fragments rather
than that slavery should continue; Free-Soilers, who
at a later day laid the foundation of the great Re
publican party, of which Lincoln was at last the
acknowledged head; the Whigs, who as yet. North
and South, stood shoulder to shoulder for the Ameri
can Union ; and also the devoted and characteristic
representatives of the old Democratic party, who
thus far, like Andrew Jackson, opposed themselves
vigorously to all ideas of nullification or incipient
secession. Mr. Blaine says, in his Twenty Years of Congress :
"At no time, before or since, in the history of the
Senate, had its membership been so illustrious, its
weight of character and ability so great. . . . The

THE ELECTION AND INAUGURATION.

327

period marked the meeting and dividing line between
two generations of statesmen. The eminent men
who had succeeded the leaders of the Revolutionary
era were passing away, but the most brilliant of their
members were still lingering, unabated in natural
force, resplendent in personal fame. Their succes
sors, if not their equals in public regard and confi
dence, were already upon the stage preparing for
and destined to act in the bloodiest and most mem
orable of civil struggles."
From the above picture it will be easily seen that
a family should have no ordinary ability and energy,
if not experience, to hold its own at such a period in
Washington life ; and still stronger would it have to
be in every proper requirement to take the lead and
maintain itself on the advanced line where social
life was so closely allied as it then was to the po
litical. It requires but little imagination to under
stand some of the discouragements and apprehen
sions of General Taylor's household at this time.
Southern men who had sustained him strongly were
dissatisfied with him because he was too national in
his views. Northern partisans who had sustained
him were dissatisfied because he did not go far
enough for them — was not sufficiently pronounced
against the extension of slavery ; and, indeed, it was
not long before he began to realize that his wife's
instincts in their forebodings had merely trumped up
the future. He decided, however, publicly and pri
vately, like a man ; he encountered ridijeule, contempt
uous speeches, hurtful innuendoes in the press, and
unkind remarks that came to his ears, and these af
fected the old man's daily life not a little, yet he
diligently observed what was going on far and near.

328 GENERAL TAYLOR.
He kept before him the secret plotters and their
plottings. He knew who were organizing to strike,
as in the days of Jackson, fatal blows against the
republic, and with set teeth and firm voice he said:
" I will put them down ! Yes, I can do it with
Southern volunteers ! "
The first summer passed with a storm here and
there, with some murmurings like those of approach
ing thunder-claps and the rumblings of earthquakes,
but there was no actual breach of the peace in any
direction during that period. When Congress
came together in December, Taylor's message was
on the right side — the side of the Constitution
and the Union. Mr, Blaine writes that that message
" proved a tower of strength to the friends of the
Union, and a heavy blow to the secession element
which was rampant in Congress," A few extracts
from this timely message will be in place, to exhibit
the character and principles of Zachary Taylor :
" Sixty years have elapsed since the establish
ment of this Government, and the Congress of the
United States again assembles to legislate for an em
pire of freemen. The predictions of evil prophets,
who formerly pretended to foretell the downfall of
our institutions, are remembered only to be de
rided, and the United States of America at this mo
ment present to the world the most stable and per
manent government on earth,
'' Such is the result of the labors of those who
have gone before us. Upon Congress will eminent
ly depend the future maintenance of our system of
free government, and the transmission of it unim
paired to posterity.
" We are at peace with all the other nations of

THE ELECTION AND INAUGURATION. 329
the world, and seek to maintain our cherished re
lations of amity with them. During the past year
we have been blessed by a kind Providence with an
abundance of the fruits of the earth ; and although
the destroying angel for a time visited extensive
portions of our territory with the ravages of a dread
ful pestilence, yet the Almighty has deigned to stay
his hand and to restore the inestimable blessings of
general health to a people who have acknowledged
his power, deprecated his wrath, and implored his
merciful protection,
" While enjoying the benefits of amicable inter
course with foreign nations, we have not been insen
sible to the distractions and wars which have pre
vailed in other quarters of the world. It is a proper
theme of thanksgiving to Him who rules the desti
nies of nations, that we have been able to maintain
amid all these contests an independent and neutral
position toward all belligerent powers, . . . With
the Republic of Mexico it is our true policy to culti
vate the most friendly relations. Since the ratifica
tion of the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo nothing
has occurred of a serious character to disturb them,
A faithful observance of the treaty, and a sincere re
spect for her rights, can not fail to secure the lasting
confidence and friendship of that republic, . , . The
commissioner on the part of the United States for
marking the boundary between the two republics,
though delayed in reaching San Diego by unforeseen
obstacles, arrived at that place within a short period
after the time required by the treaty, and was there
joined by the commissioner on the part of Mexico,
They entered upon their duties, and at the date of
the latest intelligence from that quarter some prog-

330

GENERAL TAYLOR.

ress had been made in the survey. ... In the adjust
ment of the claims of American citizens on Mexico,
provided for by the late treaty, the employment of
counsel on the part of the Government may become
important for the purpose of assisting the commis
sioners in protecting the interests of the United
States. I recommend the subject to the early and
favorable consideration of Congress. . . , The ex
tension of the coast of the United States on the
Pacific, and the unexampled rapidity with which the
inhabitants of California especially are increasing
in numbers, have imparted new consequence to our
relations with the other countries whose territories
border upon that ocean. It is probable that the in
tercourse between those countries and our posses
sions in that quarter, particularly with the Republic
of Chili, will become extensive and mutually advan
tageous in proportion as California and Oregon
shall increase in population and wealth. It is de
sirable, therefore, that this Government should do
everything in its power to foster and strengthen its
relations with those states, and that the spirit of
amity between us should be mutual and cordial,
" I recommend the observance of the same course
toward all other American states. The United
States stands as the great American power, to which,
as their natural ally and friend, they will always be
disposed first to look for mediation and assistance
in the event of any collision between them and any
European nation. As such, we may often kindly
mediate in their behalf, without entangling our
selves in foreign wars or unnecessary controversies.
Whenever the faith of our treaties with any of them
shall require our interference, we must necessarily

THE ELECTION AND INAUGURATION.

331

interpose, . . . Your attention is earnestly invited
to an amendment of our existing laws relating to
the African slave trade, with a view to the effectual
suppression of that barbarous traffic. It is not to
be denied that this trade is still in part carried on
by means of vessels built in the United States and
owned or navigated by some of our citizens. The
correspondence between the Department of State
and the minister and consul of the United States at
Rio de Janeiro, which has from time to time been
laid before Congress, represents that it is a custom
ary device to evade the penalties of our laws by
means of sea-letters. Vessels sold in Brazil, when
provided with such papers by the consul, instead of
returning to the United States for a new register,
proceed at once to the coast of Africa for the pur
pose of obtaining cargoes of slaves. Much addi
tional information of the same character has recently
been transmitted to the Department of State. It
has not been considered the policy of our laws to
subject an American citizen, who in a foreign coun
try purchases a vessel built in the United States, to
the inconvenience of sending her home for a new
register before permitting her to proceed on a voy
age. Any alteration of the laws which might have a
tendency to impede the free transfer of property in
vessels between our citizens, or the free navigation
of those vessels between different parts of the world,
when employed in lawful commerce, should be well
and cautiously considered ; but I trust that your
wisdom will devise a method by which our general
policy in this respect may be preserved, and at the
same time the abuse of our flag by means of sea-let
ters in the manner indicated may be prevented. , . .

332

GENERAL TAYLOR,

A contract having been concluded with the state of
Nicaragua by a company composed of American
citizens, for the purpose of constructing a ship canal
through the territory of that state, to connect the
Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, I have directed the ne
gotiation of a treaty with Nicaragua, pledging both
Governments to protect those who shall engage in
and perfect the work. All other nations are invited
by the state of Nicaragua to enter into the same
treaty stipulations with her; and the benefit to be
derived by each from such an arrangement will be
the protection of this great interoceanic communica
tion against any power which might seek to obstruct
it or to monopolize its advantages. All states enter
ing into such a treaty will enjoy the right of passage
through the canal on payment of the same tolls,
" The work, if constructed under these guaran
tees, will become a bond of peace instead of a sub
ject of contention and strife between the nations of
the earth. Should the great maritime states of Eu
rope consent to this arrangement (and we have no
reason to suppose that a proposition so reasonable
and honorable will be opposed by any), the energies
of their people and ours will co-operate in promot
ing the success of the enterprise. I do not recom
mend any appropriation from the national Treasury
for this enterprise, nor do I believe that such an
appropriation is necessary. Private enterprise, if
properly protected, will complete the work should
it prove to be feasible. The parties who have pro
cured the charter from Nicaragua for its construc
tion desire no assistance from this Government be
yond its protection ; and they profess that, having
examined the proposed line of communication, they

THE ELECTION AND INAUGURATION,

333

will be ready to commence the undertaking when
ever that protection shall be extended to them.
Should there appear to be reason, on examining the
whole evidence, to entertain a serious doubt of the
practicability of constructing such a canal, that
doubt could be speedily solved by an actual explora
tion of the route,
¦" Should such a work be constructed, under the
common protection of all nations, for equal benefits
to all, it would be neither just nor expedient that
any great maritime state should command the com
munication. The territory through which the canal
may be opened ought to be freed from the claims of
any foreign power. No such power should occupy a
position that would enable it hereafter to exercise so
controlling an influence over the commerce of the
world, or to obstruct a highway which ought to be
dedicated to the common use of mankind, . . . We
have reason to hope that the proposed railroad
across the Isthmus of Panama will be successfully
constructed, under the protection of the treaty with
New Granada, ratified and exchanged by my prede
cessor on the loth day of June, 1848, which guaran
tees the perfect neutrality of the Isthmus, and the
rights of sovereignty and property of New Granada
over that territory, " with a view that the free trans
it from ocean to ocean may not be interrupted or
embarrassed " during the existence of the treaty. It
is our policy to encourage every practicable route
across the Isthmus which connects North and South
America, either by railroad or canal, which the en
ergy and enterprise of our citizens may induce them
to complete ; and I consider it obligatory upon me
to adopt that policy, especially in consequence of

334

GENERAL TAYLOR.

the absolute necessity of facilitating intercourse
with our possessions on the Pacific.
" The position of the Sandwich Islands with ref
erence to the territory of the United States on the
Pacific, the success of our persevering and benevo
lent citizens who have repaired to that remote
quarter in Christianizing the natives and inducing
them to adopt a system of government and laws
suited to their capacity and wants, and the use made
by our numerous whale-ships of the harbors of the
islands as places of resort for obtaining refresh
ments and repairs, all combine to render their des
tiny peculiarly interesting to us. It is our duty to
encourage the authorities of those islands in their
efforts to improve and elevate the moral and politi
cal condition of the inhabitants ; and we should
make reasonable allowances for the difficulties in
separable from this task. We desire that the isl
ands may maintain their independence, and that
other nations should concur with us in this senti
ment. We could in no event be indifferent to their
passing under the dominion of any other power.
The principal commercial states have in this a com
mon interest, and it is to be hoped that no one of
them will attempt to interpose obstacles to the en
tire independence of the islands. ... I recommend
a revision of the existing tariff, and its adjustment
on a basis which may augment the revenue, I do
not doubt the right or duty of Congress to encour
age domestic industry, which is the great source of
national as well as individual prosperity, I look to
the wisdom and patriotism of Congress for the adop
tion of a system which may place home labor at last
on a sure and permanent footing, and, by due en-

TPIE ELECTION AND INAUGURATION. 335
couragement of manufactures, give a new and in
creased stimulus to agriculture, and promote the
development of our vast resources and the exten
sion of our commerce. Believing that to the attain
ment of these ends (as well as the necessary aug
mentation of the revenue and the prevention of
frauds) a system of specific duties is best adapted, I
strongly recommend to Congress the adoption of
that system, fixing the duties at rates high enough
to afford substantial and sufficient encouragement to
our own industry, and at the same time so adjusted
as to insure stability. . , , No civil government hav
ing been provided for California, the people of that
Territory, impelled by the necessities of their politi
cal condition, recently met in convention for the
purpose of forming a constitution and state gov
ernment, which the latest advices give me reason to
suppose has been accomplished ; and it is believed
that they will shortly apply for the admission of
California into the Union as a sovereign State,
Should such be the case, and should their constitu
tion be conformable to the requisitions of the
Constitution of the United States, I recommend
their application to the favorable consideration of
Congress. " The people of New Mexico will also, it is be
lieved, at no very distant period present themselves
for admission into the Union, Preparatory to the
admission of California and New Mexico, the peo
ple of each will have instituted for themselves a re
publican form of government, laying its foundations
in such principles, and organizing its powers in such
form, as to them shall seem most likely to effect their
safety and happiness.

336 GENERAL TAYLOR.
" By awaiting their action, all causes of uneasi
ness may be avoided, and confidence and kind feel
ing be preserved. With a view of maintaining the
harmony and tranquility so dear to all, we should
abstain from the introduction of those exciting top
ics of a sectional character which have hitherto pro
duced painful apprehensions in the public mind ; and
I repeat the solemn warning of the first and most
illustrious of my predecessors, against furnishing
'any ground for characterizing parties by geo
graphical discriminations,'
" A collector has been appointed at San Fran
cisco, under the act of Congress extending the reve
nue laws over California,- and measures have been
taken to organize the custom-house at that and the
other ports mentioned in that act, at the earliest
period practicable. The collector proceeded over
land, and advices have not yet been received of his
arrival at San Francisco. Meanwhile, it is under
stood that the customs have continued to be col
lected there by officers acting under the military au
thority, as they were during the administration of
my predecessor. It will, I think, be expedient to
confirm the collections thus made, and direct the
avails (after such allowances as Congress may think
fit to authorize) to be expended within the Territory,
or to be paid into the Treasury for the purpose of
meeting appropriations for the improvement of its
rivers and harbors. . . . The great mineral wealth
of California, and the advantages which its ports
and harbors, and those of Oregon, afford to com
merce, especially with the islands of the Pacific and
Indian Oceans and the populous regions of eastern
Asia, make it certain that there will arise in a few

THE ELECTION AND INAUGURATION.

337

years large and prosperous communities on our
Western coast. It therefore becomes important
that a line of communication, the best and most ex
peditious which the nature of the country will admit
of, should be opened within the territory of the
United States, from the navigable waters of the At
lantic, on the Gulf of Mexico, to the Pacific, Opin
ion, as elicited and expressed by two large conven
tions lately assembled at St. Louis and Memphis,
points to a railroad as that which, if practicable, will
best meet the wishes and wants of the country. But
while this, if in successful operation, would be a
work of great national importance, and of a value to
the country which it would be difficult to estimate, it
ought also to be regarded as an undertaking of vast
magnitude and expense, and one which must, if it be
indeed practicable, encounter many difficulties in its
construction and use. Therefore, to avoid failure
and disappointment, to enable Congress to judge
whether, in the condition of the country through
which it must pass, the work be feasible; and if it
be found so, whether it should be undertaken as a
national improvement, or left to individual enter
prise; and, in the latter alternative, what aid if any,
ought to be extended to it by the Government, I
orecmmend, as a preliminary measure, a careful re
connaissance of the several proposed routes by a
scientific cofps, and a report as to the practicabiHty
of making such a road, with an estimate of the cost
of its construction and support. . . I recommend
early appropriations for continuing the river and
harbor improvements which have been already be
gun, and also for the construction of those for
which estimates have been made, as well as for ex-

338 GENERAL TAYLOR.
aminations and estimates preparatory to the com
mencement of such others as the wants of the coun
try, and especially the advance of our population
over new districts and the extension of commerce,
may render necessary. . , . The cession of territory
made by the late treaty with Mexico has greatly ex
tended our exposed frontier, and rendered its de
fense more difficult. That treaty has also brought
us under obligations to Mexico, to comply with
which a military force is requisite. But our military
establishment is not materially changed, as to its
efficiency, from the condition in which it stood be
fore the commencement of the Mexican War. Some
addition to it will therefore be necessary ; and I
recommend to the favorable consideration of Con
gress an increase of the several corps of the army
at our distant Western posts, as proposed in the ac
companying report of the Secretary of War, . . . The
plan proposed for retiring disabled officers, and pro
viding an asylum for such of the rank and file as from
age, wounds, and other infirmities occasioned by serv
ice, have become unfit to perform their respective
duties, is recommended as a means of increasing the
efficiency of the army, and as an act of justice due
from a grateful country to the faithful soldier. . . .
Wherever our national vessels have gone they have
been received with respect, our officers have been
treated with kindness and courtesy, and they have
on all occasions pursued a strict neutrality, in ac
cordance with the policy of our Government, The
naval force at present in commission is as large as is
admissible with the number of men authorized by
Congress to be employed, ... By an act of Con
gress passed August 14, 1848, provision was made

THE ELECTION AND INAUGURATION. 330
for extending post-office and mail accommodations
to California and Oregon. Exertions have been
made to execute that law; but the limited provisions
of the act, the inadequacy of the means it authorizes,
the ill adaptation of our post-office laws to the situa
tion of that country, and the measure of compensa
tion for services allowed by those laws, compared
with the prices of labor and rents in California,
render those exertions in a great degree ineffectual.
More particular and efficient provision by law is re
quired on this subject. ... It is submitted to the
wisdom of Congress whether a further reduction of
postage should not now be made, more particularly
on the letter correspondence. This should be re
lieved from the unjust burden of transporting and
delivering the franked matter of Congress, for which
public service provision should be made from the
Treasury, I confidently believe that a change may
safely be made reducing all single-letter postage to
the uniform rate of five cents, regardless of distance,
without thereby imposing any greater tax on the
Treasury than would constitute a very moderate com
pensation for this public service ; and I therefore
respectfully recommend such a reduction. Should
Congress prefer to abolish the franking privilege
entirely, it seems probable that no demand on the
Treasury would result from the proposed reduction
of postage. Whether any further diminution should
now be made, or the result of the reduction to five
cents which I have recommended should be first
tested, is submitted to your decision. , . . Among
the duties assigned by the Constitution to the General
Government is one of local and limited application,
but not on that account the less obligatory : I allude

340

GENERAL TAYLOR,

to the trust committed to Congress as the exclusive
legislator and sole guardian of the interests of the
District of Columbia, I beg to commend these in
terests to your kind attention. As the national
metropolis, the City of Washington must be an object
of general interest ; and, founded as it was under
the auspices of him whose immortal name it bears,
its claims to the fostering care of Congress present
themselves with additional strength. Whatever can
contribute to its prosperity must enlist the feelings
of its constitutional guardians, and command their
favorable consideration. . . . Our Government is
one of limited powers, and its successful administra
tion eminently depends on the confinement of each of
its co-ordinate branches within its own appropriate •
sphere. The first section of the Constitution ordains
that ' all legislative powers therein granted shall be
vested in a Congress of the United. States, which
shall consist of a Senate and House of Representa
tives,' The Executive has authority to recommend
(not to dictate) measures to Congress, Having per
formed that duty, the executive department of the
Government can not rightfully control the decision
of Congress on any subject of legislation, nor act
until that decision shall have been officially submitted
to the President for approval. The check provided by
the Constitution .in the clause conferring the quali
fied veto will never be exercised by me except in the
cases contemplated by the fathers of the republic. I
view it as an extreme meas»re, to be resorted to only
in extraordinary cases — as where it may become
necessary to defend the Executive against the en
croachments of the legislative power, or to prevent
hasty and inconsiderate and unconstitutional legisla-

THE ELECTION AND INAUGURATION.

341

tion. By cautiously confining this remedy within the
sphere prescribed to it in the contemporaneous ex
positions of the framers of the Constitution, the will
of the people, legitimately expressed on all subjects
of legislation, through their constitutional organs, the
Senators and Representatives of the United States,
will have its full effect. As indispensable to the
preservation of our system of self-government, the
independence of the Representatives of the States and
the people is guaranteed by the Constitution, and
they owe no responsibility to any human power but
their constituents. By holding the Representative
responsible only to the people, and exempting him
from all other influences, we elevate the character of
the constituent, and quicken his sense of responsi
bility to his country. It is under these circum
stances only that the elector can feel that, in the
choice of the law-maker, he is himself truly a
component part of the sovereign power ofthe nation.
With equal care we should study to defend the rights
of the executive and judicial departments. Our
Government can only be preserved in its purity by
the suppression and entire elimination of every claim
or tendency of one co-ordinate branch to encroach
ment upon another. With the strict observance of
this rule and the other injunctions of the Constitu
tion ; with a sedulous inculcation of that respect and
love for the union of the States which our fathers
cherished and enjoined upon their children ; and
with the aid of that overruling Providence which has
so long and so kindly 'guarded our liberties and insti
tutions, we may reasonably expect to transmit them,
with their innumerable blessings, to the remotest
posterity. 23

342

GENERAL TAYLOR,

" But attachment to the union of the States
should be habitually fostered in every American
heart. For more than half a century, during which
kingdoms and empires have fallen, this Union has
stood unshaken. The patriots who formed it have
long since descended to the grave, yet still it re
mains, the proudest monument to their memory, and
the object of affection and admiration with every
one worthy to bear the American name. In my
judgment, its dissolution would be the greatest of
calamities, and to avert that should be the study of
every American. Upon its preservation must de
pend our own happiness and that of countless gen
erations to come. Whatever dangers may threaten
it, I shall stand by it, and maintain it in its integrity
to the full extent of the obligations imposed and the
power conferred upon me by the Constitution,"
No one can fail to see in this message a singular
inspiration. Here are visions of the future which
have now been gloriously fulfilled, Taylor begins
by decrying the false prophets, and predicting the
stability and permanency of our institutions. When
Clay was hesitating, and Webster full of forebodings,
Taylor was confident, and putting upon Congress
squarely the plain duty of sustaining and transmit
ting our grand history unimpaired. Without apology
or variableness, he owns to a " kind Providence " in
the abundance, and acknowledges the hand of the
Almighty in calamity, in power, and in inestimable
blessings. Meanwhile his heart rejoices in our
national peace. Next, we have a reassertion of our
abiding principle of standing aloof from the compli
cations and strifes of other peoples; and he finds the
results a source of thanksgiving to the great Ruler

THE ELECTION AND INAUGURATION.

343

of Nations. The satisfaction with the Mexican
treaty naturally found expression here, and also the
urging upon Congress the settlements of claims of
American citizens whom the war had ruined. His
suggestions or hints how to bind the new Territories
on the Pacific to the Eastern States, and how to draw
the American Governments into closer commercial
and permanent relations, gave problems whose solu
tion has since become replete with historic interest.
Again, what he wrote in condemnation of the Afri
can slave trade would have honored the utterances
of John P. Hale, or pointed the eloquent paragraphs
of Wendell Phillips.
Those who now (in 1892) are forwarding the
grand public highway across Nicaragua for ocean
ships will be delighted to review his project for a
Nicaragua ship canal, and his reference to the bene
fit to be derived therefrom. Here are four pregnant
words . " Private enterprise, properly protected."
Taylor's Panama railroad, in this message, sooner
materialized, and the transit, though always inade
quate, brought us nearer to California long before
the Pacific railways made a closer connection. And
surely the tariff paragraph can now hardly be ex
celled in wisdom : " Fixing the duties at rates high
enough to afford substantial and sufiicient encour
agement to our industry, and at the same time so
adjusted as to insure stability." What brought Gen
eral Taylor the greatest political hostility and plat
form abuse was his recommendation to admit Cali
fornia, with a free constitution, which recommenda
tion he soon followed by another of like import con
cerning New Mexico. Slaveholder though he was,
he never for an instant seems to have considered his

344 GENERAL TAYLOR.
own personal interest, immediate or remote. He
asked in this regard but one question, namely,
What conditions of admission does the Constitution
require ?
This message, though made as long ago as 1849,
shows the coming prosperity of California, and in
augurates new surveys for highways and railways,
and sets in motion numerous public improvements at
the national charge, which have since, in one way or
another, been adopted and carried on to completion.
Here, too, we find a thoughtful projection of " the
retired list " for disabled officers, and a good pro
vision suggested for wounded, aged, and infirm sol
diers, these things being put upon the ground of the
increased efficiency of the army, and "justice from a
grateful country,"
Taylor found place for the extension of our post
al system to new countries, and detected the great
economy of reducing postage. He thought a letter
might even be carried at a price as low as " five cents."
Washington and the District of Columbia felt his
friendly hand. "Whatever can contribute to their
prosperity " he strongly favored. As a last thought,
he warmly deprecates any interference between the
Executive, the Congress, and the courts. How
much has always depended on independence there ?
You must not break one leg of a tripod, for the
tripod will then topple over. And after a few choice
words concerning the functions and responsibilities
of a representative or an elector, who must ever look
to the desires of his constituents, the general turns
to remind Congress once more of our heritage, of
the inestimable value of the American Union, and of
the dependent happiness of " countless generations

THE ELECTION AND INAUGURATION. 345
to come." Then he declares himself as he might
have done in battle : " I shall stand by the Union,
and maintain it in its integrity to the full extent of
the power conferred upon me by the Constitution."
This message, in its clearness, directness, and ad
mirable wisdom, will live by the side of Washington's
last address and Lincoln's characteristic proclama
tion of emancipation. It was the nucleus around
which gathered and crystallized all the elements of
Congress which were favorable first and always to
the preservation of this nation ; and its influence
upon the whole country, upon men of all parties,
can not be estimated.
The writer well remembers the visit of the Hun
garian patriots to this continent. They had been
exiled from their country after their unsuccessful at
tempt at revolution. A party, five in number, visited
President Taylor, accompanied by the mayor of the
city of Washington. They ventured to show them
selves encouraged by a letter addressed to them by
the President himself, in which he said : " I bespeak
the sentiments of my countrymen in bidding you and
your associates a cordial welcome to our soil, the
natural asylum of the oppressed from every clime.
We offer you protection, and a free participation in
the benefits of our institutions."
The chosen chairman of the exiles read aloud the
above letter. After he had finished, the President
replied verbally as follows :
" It is with feelings of sincere pleasure that I wel
come you and those around you to the capital of these
United States. During your noble struggle for lib
erty no people have watched the progress of the
Hungarian cause with more solicitude than those of

346 GENERAL TAYLOR,
this Union, Wherever the standard of liberty is
raised, there will be the aspirations of the American
people. I regret exceedingly that Kossuth himself
is not here. Although we Americans do not inter
fere in the struggles of foreign nations, still we
would have been the first to acknowledge the in
dependence of your people if the Hungarian cause
had been successful."
In a newspaper published at Washington,
called The Union, of date January 17, 1850, the
following article appeared : " A Criticism on the
President," " It seems that, with all his professed
respect for the will of the people as expressed
through their representatives, he [the President]
takes no pains to conceal his passion when the rep
resentatives of the people call upon him for in
formation relating not to his but to the people's
business." This statement crept into a partisan
journal. It was thoroughly refuted in the National
Intelligencer the next day. There doubtless was a
slight cause for the paragraph — some office-seeker
had been rebuffed. Who can wonder that occasion
ally General Taylor became impatient under the un
ceasing pressure for office ? He was certainly hu
man !
The project of the Nicaragua Canal was dis
cussed in the National Intelligencer in its issue of
February 28, 1850. The friends of the enterprise
were delighted to find in the President so firm a
friend. About this time, on invitation, President
Taylor visited Richmond, Virginia, to lay the cor
ner-stone of the Washington monument. He went
by vessel down the Potomac, and was met near its
mouth by a committee comprising a large number

THE ELECTION AND INAUGURATION,

347

of the Virginia officials, with a special train to con
duct him to Richmond, He received a generous
ovation at the State capital, and in every place he
passed through was displayed remarkable enthu
siasm. In replying to the address of welcome
which was delivered by the Speaker of the House
of Virginia, and was very complimentary in tone,
especially touching the Mexican War, the President
spoke to this effect :
" The chief-honor that you mention belongs to
the patriotic volunteers and soldiers. I only had
the honor to lead," Among other remarks that he
made was the following modest disclaimer : " Dur
ing my past life I have been devoted to my coun
try, as I shall be in the future. It can not be ex
pected that one whose time has been occupied in
camp and field could properly address so enlight
ened an audience," Recalling his stanch patriotism,
his popularity in Richmond was taken by the anti-
slavery and Whig papers to be a good omen of the
Union feeling of that section.

CHAPTER XXIII.
Taylor's administration.
The state of the country after Taylor's election — The testimony
of Dr, Upham, a living witness — Northern sentiments — South
ern fears and feeling — Conservative minds illustrated — Presi
dent Taylor the "steadying center" — Hon. Herman White,
of Cohoes, New York, shows the angry element in Con
gress — A Northern man and a Southern of sympathetic Union
views meet — A " Fire-eater " and Edward Stanley — The last
speech of John C. Calhoun — Pierce and Calhoun — How Gen
eral Taylor met disloyal threats — The six Southern friends —
Confidence in Daniel Webster and what he accomplished —
Georgia's vote — How Union men turned away — The faults of
Pierce's administration — Taylor loved the flag.
As a side-light thrown upon the political and so
cial condition of our people at the national capital
during the earlier part of Taylor's administration,
the testimony of Dr. Upham, whose name has been
previously mentioned, is here of value. The doctor
has written a few books of a historic kind which bear
evidence of his long and thorough study and care
ful research. His retentive memory and candor of
statement entitle a contribution from him to much
weight. With a view especially to secure to the
readers of this biography a fair exhibit of the un
usual social disturbances in Washington and neigh
boring cities, North and South, and their correctives
during the very brief administration of General

TAYLOR'S ADMINISTRATION. 345
Zachary Taylor, the substance of Dr. Upham's tes
timony is presented in this chapter. First he takes
us to Philadelphia. This city was then virtually on
the border line between the North and South. The
doctor and his family, from New England, found
themselves temporarily living there during the ex
citing times just after the election of 1848. At his
boarding-place were many Northern acquaintances
and several Southern people; so that, in the conver
sations which naturally arose, the topic nearest every
body's heart came up more or less day by day — con
versations frank and general, frequently touching
upon subjects of public interest, bringing out the
different, often conflicting, opinions held in different
sections of the country. The doctor himself was a
"Webster Whig." As he was a man, even when
young, of a conservative turn, he said he did all he
could to promote peace between contending people,
but he owns to having at one time, previous to this
visit, been very much opposed to slavery itself, and
to have spoken and written with much intenseness
and depth of feeling on this fiery topic. Yet the
cause of the perpetuity of the Union was ever upper
most in his mind and heart. While it was a moral
discussion, that was one thing ; but when it became
a political one and demanded political action, that
was quite another. " The political movements en
dangered the union of the States." It was his solemn
conviction that this Union was bound up with the
largest and most lasting interests of human kind ;
that it would become in the course of time a model
of the federation of the different kingdoms of Europe
so far as to provide for their mutual benefit ; that the
breaking up of the Union here, a division between

350 GENERAL TAYLOR,
the South and the North, the formation of two gov
ernments, would make it necessary to draw a line of
forts extending from north to south and east to west
throughout the whole breadth of the land ; a break
ing up of the freedom of intercourse between the
States, and possibly necessitate further subdivisions.
It appeared to this young man wiser and better to
leave the question of slavery to other influences than
to those of political bodies, which were sure in time
to bring about a clash of arms. Signs of this catas
trophe were already visible, and most deeply affected
the people, who, like Dr. Upham, took the old Whig
view of political matters. The general state of feel
ing in the country at large may be gauged and judged
of by this thinker's position. Like the wild throes
of a revolution, it throbbed and boiled around the
conservative Whigs as a steadying center. President
Taylor, when he occupied the White House, and those
who quietly stood by him from the North and from
the South, afforded that " steadying center.'' A thrill
of alarm and fear passed through the whole South
where slavery then existed, at the startling language
of the bona-fide Abolitionists in the North ; at the
same time there yet existed a strong hope that the
conservative and patriotic sentiment of the free States
would be forcible enough to restrain all adverse in
fluences and preserve inviolate the promises of the
Constitution. My conservative friend, like the man
who studies mankind in himself, ponders over and
illustrates the condition of society at large during
Taylor's term of office, by that of his own Philadel
phia boarding-place. He says : " Two ladies at our
table — mother and daughter — came to me in the par
lor one morning and told me that they were going

TAYLOR'S ADMINISTRATION,

351

to leave. With the older lady I had spoken ; I think
not with the younger. When I expressed my regret
at their going the young lady burst into tears. Her
mother, of course, instantly proceeded to explain.
She said that in Charleston, South Carolina, the peo
ple had become so alarmed by the excitement and
apprehension felt there in consequence of things that
were well known to me, that they had made up their
minds to leave the country and the city, and to make
their homes in Europe ; and that the kindness of my
tone and my appreciation of the situation of the state
of things in the country generally, and especially in
the South, had so surprised and touched them, that
her daughter, on leaving us, was quite overcome by
the remembrance of it. This opened my eyes to see
more clearly than before something of the real state
of the South, and the feeling of readiness to respond
to any patriotic feeling on the part of the North,"
But after the departure of these acquaintances, my
friend, during the winter, was greatly disturbed by
new facts which indicated to him more and more the
sensitive, morbid state of our people. His appre
hension was intensified that a great crisis was ap
proaching, and, indeed, near at hand ; so he finally
decided to go to Washington, and there make a care
ful study of the state of things for himself. He re
sided at the National Hotel, The first evening be
ing very stormy, he naturally met no public man ; but
the next day Hon, Herman White, member of the
House from Cohoes, New York, a personal friend,
called upon him, Mr. White, a strong, hearty man,
with a beaming face, was then a little past middle life.
Handsomely dressed, replete with good cheer and
kindness, he appeared to his young friend like " the

352

GENERAL TAYLOR,

English gentleman of the olden times." Whom could
he better consult as to the dangers of a great up
heaval and civil strife ?
To the first question concerning the state of the
country Mr, White became serious and said " things
had looked very bad indeed since this session be
gan. There had been a good deal of danger of an
outbreak on the floor of Congress, passion ran so
high ; Southern members have become so exasper
ated by the course of certain uncompromising parties
from the North, that I have of late every day gone
to the hall of the House with a pistol in my bosom,"
Ten years later than the period under consideration
the efforts of our Government to strengthen the
forts of Charleston harbor, as we all know, led to the
firing on Fort Sumter. Then, at that early epoch, a
similar increase of men sent by the War Department
to enlarge the garrisons caused the Governor of
South Carolina to send a formal inquiry to President
Taylor to ascertain why additional troops had been
sent to the forts on that coast. Taylor's prompt
reply was : " The President is Commander-in-Chief
of the Army and Navy of the United States, and
for his disposal of its forts he is not required to
give his reasons to any man,"
One of the most memorable revolutionary events
in the minds of the people of Charleston in the war
of the Revolution was the defense of Fort Moultrie.
The anniversary of that day was formerly always re
membered on the island, where large gatherings of
the people appeared, with good cheer and rejoicing.
There was nothing of the kind during the year of
which we speak. An order by the military com
mander of the fort forbade the landing of any boats

TAYLOR'S ADMINISTRATION.

353

on that day, and, with cannon loaded and his men
under arms, he waited all the day for whatever
might happen. Fortunately, as in the spring of
1861, so in the spring of 1850, there was a most
sagacious and prudent officer of the army in com
mand in Charleston harbor, who at this juncture
helped to allay the troubled waters. His friends in
New England could hardly credit his testimony con
cerning the dangers that were so imminent. So little
was the attitude and spirit of the South understood
in those days, that our most radical " Free-Soilers "
were often disposed to taunt the people of that sec
tion with insincerity and bravado. For example, even
our most courteous Senator from New Hampshire,
John P. Hale, is reported in a public speech to have
said : " The South could not be kicked into a fight,"
It now, in the light of history, seems a most absurd
statement ; but such an impression was not uncom
mon in the North at that time. Men could not be made
to believe till long afterward that civil war in num
berless places was indeed brewing, and was certain to
break forth sooner or later into a furious and terrible
reality. The facts, however, known to our friend at
the capital, who was carefully sounding the currents
on all sides of him, conclusively prove that the up
heaval that burst upon the nation even then as a sur
prise, came near to the surface — nearer than most
Northern men dreamed — in 1850, eleven years before
the rebellion.
Another conservative mind from the South — a man
of high standing and patriotic impulse, who had come
to Washington with the hope of doing something for
the preservation of the peace which he believed,
from his own environment, to be in peril — said to his

354

GENERAL TAYLOR.

Northern companion and co-worker : " I see the deep
interest that you take in ascertaining the real state
of feeling in our Southern country, and in a few days
I shall have some information to impart that may
be of great interest and importance. In South
Carolina there are lodges throughout the State asso
ciated together for political ends and aims, largely
consisting of young men. The leaders of our south
ern section of country, desiring to test and to feel
the pulse of the people, have brought about a
meeting of representatives of these associations in
the city of Charleston, and as soon as I have infor
mation of the result I will let you know." The re
sult, as he declared a few weeks later, " had been
most surprising. When they came together the feel
ing ran high. They were so ready foPsecession of the
State itself at once, and for the taking up of arms,
that it was thought dangerous for them to remain in
session, and they were summarily sent home by the
leaders who had called them together," The leaders
found the pulse too dangerous ; the feeling ran so
high, that, while they knew they could rely upon the
people of South Carolina for any action, they felt,
however, that any too precipitate movement, to war
rant a hope of final success, must be avoided. The
dmeute at Charleston or in South Carolina really
hinged on a reported clash between the authorities
of the State of Texas and the United States. In
case of the use of force or of an actual collision,
there was a well-laid plot in South Carolina to seize
immediately the forts in Charleston harbor, and thus
begin at once the civil war.
We may further illustrate the possibility of a so
cial and political irruption by a conversation at the

TAYLOR'S ADMINISTRATION.

355

National Hotel a little later between two Taylor
Whigs, who both ardently loved the Union. " I see,'
said the Southerner to the Northerner, " that you,
like myself, have been drawn to the city by a feel
ing common to us both, and of deep interest as to
what has been done or what may come to pass."
And this was true not of him alone, but of hosts of
others. He went on to say : " The owning of slaves
has not been the kind of property which was thought
by myself and my family particularly desirable. We
still hold to the ideas of Jefferson and of other patri
ots of Revolutionary times. The member from my
district was elected as a conservative man, but he
says passion has since run so high, and times have
been so threatening, that I felt it my duty to try and
strengthen him, fearing that he might be a little weak
in the knees ; and now I can tell you this, which is
the point I have been aiming at : things may even
now, by the efforts of patriotic men, North and South,
be kept quiet ; that is the only hope for a delay. If
there should come about a clash, if a single Southern
man be killed, it will be said at once by all the men
of the South, ' There lies a man who died in the de
fense of ourselves and our property ' ; " and," he
said, "this cry would sweep with it myself, my family,
and my country." His views at that early time as
to civil war were fully borne out by events which
we know took place a few years later.
The following episode shows the temper of Con
gress during that memorable epoch. A little after
this conversation, in the House of Representatives,
Edward Stanley, of North Carolina — a man of charm
ing presence, fine address, and personally very popu
lar with all — was making one of his speeches in the

356 GENERAL TAYLOR.
evening that was not more pleasing to Northern pa
triots than to men of the South ; earnest, humorous,
full of point and sallies of wit, in which he alluded to
something which had been said by one of the " Fire-
eaters." Criticising the speaker in terms parliament
ary no doubt, he brought the man to his feet. Break
ing in upon Mr, Stanley's speech, in the most angry
and excited manner, he asked him in what sense
he used those words. A hush fell that, was awe-
inspiring — a silence in the hall like that of death ;
to use a well-worn figure, " you might have heard a
pin drop," It seemed a long time, though it was but
an instant, before Mr, Stanley, with a courteous bow
and a " smile that was child-like and bland," replied,
" In the Pickwickian sense ! " And the roll of laughter
that went through the hall wafted away the danger of
an instant attack, or of a duel in the near future.
That there had been danger in the District of a clash
of arms men on the floor of the House of Representa
tives had seen, and made record of the fact. That
there was danger there and elsewhere of something
of the kind, and that it was sought for and planned
by certain public men in conspiracy at that time,
that they might seize upon the capital and public
property to the South, and have as President a
Southern man, a planter from Louisiana; that they
might then and there inaugurate a Southern repub
lic, was apparent and certain ; and we find the symp
toms, in various ways and sundry forms, appearing
in most of the journals of the day. But, before
further speaking of that, it may be well here to re
call a scene in the chamber of the Senate. It was
virtually " the dying speech " of John C. Calhoun.
Seated in his curia-chair with his cloak around him,

1A\ LOR'S ADMINISTRATION.

357

his eye undimmed and full of fire, he looked as noble
as any senator in the best days of Rome, but he was
too weak to stand, and lived after this only a few
months. His speech was read for him by Mason, of
Virginia, a man of fine presence and full, command
ing tone, whose voice rang through the hall like a
blast from a trumpet. Warning the North of what
seemed to him almost inevitable, he said : " Let them
not name the illustrious man whose bones lie below
on the southern bank of the Potomac ; we too have
looked into his history, and find there nothing that
countenances submission to wrong." Our young
Northern friend, who was present, exclaims : " Such
was the impression made on my mind by that last
speech of Calhoun, that I felt certain that the irre
pressible conflict between the North and the South
must be decided on fields of battle, as I did eleven
years later, when I saw the mustering of armed men
throughout the length and breadth of our land,"
Another incident in this connection is of interest,
Franklin Pierce, of New Hampshire, in a speech in
the House of Representatives, no doubt with honest
intentions and to quiet the alarm that was working so
deeply in the Southern mind and heart, stated that
there were no abolitionists whatever known to him
in the district he had the honor to represent. There
upon, from his place in the Senate, Mr, Calhoun,
who ever kept himself thoroughly well informed of
all that was taking place in all parts of the country,
read from a newspaper a full account of a meeting
of avowed abolitionists in Mr, Pierce's own district,
and the resolutions which they passed, Franklin
Pierce, a man of undeniable bravery, and who in the
Mexican War had been military Governor of the City
24

358 GENERAL TAYLOR.
of Mexico, was then quite young, and, with something
of the fire and impetuosity of youth, took a course
hardly paralleled in parliamentary history. He came
over into the chamber of the Senate, where he had
no right to be heard. Being, however, permitted
there to speak, he said, if the truth of anything ut
tered by him in the hall of Representatives was
doubted in the Senate, he had a right to claim from
any such person the satisfaction due to him as a
gentleman. Mr, Calhoun was fond of young men,
and they were fond of him. Pierce, by his ante
cedents and by his character, was a favorite of his,
and he at once, in a most complimentary, courteous,
and satisfactory manner, disclaimed the thought of
making any such impression as those words implied,
stating that he read the proceedings of that meeting
merely for the purpose of showing how and in what
an unexpected manner, even to those nearest to it,
the fire which was threatening the South was already
kindling in the North,
It was about this time, when the political ferment
was excessively annoying to all lovers of the Union,
that certain representatives of the Southern party in
Congress — probably enough to be called a delegation
from the same — went to President Zachary Taylor,
claiming him as a planter from Louisiana and a citi
zen of the South, and asked to lay before him their
plan — viz,, by force of arms to seize upon the Capitol
and other public buildings at Washington, and then
and there in the District of Columbia to inaugurate a
Southern republic — which last was actually done
years later in the capitol at Richmond, Of course
such an outbreak would have been followed by the
local opposition of loyal men and the resistance of

TAYLOR'S ADMINISTRATION.

359

the Northern members of Congress, who were to have
been dispossessed of their seats in the Capitol. The
conspirators were wholly mistaken in the man then
placed at the head of affairs ! General Taylor was
not then, and never had been, at any period of his
life, in sympathy with the extreme pro-slavery men.
In thought and feeling he was fully in sentiment
with Washington, Jefferson, and other patriots of
the Revolutionary War, and especially with Henry
Clay. He looked forward to the time when slavery
might cease throughout the entire republic. General
Taylor was a man of deeds, not of words; but in
his reply to those men his words were equivalent
to deeds of greatest consequence to his country, and
proved him to have been one of the few men in our
history who were really indispensable. General Tay
lor told the delegation that, if there was any out
break or disturbance of the public peace, he himself
would put it down at the head of volunteers — yes,
of volunteers from the South. Nobler words than
his at that epoch have seldom been used by any
man ; and behind them was the full force of the
firm character which he had fully shown on hard-
contested fields of battle. The effect of these
words was felt in producing the comparative quie
tude that ensued during that session of Congress,
Reports of this memorable interview found their
way also into the journals of the time. It was no
secret. It does not rest upon the testimony of any
one individual. But some of the partisan journals
suppressed those telling words, " by volunteers from
the South " — words which then had such great power
over the minds of those who heard and those who
read them.

360 GENERAL TAYLOR,
It is pleasant to introduce here some direct testi
mony from a prominent statesman : " My plantation
in Louisiana nearly joins that of General Taylor, who
was my near neighbor, I saw him often during many
years, and perhaps I am as well acquainted with his
real sentiments as any man can well be, I know
from my intercourse with him that he is not at
heart in favor of slavery, neither am I myself," He
added : " If I were not sure of his sentiments I would
not vote for him,"
As the moving branch or trembling leaf shows
the direction of the wind, so a few words from a
common man in society often is the best indication
of the trend of events. The book-keeper of the
National Hotel, watching the state of affairs as ex
hibited to him from day to day, said to our con
servative friend: "Sir, you may think that these
threats of war are mere talk, and that there is noth
ing of substance behind them. The apprehension
of immediate trouble has abated a good deal. You
would not think it, but I belong to one of the
militia companies of the District. We soldiers think
more than I can tell about the state of things.
We have come together at different times and places,
and we talk the matter over, and we all have come
to this conclusion — that we would do just what
Zach. Taylor told us to do I " The military of
the District would have followed Zachary Taylor
and obeyed his commands to a man ; and no doubt
Taylor relied upon the military of the District and
of Baltimore to do whatever needed to be done
in the outset, let the emergency be what it might.
Thus at that moment the affair, as we have seen,
was brought under control for a time. But here, in

TAYLOR'S ADMINISTRATION. 361
justice to another great man — Daniel Webster —
whose influence at that time has probably never been
fully understood by his countrymen, let us state some
facts which had a marked effect upon the course
of human events. There were at that time in the
Senate of the United States six men from the
South who had been more conservative and prob
ably of really greater influence than the fire-eating
men then in conspiracy plotting the dissolution of
the Union among the Representatives, One Satur
day night one of these six was alone in his room,
his mind filled with the questions of the day, of
what had better come or what had to be done.
There was a rap at his door, and another of the six
came into that room ; soon afterward a third rap
at the door, and there was yet another, and soon
all the six were together. A common feeling, with
out any concert of action, had led to this meeting
at this late hour of the night ; and knowing each
other, and the position they held on the questions
that were in each of their minds, the conference
was a solemn and startling one. Apparently some
what to the surprise of the rest, the first speaker
said there was nothing left to them but to fight.
The second followed in the same tone and to the
same effect. So did the third, and the fourth, and
the fifth, the solemnity deepening with each suc
cessive speaker. The sixth and last spoke to this
effect : " Thus far we have heard at this session
and from the Northern country generally, for the
most part, the voice only of the excited and aboli-
tionized North. I believe that there is yet, though
silent, a patriotic party at the North who will re
spect our constitutional rights. If there be, Mr.

362

GENERAL TAYLOR,

Webster will utter the sentiments of that party.
He is soon to speak in his place in the Senate, and
if he scorns us we must fight," Those men deferred
to this wise and timely counsel. That week Mr,
Webster did speak. The tone of his argument — and
in his whole life there were few that were more im
portant — when he began, and throughout his speech,
was kindly, conciliatory, and appreciative of what
had been done by the South in securing the free
dom of the vast domain of the Northwest, It was
widely different from the tone of those who seemed
to all Southern men and women ready and more
than willing to let loose upon them the fury of an
insurrection which must inaugurate a most relent
less and cruel war. Then, going on to the question
of slavery and freedom which had arisen to such an
alarming height between the North and the South,
he urged that, in the Providence of God and by
the sudden calling of the people to the shores of
the Pacific Ocean, and by the act of that people,
the actions of those settlers, practically the great
question at issue had been settled forever, so far as
all that vast territory was concerned, in favor of
freedom. The only lands remaining in dispute were
the high and rugged hills of New Mexico, and the
only question — the only practical question, so far as
territory was concerned — remaining unsettled be
tween conflicting sections of the Union, was the
ridge where slavery could not go. As a friend to
the feelings of a section of the country already
greatly alarmed and distressed in view of their
safety and interests, as a patriot and statesman, it
is plain that Mr, Webster could take no other course
than that he did when he used those sublime words :

TAYLOR'S ADMINISTRATION. 363
" I would not take pains uselessly to re-enact the
will of God," Mr. Webster's conciliatory, patriotic,
and fearless tone was offensive to the over-zealous,
who could neither understand his wisdom nor ap
preciate his motives ; and such was the depth of in
dignation and the power of misrepresentation on their
part, that for one of the noblest actions of his life
he was denounced as a traitor to freedom ; and
notwithstanding his great services, long continued
to the country, in his native State and in Boston,
Faneuil Hall was closed against him, and its noblest
citizen was not permitted to there speak in his own
defense. On the other hand, the effect upon the
South for a little while was hardly less than mar
velous. For weeks after, Webster's speech was read'
by che people of South Carolina ; they would have
voted for Webster by acclamation for President ;
but, after a few months had passed, and they had
thought the matter over more calmly and fully,
they saw that in nothing had Mr, Webster conceded
any principle that he had ever advocated before, or
deviated a hair from his life-long record. At that
moment the consequence of the speech in great
measure was to defer the action of the South, But
there was, of course, no permanent prevention, and
so the irrepressible conflict still went on till the issue
was joined on the fields of battle.
Under the array of facts that have here been
presented by going back to those almost forgotten
days in our history which were never well understood
at the North, all men can now see that, had the
conflict been ten years earlier than it was, the
North, which in 1861 was everywhere illy prepared
for it, would have been far less prepared, and the

364 GENERAL TAYLOR.
South better. In evidence of this may be stated a
noticeable fact bearing upon the question. Few are
those who now remember, or perhaps ever knew, that
in those days spoken of, the Legislature of the great
State of Georgia voted to submit to the people of that
State the question whether it should remain in the
Union. Then it was that, by the untiring exertions
of a man whose services to his country at that time
should not be forgotten, not even in view of the
record he made afterward, Howell Cobb canvassed
the State from its southern to its northern boundary,
and was largely instrumental, by his personal effort,
in securing the somewhat small majority of 18,000 in
a popular vote by which Georgia then decided to
remain in the Union. In comparing all these facts
and reflecting upon them, no one can fail to see how
large a debt of gratitude the country owes .to General
Taylor, and that with him in this meed of praise and
noble effort should be joined forever the name of
Webster. There ever were, even during the civil war,
Union men — devoted Union men — in the Southern
States. Of these, in the early days that have been
spoken of, Cobb of Georgia, Clements of Alabama, and
Foot of Mississippi, were the most conspicuous ; but,
unfortunately, in the administration of Franklin Pierce
the whole patronage of the Government was wielded
by Jefferson Davis, Secretary of War, and those who
joined him in favor of men violent for the South,
utterly ignoring the past high services and claims of
such men as those just named.
An incident may serve to illustrate this statement.
The election of Franklin Pierce was measurably sat
isfactory to the Union sentiment of the North.
During his canvass Union Northerners vouched for

TAYLOR'S ADMINISTRATION. 365
his Union sentiments, especially to the few Union
men of the city of Charleston, South Carolina. Yet
a Union man who was a Democrat had been ap
pointed by a Whig President collector of the port
of Charleston because he was a Union man. This
man was removed from his post as collector, and the
man was put in his place who had led an assault upon
the house of the former because of his Union princi
ples. Such was the new policy after the election.
The consequences of discouraging the pronounced
Union men on the part of those who controlled the
Government of the United States were disastrous in
the extreme. Old leaders — Union men of the South —
feeling themselves deserted by the Administration,
did, as a matter of fact, fall under the influences pre
vailing in their own State ; and, like new converts to
any plausible faith, men who had been hitherto strong
Union Whigs and Union Democrats strove in the
coming decade to outdo the advocates of nullifica
tion and secession. General Taylor bore his part
firmly, steadily, and conscientiously throughout this
period of hope and fear, and for no instance could
any influence whatever make him swerve one hair's
breadth in the fulfillment of his loyal promises, and in
the strict adherence to the full meaning of his oath of
office. Zachary Taylor loved the old flag which he
had followed for over half a century ; yes, he greatly
loved the whole country which it emblemized.

CHAPTER XXIV.

closing scenes.

Concluding remarks — 'White House routine — Mrs. Bliss at the
White House — Some gentle criticisms — The Fourtli of July —
The laying of the corner-stone of Washington's monument —
President Taylor's part — The heat of the day — The impru
dences of the President — His sudden sickness — The general
alarm — The reports pro and con — The last scene, and the last
words of President Taylor — Millard Fillmore, the Vice-Presi
dent — What he did — The funeral ceremonies — The testimony
of Thomas H. Benton, Daniel Webster, and other public men
— AU honor to the American soldier !
Through the winter and spring of 1850 there
was at the White House the usual succession of morn
ing visits, business engagements, cabinet meetings,
applications for office, afternoon and evening recep
tions, varied here and there by public dinners to the
Supreme Court, the members of the diplomatic corps,
to Senators and Representatives, and officers of the
army and navy. General Taylor, whq was accustomed
to the regularity of army life, soon fell into the routine
of duties both public and private, and became in the
President's house, as he was at the head of an army
in the field, master of the situation. With his daugh
ter, Mrs. Bliss, and the friends she gathered about
her to aid him, all matters touching public and social
"etiquette were arranged not only to his gratification,
but were beginning to receive the expressed com-

CLOSING SCENES.

367

mendations of the press of the country, and of soci
ety generally. It takes a little time for the mem
bers of any family, whatever their experience or
wherever they may be rated in the social scale, to
make the essential adjustments and please those who
make it a business to sit in Washington as corre
spondents, and detail all the peculiarities or idiosyn
crasies as well as the imputed virtues of the new in
cumbents of the President's mansion.
A writer inspecting his conduct at this time re
marks: "General Taylor seems at last to begin to
understand his duties, and, knowing them, he has
commenced their performance with the same zeal and
' intelligence that marked his military career." The
summer came ; Congress was still in session. On the
seventy-fourth anniversary of our national independ
ence — the 4th of July, 1850 — Washington saw an un
usual celebration. It was the time when the corner
stone of the great monument to George Washington
was laid. Senator Foot, of Mississippi, was to be the
orator of the day. Those who had the matter in
charge invited General Taylor to ride in the pro
cession. The sun of July was extremely hot. Gen
eral Taylor gladly participated in these ceremonies.
The procession was a long one, and passed along
several streets before reaching the grounds selected
for the monument. The heat affected him so much,
that, when he left his carriage to take a seat upon the
stand prepared for him, he complained of some giddi
ness and headache. He declared that the oppressive
heat was worse than in either Florida or Mexico.
There was an immense crowd, and the formal
ceremonies were quite prolonged. In spite of his
sudden disabilities, General Taylor gave special at-

368 GENERAL TAYLOR.
tention to the ornate address of Senator Foot.
Speaking of the modesty of General Washington,
and his earnest desire to flee as soon as possible
from the irksomeness of public life, and of his reluc
tance to serve a second term, the orator showed how
his friends placed the matter before him as an urgent
public duty. One who was present wrote to a North
ern paper that General Taylor, listening to these
periods, was evidently deeply meditating upon what
he would do if a second term should be tendered
him. Perhaps, however, Taylor was thinking how
much he disliked the worry of the new details that
daily had devolved upon him, and how glad he
should be when the time came to put off the burdens
of office and return to his home in Louisiana. Cer
tainly, General Taylor would not have been likely,
judging by the remarks that he let fall, to be already
plotting for a re-election. An impartial biographer
would now feel sure that he would, unless constrained
by some unforeseen pressure, have formally de
clined to stand for a second term. Notwithstanding
the heat, the dust, and the fatigues of the occasion,
the President appeared to have enjoyed everything
connected with the celebration of this event.
It is only within a few years that the grand Wash
ington Monument has been brought to completion.
It was even necessary, years later, to dig deeply and
relay the foundations with great care and expense.
Every American rejoices to look upon it now. It is
a lofty and beautiful structure, and it stands there
at the capital to remind one always of the first great
leader and President ; and it is indeed a pleasure to
remind ourselves that of all others in the line of
Washington's successors, General Zachary Taylor,

CLOSING SCENES, 360
with high qualities so much like his, laid the corner
stone of his monument, and, further, that it was the
last public act of Taylor's own honorable life.
During the ceremonies of this great and notable
occasion the President experienced an unusual thirst,
and, as was his habit, he endeavored to allay the
feverish feeling by large draughts of cold water.
With a few companions, as soon as the benediction
was pronounced he walked slowly around the monu
ment, and then over the grounds, while the sun, in a
cloudless sky, poured its direct rays upon him. But
finally, after due respect had been shown to the
memorial and its environment, he returned to his
carriage and drove to the President's mansion. His
next unpleasant feeling was that of extreme hunger.
Probably he had the usual fever or biliousness re
sulting from the prolonged heat and the too abun
dant exercise and its influence. As soon as he reached
home he partook freely of refreshments, eating ber
ries and cherries more abundantly than anything
else. The troublesome thirst not being allayed by
several glasses of water, he had himself furnished
with iced milk, which he also partook of freely. At
the usual hour, probably about six o'clock, he sat
down to dinner ; and at this meal he seemed to have
an abnormal appetite for the fruit, eating cherries
again. The family physician, sitting with him,
warned him against this evident imprudence, as he
knew that the general was already not at all well.
It was perhaps an hour after dinner when he
became violently ill. The first really dangerous
symptoms were painful cramps, which were soon fol
lowed by a severe attack of cholera morbus. The
doctor present advised the usual remedies, but the

370

GENERAL TAYLOR,

general was loath to take them, as he believed one so
strong as himself could do without medicine. He
declared his attack, which he was sure resulted from
eating too much fruit, would soon pass away. Even
his family physician believed at first that his strong
constitution and superb physique would overcome
the temporary disability.
But by eleven o'clock that night the terrible pain
had increased, and the cholera morbus would not
yield to treatment. His family, including the physi
cian, were already full of alarm as to the results un
less some extraordinary remedy could be made to
produce a reaction. The alarm of the household
soon spread to the streets, to the city, and to the na
tion : " President Taylor is dangerously ill ! " Sub
stantially the same symptoms, only abating at inter
vals, continued up to the close of that long-to-be-re
membered 6th of July, Then Dr, Weatherspoon, the
trusted family physician, invited Drs. Coolidge and
Hall, of Washington, for consultation ; these three
sent for another eminent practitioner, Dr. Wood, of
Baltimore. As these able men gathered about the bed and
took in the situation they shook their heads to each
other, though they spoke hopefully to the family ;
for already this attack, very like Asiatic cholera,
had reduced the strong man to a state of great de
bility and weakness. Very soon, however, the symp
toms appeared more favorable. The doctors seemed
to be getting the mastery of the disease. But, as
was natural, a remittent fever with typhoidal threat-
enings made its appearance. While they found in
their patient scarcely str-ength enough to resist the
first attack, this second, less virulent but more insidi-

CLOSING SCENES,

371

ous, everybody saw had at its beginning put his life
in imminent peril.
It was not as in days more recent, when Presi
dent Garfield after his desperate wounding lay at
the White House — when the news was communi
cated by hourly bulletins to every part of the na
tion, and every day to every part of the civilized
world ; still there was an unusual circulation and a
great public manifestation of sympathy. Crowds of
people were waiting outside to catch the first news
of the President's condition. The messages sent
from the sick-room, however, never seemed to give
much relief. As is always the case, the political
combats were hushed, and all began to remember
the long, grand service of the old general, and
to say something in his favor. It is a good thing
that from the days of Rome till now it is custom
ary to hush the voice of accusation and hostility
in the presence of the dying and the dead. It is
said that, in those days of great and intense anxi
ety on the part of the people who crowded the
streets and avenues of the city, a special orderly
was stationed in front of the White House to hear
the applications for news and receive the messages of
friends and convey tidings as best he could to those
who inquired after the suffering President, Over
and over during the 8th the messenger said : " I
am sorry to say that the President is no better ! "
Then the inquirer, and those who were bending
their heads to catch his words, would turn sorrow
fully away, their places to be immediately filled by
other waiting friends. The 9th of that hot July
brought no relief; all the morning there was a gen
eral feeling of gloom pervading all classes. The

372

GENERAL TAYLOR,

messages that broke the monotony among the out
side watchers gave but a momentary change. Yet
once, before noon, a rumor was started, and gained
extensive credence, that the President was better,
and there was everywhere quite a cheerful reaction.
At one o'clock another rumor came, and spread
through the city : " President Taylor is dead ! "
This false report brought to the out -door mes
senger an official statement that the President still
lived ; that he had taken a favorable turn, and
certainly the physicians did not look for his speedy
decease. What a change came over the sympathizing peo
ple I They cheered, they shouted. They ran to the
churches and rang the bells, and each accosted his
neighbor, " Glad to hear the good news ; the general
is out of danger." As the ball in fresh snow gath
ers volume as it rolls along, so the doctor's official
bulletin grew, till thousands believed that the crisis
had passed, and that the people's favorite President
was happily convalescent. Still the concourse around
the mansion only increased, for there were counter-
rumors, and by seven o'clock at evening word came
from within: "The President is worse; he is dy
ing," There were finally gathered around him his
medical men before mentioned, his family, consisting
of his beloved wife, Colonel and Mrs, Bliss (his
daughter), his brother, Colonel Taylor and family,
General Jefferson Davis and family. The Vice-Presi
dent, Millard Fillmore, with several Congressmen,
members of both Houses, a few foreign ministers, all
the Cabinet, and a number of close personal friends,
were also there. At a little after ten o'clock the
doctors whisp«red that he would soon breathe his

CLOSING SCENES.

373

last. They then stepped back to let the family and
the clergyman approach the bedside.
Mrs. Taylor, before entering the room, could not
believe that he was dying, yet in her intense anxiety
two or three times she fainted. The minister led
in a quiet prayer for essential spiritual strength to
the sufferer while he was treading the dark valley
now so heavy with shadows. " After the prayer,"
writes a journalist, " he seemed refreshed, and called
for a glass of water. It was given him, and he drank
sparingly." He asked Dr. Weatherspoon how long
he should last. " I hope for many years, but " —
after a pause the honest doctor said, " I fear not
many hours." " I know it," the general promptly
answered, then wished for a word with his family.
Those present never could forget that interview.
The wife and mother fell prostrate at his bedside,
and his children sobbed aloud. Of course, last
words are not all important, yet men like to record
them. Some one said, " Are you comfortable, general ? "
" Very," he answered, " but the storm, in passing,
has swept away the trunk."
Again he spoke : " I am about to die. I expect
the summons very soon. I have endeavored to dis
charge all my official duties faithfully. I regret
nothing, but am sorry that I am about to leave my
friends." These were the last words of Zachary
Taylor. He turned his dying face toward his sob
bing wife and seemingly tried to speak, and so
breathed his last.
General Taylor's Cabinet without delay waited
upon the Vice-President, Mr. Fillmore, and made to
him — what he already knew — the announcement of
25

374 GENERAL TAYLOR.
the President's death. He immediately, as he was in
duty bound, entered upon the duties of the office. On
the morrow, the loth of July, he again stood in his
place in front of the Senate, and officially spoke the
sad words of bereavement. As then arranged, the
Chief-Justice, at noon of that day, in the presence of
both Houses of Congress, administered to him (Mil
lard Fillmore) the oath which is prescribed for the
President of the United States, and he entered sadly
but bravely upon the new duties which were so sud
denly devolved upon him.
A good President is a blessing to these States;
but in case of sudden death it is for a time an ex
tremely difficult place to fill. The virtues of the de
parted are uppermost in men's minds, and at this
juncture they usually find fault with the new incum
bent. As Commander of the Army and Navy, Presi
dent Fillmore published a general order which was
beautifully true of the deceased, and will ever do
honor to himself as General Taylor's successor. It
shows for -itself : " The President of the United
States, tvith profound sorrow, announces to the army
and navy and marine corps the death of Zachary
Taylor, late President of the United States. He
died at the Executive mansion on the night of the
9th instant, at half-past ten o'clock. His last public
appearance was while participating in the ceremonies
of our national anniversary, at the base of the monu
ment now rearing to the memory of Washington. His
last official act was to affix his signature to the Con
vention recently concluded between the United States
and Great Britain. The vigor of a constitution strong
by nature, and confirmed by active and temperate
habits, had in later years become impaired by the

CLOSING SCENES.

375

arduous toils and exposures of his military life.
Solely engrossed in maintaining the honor and ad
vancing the glory of his country, in a career of forty
years in the army of the United States he rendered
himself signal and illustrious. An unbroken current
of success and victory, terminated by an achievement
unsurpassed in our annals, left nothing to be accom
plished for his military fame. His conduct and cour
age gave him this career of unexampled fortune, and,
with the crowning virtues of moderation and human
ity under all circumstances, and especially in the mo
ment of victory, revealed to his countrymen those
great and good qualities which induced them, unso
licited, to call him from his high military command
to the highest civil office of honor and trust in the
republic ; not that he desired to be first, but that he
was felt to be worthiest. The simplicity of his char
acter, the singleness of his purpose, the elevation and
patriotism of his principles, his moral courage, his
justice, magnanimity, and benevolence, his wisdom,
moderation, and power of command, while they have
endeared him to the heart of the nation, add to the
deep sense of the national calamity in the loss of a
Chief Magistrate whom death itself could not appall
in the consciousness of ' having always done his duty.'
" The officers of the army and of the navy and
marine corps will, as a manifestation of their re
spect for the exalted character and eminent public
services of the illustrious dead, and of their sense of
the calamity the country has sustained by this afflict
ing dispensation of Providence, wear crape on the
left arm and upon the hilt of the sword for six
months. It is further directed that funeral honors
be paid at each of the military posts, according to

376

GENERAL TAYLOR.

the general regulations, at navy yards, and on board
all the public vessels in commission, by firing thirty
minute-guns, commencing at meridian on the day
after the receipt of this order, and by wearing their
flags at half-mast."
On the following Saturday, July 13th, Rev. Dr.
Pyne, of the Episcopal Church, conducted the funeral
services at the President's mansion. His sermon was
a most touching tribute to the memory of a good
man. The family, though not in the room with the
casket, were within hearing. The procession along
the avenue was over a mile in extent, and multitudes
waited at the cemetery at Capitol Hill. An unusual
circumstance was the manner in which the artillery
fired their minute-guns while the remains were pass
ing from the White House to the tomb. The salute
began in front of St. John's Church, was taken up
by a detachment near the City Hall, and continued
by another at the Capitol. The final volley was given
at the vault — a temporary resting place — for, a few
months after the ceremonies. General Taylor's im
mediate friends and relatives removed his remains,
to be deposited not far from the old homestead at
Louisville, Ky. The entire route was thronged with
the people who were desirous to show respect to his
heroic memory, and there were appropriate ceremo
nies in many halting and resting places dViring the
long, sad journey.
The books of records contain many eulogies upon
our hero. Meetings were everywhere held, and party
lines were for a time ignored, as in the presence of a
great calamity ; and a love whose existence a few
months before General Taylor would like to have
known, was now everywhere manifested. Even

CLOSING SCENES. 377
Benton, who was to have been the Lieutenant-Gen-
eral, with a view, under President Polk, to outrank
this veteran warrior, said in Congress : " His [Gen
eral Taylor's] brief career showed no deficiency of
political wisdom for want of political training. He
came into the administration at a time of great diffi
culty, and acted up to the emergency of his position.
. . . His death was a public calamity. No man
could have been more devoted to the Union or more
opposed to slavery agitation ; and his position as a
Southern man and a slave-holder, his military repu
tation, and his election by a majority of the people
and of the States, would have given him a power
in the settlement of these questions which no Presi
dent without these qualifications could have pos
sessed. In the political division he classed with the
Whig party, but his administration, as far as it went,
was applauded by the Democracy, and promised to
be so to the end of his official term."
And Daniel Webster, who once thought that such
a nomination as that of Zachary Taylor ought not
to have been made, had many strong and true words
to speak of the departed : " I believe he was espe
cially regarded as a firm and a mild man in the ex
ercise of authority ; and I have observed more than
once, in this and other popular governments, that
the prevalent motive of the masses of mankind for
conferring high honors upon individuals is a con
fidence in their mildness, their paternal, protecting,
prudent, and safe character. ... I suppose that no
case ever happened, in the very best days of the Ro
man republic, when a man found himself clothed
with the highest authority in the state, under cir
cumstances more repelling all suspicion of personal

378 GENERAL TAYLOR.
application, of pursuing any crooked path in poli
tics, or of having been actuated by sinister views
and purposes, than in the case of this worthy and
eminent and distinguished and good man."
If his political rivals and political opponents
spoke thus of General Taylor, we can imagine some
thing of the beauty and strength of the words of
approbation and praise that fell from the lips of
his ardent friends. It seemed, then, that he was
cut off in the midst of his usefulness, and that
his work was left incomplete. But it does not
appear so now to the eyes of a new generation. By
this man's leadership, with the aid of those who had
to co-operate with him, the nation was enlarged, and
yet preserved from a meditated disruption. The
great conflict which was to afflict, winnow, and pu
rify the whole people was postponed, as we have
seen, through Taylor's integrity, ability, firmness,
and unswerving patriotism, for more than a decade.
Then, when he became President, had the rebellion
come and he been leading it, the republic would
probably have perished, for no united sufficient force
could at that time have been organized and put into
the field. The Lord be praised that he was incor
ruptible; that he was a generous friend of the Ameri
can Union ! All honor, under a guiding Providence,
to the memory of the genuine American nobleman,
Zachary Taylor!

INDEX.

Abercrombie, Major John J.,
164.
Agua Nueva, the, 300.
Aguirre, Jos6 Maria de, 194,
211, 2ig, 221.
Allen, Captain George W., 62,
67, 108.
Alligator, 58, 60.
Allison, J. S., 306,
Ampudia, General Pedro de, 97,
153, 174. 177. 182, 245, 253.
Andrade, Colonel D, Miguel,
244, 248,
Andrews, Captain George, 68,
Arista, General Mariano, 87,
112, 114, 126, 130.
Atchison, David R,, 316,
Atkins, General Henry, 45,
Aviaka (Sam Jones), 60,
Ayres, Elisha, 19,
Babbitt, Lieutenant Edwin
Burr, 70,
Backus, Captain Electus, 165,
Ballarta, Captain, 254, 258,
Bancroft, Hon, George, 85,
Barbour, Captain P, N , 121,
Barron, Commodore James, 30,
Baton Rouge, 7, 77, 78,

Belknap, Colonel William G,,
106, 275.
Bell, Hon, John, 326,
Benton, Thomas H., 325, 366,
377-
Bissell, Colonel William H.,
255-
Black Hawk, 46, 47, 48.
Blaine, Hon. James G, 81,
326.
Blake, Lieutenant Jacob E.,
107, 127.
Blakey, Lieutenant, 68.
Blanchard, Captain Albert G,
155-
Blanco, Colonel D. Santiago,
248, 257.
Bliss, Mrs. Bettie, 300, 314, 324,
366.
Bliss, Colonel William W. S.,
324-
Blucher, Field Marshal, 260,
Bowles, Colonel William A.,
256.
Bragg, Captain Braxton, 104,
158, 175, 251, 278,
Brant, Major Joshua B., 70.
Brent, Lieutenant Thomas Lee,
278.

38o

GENERAL TAYLOR.

Brook, Lieutenant Francis J.,
71-
Brown, Captain Jacob, Ii6 ,123.
Bryan, Lieutenant Francis
Theodore, 278.
Buchanan, Captain Robert C,
121.
Buchanan, Hon. James, 316. *
Buena Vista, Battle of, 3, 234,
Burbank, Lieutenant John G.,
122,
Burr, Colonel Aaron, 22,
Butler, General E, G. W,, 274.
Butler, General William- O.,
157. 167. 235. 312-
Calhoun, Hon. John C, 303,
325- 348, 356.
Camargo, movement on, 144,
Campbell, Colonel W. B., 166.
Carr, George, 8.
Cass, Lewis, 312, 325.
Center, Lieutenant John P., 63,
72.
Chadbourn, Lieutenant Thomas
L., 122.
Chase, Hon. Salmon P., 326.
Chevalie, Major Michael H.,
160.
Childs, Lieutenant - Colonel
Thomas, 68, 108, ill, 155,
170.
Churchill, Lieutenant William
H., T08.
Clark, Dr. Lemuel B., 36.
Clay, Henry, 79, 274, 283, 296,
304, 312, 325, 259.
Clay, Lieutenant-Colonel Hen
ry, Jr., 267, 276.
Clayton, John M., 323.

Clemens, Jeremiah, 364.
Clifford, Nathan, 326.
Clinch, General D. L., 50.
Coahuila, Governor of, 223.
Cobb, Howell, 364.
Cochrane, Lieutenant Richard
E., 122.
Cohua, John, 61.
Collamer, Jacob, 326.
Conde, General Garcia, 167.
Conner, Commodore David,
126, 129.
Conner, Captain John H., 256.
Conrad, Robert Taylor, 26.
Cooke, Dr. (Missouri Volun
teers), 70.
Coolidge, Dr. (of Baltimore),
370,
Coronation Chamber, the, 148.
Corpus Christi, 3, 85, 87, 88,
Corwin, Thomas, 326,
Couch, Lieutenant Darius Nash,
278.
Cram, Captain Thomas J., 91,
92.
Crane, Lieutenant-Colonel Ich
abod B., 53.
Crawford, George W., 323.
Crittenden, Thomas L., 292.
Crosman, Captain George H.,68.
Cross, Colonel Trueman, 100.
Curd, Captain Thomas J., 6g.
Dade, Major Francis L., 49.
Dallas, George M., 316.
Davenport, Lieutenant-Colonel
William, 52, 66.
David, King, 127.
Davis, Colonel Jefferson, 166,
175, 254, 274, 325, 364.

INDEX.

381

Diaz, General Porfirio, 12.
Dobbins, Lieutenant Stephen
D., 122.
Donaldson, Lieutenant James
Lowry, 268, 278.
Donelson, Hon. Andrew J., 84.
Donniphan, Colonel Alexander
M., 142.
Douglass, Hon. Stephen A., 326-
Duncan, Captain James, 106,
III, 121, 155, 159, 176.
El-ska-wa-ta-wa, the Prophet, 27.
Engineer Corps, 172.
Everglades of Florida, 48.
Ewing, Hon. Thomas, 323.
Fillmore, Hon. Millard, 313,
366, 372.
Flanagan, Lieutenant, 68.
Florida, war in, 48.
Foote, Hon. Henry S., 364,
Foster, Lieutenant-Colonel Will
iam S., 63, 67.
Foster, Captain James F., 93.
Fort Frazer, 66,
Fowler, Lieutenant S, H., 122.
Fremont, General John C, 142.
French, Lieutenant Samuel
Gibbs, 278.
Fry, James Reese, 26, 46, 113,
122.
Gaines, General Edmund P., 69,
127, 143, 285,
Galana, General Garza, 290,
Garfield, Hon. James A., 371.
Garland, Lieutenant - Colonel
John, 133, 138.
Gates, Lieutenant C. R., 122.

Gentry, Colonel Richard, 57,
68, 71.
Gillam, Captain William, 68,
Gorman, Major W, A., 251,
Graham, Major John, 67,
Grant, General U. S., 4, 43, 154,
273, 282.
Greeley, Horace, 314.
Griffin, Lieutenant George H.,
69.
Gordon, Captain William, 30.
Hale, Hon. John P., 326, 343,
353-
Hall, Dr. (of Washington), 370
Hamer, General Thomas L.,
167.
Hamlin, Hon. Hannibal, 326.
Hannah, Dr. (Missouri Volun
teers), 70.
Hardee, Captain William J.,
103, 126.
Hardin, Colonel John J., 243,
270, 276, 283.
Harney, Colonel William Selby,
74-
Harrison, Lieutenant Joseph P.,
70.
Harrison, Captain William H.
23, 27,
Hase, Lieutenant John F,, 69.
Hays, Colonel John G, 155,
171.
Hays, Lieutenant William, 121.
Henderson, General James P.,
151. 179-
Hill, Captain James M., 69,
128.
Holloway, Mrs. L. C, 76. 324-
Hooe, Captain A. S., 122.

382

GENERAL TAYLOR.

Hooper, Lieutenant John L.,
67.
Hopkins, General Timothy, 39.
Howard, Lieutenant Guy, 290.
Howard, General Oliver Otis, 7.
Houston, Hon. Samuel, 80.
Indian Prophet, the, 27, 31.
Inge, Lieutenant Z. M. P,, 121.
Iron Duke, the, 148,
Jackson, General Andrew, 326.
Jefferson, Hon, Thomas, 25,
355-
Jesup, General Thomas S., 50,
69.
Johnson, L. M., 290.
Johnson, Reverdy, 316.
Johnston, General J. E., 182.
Jones, President Anson, 84.
Joiies, General Roger, 72.
Jordan, Lieutenant Charles D.,
122.
Jumper, 57.
Juvera, General D. Julian, 244,
248, 258.
Kane, Lieutenant Elias Kent,
103.
Kearney, General Stephen W.,
142.
Keokuk, Indian chief, 46.
Ker, Captain Crogan, 102, 112,
116, 121.
Kerr, Colonel Crosman, 53.
Kilburn, General C. L., 11, 262,
278.
King, Colonel William, 43
Kingsbury, I^ieutenant Charles
P.. 250, 264.

Kossuth, Louis, 346.
Lake Okeechobee, 47.
La Motte, Captain Joseph H.,
165,
Lane, General Joseph, 251, 259,
La Vega, General De, 120, 127,
Lear, Major William W,, 164.
Lincoln, Abraham, 4, 326, 345.
Lincoln, Captain George, 276,
283,
Lincoln, Governor Levi, 274,
284,
Lano, Senor Manuel M., 182.
Lojero, General Emiliano, 138.
Lombardini, General D. Manuel
Mara, 245, 258.
Lossing, Benson J., 76.
Lo Valde, Jesus, 290.
Luther, Lieutenant Roland A.,
III.
Mackall, Lieutenant William
W., iig, 149, 155, 159. 176.
Maclay, Lieutenant Robert P.,
122.
Macomb, General Alexander, 74.
Madison, Hon. James, 25.
Madre Mountains, 241.
Majia, General D. Francisco,
96, 251.
Mansfield, Edward D., 228.
Mansfield, Major J. K. F., 154,
158, 166.
Marcy, William L., 83, 142,
203, 209, 224, 284, 316.
Marshall, Colonel Humphrey,
240, 251, 274.
Martin, Lieutenant James Green,
176.

INDEX,

383

Mason, Lieutenant George T.,
103.
Mason, Hon. James M,, 326, 357,
May, Captain Charles A,, 106,
120, 157, 23g, 254, 278,
Mayer, Brantz, 2g8.
McCall, Captain George A,,
116, 119, 120.
McClellan, General George B,,
244,
McClure, Lieutenant James, 70,
McCulloch, Major Benjamin,
239.
Mcintosh, Colonel J, S,, 122,
McKee, Colonel William R,,
251, 276, 2B3,
McLaren, Surgeon Adam N.,
70.
McLean, Justice John, 317.
McManus, Dr, Charles, 7,
McRee, Captain Samuel, 128,
Meade, Lieutenant George G,,
155-
Mercer, Commander Samuel,
128.
Meredith, William M., 323.
Mesquez, Senor, 290,
Matamoros, occupation of, 131,
Mexican Cossacks, 102,
Mexican War, 104.
Miles, Captain Dixon S., 155,
Mitchell, Lieutenant - Colonel
David D., 166.
Miiion, General D. Jose Vieinte,
239, 244, 268,
Monroe, Major John, 56, 90,
127, 176, 262, 278.
Monterey, battle of, 3, 149.
Montgomery, Lieut. Thomas
J., 128.

Montgomery, Captain William
R., 108, 122.
Morales, General, 174,
Morgan's spies, 62, 68,
Morris, Captain Charles F.,
122.
Morris, Captain Lewis N., 108,
Morrison, Major, 31,
Muir, Major S. C, 31,
Najera, Colonel Juan, 159,
Nuevo Leon, state of, 149.
Noel, Captain Thomas, 63, 68.
O Brien, Captain J. P. J., 251,
278.
Okeechobee, battle of, 60.
Old Whitey, 147, 148,
Ortega, General D. Jose Maria,
179, 245, 258.
Osceola, 48,
Ou-la-too-gee, 70,
Pacheco, General D, Francisco,
244, 248, 258,
Page, Captain John, no, 127,
Palo Alto, battle of, 3, log.
Paredes, General D. Mariano,
203.
Parks, Captain (Indian), 57,
Parrodi, General D. Anastasio,
245.
Patterson, General Robert, 207,
216, 223, 235.
Payne, Colonel M, M., 122.
Perez, General Don Francisco,
270, 223.
Perry, Commodore Matthew C,
223.
Phillips, Wendell, 343,

384

GENERAL TAYLOR,

Pierce, Hon. Franklin, 348, 355,
Pillow, General Gideon J,, 207.
Pike, Captain Albert, 261, 278.
Point Isabel, 7, 105, 114,
Polk, Hon, James K., 82, 140,
195. 217, 303, 317. 377-
Polk, Mrs. James K,, 323.
Pope, Lieutenant John, 158.
Porter, Captain Andrew, 96,
Porter, Lieutenant Theodoric
Henry, loi.
Pottawattamies, The, 31.
Preston, William B., 323,
Price, Lieutenant-Colonel Ster
ling. 57-
Pyne, Rev, Dr. (of Washing
ton), 376,
Quitman, General John A,, 146,
166, 235,
Ramsay, Captain George D.,
128,
Raquena, General D, Tomas,
130, 179.
Renshaw, Lieutenant Francis
B,, 128,
Resaca de la Palma, battle of,
3, 119-
Reynolds, Lieutenant John F.,
263, 278,
Ridgely, Lieutenant Randolph,
no, 119, 168.
Ringgold, Major Samuel, 106,
III, 126,
Rio Grande, 3, 90, 133,
Ritchie, Lieutenant John I,,
235.
Roane, Colonel John S., 251.
Robinson, Fayette, 83.

Rogers, Captain William P.,
68, 255.
Roland, Lieutenant John F.,
172.
Romero, General D. Manuel,
155. 159-
Rough and Ready, 124, 148.
Rucker, Lieutenant Daniel H.,
261.
Rusk, Hon. Thomas J., 81.
Saltillo, capture of, 2ig.
Sanchez, General, 290.
Sanders, Captain John, 128,
155. 172.
San Juan River, 150.
Santa Anna, General A, L, de,
191, 211, 224, 234, 246, 274,
291.
Satterlee, Surgeon Richard S,,
69, ¦
Sconce, Major John, 68.
Scott, Captain J. M., 155, 165.
Scott, General Winfield, 15, 79,
142, 195, 217, 224, 312.
Screven, Captain Richard B.,
155, 171.
Seldon, Lieutenant Joseph, 122,
Seward, Hon. William H., 326.
Sheridan, General Philip H.,
260.
Sherman, Captain T. W., 43,
256, 278.
Sherman, General W. T., 186,
282.
Shields, General James, 207.
Shover, Captain William H.,
255, 269, 278.
Sibley, Captain Eben S., 128.
Sierra Madre Mountains, 150.

INDEX.

385

Simpson, Surgeon Josiah, 70,
Smith, Colonel C, F., 57,
Smith, Captain Charles F., 119,
160,
Smith, Miss Margaret, 126,
Smith, General Persifor F,, 155,
161,
Smith, Dr, (of Saltillo), 7.
"St, Patrick's" Company, 245.
Staniford, Lieutenant - Colonel
Thomas, 155, 159.
Stanley, Edward, 348, 355.
Steen, Captain Enoch, 240, 255,
278,
Stevens, Lieutenant George,
132,
Stewart, Hon. Andrew, 297.
Stockton, Commodore Robert
F., 142.
Stone Eater, 37.
Strathfieldsaye, 148.
Strother, Mary, 17.
Tampa Bay, 65, 66.
Taney, Chief - Justice Roger
Brooke, 317.
Taylor, Hancock, 18.
Taylor, Captain Joseph P., 69,
372.
Taylor, Mary, 18.
Taylor, Richard, 16.
Taylor, W, D. S., 25.
Taylor, Mrs. Zachary, 73, 2gg,
373-
Tecumseh, 27, 31.
Thomas, Major Charles, 128.
Thomas, Lieutenant George H.,
263, 278.
Thompson, Lieutenant-Colonel
Alexander R., 63, 71.

Thornton, Captain Seth B., 102,
126.
Tompkins, Captain D. D., 53.
Torena, Miguel, 254.
Torrejon, General D, Anastasio,
102, 156, 244, 271.
Trail, Major Xerxes F,, 256.
Tus-ta-nug-gee, 70,
Twiggs, General David E., 88,
106, 126, 157, 170, 235.
Tyler, Hon, John, 79.
Uncle Sam's men, 47.
United States, President of the,
85.
Upham, Dr. Francis W., gi,
348.
Van Buren, Hon. Martin, 51,
302, 312.
Van Swearingen, Captain Joseph,
7t,
Victoria, Queen, 148.
Vinton, Captain John R., 172.
Von Moltke, Field Marshal, 3.
Walker, Lieutenant - Colonel
Samuel H., 172.
Walker, Lieutenant William H.
T., 68, no,
Wapello, 46.
Warren, Major William B., 255.
Warren, General Joseph, 267.
Washington, General George, 4,
17, 140, 245, 308, 345, 367.
Washington, Captain J. M., 243,
251, 278.
Watson, Lieutenant - Colonel
William H., 164.
Waterloo, Battle of, 148.

386

GENERAL TAYLOR.

Wayne, General Anthony, 22.
Weathersford, Colonel William,
243-
Weatherspoon, Dr. Alexander
S., 370,
Webster, Hon, Daniel, 302, 310,
312, 348, 360, 366, 377,
Webster, Captain Lucien B.,
168, 255.
Wellington, Duke of, 109, 148,
260.
Westminster Abbey, 148,
Wheeler, Captain Erastus, 268.
'White, Hon, Herman, 348, 351,
Whiting, Lieutenant Henry M.,
278.
Wilkinson, General James, 26.
Williams, Captain William G.,
158.

Wilmot, Hon. David, 145, 304,
Wilson, Lieutenant - Colonel
Henry, 129.
Wilson, General James Grant,
147.
Winnebagoes, the, 31.
Wood, Colonel George T,, 157.
Wood, Lieutenant James S.,
121.
Wood, Dr. Robert C, 370.
Woods, Lieutenant Samuel, 68.
Wool, General J. E., 196, 201,
217, 223, 232, 250, 276.
Worth, General William J., 95,
132, 146, 154, 179, 223.
Wright, General H. G., 260.
Yell, Colonel Archibald, 240,
251.

THE END.

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