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in 2011 with funding from

The Institute of Museum and Library Services through an Indiana State Library LSTA Grant

http://www.archive.org/details/lifeofgenzacharyOOinfryj

TAYLOR.

A LIFE '

GEN. ZACHARY TAYLOU;

COMPRISING

A NARRATIVE OF EVENTS

CO NN ECTED

WITH HIS PROFESSIONAL CAREER,

DERIVED FROM PUBLIC DOCUMENTS AND PRIVATE CORRESPONDENCEJ

BY J. REESE FRY;

AND

AUTHENTIC INCIDENTS OF HIS EARLY YEARS,

FROM M ATERI AL S v,COL LECTED BY

ROBEUT T. CONRAD.

WITH AN ORIGINAL AND ACCURATE PORTRAIT

AND

ELEVEN ELEGANT ILLUSTRATIONS

3f the Battles of Fort Harrison, Okee-cho-bee, Palo Alto, Kesaca de
la Palma, Monterey, and Buena Vista, fee, &;g.

DH SIGNED BY F. O. C. D ABLET.

PHILADELPHIA:

GRIGG, ELLIOT & CO,

No. 14 NORTH FOURTH STREET.

1848.

Entered, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1847, by

GRIGG, ELLIOT & CO.,

in the clerk's office of the District Court of the United States for the
Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

TEREOTYPED BY J. FAGAN.

PRINTED BY T. K. AND P. G. COLLINS.

A/V^VS^rfVN^/W\/WV^>A#

It was expected, by the publishers of this volume, that,
according to their aniiouncement, a Life of General Taylor, by
R. T. Conrad, Esq., would be ready at the present time. To
collect materials respecting the early years of General Taylor,
Mr. Conrad visited Kentucky during the past summer, and
was about to begin the work, when prevented by other engage-
ments. His memoranda, however, were kindly placed at the
disposal of the publishers, and have supplied interesting facts
for the present volume, for the use of which they make this
acknowledgment on their own behalf and that of the author.

Philadelphia, October 10, 1847.

(3)

PREFACE

The time is not yet mature for a biography of General Tay-
lor, which will do thorough justice to his character and military
services. Only eighteen months have elapsed, since his ability
as a commander began to be generally recognized. His varied
and extraordinary achievements within that period have- justly
excited popular curiosity regarding his early life, as well as his
late career. To meet, therefore, a want of the day, this volume
has been prepared. No profession is made respecting it, ex-
cept that pains have been taken to procure accurate information
touching the circumstances of Taylor's family, the incidents of
his youth, and his services in the Indian wars. The outline of
his proceedings in Mexico is drawn partly from private letters,
but chiefly from his own official correspondence.

It may be proper to add, that, to make this volume accepta-
ble to a class of present readers, it was thought expedient
to be diffuse in some instances where permanent favour would
have suggested condensation, and to be brief in others, where
the same reason would have demanded comprehensive state-
ments or remarks. Still it is believed that the narrative is
neither impeded by irrelevant matter, nor deficient in any es-
sential particular.

(4)

CONTENTS.

CHAPTER I.

The Taylor Family — Kentucky in 1775 — Birth of Zachary Taylor-
Emigration of the Family to Kentucky — Hancock Taylor — Danger from
the Indians — Zachary Taylor's Schoolmaster — His First Lesson in Tac-
tics— His Prosperity as a Farmer — Peace with the Indians — Volunteers
to oppose Burr's Designs — Commissioned a Lieutenant in U. S. Army
—His Marriage — The Indians under Tecumseh — Harrison's Expedition
against them — Taylor promoted to a Captaincy — War with England —
Attack on Fort Harrison — Taylor's Defence of it — His First Despatch
— Further Services — Major loy Brevet 13

CHAPTER n.

Injustice to Army Officers — Taylor's Resignation and Reinstatement — Va-
rious Services from 1816 to 1832 — Anecdote of his Habits — Promoted
to a Colonelcy — Black Hawk War — Battle of Bad-Axe — Gen. Atkin-
son's Despatch — Anecdote of Taylor — Services until 1836 29

CHAPTER in.

Destiny of the Indian Races — Causes of the Florida War — Osceola —
Commencement of the Florida War — Troops in Florida — Massacre of
Dade's Command — Volunteers in Florida — Taylor ordered to the Seat
of War — Marches against the Indians — Difficulties of the March — Bat-
tle of Okeechobee — Gallantry of the Troops — The Killed and Wounded
—Taylor's Account of the Battle — Its Results — Taylor applauded by
the Country — Promoted to a Brigadier Generalship — Appointed to the
chief Command in Florida — Use of Blood-hounds — Authority for the
Use — ^Reasons for the same — Indian Murders, several Accounts — Their
Perfidy — Taylor vindicated — He retires from the Command in Florida. 37
1* (5)

VI CONTENTS.

CHAPTER IV.
General Taylor in the South-west — Tender of a public Dinner — Mexico in
1822 — Spirit of her Institutions— Injustice to Texas — Revolt of Texas
— Annexation of Texas — Duty of a Soldier — Taylor ordered to defend
Texas — Conditions of the Order — Invasion of Texas defined — Gen.
Taylor embarks for Corpus Christi — Number of his Troops — Ordered to
Matamoros — His Despatches from the date of embarking for Corpus
Christi to the breaking up of the Camp at that point 68

CHAPTER V.
The March from Corpus Christi to the Rio Grande commenced — Face of
the Country — Sufferings of the Troops-^ Mexican Demonstration —
American Action — Point Isabel invested — The March resumed — En-
campment on the Rio Grande — Conference rejected — Entrenchments
commenced — Despatches of General Taylor — Ampudia's Magnanimity
— A Deserter shot — Fort Brown — Murder of Colonel Cross — Corre-
spondence, Ampudia and Taylor — General Arista — Blockade of the Rio
Grande — Correspondence on the Subject — Mexicans crossing the River
— Capture of Thornton's Command — Mexican Exultation — Manifesto
of Arista — Point Isabel in Danger — Requisition for Volunteers — Cap-
tain Walker's First Exploit — Resolution to relieve Point Isabel 87

CHAPTER VI.

Rejoicing in Matamoros — Arista, with his Forces, crosses the River His

Disappointment at Taylor's Escape — Mexican Narrative of both Move-
ments— Ardour of the Mexicans — Terror of the Americans — Their Du-
plicity and Treachery — Taylor's Ignominy ^ — Bombardment of Fort
Brown — Taylor's Instructions — May's and Walker's Mission -:- N-ew
Mexican Batteries — Their Fire not returned — Mexican Account of the
Bombardment — Eternal Honour of Mexican Artillery-men — Barbarous
Pleasure of the Americans — Their Cowardice and Stupidity — Mexican
Triumph — American Loss — Mexican Superiority — Continuation of the
Bombardment — Death of'Major Brown — New Mexican Batteries — Cap-
tain Hawkins summoned to Surrender — Arista's modest Letter — Haw-
kins' presumptuous Answer — Want of Ammunition — Preparations for
an Assault — ^Weariness of the Men in the Fort — Signals of Relief. 108

CHAPTER VIL

General Taylor leaves Point Isabel for Fort Brown^ — His Force The

March — Enemy reported — Rest before battle — Palo Alto — Enemy in

CONTENTS. VU

sight — Taylor's order of battle — Lieut. Blake's bold reconnoissance—
Taylor's confidence — Arista's Force and order of battle — The Enemy's
first Fire — The Answer and its Effect — Charge by the Lancers — Their
repulse — Fall of Ringgold — The Prairie on fire — Charge on the Train
— Duncan's Battery — May's gallantry — The last Charge — The Field
won — The Loss — Taylor's first Despatch — His detailed account of the
Action — Mention of Lieut. Blake — Of the Artillery — Of Lieut. Luther
— Statement of Forces — Arista's Despatch — Misstatement of his Force —
Explanations of Failure — False colouring — Acknowledgment of Loss —
Remarks on the causes of the Victory 119

CHAPTER VIIL
Mexican Army retreating — Taylor's March resumed — Mexican Dead and
Woundeil — Skirmishes with the Enemy — Mexican Army formed — Its
Position: — La Resaca de la Palma — The Battle commenced — ^The Artil-
lery— Infantry engaged — Close Quarters — The Enemy's Batteries —
May ordered to charge them — ^Ridgely's Gallantry — May's furious Onset
— ^Inge's and Sackett's Death — Batteries captured — La Vega a Prisoner
— The Fifth Infantry's charge — Personal deeds — The Enemy's bra-
very— Officers Wounded and Killed — Arista's Camp taken — The Tan^
pico Battalion — Rout of the Enemy — The Booty — The Loss — Tay-
lor's first Despatch — His detailed Account— Encomiums on his Troops
— Mistakes of Arista — Misery of routed Troops — Gen. Taylor's care of
the Wounded — His return to Point Isabel — Congratulates his Troops
— Mexican Commander's Manifesto — Remarks on causes of his Defeat
— Inferiority of OflUcers — Authority cited — Self-devotion of American
Officers^— Example* — Anecdotes of Heroism — Ridgely — ^Page — Payne
— Ringgold — Richey — Woods and Hays — Augur and Cochrane — Bar-
bour— ,May — Melton — Lincoln and Jordan — Belknap and Scott — Mc-
intosh—Letter of a Witness .^ 135

CHAPTER IX.

The 8th of May at Fort Brown — Anxiety of the Garrison — News of
Palo Alto— Bombardment on the 9th — Mexican Fugitives seen — Reck-
lessness in their Panic — Disappointment and Suffering in Matamoros —
The Wounded and Dead — Despatches from Taylor — Incidents of La
Vega's Capture — Taylor's Courtesy to him — Taylor's return to the Rio
Grande^— Commodore Conner — Barita taken — Preparations to Bombard
Matamoros — Armistice offered and refused — Arista's final Retreat — Oc-
cupation of Matamoros — Despatch from General Taylor — Arista's report
of his Retreat— Anecdote of Ampudia — ^Document found in Arista's
Tent— Result of Taylor's Operations ..«,....,-•..,,,.... 160

Viii CONTENTS.

CHAPTER X.

War recognized by Congress — ^Men and Money voted — General Taylor
embarrassed — Inadequate means of advancing — Letter to the Depart-
ment— Difficulties and Wants explained — Further correspondence — Sug-
gestions regarding his advance — Letter from the Secretary of War-
Taylor recommended to advance on Monterey — His Views on the Cam-
paign requested — Continued Difficulties — Further despatches — Arrival
of Volunteers — Causes of Inactivity explained — Minor Expeditions-
More Troops — Letter from General Scott — News of Taylor's Victories
reaches the United States — Popular Enthusiasm — Created Brigadier
General by Brevet — President's Letter — Thanks voted by Louisiana
Legislature — Deputation to Taylor — His Speech to the Committee-
Made a full Major General by Congress — Correspondence — Taylor's
Views of future Operations — Camargo taken — Despatches 177

CHAPTER XL
Civil Dissensions of the Mexicans — Tyranny of Paredes — Popular Defec-
tions— Conspirators apprehended — Liberty of the Press abolished — Un-
wise Policy of Paredes — News of Arista's Defeat received — Sensation
in the Capital — Money refused by the Clergy — Decline of Paredes*
authority — Movement in favour of Santa Anna — Civil War in Mexico —
Blockade by the United States of Mexican Ports — Plans of the United
States Government — Plans of General Taylor — Proclamation to the
People of Mexico — Confidential Letter to Taylor — Taylor's Answer —
Santa Anna proclaimed in Vera Cruz — Excitement in the Capital —
Fall of Paredes — Santa Anna's return to Mexico — Government of de
Salas — Santa Anna's triumphal entry into the Capital — His pledges to
the Mexicans — Taylor's Arrangements complete for his Advance— His
Difficulties explained — Enumeration of his Force^March of Worth's
Division — Of Butler's and Twiggs' Divisions — Report of Forces against
Monterey — Sufferings and Death of Volunteers — March of Worth's Di-
vision towards Monterey 195

CHAPTER XH.
Enemy reinforced at Monterey — Taylor, with Twiggs' and Butler's Divi-
sions, marches from Camargo — The March — Rest at Seralvo — Appear-
ance of the Country — Mexican Forces discovered — The Advance before
Monterey fired upon — Encampment at Walnut Springs — Description of
Monterey — Its Fortifications — Mexican Forces in it — Ampudia's Ad-
dress— Taylor's Reconnoissance — His Plan of Assault — Worth's Expe-
dition— His movement on the 30th — Skirmish on the 21st — Occupa-

CONTENTS. IX

tion of the Saltillo Pass — Movements of Butler's Division — First Fort
in the Eastern Suburbs carried — Terrible Fire of the Enemy's Bat-
teries— Repulse of the Lancers — Two Forts on the Heights carried —
Losses on the First Day — Dispositions for the Night 215

CHAPTER XHL
Independencia carried — Sortie from the Palace — Enemy repulsed and Pa-
lace taken — Operations on the Eastern Quarter — Progress towards the
Heart of the Town — Worth's Progress on Opposite Side — Command
of the Main Plaza — Flag of Truce — Suspension of the Attack — Tay-
lor's Despatch — Correspondence with Ampudia and the Governor — Tay-
lor's Detailed Report of the Siege — Extract from Worth's Report — Com-
ments on the Action — Conference between Ampudia and Taylor — Com-
missioners on the Capitulation appointed — Proceedings of the Commis-
sion— Terms of Capitulation — Report of Killed and Wounded 833

CHAPTER XIV.
Occupation of the City by Worth's Division — Encampment of Butler's
and Twiggs' Divisions — Consideration of the Terms of Capitulation-
Implied Censure by Congress of the Terms — Defence of the sam&— Jef-
ferson Davis' Views regarding the Capitulation — Taylor's Letter to the
Adjutant General justifying it — Private Letter on the same Subject, and
on his past Operations and future Plans — Concluding Remarks 263

CHAPTER XV.
Taylor's Force after the Capitulation of Monterey — Reflections on his
Course — Advices from Washington — Instructions regarding Supplies-
Regarding an Expedition against the Coast — Further Correspondence
■ — Taylor's Replies — Opinions regarding his own future Operations — Re-
garding the Force requisite to invest Vera Cruz — Assertion of his Rights
as Commander — Answer to the Secretary respecting forced Supplies —
General Wool's Entry into Monclova 274

CHAPTER XVL

X CONTENTS.

Craf— Letter from General Scott to General Taylor—Forces withdrawn
from General Taylor — Address to his Troops — Loss of May's Rear-guard
— Capture of Majors Borland, Gaines, and C. M. Clay— Aflfairs of

Mexico— Activity of Santa Anna — His advance to San Luis General

Wool's Camp — Taylor's advance to Saltillo — Camp at Agua Nueva —
At Buena Vista — Enumeratioft of Santa Anna's Forces — of Taylor's
Forces... 289

CHAPTER XVn.
Taylor's Position at Buena Vista — ^Washington's Birth-day — Summons
of Santa Anna to Taylor to Surrender — The Reply—Taylor's Detailed
Report of the Battle — His order of Battle on the 22d — Skirmishes —
Minon's Cavalry in the Rear — Battle on the 23d — Attack of the Enemy
on the Left and Centre— Partial success of the Attack— Service of the
Artillery — Repulse of the Enemy— Ruse of Santa Anna — ^Death of Yell
and Vaughan — Renewed Attacks of the Enemy — Bragg's Battery — The
Day saved — Death of Hardin, McKee, Lincoln, and Clay — ^Incidents
after the Battle — Comparative Losses — General Wool and other Officers
and Corps distinguished— Official Return of Loss — Private Letter to
General Butler — ^Taylor's Views of the Battle.— Congratulatory Orders
—Letters to Henry Clay and Governor Lincoln — Rejoicings in the
United States— Mr. Crittenden — Repulse of Urrea and Romaro by Ma-
jor Giddings — ^Taylor's pursuit of them — Return to his Head-quarters
— Public Estimation of Taylor — The Presidency — His Personal Views
as a Candidate — Concluding Remarks on his Character 299

MAP

OF THE

SEAT OF GENERAL TAYLOR'S OPERATIONS

(To face page 13.)

LIFE

GENERAL TAYLOR.

CHAPTER I.

The Taylor Family — Kentucky in 1775 — Birth of Zachary Taylor — Emigration
of the Family to Kentucky — Hancock Taylor — Danger from the Indians — .
Zachary Taylor's Schoolmaster — His First Lesson in Tactics — His Prosperity
as a Farmer — Peace with the Indians — Volunteers to oppose Burr's Designs
— Commissioned a Lieutenant in U. S. Army — His Marriage — The Indians
under Tecumseh — Harrison's Expedition against them — Taylor promoted to
a Captaincy — War with England — Attack on Fort Harrison — Taylor's De-
fence of it — His First DiBspatch — Further Services — Major by Brevet.

The republican principles and customs of our country hap-
pily forbid personal distinction founded merely upon ancestral
rank. We incline rather to celebrate a name first made illus-
trious in our own day, than one which borrows its light from
the glory of other generations. Yet we fail not in due re-
spect for the character which worthily sustains inherited supe-
riority. In this spirit, w^e commence a biography of General
Taylor, by citing the honourable families whose blood is
mingled in his veins. Original obscurity or early trials could
not have shadowed his genius or repressed his energies. But
springing from a stock, to be worthy of which were a singular
merit, he has proved himself its noblest scion, and, amid a
halo of kindred names, his own has suddenly risen to be the
highest and brightest.

The family of the Virginia Taylors is allied to the oldest

and most distinguished of that state. Its first representatives

emigrated from England, and settled in the south-eastern part

of the colony, towards the close of the seventeenth century

2 (13)

14 THE TAYLOR FAMILY.

In the (lifTerent branches of it are found the Lees, the Bar-
bours, the Madisons, the Conways, the Pendletons, the Hunts,
the Taliaferros, the Gaineses, and others, whose public ser-
vices and virtues, during a hundred years, are commemo-
rated in our colonial and national history.

Richard Taylor, the father of General Zachary Taylor, was
born in Virginia, on the 22d day of March, 1744. He appears
to have received a plain but solid education, and evinced in
his boyhood the daring and adventurous spirit, which led him
to seek a home and independence in the wilderness of the
Mississippi valley. While yet at school, he entered into a
compact, with some of his mates, to visit Kentucky when they
should grow up. He, at least, adhered to his purpose. When
still very young, he set out, and reached " the dark and bloody
ground," on which, at that time, the dwelling of a civilized
man had not been reared. His survey of the country ex-
tended to the Mississippi, down which he proceeded as far as
Natchez. From that point, his face was then turned home-
ward; and, 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 w^ay, he
walked back to his father's house in Virginia. All that he had
seen served but to confirm, in his imagination, the charms
of border life ; and, although he continued to reside many
years in Virginia, he subsequently fulfilled his desire of making
his home in the great west.

On the 20th of August, 1779, when thirty-five years old, he
was married to Sarah Strother, a young lady, of good family,
then in her twentieth year. At this time, he held a colonel's
commission in the Virginia Line, and served with zeal and
honour through the revolutionary war.

Five sons and three daughters were the offspring of this mar-
ridge, — the first child born in 1781. Zachary Taylor, the sub-
ject of this memoir, the third son of Colonel Richard Taylor,
was born in Orange county, Virginia, on the tw^enty-fourth day
of November, 1784. In the following summer, his father ful-
filled his long-cherished intention of emigrating to Kentucky.

KENTUCKY PIONEERS. 15

Only ten years before, the first habitation of a white man had
been erected in the vast region between the western boundary
of Virginia and the Mississippi. Within this period, a few set-
tlements had been made, insufficient, however, from their
feebleness and isolated positions, to secure to the emigrant
adequate protection from the Indians, much less to afford him
the most usual comforts of civilized life. Peril and privation,
to which only superior courage and fortitude were equal, were
the lot of all who sought a home in the primitive woods, and
in the hunting-grounds of hostile savages.

In the emigration of Colonel Richard Taylor to this country,
he had been preceded by his brother Hancock, a brave and
intelligent man, who fell a sacrifice in the enterprise of sur-
veying parts of the Ohio valley. He is said to have selected,
for his farm, the site of the city of Louisville. He is thus
mentioned in Marshall's History of Kentucky.

" After Douglass, (a surveyor, who died on the Kentucky
river, while engaged in his profession,) and pursued by a fate
more malignant, was Hancock Taylor ; a surveyor also, and a
man of more enterprise. He, too, landed at the falls of the
Ohio, and, after making a number of surveys, by virtue of mili-
tary warrants, was killed by the Indians, who made a sudden
onset before he was apprized of danger. Thus fell an intelli-
gent and worthy man. One of his attendants had the pre-
caution to secure and bring oflf his book of field notes, which
was rendered effectual [adopted as authority,] by an act of the
legislature."

Under the guidance of such men, and under such circum-
stances for the development of his bold spirit and active intel-
lect, Zachary Taylor passed his infant years. The hardships
and dangers of border life were to him as familiar as ease and
security to the child of metropolitan luxury. His father had
settled in Jefferson county, about two miles from the Ohio
river, and five miles from Louisville, w^here he acquired a
large estate by his industry and thrift, and honourable con-
sideration by his intelligence, bravery, and patriotism. As
Louisville rose into importance, his own fortune and local dis-

16 Taylor's schoolmaster.

tinction increased. He received from President Washington
a commission as collector of that port, New Orleans being then
in possession of the Spaniards. He had been a personal friend
of Washington, prior to his emigration from Virginia, and his
worth was, therefore, familiar to that great man, from early-
knowledge as well as later report.

One of the chief cares of Colonel Taylor was the education
of his children. During the first ten or fifteen years of his
residence in Kentucky, the country being sparsely settled, and
exposed to Indian enemies, this purpose could be accomplished
only in a very partial degree. A school, for the rudiments of
English merely, was established in his neighbourhood by
Elisha Ayres, a native of Connecticut, who afterwards returned
to that state, and now resides, a venerable gentleman of four-
score years, at Preston, in the vicinity of Norwich. A letter
from him, written during the past summer to the author of this
volume, in answer to one of inquiry concerning the school-boy
days of General Taylor, explains satisfactorily the circum-
stances in which they were passed, and exhibits' the character
of our hero, at that time, in a light worthy of his mature re-
putation.

In the language of Mr. Ayres, <'the Kentuckians were then
a warlike and chivalrous people, and they were often engaged
in offensive or defensive skirmishes with the Indians. A
number were known to be in the woods not far distant from
the school-house, and, on one occasion, one of them was shot,
wearing a British uniform. In their hostility to the Americans,
they were encouraged and sustained by the British authorities
on the Northern frontier. There was a Mr. Whetsel, in the
neighbourhood of the school, who, having been once chased by
three or four Indians, loaded his rifle while running, and suc-
cessively shot them all. This exploit made Whetsel famous,
and he became the instructor of the young men and boys in
the neighbourhood, in his mode of maintaining a running fire.
Among his pupils, it is believed, was young Zachary." It
may be remarked, upon this recital of " young Zachary's"
first training in the art of war, that he has apparently forgotten

TAYLOR-S FIRST LESSON IN THE ART OF WAR.

TAYLORAFARMER. 17

the " running" lessons, although, in other respects, he abm-
dantly justifies the tuition of the valiant Whetsel. Among the
anecdotes current in Kentucky respecting his childhood, is
one of his watching at home with his brother, and casting
bullets, while his father was out engaged with the Indians.
Such, in fact, was the constant necessity of guarding against
these cunning and implacable foes, that the physician of the
neighbourhood habitually rode with pistols at his saddlebows.

All attempts to placate or subdue the Indians had failed,
prior to the date of Wayne's decisive victory over them. In
1795, the year following that important achievement, a general
peace was concluded. From that period, the population of
Kentucky increased rapidly, and civilized labour and enter-
prise began to enjoy their due reward. Zachary Taylor was
reared by his father to his own profession — that of a farmer ;
and, until his majority, was practically engaged in it, working
with his own hands, and laying the foundation of the robust
health, hardy habits, and persevering industry, which have
borne the test of various climate, rude fare, and severe duty,
during a military life of more than thirty years. The service
very early engaged his affections and excited his ambition.
When Aaron Burr's movements in the west began to arouse
suspicion, the patriotic young men of Kentucky formed volun-
teer companies, to oppose his designs by arms, if occasion
should demand such a resort. Zachary Taylor, and one or
more of his brothers, were enrolled in a troop raised for this
purpose.

After the alarm had subsided, he returned to his farm, which
he continued to cultivate successfully, until the death of his
brother. Lieutenant Taylor. The latter held a commission in
the United States army, and, dying in the service, an oppor-
tunity was afforded Zachary of obtaining the vacancy. Through
the influence of his relative, James Madison, of his uncle-.
Major Edmund Taylor, and of his father, this object was ac-
comphshed ; and, on the 3d of May, 1808, he received his
commission as first lieutenant in the seventh regiment of United
States Infantry. At this time, he was already in the enjoyment
2*

18 WAR WITH GREAT BRITAIN.

of a fortune, which, although moderate, was more than suffi-
cient for his wants. But the activity of his mind, his aspira-
tions for a larger sphere of employment, and, it may be, for
the distinction of an officer in the national service, were supe-
rior to the inclination for the quiet and profitable occupation of
landed proprietor. His first experience in his new vocation
had nearly proved fatal. He was ordered to report himself to
General Wilkinson in New Orleans ; and, being taken there
with the yellow fever, was obhged to return home to recruit
his health. He appears to have employed his time sedulously
in the study of his profession, as we find him, three years from
this time, fulfilling with honour a dangerous and important
post.

The aggressive policy of England had been meanwhile pre-
paring the pubhc mind for the declaration of war. The emis-
saries of her government, employed among the Indian tribes
north of the Ohio, had incited anew their hostility to the Ame-
rican settlers, who were kept in constant apprehension of an
attack. Under these circumstances, it was deemed advisable
by the government to make the first demonstration, and
General Harrison, then Governor of the North-west Territory,
was ordered to march a force into the Indian country. In the
progress of this expedition he erected on the Wabash River,
in Indiana, a block-house and stockade, which received the
name of Fort Harrison. Lieutenant Taylor took part in this
duty, and was afterwards kept actively engaged in watching
the Indians and thwarting their adverse movements. His mar-
riage had taken place in 1810, and he left at home a young
wife and child to join his command. Communications with
his family were difficult and infrequent, — at tim.es so long in-
terrupted that he was supposed to have fallen a victim to the
perilous enterprise in which he was employed. His services
were appreciated by President Madison, who rewarded them
by a captain's commission, in the beginning of the year 1812.
He was then placed in command of Fort Harrison, and soon
afterwards Congress declared war against Great Britain. From
this period may be dated his first actual encounter \vith an

INDIAN HOSTILITIES. 19

enemy. Upon the character of this enemy a few words may
be proper in this place.

During the long struggle between the French and English
for the ascendancy in the Mississippi valley, the Indians had
been anxiously courted by both powers. While they were
supplied with European arms, and partially instructed in mili-
tary science by European officers, no effort appears to have
been made to soften their ferocity, or to mitigate the barbarous
customs which regarded war less as an act of national policy,
than an opportunity of indulging all the worst of individual
passions. If lack of discipline in their armies made them less
formidable to an equal number of our own troops, their savage
disregard of the rights of prisoners, made them terrible to an
inferior force. At the time that Captain Taylor was first
brought into conflict with the tribes in the region of Fort Har-
rison, they had been particularly prepared for daring adven-
tures by the encouragement of two chiefs, whose talents would
have honoured far nobler followers. These w^ere Tecumseh,
and his brother Olliwachica, — better known as the Prophet.
For several years it had been the policy and ambition of these
men to inflame the Indians of the North-western Territory
with fresh animosity against their white neighbours. Both
leaders added to the qualities of courage, fortitude, and perse-
verance, consummate knowledge of the arts by which the
savage mind is controlled ; and they succeeded in inspiring
their inferiors with a religious abhorrence of the whites, more
effectual for their ends, than the national jealousy excited by
the encroachments of the latter upon their ancient hunting-
grounds. At no previous period, therefore, was the spirit of
the Indians so fully aroused to the duty — such it was in their view
" — of exterminating our people, as when they resolved to attack
Fort Harrison.

Three months after war with England had been formally
declared, they were banded ,|or this purpose. Captain Taylor
had some intimations of it, which were confirmed on the 3d
of September, by the report of guns in the vicinity of the fort,
where two young men were at work in the fields. On the

20 NIGHT ATTACK BY INDIANS.

4th their bodies were discovered by a party sent out in search
of them, — the scalped heads bearing too apparent proof of In-
dian hands. This incident added to the vigilance of Captain
Taylor, and he made every effort for defence compatible with
his limited means. The whole force under his command
was about fifty men, of whom about two-thirds were invalids.
He himself was just recovering from a fever. The Indians
were aware of his weakness, but still preferred the exercise, in
some degree, of their native cunning, to the hazard of an open
attack. For this purpose a deputation of the Prophet's party
came to the fort on the evening of the 4th, bearing a white
flag, and affecting peaceable intentions. Captain Taylor was
not deceived by this attempt to lessen his caution. He in-
spected the arms of the men, served out 16 rounds of car-
tridges to each, and made other dispositions of his meagre re-
sources to guard against surprise and sustain an assault. His
force was so small that a sufficient number of sentinels could
not be posted to protect the whole extent of the outworks, but
the officer of the guard was ordered to make the tour of the
inside through the night.

With these precautions the commander, and that portion of
his little band not on the watch, retired to rest. But an hour
before midnight they were aroused by the report of a musket.
Taylor sprang up from his brief sleep, and found his savage
enemies upon him. On their approach, the sentinels had pre-
cipitately retired within the house, and it was discovered that
the lower building was already fired by the Indians. The sit-
uation of the garrison was now one of extreme peril, the alter-
native of death by fire or savage arms appearing imminent.
The young captain, however, maintained his composure, and
while he directed one party to carry buckets of water to extin-
guish the flames, encouraged another in their efforts to repel the
assailants. It chanced that the fire was first communicated to
the store-room, which contained a quantity of whiskey. This
was soon in a blaze, which reached the roof and defied every
effort to suppress it. Meanwhile a host of savages, who, under
cover of a very dark night, had previously approached close

THE INDIANS REPULSED. 21

to the house, maintained the attack, yelling furiously in antici-
pation of their triumph, which it seemed almost impossible to
avert. But Taylor, not despairing even in this emergency,
ordered the roofs of a portion of the buildings to be torn off,
and by keeping that which remained continually wet, suc-
ceeded in restricting the fire to the apartments where it
originated.

Animated by their leader, the men, who at first shrank from
the unequal contest, kept up a steady discharge of musketry
upon the assailants, who, during seven hours, abated no effort
to carry the fort. In this protracted attack, only three of the
garrison were killed and three wounded, while it was apparent
that the Indians suffered severely from their exposed position.
At six o'clock, on the morning of the 5th, dispirited by their
loss, and abandoning the hope of wearying resistance at once
so resolute and effective, they retired from the spot, after de-
stroying all the provisions of the post, and killing or driving
off the horses and cattle.

The account of this affair, given to General Harrison, in a
letter dated the 10th of September, 1812, being the first
despatch from Taylor's pen, is appropriately inserted in this
place. It has the unaffected spirit, if not the severe style,
of his more mature productions. The following is an
extract : —

" On Thursday evening, 3d instant, after retreat beating,
four guns were heard to fire in the direction w^here 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 w^ere killed by the Indians, as
the Miamies or Weas had that day informed me that the Pro-
phet'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 not think it prudent to '
send out at that late hour of the night, to see what had become
of them, and their not coming 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

22 CAPT. Taylor's first despatch.

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, had them brought in and
buried. They had been shot with two balls, scalped, and cut
in the most shocking manner. Late in the evening of the 4th
instant, old Joseph Lenar, and between thirty and forty In-
dians, arrived from the Prophet's town, wdth a white flag;
among whom were about ten women, and the men were com-
posed of chiefs of the different tribes that compose the Pro-
phet's party.

" A Shawnee man that spoke good English, informed me
that old Lenar intended to speak to me next morning, and try
to get something to eat. After retreat beating, I examined
the men's arms, and found them all in good order, and com-
pleted 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 some-
times part of them every other day, from the unhealthiness of
the company, I had not conceived my force adequate to the
defence 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 through the
night.

" After tattoo, I cautioned the guard to be vigilant, and
ordered one of the non-commissioned officers, as the sentinel
could not see every part of the garrison, to walk around on
the inside during the night, to prevent the Indians taking any
advantage 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 ; I sprung 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
contractors, which was deposited in the lower part, (the upper
part having been assigned to a corporal and ten privates as an
alarm post.) The guns had begun to fire pretty smartly from

THEFORTONFIRE. 23

both sides. I directed the buckets to be got ready, and water
brought from the well, and the fire extinguished immediately,
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 con-
fusion ; and by the time they had got the water, and broken
open the door, the fire had unfortunately communicated to a
quantity of whiskey, (the stock having lic/ced several holes
through the lower part of the building, after the salt that was
stored there, through which they had introduced the fire,
without being discovered, as the night was very dark,) and in
spite of every exertion we could make use of, in less than a
minute it ascended to the roof, and baffled every effort we
could make to extinguish it.

"As that block-house adjoined the barracks that made part
of the fortifications, most of the men immediately gave them-
selves up for lost, and I had the greatest difficulty in getting
my orders executed ; and, sir — what from the raging of the
fire — the yelling and howling of several 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 a de-
sponding of so many of the men, which was worse than all — I
can assure you that my feelings were very unpleasant ; and,
indeed, there were not more than ten or fifteen men able to do
anything at all, the others being sick or convalescent ; and to
add to our other misfortunes, two of our stoutest men jumped
the pickets and left. But my presence of mind did not for a
moment forsake 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 breast- work might be formed to prevent their enter- -
ing even there. I convinced the men that this could be ac-
complished, and it appeared to inspire them with new life ; and
never did men act with more firmness or desperation. Those

24 THE INDIANS BAFFLED.

that were able (while others kept up a constant fire from the up-
per block-house and the two bastions) mounted the roofs of the
houses, with Doctor Clark at their head, (who acted with the
greatest firmness and presence 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 ne-
cessary. This was done, with one man killed, and two
wounded, and I am in hopes neither of them dangerously.
The man that was killed was a little deranged, and did not
get off of 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 breast-work as high as a 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
gallies in the bastions, and fired over the pickets, and called
out to his comrades that he had killed an Indian, and neglect-
ing to stoop down in an instant, he was shot.
* «t One of the men that jumped the pickets, returned an hour
before day, and running up towards the gate, begged for
God's sake for it to be opened. I suspected it to be a strata-
gem of the Indians to get in, as I did not recollect 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 the other bastion, where they
knew his voice, and Doctor Clark directed him to lie close to
the pickets, behind an empty barrel that happened to be there,
and at daylight I had him let in. His arm w^as broken in a
most shocking manner, which he says was done by the In-
dians, which I suppose was the cause of his returning. I think
it probable that he will not recover. The other they caught
about one hundred and thirty yards from the garrison, and

THEFORTSAVED. 25

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 removed out of 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 num-
ber of their hogs. They drove off the whole of the cattle,
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 Miamies
or Weas were among the Prophet's party, as one chief gave
his orders in that language, which resembled Stone Eater's
voice, and I believe Negro Legs was there likewise. A
Frenchman here understands their different languages ; and
several of the Miamies or Weas that have been frequently
here were recognised 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 anything more of them since. I have delayed
informing you of my situation, as I did not like to weaken the
garrison, and I looked for some person from Vincennes, and
none of my men were acquainted with the woods, and there-
fore I would either have to take the road or river, which I was
fearful was guarded by small parties of Indians, who would
not dare attack a company of rangers that was on a scout.
But being disappointed, I have at length determined to send a
couple of my men by water, and am in hopes they will arrive
safe. I think it would be best to send the provisions under a
pretty strong escort, as the Indians may attempt to prevent
their coming. If you carry on an expedition against the Pro-
phet this fall, you ought to be well provided with everything,
3 "

26 HONOR OF THE DEFENCE.

as you may calculate on having every inch of ground disputed,
that they can defend with advantage."

Such is the modest account which Taylor gave of an
achievement, which, however insignificant compared with the
operations of large armies, required the highest degree of phy-
sical courage, and the heroic firmness which imparts its quality
to other spirits. In the open plain and in the broad sunlight,
— in the grand movements of thousands of serried troops, and
the steady glitter of their arms — in the cheering peal of trum-
pet and drum, and the waving of bright banners — in all this
there is something to awaken courage in the most sluggish
heart, and to prove at once to the warrior the honour of tri-
umph, of w^ounds or of death, in a cause which brings hosts
into conflict. But far stronger is the nerve, far sterner the
purpose, which while the howl of infuriate barbarians arouses
the midnight sleeper, can sustain him in the terrible moment
when the flames, raging around his shelter, threaten to drive
him into the less fortunate embrace of his merciless enemies.
It was in such a scene as this, his first experience in warfare,
that Taylor evinced the calmness, the energy, the hope against
mighty odds, which in a later and larger field of action inspired
one of his follow^ers to exclaim, as if he WTre uttering a moral
axiom, " Taylor never surrenders!" At Fort Harrison, four
hundred savages fell suddenly upon his petty band, less than a
twentieth their number, and after a fierce affray of seven hours,
left the field discomfited. With such a beginning of his glo-
rious career, should the sequel of Buena Vista be regarded
with surprise ?

The failure of their enterprise against Fort Harrison morti-
fied and disheartened the Indians, and they abandoned for the
time any further attempts against it. The garrison, however,
was ignorant of their feelings or intentions, and as a renewal
of the attack was reasonably apprehended, its vigilance was
not abated. The despatch cited above was entrusted to two
men, who attempted to descend the river to Vincennes, out
the Indians being on the alert, and keeping up fires on the
banks through the night, obliged the bearers to return. In

THE GARRISON RELIEVED. 27

this emergency, Captain Taylor again addressed Governor
Harrison, and sent his messengers by land. These were suc-
cessful. The letter was in these terms :

" I wrote you on the 10th instant, giving you an account
of the attack on this place, as well as my situation, which ac-
count I attempted to send by water, but the two men whom I
despatched in 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 below 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 than 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 daytime, and depend
entirely on the woods, although neither of them has ever been
to Vincennes by land, nor do they know anything of the coun-
try; but I am in hopes they will reach you in safety. I send
them with great reluctance from their ignorance of the woods.
I think it very probable there is a large party of Indians way-
laying 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 wdll supply
them plentifully with provisions for some time to come."

Immediately on the receipt of this communication, a large
force, under the command of General Hopkins, was sent to
the relief of the garrison, then reduced to the extremest need,
by sickness, fatigue, and the loss of provisions.

The conduct of Taylor at Fort Harrison was not overlooked
by his superior officers, by the public, or by the government.
General Hopkins, in a letter to the Governor of Kentucky, said
of him : — " The firm and almost unparalleled defence of Fort
Harrison by Captain Zachary Taylor, has raised for him a
fabric of character not to be effaced by eulogy." The singu-
lar force and refinement of this commendation are as honour-
able to the writer as to the subject of it. An ardent response

28 TAYLOR'S HONOURS AND PROMOTION.

to the sentiment was given by the whole country, and the Pre-
sident afforded a more satisfactory proof of its justice, by con-
ferring upon Taylor the rank of Major by brevet — the oldest
instance in the service of this species of promotion.

Pending the arrival of Hopkins' command at Fort Harrison,
the Indians continued their depredations upon the peaceful
inhabitants of the neighbourhood, destroying their houses and
farms, and carrying on the war in their usual relentless mode,
irrespective of age or sex in the objects of their attacks. De-
cisive measures were necessary to arrest these atrocities, and
an expedition was accordingly planned by General Hopkins
against the Indian villages in the Peoria country. The march
commenced in the middle of October, but was suddenly ended
by the insubordination of the volunteers composing the force.
This spirit was partially manifest on the fourth day, but on the
fifth it was beyond control. The Indians had set fire to the
prairie-grass, and a violent wind drove the flames in the direc-
tion of the camp, which w^as saved with difficulty.

Discontent ripened from this cause into alarm. At a coun-
cil of officers, convened by General Hopkins, he offered to pro-
ceed on the expedition, if followed by only five hundred men.
But the voices of all the volunteers were against him, and their
steps w^re accordingly retraced. The enterprise, however,
was not altogether fruitless. The Indians, alarmed by the ap-
proach of so large a force, collected their w^arriors to oppose
it, leaving their villages unprotected. In this condition, they
were attacked by a detachment under Colonel Russell, and
destroyed. In the following month, General Hopkins under-
took a second expedition, directed against the Prophet's and
Winnebago Town, in which Major Taylor took part, and re-
ceived the official commendations of the general. Several
skirmishes occurred, in some of which our troops suffered se-
verely. They succeeded in achieving their main objects, de-
vastating the enemy's country, and destroying their settlements.
The winter forced both parties into a cessation of active hos-
tilities. From this time, to the close of the war with Great
Britain, Major Taylor was engaged in the same vicinity, ae-

INJUSTICE TO TAYLOR. 29

complishing the purposes of the government with unremitting
vigilance. No further opportunity occurred of signaUzing his
special talents ; but he earned with others the distinction of
reducing the Indians, for the time, to terms of peace, and of
establishing among the white settlers security from their
incursions.

CHAPTER II. 1

Injustice to Army Officers — Taylor's Resignation and Reinstatement — Various
Services from 1816 to 1832 — Anecdote of his Habits — Promoted to a
Colonelcy — Black Hawk War — Battle of Bad-Axe — Gen. Atkinson's De-
spatch— Anecdote of Taylor — Services until 1836.

The restoration of peace was made the occasion by govern-
ment of signal injustice to many officers of the army. Promo-
tions earned by good service during the war were nullified
when its exigencies ceased. Among the victims of this policy
was Major Taylor, — certainly one of the last who should have
been selected for a blow so unworthy. He was reduced to
the rank of captain, and deprived alike of the reward and the
honour earned by extraordinary talent and devotion to duty.
Although his modesty — so well illustrated in later years —
would at any time have shrunk from claiming preferment, yet
his self-respect forbade submission to an indignity, implying
the absence of common desert. With this feeling he resolved
to quit a service, in which fidelity seemed to be regarded only
in emergencies, and forgotten when no longer required. He
accordingly resigned his commission and returned to the more
grateful care of his family. His friends, however, were not
content to witness calmly either his resignation or the cause
of it, and their influence was powerfully exercised with the
administration in his behalf. The result was that in the course
of a year he was reinstated by President Madison, and con-
3*

30 RESTOREDTOHISRANK.

sented again to leave his home and its interests for the labours
of a profession, the dangers of which in war are preferable to
its monotony in peace.

In 1816, immediately after his restoration to his former rank,
Major Taylor was ordered to Green Bay, and remained in
command of that post for two years. Returning to Kentucky,
he passed a year with his family, and w^as then ordered to join
Colonel Russell at New Orleans. Except during a temporary
absence, when recalled by the illness of his wife, he continued
in the south for several years, generally engaged in some ac-
tive duty. One of his labours was the opening of a military
road, and another the erection of Fort Jesup — the latter in
1822. In 1824 he was engaged in Louisville in the recruiting
service, and in the latter part of that year was ordered to
Washington. He was appointed a member of the board for
the planning and erection of Jefferson Barracks. On the 20th
of April, 1819, Taylor received the commission of a Lieute-
nant Colonel. The following year he again returned to the
south, but was recalled in 1826, to sit as a member of a board
of officers of the Army and of the Militia, convened by Secre-
tary Barbour, to consider and propose a system for the organi-
zation and improvement of the militia of the United States.
General Scott was president of this commission. The other
members, besides Lieutenant Colonel Taylor, were Brigadier
General Eustis, Lieutenant Colonel Cutler, Major Nourse of
the Army, and Major General Cadwalader, Adjutant General
Damil, and Adjutant General Sumner of the Militia. To the
last-mentioned gentleman the writer is indebted for an account
of the proceedings of this board.

Its discussions were long and earnest, but a report was
finally agreed upon, embracing several important provisions.
It is unnecessary to introduce here an abstract of this docu-
ment, but it is proper to state that Taylor — then Lieutenant
Colonel — was strenuous in maintaining the militia strictly as
citizen soldiery, in opposition to the views of some older
officers in the board, who would have invested this body with

HIS SEVERE DISCIPLINE. 31

more of the character of a regular army. The report, having
been drawn by General Scott, was adopted on motion of
Lieutenant Colonel Taylor, and was approved in Congress.
Owing, however, to want of proper attention, a bill based
upon it was suffered to slumber for some time in Committee
on the Militia, and was finally forgotten.

The duties of Taylor were subsequently resumed upon the
north-western frontier, a field on which, socwi afterwards, he
again met an Indian enemy and sustained the reputation won
in his first contest with him. Five years of peace, hov/ever,
preceded this occasion, — years not idly spent by the man who
seemed unconsciously preparing himself in every department
of his profession for the splendid achievements of his later
days. A writer in the Literary World thus mentions him : " As
plain Lieut. Colonel Taylor I have often seen him. putting his
men through the battalion drill on the northern banks of the
Wisconsin, in the depth of February. This would seem only
characteristic of the man who has since proved himself equally
*' Rough and Ready" under the scorching sun of the tropics.
But, looking back through long years to many a pleasant hour
spent in the well-selected library of the post which Colonel
Taylor then commanded, we recur now with singular interest
to the agreeable conversations held in the room which was the
Colonel's favourite resort, amid the intervals of duty." And
the same chronicler of his severe habits of discipline and study
continues : " Nor will the reader think these personal reminis-
cences impertinent, when we add that our object in recurring
to them here is simply to mention that, remembering alike the
wintry drill and the snug book-room, Taylor's hardihood — the
idea of which now so readily attaches to his sobriquet of
Rough and Ready — would certainly not then have struck a
stranger as more characteristic than his liberal-minded intelli-
gence."

In 1832 Taylor was promoted to the rank of Colonel.
During the previous year, the difficulties between the white
settlers near Rock River, and the Sac Indians under the cele-
brated chief Black Hawk, had been fomented by bad and

32 THE BLACK HAWK WAR.

interested men to a point of open hostilities. It must be
equally as painful to any American historian, as it would be
unnecessary for the author of this biography, to recite the
events which brought about the contest. known as "the Black
Hawk war." If, in former periods and in other places, the
implacable aversion of tlie Indians to the peaceful encroach-
ments of our people, induced the latter to resort to arms and
the work of destruction as acts of simple self-defence, the
same reason cannot be asserted for the war against Black
Hawk and his unfortunate tribe. Once commenced, however,
the security of all parties demanded its termination by the
most vigorous measures.

Black Hawk, whose flags of truce had been on two different
occasions fired upon, and the bearers killed, defeated on the
14th of May, 1832, near Rock River, a large number of
mounted volunteers, who fled precipitately before a small band
of the brave chief. The force of the latter was vastly exag-
gerated by the fears of the routed troops, and alarm spread
through the state of Illinois. General Atkinson, then com-
manding in the north-west, had his head-quarters at Dixon's
Ferry, which he immediately proceeded to fortify. The
governor of Illinois at the same time called out a fresh body
of mounted volunteers, and the secretary of war ordered about
one thousand regulars to the scene of action. General Scott
then took the command of the army, and conducted the cam-
paign. For three months a contest characterized by the worst
acts of border ferocity was maintained. The Indians mur-
dered many frontier families, and committed bold depredations
in the face of our troops. In their turn they suffered in several
skirmishes, but not to the extent of disheartening them. A
party under Black Hawk attacked the fort at Buffalo Grove,
and although they failed in carrying it, yet they killed several
men, and afterwards defeated a detachment of volunteers who
came to its rescue.

General Atkinson arrived on the fourth of July with an army
of twenty-five hundred men, including four hundred regulars
under Col. Taylor, at Lake Coshconing, in the neighbourhood

BATTLE OF THE BAD AXE. 33

of which the Indians had collected. The latter were reduced,
at the time, to the greatest extremity for want of provisions,
their fighting men being encumbered with women and children
and their moveable property, as they had fled from their villages
with no means of immediate subsistence. From Lake Cosh-
coning, an extension of Rock River, they were pursued to-
wards Fort Winnebago by two brigades of mounted volunteers,
under General Dodge, and overtaken on the banks of the
Wisconsin. In this flight they suffered dreadfully from fatigue,
famine and slaughter.

Late in July, General Atkinson crossed the Wisconsin River
and ordered the pursuit of the Indians. For this service
thirteen, hundred men, among whom were Taylor's regulars,
were selected. They set forth immediately. The w^ay w^as
through a primitive wilderness, before untrodden by any body
of white men. With forced speed the march was pressed
over rocks and mountains, through woods and waters, often
almost impassable for horses, and continually exhausting to the
men. At last the enemy was overtaken on the Bad Axe, near
the junction of the Mississippi and the Iowa. A battle, des-
perate on the part of the Indians, ensued, in which they were
wholly routed, many falling by our arms, others perishing in
the river, and the rest dispersing or submitting themselves
prisoners. The chief. Black Hawk, who then escaped, was in
the course of the month surrendered by some of his faithless
allies, and with his capture ended the w^ar. The following is
General Atkinson's official account of the battle.

" Head Quarters, First Artillery Corps, North-western Army,
" Prairie des Chiens, Augt. 25, 1832.

" Sir : I have the honour to report to you that I crossed the
Ouisconsin on the 27th and 28th ultimo, with a select body of
troops, consisting of the regulars under Col. Taylor, four
hundred in number, part of Henry's, Posey's and Alexander's
brigades, amounting in all to 1300 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

34 GENERAL ATKINSON's DESPATCH.

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 we attacked, defeated and dispersed, with a loss
on his part of about a hundred and fifty men killed, 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. Our loss in killed and wounded, which
is stated below, is very small in comparison with the enemy,
which may be attributed to the enemy's being forced from his
positions by a rapid charge at the commencement, and through-
out the engagement — 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 join-
ing Keokuk and Wapello's bands of Sacs and Foxes.

<< The horses of the volunteer troops being exhausted by
long marches, and the regular troops without shoes, it w^as not
thought advisable to continue the pursuit ; indeed a stop to the
further effusion of blood seemed to be called for, till it might
be ascertained if the enemy would surrender.

" It is ascertained from our prisoners, that the enemy lost in
the battle of the Ouisconsin sixty-eight killed and a very large
number wounded ; his w^hole loss does not fall short of three
hundred ; — after the battle on the Ouisconsin, those of the
enemy's women and children, and some who were dismounted,
attempted to make their escape by descending that river, but
judicious measures being taken by Captain Loomis and Lieut.
Street, Indian agent, thirty-two women and children and four
men have been captured, and some fifteen men killed by the
detachment under Lieut. Ritner.

" The day after the battle on this river, I fell down with the
regular troops to this place by water, and the mounted men
will join us to-day. It is now my purpose to direct Keokuk
to demand a surrender of the remaining principal men of the
hostile party, w^hich, from the large number of women and
children w^e hold prisoners, I have every reason to believe will
be comphed with. Should it not, they should be pursued and
subdued, a step Maj. Gen. Scott will take upon his arrival.

ANECDOTE OF TAYLOR. 35

« I cannot speak too highly of the brave conduct of the
regular and volunteer forces engaged in the last battle and the
fatiguing march that preceded it ; as soon as the reports of
officers of the brigades and corps are handed in, they shall be
submitted with further remarks.

" 5 killed, 2 wounded, 6th inft.
2 do. 5th inft.
1 captain, 5 privates, Dodge's Bat. mounted.
1 Lieut. 6 privates, Henry's.
1 private wounded, Alexander's.
1 private do. Posey's.
I have the honour to be, with great respect.

Your obedient servant, H. Atkinson,

Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A.

<« Maj. Gen. Macorab, Com. in Chief, Washington."

Black Haw^k and his fellow prisoners were confided to the
charge of Col. Taylor, who conveyed them to the Jefferson
Barracks, w^here they arrived about the middle of September.
On this, as on every other occasion, how^ever trying, Taylor
shrank from no obligation, the result of his position as an
officer, carrying out the orders of his superiors. A portion
of his task could not have been less painful to his feelings than
difficult of execution. But it was accomplished promptly and
thoroughly, in a manner worthy of himself.

The wTiter in the Literary World, already quoted, relates
the following anecdote of Taylor, while in pursuit of Black
Hawk. If slightly erroneous in any particular, it is at least
illustrative of the man.

" Some time after Stillman's defeat by Black Hawk's band,
Taylor, marching with a large body of volunteers and a hand-
ful of regulars in pursuit of the hostile Indian force, found
himself approaching Rock River, then asserted by many to be
the true north-western boundary of Illinois. The volunteers,
as Taylor was informed, would refuse to cross the stream.
They were militia, they said, called out for the defence of the
state, and it was unconstitutional to order them to march beyond
its frontier into the Indian country. Taylor thereupon halted

36 A DECISIVE SPEECH.

his command, and encamped within the acknowledged boun-
daries of Illinois. He would not, as the relator of the story
said, budge an inch further without orders. He had already
driven Black Hawk out of the state, but the question of crossing
Rock River seemed hugely to trouble his ideas of integrity to
the constitution on one side, and military expediency on the
other. During the night, however, orders came, either from
General Scott or General Atkinson, for him to follow up Black
Hawk to the last. The quietness of the regular colonel, mean-
while, had rather encouraged the mutinous militia to bring
their proceedings to a head. A sort of tow^n-meeting was
called upon the prairie, and Taylor invited to attend. After
listening some time very quietly to the proceedings, it became
Rough and Ready's turn to address the chair. ' He had heard,'
he said, (■ with much pleasure the views which several speakers
had expressed of the independence and dignity of each private
American citizen. He felt that all gentlemen there present
were his equals — in reality, he was persuaded that many of
them would in a few years be his superiors, and perhaps, in
the capacity of members of congress, arbiters of the fortune
and reputation of humble servants of the republic like himself.
He expected them to obey them as interpreters of the will of
the people ; and the best proof he could give that he would
obey them, was now to observe the orders of those whom the
people had already put in the places of authority, to which
many gentlemen around him justly aspired. In plain English,
gentlemen 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 behind you on the prairie.' " It is unnecessary to
state the effect of this appeal.

After the Black Hawk war, Col. Taylor was for a short time
in Louisville, and was thence ordered to Prairie du Chien, to
the command of Fort Crawford, a work which had been erected
under his superintendence. Here he remained until 1836,
when his services were required in the Seminole war in Florida.

FATE OF THE INDIAN RACES. 37

To that field he immediately repaired, although he might with
propriety have asked of the government a season of repose,
having very rarely enjoyed the ease and tranquillity of home
during a period of more than twenty-five years. .

CHAPTER III.

Destiny of the Indian Races— Causes of the Florida War— Osceola— Com-
mencement of the Florida War— Troops in Florida — Massacre of Dade's

Command — Volunteers in Florida — Taylor ordered to the Seat of War

Marches against the Indians— Difficulties of the March— Battle of Okeecho-
bee—Gallantry of the Troops— The Killed and Wounded— Taylor's Account
of the Battle— Its Results— Taylor applauded by the Country— Promoted to
a Brigadier Generalship— Appointed to the chief Command in Florida— Use
of Blood-hounds— Authority for the Use— Reasons for the same—Indian
Murders, several Accounts— Their Perfidy— Taylor vindicated— He retires
from the Command in Florida.

It is a fact, which speculative philanthropy seems no longer
inclined to dispute, that the aboriginal races of this continent
must decline and become extinct in the presence of our own
civilized people. The minds and the habits of the white and
the red man are not less irreconcilable than the colour of their
skins. It appears idle, therefore, to mourn over the inevitable
fate of the latter, or to regard as criminal the progress of the
former, when of necessity it is attended with the invasion and
occupation of new territory. Justice and humanity may modify
the apparent hardship of the Indian, banished from the land
of his fathers and bereft of the rude privileges which endear it
to him. But no ingenuity can devise a code, which will secure
his national independence and his barbarous usages, when
surrounded by a civilized community. K-js^ sovereignty under-
such circumstances must cease. Nor this alone. ''He must
also recede before the advance of a superior in knowledge and
virtue, as well as in power. His only temporary hope of re-
taining the semblance of freedom, and of the personal and
civil customs which are a part of his nature, is to retire beyond
4

38 THE SEMINOLE TROUBLES.

the boundaries of his better neighbour. And as these bound-
aries extend, he must still retire ; losing strength with every
movement, destroying the associations which were the only
safeguard of his political and religious system, and by certain
decay wasting away sooner or later from the face of the earth.

The Seminole Indians, occupying the region of Florida,
were required by the federal government to emigrate to lands
appropriated for their occupation on the west of the Missis-
sippi River. The requisition may have been a little prema-
ture— their vicinity to the white settlements may not at the
time have been wholly incompatible w^ith the security and
comfort of the latter. But the period of their removal could
not have been long postponed, and had they been w^ell advised
they would have immediately yielded to the proposition of the
government. No difficulty, in fact, was anticipated in carry-
ing it out. The local newspapers gave assurances of the rea-
diness of the Indians to depart. Some unfairness, however,
which it is needless to examine here, may have been practised
in the negotiations with them. Their jealousy and pride
were excited, and the task, which at first appeared so easy
and certain of execution, proved to be one which baffled the
diplomacy of cabinets and the power of armies, and cost the
nation tens of hundreds of lives and tens of millions of trea-
sure.

A treaty with the Seminoles for their removal was concluded
at Payne's Landing, in Florida, in May, 1832, allowing three
years for its fulfilment. The government was first advised in
1834 of their disinclination to depart. Yet as late as the
spring of 1835, there was in Florida a confidence in the public
mind, regarding the calm dispositions of the Seminoles, un-
clouded by a thought of the terrible storm which so soon after-
wards desolated its homes, and menaced for a time even its
capital with destruction. The St. Augustine Jlerald of that
period, emphatically denied that there was any foundation for
the reports of difficulties with the Indians, — adding this assu-
rance of their harmless character: <' The Seminole of the pre-
sent day is a difierent being from the warlike son of the forest,

DESTRUCTION OF DADE'S COMMAND. 39

when the tribe was numerous and powerful. No trouble in
the removal of it is anticipated." Yet before the close of the
year, how sadly was this declaration falsified ! A chief had
appeared among this tribe destined to hold a place in history
with Philip of Pokanokee, Tecumseh, and Black Hawk. This
was Osceola. Hatred for the whites had long been a smo-
thered fire in his heart, and now the moment had arrived when
it burst forth with implacable fury. By inheritance, Osceola
enjoyed no title or distinction among the Seminoles. He
derived his origin from the Creeks, and had affected, until up-
wards of thirty years of age, the more pacific feelings of that
people. But when the time for throwing off disguise appeared
to have matured, he used among the more southern tribes, the
influence obtained by his talents and courage. Declaring
openly against the United States' government and citizens, he
supplanted the legitimate chiefs of the Seminoles, and even
put to death those who exhibited a desire for peaceful mea-
sures. Relentless in his enmities, profound in his purposes
of vengeance, reckless of danger, deliberate, cunning, and
ambitious, he acquired perfect ascendancy over his red breth-
ren, and when he gave the signal war-cry, murder, rapine and
fire told of their dreadful response, from the everglades of
central Florida to the very walls of St. Augustine. Conster-
nation seized the quiet inhabitants, and the bolder spirits,
aroused alike by grief and rage, snatched up their arms and
banded together, some to protect their homes, others to pursue
with terrible justice the foe who would spare nought that was
dear to them.

The United States' troops, at this time, in Florida numbered
between five and six hundred men, stationed at several posts,
— General Clinch being in command. On the 23d of Decem-
ber, a detachment of two companies, amounting to one hundred
and twelve officers and men, under Major Dade, marched from
Fort Brooke for the purpose of joining the commanding gene-
ral. On their route, anticipating no danger, they were sur-
prised by a large body of the Indians; and, after a resistance,
begun with cool bravery and protracted with fierce despair,

40 TAYLOR ORDERED TO FLORIDA.

the unfortunate party was utterly destroyed, with the exception
of three men, who, exhausted with many wounds, reached the
fort to tell the fate of their companies. From this memorable
day, open war commenced. Many Creek warriors joined the
Seminoles, and the government found it necessary to send in
succession its most able generals into the field. From time to
time, on their requisition, the gallant men of Louisiana, South
Carolina, Georgia, Alabama, and Missouri, promptly took up
arms to aid their suffering brethren of Florida. On the part
of the Indians, occasional success added vigour to their bold
and cruel enterprises.

In this state of affairs. Colonel Taylor was ordered to the
seat of war. An opportunity was not long wanting for a new
exhibition of his perseverance in discovering, and his skill in
fighting, an Indian enemy. General Jesup had then command
of the army in Florida, and, like his predecessors in the office,
had made fruitless efforts to bring the Seminoles to terms of
treaty. The hope had been entertained, that a delegation of
the Cherokees, acting as mediators, might be able to convince
them of the ultimate folly of opposing the wishes of our govern-
ment, and the immediate advantages of laying down their
arms and acceding to its proposals. The intercession of these
friendly Indians, however, was unavailing with the obstinate
and ferocious dispositions of the resisting tribes, and no choice
was left between absolute concession to their demands, or
rigorous enforcement of our own. Active hostilities, which
during two years had abated at intervals, were, therefore, de-
termined upon ; and, in December, 1837, Colonel Taylor re-
ceived orders to seek out any portion of the enemy, wherever
to be found, and to destroy or capture his forces.

On the 19th and 20th of December, 1837, the force under
Colonel Taylor, amounting to about eleven hundred, officers
and men, left Fort Gardner, in pursuance of the invStructions
of General Jesup. The country presented all the usual
obstacles to the march of an army, which are found in the
narrow peninsula of Florida, and which had baffled the plans
of many former expeditions. A wet and soft soil, matted with

DIFFICULTIES OF A MARCH. 41

rank herbage, which clogged the feet at every step, and served
as an impenetrable screen to a lurking foe ; the deep and slimy
beds and the waters of many streams ; the dense thickets of
the cypress, the palmetto, and other luxuriant underwood, —
such was the surface over w^hich Taylor led his troops to dis-
cover and cope with the savages. The latter, anticipating his
approach, and perfectly famiUar with the labyrinths and natu-
ral fastnesses of their own country, had retired to one of its
strongest and most inaccessible places, prepared to give him
battle.

The commander and his followers were not ignorant of the
hazard and toil of their enterprise. Many were the brave
spirits who had peiished in similar duty, — a duty in which
failure had often brought reproach ; and in which success,
achieved with grievous wounds and death, had been un-
honoured by the applause of the nation, unrewarded by the
care of the government. Regardless of all this, so crushing
to the soldier's energies, Taylor led on his generous little army.
Never had worthy chief more worthy aid. The noble and
brave Lieutenant Colonel Davenport, who like him had been
in the border struggles of the north-west ; the firm and daring
Lieut. Cols. Thompson and Foster, of the army, the latter
schooled in the wars with England and on the frontier, and the
magnanimous Col. Gentry of the Missouri volunteers, divided
the commands under him. The banks of the Kissimmee
River marked the course of the march, which for five days
was laboriously pursued. At times the long clotted grass of
the swamps wholly arrested the advance of the horses, and the
men only finished a wearisome progress through these obstacles,
to plunge into the stagnant waters of low bottom lands. Oc-
casionally a straggling Indian or the individuals of a family
were captured, who served to assure Taylor that he was
approaching the stronghold of their people. On the fifth day
after leaving Fort Gardner he reached a cypress swamp, w^hich
bore the marks of the late presence of a large body of the
enemy. Taylor disposed his army in order of battle, and ad-
vanced expecting to find him. But the swamp was passed
4*

42 BATTLE OF OKEECHOBEE.

without his appearing, and a large prairie disclosed, bounded
on its farther side by an extensive hammock. In the latter,
according to the report of a prisoner, the Indians were posted.
Here, at noon on the 25th, the final preparations were made
for the attack.

Gentry's Missouri volunteers and Captain Morgan's «' Spies"
were formed in an extended line, and ordered to enter the
hammock, to attack the enemy, and if repulsed to fall back
under cover of the regular troops. The Fourth Infantry, under
Lt. Col. Foster, and the Sixth, under Lt. Col. Thompson,
formed a second line to support the volunteers. The First In-
fantry, under Lt. Col. Davenport, was held in reserve. Eager
for the action, the troops hurried forward in this order, but at
the distance of a quarter of a mile entered a wide slough,
which seemed to forbid farther progress. For horses the ad-
vance was impossible, and they were abandoned, while the
men, buried to their necks in the long tangled grass, and
sinking frequently to their waists in slime and water, struggled
on to charge the unseen foe. They had proceeded thus but
little beyond the edge of the swamp, the volunteers and spies
leading in the order assigned them, when suddenly the rustle
of the grass and the plash of the water through which they
moved, were smothered in the rattle of hundreds of rifles.
The savages were close before them, and had reserved their
fire until it would be surely answered wuth the death-cry of
many a brave assailant. But the shock for a time was fear-
lessly sustained, and the volunteers still charged on, until the
impetuous commander, cheering them in the front rank, re-
ceived a fatal shot and fell. Major Sconce, Capt. Childs,
Lieutenants Rogers, Haas, and Gordon, staggered under their
wounds. The men, discouraged, now gave way and retired
from the storm which had swept down their leaders. But the
regulars pressed forward through the deep morass, as compact
and firm as if the sohd ground were beneath them, and only a
holiday crowd in front to admire their manoeuvres. On the
Sixth Infantry a torrent of bullets was poured, carrying havoc
into their files. The dark cool waters beneath them grew

i -- r .J

THE INDIANS DEFEATED. 43

"warm and red with their blood, and in the foremost ranks was
not a heart but paid its tribute to swell the tide. Their leader,
too, the heroic Thompson, regardless of two balls received in
the first onset, courted and met death at their head, shouting
the charge, and words of encouragement, with his last breath.
Still they closed upon their foes, and with every step left
behind a fallen chief or comrade. Adjutant Center, Captain
Van Swearingen, and Lieut. Brooke perished. Capt. Andrews
and Lieuts. Hooper and Walker were wounded, and every in-
ferior officer of five companies in the advance was also killed
or disabled, while of one company only four men were unin-
jured. For more than an hour, before so terrible a fire, the
gallant Sixth advanced, and when its leaders were lost, at last
retired, but only for a time, to form again and renew the assault.
Thrice the enemy wavered and gave ground, and thrice re-
turned to the most desperate conflict ever maintained by their
arms.

Meanwhile Lt. Col. Foster led on the Fourth, and finally
drove the savages from their position ; and being joined by
Capt. Noel with the remaining companies of the Sixth, pressed
them hotly to their camp on the borders of Lake Okeechobee.
Capt. Allen, with two companies, having been detached to the
right in the beginning of the action, Lieut. Col. Davenport,
with the First Infantry, was ordered, when his advance was
perceived, to turn the right flank of the enemy. This move-
ment being executed with brave alacrity, and the enemy seeing
the regiment in position, delivered one final volley from their
rifles and fled, the three regiments of regulars and a portion of
the volunteers following them in every direction, and only
abating the pursuit when night closed in upon them.

The force of the Indians amounted to several hundred
warriors, and they had so chosen their defensive position as to
give the utmost efficiency to their numbers. Their loss was
not ascertained. The loss of our troops in this severe and
memorable battle, included fourteen officers and one hundred
and twenty-four men, killed and wounded, being one-fifth
of the whole number engaged. Upon the merits of a victory

44 CREDITOFTHEVICTORY.

gained under such circumstances, and at such cost of life and
blood, what comment can be made to enhance respect for the
dauntless spirits who won it ? We look upon the exhausting
march of five days from Fort Gardner, and the previous ad-
vance of five weeks to that station, attended wath hardships
scarcely less appalling, and we ask in admiration, whence was
the strength, whence the energy, whence the courage to engage
for three hours on ground which scarcely admitted a foothold,
and defeat and scatter a foe whom nature had entrenched and
desperation animated ? Can any answer be found to the ques-
tion, unless it be in the ability, the valour, the endurance, the
inspiring presence of the chief himself? He had led them on
the long and arduous march, sharing all their toils and priva-
tions, and w^hen they met the enemy, he was seen where the
battle strewed the dead around him, calm amid its iron tempest,
and giving assurance by his thrilling voice and flashing eye of
victory, which, however long it may flutter around his standard,
never fails to rest at last upon it.

The contest over, the care of the wounded and the dead was
the first thought of the commander. That his humanity may
be appreciated, as w^ell as his heroism, through the w^hole of
the trying scenes which have been faintly sketched, it is proper
to exhibit his own official narrative.

« Head Quarters, First Brigade, Army south of the Withlacoochee.
"Fort Gardner, January 4, 1838.

" On the 19th ultimo, I received at this place a communi-
cation from Major General Jesup, informing me that all hopes
of bringing the war to a close by negotiation, through the in-
terference or mediation of the Cherokee delegation, were at an
end ; 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

OFFICIAL ACCOUNT. 45

me to carry more,) with the balance of my command, consist-
ing of Captain Munroe'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 Lieutenant Colonel Thompson, two hun-
dred and twenty-one; the Missouri volunteers, one hundred
and eighty; Morgan's spies, forty-seven; pioneers, thirty;
pontoneers, 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 with-
out moccasins,

<* I moved down the west side of the Kissimmee, in a south-
easterly course, towards Lake Istopoga, for the following
reasons: 1st. Because I knew a portion of the hostiles were to
be found in that direction ; 2d. 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 at hand to inter-
cept them ; 3d. To overawe and induce such of the enemy
who had been making propositions to give themselves up, and
who appeared very slow, if not to hesitate in complying with
their promises on that head, to surrender at once ; and lastly,
I deemed it advisable 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 on, and by
this means open a communication with Colonel Smith, who
was operating up the Caloosehatchee, or Sangbel river, under
my orders.

" Late in the evening of the first day's march, I met the In-'
dian chief Jumper, w^ith 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 him-
self up, in comformity to a previous arrangement I had entered

46 EVENTSONTHE MARCH.

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 Shaw-
nees and Delawares, and who I had employed to arrange and
bring in Jumper and as many of his people as he could prevail
on to come in. We encamped that night near the same spot ; and
the next morning, having ordered Captain Pferks to join me
and take command of the Delawares, and having despatched
Jumper, in charge of some Shawnees, to this place, and so on
to Fort Frazier, I continued my march, after having sent for-
w^ard three friendly Seminoles to gain intelligence as to the
position of the enemy.

"About noon the same day, I sent forward one battalion
of Gentry's regiment, under command of Lieutenant Colonel
Price, to pick up any stragglers 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, important
for me to know. About 10, P. M., I received a note from
the colonel, stating that the three Seminoles 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 separating his
relations, &c., from the Mickasukies, preparatory to his sur-
rendering 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, un-
less they were forcibly carried oft' that night by the Mickasu-
kies, who were encamped at no great distance from them.

*' In consequence of this intelligence, after directing Lieu-
tenant Colonel Davenport to follow me early in the morning
with the infantry, a little after midnight 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 referred
to, where I found the inmates, w^ho had not been disturbed.

FURTHER INCIDENTS. 47

They consisted of an old man, and two young ones, and seve-
ral women and children, amounting in all to twenty-two indi-
viduals. 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 us. I sent him to Alli-
gator 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 evening, and where I
encamped. About IIP. M., the old Indian returned, bring-
ing a very equivocal message from Alligator, who, he stated,
he had met accidentally ; 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 prac-
ticable. Accordingly, next morning, after laying 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, &c., and hav-
ing provisioned the command to include the 26th, after leaving
Captain Munroe wdth his company, the pioneer, pontoneers,
with eighty-five sick and disabled infantry, and a portion of
the friendly Indians, who alleged that they were unable to
march farther, crossed the Kissimmee, taking the old Indian
as a guide who had been captured the day before, and who
accompanied us with great apparent reluctance, in pursuit of
the enemy, and early the next day reached Alligator's encamp-
ment, situated on the edge of Cabbage-tree Hammock, in the
midst of a large prairie, from the appearance of which, and
other encampments 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 from Al-
ligator's encampment, and surrounded by a swamp, impassable
for mounted men, the spies surprised an encampment contain-

48 SPIES CAPTURED*.

ing one old man, four young men, and some women and chil-
dren. 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 A-vi-a-ka, (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 coming 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. Ac-
cordingly, I released the old man, who promised that he would
collect all the women and children and take them in to Captain
Munroe, 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 two and
three, P. M., we reached a very dense cypress swamp, through
which we were compelled to pass, and in which our guide in-
formed us we might be attacked. After making the necessary
dispositions 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 advance 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 balls in his pouch,
and an adequate proportion of powder. This Indian confirmed
the information which had been previously received from , the

DISPOSITION FOR BATTLE. 49

other Indians, 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 encamped five or six
miles from us, near the Mickasukies, 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 cypress 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 un-
consumed,

«' Here the troops were again disposed of in order of battle,
but we found no enemy to oppose us; and the command was
crossed over about 11 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 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 situ-
ated, and waiting to give us battle.

" At this place the final disposition was made to- attack
them, which was in two Knes, 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 4th and 6th infantry, who were
instructed to sustain the volunteers, the 1st infantry being held
in reserve.

" Moving on in the direction of the hammock, after pro
ceeding about a quarter of a mile, we reached the swamp
which separated us from the enemy, three-quarters of a mile
in breadth, being totally impassable for 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 extended
to the left as far as the eye could reach, and to the right to a
5

50 SANGUINARY ASSAULT.

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 hammock to
the right, and in case he should not find the enemy in that di-
rection, 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 borders of the hammock,
the volunteers and spies received a heavy fire from the enemy,
"which was returned by them for a short time, when their gal-
lant commander. Colonel Gentry, fell, mortally wounded.
They mostly broke ; and instead of forming in rear of the re-
gulars, as had been directed, they retired 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 4th and 6th infantry, which in truth might be said
to be a moving battery. The weight of the enemy's fire was
principally concentrated on five companies of the 6th infantry,
which not only stood firm, but continued to advance until
their gallant commander, Lieutenant Colonel Thompson, and
his adjutant. Lieutenant Center, were killed ; and every officer,
with one exception, as well as most of the non-commissioned
officers, including the serjeant-major and four of the orderly
sergeants, killed and w^ounded 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 untouched.

" Lieutenant Colonel Foster, with six companies, amounting
in all to one hundred and sixty men, gained the hammock in
good order, where he was joined by Captain Noel with the
two remaining companies of the 6th infantry, and Captain
Gentry's volunteers, with a few additional men, continued to
drive the enemy for a considerable time, and by a change of

CARE OF THE WOUNDED. 51

front, separated his line 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 ordered the 1st infantry to move to the
left, gain the enemy's right flank, and turn it, w^hich order was
executed in the promptest manner possible, and as soon as
that regiment got in position, the enemy gave one fire and re-
treated, being pursued by the 1st, 4th, and 6th, and some of
the volunteers who had joined them, until near night, and
until these troops w^ere nearly exhausted, and the enemy driven
in all directions.

«' The action was a severe one, and continued from half-past
twelve until three P. M., a part of the time very close and se-
vere. We sufiered much, having twenty-six killed, and one
hundred and twelve wounded, among whom are some of our
most valuable officers. The hostiles probably suffered, all
things considered, equally with ourselves, they having 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 care of 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 footway across the swamp ; this, with great
exertions, was completed in a short time after dark, when all
the dead and wounded were carried over in litters made for
the purpose, with one exception, a private of the 4th infantry,
who w^as killed and could not be found. i

" And here I trust I may be permitted to say that I expe-
rienced one of the most trying scenes of my life, and he who
could have looked on it with indifference, his nerves must have
been differently organized from my own. Besides the killed,
there lay one hundred and twelve wounded officers and sol-
diers, W'ho had accompanied me one hundred and forty-five
miles, most of the way through an unexplored wilderness,

93 RETURN TO FORT GARDNER.

without guides, who had so gallantly beaten the enemy, under
my orders, in his strongest position, and who had to be con-
veyed 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 proceeded on to Tampa Bay on
rude litters, constructed with the axe and knife alone, with
poles and dry hides — the latter being found in great abundance
at the encampment of the hostiles. The litters were carried
on the backs of our weak and tottering horses, aided by the
residue of the command, with more ease and comfort to suf-
ferers than I could have supposed, and with as much as they
could have been in ambulances of the most improved and
modern construction.

" The day after the battle w^e remained at our encampment,
occupied in taking care of the wounded, and in the sad office
of interring the dead ; also in preparing litters for the removal
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 hundred of the latter.

" 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 on the 28th. After leaving two
companies and a few Indians to garrison the stockade, which
I found nearly completed on my return, by that active and
vigilant officer, Captain Munroe, 4th artillery, I left the next
morning for this place, where I arrived on the 31st, and sent
forward the wounded next day to Tampa Bay, with the 4th
and 6th infantry, the former to halt at Fort Frazer, remaining
here myself with the 1st, 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 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 com-

HONOUR TO THE TROOPS. 53

mencement of the campaign ; and I am certain that they will
always be willing and ready to discharge any duty that may be
assigned them.

" To Lieutenant Colonel Davenport, and the officers 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 although held in reserve, and not brought into
battle until near its close, it evinced by its eagerness to engage,
and the promptness and good order with which they entered
the hammock, when the order was given for them to do so, is
the best evidence that they would have sustained their own
characters, as well as that of the regiment, had it been their
fortune to have been placed in the hottest 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 w^ell as driving a portion of the
enemy before him, until he arrived on the borders of Lake
Okeechobee, which was in the rear, and continued the pursuit
until near night. Lieutenant Colonel Foster, who was favour-
ably noticed for his gallantry and good conduct in nearly all
the engagements on the Niagara frontier, during the late war
with Great Britain, by his several commanders, as well as in
the different engagements 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 w^ere engaged
in the action. Captain Allen, with his two mounted compa-
nies of the Fourth Infantry, sustained his usual character for
promptness and efficiency. Lieutenant Hooper, of the Fourth
Regiment, w^as 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 admi-
ration of the gallantry and steadiness of the officers and soldiers
of the sixth regiment of infantry. It was their fortune to bear
the brunt of the battle. The report of the killed and wounded^
5*

54 GENTRY AND HIS SON.

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, Vi^as nearly cut up, there being only four men left uninjured
in one of them ; and every officer and orderly Serjeant of those
companies, with one exception, w^ere either killed or wounded,
Captain Noel, with the remaining two companies, his own
company, " K.," and Grossman's, <'B.," commanded by
second Lieutenant Woods, which w^as the left of the regiment,
formed on the right of the fourth infantry, entered the hammock
with that regiment, and continued the fight and the pursuit
until its termination. It is due to Captain Andrews and Lieu-
tenant Walker, to say they commanded two of the five com-
panies mentioned above, and they continued to direct them,
until they were both severely wounded, and carried from the
field ; the latter received three separate balls.

" The Missouri volunteers, under the command of Colonel
Gentry, and Morgan's spies, wdio formed the first line, and,
• of course, w^ere the first engaged, acted as well, or even better,
than troops of that description 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 wdth 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 Gentry,
being mortally w^ounded while leading on his men, and en-
couraging them to enter the hammock, and come to close
quarters with the enemy ; his son, an interesting youth, eigh-
teen or nineteen years of age, serjeant major of the regiment,
was severely wounded at the same moment.

"Captain Childs, Lieutenants Rogers and Flanagan, of
Gentry's regiment, acting Major Sconce, and Lieutenants Hase
and Gordon, of the spies, w-ere w^ounded, while encouraging
their men to a discharge of their duty.

" The volunteers and spies having, as before stated, fallen
back to the baggage, could not again be formed and brought

OFFICERS SIGNALIZED. 55

up to the hammock in anything like order ; but a number of
them crossed over individually, and aided in conveying the
wounded across the swamp to the hammock, among whom
were Captain Curd, and several other officers, whose names I
do not now recollect.

"To my personal staff, consisting of first Lieutenant J. M.
Hill, of the second, and first Lieutenant George H. Griffin, of
the sixth infantry, the latter aid-de-camp to Major General
Gaines, and a volunteer in Florida from his staff, I feel under
the greatest obligations for the promptness and efficiency with
which they have sustained me throughout the campaign, and
more particularly for their good conduct, and the alacrity with
which they aided me and conveyed my orders during the ac-
tion of the 25th ult.

" Captain Taylor, commissary of subsistence, who was or-
dered 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 he (General Jesup) joined it, although
no command was assigned Captain Taylor, he greatly exerted
himself in trying to rally and bring back the volunteers into
action, as well as discharging other important duties which
were assigned to him during the action.

" Myself, as well as all who witnessed the attention and
ability displayed by Surgeon Satterlee, medical director on this
side the peninsula, assisted 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 oc-
casions, can never cease to be referred to by me but with the
most pleasing and grateful recollections.

<'The quartermaster's department, under the direction of
that efficient officer, Major Brant, and his assistant. Lieutenant
Babbit, have done everything that could be accomphshed to
throw forward from Tampa Bay, and keep up supplies of pro-
visions, forage, etc., with the limited means at their disposal.
Assistant commissaries Lieutenants Harrison, stationed at Fort
Gardner, and McClure, at Fort Fraser, have fully met my ex-

56 Thompson's LAST WORDS.

pectations in discharge of the various duties connected with
their department, as well as those assigned them in the quar-
termaster's department.

" This column, in six weeks, penetrated one hundred and
fifty miles into the enemy's country, opened roads, and con-
structed bridges and causeways, when necessary, on the
greater portion of the route, established two depots, and the
necessary defences for the same, and finally overtook and beat
the enemy in his strongest 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, in-
cluding the chiefs Ou-la-too-gee, Tus-ta-nug-gee, and other
principal men, the capturing and driving out of the country
six hundred head of cattle, upwards of one hundred head of
horses, besides obtaining a thorough knowledge of the country
through which we operated, a greater portion of which was
entirely unknown, except to the enemy.

" Colonel Gentry died in a few hours after the battle, much
regretted by the army, and^wnll be, doubtless, by all who
knew him, as his state did not contain a braver man or a bet-
ter citizen.

" It is due to his rank and talents, as well as to his long and
important services, that I particularly mention Lieutenant Co-
lonel 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 regi-
ment 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 disregard 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 Colonel Thompson personally only for a short

RESULT OF THE BATTLE. 57

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, and Lieu-
tenant 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 cam-
paign, 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, Col. Com'd.
To Brig. Gen. Jones, Adj. Gen., U. S. Army, Washington, D. C."

The immediate consequence of the battle of Lake Okeecho-
bee, was the surrender of a number of Indians. Col. Taylor
had penetrated farther into their country than any other com-
mander, and to a point beyond which it was impossible to pro-
ceed, had he even been unincumbered by the care of the
wounded. The nature of the soil, as has been seen, forbade
the transportation of supplies in the usual. mode, and the
enemy, if disposed, was therefore at liberty to remain in the
depths of their native wilderness. This, as the subsequent
history of the war unhappily shows, continued to be the policy
of a large number, who, scattered in petty bands over a wide
extent of barren and swamp lands, were enabled to defy for
years all the force which the federal government deemed expe-
dient to employ against them. If, however, the dearly-bought

58 TAYLORPROMOTED.

^triumph of Taylor failed to reduce the whole body of the In-
dians to terms of peace, it still demanded the grateful recogni-
tion of the nation and the government. The sentiments of the
latter were expressed in the annexed General Order. ^

"Washington, February 20, 1838.

" The Secretary of War has received from Col. Taylor, of the
First Regiment of Infantry, of the affair of the 25th December
last, with the Seminole Indians on the eastern shore" of Lake
Okeechobee, in Florida, in which the Indians, after a severe
conflict, were beaten and driven at all points.

" The gallantry and the steadiness displayed in the attack
are highly creditable to the corps engaged ; and the conduct
of Col. Taylor, in pursuing the enemy and bringing him to
action, is deserving of high commendation.

"The triumph of success cannot lessen the regret which
must be felt by all for the loss of the many valuable lives, and
the severe suffering by wounds, which unavoidably attend a
military achievement.

" To Col. Taylpr and the officers, non-commissioned officers,
and troops of the regular army, the Secretary of War tenders
the thanks of the President of the United States, for the dis-
cipline and bravery displayed by them on the occasion ; as
likewise to the officers and volunteers of Missouri, who shared
in the conflict, and who evinced so much zeal and gallantry in
bringing on the action.

" By order of

Alexander Macomb,
Mj. Gen. Commander-in-Chief."

This official acknowledgement of Taylor's merit was soon
after followed by promotion to the rank of Brigadier General
by brevet, according to the language of the order, " for dis-
tinguished services in the battle of Kissimmee (Okeechobee),
in Florida."

In April, 1838, and soon after his promotion, the comm.and
of the troops in Florida w^as assigned to General Taylor, Ge-
neral Jesup having been relieved at his own desire. In this

SUCCEEDS GEN. JESUP. 59

new and responsible position, his entire energies were devoted
to the protection of the inhabitants from attacks of the Indians,
and of the reduction of the latter to submission to the authority
of the United States. The perfect accomplishment of these
objects was impracticable with the means and forces placed at
the disposal of the commander. In a communication to the
war department, written by General Jesup, on the ninth of
February, 1838, prior to his recall, he makes these decided
remarks on the subject of the war :

"As a soldier, it is my duty, I am aware, not to comment
on the policy of the government, but to carry it out in accord-
ance with my instructions. I have endeavoured faithfully to
do so, but the prospect of terminating the war in any reasona-
ble time is any thing but flattering. My decided opinion is,
that unless immediate emigration be abandoned, the war will
continue for years to come, and at constantly accumulating
expense."

In the letter, of which this is a prophetic passage, the dis-
tinguished writer earnestly recommends that the Indians be
allowed to remain within certain limits, at a distance from the
white population. The advice, however, was not followed,
and General Taylor was entrusted with the task which four able
predecessors had in vain endeavoured to perform. From time
to time skirmishes with the Indians took place, and individuals,
or small parties -of them, w^re captured or voluntarily surren-
dered. But they could never be brought to a general action,
and after a short season of comparative repose, they renewed,
against the defenceless inhabitants of the frontier, the acts of
barbarity which had marked their first hostilities.

To put an end to this work, an expedient was at last devised,
which, as it was the subject of much severe animadversion at
the time, and of which General Taylor bore a part, it is proper
that his candid biographer should record. This expedient
was the use of blood-hounds in pursuit of the Indians.. The
annunciation of such a purpose was at first received with doubt,
and finally visited with unqualified censure, in those parts of
the country where, on the one hand, the sufferings of the peo-

60 EMPLOYMENT OF BLOOD -HOUNDS.

pie of Florida from their savage neighbours were not appre-
ciated, and where on the other the real agency of the blood-
hounds was not understood. An inquiry into the matter having
been instituted by Congress, it appeared that the local govern-
ment of Florida originated the measure, and that the War
Department had no share in it. It also appeared, and the
public mind was afterwards fully satisfied on the point, that
the dogs were employed not to destroy, nor even to harass,
the Indians, but simply to follow their trails and indicate their
hiding-places. Even for this purpose they were so6n found
incompetent, and the use of them was discontinued after a
brief trial. But it is not the less expedient to show here by
positive testimony in what mode and to what extent they were
used, and what were the circumstances w^hich induced an ex-
periment, the naked mention of which seems to prove it incon-
sistent with humanity and the laws of civilized warfare.

A correspondence on this subject was submitted by the Sec-,
retary of War to the Chairman of the Committee of Military
Affairs in the United States Senate, showing that the introduc-
tion of the dogs into Florida was made by the authorities of
that territory, and that they were to be used " as guides to dis-
cover the lurking-places of the Indians, and not to w^orry or
destroy them." The Secretary further stated that the impor-
tation of the animals was made by the Governor and Council
of Florida w-ithout consultation with the ^ar Department,
which was ignorant of the intention until after their arrival. It
was the intention to use them muzzled and secured by leashes
held by the keepers. This declaration of the Secretary was
confirmed by General Taylor himself, who said in a letter to
the Department, that the object in employing the dogs was
«' only to ascertain where the Indians could be found — not to
injure them." This fact being apparent, it is only necessary
to show under what circumstances the introduction of such
aids was suggested, to prove that the measure was not only
undeserving censure, but that if it could have accomplished
its object, it was demanded by every consideration of justice

BARBARITY OF THE INDIANS. 61

and humanity, regarding the long-suffering inhabitants of the
Florida frontiers.

It was not until these people, engaged in the peaceful cares
of their plantations, had been exposed for five years to the
loss of property and life at the hands of the Indians, and when
every attempt at conciliation had failed, and every exertion
of force proved abortive, that the assistance of dogs, less fero-
cious than the Indians themselves, was essayed to discover
and subdue them. The journals of the period are burdened
with accounts of the ruin and murder which they visited upon
their unoffending neighbours. A few examples may serve to
prove to what grievous extremities the latter were reduced.

In the spring of 1839, strenuous efforts were made to con-
clude a peace with the Indians. Negotiations had been en-
tered into with their chiefs, and their country enjoyed at the
hands of our troops the protection of a w^hite flag. It was
under these circumstances that the residence of Mr. Edmund
Gray, a respectable citizen of Jefferson county, was attacked
by one of their marauding parties. While sitting in his house,
after dark, with his children around him, himself and one of
them, an infant in years, were shot. Another child, attempting
to fly, was also shot. A third was knocked down with a mus-
ket and pierced wath bayonet wounds. The fourth, a little
girl, and only remaining member of the family, escaped to tell
the tale of its slaughter, in which thirty savages took part.

In the same vicinity, two dwellings of another citizen pre-
sented a scene of similar barbarities ; and after the murder of
the inmates, the houses were burnt to the ground.

At another settlement, the head of the family was wounded
and his little boy killed. Three children of a planter, in his
absence from home, were butchered. A respectable widow
lady and her five children shared the same fate, and other
families escaping from their ruined homes, were thrown desti-
tute upon the charity of distant friends.

The contemporaneous narratives of these and> other atrocities
present them in the most impressive light, and a few extracts
are pertinent to the purpose of demonstrating the deplorable
6

62 FURTHER EXAMPLES.

condition of families exposed to the treachery and cruelty of
the enemy. The following is from the Tallahassee Star of
July, 1839.

" On Saturday night, between nine and ten o'clock, the
family of Mr. Green Chairs, about ten miles from town, was
attacked by the Indians. Mrs. Chairs was sitting by the
table, sewing, surrounded by her interesting family, consisting
of her husband and six children. An Indian rifle w^as fired,
and Mrs. Chairs fell dead. Mr. Chairs instantly sprang up,
and seizing his rifle, closed the doors and windows, and de-
termined to defend his dwelling. He directed the four elder
children to make their escape by the back door. One of them,
young lady of seventeen, was seen and pursued by the sa-
vages, but, w^earing a dark cloak, she was enabled to conceal
herself in some bushes. Mr. Chairs, at the same time, dis-
covered that the house had been fired ; and, so rapid was the
progress of the flames, that this new danger, and the conster-
nation produced by the death of his wife, caused him to for-
get his two youngest children. He fled, leaving them ; — and
both, helpless infants, were burnt to cinders, with his dwelling,
and all else that it contained. Informatit>n of this horrid trans-
action reached our city during the night."

The same journal relates this incident. ^< Two wagons lefl
Fort Frank Brooke on Monday, and, after proceeding a short
distance, they were fired upon, by Indians, from a hammock,
and two men killed. The body of one was afterwards found,
hoiribly mutilated, wdth the eyes dug out, the throat cut, and
otherwise disfigured. The body of the other could not be
found." At this time, a " Treaty" was supposed to be in
force with the Indians. In the same month, the faithless and
vindictive barbarians butchered a portion of Colonel Harney's
command, under circumstances thus narrated by a correspond-
ent of the National Gazette :

«« On the 28th of July, four dragoons, two wounded, arrived
here, (Garey's-Ferry, East Florida,) and reported the massacre
of a large part of Colonel Harney's command, who were sent
to the Caloosahatchee to establish a trading-house, in con-

MORE OUTRAGES. 63

formity with Macomb's Treaty. The Indians had, for some
time, manifested the most friendly dispositions, daily visiting
the camp, and trading with the suder. So comjjletely had
they lulled the troops into security, that no defence was
erected, and no guard maintained. The camp was on the
margin of the river. At dawn, on the 23d of July, the enemy
made a simultaneous attack on the camp and the trading-house.
Those who escaped their first discharge fled naked to the river,
and effected their escape in some fishing-smacks. Colonel
Harney was among them. The serjeant, and four others,
while descending the river, were called to the shore by a well-
known Indian, who spoke English perfectly, with the assurance
that they would not be harmed. They complied, and w'ere
instantly butchered. Altogether, eighteen were killed. Colo-
nel Harney afterwards cautiously approached the spot, and
found eleven bodies shockingly mutilated, and two hundred
and fifty Indians, in the neighbourhood, dancing and whoop-
ing in savage triumph."

A correspondent of the Army and Navy Chronicle wrote,
as follows, from Fort King, under date of the 6th of September,
1839.

"I am sorry to say, that the Florida war is far from being
ended. Hardly a w^eek passes without some outrages by the
Indians. A party of volunteers, bathing in Orange lake a few
days ago, were attacked, and one of them killed. An express
rider was shot on the road, and his body mutilated. I could
enumerate a thousand instances of Indian murders since the
t' treaty." When I saw them receiving presents at this post,
I was disgusted to think we were shaking hands with men
whose blood-stained hands and treacherous looks denoted
anything but peaceable intentions."

One other example of this relentless hate may close this
subject. It is from the Charleston Mercury of August, 1840'.

" By the schooner Empire, Capt. Southwick, we have re-
ceived St. Augustine papers of the 21st inst., from which we
copy the following account of the butchery at Indian Key,
which varies in some particulars from that already published.

64 ATTACKONINDIANKEY.

" The steamer Santee, Captain Poinsett, arrived on Wednes-
day morning from the south, bringing passengers the family of
Dr. Perrine, late of Indian Key. She brought in tow, from
New Smyrna, the steamer Wm. Gaston, which boat had sus-
tained injury some time since.

" It becomes again our mournful duty to record the success-
ful effusion of blood in this ill-fated territory, and the trium-
phant accomplishment, on the part of the Indians, of an ad-
venture bordering on romance. Indian Key, a small spot of
not over seven acres in extent, and situated a short distance in
advance, midway between old and new Matacomba Key,
about thirty miles from the main land, and on our Southern
Atlantic coast, was invested by seventeen boats containing In-
dians ; seven of its inhabitants murdered, the island plundered,
and its buildings burnt. i

"About two o'clock on the morning of the 7th inst., a Mr.
Glass, in the employ of Mr. Houseman, happening to be up,
saw boats approaching, and informed a person in the same
employ, when they passed into Mr. Houseman's garden, and
were satisfied that they were boats containing Indians. The
Indians commenced their firing upon the house of Mr. House-
man and Dr. Perrine ; the former of whom, with his family,
and that of Mr. Charles Howe and his family, succeeded in
escaping to boats, and crossed over to Teatable Key. The
family of Dr. Perrine passed through a trap- door into their
bathing-room, from whence they got into the turtle crawl, and
by great effort removed the logs and escaped to the front of
Houseman's store. They then went to a boat at the wharf, which
six Indians (all who remained) had partly filled, and were in
the store after a further supply. They then pushed off and
pulled with an oar, a paddle and poles towards the Medium.
They were met by a boat when they had rowed a mile, and
taken to the schooner.

" Mr. Motte and wife, and Mrs. Johnson, a lady of seventy
years of age, fled into an out-house, from whence Mrs. Motte
was dragged by an Indian, and while in the act of calling on
her husband, "John, save me!" she was killed. Mr. Motte

MURDERS AT INDIAN KEY. 65

shared the same fate, and was scalped ; and the old lady, as
she was dragged forth, suddenly jerking from the Indian, broke
his hold, and escaped under a house. Her grandchild, a
daughter of Mrs. Motte, aged four years, was then killed with
a club, and the infant strangled and thrown in the water. This
was seen by Mrs. Johnson from, her hiding-place ; but the In-
dians fired this building, and she was again forced to flee, and
escaped to Malony's wharf, and secreted herself, and was finally
rescued. James Sturdy, a boy about eleven years of age, hid
himself in the cistern under Mr. Houseman's house, and was
scalded to death by the burning building heating the water.
The remains of an adult skeleton were found among the ruins
of Dr. Perrine's house, supposed to be the doctor, as well as
that of a child, thought to have been a slave of Mr. House-
man.

" The Indians were what is known as Spanish Indians, and
were headed by Chekekia, the same chief who headed the
party massacring the men at Caloosahatchie. They obtained
a great amount of plunder from the houses and stores ; and
whilst engaged in obtaining these articles, Mrs. Perrine, with
her two daughters and little son, reached a boat partially loaded,
and put off to the schooner Medium, laying at some distance.
They were promptly rescued by a boat coming to their assist-
ance, and were taken to the schooner.

" On Mr. Houseman reaching Teatable Bay, Midshipman
Murray, U. S. N., started with his only available force of fifteen
men and two swivels, ten of whom were in hospital, so sick
as to be certainly unfit for duty, but urging their claim, were
permitted, hoping to cut off the boats, and thus prevent the
escape of the Indians. On the second fire of his guns, they
recoiled overboard, and the Indians then commenced a fire
upon his boat from a six-pounder, belonging to Mr. Houseman,
charged with musket balls, and drove back this active oflScer.

"Communication was immediately despatched to Lieut.

McLaughlin, who was at Key Biscayne with the United States

schooners Flirt and Ostego, and they proceeded down. The

Indians, however, had escaped, after maintaining possession of

66r Taylor's policy vindicated.

the island twelve hours, carrying off large quantities of powder
and other articles, and laying the little settlement in ashes. All
escaped save the unfortunates named above.

«« Among the bold and lawless feats of daring which have
characterized the enemy during the war, there is nothing that
will bear a comparison with this. We have seen the murdered
remains of the citizen and soldier almost within sight of the
garrison, w^hen the white flag of overture was waving to these
inhuman rascals in acts of kindness. We have seen the armed
rider stricken by the bullet from the covert of the hammock,
and the carriage of the traveller made to receive the last life
drop of its occupant. We have seen the faithlessness of the
tribe, even when the humanity of the white man was devising
every means for its comfort, planning their accursed schemes
of murder, and Caloosahatchie, the ground of confidence and
good will, red with the blood of our troops and citizens. But
an island we had thought safe. As little would we have looked
for an avalanche amid the sands of Arabia, or the glowing
warmth of the equator, amid the " Greenland's icy mountains,"
as an attack from Indians upon an island. A force, too, of
seventeen canoes, averaging five men each, make a voyage of
at least thirty miles from the main land, and " ransack, pillage,
and destroy," and return in safety! When will these hor-
rors end?"

It were an easy task to compile a volume of narratives simi-
lar to the foregoing, establishing the perfidy and ineffable bar-
barity of the Seminole character. Enough, however, has been
cited for this object; enough to satisfy the judgment of a
Christian age, that short of imitation of their own cruelties, of
retaliation upon their own women and children, no means
could merit censure, which might seem necessary and available
to reduce such enemies into subjection. So far as General
Taylor is supposed to be responsible for the employment of
blood-hounds in tracing these blood-men, it is conceived that
he is wholly vindicated. His reputation is now the care of his
contemporaries, as his life will be the study of posterity; and
if an unjust blot has ever been cast upon his name, this gene-

TAYLOR OFFICIALLY APPLAUDED. 67

ration may forever wipe it off, feeling that his honour is the
honour of his country.

From the day of his appointment to the command of the
array iti Florida, General Taylor had made the most effective
disposition of his forces to accomplish the object, which was
imposed by the government, but believed to be impracticable
by every man familiar with the numbers, dispositions, and
situation of the Seminoles. The treaty, already mentioned,
was concluded with some of their people by General Macomb
in person, who had left Washington with diplomatic powers
for that purpose. Pending its promised observance on their
part, and its actual observance on the part of the United States
array and citizens, the unprovoked and atrocious butcheries
and burnings by the Indians were continued. The federal
government at last, after having called from time to time about
fifteen thousand men into the field, after expending fifteen mil-
lions of money, and sacrificing in a service, not less ungrate-
ful than arduous, many of the noblest officers of the army and
of the volunteer corps, abandoned -its policy, and determined,
towards the close of 1839, to leave the Indians in their impene-
trable strongholds, and to confine the operations of the troops
to the protection of the border settlements. In the general
orders of the War Department, in November of that year, the
conduct of the commander was approved in these terms :

" General Taylor, by the zealous and intelligent discharge
of his duties, having given satisfaction to the Department, will
continue in command."

The plan of operations defined for the campaign embraced
the expulsion of the enemy from the settlements, by occupying
the country north of a line extending from Pilatka to the mouth
of the Withlacoochee, and thence along the western coast to
the Apalachicola. To assist the regulars the inhabitants were
armed for the protection of their firesides. General Taylor's
skill and energies were faithfully exerted to fulfil these designs,
but the force at his disposal was never adequate. The ven-
geance of the Seminole continued, at every defenceless point,
to be WTeaked upon the white man ; and neither the feebleness

68 RELIEVED FROM FLORIDA.

of age, the innocence of childhood, nor the loveliness of tender
sex, pleaded exemption from frightful torture and death at his
hands. Having laboured four years in this thankless field,
General Taylor was anxious to retire from it, and, at hfk own
request, was relieved from the command and succeeded by
General Armistead, in April, 1840. His course of duty, how-
ever trying to his feelings, may have aided in preparing him
for the dangers and difficulties of the larger and more glorious
sphere in which he is now to be presented. In this he has
become known, not only to his countrymen, but to the world.
But had the chances of life closed his military career with his
command in Florida, the intelligent student of his operations
there, would have found enough to prove his talents, his firm-
ness, and his courage, his influence over others, and his forget-
fulness of himself, worthy of any position to which he might
have been called by the exigencies of a great nation.

CHAPTER IV.

General Taylor in the South-west — Tender of a public Dinner — Mexico in 1823
— Spirit of her Institutions — Injustice to Texas — Revolt of Texas — Annexa-
tion of Texas — Duty of a Soldier — Taylor ordered to defend Texas — Con-
ditions of the Order — Invasion of Texas defined — Gen. Taylor embarks for
Corpus Christi — Number of his Troops — Ordered to Matamoras — His De-
spatches from the date of embarking for Corpus Christi to the breaking up
of the Camp at that point.

Leaving Florida, General Taylor was appointed to the com-
mand of the First Department of the army in the south-west,
comprehending the States of Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas,
and Louisiana, his head-quarters being at Fort Jesup, in the lat-
ter State. Inthe summer of 1 841 , being ordered to relieve Gen.
Arbuckle, at Fort Gibson, the compliment of a public dinner,
while on his way thither, was tendered him by his fellow citi-
zens of Little Rock, Arkansas, "as an expression of their
esteem for his personal worth and meritorious public services."

INSTITUTIONS OF MEXICO. 69

To the letter of invitation, Gen. Taylor made answer, that
under ordinary circumstances it would have afforded him great
pleasure to accept the invitation ; but having been already de-
tained on his journey to the frontier an unusual length of time,
he did not feel authorized to make, on his own account, any
delay whatever. He was, therefore, compelled to decline the
proffered hospitality. In concluding his reply, he gave assur-
ances of his best exertions to secure the object of his command
on the frontier. Time proved to what extent, then so unfor-
seen, he redeemed the pledge. Five years elapsed before the
occasion was presented of varying the monotonous routine of
military duty incident to national peace. The events of that
and a previous period, tending to a breach of that condition,
may be glanced at, as properly introductory to the new and
grand drama of the war between the United States and Mexico,
in which General Taylor has acted a most illustrious part.

Mexico, after a struggle worthy of the highest destiny, to
free herself from the rule of Spain, succeeded, in 1822, in es-
tablishing her independence. Had the eyes of her revolution-
ary chieftains been turned towards the United States, then
peaceful, and prospering under a political system tested for
nearly half a century, they might have learned the secret of
popular self-government, and have founded her nationality
upon a secure and beneficent basis. But it was her misfortune
to have many Arnolds, and many Burrs, but no Hamiltons, no
Washingtons. Rejecting the principle of religious equality
and rights, which the framers of the American Constitution held
essential to its vitality, and forgetting the judicial safeguards
of personal liberty, the authors of her independent government
wrought it to an imperfect form, but breathed into it no living
soul. Inconsistent with abstract justice, it could gain no per-
manent favour with the intelligence of the enlightened few, or
the affections of the ignorant mass. Wanting the prestige of
time, and unequal to the test of brief experiment, it became
the puppet of political charlatans, quarrelling for the honour
and the profit of the exhibition, and each in turn leaving it
more and more abused, broken, contemptible, and worthless.

70 REVOLTOFTEXAS.

Among the provinces of Mexico, which regarded with early-
aversion the anti-republican features of her constitution, and
the tyranny of the men who governed in its name, was Texas;
at first, the least significant in wealth or population. Its citi-
zens, in 1833, sought admission into the Mexican Union as a
sovereign state, and, with that view, sent a commissioner to
the federal government. Failing to obtain any answer to the
application, the commissioner advised his fellow-citizens of
Texas to organize a state irrespective of its authority. The
letter containing this suggestion was disclosed to the go-
vernment ; and its author, while returning to his constituents,
was seized, and imprisoned for many months, without infor-
mation of the cause of his arrest. The wrong to him, was felt
to be equally a wrong to them. Mexico, by her w^eak and
wicked rulers, instead of pruning discontent in Texas with a
gentle hand, scattered the seeds of hatred, which sprang up with
magic vigour, soon overshadowing her own name and strength.
Less than two years after the outrage committed upon the Texan
envoy, the administration of Mexico was in the hands of a
military despot. The local government of her states was an-
nihilated by a formal decree, and the institution of central
tyranny asserted under the auspices of twenty thousand mus-
kets. A minister of the new rule, with a due proportion of
these aids, appeared in Texas to confirm its virtue. The
menace of arras was met by arms. On the 27th of Septem-
ber, when the brightness of a southern summer was departing
before the mists of autumn, their first clash was heard ; and,
from that day, the glory and the power of Mexico departed
from Texas. The assaulted province drove the invaders,
beaten and disgraced, from her borders. Her cause invited
adventurous spirits from the United States. Texas declared
herself free and independent. Mexico, with her best general,
and thousands of her veteran troops, advanced upon the infant
republic, resolved upon its ruin. But the boast was vain, the
effort abortive. '•Alamo told how the soldiers of Texas could
die; San Jacinto how they could conquer. Still Mexico
learned not wisdom. Having eyes, she saw not ; having

ANNEXATION OF TEXAS. 71

ears, she heard not. But, like a hot-tempered child, who
cries and throws about his limbs for the toy which he has wil-
fully broken, she continued to exclaim, and to brandish her
arms, while the world looked piteously or contemptuously upon
the futile exhibition.

Texas, feeling conscious of ability to maintain her sove-
reignty, proceeded to organize a government based upon that
of the United States. Ambitious, however, of accomplishing
in a lustre the work of a generation, her financial affairs became
embarrassed, and her sagacious people, to repair the error,
soon agitated the question of annexation with the American
Union. A proposition, to this effect, was rejected, as involv-
ing bad faith with Mexico, which still asserted authority over
the revolted province, and promised, from time to time, to re-
duce it to subjection. A state of nominal war existed, without
any act to prove its reality.

From year to year, the question was agitated in the United
States, with increasing warmth, — the party opposed to it main-
taining a majority in Congress. Mexico, at last, seriously
fearing the consummation, consented conditionally to acknow-
ledge the independence of Texas. But the compliance yielded
with so late and poor a grace, failed of its object. The act of
annexation was confirmed, by Congress, on the 1st day of
March, 1845 ; and thus, ten years from the time that Texas
first raised an arm to repel the force of a despotic Mexican,
she was lost to Mexico forever. When the consummation of
the act became known to the latter, the resolution was avowed
of resisting it, and preparations for subjugating the country
north of the Rio Grande were declared anew. Preliminary
measures had already been adopted under apprehensions of
the event, which then became certain. The Mexican forces,
on the right of that river, had been increased, and Monterey,
Matamoros, and Mier, placed in a better condition of defence.

The limits, if not the objects, of this work forbid any dis-
cussion, receiving its tone from attachment to a political party,
of the immediate causes of the war between the United States
and Mexico. It is a clear proposition that the safety and inde^

72 TAYLORORDEREDTOTEXAS.

pendence of any nation at war with another, are closely allied
with the implicit obedience of its professional soldiery to the
orders of their government. "Whenever a general may pause
to consider the policy of a contest, in which he is directed to
take part by the civil power to which he is subordinate, reliance
upon the appeal to arras for protection from a foreign state is
at an end. The military power is then ascendant at home, and
liberty is lost. The patriotic and consistent commander has a
single and simple duty to perform — to follow the instructions
and accomplish the purposes of his government. He cannot
look behind such instructions, being conformable to the rules
of civilized warfare, nor can others do so in judging his char-
acter and conduct.

It is undeniable that a large portion, probably a majority,
of the people of the United States have been from the first
opposed to the war with Mexico, and to most of the federal
measures which led to it. But there can be few, however
earnest in their condemnation of the government, who do not
justly draw the distinction between its acts and responsibility,
and those of the men who have been entrusted with the occu-
pation and invasion of the territory over which Mexico still
asserts her sovereignty. It may be said particularly of General
Taylor, that the war in its inception found no favour in his
eyes. He was selected, however, to take the field in the out-
set, and before war had been declared, or any act of hostility
committed on either side. From that moment he has been
devoted to the one object of reducing the enemy to terms of
peace.

In May, 1845, General Taylor was instructed by the Secre-
tary of War to have the forces under his command, or which
might be assigned to it, put into a position where they might
most promptly and efficiently act in defence of Texas in the
event of such action becoming necessary. The instructions
of the Department under this date were confidential, and were
so worded as to imply clearly an apprehension, that the conse-
quence of the annexation of Texas might be a collision with
Mexico. The Secretary stated, that as soon as the Texan

INSTRUCTIONS OF GOVERNMENT. 73

Congress should assent to the act, and a convention should as"^
semble and accept the terms offered in the joint annexation
resolutions of the Congress of the United States, Texas would
be regarded " as part of the United States, so far as to be en-
titled frona this government a defence from foreign invasion
and Indian incursions." General Taylor was accordingly di-
rected to keep his command in readiness for this duty. The
anticipation of difficulty with Mexico w^as further indicated by in-
structions to General Taylor to open a correspondence with the
authorities of Texas, or any diplomatic agent of the United
States residing therein, with a view to information and advice
in respect to the common Indian enemy, <^ as well as to any
foreign power ;" and also to employ his forces in defence of
the Texan territory, if invaded by " a foreign power,'* and to
expel the invaders.

General Taylor was thus apprised of the service which might
be expected of him. In July of the same year, 1845, he was
informed by the War Department, that the acceptance by Texas
of the terms of annexation would probably be formally made
by the Congress of that Republic on the 4th of that month, and
in anticipation of that event, he was instructed to make an
immediate forward movement, with the troops under his com-
mand, and advance to the mouth of the Sabine, or to such
other point on the gulf of Mexico, or its navigable waters, as
might be most convenient for an embarkation, at the proper
time, for the western frontier of Texas.

The most expeditious route was recommended. The force
named for this duty was the 3d and 4th regiments of infantry,
and seven companies of the 2d regiment of dragoons. Two
companies of the 4th infantry were ordered to join their regi-
ments. The artillery was ordered from New Orleans.

The ultimate point, then mentioned, of Taylor's destination,
was the western frontier of Texas, on, or near, the Rio
Grande del Norte, where he w^as ordered to select and occupy
such a site as would consist with the health of the troops, and
be best adapted to repel invasion, and to protect w^hat, in the
7

74 EMBARCATION FOR TEXAS.

*vent of annexation, would be the western border. The de-
fence of the territory of Texas was defined as the limit of his
action, unless Mexico should declare war against the United
States.

These moA^ements to the gulf of Mexico, and the preparations
to embark for the western frontier of Texas, were ordered to
be made without any delay : but a landing was not to be ef-
fected, on that frontier, until the due acceptance of Texas, of
the proffered terms of annexation, had been ascertained.

In reply to inquiries by General Taylor of the War Depart-
ment respecting the position he should take, he was directed,
generally, to be governed by circumstances, to avoid all ag-
gressive measures, and to hold his force ready to protect the
territory of Texas " to the extent that it had been occupied by
the people of Texas." The Rio Grande was indicated, by
the secretary, as the boundary between Mexico and Texas, to
which the Army of Occupation was to approach, as nearly as
prudence would permit. For this purpose, it was necessary to
pass the Nueces.

A letter from the department, dated in the following month,
contains this passage :

" Should Mexico assemble a large body of troops, on the
Rio Grande, and cross it with a considerable force, such a
movement must be regarded as an invasion of the United
States, and the commencement of hostilities. You will, of
course, use all the authority which has been, or may be, given
you, to meet such a state of things. Texas must be protected
from hostile invasion, and for that purpose, you will of course
employ, to the utmost extent, all the means you possess, or
can command."

At the same time that these instructions were sent to Gene-
ral Taylor, a naval force was despatched to the gulf of Mexico
to aid him in any hostile operations which might occur. To
this result, affairs were rapidly tending.

Pursuant to these instructions. General Taylor proceeded, m
July, 1845, to New Orleans, whence he embarked, with a

THE ARMY AT CORPUS CHRISTI. 75

force of fifteen hundred men, and arrived, early in the following
month, at St. Joseph's Island. From this point, he embarked
again for Corpus Christi, where he established his head quar-
ters. In September, an enquiry was made by the United
States' consul at Mexico, under authority of the government,
whether a minister would be received, by Mexico, with powers
to settle all points in dispute between the two countries. A
favourable answer was received, and the minister was ap-
pointed. On his arrival at the Mexican capital, a revolution,
headed by Paredes, was in progress, which proved successful.
The new government refused to acknowledge the American
envoy, except as a special agent. The consequence was the
abandonment of negotiations through this medium. Pending
this attempt at a peaceable adjustment of difficulties, the
winter had passed, General Taylor remaining encamped at
Corpus Christi. He had been reinforced, soon after his ar-
rival, by seven companies of the 7th Infantry, under Major
Brown, and two companies of volunteer artillery, under Major
Gaily, with eight field-pieces. On the 8th of March, 1846,
the camp at Corpus Christi was broken up, and the advance
of the army, consisting of Major Ringgold's Light Artillery,
and the cavalry, the whole commanded by Colonel Twiggs,
took up the line of march for Matamoras. On the three ensu-
ing days, the brigades of infantry followed. The siege-train,
and a field-battery, were sent by water to Point Isabel, with a
corps of engineers, and the officers of ordnance, under the
command of Major Munroe.

As the correspondence of General Taylor, while in com-
mand of the Army of Occupation, is necessary not only to a
clear understanding of his views and early movements, but to
affiDrd that just exposition of his character, which is essential
to a faithful biography, the annexed letters and despatches to
the Adjutant General, are inserted in their proper order. Con-
nected with the preceding narrative, they require no comment.

76 GEN. Taylor's despatches.

Head-Quarters Ist Military Department.
New Orleans, La., July 20, 1845.

Sir : I respectfully acknowledge your communication of
July 8, covering the instructions of the Secretary of War of the
same date, relative to the Mexican settlements on this side of
the Rio Grande. Those 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 communicated, in regard to
the proper line to be occupied at present by our troops.

I am sir very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C.

Head-Quarters Army of Occupation.
Steamship Alabama, Aransas Pass,

Texas, July 28, 1845.

Sir : I respectfully report my arrival at this place on the 25th
instant, with eight companies of the 3d infantry, it having been
found necessary to leave two companies of that regiment, to
be brought over in other transports.

The troops are temporarily established on St. Joseph's Island.
I am waiting the report of a boat expedition sent to Corpus
Christi Bay before I determine on the site of an encampment.
I hope to receive the necessary information in the course of the
day, when I shall immediately commence the removal of the
3d infantry to the point selected. The position will probably
be " Live Oak Point," in Aransas Bay, some ten miles from
our present position. I am very anxious to establish myself at
the mouth of the Neuces, but the extreme shoalness of the
water will, I fear, present an insuperable obstacle, unless we
can procure lighters of much lighter draught than those we
have at present.

The difficulties of effecting a debarcation on this coast, and
of establishing depots for supplying the army, are much greater

DESPATCHES CONTINUED. 77

than I anticipated, and will render our operations at once em-
barrassing and expensive. Between Pass Cavello and Brazos
Santiago, there is no entrance for vessels drawing more than
seven or eight feet ; and the prevailing winds render the opera-
tion of lightening extremely uncertain and hazardous. We
have been favoured with fine w^eather, and, should it continue,
the other transports, which may now be expected, will be ena-
bled to discharge without difficulty.

We had a very favourable run from New Orleans ; and I am
happy to state that the health of the command was greatly im-
proved by the voyage. The eight companies have scarcely
any sickness at this time.

The day before leaving New Orleans, I received from Major
Donelson a communication dated at Austin, on the 7th of July,
informing me that the convention had unanimously accepted
the proposition of annexation, and suggested that two compa-
nies should be posted at Austin. I still deem it best to con-
centrate my force until our relations with Mexico shall become
settled, and until the country can be examined, and the best
mode of supply ascertained.

I hear nothing important from the Mexican frontier. Some
Indian depredations are committed from time to time near Cor-
pus Christi, and will claim my first attention after I can get
established.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Corpus Christi, Texas, August 15, 1845.

Sir: I have the honour to report that, by New Orleans
papers of the 7th instant, I have received intelligence of the
preparatory steps taken by Mexico towards a declaration of
war against the United States. I shall spare no exertions to
meet suitably this probable change in the relations between
the two countries ; and the additional force ordered to join
7*

78 DESPATCHES CONTINUED.

me, as announced in your communication of July 30, will, I
trust, enable me to do something more than maintain a merely
defensive attitude on the Neuces. This will depend upon the
demonstrations made by Mexico along the Rio Grande, in re-
gard to which the Secretary of War has solicited a report. I
am enabled to say, upon information W'hich is regarded as au-
thentic, that General Arista was to leave Monterey on the 4th
of this month for Matamoros with 1500 men — 500 being
cavalry. I learn, from the same source, that there are 500
regular troops at Matamoros. In regard to the force at other
points on the Rio Grande, except the militia of the country, I
have no information ; nor do I hear that the reported concen-
tration at Matamoros is for any purpose of invasion. I have
but just arrived at this place, and hope in a few days to be
able to obtain more full and precise intelHgence concerning the
movements of the Mexicans. I shall not fail to communicate
promptly to the department all such intelligence upon which I
think reliance can be placed.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The Adjutant General of the Array, Washington, D. C.

Head Quarters Army of Occupation,
Corpus Christi, Texas, August 19, 1845.

Sir : I respectfully enclose for the information of the depart-
ment, a copy of a letter addressed by me to the president of
Texas, and forwarded to him by special express on the 17th
instant. I have deemed it proper to make this communication
to President Jones, in consequence of the desire manifested by
the authorities of Texas to have a garrison established at once
at Austin. As I cannot consent to detach any portion of my
command while a superior Mexican force is probably concen-
trating in my front, and as I still feel bound to extend every
assistance compatible with a successful prosecution of the main
object of the expedition, towards putting the frontier in a suita-
ble state of defence, I have judged it prudent to make the sug-

DESPATCHES CONTINUED. 79

gestions and recommendations which you will find in the en-
closed letter. Trusting that they will meet the approbation of
the War Department,

I remain, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The Adjutant General of the Array, Washington, D. C.

Head Quarters Army of Occupation,
Corpus Christi, Texas, August 30, 1845.

Sir : I respectfully report the arrival at this point of seven
companies of the 7th infantry under Major Brown, and two
companies of volunteer artillery under Major Gaily. Major
Seawell's company, I am informed, was ordered back to Baton
Rouge by General Gaines, and some small detachments of that
regiment were also left at several posts. I have retained one
company as a guard for the depot at St. Joseph Island.

The battalion of volunteer artillery has a fine battery of eight
pieces — two twelves and six. sixes, completely equipped in
every respect. The officers are zealous, and the men seem to
be quite well instructed in their duties. In case of need, I
look for valuable service from this battalion.

I have just received a communication from President Jones,
under date of the 23d instant, notifying me that he had taken
preparatory steps towards organizing a volunteer force of 1000
men to assist me if necessary. This matter will form the sub-
ject of a special communication to your office in a few days.

Apprehending that the erroneous impressions current in
New Orleans in regard to our situation, might induce Gene-
ral Gaines to order the muster of a battalion or brigade of
infantry, I addressed a communication to his staff officer by the
steamship Alabama, expressing my thanks for the reinforce-
ment of the volunteer battalion of artillery, but with the hope
that no more volunteers would be sent w^ithout a requisition
from me. That communication will reach New Orleans to-
night or to-morrow, in time, I trust, to stop the employment
of any more volunteers.

80 DESPATCHES CONTINUED.

We have no news from the Rio Grande. Idle stories are
brought in from that quarter, but with the means of accurate
information which we now possess, I do not deem it necessary
to' repeat them.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Corpus Christi, Texas, October 4, 1845.

Sir : I beg leave to suggest some considerations in relation
to the present position of our force, and the dispositions which
may become necessary for the more effectual prosecution of the
objects for which it has been concentrated. It will be recol-
lected that the instructions of June 15, issued by Mr. Bancroft,
then acting Secretary of War, directed me to "select and oc-
cupy, on or near the Rio Grande, such a site as will consist
with the health of the troops, and will be best adapted to repel
invasion," &c. Brazos Santiago is the nearest entrance to the
mouth of the Rio Grande ; and Point Isabel, within that en-
trance, and twenty- one miles from Matamoros, would have ful-
filled more completely than any other po.sition the conditions
imposed by the Secretary. But we had no artillery, no engi-
neer force or appliances, and but a moderate amount of in-
fantry ; and the occupation of Point Isabel, under these cir-
cumstances, and w^ith at least the possibility of resistance from
the Mexicans, might have compromised the safety of the com-
mand. I therefore determined to take up the next accessible
position in the rear, which is the mouth of the Neuces river.
All the information which I could obtain before leaving New
Orleans, seemed to point to Corpus Christi as the most suitable
point for concentration ; and, although before the President's
instructions of July 30 reached me, I would have preferred a
position on the left bank of the river, yet a careful examination
of the country had already convinced me that none could be
found combining so many advantages as this. Every day's

DESPATCHES CONTINUED. 81

experience has confirmed these impressions. Corpus Cfhristi
is healthy, easily supplied, and well situated to hold in obser-
vation the course of the Rio Grande from Matamoros to La-
redo— being about 150 miles from several points on the river.
I have reason to believe, moreover, that a salutary moral effect
has been exercised upon the Mexicans. Their traders are con-
tinually carrying home the news of our position and increasing
numbers, and are confessedly struck by the spectacle of a large
camp of well-appointed and disciplined troops, accompanied
by perfect security to their persons and property, instead of the
impressment and pillage to which they are subject in their own
country. For these reasons, our position thus far has, I think,
been the best possible ; but, now that the entire force will soon
be concentrated, it may well be a question whether the views
of government will be best carried out by our remaining at
this point. It is with great deference that I make any sugges-
tions on topics which may become matter of delicate negotia-
tion : but if our government, in settling the question of
boundary, makes the line of the Rio Grande an ultimatum, I
cannot doubt that the settlement will be greatly facilitated and
hastened by our taking possession at once of one or two suita-
ble points on or quite near that river. Our strength and state
of preparation should be displayed in a manner not to be mis-
taken. However salutary may be the effect produced upon
the border people by our presence here, we are too far from
the frontier to impress the government of Mexico with our
readiness to vindicate, by force of arms, if necessary, our title
to the country as far as the Rio Grande. The ^' army of oc-
cupation" will, in a few days, be concentrated at this point, in
condition for vigorous and efficient service. Mexico having
as yet made no positive declaration of war, or committed any
overt act of hostilities, I do not feel at liberty, under my in-
structions, particularly those of July 8, to make a forward
movement to the Rio Grande without authority from the War
Department.

In case a forward movement should be ordered or author-
ized, I would recommend the occupation of Point Isabel and

82 DESPATCHES CONTINUED.

Laredo, as best adapted to the purposes of observing the
course of the river, and covering the frontier settlements of
Texas. Point Isabel is accessible by water, and can be safely
occupied by two brigades of infantry, with a suitable force of
field artillery. On the arrival of the steamer Harney, I shall
order a careful reconnoissance of Brazos Santiago, as a neces-
sary preliminary measure to the occupation of Point Isabel.
To occupy Laredo will require a land march from this point.
Supplies may probably be transported by w^ater as high as San
Patricio, and possibly to the junction of the Rio Frio with the
Nueces. I propose to establish a depot on the Nueces river,
probably at the crossing of the San Antonia and Laredo road,
from which to operate towards the Rio Grande. You will
perceive, from my "special orders" No. 24, that a reconnois-
sance has been ordered in that direction. A brigade of in-
fantry, with the cavalry, and a battery or two of field artillery,
will be sufficient for the occupation of Laredo. That town is
on the left bank of the Rio Grande, and possesses the military
advantage of holding in observation the main route from the
interior of Mexico through Monterey to Matamoros.

In case it should be found impracticable to establish a suita-
ble depot on the Nueces, the entire force, after strengthening
San Antonia, might be thrown forward to Point Isabel, where
it could be readily supplied, and held in readiness for any
further service.

I have deemed it my duty to make the above suggestions.
Should they be favourably considered, and instructions based
upon them, I will thank you to send the latter in duplicate to
Lieutenant Colonel Hunt — one copy to be despatched direct^
without delay ; the other to be sent via Galveston, should a
steamer be running to that port from New Orleans.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C.

P. S. — It is proper to add, that should any auxiliary force
be required, I propose to draw it wholly from Texas. I do

DESPATCHES CONTINUED. 83

not conceive that it will become necessary, under any circum-
stances, to call for volunteers from the United States.

Z. T.

Head Quarters, Army of Occupation,
Corpus Christi, Texas, November 7, 1845.

Sir : I respectfully enclose a copy of a letter from Commo-
dore Conner, commanding the home squadron, which I received,
by the " Saratoga," sloop of war, on the 5th instant. The in-
telligence communicated by the commodore will, doubtless,
reach the seat of government long before the receipt of this
letter.

The communication from the Secretary of War, dated Oc-
tober 16, was received and acknowledged on the 1st and 2d
instant. I purposely deferred a detailed reply to the various
points embraced in that communication until I could receive
an answer to mine of October 4, which covered (at least in
part) the same ground. The intelligence from Mexico, how-
ever, tends to modify, in some degree, the views expressed in
that communication. The position now occupied by the troops
may, perhaps, be the best while negotiations are pending, or
at any rate until a disposition shall be manifested by Mexico
to protract them unreasonably. Under the supposition that
such may be the view of the department, I shall make no move-
ment from this point, except for the purpose of examining the
country, until further instructions are received. You will per-
ceive, from my orders, that reconnoissances are almost con-
stantly in the field, the officers of engineers and topographical
engineers rendering valuable service on those duties. I refer
you to the reports made by those officers to the chiefs of their
own bureaux for the information which is thus procured in re-
lation to the country. An examination of the harbour of Bra-
zos Santiago will be ordered in a few days — as soon as a proper
vessel shall become disposable for that service.

In case no movement is made this season for the Rio Grande,
I may find it necessary to detach a portion of the army a short
distance into the interior, where wood can be more readily
procured than here. But in no case do I deem it necessary to

84 DESPATCHES CONTINUED.

hut the troops. Sheds, with platforms, on which to pitch the
tents, w^ere extensively used in camps of position in Florida,
and will, I cannot doubt, form a sufficient protection here.

On the hypothesis of an early adjustment of the boundary,
and the consequent establishment of permanent frontier posts,
I cannot urge too strongly upon the department the necessity
of occupying those posts before the warm weather shall set in.
A large amount of sickness is, I fear, to be apprehended, with
every precaution that can be taken ; but the information which
I obtain leads me to believe that a summer movement would
be attended with great expense of health and life. As in Flo-
rida, the winter is the best season for operations in Texas.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.
The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Corpus Christi, Texas, February 4, 1846.

Sir : I respectfully acknowledge the communication of the
Secretary of War, dated January 13th, and containing the in-
structions of the President to move forward with my force to
the Rio Grande. I shall lose no time in making the necessary
preparations for carrying out those instructions.

The occupation of Point Isabel or Brazos Santiago as a
depot will be indispensable. That point, and a position on or
near the river opposite Matamoros, will, I think, answer all
present purposes. At any rate, I shall not separate my force
further until the position of affairs shall render it entirely safe
to do so.

I propose to abandon this position entirely, as soon after our
march as the stores, hospital, &c., can be transferred to St.
Joseph's Island. It will be necessary to keep up an establish-
ment at that point for the present, although our supplies will
come to Point Isabel direct from New Orleans.

In reply to the call of the Secretary for information as to
what means, if any, will be required "to enforce and maintain
our common jight to navigate" the Rio Grande, I would re-

DESPATCHES CONTINUED. 85

spectfully state that, until I reach the river and ascertain the
condition of things in the frontier States of Mexico, temper of
the people, &c., I cannot give any satisfactory answer to the
question. I have every reason to beheve that the people re-
siding on the river are well disposed towards our government.
Our advance to the Rio Grande will itself produce a powerful
effect, and it may be that the common navigation of the river
will not be disputed. It is very important to us, and will be
indispensable when posts are established higher up, as must
ultimately be the case.

I shall not call for any militia force in addition to what I
already have, unless unforeseen circumstances shall render its
employment necessary.

I beg leave again to call the attention of the Department to
the necessity of having our movement and position at Brazos
Santiago covered by a small armed vessel. I deem this vitally
important, and hope it will meet with favourable consideration.

We have no news from the interior of Mexico more recent
than that derived from the New Orleans papers of the 26th of
January.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.
The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Corpus Christi, Texas, February 26, 1846.

Sir : I have to report that the preparations for a forward
movement of this command are now nearly completed. The
examinations spoken of in my report of the 16th instant have
shown the practicability of both routes — by the main land and
by Padre Island. The reconnoissance of Padre Island ex-
tended to its southern extremity, and included the harbour of
Brazos Santiago and Point Isabel ; that of the main route
reached to a point near the Little Colorado. A depot, with
four days' forage, and subsistence for the army, w^ill be thrown
forward some forty miles, to the Santa Gertrudes. A detach-
8

86 DESPATCHES CONTINUED.

merit of two companies, to establish and cover this depot, will
march, on the 28th, under Brevet Major Graham. In about
a week thereafter, say the 7th of March, the cavalry w^ill march,
to be followed, at intervals of one day, by the brigades of in-
fantry. By the 25th of March, at latest, I hope to be in posi-
tion on the Rio Grande.

I have taken occasion to represent to some citizens of Mata-
moros, who were here with a large number of mules for sale,
and who are represented to have considerable influence at
home, that the United States government, in occupying the Rio
Grande, has no motive of hostility towards Mexico, and that
the army will, in no case, go beyond the river, unless hostilities
should be commenced by the Mexicans themselves ; that the
Mexicans, living on this side, will not be disturbed in any way
by the troops ; that they will be protected in all their usages ;
and that every thing which the army may need will be pur-
chased from them at fair prices. I also stated that, until the
matter should be finally adjusted between the two governments,
the harbour of Brazos Santiago would be open to the free use
of the Mexicans as heretofore. The same views were impressed
upon the Mexican custom-house officer at Brazos Santiago by
Captain Hardee, who commanded the escort which covered the
reconnoissance of Padre Island.

We are entirely without news of interest from the frontier,
or the interior of Mexico, our latest date from the capital being
the 21st of January, and the same from Vera Cruz.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.
The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C.

These connected and lucid reports of General Taylor's views
and acts, during the period that his head-quarters were estab-
lished at Corpus Christi, supersede any other narrative. He
had profited by the time to reduce his force to the most ad-
mirable state of discipline ; to foster their esprit du corps, and
especially by his frank and unaffected bearing, to inspire that
confidence in himself which contributed so largely to the bril-
liant achievements of their arms under his command.

MARCH FROM CORPUS CHRISTI. 87

CHAPTER V.

The March from Corpus Christi to the Rio Grande commenced — Face of the
Country — Sufferings of the Troops — Mexican Demonstration — American
Action — Point Isabel invested — The March resumed — Encampment on the Rio
Grande — Conference rejected — Entrenchments commenced — Despatches
of General Taylor — Ampudia's Magnanimity — A Deserter shot — Fort
Brown — Murder of Colonel Cross — Correspondence, Ampudia and Taylor —
General Arista — Blockade of the Rio Grande — Correspondence on the Sub-
ject— Mexicans crossing the River — Capture of Thornton's Command —
Mexican Exultation — Manifesto of Arista — Point Isabel in Danger — Requi-
sition for Volunteers — Cautain Walker's First Exploit — Resolution to relieve
Point Isabel.

The Army of Occupation, having spent six months in the
monotony of camp duty at Corpus Christi, was rejoiced to be
put in motion for new scenes and service. The 12th of March
witnessed its entire force moving in a southerly direction over the
vast wilderness lying between the Nueces and the Rio Grande.
The face of the country, destitute of vegetation except the
harsh prairie grass, and unvaried, except by the long undu-
lations, never rising to the dignity of hills, presented nothing
to sustain the buoyant spirit with which the march had been
commenced, nor to make the encumbered soldier forget his
burden. As the Nueces was left daily farther in the rear, the
barrenness of the soil increased, and offered neither spring nor
stream to appease thirst with a draught of wholesome water.
A week had passed in this dreary and painful progress, when
green woods appeared to rise in the distance ; and, as the
weary troops approached them, sheets of bright water varied
their welcome shade. But the prospect of both was delusive.
The seeming forests shrank into impenetrable clusters of the
dwarfish thorn-tree, and the clear lakes were bitter with salt.
Privations and fatigue became almost intolerable, under this
disappointment.

The stunted groves and the briny pools were passed, and
the march continued through another dreary expanse of
country. But here the suffering of nine days was forgotten,

88 POINT ISABEL INVESTED.

in the enjoyment of abundant water. The army reached the
Arroya Colorado, a long, narrow inlet of the sea. General
Taylor had concentrated his whole force, having been advised
that an attempt would be made by the Mexicans to arrest his
progress. A body of cavalry appeared, on the opposite bank
of the river, and informed him that, if the ford was attempted,
the passage would be resisted as an act of hostility. Unaffected
by this menace, he formed the army in order, to meet force by
force, and commenced the passage, the artillery being posted
to protect the ford. The Mexicans, who had made demon-
strations of having a large body ready to engage him, disap-
peared from the opposite bank, which was reached without
molestation, General Worth heading the advance.

On the 23d, the march was resumed ; and, on the fol-
lowing day. General Taylor reached Point Isabel with the
cavalry, while General Worth continued with the infantry on
the direct route to Matamoros. While approaching Point Isa-
bel, General Taylor was met by a deputation of citizens, from
the Rio Grande, who handed him a protest, signed by the Pre-
fect of the Northern District of the Department of Tamaulipas,
against the presence of his army. While the subject was
under consideration, he perceived smoke arising from Point
Isabel ; and, believing that the place had been fired by Mexi-
can authority, he broke off the conference, and dismissed the
deputation, with the promise of an answer when he should
arrive on the banks of the Rio Grande. Point Isabel, an in-
significant post, with a few mean houses, had been selected as
a depot for military stores, being the nearest port to Mata-
raoras on the north. To preserve its buildings, and hold pos-
session of them, was, therefore, an object of moment to the
commander. The fire, which had made but little progress,
was arrested by the dragoons under Col. Twiggs, detached
for the purpose ; and, at the moment of General Taylor's
arrival, the supplies, which he had sent from Corpus Christi
by water, also arrived, fortunately answering his expectations.

The arrangements at this post being satisfactorily made, the
general, with the cavalry, resumed the march towards Matamo-

CAMP ON THE RIO GRANDE. 89

ros, and was joined by General Worth's command, which had
encamped on the road. Another week brought the Rio Grande
in sight, the army having passed over the ground soon after-
wards rendered famous by the victories of the 8th and 9th of
May. The exhausted troops, on the 28th of March, pitched
their tents on the left bank of the beautiful river ; and, amidst the
early vegetation of a tropical spring, reposed, for a time, from
their labours. General Worth and his staff were, immediately,
instructed by General Taylor to cross the river, with despatches
for the Mexican commander, and for the civil magistrates.
The purpose was defeated alike by the ceremonious requisi-
tions'of these parties, and by the determination of the Mexican
general, particularly, to consider the presence of the Americans
an aggressive and hostile act. General Taylor, accordingly,
began to place himself in a position to resist any attack. The
topographical corps made the requisite observations of the
country, and the site of permanent defences being selected,
the works were commenced, and prosecuted with the utmost
diligence. The Mexicans, meanwhile, looked supinely on.
Within shot of their city, the American flag was floating, and
they had declared all under it to be open enem.ies. Yet they
allowed the golden opportunity to pass, when the latter were
encamped in the open field, and when, if ever, an assault
might have been successful.

From the day of leaving Corpus Christi until the encamp-
ment on the Rio Grande, the following despatches were written
by General Taylor :

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Corpus Christi, Texas, March 8, 1846.

Sir: I respectfully report that the advance of the army,
composed of the cavalry and Major Ringgold's light artillery,
the whole under the command of Colonel Twiggs, took up the
line of march this morning in the direction of Matamoros, its
strength being 23 officers and 378 men. The advance w^ill be
followed in succession by the brigades of in^^ntry, the last
brigade marching on the 11th instant. The roads are in good
8*

90 Taylor's despatches.

order, the weather fine, and the troops in excellent condition
for service.

Major Munroe will embark for Brazos Santiago in season to
reach that harbour about the time the army will be in the
■vicinity of Point Isabel. He takes with hirn a siege train and
a field battery. Captain Sanders, of the engineers, the officers
of ordnance, and the pay department, accompany Major
Munroe.

The movement by water, to Brazos Santiago, will be covered
by the revenue cutter " Woodbury," Captain Foster, whose
commander has kindly placed her at ray disposal for this ser-
vice.

All proper arrangements have been made by the staff de-
partments for supplying the army on the route, as well as
establishing a depot for its further wants at Point Isabel.

I have deemed it proper to cause my " orders" No. 30, to
be translated into Spanish, and circulated on the Rio Grande.
Sixty copies have already been sent in advance of the army to
Matamoros, Camargo, and Mier. This form of giving publi-
city to the spirit which actuates our movement in occupying
the country, I thought preferable to a proclamation. I trust
the order itself will meet the approval of the department. A
few copies of the translation are herewith enclosed.

I shall again communicate with general head-quarters before
I march, and I expect to do so at least once on the route.

My head-quarters will march with the rear brigade, but will
soon pass to the advance of the army.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The Adjutant General of the Array, Washington, D. C.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Order No. 30. Corpus Christi, March 8, 1846.

The army of occupation of Texas being now about to take
a position upon the left bank of the Rio Grande, under the
orders of the Executive of the United States, the general-in-

DESPATCHES CONTINUED. 91

chief desires to express the hope that the movement will be
advantageous to all concerned ; and with the object of attain-
ing this laudable end, he has ordered all under his command
to observe, with the most scrupulous respect, the rights of all
the inhabitants 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. Under no pretext, nor in any way,
will any interference be allowed with the civil rights or religio-us
privileges of the inhabitants ; but the utmost respect for them
will be maintained.

Whatsoever may be needed for the use of the army will be
bought by the proper surveyor, and paid for at the highest
prices. The general-in-chief has the satisfaction to say that he
confides in the patriotism and discipline of the army under his
command, and that he feels sure that his orders will be obeyed
with the utmost exactness.

Z. Taylor,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Camp at «E1 Sauce," 119 miles from Corpus Christi, March 18, 1846.

Sir : I avail myself of a chance opportunity to Corpus
Christi to report that I have advanced to this point with the
cavalry and 1st brigade of infantry. The 2d brigade encamps
to-night about seven miles in my rear ; the 3d brigade about
nineteen. I shall concentrate all my force on reaching the
Little Colorado, thirteen miles in my front, so as to be prepared
for any contingency. I am happy to say that all the corps of
the army are in fine condition and spirits, equal to any service
that may be before them.

Within the last two days, our advance has met with small
armed parties of Mexicans, who seemed disposed to avoid us.
They were, doubtless, thrown out to get information of our
advance.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C,

92 DESPATCHES CONTINUED.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Point Isabel, March 25, 1846.

Sir : I respectfully report that I marched on the morning of
the 23d instant with the entire army from the camp, near the
Colorado, in the order prescribed in my order No. 35, here-
with enclosed. After a march of fifteen miles, we reached, on
the morning of the 24th, a point on the route from Matamoros
to Point Isabel, eighteen miles from the former and ten from
the latter place. I here left the infantry brigades under Briga-
dier General Worth, wdth instructions to proceed in the direc-
tion of Matamoros until he came to a suitable position for en-
campment, where he would halt, holding the route in observa-
tion, while I proceed with the cavalry to this point to commu-
nicate with our transports, supposed to have arrived in the
harbour, and make the necessary arrangements for the estab-
lishment and defence of a depot.

While on my way hither, our column was approached by a
party on its right flank, bearing a white flag. It proved to be
a civil deputation from Matamoros, desiring an interview with
me. I informed them that I would halt at the first suitable
place on the road and afford them the desired interview. It
was, how^ever, found necessary, from the want of water, to
continue the route to this place. The deputation halted while
yet some miles from Point Isabel, declining to come further,
and sent me a formal protest of the prefect of the northern dis-
trict of Tamaulipas against our occupation of the country,
which I enclose herewith. At this moment it was discovered
that the buildings at Point Isabel were in flames. I then in-
formed the bearer of the protest that I would answer it when
opposite Matamoros, and dismissed the deputation. I con-
sidered 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 reason to believe that the prefect, in making
this protest, was but a tool of the military authorities at Mata-
moros.

The advance of the cavalry fortunately arrived here in season

DESPATCHES CONTINUED. 93

to arrest the fire, which consumed but three or four houses.
The port captain, who committed the act under the orders, it
is said, of General Mejia, had made his escape before its ar-
rival. We found two or three inoffensive Mexicans here, the
rest having left for Matamoros.

I was gratified to find that the water expedition had exactly
answered to our land movement — the steamers arriving in the
harbour only two or three hours before we reached Point Isabel,
with the other 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 reinforce Major Munroe.
Our great depot must be here, and it is very important to se-
cure it against any enterprise of the enemy. The engineer
officers are now examining the ground with a view to tracing
lines of defence and strengthening the position.

As soon as a sufficient amount of supplies can be thrown
forward toward Matamoros, I shall march in the direction of
that town and occupy a position as near it as circumstances
will permit.

I enclose a sketch prepared by my aid-de-camp. Lieutenant
Eaton, exhibiting the route of march since leaving the Colo-
rado, and the bearings of important points.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C.

The following correspondence elucidates the positions of the
Mexican local authorities, and of General Taylor, respectively,
upon his arrival on the Rio Grande.

Office of the Prefect of the Northern District of the Department of Tamaulipas.
God and Liberty !

Santa Rita, March 23, 1846.

Sir : Although the pending question respecting the annexa-
tion of the department of Texas to the United States is subject
to the decision of the supreme government of Mexico, the fact

94 DESPATCHES CONTINUED.

of the advance of the army, under your excellency's orders,
over the line occupied by you at Corpus Christi, places me
under the necessity, as the chief political authority of the
northern district of Tamaulipas, to address you, as I have now
the honour to do, through the commissioners, who will place
this in your hands, and to inform you that the people, under
this prefecture, being justly alarmed at the invasion of an army,
which, without any previous declaration of war, and without
announcing explicitly the object proposed by it, comes to oc-
cupy a territory which never belonged to the insurgent pro-
vince, cannot regard with indifference a proceeding so con-
trary to the conduct observed towards each other by civilized
nations, and to the clearest principles of the law of nations ;
that, directed by honour and patriotism, and certain that no-
thing has been said officially by the cabinet of the Union to the
Mexican government, respecting the extension of the limits of
Texas to the left bank of the Rio Bravo, trusting in the well-
known justice of their cause, and using their natural right of
defence, they (the citizens of this district) protest, in the most
solemn manner, that neither now nor at any time do they, or
will they, consent to separate themselves from the Mexican
republic, and to unite themselves with the United States, and
that they are resolved to carry this firm determination into effect,
resisting, so far as their strength will enable them, at all times
and places, until the army under your excellency's orders shall
recede and occupy its former positions ; because, so long as it
remains within the territory of Tamaulipas, the inhabitants
must consider that whatsoever protestations of peace may be
made, hostilities have been openly commenced by your excel-
lency, the lamentable consequences of which will rest before
the world exclusively on the heads of the invaders.

I have the honour to say this to your excellency, with the
object indicated, and to assure you of my consideration and
esteem.

Jenes Cardenas.
Juan Jose Pineda.
To General Z. Taylor, &c. .

ENTRENCHMENTS ON THE RIVER. 95

Camp on the left bank of the Rio Grande.
Opposite Matamoros, March 29, 1846'

Sir : I have the honour to report that I arrived at this camp
yesterday with the forces under my command, no resistance
having been offered to my advance to the banks of the river,
nor any act of hostility committed by the Mexicans, except the
capture of two of our dragoons, sent forward from the ad-
vanced guard. I deem it possible that these two men may
have deserted to the enemy, as one of them, at least, bears a
bad character. Our approach seems to have created much
excitement in Matamoros, and a great deal of activity has been
displayed since our arrival in the preparation of batteries.
The left bank is now under reconnoissance of our engineer
officers, and I shall lose no time in strengthening our position
by such defensive works as may be necessary, employing for
that purpose a portion of the heavy guns brought round by sea.

The attitude of the Mexicans is so far decidedly hostile. An
interview has been held, by my direction, with the military au-
thorities in Matamoros, but with no satisfactory result.

Under this state of things, I must again and urgently call
your attention to the necessity of speedily sending recruits to
this army.

The militia of Texas are so remote from the border that we
cannot depend upon their aid.

The strength gained by filling up the regiments here, even
to the present feeble establishment, would be of very great im-
portance.

I respectfully enclose a field report of the force now in this
camp.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C.

A few days after the tents of the Army of Occupation had
been pitched on the Rio Grande, sufficed for the partial erec-
tion of defensive works. Meanwhile, General Ampudia was

96 A DESERTER SHOT.

on his march to Matamoros to take command of the Mexican
forces in that city. He announced his presence, by the circu-
lation, in the American camp, of a document addressed to the
English and Irish soldiers. It informed them, that the United
States was guilty of barbarous acts of aggression against " the
magnanimous Mexican nation ;" and that the government ex-
isting under the stripes and stars, was unworthy of the desig-
nation of Christian. The former subjects of Great Britain
were reminded of their nativity, and assured that the American
government, by its course with regard to Oregon, was then
seeking to create a rupture with their parent country. For
these reasons, they were exhorted to take refuge in the Mexican
ranks, and were guarantied " upon honour," good treatment,
and safe escort to the beautiful capital of Mexico. The address
concluded with these words : ^' Germans, French, Poles, and
individuals of other nations ! Separate yourselves from the
Yankees, and do not contribute to defend a robbery and
usurpation which, be assured, the civilized nations of Europe
look on with the utmost indignation. Come, therefore, and
array yourselves under the tri-coloured flag, in the confidence
that the God of armies protects it, and that it will protect you
equally with the English !" This seductive appeal was not
without effect upon a few romantic individuals, who, as op-
portunity offered, attempted to cross the river, and throw them-
selves into the arms of the magnanimous Mexican nation. In
the effort, a small number succeeded ; but the majority was
drowned, and one man, who had reached the opposite bank
and w^as ascending it, was shot, at the distance of two hundred
yards, by a sentinel, and fell dead in the sight of his old and
his new friends. The latter buried him respectfully, and his
melancholy fate proved a salutary lesson to the former.

By the 10th of April, considerable progress had been made
in the works intended for the reception of ordnance expected
from Point Isabel, and in the principal intrenchment, which
afterwards received the name of Fort Brown. The latter
was extensive, capable of accommodating about two thousand
men. It had six bastions, and the guns on the river side

COL. CROSS MURDERED. 97

commanded the town of Matamoros. The work was planned
and executed under the direction of Captain Mansfield, of the
engineer corps.

This day, the 10th of April, was signalized by the first
shedding of American blood by Mexican hands. Colonel
Cross, Deputy Quarter Master General, had ridden out, as was
his custom, for exercise. Night coming on, he did not return,
and alarm began to be felt for his safety. Attached to the
Mexican army, were then, as now, irresponsible parties of ca-
valry, whose business was rather assassination and robbery,
than honourable warfare. It was feared, that Colonel Cross
had fallen a victim to one of these bands, and ten days after-
wards his remains were found and identified. Information was
then received, which left no reasonable doubt that such had
been the mode of his death. His memory was honoured, by
the commander-in-chief, by a funeral becoming his rank.

General Ampudia arrived in Matamoros on the 11th. He
was welcomed by his countrymen ; and, to the army under
Taylor, his coming was hailed as the signal of definite action
on the part of Mexico. The suspense did not last long. On
the following morning, a military deputation, from General
Ampudia, delivered the subjoined letter to General Taylor : —

Head Quarters at Matamoros, 2 o'clock P. M.

Fourth Military Division, > . i m io>i/?
r^ . • r^i • r ? April 12, 1846.

General-in-Chief. $

God and Liberty !

To explain to you the many grounds for the just grievances
felt by the Mexican nation, caused by the United States go-
vernment, would be a loss of time, and an insult to your good
sense ; I, therefore, pass at once to such explanation as I con-
sider of absolute necessity.

Your government, in an incredible manner — you will even
permit me to say an extravagant one, if the usages, or general
rules established and received among all civilized nations are
regarded — has not only insulted, but has exasperated the Mex-
ican nation, bearing its conquering banner to the left bank of
9

98 CORRESPONDENCE WITH AMPUDIA.

the Rio Bravo del Norte ; and in this case, by explicit and
definitive orders of my government, which neither can, will,
nor should receive new outrages, I require you in all form,
and at latest in the peremptory term of twenty-four hours, to
break up your camp and retire to the other bank of the Nueces
river, while our governments are regulating the pending ques-
tion in relation to Texas. If you insist on remaining 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 injustice 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 nations ; that is to say, that
the law of nations and of war shall be the guide of my opera-
tions ; trusting that on your part the same will be observed.

With this view, I tender you the considerations due to your
person and respectable office.

Pedro De Ampudia.

Senor General-in-Chief of the U. S. Army,
Don Z. Tatloh.

To this peremptory requisition General Taylor replied :

Head Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Camp near Matamoros, Texas, April 12, 1846.

Senor : I have had the honour to receive your note of this
date, in which you summon me to withdraw the forces under
my command from their present position, and beyond the river
Nueces, until the pending question between our governments,
relative to the limits of Texas, shall be settled.

I need hardly advise you that, charged as I am, in only a
military capacity, with the performance of specific duties, I
cannot enter into a discussion of the international question in-
volved in the advance of the American army. You will, how-
ever, permit me to say, that the government of the United
States has constantly sought a settlement, by negotiation, of
the question of boundary ; that an envoy was despatched to
Mexico for that purpose, and that up to the most recent dates

BLOCKADE OF RIO GRANDE. 99

said envoy had not been received by the actual Mexican go-
vernment, if indeed he has not received his passports and left
the republic. In the mean time, I have been ordered to occupy
the country up to the left bank of the Rio Grande, until the
boundary shall be definitely settled. In carrying out these in-
structions I have carefully abstained from all acts of hostility,
obeying, in this regard, not only the letter of my instructions,
but the plain dictates of justice and humanity.

The instructions under which I am acting will not permit
me to retrograde from the position I now occupy. In view of
the relations between our respective governments, and the in-
dividual suffering which may result, I regret the alternative
which you offer ; but, at the same time, wish it understood
that I shall by no means avoid such alternative, leaving the re-
sponsibility with those who rashly commence hostilities. In
conclusion, you wuU permit me to give the assurance that on
my part the law^s and customs of war among civilized nations
shall be carefully observed.

I have the honour to be, very respectfully, your obedient
servant,

Z. Taylor.

Senor General D. Pedro De Ampubia.

To confirm these declarations. General Taylor continued
to fortify his camp, and to make every disposition to resist an
attack. Ampudia soon gave place, as commanding officer at
Matamoros, to General Arista, commander-in-chief of the
Northern Division of the Mexican army. The reported acces-
sions to its force also created new expectations in the Ameri-
can camp that a decisive demonstration would soon be made
against it. On the 19th, intelligence was brought General
Taylor of the arrival of two vessels off the mouth of the Rio
Grande with supplies for the Mexicans in Matamoros. He at
once declared a blockade of the river, which he enforced by
ordering the United States Brig Lawrence, and a revenue cut-
ter, to guard its mouth. This measure elicited another note
from Ampudia, in which, after mentioning the fact of the ves-

100

ampudia's protest

sels being sent to Brazos Santiago, he proceeds in the following
strain :

" The cargo of one of them is composed in great part, and
of the other entirely, of provisions, which the contractors,
charged with providing for the army under my orders, had pro-
cured to fulfil the obligations of their contracts. You have
taken possession of these provisions by force, and against the
will of the proprietors, one of whom is vice-consul of her Ca-
tholic Majesty, and the other of her Britannic Majesty ; and
whose rights, in place of being rigorously respected, as was
proffered, and as was to be hoped from the observance of the
principles which govern among civilized nations, have, on the
contrary, been violated in the most extraordinary manner, op-
posed to the guarantee and respect due to private property.

" Nothing can have authorized you in such a course. The
commerce of nations is not suspended or interrupted, except
in consequence of a solemn declaration of blockade, commu-
nicated and established in the form prescribed by international
Jaw. Nevertheless, you have infringed these rules ; and, by an
act which can never be viewed favourably to the United States
government, have hindered the entrance to a Mexican port of
vessels bound to it, under the confidence that commerce
would not be interrupted. My duties do not allow me to con-
sent to this new species of hostility, and they constrain me to
require of you, not only that the vessels taken by force to
Brazos Santiago shall be at liberty to return to the mouth of
the river, but the restoration of all the provisions which, be-
sides belonging to private contractors, were destined for the
troops on this frontier. I consider it useless to inculcate the
justice of this demand, and the results which may follow an
unlooked-for refusal.

" I have also understood that two Mexicans, carried down
in a boat by the current of the river near one of the advanced
posts of your camp, were detained, after being fired upon, and
that they are still kept and treated as prisoners. The indivi-
duals in question do not belong to the army, and this circum-
stance exempts them from the laws of war. I therefore hope

TAYLOR'S REPLY. 101

that you will place them absolutely at liberty, as I cannot be
persuaded that you pretend to extend to persons not military
the consequences of an invasion, which, without employing
this means of rigour against unarmed citizens, is marked in it-
self with the seal of universal reprobation."

To this note General Taylor took occasion to reply at some
length, in a strain both exculpatory, as regarded his own
course, and declaratory of the exceptionable conduct of the
Mexicans. After acknowledging Ampudia's note, he con-
tinues as follows : ^

" After all that has passed since the American army first
approached the Rio Bravo, I am certainly surprised that you
should complain of a measure which is no other than a natural
result of the state of war so much insisted upon by the Mexican
authorities as actually existing at this time. You will excuse
me for recalling a few circumstances to show that this state of
war has not been sought by the American army, but has been
forced upon it, and that the exercise of the rights incident to
such a state cannot be made a subject of complaint.

" On breaking up my camp at Corpus Christi, and moving
forward with the army under my orders to occupy the left bank
of the Rio Bravo, it was my earnest desire to execute my in-
structions in a pacific manner : to observe the utmost regard
for the personal rights of all citizens residing on the left bank
of the river, and to take care that the religion and customs of
the people should suffer no violation. With this view, and to
quiet the minds of the inhabitants, I issued orders to the army,
enjoining a strict observance of the rights and interests of all
Mexicans residing on the river, and caused said orders to be
translated into Spanish, and circulated in the several towns on
the Bravo. These orders announced the spirit in which we
proposed to occupy the country, and I am proud to say that
up to this moment the same spirit has controlled the operations
of the army. On reaching the Arroyo Colorado I was informed
by a Mexican officer that the order in question had been re-
ceived in Matamoros; but was told, at the same time, that if I
attempted to cross the river it would be regarded as a declara-
9*

102 VINDICATES HIS PROCEEDINGS.

tion of war. Again, on my march to Frontone* I was met by
a deputation of the civil authorities of Matamoros, protesting
against my occupation of a portion of the department of Tamau-
lipas, and declaring that if the army was not at once withdrawn,
war would result. While this communication was in my hands,
it w^as discovered that the village of Frontone had been set on
fire and abandoned. I viewed this as a direct act of war^ and
informed the deputation that their communication would be
answered by me when opposite Matamoros, which w^as done
in respectful terms. On reaching the river I despatched an
officer, high in rank, to convey to the commanding general in
Matamoros the expression of my desire for amicable relations,
and my willingness to leave open to the use of the citizens of
Matamoros the port of Brazos Santiago until the question of
boundary should be definitively settled. This officer received
for reply, from the officer selected to confer with him, that my
advance to the Rio Bravo was considered as a veritable act of
war, and he was absolutely refused an interview with the Ameri-
can consul, in itself an act incompatible with a state of peace.
" Notwithstanding these repeated assurances on the part of the
Mexican authorities, and notwithstanding the most obviously
hostile preparations on the right bank of the river, accompa-
nied by a rigid non-intercourse, I carefully abstained from any
act of hostility — determined that the onus of producing an ac-
tual state of hostilities should not rest with me. Our relations
remained in this state until I had the honour to receive your
note of the 12th instant, in which you denounce war as the
alternative of my remaining in this position. As I could not,
under my instructions, recede from my position, I accepted the
alternative you offered me, and made all my dispositions to
meet it suitably. But, still willing to adopt milder measures
before proceeding to others, I contented myself in the first in-
stance with ordering a blockade of the mouth of the Rio Bravo
by the naval forces under my orders — a proceeding perfectly
consonant with the state of war so often declared to exist, and
which you acknowledge in your note of the 16th instant, rela-
♦ The town at Point Isabel.

ANNOUNCES HIS RESOLUTION. 103

tive to the late Col. Cross. If this measure seem oppressive,
1 wish it borne in mind that it has been forced upon me by the
course you have seen fit to adopt. I have reported this block-
ade to my government, and shall not remove it until I receive
instructions to that effect, unless, indeed, you desire an armis-
tice pending the final settlement of the question between the
governments, or until war shall be formally declared by either,
in which case I shall cheerfully open the river. In regard to
the consequences you mention as resulting from a refusal to
remove the blockade, I beg you to understand that I am pre-
pared for them, be they what they may.

" In regard to the particular vessels referred to in your com-
munication, I have the honour to advise you that, in pursuance
of my orders, two American schooners, bound for Matamoros,
were warned off on the 17th instant, when near the mouth of
the river, and put to sea, returning probably to New Orleans.
They were not seized, or their cargoes disturbed in any way,
nor have they been in the harbour of Brazos Santiago to my
knowledge. A Mexican schooner, understood to be the <' Ju-
niata," was in or off that harbour when my instructions to
block the river were issued, but was driven to sea in a gale,
since which time I have had no report concerning her. Since
the receipt of your communication, I have learned that two
persons, sent to the mouth of the river to procure information
respecting this vessel, proceeded thence to Brazos Santiago,
when they were taken up and detained by the officer in com-
mand, until my orders could be received. I shall order their
immediate release. A letter from one of them to the Spanish
vice-consul is respectfully transmitted herewith.

''In relation to the Mexicans said to have drifted down the
river in a boat, and to be prisoners at this time in my camp, I
have the pleasure to inform you that no such persons have been
taken prisoners or are now detained by my authority. The
boat in question was carried down empty by the current of the
river, and drifted ashore near one of our pickets and was se-
cured by the guard. Some time afterwards an attempt was
made to recover the boat under the cover of the darkness ; the

104 RECONNOITRING INCIDENTS.

individuals concerned were hailed by the guard, and, failing
to answer, were fired upon as a matter of course. What be-
came of them is not known, as no trace of them could be dis-
covered on the following morning. The officer of the Mexican
guard directly opposite was informed next day that the boat
would be returned on proper application to me, and I have now
only to repeat that assurance.

" In conclusion, I take leave to state that I consider the tone
of your communication highly exceptionable, where you stig-
matise the movement of the army under my orders as " marked
with the s(?al 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 correspond-
ence the courtesy due to your high position, and to the mag-
nitude of the interests with which we are respectively charged,
I shall expect the same in return."

The position of the Army of Occupation began now to ap-
pear painfully critical. Daily intelligence was received of the
augmentation of the Mexican forces. To this was added, on
the 24th, rumours that they were crossing the river, to the
number of three thousand, above and below the camp, with the
design of marching against Point Isabel, and thus cutting off
the supplies at that depot on which the army was dependent.
To ascertain the truth of these reports. General Taylor ordered
Captain Ker, with a squadron of dragoons, to reconnoitre be-
tween the camp and the mouth of the river, while another
squadron, under Captain Thornton, was sent above for the
same object. The former returned without having learned
anything to confirm the unfavourable reports. The mission of
the latter was less fortunate. Having ascended the river bank
about twenty-five miles, he halted in consequence of the re-
fusal of his guide to proceed, the latter declaring that large
bodies of Mexican troops were in the neighbourhood. Doubt-
ing the statement, however. Captain Thornton again moved
forward ; and, stopping at a farm-house, the court of which
was surrounded by a chapparal hedge, to make some enquiry,
he was suddenly surrounded by a large body of Mexican in-

Thornton's command captured. 105

fantry and cavalry. A charge through it was attempted, but
without success. Captain Thornton, by an extraordinary leap
of his horse, which was wounded at the moment by a dis-
charge of musketry, cleared the hedge. His command was un-
able to follow ; and the second officer. Captain Hardee, after an
attempt to retreat across the river, was obliged to surrender the
party prisoners of war. Lieutenant G. T. Mason, a promising
young officer, was killed in this affair. The prisoners were
taken to Matamoros, and well treated. For some time. Captain
Thornton was missing; but, as was afterwards learned from
him, his horse had fallen, and injured him, and, when endea-
vouring to return to the camp on foot, he was taken within a
few miles of it, and joined his men, a prisoner, in Matamoros.
The capture of this handful of dragoons, was the occasion of
extraordinary exultation on the part of the host of their con-
querors. General Arista thus triumphantly congratulated Ge-
neral Torrejon, who commanded in the affair:

^' This has been a day of rejoicing to all the Division of the
North, it having this day been known of the triumph achieved
by the brigade which your excellency so worthily commands.
The rejoiced country will doubtless celebrate this preliminary
of glorious deeds that her happy sons will in future present to
her. Your excellency will communicate to your brave soldiers
that I have seen with the greatest pleasure their valiant be-
haviour, and that I await for the detailed despatch to elevate it
to the knowledge of the supreme government, so that the nation
may learn the triumph of your arms."

On the day that Thornton's unfortunate party had left the
camp, a messenger from General Arista brought to General
Taylor the following manifesto, addressed on the cover to the
commander-in-chief of the United States forces : —

<•<- The course of events, since the annexation of Texas to
the United States was declared, has been so clearly hostile to-
Mexico, and so foreign to the dignity and principles which
the Americans have proclaimed to the world, that we came to
the conclusion, that their policy has been changed^ and that

106 POINT ISABEL THREATENED.

their moderation is turned into a desire of aggrandizement, en-
riching themselves by humiliating their neighbours.

<« The respect and consideration that friendly nations show
to each other have been trampled upon, by which reason, the
justice and excessive moderation of Mexico shine forth still
more. Pressed and forced into war, we enter into a struggle,
which cannot be avoided, without failing in what is most saCred
to man.

" Political discussions do not appertain to military men, but
to diplomatic agents. To us belongs the part to act, without
it occasioning any surprise that the troops under my command
should not wait for anything else to give battle.

" We Mexicans have been calumniated as barbarous, in the
most caustic and unjust terms. The occasion has arrived to
show what we are ; and, I do not believe that, in the troops
under my command, there will be any cause to confirm such
suppositions, as they will render conspicuous the feelings of
humanity and generosity which distinguish them.

" For this time, I have the honour to offer your excellency
my great consideration.

" Mariano Arista.

« God and Liberty !
« Head Quarters, Matamoros, April 24, 1846."

A private note to General Taylor accompanied this formal
expression of modest assurance, in which the writer, after pay-
ing a compliment to General Taylor's urbanity, pledged him-
self, personally, that "justice and love of humanity" should be
found in all his acts.

The apprehensions already noticed for the safety of the little
army on the banks of the Rio Grande were increased, by the
fact, that bodies of Mexican troops, thrown between it and Point
Isabel, had wholly debarred all intercommunication. To-
wards the close of April, there were reports of a contemplated
attack on this place. General Taylor shared the anxiety on the
latter account — and he accordingly sent a despatch to the
governors of Louisiana and Texas, asking an immediate rein-

RELIEF FOR POINT ISABEL. 107

forcement of four regiments of volunteers from' each state.
From the time he had left Point Isabel, while on the march
from Corpus Christi, Major Munroe, who was in command of
that station, had been reinforced by a small body of Texan
volunteers. Captain Walker, with a company of rangers, was
among them, and occasion now offered for him to commence
the career, in the Mexican war, which he has since followed
with singular credit to his patriotism and courage. A wagon
train, under the escort of Captain Walker, having been driven
back, with severe loss, while on the way from Point Isabel to
the camp, by a large body of Mexican troops, who pursued
the fugitive party to the neighbourhood of the former post.
Major Munroe was anxious to give General Taylor immediate
advice of the fact. To this perilous service. Captain Walker
volunteered, and safely accomplished it. The danger which
menaced Point Isabel w^as now too imminent to admit delay
in relieving it, and General Taylor, ther£fore, resolved on
marching thither, immediately, with his whole force, except
the seventh regiment of infantry, and Captain Bragg's and
Captain Lowd's companies of artillery, which were to occupy
Fort Brown, then sufficiently complete to sustain a bombard-
ment. The cost of this movement was fully counted by the
general ; — but he was prepared for any exigency, and resolved
to meet any force which the enemy might bring against him.

108 TAYLOR LEAVES THE RIO GRANDE

CHAPTER VI.

Rejoicing in Matamoros — Arista, with his Forces, crosses the River — His Dis-
appointment at Taylor's Escape — Mexican Narrative of both Movements —
Ardour of the Mexicans — Terror of the Americans — Their Duplicity and
Treachery — Taylor's Ignominy — Bombardment of Fort Brovpn — Taylor's In-
structions— May's and Walker's Mission — New Mexican Batteries — Their Fire
not returned — Mexican Account of the Bombardment — Eternal Honour of
Mexican Artillery-men — Barbarous Pleasure of the Americans — Their Coward-
ice and Stupidity — Mexican Triumplj^American Loss — Mexican Superiority
— Continuation of the Bombardment — Death of Major Brown — New Mexican
Batteries — Captain Hawkins summoned to Surrender — Arista's modest Letter
— Hawkins' presumptuous Answer — Want of Ammunition — Preparations
for an Assault — Weariness of the Men in the Fort — Signals of Relief.

The first of May, 1846, was a day of great exultation among
the good people of Matamoros. All classes forsook their oc-
cupations, and gathered on the banks of the river. The merry
bells were rung, and public joy was manifested by all modes
known to the sanguine denizens of a tropical town. It so hap-
pened, that his excellency, Don Mariano Arista, general-in-
chief of the division of the north, had chosen the same bright
morning to order a large body of his troops across the Rio
Grande, that General Taylor had chosen to march to the relief
of Point Isabel. A retrograde movement, on the part of the
Americans, at any moment, would have been hailed by their
confident neighbours as evidence of doubt and apprehension.
But occurring simultaneously with the advance of their own
forces to the left side of the river, the cheering conclusion was
drawn, that the terror-stricken army of the United States was
flying before the brilliant legions of Mexico. The latter had
selected a ford for crossing, several miles above the camp of
the former, and were, therefore, so far in the rear of the sup-
posed fugitives, that their retreat could not be cut off. This
was a disappointment ; but the anxiety to chastise the invaders
was in a measure allayed, by the circumstance, that General
Taylor, in his precipitous flight, had left a small body of men
in Fort Brown. To reduce these to the humiliation of sur-

MEXICAN VIEWS OF HIS MARCH. 109

rendering would be an easy and a glorious task ; so thought
his excellency (General Arista) and his worthy compatriots.
Perhaps the best illustration of this comfortable assurance is
found in the annexed extract of a document, published in El
Monitor Republicano, of Matamoros, on the 4th of May.

" On the first of this month, at eleven o'clock in the morning,
the general-in-chief left this place to join the army, who, several
hours before, had left with the intention of crossing the river
at a short distance from the camp of the enemy. In consequence
of the orders given, so that this dangerous operation might be
performed with due security, and according to the rules of
military art, when our troops arrived at the spot designated for
the crossing of the river, the left bank was already occupied
by General D. Anastasio Torrejon, with all the force under his
command. The enthusiasm of our soldiers to conquer the
obstacles which separated them from the enemy was so great,
that they showed themselves impatient of the delay occasioned
by the bad condition of some of the flat-boats, which had been
very much injured in the transportation by land, and could not
be used, as they would fill up with water as soon as they were
launched. In spite of that obstacle, the work went on with
such activity, and so great was the ardour of the most excel-
lent general-in-chief, whose orders w^ere obeyed with the
greatest promptness and precision, that a few hours were suffi-
cient to transport, to the opposite bank of the Bravo, a strong
division, with all its artillery and train.

" This rapid and well-combined movement ought to have
proved to the invaders not only that the Mexicans possess in-
struction and aptness for war, but that those qualities are now
brought forth by the purest patriotism. The Northern Division,
fearless of fatigue, and levelling all difficulties, ran to seek an
enemy who, well sheltered under parapets, and defended with
guns of a large calibre, could wait for the attack with indis-
putable advantage. With deep trenches, with a multitude of
fortifications, the defence was easy against those who presented
themselves with their naked breasts.

i' But General Taylor dared not resist the valour and enthu-
10

110 HOW HE CHANCED TO ESCAPE.

siasm of the sons of Mexico. Well did he foresee the intre-
pidity with which our soldiers would rush against the usurpers
of the national territory. Well did he know" the many injuries
which were to be avenged by those who had taken up arms,
not to aggrandize themselves with the spoils of the property of
others, but to maintain the independence of their country.
Well did he know, we repeat it, that the Mexicans would be
stopped neither by trenches, or fortresses, or large artillery.
Thus it was that the chief of the American forces, frightened
as soon as he perceived from the situation and proximity of
his camp, that our army were preparing to cross the river, left
with precipitation for Point Isabel, with almost all his troops,
eight pieces of artillery, and a few wagons. Their march was
observed from our position, and the most excellent General D,
Francisco Mejia immediately sent an express extraordinary to
communicate the news to the most excellent general-in-chief.
Here let me pay to our brave men the tribute which they de-
serve. The express verbally informed some of the troops,
which had not yet arrived at the ford, of the escape of the
Americans; in one instant, all the soldiers spontaneously
crossed the river, almost racing one with another. Such was
the ardour with which they crossed the river to attack the
enemy.

" The terror and haste with which the latter fled to the fort,
to shut themselves up in it and avoid a conflict, frustrated the
active measures of the most excellent Senor General Arista,
which were to order the cavalry to advance in the plain and
cut off* the flight of the fugitives. But it was not possible to
do so, notwithstanding their forced march during the night.
General Taylor left his camp at two o'clock in the afternoon,
and, as fear has wings, he succeeded in shutting himself up in
the fort. When our cavalry reached the point where they were
to detain him, he had already passed, and was several leagues
ahead. Great was the sorrow of our brave men not to have
been able to meet the enemy face to face ; their defeat was
certain, and the main body of that invading army, who thought
that they inspired the Mexicans with so much respect, would

TAYLOR REACHES POINT ISABEL. Ill

have disappeared in the first important battle. But there was
some fighting to be done ; and the Americans do not know
how to use other arms but those of duplicity and treachery.
Why did they not remain with firmness under their colours ?
Why did they abandon the ground which they pretend to usurp
with such iniquity ? Thus has an honourable general kept his
word. Had not General Taylor said, in all his communica-
tions, that he was prepared to repel all hostilities ? Why, then,
does he fly in so cowardly a manner to shut himself up at the
Point? The commander-in-chief of the American army has
covered himself with opprobrium and ignominy in sacrificing
a part of his forces, whom he left in the fortifications, to save
himself; for it is certain that he will not return to their assist-
ance— not that he is ignorant of their peril, but he calculates
that this would be greater if he had the temerity of attempting
to resist the Mexican lances and bayonets in the open plain."
Before the publication of this bold and sarcastic paper,
General Taylor, fortunately for his feelings as w^ell as his se-
curity, had reached Point Isabel. Meanwhile, on the 3d in-
stant, a Mexican battery had opened a fire upon Fort Brown,
which its brave commander. Major Jacob Brown, returned so
effectually that the guns of the former were very speedily
silenced. Before leaving the fort, General Taylor had satisfied
himself of its ability to sustain a bombardment, but to be pre-
pared for its relief, he ordered that, in case of an assault, heavy
signal guns should be fired at stated intervals, which would
apprise him at Point Isabel of its condition. When the firing
of the Mexican guns, on the 3d, was heard at the latter place,
General Taylor's anxiety to know their effect, and the prospect
of the fort sustaining the bombardment, determined him to
despatch a troop of horse to ascertain these facts. One hundred
dragoons under Captain May, and ten Texan Rangers under
Captain Walker, were detailed for this duty, with orders to the
former to proceed within six miles of the fort, (carefully
avoiding the enemy, who then overran the whole intermediate
country,) and there to remain, if circumstances permitted,
while the Rangers, under cover of the night, should continue

112 FORT BROWN BOMBARDED.

on to the fort, and communicate with Major Brown. This
dangerous service was safely and satisfactorily performed,
although Captain Walker was obliged to return to Point Isabel
with no other force than his own ten men.

The fire from the Mexican batteries, erected at different
points, having been resumed, Major Brown found that his six-
pounders, owing to the distance, did little execution, and
wishing to husband his ammunition, and the strength of his
men, the enemy's fire was not returned. This fact was too
flattering to their pride and hopes to be properly understood ;
and the subjoined bulletin of the first day's work was issued
from the Matamoros press, and received with becoming delight
and admiration by the populace.

<'But let us relate the glorious events of yesterday. As
Aurora dawned, we began to fire from our ramparts on the for-
tifications of the enemy, and the thunder of Mexican cannon
was saluted by the reveille from every point of our line, by the
bell of the parochial church, and by the vivas of the inhabit-
ants of Matamoros. In a moment the streets were filled, and
all were rejoiced to see at last the hour arrived, when we were
to give a terrible lesson to the American camp, whose odious
presence could no longer be tolerated. The enemy answered,
but they were soon convinced that their artillery, although of
a superior calibre, could not compete with ours. After a fire
of five hours, our ramparts remained immovable, on account
of the solidity of their construction, and the intelligence with
which the rules of art had been observed. The same did not
happen to the American fortifications, whose bastions were so
completely demolished, that towards eleven o'clock in the
morning their artillery ceased to play, and their fire was hushed.
» We continued to fire with activity during the day, without the
enemy's daring to respond to us, because the parapets under
which they would shelter themselves being destroyed, they had
not courage to load their guns, which remained uncovered.
This result shows us of what in reality consists the exalted
skill of the American artillerists. They have eighteen-pounders,
and we have nothing larger than eight-pounders ; and yet the

MEXICAN IDEAS OF ITS DEFENCE. 113

intelligence and practice of the Mexicans sufficed to conquer
those who had superior arms. Unequalled glory and eternal
honour to our brave artillerymen.

" The enemy, in their impotent rage, and before they con-
cealed their shame behind the most distant parapets, had the
barbarous pleasure of aiming their guns towards the city, to
destroy its edifices, as it was not in their power to destroy the
fortifications from which they received so much injury. This
wicked revenge, which only springs from cowardly and misera-
ble souls, did not meet with the success expected by those who
so unworthily adorn themselves with the title of savans and
philanthropists. Their stupidity w^as equal to their wickedness.
Almost all the balls passed too high ; and those which touched
the houses, although they were eighteen-pounders, did not
cause any other mischief but that of piercing one or two walls.
If those who conceived the infamous design of destroying
Matamoros, had seen the contemptuous laughter with which
the owners of those houses showed their indifference for the
losses which they might sustain, they would have admired the
patriotism and disinterestedness of the Mexicans, always ready
to undergo the greatest sacrifices, when it is necessary to main-
tain their nationality and independence. The glorious 3d of
May is another brilliant testimony of this truth ; through the
thickest of the firing, one could remark the most ardent enthu-
siasm on all faces, and hardly had a ball fallen, when even the
children would look for it, without fearing that another aimed
in the same manner should fall in the same place. That we
saw ourselves in the public square, where a multitude of citi-
zens were assembled.

" The triumph of our arms has been complete, and we have
only to lament the loss of a sergeant and two artillerymen, who
fell gloriously in fighting for their country. The families of
those victims ought to be taken care of by the supreme govern-
ment, to whose paternal gratitude they have been recommended
by the most excellent senor general-in-chief. We must also
be consoled by the thought that the blood of these brave men
has been revenged by their bereaved companions. As many
10*

114 MEXICO GLORIFIES HERSELF.

of our balls passed through the enemy's embrasures, the loss
to the Americans must have been very great ; and although
we do not know exactly the number of their dead, the most
accurate information makes it amount to fifty-six. It is proba-
ble that such is the case. Since eleven o'clock in the morning,
the abandonment of their guns, merely because two of them
were dismounted, and the others were uncovered ; the panic-
terror with which, in all haste, they took refuge in their furthest
entrenchments, taking away from the camp all that could suffer
from the attack of our artillery ; the destruction which must
have been occasioned by the bombs so well aimed, that some
would burst at a yard's distance from the ground in their de-
scent to the point where they were to fall ; every thing contri-
butes to persuade that indeed the enemy have suffered a terri-
ble loss. If it were not the case — if they preserved some
remnant of valour, why did they not dare to repair their forti-
fications in the night ? It is true that, from time to time, a few
guns were fired on them in the night, but their aim could not
.be certain, and cowardice alone could force them not to put
themselves in an attitude to return the fire which was poured
on them again at daylight. No American put out his head ;
silence reigned in their camp ; and for this reason we have
suspended our fire to-day — that there is no enemy to meet our
batteries.

" To conclude, we will give a brilliant paragraph relating to
the contest, by the most excellent senor general- in- chief, as to
the part which he took in the events of yesterday. He says
thus : ' Mexico must glorify herself, and especially the valiant
men of the Division of the North, that a force inferior in its
elements, and perhaps in numbers also, and which required
nearly two, months to swell itself with the auxiliaries coming
from the capital, should meet in an immense plain, defying the
army of the United States, and the whole power of that re-
public, without their opponents, who could receive succour in
the space of fifty hours, should dare to leave the fort to give
us battle.'

"From the news which we publish to-day, it will be seen

MEXICANS INTIMIDATE AMERICA. 115

that the Northern Division, so deservedly entrusted with the
first operations against the North American army, has most
nobly filled its highly important mission. Not that we mean
to be understood as considering its task is yet fully completed,
but we anticipate, before the end of the present week, to wit-
ness the total discomfiture of the enemy, who has had the
temerity to answer the fire of our batteries : of those batteries
that gave them yesterday such abundant proof of that valour,
so characteristic of the Mexicans : a valour rendered famous
in a hundred bloody contests ! It were endless to recount all
the acts of patriotism performed by the troops of the garrison,
and the valiant citizens who shared in the defence of the city —
they courted danger with that intrepidity always inspired by a
just cause.

" So rapid is the fire of our guns, that the batteries of the
enemy have been silenced. But what is most worthy of notice,
as showing the great enthusiasm of this place, is the fact that
many of the inhabitants, of both sexes, in the hottest of the
cannonade, remained firm in front of the enemy, filled with
enthusiasm ; indeed, fear is always unknown to those whose
mission is to avenge an outrage upon the sacred rights of their
beloved country.

"From our account of the war, the world wall judge of the
great superiority of our troops, in courage as well as skill, over
the Americans. It is indeed wonderful to witness the dismay
of the enemy : rare is the occurrence when an American ven-
tures outside of the breastwork. There can be no doubt of
this, that the Mexicans will be considered by foreign nations
as the very emblems of patriotism. How evident that they in-
herit the blood of the noble sons of Pelayo ! Happy they who
have met with so glorious a death m defending the territory
bequeathed to them by their fathers !

" The nation wath which we are at w^ar is most savage in its'
proceedings ; no regard being paid to the flags of friendly na-
tions : even those usages and customs respected by civilized
nations, to divest war of some of its horrors, have been shame-
fully disregarded. The enemy have fired red shot against this

116 ATTACK UPON FORT BROWN.

innocent city, and we publish it to the world in proof that,
with all their boasted wisdom and liberty, they are unworthy
of being counted among enlightened nations.

"His excellency, the general-in- chief of the Northern Divi-
sion, and his intrepid soldiers, are ready to fight the enemy in
any numbers, and we are certain that our arms will be success-
ful ; but the nation against whom we have to contend is exces-
sively proud ; and it is also possessed of resources which may
perhaps surpass those within our reach. Let us then make an
immense effort to repel their aggressions. Let us contribute
every thing most dear to us, our persons, our means, to save
our country from its present danger. Let us oppose to the
unbridled ambition of the Anglo-American that patriotic en-
thusiasm so peculiar to ys. Indeed, w^e need only follow the
glorious example of Matamoros, that noble city, which will be
known in future by the name of Heroic. Its inhabitants have
emulated the examples of Menamia and Saguntum ; they have
determined to die at the foot' of the eagle of Anahuac, defend
their fort whilst they retajn the breath of life — this plan is
settled. The supreme government is making strenuous exer-
tions in order to protect the territory placed under its care by
the nation, and nothing is now wanting but for the people to
rush in a mass to the frontier, and the independence of Mexico
is safe."

On the morning of the 5th, a battery was discovered in the
rear of Fort Brown, which a large body of the enemy, having
crossed the river, had erected during the night. It opened a
severe fire, and, at the same time, a tremendous discharge of
shell and shot was maintained from the guns at Matamoros.
Both were answered efficiently, their position being within
range of the heavy guns of the fort. Major Brown had caused
bomb-proof shelters to be erected for the men, to which they
retreated when the shells w^ere bursting within the entrench-
ments. The great extent of the works over which the men
were scattered, and this precaution, rendered almost abortive the
cannonading of the enemy, which was maintained for days with
great spirit and precision. Among the first, and very few,

MAJOR BROWN WOUNDED. 117

however, who were victims of the storm, was the excellent and
gallant commander himself. In the midst of an incessant cross-
fire from the Mexican batteries on both shores of the river, he
was making his usual round of the works, and assuring him-
self that the men were at their posts, when he was struck
by a shell, which tore off one of his legs, inflicting a mortal
injury. He was borne to the hospital, suffering excruciating
torture ; but, forgetful of himself, he still cheered the men in
their duty. The shattered limb was amputated ; and, while
under the operation, he expressed his gratification that his
country had not lost a younger man. A veteran in the servicet
he could die calmly as he had lived nobly, devoted to the latest
moment to his country and the honour of her arms."

Meanwhile, the enemy grew bolder, under the impression
that their guns were rapidly destroying the entire command in
the fort. Large bodies of them surrounded it, and the erection
of another battery was commenced on the site of General Tay-
lor's camp. Captain Hawkins succeeded Major Brown, and
this was judged by Arista to be a favourable moment for a
summons to surrender. On the afternoon of the 6th, he ac-
cordingly sounded a parley; and, under the protection of a
white flag, sent the following note, the merits of which would
suffer by description or abridgment :

" Mexican Army, Division of the North.

«« General-in-Chief: —

«« You are besieged by forces sufficient to take you ; and
there is, moreover, a numerous division encamped near you,
which, free from all other cares, will keep off any succours
which you may expect to receive.

" The respect for humanity, acknowledged at the present
age by all civilized nations, doubtless imposes upon me the
duty of mitigating the disasters of war.

" This principle, which Mexicans observe above all other
nations, obliges me to summon you, as all your efforts will be
useless, to surrender, in order to avoid, by a capitulation, the
entire destruction of all the soldiers under your command.

118 A HUMANE OFFER REJECTED.

" You will thus afford me the pleasure of complying with
the mild and benevolent wishes above expressed, which dis-
tinguish the character of my countrymen, whilst I, at the same
time, fulfil the most imperious of the duties which my country
requires for the offences committed against it.

" Mariano Arista.

« God and Liberty !
« Head Quarters at the Tonques Del Raminero, May 6, 1846."

To this missive, more preposterous in sentiment than futile
in purpose, Captain Hawkins replied, that he had duly con-
sidered its humane proposition, which, if he correctly under-
stood, he respectfully declined. Resolved to make good his
threat, Arista now redoubled the work of his batteries, and
their balls were hailed, for successive hours, into the fort. The
ammunition in the latter, although prudently used from the
first, was so far reduced, that no reply was made to the guns
of the Mexicans. Their troops, elated by this circumstance,
were seen in great numbers on every side of the American
works. Through the night the firing ceased, but the garrison
watched constantly, expecting an assault. The next day, the
7th, the bombardment was vigorously maintained, two or three
men being wounded and several horses killed, from time to time,
by the explosion of the shells. Again at night a watch was
kept in anticipation of an assault, which had been determined by
the Mexican general, who, to justify his professions of personal
and national valour, had a corps organized and inspected
for the purpose. Under cover of the darkness. Captain Mans-
field levelled the traverse thrown up by General Worth, and
cut down the chapparal which screened the enemy's sharp
shooters.

Continual watching and labour had begun to weary the
Americans. They had become familiarized, during four days,
to the roar of heavy ordnance, and to the falling of balls among
them. Their orders were, not to fire unless the enemy ap-
proached within eighty yards of the fort, and this condition
never occurring, they were obliged silently to watch the efforts
to destroy them. It was a duty to test in the severest manner

RETURN FROM POINT ISABEL. 119

their courage and fortitude ; yet not a man faltered, and many
were the examples of heroic indifference to danger. Four days
and nights the iron tempest raged on all sides with little inter-
mission. Soon after its commencement the signal cannon, as
directed by General Taylor, had been fired, to warn him of in-
creasing peril to the friends whom he had left. At mid-day,
on the 8th of May, there was a pause in the thunder of the
Mexican guns. Two hours passed, and other guns were heard,
sending their rapid echoes afar from the north-east. To the
beleaguered Americans there was sympathy and succour in
those deep and distant sounds. A shout of joy and hope went
up from the fort.

CHAPTER VII.

General Taylor leaves Point Isabel for Fort Brown — His Force — The March-
Enemy reported — Rest before battle — Palo Alto— Enemy in sight — Taylor's
order of battle — Lieut. Blake's bold reconnoissance — Taylor's confidence-
Arista's Force and order of battle — The Enensy's first Fire — The Answer and
its Effect — Charge by the Lancers — Their repulse — Fall of Ringgold — The
Prairie on fire — Charge on the Train — Duncan's Battery — May's gallantry — .
The last Charge — The Field won — The Loss — Taylor's first Despatch — His
•detailed account of the Action — Mention of Lieut. Blake — Of the Artillery
— Of Lieut. Luther — Statement of Forces — Arista's Despatch — Misstatement
of his Force — Explanations of Failure — False colouring — Acknowledgment
of Loss — Remarks on the causes of the Victory.

General Taylor had tarried a week at Point Isabel, placing
that post in a state of defence, and making the requisite pre-
parations to conduct a large train of supplies to the camp, which
he had temporarily left, opposite Matamoros. Booming across
the wide prairie, which separated him from the gallant defenders
of Fort Brown, he had heard the deep-mouthed cannon, which
invited his return. But he never doubted that the trust he had
left would be faithfully kept while an arm could be raised to
maintain it. The sun of the 7th of May was declining, when,
at the head of twenty-three hundred men, and with a supply

120 APPROACH TO PALO ALTO.

train of nearly three hundred wagons, he again turned his face
towards the Rio Grande. Two eighteen-pound guns, mounted
on siege-carriages and drawn by ten yoke of oxen, moved
laboriously on, in contrast with the eight light pieces of Ring-
gold's and Duncan's Flying Artillery. Only two hundred
sabres made the array of his cavalry, and eighteen hundred
muskets told the complement of his infantry force. Twenty-
seven miles separated him from the position which he had oc-
cupied upon its banks, and after a march of one-fourth the dis-
tance he bivouacked till the following morning. Through the
silent watches, if the distant voice of the enemy's batteries told
how they still menaced the destruction of the fort, it also
cheered our troops on their way to its relief, assuring them by
every echo, that their comrades were safe and

" Giving proof through the night that our flag still was there !"

As the day dawned again, the march was resumed, and con-
tinued without interruption till nearly noon. At this hour
fatigue might have suggested repose, but just then the scouts
reported the Mexicans drawn up at the farther verge of a prairie,
prepared to oppose the progress of the American army. The
news gave fresh vigour to the troops, anxious to prove to an
enemy, who had accused them of a cowardly retreat, how far the
reproach was merited. The columns continued to advance, and
a plain three miles wide extended before them. General Tay-
lor awaited the coming of the main body and then ordered a
halt. To prepare for the expected conflict, he gave the men
an hour to rest, while, from the pools of fresh water near them,
they quenched their present thirst, and filled their canteens,
which were afterwards drained by many a wounded and weary
foe. The train, remaining in the rear, was formed into a solid
square.

At two o'clock the order passed along the columns to ad-
vance. The limbs, pained by leagues of travel, forgot their
toil, and moved on as if just risen from the long repose of a
home-spent night. And the backs, which had bent from sun-
rise to meridian beneath a soldier's arms and burden, were

Taylor's order of battle. 121

straightened up as if conscious only of the pride of a holiday-
suit. The field widened before the moving troops ; and its
further boundary was a dwarfish wood, rising but little above
the feebler vegetation of that barren waste. But seeming high
by contrast, it is so called, and gives to the spot the name of
Palo Alio. As the columns pressed forward, another bristling
forest was indistinctly seen in front of that stunted wood. It
was the long line of Arista's array, posted in hostile array to
forbid the progress of Taylor's meagre battalions. The dis-
tance was too great to distinguish the different corps, but as
the sun shone upon them, the fitful glitter of each extreme
told where the pride of Mexico was stationed — her squadrons
of brilliant lancers.

To be prepared for the enemy, Taylor thus disposed his
force. Beginning with the right wing, commanded by Colonel
Twiggs, were the Fifth Infantry, under Colonel M'Intosh ;
Ringgold's Artillery ; the Third Infantry, under Capt. Morris ;
two eighteen-pounders, under Lieutenant Churchill; Fourth
Infantry, under Major Allen ; two squadrons of Dragoons,
under Captains Ker and May. The left wing, commanded by
Colonel Belknap, was formed of a battalion of Artillery, under
Colonel Childs ; Duncan's Light Artillery ; and the Eighth
Infantry, under Captain Montgomery. The army advancing
in this order. Lieutenant Blake, of the Topographical Engi-
neers, suddenly dashed forward, and, leaving it in the rear,
did not pause until his horse brought him within a hundred and
fifty yards of the enemy's lines. There dismounting, he calmly
drew forth his spy-glass, and reconnoitred them. So daring
an act deceived them as to its object, and two of their officers
rode forth towards him. Seeing this, he remounted, and
rode leisurely along the whole extent of their front, carefully
noting the force and position of the several arms. Having
performed this singular and hazardous exploit,— the admiration
of both opposing armie-s, — he rode back to his commander,
and reported accurately the numbers and dispositions of the
enemy. Six thousand men, many of them the veterans of other
fields, stood there to resist the progress of two thousand, who
11

12^ arista's order of battle.

were to witness for the first time the clash of hostile arms.
But when the signal odds were known to the American chief,
he paused not, blenched not. Firm in his resolution, con-
scious of his resources, confident of his followers, the great
array of the foe served bat to nerve his will, and exalt his hope.
The flags of his troops were the same stripes and stars which
had waved in triumph where he had fought before ; and, as he
glanced along the ranks, over which they were borne, he felt
that his progress was still to victory.

The Mexican general had chosen a vast and open field to
give the Americans battle. His right wing rested upon a
gentle eminence covered with the low timber and under-growth
of the sea-coast prairie ; and his left extended to an impassable
salt-marsh. A thousand horse, at each extreme, menaced, in
due time, the American flanks with an overwhelming charge.
Twelve pieces of cannon, supported by four thousand infantry,
were placed at intervals to command their entire front. Thus
the opposing multitudes approached, until the arms and banners
of each were fully discerned by the other. Over the Mexican
host arose the gorgeous standards which marked their various
corps, — and, among them, most honourable, that of the old
and valiant Battalion of Tampico. — Above all, gleamed the
tall steel, and quivered the gay pennons, of the renowned
Lancers. It was a mild day in mid-spring, not a cloud to
curtain the sun, still far above the horizon ; and then

-it was a glorious sight to see,

For one who had no friend, no brother there.
Their rival scarfs, of mixed embroider)',
And various arms that glittered in the air."

Silently, the little army of the Americans kept on their way.
The thick, rank grass forbade an echo of their steady tramp ;
and the only sound, while " the bravest held his breath for a
time," was the rattle of the artillery - harness, and the ring of
the troopers' scabbards.

"Firm paced and slow, a fearless front they form.
Still as the breeze, but dreadful as the storm."

Only seven hundred yards now separated the two armies.

DEADLY FIRE OF ARTILLERY. 123

when from the Mexican right the artillery, with ball and grape,
thundered a challenge to the conflict. Promptly was it ac-
cepted. Taylor halted his columns, and gave the order to de-
ploy into line, which was obeyed with the steadiness and pre-
cision of their ordinary drill. The light batteries on the flanks,
and in the centre the eighteen-pounders, were advanced about
a hundred yards, the General in person directing the position
of the latter. Before this movement, he had ridden along each
brigade, and encouraged the men to be cool and deliberate.
For some minutes there was silence through the line, when the
order passed to answer the enemy's fire. The prompt roar of
Duncan's guns on the left, echoed by Ringgold's on the right,
fulfilled the command, carrying fearful messengers across the
plain. On both sides, the deep tones of the ordnance alone
was heard. Before Ringgold's rapid discharges, the fine
cavalry on the Mexican left faltered, and fell back to escape
their resistless effect. From the centre, Churchill then directed
the more terrible eighteen-pounders, while Duncan, pressing
nearer to the enemy's right, made it share the ruin of the other
extreme. The cannon on both sides, the only arm employed,
continued thus for nearly an hour to maintain the fight. The
Fifth Regiment of Infantry was then detached, and advanced
to the right and front, nearly half a mile, w^ith orders to turn
the left flank of the Mexicans, who had gradually receded be-
fore the artillery, which, at every discharge, opened hideous
breaches in the living wall of their lines.

Arista witnessed with painful surprise the frequent service and
the deadly precision of the American guns, while his own, less
rapid, often failed in their aim. Bravery and firmness were not
w^anting in his ranks, but he soon perceived that in a contest
of artillery only, his force must speedily melt away before the
inevitable fire directed against it. He therefore ordered a
charge by the cavalry on his left, commanded by General Tor-
rejon, while he led that on the right, with his infantry, against
that portion of the American line respectively opposed to them.
Torrejon came ; and not less than a thousand horse, supported
by two field-pieces, dashed with him upon our right. The

124 THE PRAIRIE OxN FIRE.

Fifth and Third Regiments were ordered to receive him ; and
as the splendid red lancers bore rapidly up, discharging their
escopettes, the Fifth, thrown into cavalry square, returned the
salute from one of its sides with a volley, which carried con-
fusion into their foremost ranks. But recovering from the
check, they still pressed gallantly towards our rear. The Third
Infantry, promptly detached to the extreme right, covering the
train, prepared to repel them ; while Lieutenant Ridgely, with
a section of Ringgold's battery, rushed to the left of the Fifth,
and wheeling his flying pieces into position, before Torrejon's
tardy guns were unlimbered, poured a ruinous fire into their
columns, which they vainly struggled to resist. Precipitately
they turned and fled, their retreating squadrons lessened at
every step by the iron storm which pursued them.

While this encounter proceeded on one wing, Ringgold, to
the right of the eighteen-pounders, occupying the road, con-
tinued with them to sweep the enemy's left. Thus engaged,
a ball from one of their guns struck that daring officer and his
horse, and, fatally mangled, both w^ere dashed to the ground.
Friends sprang to his aid, but forgetful of self, he bade them
do their duty in the battle, and leave him to his fate. He was
borne from the field, and Lieutenant Shover succeeded him in
command, worthily sustaining the action till its close.

Meanwhile Duncan advanced on the left, and supported by
the Eighth Infantry, efficiently maintained the conflict of that
extreme for two hours, the whole wing exposed during that
time to a galling fire from the opposing artillery. The long
grass of the prairie, parched by the constant blaze of the guns
on either side, was suddenly lighted into flame by a discharge
from one of Duncan's pieces. The smoke, rolling in heavy
masses, concealed each army from the other, and for a time the
battle paused. As the sea-breeze blew parallel to their fronts,
it for a moment cleared the smoke on our left, and disclosed
to the enemy that wing with its field.pieces, advancing to the
right of its first position. The occasion was not lost to the
quick eye of Duncan, who perceived the whole cavalry and
infantry force of the Mexican right, two thousand men, moving

DISCOMFITURE OF THE MEXICANS. 125

upon our train. Again the smoke of the burning prairie
screened from each the adverse lines. But Duncan, under
orders of Col. Belknap, wheeled his horses, and rushing in the
direction of the enemy's lancers, halted within musket range,
and as the air suddenly cleared again, he was in a position to
receive them. So rapid was the movement, that they who, but
an instant before, had seen the battery flying in another direc-
tion, halted in astonishment. One section of it poured a vol-
ley of shot and shells in their ranks, while another was directed
against the regiments of foot, just then appearing from the
chapparal, supported by two other squadrons of horse. The
latter bodies, infantry and cavalry, retired to the chapparal',
while the former stood firm before a fire which cut deep gaps
in their solid masses. Again their fellows, having re-formed,
debouched from the wood, and advanced steadily and valiantly
in the teeth of the engines whose deadly aim had just driven
them back. But the storm was resistless, and the infantry
broke in confusion. Their supporting cavalry bore up but a
moment longer, and then turned also. The whole body now
fled, and in their retreating corps, the flying artillery kept up
the havoc which it had begun.

Before and during these movements on the left of our line,
a change in the relative position of both armies had been
effected. The enemy, pressed by our right, had formed his
front nearly at right angles to its original line. Evening was
approaching, when Captain May was ordered by General Tay-
lor to drive the enemy's cavalry on his left flank. In the move-
ment to execute this order, which he was eager to attempt in
the face of fearful odds, he passed the General and his staff,
and at the same moment received a direct volley from the
enemy's batteries, which, wounding five men and killing six
horses, deprived him at one blow of a twentieth of his troop.
He gained, however, a position on the right, and there per-
ceiving the impossibility of charging successfully a force ten
times his own, returned to his first position.

The action on our right, interrupted for an hour by the
burning grass, was renewed, the enemy constantly, though
11*

126 NIGHT UPON THE BATTLE-FIELD.

steadily, falling back. A demonstration by his cavalry was
made on the eighteen-pounders, at a moment when they were
supported only by Ker's dragoons and the artillery battalion.
But the latter, forming into square, repelled the charge, which
was the last desperate effort to capture the pieces, that bore
destruction to all before them. The shades of night only ar-
rested the fatal work which the day permitted. The Mexican
army, diminished by hundreds of wounded and dead, retreated
behind the chapparal, while the Americans bivouacked upon
the field so hardly and valiantly won.

The field had been won, but the enemy was not conquered.
Night, as it closed the bloody labours of the day, brought time
for thought upon the morrow. It brought, too, rumours of
numerous and fresh troops, reinforcing the Mexican army,
which, it was apprehended, would recede to a new and better
position, resolved still to oppose the advance of the small and
jaded body of the Americans. Notwithstanding the success
of the first encounter, it was therefore thought expedient to
hold a consultation of officers on the policy of proceeding
against a foe, far superior in numbers, and proved to possess
both courage and endurance. The result of the council was
a unanimous decision to move forward on the following morn-
ing. That this had been Taylor's constant determination need
hardly be added. He feared not defeat before a blow had been
struck. Now he regarded a future triumph as the certain
sequel of a conflict.

While the mass of the wearied troops slept beside their arms,
with only the earth for their bed and the sky for its canopy,
parties of them were following up the toil of the day by seeking
the wounded left upon the field, and ministering to their com-
fort. Scores of their unfortunate adversaries shared these hu-
mane offices. Their loss in killed and wounded, as afterwards
reported, was six hundred. The loss on our side was nine
killed and forty-four wounded. Among the latter was Captain
Page, an officer of great merit, who soon afterwards died. The
fate of the gallant Ringgold has already been mentioned. If
others were more fortunate, they were equally exposed to

Taylor's account of the battle. 127

danger. General Taylor himself was often where the fire of
the enemy was hottest, and set the example to his men of
braving the death which constantly menaced their ranks. Of
this glorious action of Palo Alto, the following is the brief and
unpretending account which he prepared before the morning
of the 9th :

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Camp at Palo Alto, Texas, May 9, 1846.

Sir : I have the honour to report that I was met near this
place yesterday, on my march from Point Isabel, by the Mexi-
can forces, and after an action of about five hours, dislodged
them from their position and encamped upon the field. Our
artillery, consisting of two eighteen-pounders and two light
batteries, was the arm chiefly engaged, and to the excellent
manner in which it was manoeuvred and served is our success
mainly due.

The strength of the enemy is believed to have been about
6000 men, with seven pieces of artillery, and 800 cavalry.
His loss is probably at least one hundred killed. Our strength
did not exceed, all told, twenty-three hundred, w^hile our loss
was comparatively trifling — four men killed, three officers and
thirty-seven men wounded, several of the latter mortally. I
regret to say that Major Ringgold, 2d artillery, and Captain
Page, 4th infantry, are severely wounded. Lieutenant Luther,
2d artillery, slightly so.

The enemy has fallen back, and it is believed has re-passed
the river. I have advanced parties now thrown forward in his
direction, and shall move the main body immediately.

In the haste of this report, I can only say that the officers
and men behaved in the most admirable manner throughout
the action. I shall have the pleasure of making a more de-
tailed report when those of the different commanders shall be
received.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C.

128 LINE OF BATTLE.

A few days afterwards, the annexed despatch was prepared.
Its details are essential as a matter of justice to the officers
and men, who merited all the encomiums of their worthy com-
mander. The document is dated, Head Quarters, Camp near
Mataraoras, May 16, 1846, and, after an introductory sentence,
proceeds as follows :

" The main body of the Army of Occupation marched under
my immediate orders from Point Isabel on the evening of the
7th of May, and bivouacked seven miles from that place.

*' Our march was resumed the following morning. About
noon, when our advance of cavalry had reached the water-hole
of ^ Palo Alto,' the Mexican troops were reported in our front,
and were soon discovered occupying the road in force. I
ordered a halt upon reaching the water, with a view to rest and
refresh the men, and to form deliberately our line of battle.
The Mexican line was now plainly visible across the prairie,
and about three-quarters of a mile distant. Their left, which
was composed of a heavy force of cavalry, occupied the road,
resting upon a thicket of chapparal, while masses of infantry
were discovered in succession on the right, greatly outnumber-
ing our own force.

" Our line of battle was now formed in the following order,
commencing on the extreme right : — 5th Infantry, commanded
by Lieutenant Colonel M'Intosh ; Major Ringgold's Artillery; 3d
Infantry, commanded by Captain L. N. Morris ; two eighteen-
pounders, commanded by Lieutenant Churchill; 3d Artillery;
4th Infantry, commanded by Major G. W.. Allen ; the 3d and 4th
regiments composed the Third Brigade, under command of
Lieutenant Colonel Garland ; and all the above corps, together
with two squadrons of Dragoons, under Captains Ker and
May, composed the right wing, under the orders of Colonel
Twiggs. The left was formed by the Battalion of Artillery,
commanded by Lieutenant Colonel Childs, Captain Duncan's
Light Artillery, and the Eighth Infantry, under Captain Mont-
gomery— all forming the First Brigade, under command of
Lieutenant Colonel Belknap. The train was parked near the

MENTION OF LIEUT. BLAKE. 129

water, under direction of Captains Grossman and Myers, and
protected by Captain Ker's squadron.

" About 2 o'clock, we took up the march, by heads of
columns, in the direction of the enemy — the eighteen-pounder
battery following the road. While the columns were advancing,
Lieutenant Blake, topographical engineer, volunteered a re-
connoissance of the enemy's line, which was handsomely per-
formed, and resulted in the discovery of at least two batteries
of artillery in the intervals of their cavalry and infantry. These
batteries were soon opened upon us, when I ordered the
columns halted and deployed into line, and the fire to be re-
turned by all our artillery. The Eighth Infantry, on our extreme
left, was thrown back to secure that flank. The first fires of
the enemy did little execution, while our eighteen-pounders
and Major Ringgold's Artillery soon dispersed the cavalry
which formed his left. Captain Duncan's battery, thrown for-
ward in advance of the line, was doing good execution at this
time. Captain May's squadron was now detached to support
that battery, and the left of our position. The Mexican cavalry,
with two pieces of artillery, \vere now reported to be moving
through the chapparal to our right to threaten that flank, or
make a demonstration against the train. The Fifth Infantry was
immediately detached to check this movement, and, supported
by Lieutenant Ridgely, wqth a section of Major Ringgold's
battery, and Captain Walker's company of volunteers, effectu-
ally repulsed the enemy — the Fifth Infantry repelling a charge
of lancers, and the artillery doing great execution in their
ranks. The Third Infantry w^as now detached to the right as
a still further security to that flank, yet threatened by the en-
emy. Major Ringgold, with the remaining section, kept up his
fire from an advanced position, and was supported by the
Fourth Infantry.

" The grass of the prairie had been accidentally fired by our
artillery, and the volumes of smoke now partially concealed the
armies from each other. As the enemy's left had evidently
been driven back, and left the road free, the cannonade having^
been suspended, I ordered forward the eighteen-pounders on the

130 PAGE — RINGGOLD — LUTHER.

road nearly to the position first occupied by the Mexican cavalry,
and caused the First brigade to take up a new position still on
the left of the eighteen-pounder battery. The Fifth was ad-
vanced from its former position and 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.

" 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
this severe cannonade was a theme of universal remark and
admiration. Captain May's squadron was detached to make a
demonstration 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, w^hich 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 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.

1^ ^' In the mean time, the Battalion of Artillery, under Lieu-
tenant 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
column continued to advance under 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, 2d 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

LOSS AND COMPARATIVE FORCE. 131

on the right of our line, the enemy having been completely
driven back from his position, and foiled in every attempt against
our line.

"While the above was going forward on our right, and
under my own eye, the enemy had made a serious attempt
against the left of our line. Captain Duncan instantly per-
ceived the movement, and by the bold and brilliant manoeuvre-
ing of his battery, completely repulsed several successive
efforts of the enemy to advance in force upon our left flank.
Supported in succession by the 8th Infantry and Captain
Ker's squadron of Dragoons, he gallantly held the enemy at
bay, and finally drove him, wdth immense loss, from the field.
The action here and- along the whole line, continued until
dark, when the enemy retired into the chapparal in rear of
his position. 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 posi-
tion.

" Our loss this day was nine killed, forty-four wounded, and
two missing. Among the wounded w^ere Major Ringgold,
who has since died, and Captain Page dangerously wounded.
Lieutenant Luther slightly so.

" Our own force is shown by the field report to have been 177
officers and 2111 men — aggregate 2288. The Mexican force,
according to the statements of their own officers, was not less
than 6000 regular troops, with ten pieces of artillery, and pro-
bably 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 formed
upon the number actually counted upon the field and upon the
reports of their own officers.

t' As already reported in my first brief despatch, the conduct
of our 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."

With this unvarnished tale it is interesting to compare

132 arista's DESPATCH.

the ingenious account given by General Arista of the same oc-
currences. If it appears uncandid in any particular, or in its
spirit, the embarrassing position of the writer must be his
apology. It is addressed to the Mexican Minister of War and
Marine.

" Constant in my purpose of preventing General Taylor from
uniting the forces which he brought from the Fronton of Sante
Isabel, with those which he left opposite Matamoros, I moved
this day from the Fanques del Raminero, whence I despatched
my last extraordinary courier, and took the direction of Palo
Alto, as soon as my spies informed me that the enemy had left
Fronton, with the determination of introducing into his fort
wagons loaded with provisions and heavy artillery.

" I arrived opposite Palo Alto about one o'clock, and ob-
served that the enemy was entering that position.

" With all my forces, I established the line of battle in a
great plain, my right resting upon an elevation, and my left on
a slough of difficult passage.

" Scarcely was the first cannon fired, when there arrived
General D. Pedro de Ampudia, second in command, whom I
had ordered to join me after having covered the points which
might serve to besiege the enemy in the forts opposite Mata-
moros.

" The forces under my orders amounted to three thousand
men, and twelve pieces of artillery; those of the invaders
were three thousand, rather less than more, and were superior
in artillery, since they had twenty pieces of the calibre of six-
teen and eighteen pounds.

" The battle commenced so ardently, that the fire of cannon
did not cease a single moment. In the course of it, the enemy
wished to follow the road to Matamoros, to raise the siege of
his troops ; with which object he fired the grass, and formed in
front of his line of battle a smoke so thick, that he succeeded
in covering himself from our view, but by means of manoeuvres
this was twice embarrassed.

" General Taylor maintained his attack rather defensively
than offensively, employing his best arm, which is artillery,

arista's misstatements. 133

protected by half of the infantry, and all of his cavalry, keeping
the remainder fortified in the ravine, about two thousand yards
from the field of battle.

"I was anxious for the charge, because the fire of cannon
did much damage in our ranks, and I instructed General D.
Anastasio Torrejon to execute it with the greater part of the
cavalry, by our left flank, with some columns of infantry, and
the remainder of the cavalry.

" I w^as waiting the moment when that general should exe-
cute the charge, and the effect of it should begin to be seen,
in order to give the impulse on the right ; but he was checked
by a, fire of the enemy, which defended a slough that embar-
rassed the attack.

. <' Some battalions, becoming impatient by the loss w^hich
they suffered, fell into disorder, demanding to advance or fall
back. I immediately caused them to charge with a column
of cavalry, under the command of Colonel D. Ca3^etano Mon-
tero ; the result of this operation being that the dispersed corps
repaired their fault as far as possible, marching towards the
enemy, who, in consequence of his distance, was enabled to
fall back upon his reserve, and night coming on, the battle was
concluded, the field remaining for our arms.

"Every suitable measure w^as then adopted, and the division
took up a more concentrated curve in the same scene of action.

" The combat was long and bloody, which may be estimated
from the calculations made by the commandant general of artil-
lery, General D. Thomas Requena, who assures me that the
enemy threw about three thousand cannon-shots from two in
the afternoon, when the battle commenced, until seven at night,
when it terminated, — six hundred and fifty being fired on our
side.

" The national arms shone forth, since they did not yield a
hand's breadth of ground, notwithstanding the superiority in
artillery of the enemy, who suffered much damage.

<^ Our troops have to lament the loss of two hundred and
fifty-two men dispersed, wounded, and killed, — the last worthy
12

134 REMARKS ON THE BATTLE.

of national recollection and gratitude for the intrepidity with
which they died fighting for the most sacred of causes.

*< Will your excellency please with his note to report to his
excellency the President, representing to him that I will take
care to give a circumstantial account of this deed of arms ;
and recommending to him the good conduct of all the generals,
chiefs, officers, and soldiers under my orders, for sustaining so
bloody a combat, which does honour to our arms, and exhibits
their discipline."

This document is dated, "7n sight of the Enemy, May Sth.'^^
Throughout this action, memorable ahke as the fiirst in which
the armies of the United States and Mexico were in open field,
and as the beginning of a series of extraordinary victories, the
enemy had every apparent advantage to secure the day. He
had selected his own ground, the ground to which his cavalry
was accustomed, and on which there was no natural impedi-
ment to their movements ; and that body alone equalled the
whole force of every arm which he determined to resist. There
was, too, active daring, and passive courage in his ranks. His
common soldiers had redeemed even the pledges of his boast-
ing generals. What then was the cause of his failure ? One,
certainly, is found in the inferiority of his artillery, which in no
respect was served as our own. But this one cause will not
explain a reverse so disastrous. The chief reason for it must
be sought in the comparative abilities of the two commanders,
and the spirit of their subordinates. Before the battle. Arista
must have been ignorant of the power of our light artillery ;
but when he had witnessed it, and discovered that his only
hope of success was in a close conflict and the capture of the
pieces, he should have charged up to our Hues at any partial
sacrifice. It is true that he thrice attempted this at diflTerent
points, and with his overwhehning numbers, why should he
have failed ? The want of impetuous, self-abandoning, indo-
mitable bravery in his officers affords the only explanation.
Their men sustained the destructive volleys of our guns wath
noble firmness, and had they been led on by superiors worthy

MARCH FROM PALO ALTO. 1,35

of them, they might have more nearly balanced the fortunes
of the day, even if they had failed to overpower their adver-
saries, who entered the field reckless of any opposing force,
and resolved to maintain it at any cost.

CHAPTER VIII.

Mexican Army retreating — Taylor's March resumed — Mexican Dead and
Wounded — Skirmishes with the Enemy — Mexican Army formed — Its Posi-
tion — La Resaca de ia Palraa — The Battle commenced — The Artillery — In-
fantry engaged — Close Quarters — The Enemy's Batteries — May ordered to
charge them — Ridgely's Gallantry — May's furious Onset — Inge's and
Sackett's Death — Batteries captured — La Vega a Prisoner — The Fifth In-
fantry's charge — Personal deeds — The Enemy's bravery — Officers Wounded
and Killed — Arista's Camp taken — The Tampico Battalion — Rout of the
Enemy — The Booty — The Loss — Taylor's first Despatch — His detailed
Account — Encomiums on his Troops — Mistakes of Arista — Misery of routed

Troops — Gen. Taylor's care of the Wounded — His return to Point Isabel

Congratulates his Troops — Mexican Commander's Manifesto — Remarks on
causes of his Defeat — Inferiority of Officers — Authority cited — Self-devotion
of American Officers — Examples — Anecdotes of Heroism — Ridgely — Page —
Payne — Ringgold — Richey — Woods and Hays — Augur and Cochrane —
Barbour — May — Melton — Lincoln and Jordan — Belknap and Scott — Mcin-
tosh— Letter of a Witness.

The sun of the ninth of May was raising the curtain of mist,
which hung across the field of Palo Alto, w^hen the rear guard
of the Mexican army was descried, gradually retiring through
the distant chapparal. Although defeated in the contest of the
previous day, its numbers were still formidable, and the rumours
of the night increased them by large bodies of fresh troops.
Anticipating another struggle before he should reach the Rio
Grande, General Taylor made the requisite preparations for it.
To place the train beyond the reach of accident, it w^as left in
its position strongly parked, and entrenched, with four pieces
of artillery and the artillery battalion to defend it. The
wounded, by such modes of carriage as circumstances per-
mitted, were sent back to Point Isabel ; and then, with a force
diminished by the train guard, and by the losses of the late
battle, the resolute commander gave the order for the advance.

136 RECONNOITRING AND SKIRMISHINGf.

As the ground, which had been occupied by the Mexicans
was crossed, the dreadful tokens of the havoc made among
them by the American artillery were exhibited on every side.
Not only were the rigid and insensible bodies of the dead
there, but the still writhing and conscious forms of the living,
variously mutilated and mangled ; who, forsaken by their
friends, had passed the night on the chill earth, damp with
their own blood, with no kind hand to stanch its flow, to bind
up their wounds, or to wet their parched lips with a drop of
water. As the columns, which, fulfilling the day before the
soldier's mission, had caused their sufferings, marched by them
to another field of strife and anguish, the pained and panting
wretches, some by words and some by looks alone, would
piteously ask for drink or food, or succour in their helplessness.
What their enemies could give was freely given for the mo-
ment, and these then passed on, soon to forget the sad chances
of one battle in the rage of another.

The march was continued until the edge of the chapparal
was reached, which belted by a single narrow prairie extends
about six miles to the bottom lands of the river. General
Taylor had thrown forward a part of the first brigade under
Capt. C. F. Smith, the second artillery and a few light com-
panies, the whole commanded by Capt. McCall, to ascertain
the enemy's force and position. It was three o'clock in the
afternoon, when report was brought him that they had made a
stand in the road, which was defended by artillery. An hour
later, the main body under Taylor, overtook Capt. McCall,
who reported that the Mexicans were formed in force in front.
His command had skirmished with them and ascertained their
position. Advancing into the chapparal, he had encountered
small parties, which were fired upon ; and then proceeding he
had reached the strip of open land, which interrupts the broad
reach of undergrowth. Through this clear space a ravine ex-
tends, which the road crosses. In the ravine and against the
chapparal beyond it, the Mexicans were posted. They had
chosen La Resaca de la Palma to make their second stand
against American arms. Their position was well selected for

LA RESACA DE LA PALMA. 137

defence. The ravine is about four feet deep and from one to
two hundred feet wide. Its bed in rainy seasons forms a se-
ries of pools, which are sometimes swollen so as to unite in
one continuous line of water. With dry weather this subsides,
hence the name " Resaca de la Palma.^'' The Mexicans stood
entrenched in this natural ditch, and against the dense thicket
extending on its farther bank. As the right of Capt. McCall's
detachment debouched from the wood facing them, a masked
battery opened upon it, killing one man and wounding two
others. Meanwhile, Lieut. Dobbins on the left, commanding
a small party, was charged by a body of Mexicans, who sud-
denly emerged from the ravine.^ The foremost was shot by
the brave lieutenant himself, and his men, following the exam-
ple of his fire, caused the rest to retreat. Immediately the
battery opened upon him and he fell wounded, but recovering
his feet, he withdrew his party into the chapparal. At this
moment a troop of cavalry rode by, and Lieut. Dobbins order-
ing a fire upon them they also rapidly retreated.

When General Taylor came up, he at once ordered Ridge-
ly's battery to advance upon the road, supported by the Third,
Fourth and Fifth Infantry, and McCall's command on either
side of it. The latter immediately engaged the enemy, and
was seconded by the light artillery, which speedily brought on
a general action. As on the previous day, the execution of the
artillery w^as terrible. But the enemy answered it with spirit
and effect, having eight pieces posted on the road. During
the necessary pauses in the discharges of the latter, Ridgely
contrived to push forward his own, until they were only one
hundred yards from those of the enemy, and at this murderous
proximity, the firing was maintained with grape and cannister.
Admirably did Ridgely and his men labour in this terrible ser-
vice, the sinewy arms and broad chests of the latter bared as
for some peaceful toil, while his unerring eye gave assurance
that not a charge was sped in vain.

The infantry, at the same time, was pressing forward, and
the sharp rattle of musketry on both sides accompanied the
deep din of the ordnance. As each volley told upon the
12*

138 CHARGE BY MAY's DRAGOONS.

ranks of the enemy, the wild shouts of our eager troops rivalled
the clamour of their arms. Their force was extended and di-
vided by the compact thickets which impeded their advance.
The Third Regiment, under Captain Morris, and the Fourth,
under Major Allen, still gaining ground, formed in the ravine.
Here the fight was often hand to hand, and Mexico's bravest
veterans resisted with every arm the impetuous onset of the
Americans ; but, except her artillery, no force could arrest
them. That continued in position, and was used with severe
efficiency. One piece on the right had been captured ; but no
successful effort had been made towards those in the centre,
which covered the Mexican infantry in several desperate at-
tempts to retake the captured gun.

I' General Taylor had for some time noted the strength of the
enemy's position on the road, and the constant execution of
his batteries upon our exposed lines. He called Captain May,
who, with his Dragoons, had awaited orders in the rear, and
told him to charge the artillery of the enemy, and take it,
" nolens volens.'^^ " I will do it !" said May ; and, turning to
his troop, he rose in his stirrups, pointed to the guns before
him, and exclaiming, " Remember your regiment ! — Men,
follow !" he struck his charger, and bounded on before them
down the narrow road. A deafening cheer answered his call,
and they dashed on towards the cannons' mouths. For a mo-
ment, their career was checked by Ridgely's battery in the road.
«' Stop," said he, to the headlong leader, " till I draw their
fire" — and with the word, his guns poured their iron torrent
on the opposing batteries. It was met by a discharge from
theirs, at the same moment, and while the smoke still rolled
around them. May darted forward again to the charge. The
noble horse which bore him outstripped his troop ; and, as he
neared the enemy's breastworks, he turned to wave them on
when only the impetuous Inge was by to answer. But the
squadron, fast as their straining steeds could fly, was hastening
on, their upraised sabres flashing in the sun, when a volley
from the higher battery swept fearfully upon their column.
Seven men and eighteen horses were crushed beneath it.

enemy's batteries silenced. 139

Among them, Inge and Sackett perished. But the rest paused
not. At a bound, May cleared the battery. The horses of a
few others were equal to the leap, and their impetus carried
them beyond the guns. Wheeling again, they drove the gun-
ners off, and Captain Graham, and Lieutenants Pleasanton and
Winship, with others, coming up, were masters of the battery.
But they were surrounded by enemies determined not to yield
their weapons without a struggle. The guns were recovered ;
and the little band of dragoons again dispersed those who
manned them. One officer alone remained, who endeavoured
to rally his men, and, with match in hand, was about to dis-
charge a piece, when May dashed up, and summoned him to
yield. " General La Vega is a prisoner," answered the brave
Mexican, and gave up his sword. Exposed to a shower of
musketry, he was conducted by Lieutenant Stevens to the rear
of our lines.

The batteries, though silenced, could not be held by the few
dragoons who had taken them. The Eighth Infantry, mean-
while, had been fiercely engaged on the right of the road, and
a part of the Fifth on the left. These were now ordered to
charge the batteries, and in turn, though resisted inch by inch,
they took them, and finally drove the enemy at the bayonet's
point from them and from his position on the left. In this as-
sault many fell, and the daring Captain Hooe, leading on his
company, had his arm shattered by a grape, which struck him
to the ground. Col. Belknap, Lieut. Col. Payne, Captain
Montgomery, and Captain Scott, cheered on the men of the
Eighth in this gallant charge. Lieut. Col. Mcintosh, the ve-
teran hero of other fields, led the Fifth. After the loss of their
artillery, the Mexicans still fought desperately, and all along
the ravine the contest was sustained by them with stubborn
bravery. Captain Morris, with Lieutenants Woods and Hays,
followed by a score of men, charged through a pond and cap- '
tured a field-piece, which was sweeping down the ranks of the
Fourth. The chapparal presented even greater obstacles to
the onward course of our troops than the storm of the enemy's
cannon. From these natural walls the musketry of the Mexi-

140 ROUT OF THE MEXICANS.

cans poured a deadly fire. In a charge upon them Mcintosh
fell, pierced in the throat with a bayonet, and while thus pinned
to the ground, his sword cleft his antagonist. Others rushed
upon him, and thrust their bayonets through his limbs. Lieut.
Jordan, too, was wounded in one of the reckless assaults made
through the chapparal ; and Lieut. Cochrane fell resisting a
charge of cavalry, pierced with seven lance-wounds.

"While these close encounters w^ith the enemy were in pro-
gress, the artillery had ceased. Duncan's battery had been
unemployed, as from its position it would have raked our lines ;
and Ridgely's, too, was silent, as friends and foes were clutched
in desperate disorder along the thickets, and in the open spaces,
to which the latter were driven. Worthily they strove to re-
cover their lost position. The camp and head-quarters of
Arista had been taken, and the rout of the Mexicans became
general. A solitary banner still defied the onset of the victors.
It was that of the Tampico Battalion, which had never yielded
on any other field. Against fate and hope they fought on,
until all were cut down. The standard-bearer, resolved to save
his honoured charge, tore it from the staff and fled. But rid-
den down by our pursuing dragoons, he was made prisoner,
and it was seized, the noblest trophy of the field. During
the struggle of the enemy to beat back our resistless muskets,
the artillery had advanced, and when, at every point, the Mexi-
cans sought safety in flight, the batteries opened upon them
with terrible effect. The artillery battalion, which, during the
battle, had been left in the rear to guard the train, was now
ordered to the pursuit. Ker's dragoons and Duncan's battery
also followed the fleeing thousands, completing the work of
their defeat, and making many prisoners.

In this daring and successful engagement General Taylor had
only seventeen hundred men. The enemy, reinforced on the
night of the 8th, opposed him with not less than seven thou-
sand chosen troops, accustomed to war, and perfectly prepared
for action, with a splendid body of cavalry and eight pieces of
artillery.' So total was the rout that all their camp contained
was captured. The plate and private property, correspondence

GENERAL TAYLOR' S FIRST REPORT. 141

of their general- in- chief, the arras, ammunition, standards, pro-
visions, pack-saddles, and every equipment of seven thousand
men and two thousand horses, save what they wore in their
precipitous flight, fell into the hands of the victors. The
triumph, however, was not bought without the price of every
battle-field. In our ranks one hundred and ten were killed
and wounded, and ten times that number in those of the
enemy.

On the same day the subjoined brief despatch was prepared
by General Taylor.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation
Camp at Resaca de la Paltua, 3 miles from Matamoros,
10 o'clock P. M., May 9, 1846.

Sir : I have the honour to report that I marched with the
main body of the array at two o'clock to-day, having previ-
ously thrown forward a body of light infantry into the forest
which covers the Matamoros road. When near the spot where
I am now encamped, my advance discovered that a ravine
crossing the road had been occupied by the enemy with artil-
lery. T immediately ordered a battery of field artillery to
sweep the position, flanking and sustaining it by the 3d, 4th,
and 5th regiments, deployed as skirmishers to the right and left.
A heavy fire of artillery and of musketry was kept up for some
time, until finally the enemy's batteries were carried in succes-
sion by a squadron of dragoons and the regiments of infantry
that were on the ground. He was soon driven from his posi-
tion, and pursued by a squadron of dragoons, battalion of ar-
tillery, 3d infantry, and a light battery, to the river. Our vic-
tory has been complete. Eight pieces of artillery, with a great
quantity of amraunitionj three standards, and some one hun-
dred prisoners have been taken ; among the latter. General La
Vega, and several other officers. One general is understood to
have been killed. The enemy has recrossed the river, and I'
am sure will not again molest us on this bank.

The loss of the enemy in killed has been most severe. Our
own has been very heavy, and I deeply regret to report that
Lieutenant Inge, 2d dragoons, Lieutenant Cochrane, 4th in-

142 PRAISES HIS TROOPS.

fantry, and Lieutenant Chadbourne, 8th infantry, were killed
on the field. Lieutenant Colonel Payne, 4th artillery. Lieu-
tenant Colonel Mcintosh, Lieutenant Dobbins, 3d infantry ;
Captain Hooe and Lieutenant Fowler, 5th infantry ; and Cap-
tain Montgomery, Lieutenants Gates, Selden, McClay, Bur-
bank, and Jordan, 8th infantry, were wounded. The extent
of our loss in killed and wounded is not yet ascertained, and
is reserved for a more detailed report.

1^ The affair of to-day may be regarded as a proper supple-
ment to the cannonade of yesterday ; and the two taken to-
gether, exhibit the coolness and gallantry of our officers and
men in the most favourable light. All have done their duty,
and done it nobly. It will be my pride, in a more circum-
stantial report of both actions, to dwell upon particular in-
stances of individual distinction.

It affords me peculiar pleasure to report that the field-work
opposite Matamoros has sustained itself handsomely during a
cannonade and bombardment of 160 hours. But the pleasure
is alloyed with profound regret at the loss of its heroic and in-
domitable commander. Major Brown, who died to-day from
the effect of a shell. His loss would be a severe one to the
service at any time, but to the army under my orders, it is in-
deed irreparable. One officer and one non-commissioned officer
killed, and ten men wounded, comprise all the casualties in-
cident to this severe bombardment.

I inadvertently omitted to mention the capture of a large
number of pack-mules left in the Mexican camp.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U.>S. A., commanding.

The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C.

A few days afterwards General Taylor wrote a more detailed
report of the battle. The following extracts from it afford
the best general account of the actions, and do justice to the
officers and men engaged in it.

"Early in the morning of the 9th instant, the enemy, who
had encamped near the field of battle of the day previous, was

TAYLOR'S DETAILED REPORT. 143

discovered moving by his left flank, evidently in retreat ; and
perhaps at the same time to gain a new position on the road to
Matamoros, and there again resist our advance.

'< I ordered the supply train to be strongly parked at its po-
sition, and left with it four pieces of artillery — the two eighteen-
pounders which had done such good service on the previous
day — and two twelve-pounders which had not been in the
action. The wounded officers and men were at the same time
sent back to Point Isabel. I then moved forward with the
columns to the edge of the chapparal or forest, which extends
to the Rio Grande, a distance of seven miles. The light com-
panies of the first brigade, under Captain C. F. Smith, 2d ar-
tillery, and a select detachment of Hght troops, the w^hole under
the command of Captain McCall, 4th infantry, were thrown
forward into the chapparal, to feel the enemy, and ascertain his
position. About three o'clock, I received a report from the
advance, that the enemy was in position on the road, with at
least two pieces of artillery. The command was immediately
put in motion, and at about four o'clock I came up with Cap-
tain McCall, who reported the enemy in force in our front,
occupying a ravine which intersects the road and is skirted by
thickets of dense chapparal. Ridgely's battery and the ad-
vance under Captain McCall were at once thrown forward on
the road, and into the chapparal on either side, while the 5th
infantry and one wing of the 4th were thrown into the forest
on the left, and the 3d and the other wing of the 4th, on the
right of the road. These corps were employed as skirmishers
to cover the battery and engage the Mexican infantry. .Cap-
tain McCall's command became at once engaged with the
enemy, while the light artillery, though in a very exposed posi-
tion, did great execution. 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
advance — several pieces occupying the pass across the ravine,
which he had chosen for his position. Perceiving that no de-

144 GALLANTRY OF THE FOURTH.

cisive advantage could be gained untilthis artillery was silenced,
I ordered Captain May to charge the batteries with his squadron
of dragoons. This was gallantly and effectually executed ;
the enemy was driven from his guns, and General La Vega,
who remained alone at one of the batteries, was taken prisoner.
The squadron, which suffered much in this charge, not being
immediately supported by infantry, could not retain possession
of the artillery taken, but it was completely silenced. In the
mean time, the Eighth Infantry had been ordered up, and had
become warmly engaged on the right of the road. This regi-
ment, and a part of the Fifth, were now ordered to charge the
batteries, which was handsomely done, and the enemy driven
from his artillery and his position on the left of the road.

" 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 Bu-
chanan and Lieutenants Wood and Hays, Fourth Infantry,
composed chiefly of men of that regiment, drove the enemy
from a breastwork which he occupied, and captured a piece of
artillery. An attempt to recover this piece was repelled 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 descrip-
tion. The Fourth Infantry took possession of a camp where
the head-quarters of the Mexican general-in-chief were estab-
lished. All his official correspondence was captured at this
place.

«« The artillery battalion (excepting the flank companies) had
been ordered to guard the baggage train, which was parked
some distance in the rear. The battalion was now ordered up
to pursue the enemy, and 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 encamped
near the river ; the remainder of the army on the field of battle.

THE KILLED AND WOUNDED. ' 145

" The strength of our marching force on this day, as exhi-
bited in the annexed field report, was one hundred and seventy-
three officers, and two thousand and forty-nine men — aggregate,
two thousand two hundred and twenty-two. The actual
number engaged with the enemy did not exceed one thousand
and seven hundred. Our loss was three officers killed and
twelve wounded ; thirty-six men killed and seventy- one wound-
ed. Among the officers killed, I have to regret the loss of
Lieutenant Inge, Second Dragoons, w^ho fell at the head of
his platoon, while gallantly charging the enemy's battery ; of
Lieutenant Cochrane, of the Fourth, and Lieutenant Chad-
bourne, of the Eighth Infantry, who likewise met their death
in the thickest of the fight. The officers wounded were
Lieutenant Colonel Payne, inspector general ; Lieutenant Dob-
bins, Third Infantry, serving with the Light Infantry advance,
slightly ; Lieutenant Colonel Mcintosh, Fifth Infantry, severely
(twice) ; Captain Hooe, Fifth Infantry, severely (right arm
since amputated) ; Lieutenant Fowler, Fifth Infantry, slightly ;
Captain Montgomery, Eighth Infantry, slightly ; Lieutenants
Gates and Jordan, Eighth Infantry, severely (each twice) ;
Lieutenants Selden, Maclay, Burbank, and Morris, Eighth In-
fantry, slightly. A statement of the killed and wounded is
annexed herewith.

" I have no accurate data from which to estimate the ene-
my's force on this day. He is known to have been rein-
forced after the action of the 8th, both by cavalry and
infantry, and no doubt to an extent at least equal to his
loss on that day. It is probable that six thousand men were
opposed to us, and in a position chosen by themselves, and
strongly defended with artillery. The enemy's loss was very
great. Nearly two hundred of his dead were buried by us on
the day succeeding the battle. His loss in killed, wounded,
and missing, in the two affairs of the 8th and 9th, is, I think,
moderately estimated at one thousand men.

" Our victory has been decisive. A small force has over-
come immense odds of the best troops that Mexico can furnish
— veteran regiments perfectly equipped and appointed. Eight
13

146 NOTICE OF PARTICULAR OFFICERS.

pieces of artillery, several colours and standards, a great
number of prisoners, including fourteen officers, and a large
amount of baggage and public property have fallen into our
hands.

" The causes of victory are doubtless to be found in the su-
perior quality of our officers and men. I have already, in
former reports, paid a general tribute to the admirable conduct
of the troops on both days. It now becomes my duty — and I
feel it to be one of great delicacy — to notice individuals. In
so extensive a field as that of the 8th, and in the dense
cover where most of the action of the 9th was fought, I could
not possibly be witness to more than a small portion of the
operations of the various corps ; and I must, therefore, depend
upon the reports of subordinate commanders, which I respect-
fully enclose herewith.

" Colonel Twiggs, the second in command, was particularly
active on both days in executing my orders, and directing the
operations of the right wing. Lieutenant Colonel Mcintosh,
commanding the Fifth Infantry, Lieutenant Colonel Garland,
commanding the Third brigade. Lieutenant Colonel Belknap,
commanding the First brigade. Lieutenant Colonel Childs,
commanding the Artillery Battalion, Major Allen, Captains L.
N. Morris and Montgomery, commanding respectively the
Fourth, Third, and Eighth regiments of Infantry, were zealous
in the performance of their duties, and gave examples to their
commands of cool and fearless conduct. Lieutenant Colonel
Mcintosh repulsed with his regiment a charge of lancers in the
action of Palo Alto, and shared with it in the honours and
dangers of the following day, being twice severely wounded.
Lieutenant Colonel Belknap headed a charge of the Eighth In-
fantry, which resulted in driving the enemy from his guns, and
leaving us in possession of that part of the field.

" Captain Duncan and Lieutenant Ridgely deserve especial
notice for the gallant and efficient manner in which they ma-
noeuvred and served their batteries. The impression made by
Captain Duncan's battery upon the extreme right of the ene-
my's line, at the affair of Palo Alto, contributed largely to the

OFFICERS AND CORPS NOTICED. 147

result of the day ; while the terrible fire kept up by Lieutenant
Ridgely, in the affair of the 9th, inflicted heavy losses upon the
enemy. The eighteen-pounder battery, which played a con-
spicuous part in the action of the. 8th, was admirably served
by Lieutenant Churchill, Third Artillery, assisted by Lieutenant
Wood, Topographical Engineers. The charge of cavalry on
the 9th, was gallantly led by Captain May, and had complete
success.

<' Captain McCall, Fourth Infantry, rendered distinguished
service with the advanced corps under his orders. Its loss, in
killed and wounded, will show how closely it was engaged.
I may take this occasion to say that, in two former instances,
Captain McCall has rendered valuable service as a partisan
officer. In this connection, I would mention the services of
Captain Walker, of the Texas Rangers, who was in both affairs
with his company, and w^ho has performed very meritorious
service as a spy and partisan.

<^ I must beg leave to refer to the reports of subordinate com-
manders for the names of many oflficers, non-commissioned
officers and privates, who were distinguished for good conduct
on both days. Instances of individual gallantry and personal
conflict with the enemy were not wanting in the affair of the
9th, but cannot find place in a general report. The officers
serving in the staffs of the different commanders, are particu-
larly mentioned by them.

" I derived efficient aid on both days from all the officers of.
my staff. Captain Bliss, assistant adjutant general. Lieutenant
Colonel Payne, inspector general. Lieutenant Eaton, A. D. C,
Captain Waggaman, commissary of subsistence, Lieutenant
Scarret, engineer, and Lieutenants Blake and Meade, topo-
graphical engineers, promptly conveyed my orders to every
part of the field. Lieutenant Colonel Payne was wounded in
the affair of the 9th, and I have already had occasion to report
the melancholy death of Lieutenant Blake, by accident, in the
interval between the two engagements. Major Craig and Lieu-
tenant Brereton, of the ordnance department, were actively en-
gaged in their appropriate duties, and Surgeon Craig, medical

148 arista's military errors.

director, superintended in person the arduous service of the
field hospitals. I take this occasion to mention generally the
devotion to duty of the medical staff of the army, who have
been untiring in their exertions both in the field and in the
hospitals, to alleviate the sufferings of the wounded of both
armies. Captains Grossman and Myres of the quartermaster's
department, who had charge of the heavy supply train at both
engagements, conducted it in a most satisfactory manner, and
finally brought it up without the smallest loss, to its destina-
tion.

«« I enclose an inventory of the Mexican property captured
on the field, and also a sketch of the field of < Resaca de la
Palma,' and of the route from Point Isabel, made by my aid-
de-camp. Lieutenant Eaton. One regimental colour, (Battalion
of Tampico,) and many standards and guidons of cavalry
were taken at the affair of the 9th. I would be pleased to
receive your instructions^ as to the disposition to be made of
these trophies — w^hether they shall be sent to Washington, &c."

The victory of Resaca de la Palma was a proper sequel to
that of Palo Alto. Well as General Taylor knew himself,
confidently as he trusted his officers and men before a blow
had passed on either side, and well prepared as he may have
been, while encamped opposite Matamoros for an assault,
there can be no doubt that his situation, before the battles of
the 8th and 9th of May was very critical. It was the misfor-
tune of the Mexicans to have generals, who, how^ever skilful in
action, were tardy in their movements, and deficient in expe-
dients, and incapable of taking advantage of circumstances
palpably in their favour. The American army reached the
banks of the Rio Grande, after its march from Corpus Christi,
on the 28th of March. No efiibrt had been made to resist its
original progress. The passage of the Arroyo Colorado, was
permitted, as has been seen, without the firing of a gun. So
the original occupation of Point Isabel — a position easily for-
tified— was allowed, when ordinary military forecast on the
part of the Mexican commander should have taught him, that
General Taylor could not leave that post in his rear occupied

SUFFERING OF THE FUGITIVES. 149

by an enemy. But the fatal error of all, for which Arista is re-
sponsible, is that he permitted Point Isabel, the depot of the
American stores, to remain in the possession of a small garri-
son for four weeks, when at any moment during that time, he
might have thrown an overwhelming force across the Rio
Grande and made himself master of the place. Had he done
this, he might at least have afforded his unfortunate country
one achievement to boast of, in a war which from first to last
is a chapter in her history of unmitigated disaster and sorrow.
This hypothesis does not carry with it a doubt of the ability
of Taylor's little army to have met the enemy as efficiently at
any moment, as on the days when it proved victorious against
more than thrice its force. But it shows that for the Mexicans
the only chance of even embarrassing the Americans was
thrown away, and the latter were suffered to repel the first
formidable opposition to their progress, with a degree of ex-
traordinary and glorious success, which coloured their hopes,
added vigour to their energies, and assurance to their courage.

If the carnage among the Mexicans on the 8th excited the
pity even of their enemies, that of the 9th must have appealed
still more to their sympathies. The evening closed on hun-
dreds of them, wounded, dying, and dead upon the field and
on the road to the river. In the panic of flight, self-preserva-
tion was the single thought of each individual. 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 their foes,
found help or comfort from their friends. The thickets and
the hollow^s, distant from the scene of strife, long afterwards
told the story of many a wounded soldier, who had struggled
on to some secluded spot, there to linger, to thirst, to hunger,
to bleed, to faint, and to perish, alone in his long and varied
agony.

If General Taylor, in the stern duty of the battle, proved his

devotion to the mission he had accepted, he equally testified,

when its labour was done, his tender consideration for all who

had suffered in it. The w^ounded on both sides received all

13*

150 TAYLOR'S CONGRATULATORY ORDER.

the care that the occasion permitted. Through the night the
medical staff of his army were labouring to relieve them, and
in the morning he sent to Matamoros for Mexican surgeons to
further attend upon their countrymen. The same day was
spent in collecting as many of the dead as could be seen on
the battle-ground, and paying to their remains the last honours
of war. In the same graves were laid those who had met as
enemies, and had fallen striving for life against life. The field
was indeed theirs, but not as they had hoped to gain it.

On the 11th, General Taylor returned to Point Isabel (the
army have proceeded to its camp opposite Matamoros), for the
purpose of conferring with Commodore Conner. Before his
departure the following official acknowledgment was made of
the gallantry and good conduct of the troops.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation,
Resaca de la Palma, May 11, 1846.

The commanding general congratulates the army under his
command upon the signal success which has crowned its re-
cent operations against the enemy. The coolness and steadi-
ness of the troops during the action of the 8th, and the bril-
liant impetuosity with which the enemy's position and artillery
were carried on the 9th, have displayed the best qualities of
the American soldier. To every officer and soldier of his
command, the general returns his thanks for the noble manner
in which they have sustained the honour of the service and of
the country. While the main body of the army has been thus
actively employed, the garrison left opposite Matamoros has
rendered no less distinguished service, by sustaining a severe
cannonade and bombardment for many successive days. The
army and the country, while justly rejoicing in this triumph of
our arms, will deplore the loss of many brave officers and men
who fell gallantly in the hour of combat.

It being necessary for the commanding general to visit Point
Isabel on public business. Col. Twiggs will assume, command
of the corps of the army near Matamoros, including the gar-
rison of the field-work. He will occupy the former lines of

ADDRESS TO THE MEXICANS. 151

the army, making such dispositions for defence and for the
comfort of his command as he may deem advisable. He will
hold himself strictly on the defensive until the return of the
commanding general.

By order of Brig. Gen. Taylor.

W. W. J. Bliss, Act. Adj. General.

In contrast with this congratulation of the victorious gene-
ral, is the subjoined manifesto to the Mexican army. It is
elevated in spirit and superior in style to the ordinary official
papers of the nation. There is a frank avowal of defeat and
an honourable resolution to wipe off disgrace.

The Commander-in-chief of the Department of Tamaulipas to the Troops
under his command.

Fellow-Citizens : The afternoon of the 8th of this month
our brothers of Matamoros have fought with intrepidity and
enthusiasm in the Tanque del Ramerino. On the 9th they
charged again with the same ardour. But fate has not crowned
our efforts. The enemy passed from the fort, favoured by the
dense smoke of a wood on fire, which protected them from
our shot. Thus have our enemies escaped !

Soldiers ! another time we shall conquer. Such is the fate
of war, a defeat to-day and glory to-morrow ; that glory which
shall be ours at the end of this holy struggle. The God of
battles is trying our valour, but he has not abandoned us. We
know how to conquer, and we know^ how to suffer.

Soldiers ! the lamentation of the soldier for the companion
-who dies on the field of battle ought to be a shot well-aimed
at the enemy. Those are the tears w^hich our brothers require
of our love. Their tomb must be raised in the American
camp. The corpses of the Yankees ought to form their mau-
soleums.

Soldiers ! if we have lost some of our brothers, the glory
will be greater, there w411 be fewer conquerors ; it is not the
number which gives victory. There were but three hundred
Spartans, and the powerful Xerxes did not cross the Ther-
mopylae. The celebrated army of the great Napoleon perished

152 COURAGE OF MEXICAN SOLDIERS.

in Spain at the hands of a defenceless people, but they were
free and intrepid, and were fighting for their liberty.

Fellow-soldiers ! shall we do less than they did ? We are
fighting for our liberty, our religion, our country, our cradles,
our graves. Let him who does not wish to die a traitor, him
who wishes to deserve the tears of his children, let him take
breath and sustain his courage. He must not faint, he must
not fear, but what have we to fear ? The heart tells us that in
it w^e shall find all that is requisite ; and our hearts we will
oppose to the enemy.

Soldiers ! vengeance for our brothers ! glory for our children !
honour for our country!

We defend those cherished feelings. Do not fear. I swear
to you that if the day be a labourious one, our glory will be
sweeter; but glory we will have, and your general and com-
panion will attain it with your loyalty and valour.

Anastasio Parrode.

Tampico, May 13th, 1846.

Unfortunately for Mexico, her chiefs are more prone to
"swear" what they will do, than to prove by deeds their
"loyalty and valour." All accounts of the battles of the 8th
and 9th of May agree in awarding to the Mexican soldiers the
merit of courage and perseverance, and if, with these qualities,
they were beaten by one-third their number of our troops, the
reason is, in part at least, to be found in the incompetency and
cowardice of their officers. That there is ground for this as-
sertion, beyond the fact that the latter suffered little, while their
men were decimated by our arms, may be shown by the fol-
lowing extract from Mayer's excellent work on Mexico, writ-
ten at a time when her peaceful relations with the United States
forbade any bias in the author's view of her institutions and
people. In a notice of a review of troops in the capital in
1842, Mr. Mayer says :

" I have seldom seen better-looking regiments in Europe
than the Eleventh Infantry, under the command of Lombardini.
The arms are clean and bright, and the officers of division
appear to be well-trained, and to have imparted their training

MEXICAN OFFICERS DEFICIENT. 153

to the men. On the 13th of June, 1842, about eight thousand
troops were brought together to be reviewed by General Santa
Anna on the meadows south of the city. In line they had an
extremely martial bearing. * * * Excellent and daring
riders as are all the Mexicans, they must ever have a decided
advantage in their cavalry, and although they do not present
so splendid an appearance in equipments as some other regi-
ments, I have no doubt they constitute the most effective arm
of the Mexican service. Indeed, almost all the foreigners, and
even Texans, with whom I have spoken in regard to the quali-
ties of these men, concur in a high estimate of the Mexican
soldier, although they do not think so well of the Mexican
officers. This, in all probability, arises from the irregular
manner in which persons arrive at command, and the want of
soldier-like education and discipline.'* These remarks apply
to the commissioned officers. Of the non-commissioned offi-
cers, who, it may be presumed, belong to the same class of
people as the men, the author says : ^^ The drilling of the men
is severe and constant. The sergeant is generally a well-trained
soldier." And again, of the men and superior officers he
remarks : " That the Mexicans are brave none will doubt,
who read the history of their War of Independence, although
the bad discipline of their officers has prevented the very emi-
nent exhibition of this quality in their foreign battles."

Such, then, is the military character of the enemy with whom
General Taylor was brought into conflict. To explain thus
one cause of the defeat of their armies does not detract from
the merit of his victories. Inequality there must have been
either in material, discipline, generalship, arms, or position, to
account for the triumph of two thousand men over six thousand,
in two distinct battles on two successive days. In discipline,
the Mexicans were not deficient. Their arms w^ere perfect,
their position formidable. The excellent material of their ranks
has been shown. The want, therefore, was of officers worthy
of the troops, and this want was doubly felt in a contest with
an enemy whose officers were not only competent in the tech-
nics of their duty, but thoroughly self-devoted, wholly reckless

154 Taylor's personal courage.

of personal danger — from the commander-in-chief to the cor-
poral, ever in the front, where the fight was hottest, where
death was surest. The battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la
Palrna afforded many brilliant illustrations of this remark. The
descriptions of them given above, designedly general in their
character, db not comprehend many anecdotes of individual
heroism, which would necessarily impair a broad and connected
view of the management, and result of either. A few exam-
ples, however, in this place, may serve to confirm the opinion
of the superiority of the American officers, as a class, compared
with the Mexican, and to extend the record of acts which
their countrymen must cherish with pride and gratitude. Mr.
Thorpe's spirited narrative, " Our Army on the Rio Grande,"
furnishes some of these instances. Others are selected from
private letters, and the newspapers of the day.

When the Mexican Lancers were charging our right at Palo
Alto, Lieutenant Ridgely's horse was shot from under him,
and the same ball probably that caused the death of his steed,
alarmed the horses at one of his caissons, which sprang madly
forward in range of the gun. Lieutenant Ridgely, regardless
of personal danger, rushed forward between the two contending
fires, seized the front horses by the head, and brought them
into their places ; thus saving not only his horses, but the am-
munition of his battery.

It was the Fifth regiment of Infantry which was ordered to
meet this charge of the Lancers, and, when thrown forward for
the purpose. General Taylor rode up, and said, " Men, I place
myself in your square !" Could they falter, with such an evi-
dence of their commander's valour, and of his confidence in
them ?

Towards the close of the same action, the Mexicans, as has
been mentioned, formed a desperate resolution to silence the
eighteen-pounders, and Ringgold's pieces, which hurled con-
stant destruction into their ranks. To accomplish this, they
poured from their batteries a hurricane of grape and cannister,
killing and w^ounding many of the Fourth, and, among them,
the gallant Captain Page. At that moment, Colonel Payne,

LETTER OF LIEUT. RICHEY. 155

inspector general of the army, and one of Taylor's aids, came
and asked permission to sight one of Ringgold's guns. He
had just done so, with effect, when he heard his name beseech-
ingly called by one of the soldiers, and, turning round, dis-
covered Ringgold wounded, as has been described. Amid
the shower of balls, which still continued, Colonel Payne re-
mained with him to sustain him, and to hear, what he then
supposed might be, the last words of the dying man.

At Resaca de la Palma, Lieut. John A. Richey, who in a
subsequent service fell a sacrifice, took part in a daring adven-
ture, which he thus described in a letter : " A short time after
the battle began, several of us became separated in the brush,
and started forward, with the few men we could collect at the
moment, to take a battery of the Mexicans that was blazing
upon us. We dashed forward into the ravine, across the streana
w^hich ran through it, and, clambering up the opposite bank,
rushed across the openings of the chapparal towards the bat-
tery. While passing through, I got separated for about ten
minutes from Lieutenants Woods and Hays ; when I rejoined
them, they had captured the cannon : they had dashed onw^ard
upon the enemy attended by only one man. The cannoneers
immediately turned and fled. Before doing so they had set
fire to the priming-tube, the gun being loaded. The match
was about to ignite the powder, when Lieut. Woods knocked
the priming off' with his sword. In the mean time some Mexi-
cans ran to the mules attached to the piece by a long pole, and
endeavoured to drag it off*. Hays, perceiving their intention,
sprang forward and snapped his pistol at them. At the same
moment Woods caught hold of the driving-reins. By this time
our party was reinforced, and moved forward along the road,
firing all the time and driving the enemy before us. We pro-
ceeded in this way with about twenty men. Woods now
separated from us, and we w^ere joined by Lieuts. Angur and
Cochrane of the 4th. Our little party was composed of men
belonging to every regiment in the army. W^e advanced a
great distance in front of the main body and were surrounded
on all sides by the Mexicans." Capt. Barbour soon joined

156 LETTER OF SERGEANT MILTON /

this bold party. It was on this occasion that Lieut. Cochrane
fell, when immediately afterwards it was charged by the lancers.
Corporal Chisholm shot the Colonel who led the charge. As
the officer fell, the corporal was seen to hand him his canteen
of water — and, but a moment afterwards, Chisholm himself
was lying dead.

The famous charge of May's dragoons, on the 9th, has al-
ready been described. The following account of incidents
connected with it is by Sergeant Milton, one of his officers.

" On the second day, at Resaca de la Palma, our troop
stood anxiously w^aiting for the signal to be given, and never
had I looked upon men upon whose countenances were more
clearly expressed a fixed determination to win. The lips of
some were pale with excitement, and their eyes wore that fixed
expression which betokens mischief; others with shut teeth
would quietly laugh and catch a tighter grip of the rein, or
seat themselves with care and firmness in the saddle, while
quiet words of confidence and encouragement were passed from
each to his neighbour. All at once Captain May rode to the
front of his troop — every rein and sabre was tightly grasped.
Raising himself, and pointing at the battery, he shouted, (■ Men,
follow r There was now a clattering of hoofs and a rattling
of sabre-sheaths — the fire of the enemy's guns was partly drawn
by Lieutenant Ridgely, and the next moment we were sweeping
like the wind up the ravine. I was in a squad of about nine
men, who were separated by a shower of grape from the bat-
tery, and we were in advance, May leading. He turned' his
horse opposite the breast-work, in front of the guns, and with
another shout < to follow,' leaped over them. Several of the
horses did follow, but mine, being new and not well-trained,
refused ; two others balked, and their riders started down the
ravine to turn the breast-work where the rest of the troop had
entered. I made another attempt to clear the guns with my
horse, turning him around — feeling all the time secure at
thinking the guns discharged — I put his head towards them
and gave him spur, but he again balked ; so, turning his head
down the ravine, I too started to ride round the breast-work.

MURDER OF THE WOUNDED. 157

< As I came down a lancer dashed at me with lance in rest.
With my sabre I parried his thrust, only receiving a slight flesh
wound, from its point, in the arm, which felt at the time like
the prick of a pin. The lancer turned and fled ; at that mo-
ment a ball passed through my horse on the left side and shat-
tered my right side. The shot killed the horse instantly, and
he fell upon my left leg, fastening me by his weight to the
earth. There I lay, right in the midst of the action, where
carnage was riding riot, and every moment the shot, from our
own and the Mexican guns, tearing up the earth around me. I
tried to raise my horse so as to extricate my leg, but I had
already grown so weak with my wound that I was unable, and,
from the mere attempt, I fell back exhausted. To add to my
horror a horse, who was careering about riderless, within a few
yards of me, received a wound, and he commenced struggling
and rearing with pain. Two or three times he came near fall-
ing on me, but at length, with a scream of agony and a bound,
he fell dead — his body touching my own fallen steed. What
I had been in momentary dread of now occurred — my wounded
limb, which was lying across the horse, received another ball
in the ankle.

" I now felt disposed to give up ; and, exhausted through
pain and excitement, a film gathered over my eyes, which I
thought was the precursor of dissolution. From this hopeless
state I was aroused by a wounded Mexican, calling out to me,
< Bueno Americano^'' and turning my eyes towards the spot, I
saw that he was holding a certificate and calling to me. The
tide of action now rolled away from me, and hope again sprung
up. The Mexican uniforms began to disappear from the chap-
paral, and squadrons of our troops passed in sight, apparently
in pursuit. While I was thus nursing the prospect of escape, I
beheld, not far from me, a villainous-looking ranchero, armed
wdth an American sergeant's short sword, despatching a
wounded American soldier, whose body he robbed. The next
he came to was a Mexican, whom he served the same way, and
thus I looked on while he murderously slew four. I drew an
undischarged pistol from my holsters, and, laying myself along
14

158 GALLANTRY OF COL. BELKNAP.

my horse's neck, watched him, expecting to be the next victim ;
but something frightened him from his vulture-like business,
and he fled in another direction. I need not say that had he
visited me I should have taken one more shot at the enemy, and
would have died content had I succeeded in making such an
assassin bite the dust. Two hours after, I had the pleasure of
shaking some of my comrades by the hand, who were picking
up the wounded. They lifted my Mexican friend, too, and I
am pleased to say he, as well as myself, live to fight over again
the sanguine fray of Resaca de la Palma.'^^

Another writer relates this instance of personal bravery:
" During the progress of the action. Lieutenant Lincoln, of
the Eighth regiment, made a charge upon a body of Mexicans
lodged in a thicket of chapparal, who were pouring a destruc-
tive fire upon his regiment as it advanced up the road. In the
midst of the conflict, he saw Lieutenant Jordan, (who had per-
sonally charged the enemy,) wounded upon the ground, with
a Mexican over him, in the act of running a bayonet through
his body ; Lincoln sprang forward, and the Mexican faltering,
in alarm, ran his bayonet through the arm, instead of the breast
of Jordan. At the same instant, Lincoln cleft his scull. This
gallant officer, with his sergeant, engaged in a conflict with
others of the enemy, causing them to retreat, after having slain
three of them with their own hands. Lieutenant Chadbourne,
also of the Eighth, after distinguishing himself for his bravery,
in one of these skirmishes fell mortally wounded, at the head
of his command."

When May had captured the battery, being unable with his
handful of men to retain it, he rode back to the Eighth for
support. Col. Belknap immediately ordered the Eighth to
form in the road, when he led it on in person. While advanc-
ing he was joined by a part of the Fifth Infantry under Captain
Scott. For an instant the fire of the Mexicans checked the
advance, when Col. Belknap sprang forward, and seizing one
of their standards, waved on his troops, who were now, with
the entire Fifth regiment, engaged in a hand-to-hand conflict with
the celebrated Tarapico veterans. In the charge Col. Belknap had

ENTHUSIASM IN BATTLE. 159

the staff of his standard shot away, and at the same instant his
horse, coming among a pile of dead and wounded artillerists,
made a sudden movement aside and threw his rider. The
Eighth took up the cry that their commander was killed, and
dealt their blows the heavier, when he again appeared at the
head of his column.

The indomitable bravery of Lieut. Col. Mcintosh has already
been mentioned. During a charge, he cut his way through a
wall of chapparal, and just as he reached the opposite side, his
horse was shot and fell. The Mexicans rushed on him, and
he defended himself against odds, until a bayonet passed
through his mouth and out below his ear. He raised his sword
to strike the assailant, when another bayonet broke his arm,
and a third pierced his hip, and he fell literally pinned to the
earth. Soon afterwards Duncan came hurrying forward with
his battery, Mcintosh having been left by his enemies, and re-
gained his feet. Duncan, not perceiving his condition, requested
his support. The Colonel turning presented a most ghastly
appearance, from his face down covered wuth blood. Yet he
answered, although speaking with difficulty, "I will give you
the support you want ;" and added, " show me my regiment !"

A witness of the whole action, in concluding a descriptive
letter says :

" How can I describe the personal acts of bravery, not only
in one instance but in twenty, not simply by the officer but by
the common soldier. The whole battle w^as fought by indi-
vidual squads, led sometimes by an officer, and frequently by
the non-commissioned officer. I could not say too much for
every man engaged. So eager were our men for the fight, that
I cannot better describe their enthusiasm than to give you the
idea that struck me. It was this. Every man — officer and
soldier — seemed impressed with the idea that there was but a
given quantity of fighting to be had, not enough for every man
to have his fill of it, and therefore it became every man to get
what he could as soon as possible.

"Instances there were where one man, charging upon their

160 THE GARRISON IN THE FORT.

batteries, leaped astride their pieces, and holding on with one
hand, beat off their gunners, or were themselves cut down."

Of devotion such as this, it is needless to tnultiply examples.
To conquer such men were impossible. Only their equals in
daring and ' magnanimity could ever maintain with them an
equal contest.

CHAPTER IX.

The 8th of May at Fort Brown — Anxiety of the Garrison — News of Palo
Alto — Bombardment on the 9th — Mexican Fugitives seen — Recklessness in
their Panic — Disappointment and Suffering in Matamoros — The Wounded
and Dead — Despatches from Taylor — Incidents of La Vega's Capture — Tay-
lor's Courtesy to him — Taylor's return to the Rio Grande — Commodore Con-
ner— Barita taken — Preparations to Bombard Matamoros — Armistice offered
and refused — Arista's final Retreat — Occupation of Matamoros — Despatch
from General Taylor — Arista's report of his Retreat — Anecdote of Ampudia
—Document found in Arista's Tent — Result of Taylor's Operations.

It was on the 8th of May, about two hours after mid- day,
that the garrison of Fort Brown heard, during a brief pause in
the bombardment, which had been braved for more than a
hundred hours, the distant thunder of other guns. Rapid and
constant was the echo, and it was welcomed as the harbinger of
relief. Taylor was on his march, and Arista had met him. So
the garrison confidently felt, when the roar of the battle on the
plain of Palo Alto was borne faintly to the banks of the Rio
Grande. Still the batteries from the surrounding works of the
Mexicans maintained their discharges upon the fort. The shells
fell thick and fast until sunset, and, in the mean time, infantry
and cavalry of the enemy w^ere seen crossing the river, above
and below, to reinforce Arista's army. Every heart of the
gallant band within the entrenchment beat quickly with intense
excitement. Their friends were few, their foes were many, and
upon the issue of the fight was their own safety. As evening
came on, a Mexican, bearing a white flag, was seen running

THE GARRISON ASSURED OF RELIEF. 161

towards the fort. He claimed protection, and was admitted.
From him the story of the day was learned. The armies had
met, and Arista was driven back. The trust of the garrison
in Taylor's return was not in vain. He had promised, and
through seven thousand bayonets and lances he would come.

Through the night of the 8th the bombardment of the Fort
was suspended, and its weary tenants enjoyed by turns their
first repose, although their guns were not forsaken. On the
morning of the 9th the storm of round shot and shells was re-
newed. With occasional intervals, it continued until two
o'clock. There was then a calm, and in that calm, the brave
commander, Major Brown, who had lingered under his wound
for three days, peacefully died. His sufferings were great, and
proved his fortitude equal to his courage. While his friends
were still gathered near his bed, distant cannon were again
heard ; — distant, yet nearer than on the preceding day. The
din of the battle grew by degrees yet louder and nearer. Then
there were pauses, and again the voice of the deep artillery
rolled from beyond the chapparal. The batteries at Matamo-
ros now resumed their futile fire, and more rapidly than ever
cast their balls in the midst of the American w^orks. But they
were unheeded. The distant fight alone engaged the thoughts
of the besieged. Its cannon for a time wholly ceased, and then
volleys of musketry were distinctly heard telling a closer en-
counter. Hope and apprehension were painfully mingled, and
expectation was tortured with uncertainty. So wore the after-
noon away, the noise of the contest becoming by degrees
nearer, but more irregular. Then there was a perfect calm.
The battle was over. The field had been lost and won. The
sun was still above the horizon, when, breaking through the
chapparal, parties of Mexican troops were seen rushing in full
retreat to the river. In an instant the parapets of the Fort
were manned, and cheer after cheer told the exultation of its
defenders, while their ammunition, long and carefully reserved,
was used to bear more desperate confusion into the masses of
the fugitives. Down they pressed to the water's edge, each
one reckless except of his own safety. In an instant the boats
14*

162 CALAMITIES OF MATAMOROS.

were crowded with a terrified multitude, too great for them to
bear, and many were forced into the river to meet beneath its
waves the death from which they were fleeing.

At one of the crossings there was but a single flat. Into
this a mass of foot-soldiers had rushed, when, before it pushed
from the landing, a troop of cavalry, speeding on in uncon-
trollable fear, spurred their horses aboard and drove the de-
fenceless men into the water, where all sank down, and most
to rise no more, except to buffet the current for a time, vainly
grasping one another in the agonies of their final struggle.
Friend knew not friend, nor brother, brother. For a moment
the influence of a priest, who, in his robes with crucifix in hand,
exhorted another band to patience, checked the pressure of the
maddened crowd. But the next, another troop of horse swept
down the bank, and priest and soldiers driven before them,
perished also in the stream.

Night closed the pursuit, and with it the immediate fears of
the routed Mexicans. But through all its watches, they were
heard still hastening across the Rio Grande. The wounded,
cruelly slung in sacks upon the backs of mules, uttered piteous
groans and shrieks as they were borne along, and many were
found dead, suffocated by the water, or exhaustion. Matamo-
ros had been prepared for the celebration of a victory. Ball-
rooms were garlanded, and lamps were trimmed, the bells
were manned for merry peals, and music, and glad voices and
fond eyes waited to welcome back the conquerors. But
through that dismal night, Matamoros witnessed only scenes
of pain, of anguish, of rage and shame. Bands of brutal soldiers
and lawless ruffians roamed about the streets, while the panic-
stricken inhabitants shut themselves up in their homes to await
what fate they knew not, or gathering what precious goods
their hands could bear, fled to the country to wander they
knew not whither.

The day following the battle of Resaca de la Palma was
spent in collecting and burying the dead. In this sacred duty,
friend and foe shared alike at the hands of the American sol-
diers. On the 11th an exchange of prisoners was effected,

GEN. TAYLOR AND COM. CONNER. 163

and Capt. Thornton, Capt. Hardee, and their dragoons, who
had been prisoners since their surprise and capture by Torre-
jon's brigade, were again at liberty among their victorious
friends. They had received courteous attention and kindness
from the Mexicans during their captivity.

While General Taylor proceeded to Point Isabel for the pur-
pose of conferring with Commodore Conner, the army under
Col. Twiggs took up its former position on the left bank of the
Rio Grande. The annexed despatch of the General, in part
explains his personal movements from the day of the last bat-
tle to its date.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Point Isabel, Texas, May 12, 1846.

Sir : I am making a hasty visit to this place, for the pur-
pose of having an interview with Commodore Conner, w^hose
squadron is now at anchor off the harbour, and arranging with
him a combined movement up the river. I avail myself of the
brief time at my command to report that the main body of the
army is now occupying its former position opposite Matamo-
ros. The Mexican forces are almost disorganized, and I shall
lose no time in investing Matamoros, and opening the naviga-
tion of the river.

I regret to report that Major Ringgold died the morning of
the 11th instant, of the severe w^ound received in the action
of Palo Alto. With the exception of Captain Page, whose
wound is dangerous, the other wounded officers are doing
well. In my report of the second engagement, I accidentally
omitted the name of Lieutenant Dobbins, 3d infantry, among
the officers slightly wounded, and desire that the omission may
be supplied in the despatch itself. I am under the painful
necessity of reporting that Lieutenant Blake, Topographical
Engineers, after rendering distinguished service in my staff '
during the affair of the 8th instant, accidentally shot himself
with a pistol on the following day, and expired before night.

It has been quite impossible as yet to furnish detailed re-
ports of our engagements with the enemy, or even accurate

164 GARRISON OF FORT POLK.

returns of the killed and wounded. Our loss is not far from aj
three officers and forty men killed, and thirteen officers and
one hundred men wounded ; while that of the enemy has, in
all probability, exceeded three hundred killed ; more than two
hundred have been buried by us on the two fields of battle.

1 have exchanged a sufficient number of prisoners to recover
the command of Captain Thornton. The wounded prisoners
have been sent to Matamoros — the wounded officers on their
parole. General Vega and a few other officers have been sent
to New Orleans, having 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 provision may be
made for these prisoners as may be authorized by law. Our
own prisoners have been treated with great kindness by the
Mexican officers.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C.

In the midst of the excitement of preparing for an attack
on Matamoros, and for the capture of the towns tributary to
it. General Taylor did not overlook the firm and energetic
conduct of the officers and men whom he had left at Point
Isabel on the 7th of May. The following Order recognizes
their merit.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Fort Polk, Texas, May 12, 1846.

As a mark of respect to the chief magistrate of the republic,
the work concluded at this place to cover the main depot of
the army will be known as " Fort Polk."

The commanding general takes this occasion to express his
satisfaction with the dispositions made for the defence and pro-
tection of this point, so vitally important to the efficiency and
security of the army. To Major Munroe, the commanding
officer, Captain Saunders, of the Engineers, Majors Thomas
and McRee, and Captains Sibley and Hill, of the quartermas-

COURTESY TO LA VEGA. 165

ter's department, Captain Ramsay, of the ordnance, and Lieu-
tenant Montgomery, of the subsistence departments, credit is
especially due for their zeal and activity. The general returns
his thanks to the numerous citizens who volunteered their ser-
vices in defence of the depot. Their assistance added mate-
rially to its strength, and to his confidence in its ability to resist
an attack. The reinforcements from the brig Lawrence, under
Lieutenant Renshaw, and the large force of seamen and marines
so promptly furnished by the squadron on its arrival, require a
special acknowledgment to Commodore Conner, and Com-
mander Mercer, of the navy. The army is deeply grateful
for this support and co-operation, from a kindred branch of the
public service.

By order of Brig. Gen. Taylor.

W. W. J. Bliss, Act. Adj. Gen.

An act of courtesy, on the part of the troops, and of libe-
rality, on the part of General Taylor, to General La Vega, may
here be mentioned, in connection with the incidents of that
officer's introduction to the general, after his capture by Cap-
tain May. The account is furnished by a correspondent of the
Baltimore Patriot.

The artillery battalion was stationed on the 9th at the outset
of the chapparal, and was then formed '' in square." This
battalion, which had suffered the day before more than any
other, except the 8th Infantry, was placed in this position for
these reasons : to protect the train against a charge of the ene-
my's cavalry, to repair any disasters which might occur in the
ordnance, and to afford fresh troops for the pursuit, when the
battle was gained.

Colonel Tw^iggs sent for Colonel Childs, who commanded
it, and turned the prisoner over to him ; but Childs, having
dismounted (General Vega w^as on foot),;,sent an order to his
battalion, that the prisoner should be received with the honour
due his rank. As soon as the prisoner issued from the chap-
paral, the words "Present Arms" were given. The square
«« presented arms" in perfect silence, and, as he approached.

166 AID FROM COM. CONNER.

not a smile of gratification, or a word of exultation, was seen
or heard ; (so much for the delicacy of the common soldier, who
had, perhaps, the day before, lost his nearest friend by the en-
emy's cannon-shot.) General Vega seemed surprised at the
salute, courteously and slowly raised his hat, and the square
was brought to a shoulder.

Colonel Childs then called from his position Captain Ma-
gruder, who commanded one of the companies of the square.
Captain Magruder had known General Vega before, and im-
mediately insisted upon his mounting his (Captain M.'s) horse.
No sooner was this done, than it became necessary for the bat-
talion to move on, and Captain Magruder was ordered by
Colonel Childs to escort the prisoner, in security, w^ith a small
command, to General Taylor. Fortunately no rescue was at-
tempted, as his command was very small, and the order was
promptly executed, when General Vega was introduced on the
field, by Captain Magruder, to General Taylor. General
Taylor shook him warmly by the hand, and addressed to him
the following handsome remarks :

" General : I do assure you, I deeply regret that this mis-
fortune has fallen upon you. I regret it sincerely, and I take
great pleasure in returning you the sword which you have this
day worn with so much gallantry," handing him, at the same
time, the sword which General Vega had yielded to Captain
May. General Vega made a suitable reply in Spanish, and
was then taken charge of by Colonel Twiggs, at the colonel's
own request, and entertained by him in the most hospitable
manner, in his own tent, until* his departure for New Orleans.

When about to embark. General Taylor handed his prisoner
a letter of introduction to General Gaines, and of credit on his ,
ow^n banker, which secured to him respectful consideration and m

^ comfort on his arrival in the United States. • >|B

. Having arranged.hjj^ business with Commodore Conner, who 1
^^^^ had, with'foresight and despatch, broi!^^t nis squadron to the \

'^support of Point Isabel, General Taylor started, on the morn-
ing following the interview, to return to the camp opposite
Matamoros, and there begin offensive operations. On his way

TAYLOR BEFORE MATAMOROS. 167

Ye was met by a courier, informing him that the enemy was
receiving reinforcements at Matamoros, and were fortifying
points near the mouth of the river. One of these points was
Barita, a village situated on a high bank. On hearing this re-
port, General Taylor returned again to Point Isabel, and found
there a small body of regulars and volunteers just arrived from
Alabama and Louisiana, the volunteers being the first in answer
to his call for additional troops. A command was immediately
organised under Col. Wilson, consisting of three hundred
regulars, and three hundred and fifty volunteers, with orders
to proceed to Barita and take possession of it. The vessels
of CommodoVe Conner co-operated in the expedition. Col.
Wilson marched on the 15th for Brazos, and, with the. aid of
the squadron, crossed the river at its mouth, and marched upon
the town, which he occupied without opposition on the 17th,
being the first landing of an American force on the right of the
Rio Grande.

--¥he day before this expedition left Point Isabel, General
Taylor also set out again on his return to the camp on the river,
where he speedily arrived, and at once commenced prepara-
tions for an attack on Matamoros. It was his resolution to
bombard the place if not surrendered unconditionally.

It w^as not until the 17th, that the mortar batteries command-
ing the town were ready. This delay, seemingly so little ac-
cordant with Taylor's character for energy and despatch, was
not attributable to any immaturity in his plans, or any want of
activity. On the contrary, he had in early season endeavoured
to impress upon the War Department the necessity of supplying
the usual means of prosecuting a march in an enemy's country.
Especially had he solicited a ponton train in his letters of the
previous year, and had his suggestions in that regard been
complied with, he might have instantly pursued the enemy,
after the victory of the 9th, across the Rio Grande, have occu-
pied Matamoros, and so totally dispersed Arista's army, that
not another blow could have been struck in the Northern De-
partments of Mexico bordering the Rio Grande.

The 17th of May, therefore, a week after the battles, offered

168 ARISTA EVACUATES MATAMOROS.

the first opportunity of following up their results. Orders having
been given to Colonel Twiggs to cross the river, General Tay-
lor was waited on by the Mexican general, Reguena, empow-
ered by General Arista to treat for an armistice, until the two
governments finally settled the difficulties pending. This cun-
ning, on the part of the Mexican chief, was too apparent to
General Taylor ; he was aware that Matamoros was filled with
the munitions of war, and time was only wanted to move them
off. General Taylor replied promptly to General Reguena,
that an armistice could not be granted ; he recapitulated the
circumstances of the preceding month, when he had himself
proposed an armistice, which General Ampudia had declined.
He stated that he was receiving large reinforcements — that he
W'Ould not then suspend hostilities which he had not invited
nor provoked ; he also said that the possession of Matamoros
was a " sine qua non," and that the American troops w^ould
occupy the city, at the same time giving to General Arista and
his forces leave to withdraw from the town, leaving behind the
public property of every description. General Taylor remarked,
that " Generals Ampudia and Arista had promised that the war
should be conducted agreeably to the usage of civilized na-
tions, and yet the Mexican forces had, in the battles of the 8th
and 9th, stripped our dead and mutilated their bodies." Ge-
neral Reguena replied, that ^' the women and rancheros did it."
" Then," said General Taylor, " I will come over to Matamo-
ros and control such people for them."

General Reguena, then leaving General Taylor, promised to
deliver an answer positively at three o'clock. The hour arrived
but no answer. It afterwards appeared, that w^hile the dele-
gation was treatfng with General Taylor, General Arista was
busy in getting out of the city ; that even the promise to give
General Taylor a positive answer at three o'clock was a mere
subterfuge. General Arista, taking advantage of the delay,
succeeded in moving much of the military stores, securing two
or three pieces of cannon, and with the fragment of his array,
that very night, abandoned Matamoros and fled precipitately
towards Monterey. At sundown, General Taylor perceiving

MATAMOROS SURRENDERED. 169

that no word was to be sent to him, repaired from Fort Brown
to join the army two miles above the fort, in position for
crossing the Rio Grande,

Early on the morning of the l8th, the east bank was de-
fended by two eighteen-pounders, and the three batteries of
our artillery, and the crossing commenced. Col. Twiggs order-
ing the bands to strike up Yankee Doodle. The light com-
panies of battalions first w^ent over, followed by the volunteer
and regular infantry.

Lieut. Hays, of the 4th infantry, and ten select men, with
Captain Walker of the Rangers, first crossed the river, with
orders to ascertain and report the number and position of the
enemy, if near the river. Immediately after Lieut. Hays had
crossed, the flank companies of the 3d, 4th, and 5th infantry,
were thrown across, commanded by Captain Buchanan and
Captain Larned. After these commands had crossed, Captain
Smith, of the artillery battalion, crossed with two companies,
followed by Captain Ker's squadron of dragoons. After this
force had crossed, Ridgely's artillery was dismounted and taken
over in parts. In the mean time the infantry already over had
advanced, and occupied the hedge-fence covering the crossing;
after occupying this position some two hours, a civil deputa-
tion from Matamoros presented itself, requesting to see General
Taylor. The deputation was sent over the river, in charge of
an officer, to meet the general who had not then crossed. The
object of the deputation was to inform the commanding-general
of the American forces, that General Arista and the Mexican
troops had abandoned Matamoros, together with his sick and
wounded, and wishing to know from General Taylor what
treatment the city might expect from him. General Taylor,
finding on inquiry that this report was true, ordered that por-
tion of the American forces that had not crossed the river, to
return to Fort Brown and cross there. General Taylor imme-
diately despatched a staff-officer to the prefect to demand a
surrender, and to come to him to confer on the subject. Ge-
neral Taylor informed the prefect that the civil and religious
rights of the citizens would be sacredly respected. While this
15

170 TAYLOR'S OFFICIAL REPORT.

was going forward, the dragoons, under Captain Ker, passed
below where they had landed, and raised the national flag upon
the walls of Fort Paredes.

The different regiments already on the w^est side of the Rio
Grande, were marched to their respective places of encamp-
ment, without noise or disorder, save when the flag of our
country was unexpectedly seen waving from Fort Paredes.
Discipline then gave way to feeling, and nine hearty cheers
rent the air, and announced the occupation of Matamoros by
American troops.

That evening a small guard was estabHshed in Matamoros
to keep the peace. No troops, except under command that
night, visited it. The civil and religious rights of the citizens
were guarantied, and the Matamorians slept secure under the
protection of the American government, a boon ever denied
to them by their own.

But a single accident occurred to mar the proceedings of the
day. Lieut. George Stephens, a young officer of high promise,
was swept by the current from his horse while crossing the
river, and was drowned. The details of the foregoing narra-
tive are taken from a letter, addressed at the time to a southern
newspaper. General Taylor's official account is subjoined.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
City of Matamoros, May 18, 1846.

Sir : I have the honour to report that my very limited means
of crossing rivers prevented a complete prosecution of the vic-
tory of the 9th instant. A ponton train, the necessity of which
I exhibited to the department last year, would have enabled
the army to have crossed on the evening of the battle, take this
city, with all the artillery and stores of the enemy, and a great
number of prisoners. In short, to destroy entirely the Mexi-
can army. But I was compelled to await the arrival of heavy
mortars, with which to menace the town from the left bank,
and also the accumulation of small boats. In the mean time,
the enemy had somewhat recovered from the confusion of his
flight, and ought still, with three thousand men left him, to
have made a respectable defence. I made every preparation

Taylor's despatch continued. 171

to cross the river above the tov^m, while Lieut. Col. Wilson
made a diversion on the side of Barita, and the order of march
was given out for one o'clock yesterday, from the camp near
Fort Brown, when I was waited upon by General Reguena,
empowered by General Arista, commanding-in-chief the Mexi-
can forces, to treat for an armistice until the government should
finally settle the question. I replied to this, that an armistice
was out of the question ; that a month since I had proposed
one to General Ampudia, which was declined ; that circum-
stances were now changed ; that I was receiving large reinforce-
ments, and could not now suspend operations which I had not
invited or provoked ; that the possession of Matamoros was a
sine qua non; that our troops would occupy the town ; but that
General Arista might withdraw his forces, leaving the public
property of every description.

An answer to the above was promised in the afternoon, but
none came ; and I repaired at sundown to join the army, al-
ready in position at a crossing some two miles above the town.
Very early this morning the bank was occupied by two eighteen-
pounders 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
quarters that Arista had abandoned the town, with all his troops,
the evening before, leaving only the sick and wounded. I im-
mediately despatched a staff-officer to the prefect to demand a
surrender ; and, in the mean time, a commission was sent by
the prefect to confer with me on the same point. I gave as-
surance that the civil rights of the citizens would be respected,
and our troops at once dropped down opposite the town, and
crossed at the "Upper Ferry," the American flag being dis-
played at Fort Paredes, a Mexican redout near the crossing.
The different corps now encamped in the outskirts of the city.
To-morrow I shall make suitable arrangements for the occupa-
tion of the town, and for taking possession of the public pro-
perty. More than three hundred of the enemy's wounded

172 QUARTERS AROUND MATAMOROS.

have been left in the hospitals. Arista is in full retreat towards
Monterey, with the fragments of his army.

I deeply regret to report that Lieut. George Stevens, a very
promising young officer, of the 2d dragoons, was accidentally
drowned this morning while attempting to swim the river with
his squadron.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C.

Thus, on the 18th of May, General Taylor had firmly
planted the American flag on the battlements of a Mexican
city. In fulfilling his professional duty, he was scrupulous in
every precaution against the evils almost inseparable from
hostile invasion. The persons and property of the people
of Matamoros and its vicinity were rigidly protected. The
American troops were distributed in the suburbs, only a guard
being allowed in the city. Colonel Twiggs was appointed
" Governor," his command being stationed above the town,
on the river bank. That of General Worth — w^ho, after a tem-
porary absence, had again joined the army — was posted below.
Fort Brown was garrisoned, and the seventh regiment encamped
beneath its walls. General Taylor camped out, establishing
his head-quarters where a few trees aided the shade of the
canvass.

Arista, with the remnant of his army, still more than equal
to his conquerors in numbers, having commenced his retreat
from the city, while the parley with Taylor was proceeding,
continued to hasten up the river, in the direction of Camargo.
Upon evacuating Matamoros, he made the following rather frank
report to his superior in command of the District. The docu-
ment is dated from " the Rancho de la Venada, May 18.

^'■Division of the J\orth — Commander-in-Chief — All the
means of subsistence of this division being consumed, its
activity paralyzed, and its artillery diminished, while that of the
enemy has been greatly increased in the number of pieces and

ANECDOTE OF AMPUDIA. 173

the calibre of his guns, in such a manner that, were he to open
his fire, the city of Matamoros would be instantly destroyed,
to the utter ruin of national and foreign interests, I have de-
cided to retire from it, with the forces under my command,
before being summoned, and obliged to evacuate it with
dishonour, 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 entrusted to me ; and, for that purpose, I am
going to post myself at those points most convenient, and
within reach of supplies, of which I will hereafter inform your
highness, though your communications must seek me by the
road of China, or that of Linares. The step to which I have
referred has saved the national honour ; and I communicate it
to your highness for your information, recommending you to
secure the camp equipage, placing it in a convenient point,
and preserving the sixteen pounders in that city, to which,
moreover, I will order a reinforcement."

The retreat of Arista commenced in good order. A news-
paper of the day supplies an anecdote connected with the pur-
suit which proves — if proof were wanting — how systematic was
the deception practised upon the simple-minded Mexicans, by
their military officers, regarding their own prowess and success
in the field. The day following the occupation of Matamoros,
Lieutenant Colonel Garland, wdth all the regular and irregular
cavalry of the army, about two hundred and fifty dragoons and
rangers, started in pursuit of the retreating Mexicans, with
orders to harass their rear, and to capture prisoners and bag-
gage. On the 22d, Colonel Garland returned from his pursuit.
He succeeded in capturing a small rear party, after a slight
show of resistance on their part, in which two Mexicans were
killed, twenty-two taken prisoners, and one wagon with am-
munition and clothing of an artillery company captured. Two
of our own troops were slightly wounded. The scarcity of
water, the barrenness of the country, and the condition of the
horses, compelled Colonel Garland to return to Matamoros,
15*

174 arista's appeal to Americans.

after having penetrated over sixty miles into the enemy's
country.

The army of the Mexicans, under General Arista, was but
twenty-four hours ahead of our cavalry, retreating in good
order — our officers stopping at the ranches where the enemy
had, the night previous. A ranchero, at one of these stopping
places, inquired wdth great simplicity of Captain Graham,
where the Americans were going. He was told in pursuit of
the retreating Mexican army. «« Retreating army I" said the
fellow with astonishment; "why. General Ampudia stopped
at my house last night, and said that his troops had conquered
the Americans, and that he was now on his way to Mexico to
take the news." The man was confounded, for it was impos-
sible for him to believe his nation had been whipped in battle,
and still more incomprehensible, that a small number of Ameri-
can dragoons should seriously, and for purposes of war, really
drive before them over three thousand troops.

To these painful and humiliating misrepresentations were the
Mexican commanders driven, in order to secure respect and
ordinary hospitality from their own countrymen. It affords a
painful contrast with their boasts before they had been tested in
the field. Among the papers found in Arista's tent on the field
of Resaca de la Palma, was the following, addressed to Ameri-
can soldiers, and designed to have been distributed among
them. How little could its author have known his enemies !
How little of the true means by which such enemies are over-
come !

" Head-Quarters at Matamoros.
April 26, 1846.

" Soldiers ! — You have enlisted in time of peace to serve
in that army for a specific term ; but your obligation never im-
plied that you were bound to violate the laws of God, and
the most sacred rightis of friends ! The United States govern-
ment, contrary to the wishes of a majority of all honest and
honourable Americans, has ordered you to take forcible pos-
session of the territory of a friendly neighbour, who has never
given her consent to such occupation. In other words, while

INDUCEMENTS TO DESERTERS. 175

the treaty of peace and commerce between Mexico and the
United States, presuming on her strength and prosperity, and
on our supposed imbecility and cowardice, attempts to make
you the blind instruments of her unholy and mad ambition,
and force you to appear as the hateful robbers of our dear
homes, and the unprovoked violators of our dearest feelings
as men and patriots. Such villany and outrage, I know, is
perfectly repugnant to the noble sentiments of any gentleman,
and it is base and foul to rush you on to certain death, in order
to aggrandize a few lawless individuals, in defiance of the laws
of God and man!

" It is to no purpose if they tell you, that the law of the an-
nexation of Texas justifies your occupation of the Rio Bravo
del Norte ; for by this act they rob us of a great part of Ta-
maulipaSj Coahuili, Chihuahua, and JYew Mexico; and it is
barbarous to send a handful of men on such an errand against
a pow^erful and warlike nation. Besides, the most of you are
Europeans, and we are the declared friends of a majority of
the nations of Europe. The North Americans are ambitious,
overbearing, and insolent as a nation, and they will only make
use of you as vile tools to carry out their abominable plans of
pillage and rapine.

" I warn you in the name of justice, honour, and your own
interests and self-respect, to abandon their desperate and un-
holy cause, and become peaceful Mexican citizens. I guaranty
you, in such case, a half section of land, or three hundred and
twenty acres, to settle upon, gratis. Be wise, then, and just,
and honourable, and take no part in murdering us who have
no unkind feelings for you. Lands shall be given to officers,
Serjeants, and corporals, according to rank, privates receiving
three hundred and twenty acres, as stated.

"If in time of action you wish to espouse our cause, throw
away your arms and run to us, and we will embrace you as
true friends and Christians. It is not decent nor prudent to
say more. But should any of you render important service to
Mexico, you shall be accordingly considered and preferred."

176 RESULT OF Taylor's successes.

Arista continued his retreat to the interior, his unfortunate
troops suffering privations more trying than the toil and danger
of battle. Provisions and water were scarce, and hastening on
in fear of their victorious pursuers, the fatigue of forced marches
added to their calamities. Under these circumstances his army-
became completely demoralized. A great portion of it de-
serted, returning home, or forming marauding parties, of which
their own countrymen were the victims. It was near the end
of May, when Arista, with his shattered columns, reached the
hacienda of Coma, upwards of a hundred miles from Mata-
moros. His force had been, at the outset, sufficiently strong
to enable him to leave detachments so posted as to prevent the
Americans from communicating with the interior. From Coma,
where he halted for repose when no longer pursued, he re-
sumed his march and reached Monterey. Subsequently he was
removed from his command, and ordered to Mexico to answer
for his misconduct, or misfortunes, before a court-martial.

Thus, freed from the presence of an enemy, and absolute
master of the enemy's country in the entire region where he
had first met with opposition. General Taylor was obliged to
await further instructions from the government, and the arrival
of new troops and means of advance, before he could duly
prosecute the advantages he had gained. His labours for
nearly two months had been various and incessant, taxing to
an extreme both mind and body. At the end of March he had
left the northern side of the Nueces, with an army apparently
insufficient for any successful demonstration against an enemy
disposed to resist it. Before the end of June, he found him-
self on the southern side of the Rio Grande, having annihilated
all opposition to his presence. The occupation of that ground
defines the first period of his brilliant operations in Mexico.

WAR RECOGNIZED BY CONGRESS. 177

CHAPTER X.

War recognized by Congress — Men and Money voted — General Taylor em-
barrassed— Inadequate means of advancing — Letter to the Department —
Difficulties and Wants explained — Further correspondence — Suggestions re-
garding his advance — Letter from the Secretary of War — Taylor recom-
mended to advance on Monterey — His Views on the Campaign requested —
Continued Difficulties — Further despatches— Arrival of Volunteers — Causes
of Inactivity explained — Minor Expeditions — More Troops — Letter from Gen-
eral Scott — Nevps of Taylor's Victories reaches the United States — Popular
Enthusiasm — Created Brigadier General by Brevet — President's Letter —
Thanks voted by Louisiana Legislature — Deputation to Taylor — His Speech
to the Committee — Made a full Major General by Congress — Correspondence
— Taylor's Views of future Operations — Camargo taken — Despatches.

The President of the United States announced to Congress,
on the 11th of May, 1846, that hostilities had been actually
commenced by Mexico. Two days afterward*, an act was
passed by Congress, the preamble of which declared a state of
war to exist, " by the act of the republic of Mexico," and the
first section of which appropriated ten millions of dollars, and
empowered the President to accept the services of fifty thousand
volunteers, for the army. The action of Congress in thus
voting men and money was prompt and unanimous, although
the assertion quoted from the preamble, that the war was the
act of Mexico, met with earnest opposition. Authorized by
Congress, the President immediately issued a proclamation in-
voking the nation to sustain the measures necessary to secure
a peace.

General Taylor, w^ho, w^hen the enemy yet untired in battle
was in full force, had been embarrassed for the want of troops
sufficient to ensure the safety of two posts, now began to find
himself, when no enemy was near, equally embarrassed by the
prospect of reinforcements too numerous for any operation
which he then had in view. His call upon the governor of
Louisiana for four regiments had met an instant and patriotic
response — and other states, as well as this, were anxious to
recruit for the service. The predicament menaced by this over-

178 VOLUNTEERS WITHOUT SUPPLIES.

flow of men, unaccompanied with the means of subsistence or
transportation, is partially set forth in a despatch dated the
20th of May, addressed to the Adjutant General, in which he
remarks :

" On the 26th of April, I had occasion to advise the Depart-
ment that hostilities had actually broken out, and that, in con-
sequence, I had found it necessary to use the authority with
which I was vested, and call upon the governors of Louisiana
and Texas for a force, each, of four regiments. The eight
regiments thus called for would make a force of nearly five
thousand men, which I deemed sufficient to meet the wants of
the service in this quarter. At the same time that I wrote to
the governor of Louisiana requesting this volunteer force, I ad-
dressed a letter to General Gaines, desiring him to assist in or-
ganizing these regiments, and having them promptly supplied.
In my communication to the governor, the organization was
very exactly prescribed, being that indicated from your office
on the 25th of August, 1845, I find, however, that the orga-
nization has been exceeded, and, moreover, that General
Gaines has called for many more volunteers than I deemed ne-
cessary, extending the call to other states besides Louisiana.

It will, of course, be for the government to decide whether
the future operations in this quarter will require the amount of
force (entirely unknown) which is coming hither. . I only de-
sire to say, that this reinforcement, beyond the eight regiments
mentioned above, was never asked for by me, and that in
making the call of the 26th of April, I well knew that if the
Mexicans fought us at all, it would be before the arrival of the
volunteers. It was for the purpose of clearing the river, and
performing such further service as the government might direct,
that I thought it proper to ask for reinforcements. It is ex-
tremely doubtful whether the foot regiments from Texas can be
raised, and I shall desire the Governor, who is expected here,
to suspend the call for them. None of the mounted compa-
nies, except Captain Price's, already in service, have reported
to me.

I fear that the volunteers have exhausted the supply of tents

OPINION RESPECTING O P E R A T I O N S . 179

deposited in New Orleans for the use of this army. We are
greatly in want of them ; and I must request that immediate
measures be taken to send direct to Brazos Santiago, say one
thousand tents, for the use of the array in the field. The tents
of the 7th infantry were cut up to make sand-bags during the
recent bombardment of Fort Brown."

His position was further explained in a letter dated the 21st
of May, in which he remarks :

" Our future movements must depend, in a great degree, on
the extent to which the Rio Grande is navigable for steamboats,
and I fear that my expectations in this particular will not be
realized. Though at times navigable as high as Camargo, or
even Mier, it is doubtful whether a boat can now be pushed
higher than Reynosa. Indeed, the < Neva,' which is in the
river, and accompanied the expedition under General Smith,
has not yet reached this place, though hourly expected. Could
we establish and keep up by w^ater a depot at Camargo, opera-
tions might be carried on in the valley of the San Juan toward
Monterey, the first city of importance in that direction. A
direct movement from this point to Monterey would require
vast transportation, chiefly by pack-mules, and would, more-
over, be hazardous in summer, on account of the scarcity of
water, part of the route being supplied by wells only. The
country between this and Monterey, by whatever route, cannot
support an army.

" I shall lose no time in ascertaining the practicability of the
river for steamboats, and shall occupy Reynosa, and such other
points as a boat may be able to reach."

We find that General Taylor continued to represent to the
Department the inadequacy of his means to transport troops
up the river, and to take a candid exception to the number of
them unexpectedly pressed upon him. His military character
demands that his frequent expositions of the embarrassments
produced by these circumstances should be set forth in his own
language. He addressed the Department as follows on the 3d
of June :

" I respectfully enclose herewith a field return of the forces

180 POLICY OF THE ENEMY.

in and near Matamoros, both regular and volunteer. The
corps known to have arrived at Point Isabel, of which no re-
turns have yet been received, w^iJl carry the entire force under
my orders to nearly eight thousand men.

<« I am necessarily detained at this point for want of suitable
transportation to carry on offensive operations. There is not
a steamboat at my command proper for the navigation of the
Rio Grande ; and without water transportation, I consider it
useless to attempt any extensive movement. Measures have
been taken to procure boats of suitable draught and descrip-
tion, and one or two may now be expected. In the mean
time, I propose to push a battalion of infantry as far as Rey-
nosa, and occupy that town. For any operations in the direc-
tion of Monterey, it will be necessary to establish a large
depot at Camargo, which I shall lose no time in doing as soon
as proper transports arrive, unless I receive counter-instructions
from the Department.

" I trust the Department will see that I could not possibly
have anticipated the arrival of such heavy reinforcements from
Louisiana as are now here, and on their w^ay hither. Without
large means of t'-ansportation, this force will embarrass, rather
than facilitate our operations. I cannot doubt that the Depart-
ment has already given instructions, based upon the change in
our position since my first call for volunteers.

" Our last accounts of Arista represent his force to be halted
at Coma, an extensive hacienda on the Monterey road, about
one hundred miles from this point. He has pickets covering
the roads leading to Matamoros, with a view to cut off all com-
munication with the interior. The Departmental authorities
have issued a decree denouncing as traitors all who hold inter-
course with us, or with those who do so. I am, nevertheless,
disposed to 'believe that in some quarters, at least, our presence
is not unfavourably viewed. We have no intelligence from
the city of Mexico.

*< Ordnance stores, and other munitions of w^ar, are continually
discovered in the town. Five pieces of cannon, and a very

LETTER FROM THE WAR DEPARTMENT. 181

large amount of balls, shells, and ammunition generally, have
been brought to light."

The uncertainty of Taylor's future movements, and the mode
of prosecuting the war, generally seem to have been shared
by the Department at home. This is shown in a letter, dated
the 8th of June, from the Secretary of War to General Taylor,
of which the following is part :

" In my letter of the 2Sth ultimo, you were left to your own
discretion and judgment as to the measures to be pursued be-
fore the end of the unfavourable season shall be passed, and it
is not now intended to control that discretion. You best know
what amount of force you will have under your command, and '
what can be best accomplished with that force.

" It is presumed you will hold both banks of the Rio Grande
to a considerable distance from its mouth, and secure the un-
interrupted use of that river for the transportation of supplies.
I hope you will be able to take and hold in possession all places
on it as high up as Laredo.

" It is proper that I should advise you that a considerable
force, which will be also under your command, will soon as-
semble at San Antonio de Bexar. The ultimate destination of /^
this force is Chihuahua, if it should be determined that such
an expedition would have a favourable operation in the conduct
of the war ; but it might be at once used to take and secure
the several places on the Rio Grande. Though we have no
despatch from you since those giving an account of the battles
on the 8th and 9th of May, we have such information as in-
duces the belief that you are in possession of Matamoros, and
that you are not now threatened with any considerable Mexi-
can force. It is desirable that you should find yourself in suf-
ficient strength to capture and hold Monterey with your present
force. You are apprised that large reinforcements are preparing
to join you. Besides the regular forces now under your com-
mand, and which will be speedily augmented, you will soon
have nearly twenty thousand volunteers, (including those to
rendezvous at San Antonio de Bexar,) who are to serve for
one year. Your determination as to immediate movements
16

182 REINFORCEMENTS OF VOLUNTEERS.

will, therefore, be somewhat influenced by the consideration
of the additional force which will soon join you.

*' The President is desirous of receiving, and hopes soon to
be favoured with, your views and suggestions in relation to the
fall campaign. His determination is to have the war prosecuted
with vigour, and to embrace in the objects to be compassed in
that campaign, such as will dispose the enemy to desire an end
of the war. Shall the campaign be conducted with the view
of striking at the city of Mexico, or confined, so far as regards
the forces under your immediate command, to the northern
provinces of Mexico ? Your views on this point will, doubt-
less, have an important influence upon the determination of the
Government here. Should our army penetrate far into the in-
terior of Mexico, how are supplies to be obtained? Can they
be, to any considerable extent, drawn from the enemy's coun-
try, or must they be obtained from the United States ? If the
latter, what are the facilities and difficulties of transportation ?
These are very important questions, and the answers to them
will have an essential bearing in settling the plan and objects
of the campaign ; and it is desired that you should express
your views fully in regard to them.

" Again : it is important to know your opinion of the de-
scription of troops best adapted to operations in the interior of
Mexico ; what proportion should be infantry, artillery, and
cavalry, &c. A peace must be conquered in the shortest space
of time practicable. Your views of the manner of doing it
are requested. It is not doubted that you will push your ad-
vantages to the utmost extent it can be done, with the means
at your command."

Before the receipt of this letter Taylor continued to have
constant accessions to his force, increasing it to an unwieldy
bulk for the plans which he contemplated. For this he was
not responsible. His requisition for troops had been explicit;
eight regiments, and no more, were called for. At the same
time he had urged the supply of all the materials of an invad-
ing army. But while he was flooded with men, he was kept
comparatively inactive for the want of supplies commensurate

TAYLOR EXPLAINS HIS INACTIVITY. 183

with his main undertaking. His own correspondence satisfac-
torily proves that the means at his disposal were inadequate to
purposes which he was expected to accomplish. Two letters
may be cited as further examples. Addressing the Adjutant
General of the Army on the 10th of June, he said :

" I beg leave earnestly to invite the attention of the Depart-
ment to the following points :

"First. The great influx of volunteers at Point Isabel. Five
regiments certainly from Louisiana, numbering, say 3600 men ;
two regiments or battalions from Louisville and St. Louis,
numbering, say 1200 more ; several companies from Alabama,
and I know not how many from Texas ; the latter now begin-
ning to arrive. The volunteer troops, now under my orders,
amount to nearly 6000 men. How far they may be increased
without previous notification to me, it is impossible to tell.

" Secondly. The entire want of the proper kind of transporta-
tion to push my operations up the river. The boats on which
I depended for this service were found to be nearly destroyed
by worms, and entirely unfit for the navigation of the river.
At my instance, Major Thomas, on the 18th of May, required
from Lieut. Col. Hunt a boat of the proper description, and
followed it up in a few days by a requisition for another. At
the last dates from New Orleans no boat had been procured.
Captain Sanders, of the engineers, was despatched by me to
New Orleans, to assist in procuring suitable boats, but I have
yet received no report from him.

"As Ihave previously reported, my operations are completely
paralyzed by the want of suitable steamboats to navigate the
Rio Grande. Since the 18th of May, the army has lain in
camp near this place continually receiving heavy reinforcements
of men, but no facility for water transport, without which addi-
tional numbers are but an embarrassment.

" I desire to place myself right in this matter, and to let the
Department see that the inactivity of the army results from no
neglect of mine. I must express my astonishment that such
large reinforcements have been sent forward to join the army,

184 COMPLAINS OF EMBARRASSMENT.

without being accompanied by the means of transportation,
both by land and water, to render them efficient. As matters
now stand, whatever may be the expectations of the Depart-
ment, I cannot move from this place ; and unless Captain San-
ders shall succeed in procuring boats of the proper kind, I can
give no assurance in regard to future operations."

This language is sufficiently explicit and emphatic, exhibit-
ing General Taylor's determination not to be held responsible
for the delays in the movements of the army. Again, on the
17th of June, he wrote to the Adjutant General, and after re-
marking that he had received no advices since the 10th,

" No steamboats have been sent out from New Orleans for the
navigation of the Rio Grande, and in the absence of all infor-
mation on that point, or respecting the views of the govern-
ment, I am altogether in the dark as to our future operations.
I must think that orders have been given, by superior authority,
to suspend the forwarding of means of transportation from New
Orleans. I cannot otherwise account for the extraordinary
delay shown by the Quartermaster's Department in that city.
Even the mails, containing probably important despatches from
the government, are not expedited.

" Lieutenant Colonel Wilson has occupied Reynosa without
opposition. What remains of the Mexican army is understood
to be still at Linares, and has suffered from disease. General*
Torrejon has died, and Colonel Carasco, at last advices, was
very ill. I learn that Generals Arista and Ampudia have gone
to Mexico, probably for the trial of the former, or both.

" Volunteer regiments have arrived from Louisville and St.
Louis, making, with those from Louisiana, eight strong and
, organized battalions — mustering over 5000 men.

"In addition, we have seven companies of Alabama volun-
teers, and twelve or fifteen companies from Texas. Others
from Texas are continually arriving. A portion of these volun-
teers has been lying in camp at this place for nearly a month,
completely paralyzed by the want of transportation. Exposed

LETTER FROM GENERAL SCOTT. 185

as they are in this climate to diseases of the camp, and without
any prospect, so far as I can see, of being usefully employed,
I must recommend that they be allowed to return to their
homes.

" I have despatched Captain McCulloch, a good partisan offi-
cer, in the direction of Linares, with his company, to gain in-
formation touching the numbers and position of the enemy,
and the resources of the country."

It is proper to remark, with regard to the expression in the
letter of the 10th of June, touching the increase of the volunteer
force without notification to General Taylor, that notification
had been forwarded by the Department of all the volunteers
called out by its order. The excess was under the order of
General Gaines. On the 12th of June, General Scott had
written to General Taylor :

" Recruits to fill up the ranks of the regular companies
w^hich are with you, or ordered to join you, to (say) about
seventy men each, shall be sent forward as fast as practicable,
so as to give you, we hope, in a short time, a total force of
about 23,070 men.

"Without waiting for the arrival of that amount of force,
but before, and as soon as you shall deem it safe in respect to
the relative numbers and positions of the enemy, your know-
ledge of the country, your supplies and means of trans-
portation, it is the wish and expectation of the President
that, with your accustomed energy, you take up lines of
march beyond the Rio Grande, and press your operations
towards the heart of the enemy's country; that is, upon
such important points as you may deem necessary to conquer
and to hold."

It has been sufficiently shown, that the latitude thus allowed
.General Taylor in his operations, w^as a negative privilege.
He was tied down by circumstances, which his own forecast
had in vain attempted to obviate, to the spot from which he
had driven the enemy.

The splendid success of General Taylor and his army, was
16*

186 BRIGADIER GENERAL BY BREVET.

learned with admiration and pride in every part of the United
States. The fears for his safety, which, when he was supposed
to be cut off from Point Isabel by Arista's army, were, in the
beginning of May, wrought up to intensity, gave way to uni-
versal rejoicing and confidence, when the victories were re-
ported, which have made the 8th and 9th of that month for-
ever glorious in the history of the national arms. Men of all
parties, those who opposed the war as well as those who sus-
tained it, united in awarding honour to the commander, who,
undaunted by the number or position of his enemies, had
moved irresistibly through their midst, fulfilling his plans as
promptly and surely as though no obstacle, no danger, had
been interposed to defeat them. In every city, meetings were
held to express the exultation of the people at home, who
sympathized with his triumphs in the distant scene of his trials
and labours.

On the 30th day of May, the President wrote to General
Taylor in the following terms, transmitting a commission as
Brevet Major General.

Washington City, May 30, 1846.

Sir: I transmit to you herewith a commission as Major
General by brevet in the army of the United States, conferred
upon you for gallant conduct and distinguished services in the
successive victories over superior Mexican forces at Palo Alto
and Resaca de la Palma, on the 8th and 9th days of May,
1846.

It gave me sincere pleasure, immediately upon the receipt
of official intelligence from the scene of your achievements, to
confer upon you, by and with, the advice and consent of the
Senate, this testimonial of the estimate which your government
places upon your skill and gallantry. To yourself and the
brave officers and soldiers under your command the gratitude' '
of the country is justly due. Our army have fully sustained
their deservedly high reputation, and added another bright
page to the history of American valour and patriotism. They

VOTE OF LOUISIANA L E G I S L A T U R E. 187

have won new laurels for themselves and for their country. My
confidence in them never faltered. The battles of Palo Alto
and Resaca de la Palma rank among our most brilliant victo-
ries, and will long be remembered by the American people.
When all the details of these battles, and of the noble defence
of the camp opposite to Matamoros, shall have been received,
it will be my pleasure, as it will be my grateful duty, to render
to the officers and men under your command suitable testimo-
nials for their conduct in the brilliant victories which a super-
intending Providence has enabled them to achieve for their
country.

In transmitting to you this commission, and in communica-
ting to the officers and soldiers under your command my pro-
found sense of their meritorious services, I but respond to the
patriotic enthusiasm manifested by the people in behalf of their
brave defenders. Whilst my warmest thanks are tendered to
the survivors, the nation mourns the loss of the brave officers
and soldiers who fell in defence of their country upon the field
of victory. Their names also shall be remembered, and ap-
propriate honours be paid to their memory by a grateful
country.

You will cause this communication to be made known to the
army under your command.

James K. Polk.

To Brevet Major Gen. Z. Taylor,

Commanding U. S. army on the Rio Grande.

The Legislature of Louisiana passed a resolution of thanks,
and voted General Taylor a sword. A committee was ap-
pointed to wait upon him and tender him the compliment.
The committee arrived at his quarters on the 8th of June, and
the chairman, having been introduced to the General and his
staff, made a brief address, to w^hich the General replied, with
much emotion, in these terms :

" My heart feels too deeply and sensibly the high honour
that has been conferred on me, my officers and men, to respond
to your expressions of gratitude and thanks. I always felt as-
sured that the patriotic state of Louisiana would be among the

188 Taylor's speech in reply.

first to rush to the assistance of our little army in time of need.
I well knew, as did also my officers and men, that chivalry and
noble daring were her attributes. Her volunteers have readily
abandoned their homes and business to assist us in the hour of
danger. We feel a deep debt of gratitude to them and to you.
The generous and timely action of the Legislature of Louisiana
will not be forgotten by us. We feel that we have only done
our duty ; yet we cannot but feel gratified to have gained the
approbation of our fellow-citizens. Together with the love of
country, which is common to us all, it is that approbation
which cheers and animates the soldier in the hour of battle.
Gentlemen — I am unaccustomed to public speaking. I there-
fore, in the name of my officers and men, thank you, and the
patriotic state which you represent, for the honour conferred
on us."

This is but a single example of popular feeling for Taylor
and his army. The limits of a volume would not embrace the
formal expressions of it, during the few days after the intelli-
gence of his victories had spread through the country.

Congress resolved to place Taylor at once in the highest
rank of the service, and he was accordingly, by act of that
body, promoted to be a full Major General. This advance-
ment was communicated in a letter from the Secretary of War,
of which the following are extracts.

" War Department,
"Washington, July 1, 1846.

<' Sir : It gives me pleasure to transmit herewith a commis-
sion, issued to you by the President, of Major General in the
army of the United States, pursuant to the first section of the
act of Congress, passed 18th June last, a copy of which is also
herewith enclosed.

<' On receiving your despatch No. 51, stating your want of
means for transporting troops, supplies, &c., on the Rio
Grande, I desired the quartermaster general to inform me what
measures had been taken on that subject. I herewith send you
his reply. I trust that the steps taken by your orders, and
those of the quartermaster general here, will have furnished the

ANSWER TO SECRETARY OF WAR. 189

means to enable you to prosecute active operations, as sug-
gested in my letters of the 28th of May and 8th of June.

"I anticipated the embarrassments of which you complain,
by the accumulation of troops before accommodations could
be possibly provided, and arrangements made for the employ-
ment of them. The only relief which can be applied to the
case, is that contained in my previous communications to you
on the subject, and in that from the adjutant general on the
25th of May."

The narrative of General Taylor's operations and policy on
the Rio Grande, in the commencement of the war, is continued
by the insertion of the subjoined full, and very able letter, to
the Secretary of War. The letter of the Secretary, dated the
28th of May, to which reference is made, has been given, in
part, on a preceding page.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.

Matamoros, July 3, 1846.

Sir : In reply to the communications of the Secretary of
War, dated May 28th, and June 8th, and to that of the gene-
ral-in-chief, dated June 12th, I have the honour to submit the
following views in regard to the operations against Mexico
from this quarter. I will remark that my constant efforts to
procure information in relation to the nature of the country,
amount of supplies, &c., have not been as satisfactory as I
could wish, the various accounts often differing even in im-
portant particulars. Either from the ignorance or interested
motives of those who profess to give information, it is ex-
tremely difficult to obtain any upon which we can implicitly
rely.

In calling upon the States of Louisiana and Texas for an
auxiliary force of about 5000 men, it was my expectation
with that force to be able to clear the course of the Rio Grande
as high as Laredo, and to occupy or control the country to
the foot of the mountains, capturing and holding Monterey, if
circumstances permitted. With the proper river transportation
this could have been easily done, a depot w^ould now have

190 SUGGESTIONS OF THE CAMPAIGN.

been established at Camargo, and our operations pushed
up the valley of the San Juan. The difficulties and em-
barrassments that I have experienced for want of such trans-
portation have already been sufficiently made known. These
difficulties have been increased by the great excess of
volunteers that have been sent out — say 3000 men beyond
the original call. I nevertheless propose, upon the arrival
of the steamers now hourly expected, to throw forward
this force, with the regular troops to Camargo, and establish
there a depot and base from which to operate towards the
mountains. My reasons for retaining these six-months' vol-
unteers in service have been set forth in another commu-
nication ; and I desire, from motives of health and other
considerations, to keep them employed as actively as possi-
ble. The twelve-months' volunteers can, in the mean time,
form camps at healthy points in my rear ; and, while receiving
instruction, await the season for more extensive operations.
The above dispositions can be made in the rainy season
perhaps better than at any other time, as the river is then
in a good navigable state. For operating with a heavy force
• — say 6000 men from this point — towards Monterey and Sal-
tillo, through w^hich passes the only artillery route across the
mountains, it is indispensable to employ the river as a channel
of supply, and the valley of the San Juan, on one of the
heads of which Monterey is situated, as a line of operations.
The direct land route from this point to Monterey is much
longer than the line from Camargo ; in wet weather impassable
for artillery or heavy wagons, and in dry scantily supplied with
water. Assuming, then, Camargo as the depot, and the val-
ley of the San Juan as the line of operations, the question
arises, what amount of supplies can be obtained, and how can
a column be subsisted on this route ? It is pretty well deter-
mined that we cannot depend upon any considerable supply of
breadstuffs short of Monterey, or perhaps Saltillo, seventy-five
miles farther south. Beef in abundance, it is believed, may
be procured, and on this, w^ith perhaps occasional issues of
mutton, we must mainly depend for the meat part of the ration.

LETTERCONTINUED. 191

From Camargo to Saltillo, then, we must expect to depend
upon our depot for bread ; and I am of opinion, from all I can
learn of the resources of the country in pack mules and means
of transportation generally, that a column exceeding six thousand
men cannot be maintained in bread alone as far as Saltillo.
Saltillo itself is at no great distance from two or three fertile
grain-growing districts, but how far the production in those
districts may exceed the supply I cannot with any certainty
determine.

The above calculations, in regard to subsistence, are made
on the suppositions that w^e shall find the people of the country,
if not friends, at least passive and willing to part with their
produce to the best advantages. I believe we shall find such
to be their temper on this side of the mountains ; whether this
neutrality or indifference extends beyond, may well be a ques-
tion. Should they prove hostile, destroy their crops, and drive
away their stock, it will be an extremely difficult matter to sus-
tain a column at Saltillo — still more so to pass beyond that city.

Supposing a column of the above strength — say 6000 men
— able to maintain itself at Saltillo, it will become a question,
depending for its solution upon the elements above indicated,
how far that force may be increased, or what amount of the
twelve-months' volunteers may be safely and profitably thrown
forward from the rear, with a view to future operations.

From Camargo to the city of Mexico is a line little, if any,
short of 1000 miles in length. The resources of the country
are, to say the best, not superabundant ; and, over long spaces
of the route, are known to be deficient. Although the road,
as we advance south, approaches both seas, yet the topography
of the country, and the consequent character of the communi-
cations, forbids the taking up a new line of supply, either from
Tampico or the Pacific coast. Except in the case (deemed
improbable) of entire acquiescence, if not support, on the part
of the Mexican people, I consider it impracticable to keep
open so long a line of communication. It is, therefore, ray
opinion that our operations from this frontier should not look
to the city of Mexico, but should be confined to cutting off the

192 TAYLOR'S LETTER CONTINUED.

northern provinces — an undertaking of comparative facility and
assurance of success.

With a view of cutting off the northern provinces, the pro-
jected expedition from San Antonio to Chihuahua may be of
great importance. From the best information, however, which
I now possess, I would suggest mounted troops alone for that
expedition. I am satisfied that the route from that point to
Chihuahua is not practicable for artillery or wagons, and in-
fantry would rather embarrass the movement of a mounted
expedition.

Mountain howitzers, to be packed with their carriages on
mules, might be advantageously employed on that service, and
indeed with the column designed to penetrate to Saltillo. There
may be great difficulty in supplying any considerable force
between San Antonio and Chihuahua, although the line is not
very long, probably not exceeding 300 miles. I hope to pro-
cure better information than any I now possess in regard to this
route.

It will be perceived that my remarks on the line of operations
from the Rio Grande, southward, have been confined to the
question of subsistence, which is certainly the most important
one to be considered. There are military obstacles on the
route, particularly in the space between Monterey and Saltillo,
where the defile of " La Rinconada" is represented to be of
great strength. This point, and perhaps others, if fortified, may
give us some trouble ; but if they can be turned by light troops,
and such I believe to be the case, they will not long impede
our march.

In regard to the " description of troops best adapted to
operations in the interior of Mexico," I am scarcely prepared
at this time to give a definite reply. The facility or difficulty
of obtaining forage must necessarily control to some extent the
amount of cavalry employed. At the estate of the Conde de
Jarral, some forty leagues from Saltillo, there will, I understand,
be no difficulty in obtaining a remount when necessary, and
forage for the cavalry. The field artillery under my orders
(four batteries, including Washington's) will, particularly if

TAYLOR'S LETTER CONTINUED. 193

filled up to the complement of guns, be quite sufficient for any
operations in this quarter. We may have occasion for heavier
guns„and I have directed two twelve-pounder field-guns to be
procured, which, with the twenty-four-pounder howitzers now
in depot at Point Isabel, will constitute an efficient battery.
We shall have two, perhaps three regiments of horse from
Texas under my original call. They are now organizing under
the Governor's directions at Point Isabel. These are six
months' men. Should I find it necessary to increase the
cavalry force, I can draw certainly one regiment from San An-
tonio, and still leave quite enough for the expedition to Chi-
huahua.

I have given my views on most of the points connected with
the operations from this frontier, purposely abstaining from
any reference to movements against Tampico or Vera Cruz.
The former place, I am induced to believe, could have been
easily taken a month since, and could be so even now ; but
the yellow fever would not have permitted us to hold it, and I
deemed it best to undertake no movement in that direction at
this season of the year. Should we advance as far as San Luis
Potosi, which has a communication (though not for wheels)
with Tampico, the possession of the latter place would be im-
portant.

I am awaiting with utmost impatience the arrival of steam-
boats suited to the navigation of this river, to establish a depot
at Camargo, and throw the troops gradually forward to that
point. The rainy season has commenced, and the river is
now in the best possible condition for navigation. Several
small boats were to leave New^ Orleans about the 20th of June.
If not wrecked in the recent severe gales, they may be hourly
expected here.

I have the honour to be, respectfully, general, your obedient
servant,

Z. Taylor,

Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C.

194 CAPTURE OF SMALL TOWNS.

While General Taylor awaited at Matamoros the arrival of
boats, necessary for the advance of the main body of his army,
he had sent detachments to take possession of the acc^sible
towns on the Rio Grande. Early in June, Lieutenant Colonel
Wilson had taken peaceable possession of Reynosa. On the
14th of July, two companies of the Seventh Infantry, under
Captain Miles, took possession of Camargo without opposition.
Mier and Revilla were also successively occupied by other de-
tachments. In a despatch mentioning these operations, dated
the 22d, General Taylor adds :

" Captain Miles, the day after he had taken possession of
Camargo, was joined by the remainder of the regiment, two
pieces of artillery, and a company of irregular cavalry. He
has since been reinforced by the 5th infantry ; and the 1st
brigade of infantry, under General Worth, is now en route to
Camargo, except a guard of two companies, left to escort the
train by land — the main body proceeding by water. The 3d
brigade will immediately follow, and in a few days all the ac-
tive regular force will be at Camargo, or in motion thither. I
am unavoidably compelled, much to my regret, to leave several
companies of the artillery regiments to guard the different
depots in my rear.

" We have now several steamboats in the river, and the
business of sending up troops and supplies is urged as much
as possible. I find the difficulty of throwing supplies up the
river to be very great, in consequence of the rapidity of the
current and the entire absence of dry steamboat fuel. But
every effort will be employed to overcome these difficulties,
and I have no doubt that we shall be able to keep up a depot
at Camargo, quite sufficient for any operations from that point.

" As yet the land route to Camargo is impassable for wagons,
owing to the recent rains and freshets. As soon as it shall
become practicable, the field artillery and train of the army
will move forward to Camargo.

" As soon as I can complete the necessary arrangements for
throwing forward the volunteer troops to Camargo, I propose

CONDITION OF MEXICO. 195

to establish my head-quarters at that point, and organize, with-
out delay, a marching column to move on Monterey."

Before proceeding in the narrative of General Taylor's opera-
tions, a glance at the civil condition of Mexico, and at the
purposes and measures of the United States government in the
prosecution of the war, will aid an understanding of the cir-
cumstances affecting his progress. His own views of the mode
of bringing the war to a successful issue, have already been
partially developed in his correspondence. Other letters remain
to be cited which will further illustrate his opinions on the
general subject. These several matters will be embraced in
the following chapter.

CHAPTER XL

Civil Dissensions of the "Mexicans — Tyranny of Paredes — Popular Defectiona
— Conspirators apprehended— Liberty of the Press abolished — Unwise Policy
of Paredes — News of Arista's Defeat received — Sensation in the Capital —
Money refused by the Clergy — Decline of Paredes' authority — Movement in
favour of Santa Anna — Civil War in Mexico — Blockade by the United States
of Mexican Ports — Plans of the United States Government — Plans of Ge-

* neral Taylor — Proclamation to the People of Mexico — Confidential Letter to
Taylor — Taylor's Answer — Santa Anna proclaimed in Vera Cruz — Excite-
ment in the Capital — Fall of Paredes — Santa Anna's return to Mexico — Go-
vernment of de Salas — Santa Anna's triumphal entry into the Capital — His
pledges to the Mexicans — Taylor's Arrangements complete for his Advance
— His Difficulties explained — Enumeration of his Force — March of Worth's
Division — Of Butler's and Twiggs' Divisions — Report of Forces against
Monterey — Sufferings and Death of Volunteers — March of Worth's Division
towards Monterey.

At the moment that the government and people of Mexico,
regarding the annexation of Texas to the United States as an
aggressive act, should have smothered civil dissension, and
united firmly in the single purpose of settling amicably their
disputes with so powerful a neighbour, or of carrying on war
with all their energies, that unfortunate country presented its
wonted scenes of mal-administration on the one hand, and re-
bellion on the other. Within the same week that Texas had
been admitted into the Union by act of Congress, a revolution,

196 TYRANNY OF PAREDES.

the joint project of the army and the church, had placed Pa-
redes in the executive chair of Mexico. Adverse, as we have
seen, to the conciliatory policy of Herrera, whom he had su-
perseded, the new President signalized his accession to power
by refusing to receive an American diplomatic agent, and by
declaring war to exist between the two nations, as soon as
General Taylor had crossed the Nueces. This course, regard-
ing a foreign government, imposing on Paredes the manifest
duty of winning the affections and support of all parties, w^as,
on the contrary, attended by measures odious to a large por-
tion of his countrymen, and incompatible with their hearty
support of his administration. The letter, as well as the spirit,
of the constitutions acknowledged by his predecessors was
changed ; and even the affectation of regard for popular rights,
which had been maintained by some of them, was by him dis-
carded, and he assumed an authority nearly allied to absolut-
ism. By an executive decree, the electiv.e franchise was taken
from the mass of the people and confided to a small and
privileged class. Yucatan, wearied with the oppressions of
former administrations, had already refused her aid in placing
Vera Cruz in a condition of defence ; and the intelligent and
independent citizens of that city, in turn resisted the decree,
"which abrogated their free choice of representatives to the na-
tional congress. Organized discontent appeared also in other
departments, and the means of an expedition, destined to de-
fend the Cahfornias against the United States, were appropri-
ated by a revolted garrison to a scheme of overthrowing the
home government. Other military bodies imitated this example,
and factious or ambitious chiefs fomented popular ill-will, until
their party became extended and formidable. The discovery
of a correspondence among them, implicated many citizens of
the capital, who were accordingly seized and imprisoned. On
the day that these things passed in the interior and the city of
Mexico, Taylor hoisted the American flag on Fort Paredes.

Instead of assuaging the ill-will, manifestly so general, the
next step of Paredes was to trample on the press. The editors
of the journals which exposed his tyrannous acts were arrested,

REVOLUTIONINPROGRESS. 197

and with summary disregard of law, banished or confined in
the common jails. This new measure of despotism had just
been effected, when the intelligence of Arista's defeats, and the
surrender of Matamoros, reached the capital. Paredes was
mortified, the citizens enraged. '' Death to the Americans!"
echoed from street to street, and from city to city. But wdth
this sentiment in their hearts, civil discord still occupied the
time of factions daily growing more powerful. The dictator,
who felt the responsibility of having declared war with the
United States, found himself not only embarrassed by the de-
fection of whole provinces, but unable to prosecute his foreign
policy for want of revenue. While his energies were in one
direction devoted to quelling the insurgents, his ingenuity was
taxed in another to supply an empty treasury. He resolved
on an appeal to the clergy, who had been instrumental in
placing him in power, and who had sanctioned his war mea-
sures on the ground that the United States aimed at the subver-
sion of the national religion. This appeal was duly considered,
and the ecclesiastical council arrived at the conclusion, that the
church fund could not be diverted from its special uses.

The authority attained by Paredes in January, he saw rapidly
departing from him in June. Already the revolutionary party
had acquired sufficient strength to overthrow a local govern-
ment, to issue a formal protest against the central power, and
to declare the basis of a new order of things. A provisional
government asserted its existence, and Santa Anna, then an
exile in Cuba, w^as presented as the patriotic head of it. The
congress of Paredes assembled, and his opening address to
that body set forth the evils under which the country suffered
— civil contention, a foreign war, an exhausted treasury. There
was deliberation, but no action equal to the emergency. The
troops of Paredes, and of the revolutionists, were in the field
against each other, fighting for the supremacy, while two com-
panies of United States Infantry marched into Camargo, with-
out an arm to oppose them. Paredes enjoyed a temporary
success, but his power daily melted away before the ardent
opposition of Santa Anna's partisans. They were firmly estab
17*

198 PLANS OF INVASION.

lished in the southern and western provinces. Paredes still
held the capital. Such was the relative position of Mexican
parties in the beginning of July, 1846.

On the same day that General Taylor took possession of
Matamoros, an American squadron anchored off Vera Cruz, and
the blockade of that, and other ports of Mexico on the Gulf,
commenced. The blockade of the Pacific coast was also or-
dered. The operations on land, contemplated by the govern-
ment of the United States, embraced three distinct invasions
of Mexico. The progress of the main army under Taylor will
be presently shown. The second division, commanded by
General Wool, was directed against Chihuahua ; and the third,
under Col. Kearney, against Santa Fe, in New Mexico. Be-
tween the two latter divisions and General Taylor, there was
no concert, and their movements, therefore, do not enter into
this narrative. /:

During the month of July, General Taylor continued to
discipline his new troops, and to make preparations for the ad-
vance of his main body up the Rio Grande, and ultimately in
the direction of San Luis Potosi^ — distant about three hundred
miles from Matamoros — by way of Saltillo and Monterey.
Camargo, already occupied by a division under General Worth,
was destined to be his head-quarters, from which the column
marching on Monterey would be organized. General Taylor
had meanwhile received from his government the annexed
form of a proclamation to the Mexican people, designed to
facilitate his advance, and to accomplish the objects of the
war.

A Pkoclamation by the General commanding the Army of the United
States of America.

To THE People of Mexico : —

After many years of patient endurance, the United States are
at length constrained to acknowledge that a war now exists
between our government and the government of Mexico. For
many years our citizens have been subjected to repeated
insults and injuries, our vessels and cargoes have been seized

PROCLAMATION TO MEXICANS. 199

and confiscated, our merchants have been plundered, maimed,
imprisoned, without cause and without reparation. At length
your government acknowledged the justice of our claims, and
agreed by treaty to make satisfaction by payment of several
millions of dollars ; but this treaty has been violated by your
rulers, and the stipulated payments have been withheld. Our
late effort to terminate all difficulties by peaceful negotiation
has been rejected by the dictator Paredes, and our minister of
peace, whom your rulers had agreed to receive, has been re-
fused a hearing. He has been treated with indignity and
insult, and Paredes has announced that war exists between us.
This war, thus first proclaimed by him, has been acknowledged
as an existing fact by our President and Congress with perfect
unanimity, and will be prosecuted with vigour and energy
against your army and rulers ; but those of the Mexican people
who remain neutral will not be molested.

Your government is in the hands of tyrants and usurpers.
They have abolished your state governments, they have over-
thrown your federal constitution, they have deprived you of
the right of suffrage, destroyed the liberty of the press, despoiled
you of your arms, and reduced you to a state of absolute de-
pendence upon the power of a military dictator. Your army
and rulers extort from the people by grievous taxation, by forced
loans, and military seizures, the very money which sustains the
usurpers in power. Being disarmed, you were left defenceless,
an easy prey to the savage Camanches, who not only destroy
your lives and property, but drive into a captivity more horrible
than death itself, your wives and children. It is your military
rulers who have reduced you to this deplorable condition. It
is these tyrants, and their corrupt and cruel satellites, gorged
with the people's treasure, by whom you are thus oppressed
and impoverished, some of whom have boldly advocated a
monarchical government, and would place a European prince
upon the throne of Mexico. We come to obtain reparation for
repeated wrongs and injuries ; w^e come to obtain indemnity
for the past, and security for the future ; we come to overthrow
the tyrants who have destroyed your liberties ; but we come

200 PROCLAMATION CONTINUED.

to make no war upon the people of Mexico, nor upon any form
of free government they may choose to select for themselves.
It is our wish to see you liberated from despots, to drive back
the savage Camanches, to prevent the renewal of their assaults,
and to compel them to restore to you from captivity your long-
lost wives and children. Your religion, your altars, and
churches, the property of your churches and citizens, the
emblems of your faith, and its ministers, shall be protected,
and remain inviolate. Hundreds of our army, and hundreds
of thousands of our people, are members of the Catholic church.
In every state, and in nearly every city and village of our
Union, Catholic churches exist, and the priests perform their
holy functions in peace and security under the sacred guarantee
of our Constitution. We come among the people of Mexico
as friends and republican brethren, and all who receive us as
such shall be protected, whilst all who are seduced into the
army of your dictator shall be treated as enemies. We shall
want from you nothing but food for our army, and for this you
shall always be paid in cash the full value. It is the settled
policy of your tyrants to deceive you in regard to the policy
and character of our government and people. These tyrants
fear the example of our free institutions, and constantly en-
deavour to misrepresent our purposes, and inspire you with
hatred for your republican brethren of the American Union. —
Give us but the opportunity to undeceive you, and you will
soon learn that all the representations of Paredes were false,
and were only made to induce you to consent to the establish-
ment of a despotic government.

In your struggle for liberty with the Spanish monarchy,
thousands of our countrymen risked their lives and shed their
blood in your defence. Our own commodore, the gallant
Porter, maintained in triumph your flag upon the ocean, and
our government was the first to acknowledge your indepen-
dence. With pride and pleasure we enrolled your name on
the list of independent republics, and sincerely desired that
you might, in peace and prosperity, enjoy all the blessings of
free government. Success on the part of your tyrants against

LETTER FROM WAR DEPARTMENT. 201

the army of the Union is impossible ; but, if they could suc-
ceed, it would only be to enable them to fill your towns with
soldiers, eating out your substance, and harassing you with
still more grievous taxation. Already they have abolished the
liberty of the press, as the first step towards the introduction
of that monarchy, which it is their real purpose to proclaim
and establish.

Mexicans! we must treat as enemies, and overthrow the
tyrants, who, whilst they have wronged and insulted us, have
deprived you of your liberty ; but the Mexican people who
remain neutral during the contest, shall be protected against
their military despots by the republican army of the Union."

The War Department, advised by the President, followed
this document with the subjoined confidential letter, which,
with General Taylor's answer, forms an interesting link in the
chain, both of his instructions and views touching the conduct
of the war generally, and of that branch of operations with
which he had been entrusted.

Secretary of War to General Taylor.

War Department,
Washington, July 9, 1846.

Sir : — The proclamation which you were directed to spread
among the Mexican people will have put you in possession of
the views of the government in relation to the mode of carrying
on the war, and also in relation to the manner of treating the
inhabitants. The war is only carried on to obtain justice ; and
the sooner that can be obtained, and with the least expenditure
of blood and money, the better. One of the evils of war is
the interruption of diplomatic communications between the
respective ■> authorities, and the consequent ignorance under
which each party may lie in relation to the views of the other.
The natural substitute of these interrupted diplomatic commu-
nications is the military intercourse which the usages of war
allow between contending armies in the field, and in which
commanding generals can do much towards reopening nego-
tiations, and smoothing the way to a return of peace.

202 Taylor's policy approved.

The President has seen with much approbation the civiHty
and kindness with which you have treated your prisoners, and
all the inhabitants with whom you have come in contact. He
wishes that course of conduct continued, and all opportuni-
ties taken to conciliate the inhabitants, and let them see that
peace is within their reach the moment their rulers will consent
to do us justice. The inhabitants should be encouraged to
remain in their towns and villages, and these sentiments be
carefully made known to them. The same things may be said
to officers made prisoners, or who may visit your head-quarters
according to the usages of war ; and it is the wish of the Pre-
sident that such visits be encouraged, and also that you take
occasions to send officers to the head-quarters of the enemy for
the military purposes, real or ostensible, which are of ordinary
occurrence between armies, and in which opportunity may be
taken to speak of the war itself as only carried on to obtain
justice, and that we had much rather procure that by negotia-
tion than by fighting. Of course, authority to speak for your
government wdll be disavowed, but a knowledge of its wishes
will be averred, and a readiness will be expressed to commu-
nicate to your government the wishes of the Mexican govern-
ment to negotiate for honourable peace, W'henever such shall
be their wish, and with the assurance that such overtures will
be met in a corresponding spirit by your government. A dis-
creet officer, who understands Spanish, and who can be em-
ployed in the intercourse so usual between armies, can be your
confidential agent on such occasions, and can mask his real,
under his ostensible, object of a military interview.

You wall also readily comprehend that, in a country so di-
vided into races, classes, and parties, as Mexico is, and with
so many local divisions among departments, and personal
divisions among individuals, there must be great room for
operating on the minds and feelings of large portions of the
inhabitants, and inducing them to wish success to an invasion
which has no desire to injure their country, and which, in over-
throwing their oppressors, may benefit themselves. Between
the Spaniards, who monopolize the wealth and power of the

SUGGESTIONS RESPECTING INVASION. 203

country, and the mixed Indian race who bear its burdens,

there must be jealousy and animosity. The same feelings

must exist between the lower and the higher orders of the

clergy, the latter of whom have the dignities and the revenues,

while the former have poverty and labour. In fact, the curates

were the chief authors of the revolution which separated Mexico

from Spain, and their relative condition to their superiors is not

much benefited by it.

***** * *****

Ifj from all the information which you may communicate to
the Department, as well as that derived from other sources, it
should appear that the difficulties and obstacles to the con-
ducting of a campaign from the Rio Grande, the present base
of your operations, for any considerable distance into the
interior of Mexico, will be very great, the Department will
consider whether the main invasion should not ultimately take
place from some other point on the coast — say Tampico — or
some other point in the vicinity of Vera Cruz. This sugges-
tion is made with a view to call your attention to it, and to
obtain from you such information as you may be able to im-
part. Should it be determined that the main army should in-
vade Mexico at some other point than the Rio Grande — say
the vicinity of Vera Cruz — a large and sufficient number of
transport vessels could be placed at the mouth of the Rio
Grande by the time the healthy season sets in — say early in
November. The main army, with all its munitions, could be
transported, leaving a sufficient force behind to hold and oc-
cupy the Rio Grande and all the towns and provinces which
you may have conquered before that time. In the event of
such being the plan of operations, your opinion is desired:
what increased force, if any, will be required to carry it out
with success ? We learn that the army could be disembarked
a few miles distant from Vera Cruz, and readily invest the
town in its rear, without coming within the range of the guns
of the fortress of San Juan d'Uloa. The town could be
readily taken by land, while the fortress, being invested by
land and sea, and all communication cut off, must soon fall.

204 HIS OPINIONS REQUIRED.

The distance from Vera Cruz to the city of Mexico is not
more than one-third of that from the Rio Grande to the city
of Mexico. Upon these important points, in addition to those
mentioned in my letter of the 8th of June, your opinions and
views are desired at the earliest period your duties will permit
you to give them. In the mean time, the Department confi-
dently relies on you to press forward your operations vigo-
rously to the extent of your means, so as to occupy the im-
portant points within your reach on the Rio Grande and in the
interior. It is presumed that Monterey, Chihuahua, and other
places in your direction will be taken and held. If in your
power to give the information, the Department desires to be
informed of the distance from Chihuahua to Guyamas on the
Gulf of California. Whether there be a road over which
ordnance and baggage wagons could be taken, and whether it
be practicable for an army to march from the former to the
latter place, and what time would probably be required for
mounted men, and what time for infantry or artillery to do so }
This information is desired before the department can be pre-
pared to decide upon the propriety of sending forward such
an expedition.

Your answer to this communication you will please to ad-
dress directly to the President of the United States.

I have the honour to be, very respectfully, your obedient
servant.

W. L. Marcy.

Major-General Z. Taylor, Commanding, &c.

General Taylor"* s Answer.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Matamoros, August 1, 1846.

Sir : I have the honour to acknowledge the receipt of the
confidential communication of the Secretary of War, dated
July 9th, and to present the following remarks in relation to
the several points embraced in it. Agreeably to the injunction
of the Secretary, this communication is addressed directly to
the President of the United States.

LETTER FROM GENERAL TAYLOR. 205

First. As to the intercourse with the enemy, and means of
obtaining information with regard to his movements, &c., I fear
that no very satisfactory results will be obtained in the way
proposed. The Mexican generals and other officers have ex-
hibited, since the commencement of hostilities, a determination
to hold with us as little intercourse as possible. A most rigid
non-intercourse has been held throughout ; and, since the 17th
of June, no communication whatever has passed between the
head-quarters of the two armies. I shall not fail to improve
such occasions when they present themselves, in the manner
pointed out by the Secretary. Since crossing the Rio Grande,
it has been my constant aim to conciliate the people of the
country, and I have the satisfaction of believing that much has
been done towards that object, not only here, but at Reynosa,
Camargo, and other towns higher up the river. The only ob-
stacle I encounter in carrying out this desirable policy arises
from the employment of volunteer troops. Some excesses
have been committed by them upon the people and their pro-
perty, and more, I fear, are to be apprehended. With every
exertion, it is impossible effectually to control these troops,
unaccustomed as they are to the discipline of camps, and losing,
in bodies, the restraining sense of individual responsibility.
With increased length of service, these evils, it is hoped, w^ill
diminish.

Second. In regard to availing ourselves of internal divi-
sions and discord among the Mexicans, it is hardly time yet to
say how far this may be relied upon as an element of success.
I have good reason to believe that the country lying between,
the Rio Grande and Sierra Madre is disposed to throw off the
yoke of the central government, and will perhaps do so as
soon as it finds a strong American force between it and the
capital. I shall do all in my power to encourage this move-
ment, of which I received indications from many quarters, and
shall comply fully with the instructions of the Secretary on that
point.

Third. As to the military operations best calculated to secure
an early and honourable peace, my report of July 2d will have
18

206 THE CONDUCT OP THE WAR.

put the Department in possession of my views touching opera-
tions in this quarter, and I have now little to add to that report.
Whether a large force can be subsisted beyond Monterey,
must be determined by actual experiment, and will depend
much upon the disposition of the inhabitants towards us. If
a column (say 10,000 men) can be sustained in provisions at
Saltillo, it may advance thence upon San Louis Potosi ; and, I
doubt not, w^ould speedily bring proposals for peace. If, on
the other hand, a column cannot be sustained beyond Monterey,
it will be for the Government to determine, from considerations
of state, whether a simple occupation of the frontier depart-
ments, (including Chihuahua and New Mexico,) or in addition
to such occupation an expedition against the capital [by way
of Vera Cruz] be most expedient. I cannot give a positive
opinion as to the practicability of an expedition against Vera
Cruz, or the amount of force that would probably be required
for it. The Department of War must be much better informed
than I am on that point. From the impracticable character of
the routes from Tampico, particularly that leading to Mexico,
I should judge an expedition against the capital from that point
to be out of the question. The simultaneous embarkation of
a large body of troops at Brazos Santiago, as proposed in the
Secretary's communication, would be attended with great dif-
ficulty, if we may judge from the delay and danger which
accompany the unloading of single transports, owing to the
almost perpetual roughness of the bar, and boisterous character
of the anchorage. It may also well be questioned whether a
force of volunteers, without much instruction, more than those
now here can receive in season for such an expedition, can
prudently be allowed to form the bulk of an army destined for
so delicate an operation as a descent upon a foreign coast,
where it can have no proper base of operations or supplies.

I have already had occasion to represent to the Department
that the volunteer force ordered to report to me here is much
greater than I can possibly employ, at any rate in the first in-
stance ; the influx of twelve-months' volunteers has even im-
peded my forward movement, by engrossing all the resources

DISSENSIONS IN MEXICO. 207

of the Quartermaster's Department to land them and transport
them to healthy positions. This circumstance, in connection

with the possibility of an expedition against , leads me

to regret that one division of the volunteers had not been en-
camped— say at Pass Christian — where it could have been in-
structed until its services were required in the field.

These embarrassments, however, are now mostly overcome ;
the regular force is nearly all at Camargo. ; and all the arrange-
ments are made to throw forward the volunteers to the same
point. The President may be assured that no one laments
more than I do the inevitable difficulties and delays that have
attended our operations here, and that no exertion of mine has
been or will be wanting to press forward the campaign with all
possible vigour. But I deem it indispensable to take such
amount of force, and observe such precautions, as not to leave
success a matter of doubt.

In answer to the inquiry relative to the route from Chihuahua
to Guaymas, I have the honour to submit a memorandum de-
rived from , an American gentleman residing in this

place, who has lived in Chihuahua, and travelled over the
routes. The distances on the mule route are probably over-
rated, as it is a direct route across the mountains. The wagon
road, by the city of Arispe, is the only one practicable foi
artillery.

I have the honour to be, very respectfully, sir, your obedient
servant,

Z. Taylor,
Maj. Gen. U. S. Army, commanding.

To his Excellency the Hon. James K. Polk,

President of the United States, Washington.

The clearness and comprehensiveness of the views set forth
in this letter, show General Taylor's judgment in council to be
equal to his energy in the field. While with his pen, as well
as his sword, he was thus preparing the way for the prostration
of Mexico, the internal dissensions of that country had reached
their second climax in the year 1846. Paredes, who had sus-
tained his sinking cause until the end of July, was at last over<

208 FALL OF PAREDES.

whelmed by the revolutionary torrent. The city of Vera Cruz
pronounced in favour of Santa Anna on the 31st of that month.
Three days afterwards, intelligence of the event reached the
capital, which was immediately in the ferment of a kindred
movement. General de Salas, and other military aspirants,
issued a proclamation from the citadel of Mexico, of which
they had taken possession, declaring the electoral laws of 1824
to be in force, denouncing all opposition to their purposes as
traitorous, and inviting the return of political exiles, especially
of " his excellency, Don Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, the
well- deserving of his country, acknowledging him as general-
in-chief of all the forces pledged and determined to fight, in
order that the nation may recover its rights, secure its liberty,
and govern itself." Paredes made a bold but futile resistance
to de Salas and his compeers, and then, with a handful of men,
fled from the capital. Soon afterwards, he was a prisoner in
the castle of Perote.

Santa Anna, thus recalled, sailed from Cuba, with his per-
sonal followers, and arrived at Vera Cruz on the 16th of
August, passing through the United States' blockading squad-
ron, by the express permission of the President. This may
not be the place to examine the policy of such an order. It is
sufficient to state the fact. Santa Anna was received with en-
thusiasm by the citizens of Vera Cruz, which was shared by the
Mexicans generally, and enabled him to combine opposing
factions, and prepare the way for a concentrated and powerful
resistance to the United States, to which none of his rivals was
equal. It may be conceded that patriotism dictated the move-
ment in his favour, if the immediate effects of his presence be
accepted as evidence. The provisional government of de
Salas had declared the constitution of 1824 to be in force, and
the election of a new congress, to meet in December, was
ordered conformably to that instrument. " Frankness, honour,
honesty, and entire devotion to republican principles," were
declared to be the basis of the new administration.

The way being thus paved for the return of Santa Anna to
the city of Mexico, he left his hacienda, where he had sojourned

SANTA ANNA IN MEXICO. 20^

after his arrival at Vera Cruz ; and, at high noon, on the 15th
of September, made a triumphal entry into the metropolis. He
was hailed by the revolutionary chieftains, and by the people,
with every demonstration of respectful and affectionate wel-
come ; and as he rode through the streets to the national
palace, amid the waving of thousands of hands, the cheers of
thousand of voices, the swell of music, the peal of bells, and
the roar of artillery, no observer would have dreamed that a
potent foreign enemy, already the victor on well-contested
fields, and the captor of fortified towns, was at that moment
marching to further conquest into the land of that exulting
multitude. For Santa Anna, however, the day might well con-
tent his pride. The proscribed, the forsaken, the reviled, the
banished, he returned to his country the chosen chief of her
chiefs, his rivals prostrated and disgraced, and himself the idol
of his own friends, and the admiration of theirs. In return for
the confidence reposed in him, he promised a free government,
and the fulfilment of every duty in resisting the enemies of his
country. When the difficulties which beset him, in giving
even the appearance of eflSciency to this promise, are con-
sidered, candour must award him the praise of singular talent
as a statesman, a soldier, and a popular leader.

On the 1st of September, General Taylor found his arrange-
ments, after numerous difficulties and delays, so far completed,
that he should be ready to advance upon the road to Monterey
in the course of a few days. The evidence is of record, that
the tardiness of his movements was not only not attributable to
himself, but was caused by the neglect of the government or
its agents in complying with his repeated and earnest sugges-
tions. This fact is most forcibly set forth in the following
plain and manly letter to the War Department :

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Caraargo, September 1, 1846.

Sir : Before marching for the interior, I beg leave to place
on record some remarks touching an important branch of the
public service, the proper administration of which is indispen
18*

210 JUSTIFICATION OF GEN. TAYLOR.

sable to the efficiency of a campaign. I refer to the Quarter-
master's Department. There is at this moment, when the army
is about to take up a long line of march, a great deficiency of
proper means of transport, and of many important supplies.

On the 26th April, when first apprizing you of the increased
force called out by me, I wrote that I trusted the War Depart-
ment would " give the necessary orders to the staff depart-
ment, for the supply of this large additional force ;" and when
first advised of the heavy force of twelve-months' volunteers
ordered hither, I could not doubt that such masses of troops
would be accompanied, or preferably preceded by ample means
of transportation, and all other supplies necessary to render them
efficient. But such has not been the case. Suitable steamboats
for the Rio Grande were not procured without repeated efforts
directed from this quarter, and many weeks elapsed before a
lodgement could be made at this place, the river being per-
fectly navigable.

After infinite delays and embarrassments, I have succeeded
in bringing forward a portion of the army to this point, and
now the steamers procured in Pittsburg are just arriving. I
hazard nothing in saying, that if proper foresight and energy
had been displayed in sending out suitable steamers to navi-
gate the Rio Grande, our army would long since have been in
possession of Monterey.

Again, as to land transport. At this moment our wagon
train is considerably less than W'hen we left Corpus Christi, our
force being increased Jive-f old. Had we depended upon means
from without, the army would not have been able to move from
this place. But fortunately the means of land transport existed
to some extent in the country, in the shape of pack-mules, and
we have formed a train which will enable a small army to ad-
vance perhaps to Monterey. I wish it distinctly understood,
that our ability to move is due w^holly to means created here,
and which could not have been reckoned upon with safety in
Washington.

I have adverted to the grand points of water and land trans-
portation. Of the w^ant of minor supplies, the army has suf-

TAYLOR LEAVES CAMARGO. 211

fered more than enough. The crying deficiency of camp
equipage has been partially relieved by the issue of cotton
tents, of indifferent quality. Our cavalry has been paralyzed
by the want of horse-shoes, horse-shoe-nails, and even com-
mon blacksmith's tools, while many smaller deficiencies are
daily brought to my notice.

I respectfully request that the above statement, which I make
in justice to myself and the service, may be laid before the
general-in-chief and Secretary of War.

1 am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Maj. Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C

In the 5th of September, the divisions of General Butlef
and Col. Twiggs having taken up the line of march, General
Taylor himself followed the army, leaving General Patterson
in command of all the forces on the Rio Grande in and below
Camargo.

Although the main direction of Taylor's operations had been
dictated by the Government, there yet remained, on the part
of the latter, uncertainty in the details of the campaign. About
the time that Taylor left Camargo, a despatch from the War
Department, indicating its reliance upon his judgment, was in-
tercepted by the enemy. Extracts from it are here given, how-
ever, for the purpose of showing how great were the acknow-
ledged difficulties of the enterprize with which Taylor was
charged.

*' Our attention," says the Secretary of War, '< is turned to
Tampico as one of the places for the attack. It may be im-
portant to take that place, and hold possession of it and the
surrounding country, with reference to your line of operations. •
Though our information is not so full and accurate as we de-
sire, in relation to the interior of the country in the vicinity of
Tampico, yet it is such as induces us to believe that this will
be an important position to be occupied, to facilitate the future
prosecution of the war. The possession of the northern pro-

212 INTERCEPTED INSTRUCTIONS.

vinces of Mexico, as far south as San Luis de Potosi, is un-
doubtedly an important object with reference to bringing the
war to a successful termination. The difficulties you will en-
counter in pushing your forces thus far, can be much better
appreciated by yourself- than any other. San Luis de Potosi
is stated to be from one hundred and fifty to one hundred and
eighty miles from Tampico ; and if there be a good road be-
tween these two places — as some allege to be the case, while
it is questioned by others — it will be highly advantageous to
have possession of Tampico, and to penetrate the country from
that point in the direction of San Luis de Potosi with a con-
siderable force. This matter is under consideration, and will
receive the attention it deserves. It is important, in respect to
the plan of operations to be adopted for a movement on this
point, that you should furnish the Government here, at the
earliest period, with your opinion of the progress you will be
able to make on your present line of operations. When you
shall have arrived at Monterey, you will be enabled to deter-
mine as to the practicability of your further progress. It is im-
portant that we should know whether you can reach San Luis
de Potosi, and your opinion on this point is particularly de-
sired. The Administration is, to some extent, aware of the
obstacles you will have to encounter, of the difficulties of sus-
taining so long a line of communication, and of the uncer-
tainty as to the force w^ich will oppose you ; but your better
information on these several points will enable you to form
much more accurate opinions.

"Your views also as to the effect of taking possession of
Tampico, of penetrating the enemy's country from that point,
of the amount and kind of force to be assigned to that service,
are desired.

" It is not intended to weaken the force of your advancing
column by any movements on the coast. It is supposed that
fifteen bundled or two thousand men w411 be a sufficient num-
ber of troops to take and hold possession of Tampico. At
least half of this force ought to be of the regular army. These,

THE ARMY FOR MONTEREY. 213

it is presumed, can be obtained without withdrawing any of
that description of force now with you.

"The amount of the volunteer force required for this pur-
pose can be taken from the Rio Grande, it is presumed, with-
out too much weakening that line.

" As you are in a situation to obtain more full and accurate
information in relation to all the matters touched on in this
communication, it is desirable — indeed quite important — that
the Administration should have your views upon them. It is
unnecessary to assure you that they will have an important in-
fluence upon its determinations."

The column organized by General Taylor for the advance
on Monterey consisted of six thousand six hundred and forty
men. It was composed of the following corps :

BUTLER'S DIVISION.

Hamer's ( 1st Regiment Ohio Volunteers, Col. Mitchell 540

Brigade. ( 1st Regiment Kentucky Volunteers, Col, Ormsby, . .. 540
f\ ■. , i 1st Regiment Tennessee Volunteers, Col. Campbell. . 540

R' 1 < Mississippi Volunteers, Col. Davis 690

Brigade. ^ ^^^^^^Q^Q Battalion, Col. Watson 400

2710

WORTH'S DIVISION.

Regiment of Regulars, Col.. P. F. Smith . . .^. 500

Dragoons, and parts of 6th and other Infantry 1080

Two Companies McCuUoch's and Gillespie's Texas Rangers 100

1700

TWIGGS' DIVISION.

Texas Cavalry, Col. Hays 500

U. S. Dragoons, Col. May 250

Flying Artillery, Duncan and Ridgely 100

Artillery, one ten-inch Mortar, Capt. Webster 60

Parts of several Regiments, (Infantry) 1.320

2230

Total, 6640

Besides this force. General Taylor reserved two thousand
one hundred men to garrison Camargo, and other forces for
the points farther in his rear. The whole of this reserve was
left under the command of General Patterson.

214 SICKNESS AMONG VOLUNTEERS.

From the time that General Taylor took possession of Mata-
moros, it was his constant concern to bring the new corps of
his army under the influence of strict discipline. He found
himself suddenly charged with the command of not less than
ten thousand volunteers, wholly unused to military restraint,
and of necessity unconscious, for the most part, of its necessity
for their common welfare, and the success of the enterprize in
which they were enlisted. Brave and patriotic spirits, they
were, at the same time, accustomed to the individual freedom
of civil life ; and the irksomeness of absolute conformity to
rules of deportment, and the commands of superiors, could not
be worn off without some exhibitions of insubordination. One
of the first measures adopted by Taylor to secure proper disci-
pline, was to forbid traf^c in ardent spirits in all the tow^ns
under his authority. The weight of his ow^n correct example
as a man, and of his character as a commander, was material in
accomplishing his purposes of military and moral organization.
It is due, at the same time, to the volunteers, who, at the first
call of the government, left their homes and profitable occupa-
tions for dangerous and ill-paid service in a distant territory,
to mention that they bore with heroic patience, not only the
ordinary labours of a soldier's life, but the pains of long
marches, of exposure to burning suns and chilling dews, of
hunger and thirst, and of sickness unto death. Hundreds and
thousands of gallant young men, full of the noble impulses of
their age, who, prompted by the desire to serve their country,
and attracted by the hope of meriting w^ell of their fellow-citi-^
zens, forsook the security and the endearments of peaceful life,
to take up arms in a national cause, found themselves, after long
travel and novel hardships, broken down by heart-sickness,
wasted by disease, and perishing, not in the dazzling turmoil
of the battle-field, but in the loathsome quietude of the hospi-
tal, tended, when yielding their last breath, by no fond or
wonted hand, and unconsoled in that sad hour even by the
empty reflection that their names would swell the ephemeral
record of wear's humblest victims.

On the 20th of August, General Worth's division had been

THE MARCH FROM CAMARGO. 215

ordered to advance on the road to Monterey as far as Seralvo,
a town distant seventy miles from Camargo, there to await
further instructions of the commander-in-chief. The order
was duly executed, the division arriving at Seralvo on the
25th. This movement was the commencement of a new period
in the operations of Taylor in Mexico, — a period illustrated by
extraordinary successes, confirming his title to every quality
of a great general.

CHAPTER XII.

Enemy reinforced at Monterey — Taylor, with Twiggs' and Butler's Divisions,
marches from Camargo — The March — Rest at Seralvo — Appearance of the
Country — Mexican Forces discovered — The Advance before Monterey fired
upon — Encampment at Walnut Springs — Description of Monterey — Its For-
tifications— Mexican Forces in it — Ampudia's Address — Taylor's Reconnois-
sance — His Plan of Assault — Worth's Expedition — His movement on the
20th — Skirmish on the 21st — Occupation of the Saltillo Pass — Movements
of Butler's Division — First Fort in the Eastern Suburbs carried — Terrible
Fire of the Enemy's Batteries — Repulse of the Lancers — Two Forts on the
Heights carried — Losses on the First Day — Dispositions for the Night.

General Taylor, having been advised by General Worth that
large reinforcements of the enemy were arriving at Monterey,
determined to delay no longer his advance upon that place. The
divisions of Generals Twiggs and Butler were accordingly
ordered to take up the line of march, and General Taylor him-
self left Camargo on the 7th of September. His route, for
several days, lay through a country presenting few objects of
interest. There was little vegetation except the thorny shrub-
bery peculiar to that vast region of Mexico The aspect of
the wilderness was varied by deep chasms or ravines, contain-
ing, generally, stagnant water, equally offensive in taste and
odor. After the town of Mier was passed, the prospect began
to improve. Distant mountains began to show their misty out-
line against the sky, and, as they were gradually approached.

216 THE APPROACH TO MONTEREY.

a clear, cool stream, the Arroya Mier, one of their tributes to
the Rio Grande, swept across the road, — a most welcome mes-
senger to the troops oppressed with heat, and worn with travel.
From this point, the country wore a new aspect, still, however,
wild and primitive. The creeks and rivulets, fresh from the
mountains, became frequent ; and, on their banks, bloomed
olive groves, with other denizens of the genial south. At
intervals, far betw^een, an humble rancho was discovered ; and,
more frequently, a rustic cross, marking a grave, or the spot
where some wayfarer had been murdered.

The three divisions of the army having rested at Seralvo,
the first, under General Twaggs, resumed its march from that
town on the 13th, and the others promptly followed. The
road now broke fairly into the mountainous region. The Sierra
Alvo, a magnificent elevation of three thousand feet, arose to
the right, with an ascent so sudden, that from the peaks, as
seen from below, it seemed a stone might be cast into the road.
On the left frowned another height, while in front the grand
range wore the appearance of an immense amphitheatre. As
the ridges were gained the scenery changed, presenting, appa-
rently, a vast plain, covered with chapparal, in crossing which,
however, it was found to be intersected wdth deep and rocky
ravines, washed by the highland torrents.
\ The Rangers, of Worth's division, thrown forward during
his encampment at Seralvo, had discovered a large body of
Mexican cavalry posted in the neighbourhood of Marin, a vil-
lage on the north side of the river San Juan. Subsequently,
on the march, slight skirmishes took place between advanced
parties, but the enemy continued to retire towards Monterey.
On the seventeenth the array w^as concentrated at Marin, twelve
miles north-east of that city. The following morning, at day-
break, the whole was in motion, General Twiggs' division
leading. General Worth's following, and General Butler's
bringing up the rear. In this order the San Juan had been
crossed, and the head of the main column was about six miles
from Monterey, when the report of artillery was heard. The

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{To face page 217.)

SITUATION OF MONTEREY. 217

Texas Rangers being in advance, it was known at once that
the fire was from the enemy's batteries, directed against them,
and a reconnoitring party, which escorted General Taylor
within full view of the town. Doubts had been entertained
whether resistance would be finally offered to the occupation
of it ; but these doubts now ceased, and the troops, two-
thirds of them volunteers who had never met an enemy in the
field, started forward with vociferous cheers, forgetting fatigue
in their anxiety to prove themselves worthy of the conquest
which they sought. It was not General Taylor's intention to
commence the assault that day. He therefore ordered a halt,
on a small stream called the Walnut Springs, three miles north
of the city, while a thorough reconnoissance of its position and
defences might be effected by the officers of the engineer
corps.

Monterey, the capital of the State of New Leon, is a city
of fifteen thousand inhabitants. It is distant about one hun-
dred and fifty miles from Camargo, near the base of the grand
mountainous range called the Sierra Madre, which sweeps
around its south-western angle. The Arroya San Juan, a
small branch of the San Juan river, runs beyond the town,
parallel to the curve of the mountain. On the north, whence
the road from Camargo approaches, is an extensive and gradu-
ally inclined plain, rising from the margin of the creek, inter-
rupted only by a dry ravine crossing it about three-fourths of a
mile in front of the town ; which, at that distance, is seen em-
bosomed in trees, revealing its white walls and spires through
the openings of their luxuriant foliage. The plain is varied
with patches of chapparal, and fields of corn and sugar-cane ;
and the light of this sunny undergrowth is relieved by the
umbrage of orange, lemon, citron, and olive groves, and other
beautiful natives of that genial climate. The mountains, which
wall up the southtrn and western horizon, rear their rugged
and mighty heads far above the clouds of the valley, and a
single gorge marks the only continuation to Saltillo, of the
roads from the Rio Grande, which coalesce at Monterey.

To save this important and favoured spot from the posses-

218 DESCRIPTION OF ITS DEFENCES.

sion of an enemy, was a purpose which stimulated the ener-
gies of its people and their government. To this end, the
natural defences of the site were improved w^ith skill and great
diligence. In front, and to the right of the town, a very ex-
tensive and strong fortress, known as the " citadel," had for
some time been erected. 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
north-east, the north, and north-west. On the eastern side of
the city, several redouts were built near the suburbs, forbid-
ding ingress in that quarter. The range of the southernmost
of these extended to the base of the heights in the rear, be-
tween which and the town, as has been described, is the course
of the Arroyo San Juan. Following this course to the south-
west extremity of the city, two forts appear on the hills of its
further side ; while on the nearer side of it, as well as of the
Saltillo road, two other fortifications crown successive eleva-
tions covering the pass. Of these latter, the low^er one is a
large and unfinished structure, designed for the Bishop's Pa-
lace, and known as such. The upper one, more remote from
the city, is an independent redout, erected expressly for de-
fence. Entrance to the town on that quarter was further for-
bidden by the walls of the cemetery, forming a strong breast-
work with embrasures. These numerous and well-constructed
works were mounted with forty-two heavy cannon.

In addition to these special external defences, and many street
barricades then constructed, 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 secu-
rity is the stone walls of the houses, which, rising above the
flat roofs, and forming around them and the courts regular
parapets, afford thorough protection to their defenders. Each
dwelling is thus a separate castle, and the whole city one grand
fortification, suggested by nature and consummated by art. To
man the works, Ampudia, to whom the command was entrusted,
had eight thousand regular troops, and several thousand militia

RECONNOISSANCE BY GEN. TAYLOR. 219

and armed citizens, with abundant supplies of small arms and
ammunition in addition to the ordnance already mentioned.
While these preparations for an attack were in progress, and
before his forces had been concentrated, he issued the follow-
ing address, showing his contempt for the little army of the
Americans, then about marching to the capture of the northern
stronghold of Mexico :

" Soldiers : — The enemy, numbering only 2500 regular
troops, the remainder being only a band of adventurers, with-
out valour or discipline, are, according to reliable information,
about advancing upon Seralvo, to commit the barbarity of
attacking this most important place. We count near 3000
regulars and auxiliary cavalry, 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.

«' Soldiers! three great virtues make the soldier worthy of
his profession ; discipline, constancy under fatigue, and valour.
He who at this moment would desert his colours, is a coward
and a traitor to his country. Our whole nation, and even
foreign countries are the witnesses of your conduct. The
question now is, whether our independence shall be preserved
or forever lost ; and its solution is in your hands.

" I have assured the supreme government of the triumph of
our arms, confiding in your loyalty and enthusiasm ; and we
will prove to the whole world that we are worthy sons of the
immortal Hidalgo, Morelo, Allende, Iturbide, and so many
other heroes who knew how to die combatting for the inde-
pendence of our cherished country.

" Soldiers ! victory or death must be our only device !

<' Pedro de Ampudia.

"Head-Quarters, Monterey, September 14, 1846."

From the plain of the road by which he had approached
Monterey, General Taylor, on the 19th of September, surveyed
its fortifications, within range of the guns of the Citadel. He
19*

220 GENERAL WORTH'S DIVISION.

then halted the army, as we have seen, at Walnut Springs,
where the camp was formed, and ordered a close reconnois-
sance of the outworks on both sides of the town by the offi-
cers of the engineers and topographical engineers. The result
of this examination, boldly and carefully executed under the
direction of Major Mansfield and Captain Williams, at once
determined the plan of operations. It became evident that
an attempt should be made to gain, by a detour to the west,
the Saltillo road, at its junction with the roads leading from
the city ; and from that point, cutting off the enemy's supplies
and his retreat, to storm the heights overlooking it and the south-
western angle of the city. For this difficult and important
service General Taylor detached a division under General
Worth, on the following day, the 20th, at noon.

The division was composed of Duncan's battery (four
pieces) of Flying Artillery, the Artillery Battalion, under
Lieutenant Colonel Childs, and the Eighth Regiment of In-
fantry, under Captain Screvin, constituting the First Brigade,
under Lieutenant Colonel Staniford ; the Flying Artillery
(four pieces), under Lieutenant Mackall, the Fifth Infantry,
under Major Scott, the Seventh, under Captain Niles, and one
company Louisiana volunteers, under Captain Blanchard, com-
posing the Second Brigade, under General Persifer F. Smith ;
and Colonel Hay's regiment of Texas Mounted Riflemen.
Captain Sanders, military engineers, and Lieutenant Meade,
topographical engineers, accompanied the division. General
Worth, with this command, turning off the direct road
which connects Marin with Monterey, sought another to the
right, called the Presquina Grande road. His progress was
slow, the way having to be cut for the artillery, through fields
of corn, sugar cane, and underwood ; but at sundown he had
advanced six miles, and reaching the Presquina Grande road,
came within range of the guns of the fort occupying the crest
of the height, midway on which is situated the Bishop's
Palace. A reconnoissance, under cover of the Texas Mounted
Rifles, was then made along the road to its junction with the
Saltillo road, and the importance of occupying the point of

SKIRMISH OF worth's DIVISION. 221

intersection was evident. It was also apparent that this could
not be done without opposition, as the enemy's position would
thereby be turned, and his communication with Saltillo and
the Presquina Grande route would be intercepted. On the
night of the 20th the command bivouacked on the road. It
was cold and rainy, and there were neither tents nor blankets
to cover the men. But they bore the exposure cheerfully,
encouraged with the expectation of achieving some daring
enterprize on the morrow.

At dawn on the following morning. General Worth disposed
his force for the march in such order as to be prepared for an
attack at any point. The Texas Cavalry, supported by the
light companies of the First Brigade, under Captain C. F.
Smith, (both extended or contracted according to the ground
over which they moved) composed the advance of the column.
Duncan's light artillery and battalion heads of columns fol-
lowed. Pursuing for two miles, in this order, the road wind-
ing along the base of the mountain, a turn around one of its
projections brought immediately in view a strong body of
Mexican cavalry and infantry. The former instantly and im-
petuously charged, and were received with a well-aimed and
deliberate volley from the rifles of the mounted Texans. At the
same instant, the infantry of the First Brigade, Duncan's guns,
and a section of Mackall's, opened upon them with equal
effect. Owing to the narrowness of the road, the Second
Brigade could not be brought into action. While the enemy
thus maintained the engagement with his troops on the road, a
battery w^as throwing shells from the height above it. In
fifteen minutes, however, both his infantry and cavalry gave
way, leaving one hundred killed and w^ounded, among them
a colonel of the Lancers. The routed troops fled along the
Saltillo road, hotly pressed by the victors, until they entered
the gorge which unites all the roads from Monterey. Here
the pursuit ceased ; the important point being occupied, which
intercepted all supplies and reinforcements from that quarter
to the city. As the division was there exposed to the batte-
ries on the heights, General Worth moved it about half a

222

MOVEMENT OF TWIGGS' DIVISION.

vf V. Q-K OVI/-1 +l->/3-n Hiyonlrctrl nio o++£»nf i/-»r» +r\ +Vi£i moon

mile farther, and then directed his attention to the means of
carrying by assault those elevated fortresses, the possession of
which was essential to any closer operations against the city
itself.

While General Worth was about to make an assault upon
the works to the right and rear of the town, General Taylor,
in conformity with his own plans, as well as a suggestion from
General Worth, determined on a diversion in his favour, by
ordering the other divisions to make a strong demonstration, to
the left and centre, on the lower part of the town. During the
night of the 20th, two twenty-four-pound howitzers, and a ten-
inch mortar, under Captain Webster, were placed in battery,
facing the " citadel," in the ravine crossing the plain in
the approach to the city. Early on the morning of the 21st,
the First Division, under General Twiggs, composed of the
Third and Fourth Regiments of Regular Infantry, Captain
Bragg's Flying Artillery, forming Lieut. Col. Garland's Bri-
gade, and the First Regiment of Regular Infantry, and the,
Washington and Baltimore battalion of volunteers, forming
Lieut. Col. Wilson's Brigade, were marched from the camp at
Walnut Springs to the ravine where the mortar battery was
planted. There the command was formed for the assault, the
three regiments of regulars being ordered to take possession of
some houses on the right of the enemy's works, situated on the
east of the city, and the volunteers to advance upon the works
directly. General Butler's Division, composed of Quitman's
Brigade, the Tennessee and Mississippi Regiments, and the
Ohio Regiment of Hamer's Brigade of volunteers, having formed
in front of the ravine soon after Twiggs' Division moved from
that position against the city, were prepared to support the
latter in the assault.

The affair of the day on that side, commenced by a heavy
discharge of artillery from the citadel, which was ineffectually
answered by the howitzer and mortar batteries ; the shot of the
latter falling short of the town, while that of the citadel fell
among Butler's Division in front of the ridge. The Division
of General Twiggs continued to advance under tremendous

f MOVEMENT OF BUTLER'S DIVISION. 223

cross fires from the chain of forts on the left of the town. The
three regiments of regulars, with inflexible firmness, moved to
their designated positions, gaining the town so as to annoy the
enemy's works in that quarter on the flank and rear. Rivalling
the courage of these elder troops, and filled with the enthusiasm
of volunteers, the Washington and Baltimore battalion pressed
onward in the teeth of batteries pouring ruinous discharges
upon their ranks. Bragg's artillery, at the same moment, was
worked within direct range of the enemy's heavy guns.

When the battalion had approached close to one of the forts,
the men were ordered to lie down for rAomentary respite from
its guns. These, however, were soon depressed, when a por-
tion of the command, led on by their officers, rushed into a
narrow street, having but few houses on either side. Here
they were raked by three batteries within a hundred yards, and
by the twelve-pounders of the large work, which enfiladed
their column during the whole period of its progress. At the
intersection of the streets, high and strong barricades of solid
masonry had been erected, and from these and the tops of the
houses, thousands of smaller arms rained a deadly showier upon
them. Numbers of the regulars and detachments of the volun-
teers were similarly engaged at other points in the same quarter
of the tow^n.

For about an hour this contest had proceeded with unabated
fury, when Butler's division was ordered to sustain the advance.
His men, already formed in line, had watched with eager in-
terest the progress of their comrades, burning for the moment
when they should be summoned to share in the strife. The
Kentucky Regiment, Col. Ormsby, being left unwillingly to
protect the howitzer and mortar batteries, Quitman's Brigade,
(the Tennessee Regiment, Col. Campbell, and the Mississippi,
Col. Davis,) and Col. Mitchell's Ohio Regiment, forming alone
Hamer's Brigade, moved ofi', the former to the left, to support
the regulars of Twiggs' Division, and the latter to support
Bragg's battery, which had already lost about twenty horses,
and was in danger of being captured. With emulous cheers,
defying the roar of the citadel's ordnance, the two commands

224 THE FIRST WORK CARRIED.

sped on to their terrible duty and their course for full a mile,
exposed to its unceasing fire. The Ohio volunteers reached
the suburbs, there to be greeted, as their friends had been
before them, with the raking discharges of batteries in front,
and on both flanks. Breasting the iron torrent, and unable to
reach an enemy behind the house-walls and barriers, they still
struggled on, passing gardens and ditches, which exposed them
to the full play of both artillery and musketry. At last, some
of the foremost, mounting a wall, came close upon a corps of
the enemy, and drove it to a battery farther in the town. At
this point, opportunity was afforded of returning their shot
with effect, — but the contest was unequal, our men being ex-
posed upon the wall, and the Mexicans protected by their
breastworks. At this point. General Butler was met by Major
Mansfield, who had conducted a command of Twiggs' Division
against one of the batteries, and who advised the general to
advance no farther, as he would come within range of an irre-
sistible fire from other batteries commanding the streets.
General Taylor was not far in the rear of this spot, — exposed
constantly to the enemy's fire, — and learning this fact from
General Butler, ordered the Ohio men to retire.

Meanwhile, the Tennessee and the Mississippi volunteers
had reached a position on the north-east of the city. At this
point, was a strong fort, the rear of which Colonel Garland had
endeavoured to gain, but was met with such a severe fire,
which could not be returned, that he was compelled to retire.
At the moment, however, that the Mississippians and Tennes-
seeans were coming on. Captain Backus, of the 1st regular in-
fantry, with parts of his own and other companies of that
regiment, had mounted the roof of a tannery commanding the
fort, and was pouring into it an effectual discharge of musketry.
Several companies of the Fourth Infantry, advancing within
close range of its guns, received a terrible fire, which instantly
killed and wounded one-third of their number, and caused them
to fall back. At this juncture, Quitman's volunteers, the Ten-
nesseeans being well in advance, pressed forward, and pre-
serving their line under a fire which made constant breaches in

SEVERE FIRE OF THE ENEMY. 225

its living wall, rushed upon the works, and carried them at the
point of the bayonet. A strong, stone building in the rear was
taken at the same time. The conduct of these two regiments,
in this assault, w^as distinguished equally by the hot-blooded
recklessness of youth, and the steady bravery of veterans.
Whether in approaching the enemy's batteries, when the balls
were hurled in torrents upon them, or when mounting the
barriers to engage their defenders hand to hand, these gallant
troops were alike heedless of every result save the fulfilment of
the immediate task assigned them.

In the fort, five pieces of artillery, a large amount of ammu-
nition, and thirty prisoners, including three officers, were cap-
tured. But the prize was purchased at a fearful cost of blood,
and much more was yet to be paid before other possessions of
the enemy could be acquired.

As soon as General Taylor learned that this fort was carried,
he countermanded the order for Butler's division to withdraw,
and ordered that work, and other defences on the side of the
town which had been already gained, to be maintained.
Hamer's brigade, the Ohio volunteers, now moved farther to
the left, towards another strong fort in the line of its eastern
defences. It required half an hour to come within close range
of this work, during which the regiment was exposed to a de-
structive fire, from three different batteries concentrated upon
them. It was resolved to attempt to carry the fort by storm,
w^hen General Butler was wounded, and, at the same time,
Colonel Mitchell, commanding the regiment. A murderous
discharge of musketry swept the ranks continually, and the
attempt was abandoned, the force being withdrawn to a posi-
tion of less exposure.

The battery of the fort captured by Quitman's brigade was
now turned upon this second work ; and, under its cover, the
artillery of Bragg and Ridgely was served, supported by parts
of several regiments scattered during the general assault. Sub-
sequently, Captain Webster's howitzer was made to bear from
the captured fort upon the second fort, against which the Ohio
volunteers had made their daring but unsuccessful movement.

226 GENERAL TAYLOR EXPOSED.

I The latter, on retiring to the skirts of the town, at a point

'' where a portion of the Mississippi regiment had also returned,

found themselves dispersed on the plain, so as to present ap-
parently an object of easy attack from a body of lancers then
in view. The latter, accordingly, dashed towards them, but
not in time to prevent their forming an imperfect front so as to
meet the charge. On came the cavalry, which is the boast of
Mexico, striking with their lances, as they swept over the field,-
the Americans who lay wounded and helpless upon it, until
within short range of the volunteers' muskets, when a volley
from the line checked their career, bearing down the foremost
horses and riders, and driving the rest in disorder back to their
position.

During this, and other independent scenes in the drama of
the day, parties and individuals of all regiments were in the
streets, charging on the barricades, or returning the inces-
sant fire of the enemy's batteries and lighter arms whenever
an object for effectual aim was presented. General Taylor,
who was almost constantly within range of the flying shot,
ordered as many of the First, Third, and Fourth Infantry, or
the Ballimore Battalion, as couid be collected, again to enter
the town, and carry, if possible, the second battery, against
which Captain Webster's howitzer was then directed. Of this
mixed force. Lieutenant Colonel Garland took the command,
and a gallant effort was made to achieve the object. Receiving
a fire from every direction, it pressed on to gain the rear of the
w^ork, and takmg a position, maintained it for some time with
the aid of Ridgely's battery. But the work proved too strong
and well defended at every approach to be stormed with suc-
cess, and the command was withdrawn. During this move-
ment, Captain Bragg's artillery,, supported by Captain Miller
wdth a force of regulars and volunteers, dispersed a body of
cavalry making a demonstration in front of the town.

Hours passed, while these various and daring exertions were
made to obtain possession of the chain of fortifications on the
east and south-east of the city. They were defended by the
Mexicans with constancy and valour, but with every advantage

EFFECT OF TAYLOR' S MOVEMENTS. 227

over the assailants in numbers, position, and arms. The
latter were subjected, in all their movements, to terrible
cross and direct fires, hurling upon them a continual stream of
heavy shot, grape, and musket balls. Yet there was no waver-
ing, no abatement of ardour. Volunteers and regulars, the
men by whom the clash of arms was then first heard, and they
who had chosen arms as a profession, fought and fell side by
side, scores on scores, and yet all who stood, still stood firmly,
still strove on, undaunted by the slaughter which raged around
them.

The main object, had in view by General Taylor in the
assault upon the east side of the city, had so far been entirely
accomplished. A long-continued diversion had been made in
favour of General Worth's movements in the opposite quarter.
To them we now revert.

After having, early in the morning, repulsed the enemy's
lancers posted at the spur of the mountain, and advanced to a
position on the Saltillo road about half a mile west of the gorge,
where the several roads from the north-eastern valley unite, a
further reconnoissance was made of the fortifications on the
heights on each side. A brief mention has already been made
of these works, but a further description is necessary to a clear
understanding of the operations of General Worth's division.

The Creek or Arroyo San Juan, which sweeps, with the line
of the mountain base, around the southern and eastern sides
of the city, has its source to the south-west, and passing through
the great gorge of the range in that direction, defines the line
of the road to Saltillo, which is constructed on its northern
margin. From this creek, at a point about a mile southwest
of the city, and facing towards it, may be seen about six hun-
dred yards to the right, a height called Federacion, which was
surmounted by a strong redout; and on the same ridge, half,
a mile nearer the city, another height crowned by a work called
t'Fort Soldado." On the left of the creek, opposite these
elevations, rises Mitre Mountain ; on a prominence of which,
called Independencia, nearly due north of Federacion, and
about half a mile distant from it in an air line, was a third
20

228 ASSAULT ON FEDERACION HILL.

fortified work. On a lower point of the same ridge, form-
ing Independencia, and in a south-eastern direction, about
a quarter of a mile nearer to the city, stands the Bishop^s Pa-
lace. These four works, two on each side of the Saltillo road,
were reared on eminences sufficiently lofty and precipitous to
be difficult of access, while they thoroughly commanded the
deep valley between them, and the slopes on every other side.

The first progress of General Worth was around the south-
western base of Independencia, which brought his command
between it and Federacion. It was determined that the first
effort of his command should be made against the fort on the
latter, the possession of all the heights being vital to the ad-
vance of the whole army on Saltillo. At noon, on the 21st,
he ordered four companies of the Regular Artillery Battalion,
under Captain C. F. Smith, and six companies — Green's,
McGowan's, Gillespie's, Chandlis', Ballowes', and McCuUoch's,
of the Texas Rifles, under Major Chevalier, (both commands
numbering about three hundred men, and acting in co-opera-
tion,) to storm the batteries first on Federacion Hill, and then
to carry Fort Soldado. During the morning the enemy's guns
had not been idle, but when the movement for this assault
commenced, they were served with redoubled zeal. Captain
Smith led his men to the foot of the hill, whence, looking up,
the toil of an unopposed and unencumbered ascent might well
daunt common energies. Upward however they went, breast-
ing sometimes the plunging discharges of the enemy's batteries
high above them, and sometimes screened for a moment by a
projecting rock, or a cluster of underwood. Occasionally
they paused to return the fire, and in a moment were again
climbing the rugged and perilous steep, from whose frowning
crest balls of iron and copper rained upon them. At the same
time bodies of Mexican light troops sallied from the works on
both adjacent hills, and forming on every favourable point,
seconded their heavy guns with volleys of musketry.

At this moment, the enemy menacing Smith's command
with an overwhelming superiority of numbers, Captain Miles,
with the Seventh Infantry, was ordered to his support. The

FEDERACION AND SOLDADO CARRIED. 229

firing now became general, as the ascent of the storming party
brought them within more efTectual range of the forces above
them. Other reinforcements of the latter being displayed
around their works, General Worth directed General Smith,
with the Fifth Infantry, under Major Scott, and the Louisiana
Volunteers, under Captain Blanchard, to the further aid of the
troops engaged. This third command pressed eagerly on to
the assault ; and General Smith perceiving the practicability of
storming Fort Soldado simultaneously with the attack already
commenced on the other work, divided the supporting force,
and directed the Fifth and Seventh, and the Louisiana Volun-
teers against Soldado. Captain Smith's men continuing to
mount the Federacion height, drove the enemy up and back
upon the entrenchment, the contest becoming closer and closer,
until, charging with the bayonet, they cleared the breastwork,
and while its routed defenders fled precipitately down the op-
posite side of the hill, tore down their standard, and raised the
first American flag that ever waved in the mountain breezes of
Mexico. Loud and heart-stirring were the cheers which hailed
it, echoed from the valley by the gallant troops, then rushing
up to plant a kindred banner on the neighbouring height.

Immediately, the piece of ordnance (a nine-pounder) found
in the captured works was directed against Fort Soldado, and
the main body of Captain Smith's command then started in
support of the other command. On the latter went, as they
began the ascent receiving in their midst a tempest of grape
and canister. With good will, however, they emulated the
gallantry of their friends ; Captain Hays, with about fifty
Texas rifles, joining in the work. Conquering the acclivity by
the aid of every stone that offered a foothold, and every bush
within grasp, they approached the Mexican lines near enough
to use their muskets with effect. Loading and firing as they
ascended, unchecked for an instant by the fire from above,
they rose at last to within fifty yards of the wall, and then with
a shout drove the enemy from it, and turned upon the confused
and fleeing mass the artillery which themselves had loaded.
Having served this purpose for the moment, it was then di-

230 LOSSES ON THE FIRST DAY.

rected, together with the gun on Federacion Hill, against the
Bishop's Palace. The fire was returned from the latter with
round shot and shell ; the valley of the Saltillo road separating
the works only six hundred yards from the Palace. In these
brilliant exploits, the officers already mentioned, and every
subordinate and man, behaved with admirable daring. The
whole force against both fortifications did not exceed six or
seven hundred men, who, reckless of opposing numbers, and
of their superior and strong position, charged up to them and
swept them from their lofty perch.

The sun was descending when the second fort had been
carried, and about the same time, on the same side of the
creek, at the south-eastern extreme of the city, the enemy's
cavalry, having been previously checked by the Ohio and a
part of the Mississippi regiments, made a demonstration against
the troops exposed in that quarter. Ridgely brought his light
battery to bear on them, and scattered them until they sought
shelter in the city.

After this no important movement was effected in any direc-
tion. The approach of night and a severe rain storm arrested
the terrible labours of the day — terrible to both parties. The
divisions on the east of the town had lost many officers of great
merit, and many more men, who, if indomitable energy and
valour were the test, should have also been chiefs, not followers.
Among the notable dead were. Captain Williams of the topo-
graphical engineers, who aided heroically in directing the as-
sault upon the first redout ; Lieutenants Terrett and Dilworth,
of the First Infantry; Lieutenant Colonel Watson, of the Bal-
timore Battalion, one of the first to fall while cheering on his
men, under the raking cross fires of the street works ; Brevet
Major Barbour, of the Third Infantry, and Lieutenants Irwin
and Hazlett of the same regiment ; Captain Allen and Lieu-
tenant Putnam, of the Tennessee Volunteers, which indomit-
able corps left, besides these officers, nearly half its numbers
dead or wounded in the streets and fields ; Lieutenant Woods,
of the Second Infantry, who had distinguished himself also at
Resaca de la Palma; Lieutenant Hoskins, of the Fourth

CLOSE OF THE FIRST DAY. 231

Infantry, and Lieutenant Colonel Hett, of the Ohio Volunteers,
a regiment worthy of the officer, and which freely mingled its
blood with his. Nearly four hundred of all the troops, Regu-
lars and Volunteers, engaged east of the town, were killed or
wounded. The avenues at times were choked with their
bodies, where guns of the forts had centred on them. The
Kentucky Regiment was not brought into the action farther
than to support the field battery posted in front of the citadel.
It stood ready several times to receive a threatened charge of
a large body of lancers, and rendered efficient aid in main-
taining the demonstration in front of the town.

General Worth's loss was comparatively very small, owing to
the less exposed position of his command. How they per-
formed the tasks assigned them has been seen. Thirty-six
hours had they been without food, one night in the rain with-
out shelter or blankets, and now exposed on the coming of a
second to a violent storm, and equally unprotected.

The divisions of Butler and Twiggs, under the immediate
command of General Taylor, were ordered back to the camp,
except the Regulars of the First Division and Ridgely's battery,
left to garrison the captured works, under Lieutenant Colonel
Garland, and one battalion of the First Kentucky Regiment,
detailed to work at the entrenchments through the night, and
strengthen the positions acquired on the eastern part of the
city. So wearied were all the troops with the labours of the
day, that a witness relates, of those ordered back to the camp,
many with difficulty reached it.

Throughout the day General Taylor was constantly near or
on the ground of actual conflict, sharing its dangers, and by
his calm bravery giving effectual virtue to his directions.
General Worth, apprehending a surprise, was obliged to keep
most of his force on the watch through the night of the 21st.
The few who sought rest had no shelter, and lay down under -
the heavy fall of rain, with their arms in their hands. The com-
mands in the eastern quarter of the city enjoyed no better pro-
tection or repose. Thus ended the labours of the first day
before Monterey.
20*

232 INDEPENDENCIA CARRIED

CHAPTER XIII.

Independencia carried — Sortie from the Palace — Enemy repulsed and Palace
taken — Operations on the Eastern Quarter — Progress towards the Heart of
the Town — Worth's Progress on Opposite Side — Command of the Main
Plaza — Flag of Truce — Suspension of the Attack — Taylor's Despatch — Cor-
respondence with Ampudia and the Governor — Taylor's Detailed Report of
the Siege — Extract from Worth's Report — Comments on the Action — Con-
ference between Ampudia and Taylor — Commissioners on the Capitulation
appointed — Proceedings of the Commission — Terms of Capitulation — Report
of Killed and Wounded.

General Worth had determined that the operations of the
22d,in the rear of the city, should commence against the work
surmounting Independencia height and the Bishop's Palace,
making the first assault on the former. This duty was assigned
to one company of the Third Regulars (artillery battalion), two
companies of the Fourth, three companies of the Eighth, under
Captain Screvin, and two hundred Riflemen, under Colonel Hays
and Lieutenant Colonel Walker, the svhole command under
Lieutenant Colonel Childs, conducted by Captain Sanders, of
the military, and Lieutenant Meade, of the topographical engi-
neers. At three o'clock on the morning of the 22d this force
was in motion. The rain and darkness favoured its ap-
proach to the enemy's position. The ascent of the hill was
commenced and conducted without molestation. As the ac-
clivity was gradually overcome, the gray light of morning
began to struggle through the mist which clouded its crest.
Quietly and steadily the command ascended until within a
hundred yards of the top, when a body of the enemy posted
among the rocks and bushes came full in view. Expecting
an attack they had awaited it. They fired and retreated, while
assailants hastened up, reserving their fire until close upon the
redout, when delivering one general and deadly volley, they
dashed into it with the bayonet, while the Mexicans fled down
the other side. Just then, as the coming sun streaked the
white mists of the mountain peaks, the emulous flag of the
Union floated above the third of the enemy's lofty strongholds.

It was found that the guns of this post had been removed in
the night to tlie Bishop's Palace, then the only remaining posi-

THE bishop's palace CARRIED. 233

tion of the Mexicans on the heights in the rear of the town.
The high walls of massive masonry, defended by a howitzer,
and two pieces of ordnance, besides a heavy force of musketry,
forbade any attempt to carry the latter work without the aid of
artillery. To procure this. Lieutenant Rowland, of Duncan's
Artillery, was ordered from the main camp with a twelve-pound
howitzer, and so great was his despatch, that, in two hours,
with the aid of fifty men from the line under Captain Sanders,
selected for the purpose of pointing out the least difficult route,
that enterprizing and gallant officer, (as he is justly termed in
the language of the General's official report,) had ascended the
broken and steep acclivity of Independencia hill, and planted
his gun in position. From it, under cover of the breastwork,
an effectual fire was immediately directed against the Palace,
distant about four hundred yards on the next point of the ridge.
While this battery was thus brought to bear, part of the forces
having possession of the heights on the opposite side of the
road were ordered over. They consisted of the Fifth Infantry,
Major Scott, and the Louisiana volunteers. Captain Blanchard,
and reached the position about 8 o'clock.

The enemy made several demonstrations of an attempt to
regain the work last captured. At length, a large body of
lancers swept around and up the hill with that intent. A sortie,
by a strong force, was also made from the Palace. General
Worth anticipated the movement. Lieutenant Colonel Childs
had advanced two companies of light troops, under Captain
Vinton, which skirmished with the enemy's advance. The
main body was drawn up, with Hays' and Walker's Rifles, on
the flanks. As the enemy rapidly advanced, the light troops
retired in good order, and maintained a fire, until a general
discharge from the whole line was ordered. The Mexicans
were at once thrown into confusion, and fled, pursued by the
whole force, under Colonel Childs, beyond the Palace, which
the latter then entered, taking possession of it, and the fort ad-
joining it. Down the enemy rushed towards the city, crowd-
ing a street which extended to the Palace ; and, as they fled,
the guns of their last mountain fastness were turned upon them.

234 THE EASTERN FORTS EVACUATED.

Thus terminated the complete investment of the works com-
manding the rear of the city, and the communication with the
country to the south-west. The honour of the achievement
was enhanced by the fact, that it was attended with but trifling
sacrifice on the part of the victors. Prudence had gone hand
in hand with courage, even in the boldest enterprizes of the two
eventful days.

General Worth's next care was to place the captured guns
in positions on the heights to reach the great plaza of the town ;
and, except a necessary garrison for Independencia hill, the di-
vision was concentrated at the Bishop's Palace, to be prepared
the next day for an assault on the city from that quarter.

The day, the 22d, which had so well employed Worth's
Division, was less actively spent by the wearied troops of the
other division in the eastern quarter of the town. According
to the official report, the citadel and other works continued to
fire at parties exposed to their range, and at the work now oc-
cupied by our troops. The guard left in it the preceding night,
except Captain Ridgely's company, was relieved at mid-day
by General Quitman's brigade. Captain Bragg's battery was
thrown under cover in front of the town, to repel any demon-
stration of cavalry in that quarter. During the night of the 22d
the enemy evacuated nearly all his defences in the lower part
of the city. This was reported to General Taylor early in the
morning of the 23d, by General Quitman, who had already
meditated an assault upon those works. He immediately sent
instructions to that officer, leaving it to his discretion to enter
the city, covering his men by the houses and walls, and ad-
vance carefully so far as he might deem it prudent. After
ordering the remainder of the troops as a reserve, under
the orders of Brigadier General Twiggs, General Taylor re-
paired to the abandoned works, and discovered that a portion
of General Quitman's brigade had entered the town, and were
successfully forcing their way towards the principal plaza. He
then ordered up the second regiment of Texas mounted volun-
teers, who entered the city, dismounted, and, under the imme-
diate orders of General Hender^pp, co-operated with General

APPROACH TO THE MAIN PLAZA. 235

Quitman's brigade. Captain Bragg's battery was also ordered
up, supported by the Third Infantry, and after firing for some
time at the Cathedral, a portion of it was likewise thrown into
the city. The American troops advanced from house to house,
and from square to square, until they reached a street but one
square in rear of the principal plaza, in and near which the
enemy's force was mainly concentrated. This advance was
conducted vigorously, but with due caution, and although de-
structive to the enemy, was attended with but small loss on
our part. Captain Ridgely, in the mean time, had served a
captured piece in the first battery against the city, until the ad-
vance of our men rendered it imprudent to fire in the direction
of the Cathedral. General Taylor was satisfied that his troops
could operate successfully in the city, and that the enemy had
retired from the lower portion of it to make a stand behind his
barricades. As General Quitman's brigade had been on duty
the previous night, he determined to withdraw the troops to
the evacuated works, and concert with General Worth a com-
bined attack upon the town. The troops accordingly fell back
deliberately, in good order, and resumed their original posi-
tions, General Quitman's brigade being relieved after nightfall
by that of General Hamer.

When General Worth heard, on the morning of the 23d,
the heavy and continuous fire from the opposite side of the
city, he concluded that a main attack was in progress under
the direction of General Taylor, and that orders for his co-
operation had miscarried, owing to the long circuit over which
it was necessary to carry them. His own intention w^as to
have prosecuted his success during that night, but he instantly
gave orders to this effect. To quote the clear and concise
language of Worth's despatch, two columns of attack were
organized to move along the two principal streets leading from
one position in direction of the great Plaza, composed of light
troops slightly extended, with orders to mask the men when-
ever practicable ; avoid those points swept by the enemy's
artillery ; to press on to the first Plaza Capilla; to get hold of
the end of streets beyond ; then enter the buildings, and by

236 COMMAND OF THE MAIN PLAZA.

means of picks and bars, break through the longitudinal sec-
tion of the walls ; work from house to house, and ascending
the roofs, to place themselves upon the same breast-height
with the enemy. Light artillery, by sections, and pieces under
Duncan, Roland, Mackall, Martin, Hays, Irons, Clarke, and
Curd, followed at suitable intervals, covered by reserves to
guard the pieces, and the whole operation against the pro-
bable enterprizes of cavalry upon our left. This was effectu-
ally done by seizing and commanding the head of every cross
street. The streets were, at different and well chosen points,
barricaded by heavy masonry walls, with embrasures for one
or more guns, and in every instance well supported by cross
batteries. These arrangements of defence gave to the opera-
tions at this moment a complicated character, demanding
much care and precaution ; but the work went on steadily,
simultaneously, and successfully. About the time Worth's
assault commenced, the fire ceased from Taylor's force in the
opposite quarter. Disengaged on the one side, the enemy was
enabled to shift men and guns to Worth's quarters, as was
soon manifested by accumulation of fire. At dark his com-
mand had worked through the walls and squares, and reached
to within one block of the great Plaza, leaving a covered way
in its rear; carried a large building which towered over the
principal defences, and during the night and ensuing morning
crowned the roof with two howitzers and a six-pounder. As
the columns of attack were moving from the Palace hill. Major
Munroe, chief of artillery, arrived with a ten-inch mortar,
which was immediately advanced to the Plaza Chapel^ put in
position, masked by the church w^all, its bed adjusted as ra-
pidly as possible, and by sunset opened upon the great square.
At this period, our troops had worked to within one square of
the Plaza. The exact position of their comrades on the oppo-
site side was not known, and the distance of the position to
be assailed from the bomb battery but conjectural : eight hun-
dred yards was assumed, and fuze and charge regulated ac-
cordingly. The first shell fell a little short of the point on
which it was directed, and beside our troops. A slight in-

CESSATION OF ARMS. 237

crease of the projecting charge gave exact results. The whole
service was managed by Major Munroe most admirably; and,
combined with other operations, exercised a decided influence
upon the final results. Early on the morning of the 23d,
Major Brown, artillery battalion, was despatched with a select
command, and one section of MackalPs battery, under Lieu-
tenant Irons, to occupy a stone mill and adjacent grounds,
constituting one league in advance the narrow gorge, near Sta.
Catarina. The Major took possession, repulsed the enemy's
picquets, and was preparing his command to resist any attack,
when he received orders to retrace his steps, enter the city, and
form the main reserve to the assaulting columns. He came up
in good time and good order, and was at once under fire.

It has been seen that Generals Taylor and Worth were thus
advancing close to the centre of the town from opposite direc-
tions. General Taylor, after withdrawing his troops from their
advanced position near the Grand Plaza, as has been stated,
returned to his camp, and there, in the evening, learned for
the first time the extent of Worth's success in the town prior
to that hour. He deemed it too late then to chansje his own
dispositions ; and receiving a note near midnight from General
Worth, stating his farther progress, and the position of his
mortar battery, he requested that officer to await his co-opera-
tion for further movements. Meanwhile General Worth had
received from the enemy a flag of truce, asking a brief suspen-
sion of his fire. Thus concluded the four days' action against
Monterey, in the entreaty of its defenders for a capitulation.
No previous achievement in the history of American arms affords
a more splendid illustration of the heroism of the American
character.

Before proceeding to give further details of the siege, or
comments upon the result of it, the following despatches of
General Taylor are presented, to complete the chain of the
narrative. It is unnecessary to introduce his brief accounts
of the affairs of the 21st, 22d, and 23d, written on those days
respectively, as the detailed report, dated the 9th of October,
and annexed, covers the whole ground.

238 COMMISSION ON CAPITULATION.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Camp before Monterey, September 25, 1846.

Sir : At noon on the 23d instant, while our troops were
closely engaged in the lower part of the city, as reported in
my last despatch, I received, by a flag, a communication from
the Governor of the State of New Leon, which is herewith
enclosed, (No. 1.) To this communication I deemed it my
duty to return an answer declining to allow the inhabitants to
leave the city. By 11 o'clock, P. M., the 2d division, w^hich
had entered the town from the direction of the Bishop's Palace,
had advanced within one square of the principal Plaza, and
occupied the city up to that point. The mortar had, in the
mean time, been placed in battery in the cemetery, within good
range of the heart of the town, and was served throughout the
night with good effect.

Early in the morning of the 24th, I received a flag from the
town, bearing a communication from General Ampudia, which
I enclose, (No. 2,) and to w-hich I returned the answer, (No.
3.) I also arranged wath the bearer of the flag a cessation of
fire until 12 o'clock, which hour I appointed to receive the
final answer of General Ampudia at General Worth's head-
quarters. Before the appointed time, however, General Am-
pudia had signified to General Worth his desire for a personal
interview with liie, for the purpose of making some definitive
arrangement. An interview was accordingly appointed for one
o'clock, and resulted in the naming of a commission to draw
up articles of agreement regulating the withdrawal of the Mexi-
can forces, and a temporary cessation of hostilities. The com-
missioners named by the Mexican general-in-chief were Gene-
rals Ortega and Raquena, and Manl. M. Llano, governor of
New Leon. Those named on the American side were General
Worth, General Henderson, Governor of Texas, and Colonel
Davis, Mississippi volunteers. The commission finally settled
upon the articles, of which I enclose a copy, (No. 4,) the du-
plicates of which (in Spanish and English) have been duly
signed. Agreeably to the provisions of the 4th article, our
troops have this morning occupied the citadel.

PROPOSAL TO RETIRE. 239

It will be seen that the terms granted the Mexican garrison
[are less rigorous than those first imposed. The gallant defence
the town, and the fact of a recent change of government in
[exico, believed to be favourable to the interests of peace, in-
iuced me to concur with the commission in these terms, which
all, I trust, receive the approval of the government. The
itter consideration also prompted the convention for a tempo-
rary cessation of hostilities. Though scarcely warranted by
my instructions, yet the change of affairs since those instruc-
tions were issued seemed to warrant this course. I beg to be
advised, as early as practicable, whether I have met the views
of the government in these particulars.

I regret to report that Captain Williams, topographical engi-
neers, and Lieut. Terrett, 1st infantry, have died of the wounds
received in the engagement of the 21st. Captain Gathir, 7th
infantry, was wounded (not badly) on the 23d.
I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Maj. Gen. U. S. Army, commanding.

The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C.

Head-Quarters, Monterey.
September 23, 1846, at 9 o'clock at night.

General : As I have made all the defence of which I believe
this city capable, I have fulfilled my obligation, and done all
required by that military honour which, to a certain degree, is
common to all the armies of the civilized world ; and, as a
continuation of the defence would only bring upon the popula-
tion distresses to which they have already been sufficiently
subjected by the evils consequent upon war, and believing that
the American government will appreciate these sentiments, I
propose to your excellency 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 defence.
21

240 TAYLOR'S ANSWER TO AMPUDIA.

Be pleased to accept the assurance of my most distinguished
consideration.

Pedro de Ampudia.

Senor Don Z. Tatlor,

General-in-chief of the American Army.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Camp before Monterey, September 24, 1846, 7 o^clock, A. M.

Sir : Your communication, bearing date at 9 o'clock, P. M.
on the 23d, has just been received by the hands of Colonel
Moreno.

In answer to your proposition to evacuate the city and fort,
with all the personnel and materiel of war, I have to state that
my duty compels me to decline 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 defence of the place, creditable 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,
on condition of not serving again during the war, or until
regularly exchanged. I need hardly say that the rights of non-
combatants will be respected.

An answer to this communication is required by 12 o'clock.
If you assent to an accommodation, an officer will be despatched
at once, under instructions to arrange the conditions.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Major Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

Senor Don Pedro db Ampudia,
General-in-chief, Monterey,

GOVERNMENT OF THE STATE OF NEW LEON.

Your excellency having resolved to occupy this place by
force of arms, and the Mexican general-in-chief to defend it

THE governor's REQUEST OF TAYLOR. 241

at any cost, as required by his honour and duty, thousands of
victims, who, from their poverty and want of means, find them-
selves still upon the theatre of war, and who would be use-
lessly sacrificed, claim the rights w'hich in all times and in all
countries humanity holds sacred.

As Governor of this State, and as the legitimate representa-
tive of the people thereof, I now address your excellency ; and
I hope, from your regard to humanity, and from your sense of
the rules which govern civilized nations, that whatever may be
the result of the present struggle, you will give orders that the
resident families shall be respected, or will concede a sufficient
time for them to remove from this capital.

I have the honour to salute your excellency, general-in-chief
of the army of occupation of the United States, and to assure
you of my highest consideration.

God and liberty ! Monterey, September 23, 1846, 8 o'clock
in the morning.

Francisco de P. Morales.
To the General-in-chief of the

Army of Occapation of the United States.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Camp near Monterey, Oct. 9, 1846.

Sir : I have now the honour to submit a detailed report of
the recent operations before Monterey, resulting in the capitu-
lation of that city.

The information received on the route from Seralvo, and
particularly the continual appearance in our front of the Mexi-
can cavalry, which had a slight skirmish with our advance at
the village of Ramas, induced the belief, as we approached
Monterey, that the enemy would defend that place. Upon
reaching the neighbourhood of the city, on the morning of the
19th of September, this belief was fully confirmed. It w^as as-
certained that he occupied the town in force ; that a large work
had been constructed commanding all the northern approaches ;
and that the Bishop's Palace, and some heights in its vicinity
near the Saltillo road, had also been fortified and occupied

242 TAYLOR'S DETAILED REPORT.

with troops and artillery. It was known, from information
previously received, that the eastern approaches were com-
manded by several small works in the lower edge of the city.

The configuration of the heights and gorges in the direction
of the Saltillo road, as visible from the point attained by our
advance on the morning of the 19th, led me to suspect that it
was practicable to turn all the works in that direction, and thus
cut the enemy's line of communication. After establishing my
camp at the " Walnut Springs," three miles from Monterey,
the nearest suitable position, it was, accordingly, my first care
to order a close reconnoissance of the ground in question,
which was executed on the evening of the 19th by the engi-
neer oflficers, under the direction of Major Mansfield. A re-
connoissance of the eastern approaches was at the same time
made by Captain Williams, topographical engineer. The ex-
amination made by Major Mansfield proved the entire practi-
cability of throwing forward a column to the Saltillo road, and
thus turning the position of the enemy. Deeming this to be
an operation of essential importance, orders were given to
Brevet Brig. Gen. Worth, commanding the second division,
to march with his command on the 20th; to turn the hill of
the Bishop's Palace ; to occupy a position on the Saltillo road,
and to carry the enemy's detached works in that quarter, where
practicable. The first regiment of Texas mounted volunteers,
under command of Col. Hays, was associated with the second
division on this service. Capt. Sanders, engineers, and Lieut.
Meade, topographical engineers, were also ordered to report to
Gen. Worth for duty with his column.

At 2 o'clock, P. M., on the 20th, the second division took
up its march. It was soon discovered, by officers who were
reconnoitring the town, and communicated to Gen. Worth,
that its movement had been perceived, and that the enemy
was throwing reinforcements towards the Bishop's Palace and
the height which commands it. To divert his attention as far
as practicable, the first division, under Brigadier General
Twiggs, and field division of volunteers, under Major General
Butler, were displayed in front of the town until dark. Arrange-

DETAILED REPORT CONTINUED. 243

ments were made at the same time to place in battery during
the night, at a suitable distance from the enemy's main work,
the citadel, two twenty-four-pounder howitzers, and a ten-inch
mortar, with a view to open a fire on the following day, when
I proposed to make a diversion in favour of General Worth's
movement. The 4th infantry covered this battery during the
night. Gen. Worth had, in the mean time, reached and occu-
pied for the night a defensive position just without range of a
battery above the Bishop's Palace, having made a reconnois-
sance as far as the Saltillo road.

Before proceeding to report the operations of the 21st and
following days, I beg leave to state that I shall mention in de-
tail only those which were conducted against the eastern ex-
tremity of the city, or elsewhere, under my immediate direc-
tion, referring you for the particulars of Gen. Worth's opera-
tions, which were entirely detached, to his own full report
transmitted herewith.

Early on the morning of the 21st, I received a note from
General Worth, written at half-past 9 o'clock the night before,
suggesting what I had already intended, a strong diversion
against the centre and left of the town to favour his enterprize
against the heights in rear. The infantry and artillery of
the first division, and the field division of volunteers, were or-
dered under arms and took the direction of the city, leaving
one company of each regiment as a camp guard. The 2d dra-
goons, under Lieut. Col. May, and Col. Wood's regiment of
Texas mounted volunteers, under the immediate direction of
General Henderson, were directed to the right to support Gen.
Worth, if necessary, and to make an impression, if practicable,
upon the upper quarter of the city. Upon approaching the
mortar battery, the 1st and 3d regiments of infantry and batta-
lion of Baltimore and Washington volunteers, with Captain
Bragg's field battery — the whole under the command of Lieut.
Col. Garland — were directed towards the lower part of the
town, with orders to make a strong demonstration, and carry
one of the enemy's advanced works, if it could be done with-
out too heavy loss. Major Mansfield, engineers, and Captain
21*

244 DETAILED REPORT CONTINUED.

Williams and Lieut. Pope, topographical engineers, accompa-
nied this column. Major Mansfield being charged with its di-
rection, and the designation of points of attack. In the mean
time the mortar, served by Capt. Ramsay, of the ordnance,
and the howitzer battery under Capt. Webster, 1st artillery,
had opened their fire upon the citadel, which was deliberately
sustained, and answered from the work. Gen. Butler's divi-
sion had now taken up a position in rear of this battery, when
the discharges of artillery, mingled finally with a rapid fire of
small arms, showed that Lieut. Garland's command had become
warmly engaged. I now deemed it necessary to support this
attack, and accordingly ordered the 4th infantry and three regi-
ments of General Butler's division to march at once by the left
flank in the direction of the advanced work at the lower ex-
tremity of the town, leaving one regiment (1st Kentucky) to
cover the mortar and howitzer battery. By some mistake two
companies of the 4th infantry did not receive this order, and
consequently did not join the advance companies until some
time afterwards.

Lieut. Col. Garland's command had approached the town in
a direction to the right of the advanced work (No. 1.) at the
north-eastern angle of the city, and the engineer officer, covered
by skirmishers, had succeeded in entering the suburbs and
gaining cover. The remainder of this command now advanced
and entered the town under a heavy fire of artillery from the
citadel and the works on the left, and of musketry from the
houses and small works in front. A movement to the right
was attempted with a view" to gain the rear of No. 1, and carry
that work, but the troops were so much exposed to a fire which
they could not effectually return, and had already sustained
such severe loss, particularly in officers, that it was deem.ed
best to withdraw them to a more secure position. Captain
Backus, 1st infantry, however, with a portion of his own and
other companies, had gained the roof of a tannery, which
looked directly into the gorge of No. 1, and from which he
poured a most destructive fire into that work and upon the
strong building in its rear. This fire happily coincided in point

DETAILED REPORT CONTINUED. 245

of time with the advance of a portion of the volunteer division
upon No. 1, and contributed largely to the fall of that strong
and important work.

The three regiments of the volunteer division, under the im-
mediate command of Major General Butler, had in the mean
time advanced in the direction of No. 1. The leading brigade,
under Brigadier General Quitman, continued its advance upon
that work, preceded by three companies of the 4th infantry,
while General Butler, w^ith the first Ohio regiment, entered the
town to the right. The companies of the 4th infantry had ad-
vanced within short range of the work, when they were received
by a fire that almost, in one moment, struck down one-third
of the officers and men, and rendered it necessary to retire and
effect a conjunction with the two other companies then advanc-
ing. General Quitman's brigade, though suffering most se-
verely, particularly in the Tennessee regiment, continued its
advance, and finally carried the work in handsome style, as
well as the strong building in its rear. Five pieces of artillery,
a considerable supply of ammunition, and thirty prisoners, in-
cluding three officers, fell into their hands. Major General
Butler, with the 1st Ohio regiment, after entering the edge of
the town, discovered that nothing was to be accomplished in
his front, and at this point, yielding to the suggestions of seve-
ral officers, I ordered a retrograde movement ; but learning
almost immediately, from one of my staff, that the battery No.
1. was in our possession, the order was countermanded ; and
I determined to hold the battery and defences already gained.
General Butler with the 1st Ohio regiment, then entered the
town at a point farther to the left, and marched in the direc-
tion of the battery No. 2. While making an examination,
with a view to ascertain the possibility of carrying this second
work by storm, the general was wounded and soon after com-
pelled to quit the field. As the strength of No. 2, and the
heavy musketry fire flanking the approach, rendered it impos-
sible to carry it without great loss, the 1st Ohio regiment was
withdrawn from the town.

Fragments of the various regiments engaged were now under

246 DETAILED REPORT CONTINUED.

cover of the captured battery, and some buildings in its front,
and on the right. The field batteries of Captains Bragg and
Ridgely were also partially covered by the battery. An inces-
sant fire was kept up on this position from battery No. 2, and
other works on its right, and from the citadel on all our ap-
proaches. General Twiggs, though quite unwell, joined me
at this point, and was instrumental in causing the artillery cap-
tured from the enemy to be placed in battery, and served by
Captain Ridgely against No. 2, until the arrival of Captain
Webster's howitzer battery, which took its place. In the mean
time, I directed such men as could be collected of the 1st, 3d,
and 4th regiments, and Baltimore battalion, to enter the town,
penetrating to the right, and carry the 2d battery if possible.
This command, under Lieut. Col. Garland, advanced beyond
the bridge " Purisima," when, finding it impracticable to gain
the rear of the 2d battery, a portion of it sustained themselves
for some time in that advanced position ; but as no permanent
impression could be made at that point, and the main object
of the general operation had been effected, the command, in-
cluding a section of Captain Ridgely's battery, which had
joined it, was withdrawn to battery No. 1. During the absence
of this column, a demonstration of cavalry was reported in the
direction of the citadel. Captain Bragg, who was at hand,
immediately galloped with his battery to a suitable position,
from which a few discharges effectually dispersed the enemy.
Captain Miller, 1st Infantry, was despatched with a mixed com-
mand to support the battery on this service. The enemy's
lancers had previously charged upon the Ohio and a part of the
Mississippi regiment, near some fields at a distance from the
edge of the town, and had been repulsed with a considerable
loss. A demonstration of cavalry on the opposite side of the
river was also dispersed in the course of the afternoon by Cap-
tain Ridgely's battery, and the squadrons returned to the city.
At the approach of evening, all the troops that had been en-
gaged were ordered back to camp, except Captain Ridgely's
battery, and the regular infantry of the first division, who were
detailed as a guard for the works during the night, under com-

DETAILED REPORT CONTINUED. 247

mand of Lieut. Col. Garland. One battalion of the 1st Ken-
tucky regiment was ordered to reinforce this command. In-
trenching tools were procured, and additional strength was
given to the works, and protection to the men, by working
parties during the night, under the direction of Lieut. Scarritt,
engineers.

The main object proposed in the morning had been effected.
A powerful diversion had heefl made to favour the operations
of the 2d division, one of the enemy's advanced works had
been carried, and we now had a strong foot-hold in the town.
But this had not been accomplished without a heavy loss, em-
bracing some of our gallant and promising officers. Captain
Williams, topographical engineers, Lieuts. Terrett and Dil-
worth, 1st infantry, Lieut. Woods, 2d infantry, Capts. Morris
and Field, Bvt. Major Barbour, Lieuts. Irwin and Hazlett, 3d
infantry, Lieut. Hoskins, 4th infantry, Lieut. Col. Watson, Bal-
timore battalion, Capt. Allen and Lieut. Putman, Tennessee
regiment, and Lieut. Hett, Ohio regiment, were killed, or have
since died of wounds received in this engagement, while the
number and rank of the officers wounded gives additional proof
of the obstinacy of the contest, and the good conduct of our
troops. The number of killed and wounded incident to the
operations in the lower part of the city on the 21st is 394. •

Early in the morning of this day, (21st,) the advance of the
2d division had encountered the enemy in force, and after a
brief but sharp conflict, repulsed him with heavy loss. Gen.
Worth then succeeded in gaining a position on the Saltillo
road, thus cutting the enemy's line of communication. From
this position the two heights south of the Saltillo road were
carried in succession, and the gun taken in one of them turned
upon the Bishop's Palace. These important successes were
fortunately obtained with comparatively small loss ; Captain
McKavett, 8th infantry, being the only officer killed.

The 22d day of September passed without any active opera
tions in the lower part of the city. The citadel and other
works continued to fire at parties exposed to their range, and
at the work now occupied by our troops. The guard lefl in it

248 DETAILED REPORT CONTINUED.

the preceding night, except Capt. Ridgely's company, was re-
lieved at raid-day by Gen. Quitman's brigade, Capt. Bragg's
battery was thrown under cover in front of the town to repel
any demonstration of cavalry in that quarter. At dawn of day,
the height above the Bishop's Palace was carried, and soon
after meridian, the Palace itself was taken and its guns turned
upon the fugitive garrison. The object for which the 2d divi-
sion was detached had thus been^ompletely accomplished, and
I felt confident that with a strong force occupying the road and
heights in his rear, and a good position below the city in our
possession, the enemy could not possibly maintain the town.

During the night of the 22d, the enemy evacuated nearly all
his defences in the lower part of the city. This was reported
to me early in the morning of the 23d by Gen. Quitman, who
had already meditated an assault upon those works. I imme-
diately sent instructions to that officer, leaving it to his discre-
tion to enter the city, covering his men by the houses and
walls, and advance carefully as far as he might deem prudent.
After ordering the remainder of the troops as a reserve, under
the orders of Brigadier General Twiggs, I repaired to the
abandoned works, and discovered that a portion of Gen. Quit-
man's brigade had entered the town, and were successfully
forcing their way towards the principal plaza. I then ordered up
the 2d regiment of Texas mounted volunteers, who entered the
city, dismounted, and, under the immediate orders of Gen.
Henderson, co-operated with Gen. Quitman's brigade. Capt.
Bragg's battery was also ordered up, supported by the 3d in-
fantry ; and after firing for some time at the cathedral, a por-
tion of it was likewise thrown into the city. Our troops ad-
vanced from house to house, and from square to square, until
they reached a street but one square in rear of the principal
plaza, in and near which the enemy's force was mainly concen-
trated. This advance was conducted vigorously but with due
caution, and although destructive to the enemy, was attended
with but small loss on our part. Captain Ridgely, in the mean
time, had served a captured piece in battery No. 1, against the
city., until the advance of our men rendered it imprudent to fire

DETAILED REPORT CONTINUED. 249

in the direction of the Cathedral. I was now satisfied that we
could operate successfully in the city, and that the enemy had
retired from the lower portion of it to make a stand behind his
barricades. As Gen. Quitman's brigade had been on duty the
previous night, I determined to withdraw the troops to the
evacuated works, and concert with Gen. Worth a combined
attack upon the town. The troops accordingly fell back de-
liberately, in good order, and resumed their original positions,
General Quitman's brigade being relieved after nightfall by
that of General Hamer. On my return to camp, I met an offi-
cer with the intelligence that General Worth, induced by the
firing in the lower part of the city, was about making an attack
at the upper extremity, which had also been evacuated by the
enemy to a considerable distance. I regretted that this infor-
mation had not reached me before leaving the city, but still
deemed it inexpedient to change my orders, and accordingly
returned to the camp. A note from Gen. Worth, written at
eleven o'clock, P. M., informed me that he had advanced to
within a short distance of the principal plaza, and that the
mortar (which had been sent to his division in the morning) was
doing good execution within effective range of the enemy's
position.

Desiring to make no further attempt upon the city without
complete concert as to the lines and mode of approach, I in-
structed that officer to suspend his advance until I could have
an interview with him on the following morning at his head-
quarters.

Early on the morning of the 24th, I received, through
Colonel Moreno, a communication from General Ampudia,
proposing to evacuate the town ; which, with the answer, were
forwarded with my first despatch. I arranged with Colonel
Moreno a cessation of fire until twelve o'clock, at which hour
I would receive the answer of the Mexican general at General
Worth's head-quarters, to which I soon repaired. In the mean
time. General Ampudia had signified to General Worth his
desire for a personal interview with me, to which I acceded,
and which finally resulted in a capitulation, placing the town

250 DETAILED REPORT CONTINUED.

and the material of war, with certain exceptions, in our posses-
sion. A copy of that capitulation was transmitted with my
first despatch.

Upon occupying the city, it was discovered to be of great
strength in itself, and to have its approaches carefully and
strongly fortified. The town and works were armed with
forty-two pieces of cannon, well supplied with ammunition,
and manned with a force of at least 7000 troops of the line,
and from 2000 to 3000 irregulars. The force under my orders
before Monterey, as exhibited by the accompanying return,
was 425 officers, and 6220 men. Our artillery consisted of
one ten-inch mortar, two twenty-four-pounder howitzers, and
four light field batteries of four guns each — the mortar being
the only piece suitable to the operations of a siege.

Our loss is twelve officers and one hundred and eight men
killed ; thirty-one officers and three hundred and thirty-seven
men wounded. That of the enemy is not known, but is be-
lieved considerably to exceed our own.

I take pleasure in bringing to the notice of the government
the good conduct of the troops, both regulars and volunteers,
which has been conspicuous throughout the operations. I am
proud to bear testimony to their coolness and constancy in
battle, and the cheerfulness with which they have submitted to
exposure and privation. To the general officers commanding
divisions — Major Generals Butler and Henderson, and Briga-
dier Generals Twiggs and Worth — I must express my obliga-
tions for the efficient aid which they have rendered in their re-
spective commands. I was unfortunately deprived, early on
the 21st, of the valuable services of Major General Butler,
who was disabled by a wound received in the attack on the
city. Major General Henderson, commanding the Texan Volun-
teers, has given me important aid in the organization of the
command, and its subsequent operations. Brigadier General
Twiggs rendered important services with his division, and as
the second in command after Major General Butler was disabled,
brigadier General Worth was intrusted with an important de-
tachment which rendered his operations independent of my

DETAILED REPORT CONTINUED. 251

own. These operations were conducted with ability, and
crowned with complete success.

I desire also to notice Brigadier Generals Hamer and Quit-
man, commanding brigades in General Butler's Division. Lieu-
tenant Colonels Garland and Wilson, commanding brigades in
General Twiggs' Division. Colonels Mitchell, Campbell, Davis
and Wood, commanding the Ohio, Tennessee, Mississippi, and
2d Texas regiments, respectively, and Majors Lear, Allen, and
Abercrombie, commanding the 3d, 4th, and 1st regiments of
infantry ; all of whom served under my eye, and conducted
their commands with coolness and gallantry against the enemy.
Colonel Mitchell, Lieut. Col. McClung, Mississippi regiment.
Major Lear, 3d infantry, and Major Alexander, Tennessee re-
giment, were all severely wounded, as were Captain Lamotte,
1st infantry, Lieut. Graham, 4th infantry. Adjutant Armstrong,
Ohio regiment. Lieutenants Scudder and Allen, Tennessee re-
giment, and Lieut. Howard, Mississippi regiment, while leading
their men against the enemy's position, on the 21st and 23d.
After the fall of Col. Mitchell, the command of the 1st Ohio
regiment devolved upon Lieut. Col. Weller; that of the 3d
infantry, after the fall of Major Lear, devolved in succession
upon Capt. Bainbridge and Capt. Henry, the former being also
wounded. The following named officers have been favourably
noticed by their commanders : Lieut. Col. Anderson, and Ad-
jutant Heiman, Tennessee regiment ; Lieut. Col. McClung,
Captains Cooper and Downing, Lieutenants Patterson, Cal-
houn, Moore, Russell, and Cook, Mississippi regiment ; also
Serjeant Major Hearlan, Mississippi regiment, and Major Price,
and Capt. J. Smith, unattached, but serving with it. I beg
leave also to call attention to the good conduct of Captain
Johnston, Ohio regiment, and Lieut. Hooker, 1st artillery,
serving on the staff of Gen. Hamer, and of Lieutenant Nichols,
2d artillery, on that of General Quitman. Captains Bragg and
Ridgely served with their batteries during the operations under
my own observation, and in part under my immediate orders,
and exhibited distinguished skill and gallantry. Captain Web-
ster, 1st artillery, assisted by Lieutenants Donaldson and Bo-
22

252 DETAILED REPORT CONTINUED.

wen, rendered good service with the howitzer battery, which
was much exposed to the enemy's fire on the 21st.

From the nature of the operations, the 2d dragoons were
not brought into action, but were usefully employed, under the
direction of Lieut. Col. May, as escorts, and in keeping open
our communications. The 1st Kentucky regiment was also
prevented from participating in the action of the 21st, but
rendered highly important services under Col. Ormsby, in
covering the mortar battery, and holding in check the enemy's
cavalry during the day.

I have noticed above, the officers whose conduct either fell
under my immediate eye, or is noticed only in minor reports
which are not forwarded. For further mention of individuals,
I beg leave to refer to the reports of division commanders
herewith respectfully transmitted. I fully concur in their re-
commendations, and desire that they be considered as a part
of my own report.

From the officers of my personal staff, and of the engineers,
topographical engineers, and ordnance, associated with me, I
have derived valuable and efficient assistance during the opera-
tions. Col. Whiting, assistant quartermaster general. Colonels
Croghan and Belknap, inspector generals, Major Bliss, assistant
adjutant general. Captain Sibley, assistant quartermaster. Cap-
tain Waggaman, commissary of subsistence. Captain Eaton
and Lieut. Garnett, aids-de-camp, and Major Kirby and Van
Buren, pay department, served near my person, and were ever
prompt, in all situations, in the communication of my orders
and instructions. I must express my particular obligations to
Brevet Major Mansfield and Lieut. Scarritt, corps of engineers.
They both rendered most important services in reconnoitring
the enemy's positions, conducting troops in attack, and
strengthening the works captured from the enemy. Major
Mansfield, though wounded on the 21st, remained on duty
during that and the following day, until confined by his wound
to camp. Capt. Williams, topographical engineers, to my
great regret and the loss of the service, was mortally wounded
while fearlessly exposing himself in the attack of the 21st.

DETAILED REPORT. 253

Lieut. Pope, of the same corps, was active and zealous through-
out the operations. Major Munroe, chief of the artillery,
Major Craig and Capt. Ramsay, of the ordnance, were assidu-
ous in the performance of their proper duties. The former
superintended their mortar service on the 22d, as particularly
mentioned in the report of Gen. Worth, to which I also refer
for the services of the engineer and topographical officers de-
tached with the second division.

Surgeon Craig, medical director, was actively employed in
the important duties of his department, and the medical staff
generally were unremitting in their attention to the numerous
wounded — their duties with the regular regiments being ren-
dered uncommonly arduous by the small number serving in the
field.

I respectfully enclose herewith, in addition to the reports of
division commanders, a field return of the force before Mon-
terey on the 21st of September — a return of killed, wounded,
and missing during the operations — and two topographical
sketches — one exhibiting all the movements around Monterey
— the other on a large scale illustrating more particularly the
operations in the lower quarter of the city — prepared respec-
tively by Lieutenants Meade and Pope, topographical engineers.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Major Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C.

In justice to the gallant officers and corps of General
Worth's Division, the annexed extract from his report of his
operations is given, in connection with that of the commander-
in-chief.

" When every officer and every soldier, regular and volun-
teer, has, through a series of harassing and severe conflicts, in
the valley and on the mountain, in the street and on the house-
top, cheerfully, bravely, and successfully executed every ser-
vice, and complied with every exaction of valour and patriotism,
the task is as difficult as delicate to distinguish individuals;

254 OFFICERS DISTINGUISHED IN IT.

and yet it will always happen, as it has always happened, in
the varied scenes of battle and siege, that fortune presents to
some those opportunities w^hich all would have seized w^th
gladness and avidity. It is my pleasing and grateful duty to
present to the consideration of the general-in- chief, and through
him to the government, the distinguished conduct of Brigadier
General Smith, (colonel of rifles ;) Brevet Lieutenant Colonel
Childs, artillery battalion ; Colonel Hays, Texan riflemen ; Bre-
vet Lieutenant Colonel Duncan, horse artillery; and Captain
C. F. Smith, 2d artillery, commanding light troops 1st brigade.
"My thanks are also especially due to Lieutenant Colonel
Staniford, 8th, (commanding 1st brigade ;) Major Munroe,
chief of artillery, (general staff";) Brevet Major Brown and Cap-
tain J. R. Vinton, artillery battalion ; Captain J. B. Scott, ar-
tillery battalion, (light troops;) Major Scott, commanding, and
Captain Merrill, 5th ; Captains Miles, (commanding,) Holmes,
and Ross, 7th infantry, and Captain Screvin, commanding 8th
infantry ; to Lieutenant Colonel Walker, (captain of rifles ;)
Major Chevalier and Captain McCulloch, of the Texan, and
Captain Blanchard, of the Louisiana volunteers ; to Lieutenants
Mackall, (commanding battery,) Roland, Martin, Hays, Irons,
Clarke, and Curd, horse artillery ; Lieutenant Longstreet, com-
manding light company 8th ; Lieutenant Ayres, artillery batta-
lion, who was among the first in the assault upon the palace,
and who secured the colours. Each of the oflEicers named
either headed special detachments, columns of attack, storming
parties, or detached guns ; and all were conspicuous for con-
duct and courage. My attention has been particularly directed,
by General Smith, to the gallant conduct of Lieutenant Gard-
ner, 7th infantry, during the assault upon the city ; on which
^ occasion he threw himself in advance, and on the most exposed
points, animating the men by his brave example. Particular
attention has also been called to the Lieutenants Nicholls,
(brothers,) Louisiana volunteers, as having highly distinguished
themselves by personal daring and efficient service. The offi-
cers of brigade and regimental staff* were conspicuous in the
field, or in their particular departments. Lieutenants Hanson,

OFFICERS KILLED AND WOUNDED. 255

(commanding,) Vandorn, (aid-de-camp 7th ;) Lieutenant Ro-
binson, 5th, (quartermaster's department,) on the staff of Gene-
ral Smith; Lieutenant and Adjutant Clarke, 8th infantry, staff
1st brigade ; Lieutenants Benjamin, adjutant artillery battalion ;
Peck, ordnance office, artillery battalion ; G. Deas, adjutant 5th,
and Page, adjutant 7th infantry, are highly commended by their
respective chiefs; to the justness of which I have the pleasure
to add my personal observation. In common with the entire
division, my particular thanks are tendered to Assistant Sur-
geons Porter, (senior,) Byrne, Conrad, De Leon, and Roberts,
(medical department,) w^ho were ever at hand, in the close fight,
promptly administering to the wounded and suffering soldier.
To the officers of the staff, general and personal, more espe-
cially associated with myself — honourable Colonel Balie Pey-
ton, Louisiana troops, who did me the honour to serve as aid-
de-camp ; Captain Sanders, military engineers ; Lieutenant
Meade, topographical engineers ; Lieutenants E. Deas, Daniels,
and Ripley, quartermaster's and commissary's staff, and Lieu-
tenants Pemberton, 4th artillery, and Wood, 8th infantry, my
aids- de-camp — I have to express the greatest obligation. In
such diversified operations, during the three days and nights,
they were constantly in motion, performing every executive
duty with zeal and intelligence, only surpassed by daring and
courage in conflict. I beg to commend each to special con-
sideration.

" We have to lament the gallant Captains McKavett, 8th
infantry, an officer of high merit, killed on the 21st, and Gil-
lespie, Texas volunteers, on the 22d. The latter eminently
distinguished himself, while leading his brave company at the
storming of the first height, and perished in seeking similar
distinction on a second occasion. Captain Gatlin and Lieute-
nant Potter, 7th, Lieutenant Russell, 5th, and Wainwright, 8th
infantry, and Lieutenant Reece, Texas riflemen, received hon-
ourable (happily not mortal) wounds. Annexed is an accurate
topographical sketch of the theatre of operations ; for which I
am indebted, as in many other respects, to the intelligent zeal
and gallantry of Lieutenant Meade, engineers.
22*

256 COMMENT ON THE ACTION.

" The following non-commissioned officers are reported as
having highly distinguished themselves: Serjeants Hazard, 4thj
and Dilworth, 3d artillery ; Quartermaster Serjeant Henry, 7th
infantry; Cross, company C. ; Rounds, Bradford, (colour Ser-
jeant,) and Wragg, company E. ; Bailey, company D. ; and
Ballard, 7th infantry."

Where few, if any, were found wanting, in the protracted,
arduous, and singularly dangerous duty imposed on the troops
who stormed Monterey, it is not possible, however grateful the
task, to do historical justice to each individual. The reports
of the commanders, already quoted, must therefore close the
notice of personal merit, which shone forth on that memorable
occasion — memorable not only in the annals of America, but
in the records of modern warfare. A town, situated where
nature pointed out security, protected on two sides by moun-
tains, and on two others by a continuous series of fortresses;
every house constructed as if defiance to enemies rather than
shelter to friends had been intended ; every street walled up
with immovable barriers ; heavy ordnance on every com-
manding elevation, and twelve thousand men in arms to defend
every accessible point ; a town thus built and thus fortified,
was in three days entered and possessed by six thousand as-
sailants, two-thirds of them unused not only to battle, but even
to the ordinary hardships of military life. Commentary cannot
magnify the lustre of such an achievement. If it is right and
reasonable to applaud actions, involving of necessity the inflic-
tion of misery and the sacrifice of life, the capture of Monterey
is one to command unqualified admiration.

When General Ampudia's desire for a temporary cessation
of the assault had been assented to. General Taylor, accom-
panied by several officers, met him on the 24th of September,
at a house designated for a conference. The Mexican com-
mander there stated officially, that commissioners of the United
States, appointed to treat with Mexico respecting the terms of
a peace, had been received by the government of the latter
country ; and further, that a change in that government having
taken place, the orders under which he defended Monterey

COMMISSION ON CAPITULATION. 257

were no longer virtual. Under these circumstances he pro-
fessed to desire the conference. A conversation between him
and General Taylor ensued, when it was discovered that the
views of Ampudia were wholly inadmissible, and that no set-
tlement could probably be made without a further appeal to
arms.

At this stage of the proceedings, it was suggested on the
part of Ampudia's friends, that a mixed commission should be
appointed to consider the terms of capitulation ; which being
acceded to. General Taylor appointed General Worth, General
J. P. Henderson, and Colonel Jefferson Davis, on his behalf;
and General Ampudia appointed General J. Ma. Ortega, Gen-
eral P. Raguena, and Senor M. Ma. Llano, the governor of
the city. The instructions of General Taylor to the United
States' commissioners were embodied by them in the following
articles :

Copy of demand by the United States^ Commissioners.

" I. As the legitimate result of the operations before this
place, and the present position of the contending 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 Rin-
conada, 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 occu-
pied, to the army of the United States.

"V. To avoid collisions, and for mutual convenience, 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, &c.

*' VI. The commanding general of the United States agrees
not to advance beyond the line specified in the second sectioa

258 PROCEEDINGSOF COMMISSIONERS.

before the expiration of eight weeks, or until the respective
governments can be heard from."

The subsequent proceedings of the commissioners are quoted
from the minutes of them, made, and afterwards published by
Colonel Davis, one of the commissioners. He says : —

" The terms of the demand were refused by the Mexican
commissioners, who drew up a counter proposition, of which
I only recollect that it contained a permission to the Mexican
forces to retire with their arms. This was urged as a matter
of soldierly pride, and as an ordinary courtesy. We had
reached the limit of our instructions, and the commission rose
to report the disagreement.

"Upon returning to the reception room, after the fact had
been announced that the commissioners could not agree upon
terms, General Ampudia entered at length upon the question,
treating the point of disagreement as one which involved the
honour 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 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 com-
missioners now urged that, as all other arms had been recog-
nised, 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 commission
again rose, and reported the disagreement on the point of
artillery.

<' General Taylor hearing that more was demanded than the
middle ground, upon which, in a spirit of generosity, he had
agreed to place the capitulation, announced the conference
at an end ; and rose in a manner which showed his determina-
tion to talk no more. As he crossed the room to leave it, one
of the Mexican commissioners addressed him, anil some con-

PROCEEDINGS OF COMMISSIONERS. 259

versation 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 mani-
fested throughout the negotiation, viz : generosity and leniency,
and a desire to spare the further effusion of blood. The com-
mission reassembled, and the points of capitulation were agreed
upon. After a short recess 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 instrument
of capitulation. The seventh, eighth, and ninth articles were
added during this session. At a late hour the English original
was handed to General Taylor for his examination ; the Span-
ish original 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 Ampudia, and send that having
General Taylor's signature, that each general might counter-
sign the original to be retained by the other. General Am-
pudia 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 instrument prepared for his own commissioners, and the
English original was left with him that he might have it trans-
lated, (which he promised to do that night,) and be ready the
next morning with a Spanish duplicate of the English instru-
ment left with him. 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 commission again met, again the at-
tempt was made, as had been often done before by solicitation,
to gain some grant in addition to the compact. Thus we had,
at their request, adopted the word capitulation in lieu of sur-
render ; they now wished to s\ihsi\t\iiQ stipulation for capitular
tion. It finally became necessary to make a peremptory de-
mand for the immediate signing of the English instrument by

260 TERMS OF CAPITULATION.

General Ampudia, and the literal translation (now perfected)
by the commissioners and their general. The Spanish instru-
ment first signed by General Ampudia was destroyed in pre-
sence of his commissioners ; the translation of our own instru-
ment was countersigned by General Taylor, and delivered.
The agreement was complete, and it only remained to execute
the terms."

This agreement, signed by the commissioners, was in the fol-
lowing form :

Terms of capitulation of the city of Monterey, the capital of
Nueva Leon, agreed upon by the undersigned commissioners,
to wit : General Worth, of the United States army. General
Henderson, of the Texas volunteers, and Colonel Davis, of
the Mississippi riflemen, on the part of Major General Taylor,
commanding-in-chief the United States forces, and General
Requena, and General Ortega, of the army of Mexico, and
Senor Manuel M. Llano, governor of Nueva Leon, on the part
of Senor General Don Pedro Ampudia, commanding-in-chief
the army of the north of Mexico.

Art. 1. As the legitimate result of the operations before this
place, and the present position of the contending armies, it is
agreed that the city, the fortifications, cannon, the munitions
of war, and all other public property, with the under-mentioned
exceptions, 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 accoutrements, the artillery one field battery,
not to exceed six pieces, with twenty-one rounds of ammuni-
tion.

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 Presas.

Art. 4. That the citadel at Monterey be evacuated by the
Mexican, and occupied by the American forces, to-morrow
morning at 10 o'clock.

Art. 5. To avoid collisions, and for mutual convenience,

EVACUATION OF THE CITY. 261

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 ad-
vance beyond the line specified in the 2d [3d] article, before
the expiration of eight weeks, or until the orders or instructions
of the respective governments can be received.

Art. 7. That the public property to be delivered shall be
turned over and received by officers appointed by the com-
manding generals of the two armies.

Art. 8. That all doubts as to the meaning of any of the
preceding articles shall be solved by an equitable con-
struction, and on principles of liberality to the retiring army.

Art. 9. That the Mexican flag, when struck at the citadel,
may be saluted by its own battery.

Done at Monterey, September 24, 1846.

These articles were signed by the commissioners already
named.

As these terms gave rise to much comment at the time, and
exposed General Taylor to reproach in certain quarters, tiie
grounds on which he admitted them, seemingly too lenient to
the enemy, will be considered in a future chapter. The evi-
dence is conclusive that his justice, prudence, and humanity
were, in this instance, worthy of his energy and courage.

In accordance with the terms of the capitulation, the Mexican
army evacuated Monterey. The movement was made by di-
visions on the 26th, the 27th, and the 28th of September.
Ampudla, in a Proclamation announcing the fact, stated that he
had "suffered great scarcity of ammunition and provisions."
The ammunition of all kinds, found by General Taylor in Mon-
terey, was superabundant, — and the misrepresentation of the
fact by Ampudia, proves not only his disregard of truth, but
his recklessness of infamy.

The following is a recapitulation, from the official report,
of the killed, wounded, and missing, — a sad proof of the cost
of our triumph before Monterey.

262

LIST OF KILLED AND WOUNDED.

KILLED AND WOUNDED AT THE SIEGE OF MONTEREY.

KILLED. WOUNDED.

GETfEKAL Twiggs'.
Second Regiment Dragoons

First Infantry

Second Infantry

Third Infantry

Fourth Infantry

Third Artillery

Light Artillery

Baltimore Battalion

Captain Shriver's Com- ^
pany of Texas Vol'rs. 5

[Killed 63, wounded 127.]

Genehai. Worth's.

Artillery

Fifth Infantry

Seventh Infantry 2 . . 7 . .

Eighth Infantry 1 . . 1 . .

Phoenix Company of Lou- "> „

isiana Volunteers. 3

Colonel Hays' Regiment "5 17

of Texas Volunteers. 5

ars.
lars.

1 a,

3
0

s— Re
es-R

fficei
rival

0 CM

.. 4

9 ..

2 .. 14
1 ..
5 .. 14

. 2 ..

27 ..

. 2 ..

31 .'.'

2 .. 11

23 ..

V ^

9 ..
7 ..

••

.. 1 ..

5 ..
1 ..

9 .. 47

106

12 .,

1 .

1 ..

[Killed 39, wounded 41.] . . 4 . . 25 . . 1 . . 9 ... 1

GeweraIi Butler's.

General Commanding ....

Kentucky Regiment

Ohio Regiment

Tennessee Regiment

Mississippi Regiment. . . . .

Colonel Wood's Texas 1

Rangers. 5

1 .. 15

2 .. 27

[Killed 56, wounded 224.] . . . . 3 . . 53 16

Grand total 13 . . 72 . . 5 . . 68 . . . 5 . . 125 . . 16

4
17

5
32

75
47

208
246

Grand total killed 158

Wounded 392

Killed and wounded 550

Missing 11

Grand total, killed, wounded, and missing 561

OCCUPATION OF MONTEREY. 263

CHAPTER XIV.

Occupation of the City by Worth's Division — Encampment of Butler's and
Twiggs' Divisions — Consideration of the Terras of Capitulation — Implied
Censure by Congress of the Terms — Defence of the same — Jefferson Davis'
Views regarding the Capitulation — Taylor's Letter to the Adjutant General,
justifying it — Private Letter on the same Subject, and on his past Operations
and future Plans — Concluding Remarks.

As soon as the Mexican army had evacuated Monterey,
General Taylor quartered General Worth's Division in it, and
continued the two other divisions of his army at the grove of
San Domingo, the only woodland in the neighbourhood of the
city. The wounded were duly cared for, and all who had
shared the labours and dangers of the siege enjoyed a period
of comparative repose. Immediate measures, however, were
adopted, to restore and improve the defences of the city, and
to be prepared for future active operations if the hostilities
should be renewed.. Before the recital of General Taylor's
subsequent movements is commenced, it is proper to recur to
the terms of the capitulation. A portion of his own troops
was undoubtedly at the moment disappointed, on seeing the
Mexican army departing, with all the parade of music, ban-
ners, and arms, when it was believed to be wholly at the mercy
of the victors. Time and reflection dissipated this feeling,
which had never interfered with the respect or confidence
with which Taylor had previously inspired his men. But con-
demnation of his policy was seriously avowed in a quarter,
which aflTected his position before the country. When the
news of the convention of Monterey was received at Wash-
ington, it found little favour with the government, or with a
portion of the administration party in Congress. When a re-
solution of thanks to General Taylor, and the army under his
command, for their gallantry in the capture of Monterey, was
under consideration, a proviso was offered and finally adopted,
in these w^ords : " That nothing herein contained shall be con-
strued into an approbation of the terms of the capitulation of
Monterey." The friends of General Taylor contended that
23

264 TERMS OF CAPITULATION JUSTIFIED.

this proviso was in effect a resolution of censure, and on this
ground many of them refused to vote for the original resolu-
tion of thanks. It becomes necessary to show how entirely
unmerited was this deliberate exception to his conduct. The
first proper testimony on this head is that of the commissioners
who agreed to the Convention. They are men, whose intelli-
gence, patriotism, and courage are above suspicion, and who
would neither have counselled nor sanctioned any terms short
of the most honourable and expedient which our army could
have enforced. Colonel Davis, one of the commissioners,
ably defended the convention in a document already quoted,
and the grounds of his defence were fully approved by General
"Worth. That document takes briefly this view of the question :

" It is demonstrable, from the position and known prowess
of the two armies, that we could drive the enemy from the
town ; but the town was untenable whilst the main fort (called
the new citadel) remained in the hands of the enemy. Being
without siege artillery or entrenching tools, we could only hope
to carry this fort by storm, after a heavy loss from our army ;
which, isolated in a hostile country, now numbered less than
half the forces of the enemy. When all this had been achieved,
what more would we have gained than by the capitulation ?

<« General Taylor's force was too small to invest the town.
It was, therefore, always in the power of the enemy to retreat,
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 suppose their general
would have surrendered at discretion. The moral effect of
retiring under the capitulation was certainly greater than if the
enemy had retired without our consent. By this course we
secured the large supply of ammunition he had collected in
Monterey — which, had the assault been continued, must have
been exploded by our shells, as it was principally stored in the
< Cathedral,' which, being supposed to be filled with troops,
was the especial aim of our pieces. The destruction which

Taylor's defence of the terms. 265

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
negotiations." "•

The correspondence of General Taylor further elucidates the
respective positions of his own and the enemy's forces at the
time of the capitulation. The armistice not having been ap-
proved by the President, he was instructed to ^'give the requi-
site notice, that the armistice was to cease at once, and that
each party was at liberty to resume and prosecute hostilities
without restriction." The reply to the letter enclosing this
order is subjoined. It is addressed to the Adjutant General.

« Camp near Monterey, November 8, 1846.

" Sir : In reply to so much of the communication of the Secre-
tary of War, as relates to the reasons which induced the con-
vention resulting in the capitulation of Monterey, I have the
honour to submit the following remarks.

" The convention presents two distinct points ; First^ the
permission granted the Mexican army to retire with their arms,
&c. Secondly^ the temporary cessation of hostilities for the
term of eight weeks. I shall remark on these in order.

«' The force with which I marched on Monterey was limited
by causes beyond my control to about six thousand men. With
this force, as every military man must admit, who has seen the
ground, it was entirely impossible to invest Monterey so closely
as to prevent the escape of the garrison. Although the main
communication with the interior was in our possession, yet one
route was open to the Mexicans throughout the operations, and
could not be closed, as were also other minor tracks and passes
through the mountains. Had we, therefore, insisted on more
rigorous terms than those granted, the result would have been
the escape of the body of the Mexican force, with the destruc-
tion of its artillery and magazines, our only advantage being
the capture of a few prisoners of war, at the expense of valuable
lives and much damage to the city. The consideration of hu-

266 MILITARY POINTS IN THE QUESTION.

manity was present to my mind during the conference which
led to the convention, and outweighed, in my judgment, the
doubtful advantages to be gained by a resumption of the attack
upon the town. This conclusion has been fully confirmed by
an inspection of the enemy's position and means since the sur-
render. It was discovered that his principal magazine, con-
taining an immense amount of powder, was in the Cathedral,
completely exposed to our shells from two directions. The
explosion of this mass of powder, which must have ultimately
resulted from a continuance of the bombardment, would have
been infinitely disastrous, involving the destruction not only
of Mexican troops, but of non-combatants, and even our own
people, had we pressed the attack.

" In regard to the temporary cessation of hostilities, the fact
that we are not at this moment, within eleven days of the termi-
nation of the period fixed by the convention, prepared to move
forward in f^rce, is a sufficient explanation of the military reasons
which dictated this suspension of arms. It paralyzed the enemy
during a period when, from the want of necessary means, we
could not possibly move. 1 desire distinctly to state, and to
call the attention of the authorities to the fact, that, with all
diligence in breaking mules and setting up wagons, the first
wagons in addition to our original train from Corpus Christi,
(and but one hundred and twenty-five in number,) reached m}
head-quarters on the same day with the secretary's communi-
cation of October 13th, viz : the 2d inst. At the date of the
surrender of Monterey, our force had not more than ten days'
rations, and even now, with all our endeavours, we have not
more than twenty-five. The task of fighting and beating

THE ENEMY IS AMONG THE LEAST DIFFICULT THAT W"E EN-
COUNTER— the great question of supplies necessarily controls
all the operations in a country like this. At the date of the
convention, I could not of course have foreseen that the Depart-
ment would direct an important detachment from my command
without consulting me, or without waiting the result of the
main operation under my orders.

" I have touched the prominent military points involved in

NATIONAL CONSIDERATIONS. 267

the convention of Monterey. There were other considerations
which weighed with the commissioners in framing, and with
myself in approving the articles of the convention. In the
conference with General Ampudia, I was distinctly told by him
that he had invited it to spare the further effusion of blood,
and because General Santa Anna had declared himself favorable
to peace. I knew that our government had made propositions
to that of Mexico to negotiate, and I deemed that the change
of government in that country since my instructions, fully war-
ranted me in entertaining considerations of policy. My grand
motive in moving forward with very limited supplies had been
to increase the inducements of the Mexican Government to ne-
gotiate for peace. Whatever may be the actual views or dis-
position of the Mexican rulers or of General Santa Anna, it is
not unknown to the Government that I had the very best reason
for believing the statement of General Ampudia to be true. It
was ray 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 hundred miles to the city
of San Luis Potosi, and to open the country to us as far as we
choose to penetrate it up to the same point.

<« It has been my purpose in this communication not so much
to defend the convention from the censure which I deeply re-
gret to find implied in the secretary's letter, as to show that it
was not adopted without cogent reasons, most of which occur
of themselves to the minds of all who are acquainted with the
condition of things here. To that end I beg that it may be
laid before the General-in-chief and Secretary of War."

The nature of the assaults made on General Taylor, in con-
sequence of the capitulation so ably and conclusively defended
and justified in the foregoing official letter, induced one of his
friends, whom he had privately addressed on the same subject,
in connection with a general review of his operations, to per-
23*

268 PRIVATE LETTER OF TAYLOR.

mit the publication of a letter not intended for the public eye.
That letter superadds such testimony in favour of his whole
course, that being already before the world, it would be an
affectation injurious to his reputation to exclude it from these
pages. It is the more interesting, therefore, as an unstudied
and frank exposition of his conduct and motives, and of the
difficulties which he encountered in the fulfilment of the mo-
mentous duties imposed upon him. Portions of the letter were
suppressed in the original publication. It is here given as it
first appeared.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation or Invasion.
Monterey, Mexico, Nov, 5, 1846.

My Dear *******

Your very kind and acceptable letter of the 31st of August,
******** reached me only a short time since
for which I beg leave to tender to you my sincere thanks. [A
few confidential remarks on certain public transactions are here
omitted.]

After considerable apparent delay on the part of the Quarter-
master's Department, in getting steamboats into the Rio Grande
adapted to its navigation, I succeeded, towards the latter part
of August, in throwing forward to Camargo, (a town situated
on the San Juan river, three miles from its junction wdth the
Rio Grande, on the west side, nearly five hundred miks from
Brazos Island by water, and two hundred by land, and one
hundred and forty from this place,) a considerable depot of
provisions, ordnance, ammunition, and forage, and then, having
brought together an important portion of ray command, I de-
termined on moving on this place. Accordingly, after collect-
ing 1700 pack mules, with their attendants and conductors, in
the enemy's country, (the principal means of transportation for
our provisions, baggage, &c.,) I left, on the 5th of September,
to join my advance, which had preceded me a few days to Se-
ralvo, a small village 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,
with 6250 men — 2700 regulars, the balance volunteers. For

THE CAPITULATION JUSTIFIED. 269

what took place afterwards I must refer you to several reports,
particularly to my detailed one of the 9th ult. I do not be-
heve 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 into various other newspapers. I have this moment
received an answer (to my despatch announcing the surrender
of Monterey, and the circumstances attending the same,) from
the Secretary of War, stating that " it was regretted by the
President that it was not advisable to insist on the terms I had
proposed in my communication to the Mexican commander, in
regard to giving up the city," — -adding that " the circum-
stances w^hich dictated, no doubt justified the change." Al-
though 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 a different conclusion in regard to the matter,)
yet, on due reflection, I see nothing to induce me to regret the
course I pursued.

The proposition on the part of General Ampudia, 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 set-
tle existing difficulties by negotiation, (which I knew was the
case, without knowing the result,) which was then under con-
sideration by the proper authorities, and which he (General
Ampudia,) had no doubt would result favourably, as the whole
of his people were in favour of peace. If so, I considered the
further effusion of blood not only unnecessary, but improper.
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

270 Taylor's views on the war.

is no doubt we should have succeeded in doing,) we should,
in all probability, have lost fifty or one hundred men in killed,
besides the. wounded, which I wished to avoid, as there ap-
peared 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
fortification, 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 skilful engi-
neers, their works garnished with forty-two pieces of artillery,
abundantly supplied with ammunition, garrisoned by 7000 re-
gulars and 2000 irregular troops, in addition to some thousand
citizens capable of, and no doubt actually, bearing arms, and
aiding in its defence, to an opposing force of half their number,
scantily supplied with provisions, and with a light train of ar-
tillery, 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 referred to
expires, which I have notified the Mexican authorities will be
the close on the 13th instant, by direction of the President of
the United States.

If we are (in the language of Mr. Polk and General Scott)
under the necessity of " conquering a peace," and that by tak-
ing 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,
admitting that we conquer a peace by doing so, 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

HIS PLAN OF SECURING PEACE. 271

by the same ? I think not — especially, if the country we sub-
due is to be given up ; and I imagine there are but few indi-
viduals 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 question as to what is best to be done.
It seems to 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 Saltillo, will include
six or seven states or provinces, thus holding Tampico, Vic-
toria, Monterey, Saltillo, Monclova, Chihuahua, (which, I pre-
sume. General Wool has possession of by this time) Santa Fe,
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 the Gulf. A course of this
kind, if persevered in for a short time, would soon bring her
to her proper senses, and compel her to sue for peace — pro-
vided there is a government in the country sufficiently stable
for us to treat with, w^hich I fear w^ill hardly be the case for
many years to come. Without large reinforcements of volun-
teers from the United States, say ten or fifteen thousand, (those
previously sent out having already been greatly reduced by
sickness and other casualties), I do not believe it would be
advisable to march beyond Saltillo, 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.

From Saltillo to San Luis Potosi, the next place of import-

272 STATEMENT OF HIS DIFFICULTIES.

ance 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 20,000 efficient men would be neces-
sary to insure success if we move on that place, (a city con-
taining a population of 60,000, where the enemy could bring
together and sustain, besides the citizens, an army of 50,000)
a force which, I apprehend, will hardly be collected by us,
w^ith the train necessary to feed it, as well as to transport va-
rious other supplies, particularly 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 which has reached me since
the declaration of war was on the 2d instant, the same day on
which I received from Washington an acknowledgment of my
despatch announcing the taking of Monterey ; and then I re-
ceived only one hundred and twenty-five, so that I have been,
since May last, completely crippled, and am still so, for want
of transportation. After raking and scraping the country for
miles around Camargo, collecting every pack mule and other
means of transportation, I could bring here only 80,000 rations,
(fifteen days' supply,) with a moderate supply of ordnance,
ammunition, &c., 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 a way, and with such limited
means, that, had I not succeeded, I should no doubt have been
severely reprim.anded, 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 no-

POPULAR APPROBATION OF TAYLOR. 273

thing 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 val-
ley. The houses are of stone, in the Moorish style, with flat
roofs, which, with their strongly enclosed yards and gardens,
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 I shall have exhausted your 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.

It is conceived that the foregoing correspondence thoroughly
sustains General Taylor in the apparently liberal terms w^hich
he allowed Ampudia in the capitulation of Monterey. Public
opinion sustained him from the first ; and, it is believed, that
there are few now so bold as to except to his course. If so,
it is the only instance in the many and arduous tasks which he
has executed since the commencement of the Mexican war.

274 TAYLOR'S FORCES AT MONTEREY.

which even his enemies could seize upon as worthy of exception.
Tried in every emergency, he has been found equal to the trust
reposed in him. So has the nation felt, so has it spoken, when,
with one indignant voice, it crushed a suggestion that he
should be superseded in the field of his many extraordinary
trials and triumphs.

CHAPTER XV.

Taylor's Force after the Capitulation of Monterey — Reflections on his Course —
Advices from Washington — Instructions regarding Supplies — Regarding an
Expedition against the Coast — Further Correspondence — Taylor's Replies —
Opinions regarding his own future Operations — Regarding the Force requisite
to invest Vera Cruz — Assertion of his Rights as Commander — Answer to the
Secretary respecting forced Supplies — General Wool's Entry into Monclova,

The correspondence of General Taylor, given in the pre-
ceding pages, for the purpose of elucidating the single subject
of the capitulation of Monterey, contains, also, references to
other matters which have not yet been presented in a narrative
form. To these it is necessary to revert, in order that the posi-
tion of the army under Taylor's command, and the plans of the
War Department, aflfecting its strength and movements, may be
fully understood.

The capture of Monterey found the army reduced at that
place to an effective force of about five thousand five hundred
men. This small number was soon further diminished by sick-
ness, occasioned by the climate, the season, and hardship, to
which more than two-thirds of the men were wholly unused.
General Taylor's letters have shown that, had no armistice been
agreed upon, he would still have been unable to make any im-
portant hostile demonstration far beyond Monterey. It is true
that a large body of volunteers was at different points on the
Rio Grande ; but the difficulty of subsistence, on a line already
extended one hundred and fifty miles, forbade the immediate

FAILURE OF PEACE OVERTURES. 275

advance of the army. This was a difficulty apprehended by
Taylor from the first, and for which he was in no sense respon-
sible. At the moment that the operations against Monterey
were in progress, a change of policy, as regards the mode of
procuring supplies, was recommended by the government.

Advices havino^ been received at Washington that a new
effort to secure peace by negotiation had failed — the reliance
on Santa Anna's pacific disposition having been misplaced —
the Secretary of War wrote to General Taylor that this deter-
mination on the part of the enemy suggested a change of
policy in regard to our dealings with the people of the country
occupied by our troops. On this particular subject the Secre-
tary continued his instructions, under date of the 22d of Sep-
tember, in these terms :

" Public opinion, it is to be presumed, will have some influ-
ence upon the decision of that congress. The progress of our
arms, and the positions we may occupy when that body shall
come together, cannot fail to have effect upon its action in re-
gard to our proposal to negotiate. Should the campaign be
successful, and our troops be in possession of important de-
partments of the enemy's country, the inducement for a speedy
peace will be greatly strengthened.

<' It is far from being certain that our military occupation of
the enemy's country is not a blessing to the inhabitants in the
vicinity. They are shiekled from the burdens and exactions
of their own authorities, protected in their persons, and fur-
nished with a most profitable market for most kinds of their
property. A state of things so favourable 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 pro-
perty, and to abstain from appropriating it to the public use
without purchase at a fair price. In some respects, this is
going far beyond the common requirements of civilized war-
fare. An invading army has the unquestionable right to draw
its supplies from the enemy without paying for them, and to
require contributions for its support. It may be proper, and
24

276 INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING SUPPLIES.

good policy requires that discriminations should be made in
imposing these burdens. Those who are friendly disposed or
contribute aid should be treated with liberality ; yet the enemy
may be made to feel the weight of the war, and thereby be-
come interested to use their best efforts to bring about a state
of peace.

«' It is also but just that a nation which is involved in a war, to
obtain justice or to maintain its just rights, should shift the
burden of it, as far as practicable, from itself, by throwing it
upon the enemy.

" Upon the liberal principles of civilized warfare, either of
three modes may be pursued in relation to obtaining supplies
from the enemy ; first to purchase them on such terms as the
inhabitants of the country may choose to exact ; second, to
pay a fair price without regard to the enhanced value resulting
from the presence of a foreign army; and third, to require
them as contributions, without paying or engaging to pay
therefor.

" The last mode is the ordinary one, and you are instructed
to adopt it, if in that way you are satisfied you can get abun-
dant supplies for your forces; but should you apprehend a dif-
ficulty in this respect, then you will adopt the policy of paying
the ordinary price, without allowing to the owners the advan-
tages of the enhancement of the price resulting from the in-
creased 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 may need from the United States. Should you
attempt to supply your troops by contributions, or the appro-
priation of private property, you will be careful to exempt the
property of all foreigners from any and all exactions whatso-
ever. The President hopes you will be able to derive from
the enemy's country, without expense to the United States,
the supplies you may need, or a considerable part of them ;
but should you fail in this, you will procure them in the most
economical manner."

EXPEDITION AGAi'nST TAMPICO. 277

The same communication of the Secretary, from which the
foregoing extracts are made, sets forth the plan of the govern-
ment in the prosecution of the war. This plan was subse-
quently modified, but as the instructions concerning it were
partially fulfilled, they are here inserted as a necessary expla-
nation of General Taylor's movements. The Secretary says:

"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 enterprize, 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 w^ill be sufficient for this purpose — one third
of which should be of the regular army.

" We have not now sufficiently accurate knowledge of the
country to determine definitely as to the manner of conducting
this enterprize. The dangerous 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 communica-
tion with our ships in the gulf. Should this land route be
adjudged impracticable, or a debarkation be preferred, two
points of landing have been suggested, one at the Bay of Sant-
ander, 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
employed on this service.

<' It is not proposed to withdraw any of that now with you
in your advance into the interior, nor to divert any of the rein-
forcements 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 sea-board, including such companies as may have
been left on the lower Rio Grande, and can be spared for that

278 INSTRUCTIONS TO GEN. PATTERSON.

purpose. If a column should advance beyond that river into
the interior of Tamaulipas, 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 invasion of
Tamaulipas under the imm.ediate command of Major General
Patterson, to be accompanied by Brigadier Generals Pillow and
Shields, unless it should interfere with your previous arrange-
ment with regard to these officers. To prevent delay, General
Patterson will be directed to make preparations for this move-
ment, so far as it can be done without disturbing your present
arrangements on the Rio Grande, and proceed immediately,
and without 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 ne-
cessary to receive information from you and return an answer
from the department, may be the propitious moment for ope-
rating 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 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 him your views in
regard to the last mode of prosecuting this expedition, parti-
cularly as to the amount and description of force, and the
quantity and kind of ordnance, &c., &c., which may be re-
quired. Preparatory arrangements will be immediately ordered
here for fitting out the expedition therein proposed, by which
transports, provisions, &c., will be in readiness at the Brazos
Santiago. By the time this communication will be received
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

PROSECUTION OF THE WAR. 279

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 Tam-
pico, with every prospect of success, and the probability is that
the place will be captured in advance of General Patterson's
movement."

On the same day that General Taylor was thus addressed,
the Secretary wrote to General Patterson that, unless General
Taylor had made arrangements to employ him otherwise, it
was designed that the expedition against the State of Tamau-
lipas should be under his immediate command. The Secretary
added, ''As soon as you shall learn from General Taylor that
a sufficient force for the enterprize can be spared, and receive
his directions in regard to it, you will lose no time in putting
them in execution. If General Taylor should not give direc-
tions as to moving by land or water, the choice will then be
left for your determination."

On the 13th of October, the Secretary addressed General
Taylor in reference to the capitulation of Monterey, in which
he expressed the "President's regret that it was not deemed
advisable to insist on the terms first proposed." And after fur-
ther remarks he proceeds to say :

" As the offer recently made by the United States to open
negotiations for a peace was not acceded to by the present
rulers of Mexico, but reserved to be submitted to and acted
on by a congress to be assembled on the 6th of December
next, it was deemed by the government here highly important,
that the war in the mean time should be prosecuted with the
utmost vigour, to the end that they might be made sensible of
the evils of its continuance, and thereby become more inclined
to bring it to a speedy close. In pursuance of this policy an
expedition was proposed, in my despatch of the 22d ult., for
the purpose of taking possession of the entire Department of ■
Tamaulipas, and, under the belief that it would not interfere
with your plans and operations, no doubt was entertained that
24*

280 DESIGNS OF THE GOVERNMENT.

it would receive your concurrence and support. In anticipa-
tion thereof, measures have been already taken to carry it out
at the earliest practicable period.

" By the arrangement you have made for a temporary sus-
pension of hostilities, 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 thereby
delayed, or if prosecuted by the land or naval forces, might
bring into question the good faith of the United States.

^'-In the despatch before referred to, you will perceive that
an attack by our naval force upon some places on the coast of
Tamaulipas is also contemplated. Whatever may be the ad-
vantage or the necessity of the co-operation of a land force,
it must be withheld until near the close of November, if the
armistice is continued to the end of the stipulated period.

" The government is fully persuaded that, if you had been
aware of the special reasons disclosed in the despatch of the
22d ultimo, and the intentions of the government, still enter-
tained, you would not have acceded to the suspension of hos-
tilities for even the limited period specified in the articles of
capitulation ; but as its continuance depends on the orders of
your government, you are instructed to give the requisite no-
tice that the armistice is to cease at once, and that each party
is at liberty to resume and prosecute hostilities without restric-
tion.

<' The city of Monterey is regarded as an important acqui-
sition. While held by a competent force, the authorities of
Mexico may be considered as dispossessed of the Department
of New Leon. It is therefore proposed that you should make
the necessary arrangements for retaining possession of it during
the war.

<^ Not only Monterey, but the State of New Leon may, it is
presumed, be regarded as a conquered country, and, as a con-
sequence, the civil authorities of Mexico are in a measure
superseded, or, at least, subject to your control. You will

PLAN AGAINST VERA CRUZ. 281

give this subject your consideration, and permit only such civil
functionaries to retain and exercise power as are well disposed
towards 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.

" The season for carrying on military operations in the
enemy's country lying on the gulf has now arrived. It is
deemed important that we should have possession of the whole
of Tamaulipas before the meeting of the Mexican Congress in
December. It is hoped that the expedition for that purpose,
suggested in my communication of the 22d of September, can
be organized and sent forward without at all interfering with
the contemplated operation of the forces under your immediate
command.

" Among the officers presented to your consideration to be
employed in this expedition was Brigadier General Shields.
Attention was directed to him, by the knowledge that he had
become acquainted with some of the principal inhabitants of
Tamaulipas, and by that means had acquired information which
would have been useful in conducting the enterprize. He has,
however, since received orders to join General Wool, and
probably cannot be conveniently recalled. If this can be done,
and another brigadier sent to General Wool, it might be ad-
vantageous to the public service to make the exchange. This
is, however, left entirely to yourself. As to the employment
of Major General Patterson, and Brigadier General Pillow, the
wishes of the President and Department are unchanged.

<«It is under consideration by the government, though not
yet fully determined, to land a considerable force in the vici-
nity of Vera Cruz, and invest that city. Should this be un-
dertaken, a larger force of regular troops will be required than
that assigned to the Tamaulipas expedition. • It is desired to
know if, in your opinion, a detachment of two thousand of this
description of force can be spared for that purpose from those
under your command, without essentially interfering with youf
plans and operations. It is not desired or intended to weaken
the force with you at Monterey, or to embarrass you by divert-

282 LETTER TO THE WAR DEPARTMENT.

ing troops from the Rio Grande, which you may deem neces-
sary as reinforcements to the execution of your own contem-
plated operations."

In answer to the instructions of the Secretary, under date
of the 22d of September, General Taylor wrote on the 13th
of October that, under the terms of the capitulation, he could
not detach a force south of a line from Linares to San Fer-
nando. He therefore requested modified instructions. On the
15th of October, General Taylor wrote the following full, very
able, and spirited letter to the War Department. It merits
attention on three grounds : 1st, the views of the author con-
cerning his own movements ; 2d, concerning an attack on
Vera Cruz ; and, 3d, concerning his rights as commander.
On the second head, experience has now justified his decided
opinions. Had the operations against Mexico, through Vera
Cruz, been effected by an army of twenty-five thousand men,
it is unnecessary to say that, although the ultimate result might
not have been different, the immediate effect of the presence
of such a force would probably have saved time and treasure,
and certainly the sacrifice of thousands of lives.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Camp near Monterey, Oct. 15, 1846,

"Sir: — In my acknowledgment, dated the 12th instant, of
the instructions of the Secretary of War, of September 22d,
I briefly stated that the detachment to Tampico could not be
made without contravening the convention of Monterey.
Other reasons and more detailed views on this point and the
general question of the campaign, I left to a subsequent com-
munication, which I have now^ the honour to submit for the in-
formation 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 w^ish to remark, first of all, that I have considered Bri-
gadier General Wool, though formally under my orders, yet
as charged by the government w^ith a distinct operation, with

PROPOSED ADVANCE ON SAN LUIS. 283

which I was not at liberty to interfere. Though greatly in
doubt as to the practicability of his reaching Chihuahua with
artillery, and deeming the importance of the operation at any
rate to be not at all commensurate with its difficulty and ex-
pense, I have accordingly refrained from controlling his move-
ments in any w-ay. His force, therefore, forms no element in
my calculations, particularly as it now is, or soon will be, en-
tirely beyond my reach.

" The Mexican army under General Ampudia has left Sal-
tillo, 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 en-
gaged in concentrating 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 supplies and support, or
whether it be a political movement, 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 assem-
bling in our front. Saltillo, the capital of Coahuila, is virtu-
ally in our possession, and can be occupied, if necessary, the
moment the convention is at an end. The occupation of Sal-
tillo will lengthen our line seventy-five miles, but, on the other
hand, may enable us to draw at least a portion of our bread-
stuffs from the country. San Luis is about three hundred
miles from Saltillo, perhaps more.

" San Luis is a city of some 60,000 inhabitants, 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 hun-
dred miles from the Rio Grande, which must continue to be
the base of our operation, at least until w^e reach San Luis.

"In view" of the above facts, I hazard nothing in saying,
that a column to move on San Luis from Saltillo, should, to
ensure success, be at least 20,000 strong, of w^hich 10,000
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 incurring the hazard of

284 TAYLOR'S FORCE INADEQUATE.

disaster and perhaps defeat. There would be required, be-
sides, to keep open our long line, protect the depots, and se-
cure the country already gained, a force of 5000 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 remem-
bered 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. Sal-
tillo may be considered 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 calculation I have supposed the Mexicans
able to concentrate at San Luis a force of 40,000 to 50,000
men. With tolerable 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 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 9000 men, or, adding 4000 regulars, (our pre-
sent strength is not 3000,) a total force of 13,000. Leaving
the very moderate number of 3000 to secure our rear, I should
not be able to march from Saltillo, with present and expected
means, at the head of more than 10,000 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.

VIEWS OF FUTURE OPERATIONS. 285

pointj it is quite impossible to march on both, and that nothing
short of an effective force of 25,000 to 30,000 men would, on
military principles, justify the double 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 permanently, 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 ne-
cessary for the prosecution of the campaign beyond Saltillo.
It will be understood that largely increased means and mate-
rial of every kind will be equally necessary to render the army
efficient, such as cavalry and artillery horses, means of trans-
portation, ordnance stores, &c.

"The Department may be assured that the above 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 determine whether the war shall be prosecuted
by directing 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 gen-
eral 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 3000 or
4000 men, particularly of the description required for that ope-
ration. 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 expedition 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 should give my views as to the

286 PLAN AGAINST THE CAPITAL.

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 coun-
try, and particularly in view of the unsettled and revolutionary
character of the Mexican Government, the occupation of such
a line seems to me the best course that can be adopted. The
line taken might either be that 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 w^ould be required for an active campaign. Monterey
controls the great outlet from the interior; a strong garrison
at this point, with an advance at Saltillo, and small corps at
Monclova, Linares, Victoria, 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 campaign against San
Luis Potosi ; the suggestions in the Secretary's letter being
confined to this general theatre of operations. Should the
Government determine to strike a decisive blow at Mexico, it
is my opinion that the force should land near Vera Cruz or Al-
varado, 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 25,000 men, of
which at least 10,000 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 sub-
mitting. I feel it due to my position, and to the service, to
record my protest against the manner in which the Department
has sought to make an important detachment from my com-
mand, 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 responsible by the Government and
the country for the conduct of its operations, I must claim the

SUBJECT OF FORCED SUPPLIES. 287

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 cor-
responding directly with my subordinates, and communicating
orders and instructions on points which, by all military precept
and practice, pertain exclusively to the general-in-chief com-
mand. Confusion and disaster alone can result from such a
course. The reason alleged, viz., the loss of time in commu-
nicating with General Patterson, has no application ; for the
Secretary's despatch came from that officer to my head-quarters
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 per-
sonal application. It is quite probable that, in the event of
making such a detachment, I w^ould have placed it under Ma-
jor General Patterson ; but I conceive that this mode of regu-
lating details, and ordering detachments direct from the De-
partment 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 Gen. U. S. A., commanding.

The Adjutant General of the Army, Washington, D. C."

On the subject of forced supplies from the enemy's country,
General Taylor, on the 26th of October, replied to the Secre-
tary's suggestions in his letter of the 22d of September, that it
would have been impossible before, and was then, to sustain
the army to any extent by forced contributions of money or
supplies. The country between the Rio Grande and Sierra
Madre being poor, furnishing only corn and beef, these arti-
cles were obtained at moderate rates ; but if a different system
had been adopted, it was certain, in General Taylor's opinion,
that they would not have been procured at all in sufficient quan-
25

^8S GENERAL WOOL's DIVISION.

titles. The prompt payment in cash for the few articles of sup-
ply drawn from the country neutralized much of the unfriendly
feeling with which the army was regarded, and contributed
greatly to facilitate operations. The people had it in their
power, at any time, to destroy their crops, and would undoubt-
edly have done so, rather than see them taken forcibly. Added
to which they would have had no inducements to plant again.
The prices paid were reasonable, being, in almost all cases, the
prices of the country.

General Taylor added, to these views, " should the army, in
its future operations, reach a portion of the country which may
be made to supply the troops with advantage, I shall not fail
to conform to the wishes and instructions of the department m
this particular."

In compliance with instructions of the government. General
Taylor formally notified the Mexican general-in-chief that the
armistice would cease on the 13th of November.

The movements of General Wool's Division, in Northern
Mexico, have not yet been noticed in the recital of General Tay-
lor's operations, as they had, until the winter of 1846, no im-
mediate connection with them. In November, however. Ge-
neral Wool had approached near enough to General Taylor's
position to make his further advance important to the latter.
The force under General Wool consisted of Kentucky, Illinois,
and Arkansas volunteers, chiefly cavalry, and a battalion of
regular artillery, with six field-pieces, the whole number of
men being about twenty-four hundred. This column had pur-
sued a very long and fatiguing march, sustaining with great
fortitude its share in the invasion of Mexico. It reached Mon-
clova, distant in a direct line about one hundred miles north
of Saltillo, and about seventy miles north-west of Monterey,
on the 31st of October.

worth's march to saltillo. 289

CHAPTER XVI.

March of Worth's Division for Saltillo — Taylor's Instructions — His reasons for
holding Saltillo — Opinion regarding the Expedition against Vera Cruz — The
Forces necessary — Taylor visits Saltillo — Protest of the Governor — Relative
position of the Divisions — Tampico occupied — Taylor sets out for Victoria
with Twiggs' and Quitman's Brigades — Returns with the former — Concen-
tration at Saltillo — Arrival of Wool's Division expected — Taylor marches
again for Victoria with Twiggs' Division — Occupation of Victoria — Forces
there — Government Plans against Vera Cruz — Letter from General Scott to
General Taylor — Forces withdrawn from General Taylor — Address to his
Troops — Loss of May's Rear-guard — Capture of Majors Borland, Gaines,
and C. M. Clay — Affairs of Mexico — Activity of Santa Anna — His advance
to San Luis — General Wool's Camp — Taylor's advance to Saltillo — Camp
at Agua Nueva — At Buena Vista — Enumeration of Santa Anna's Forces —
of Taylor's Forces.

On the 12th of November, a division, commanded by Ge-
neral Worth, composed of two regiments of infantry, one
company of volunteers, a field-battery of eight pieces, and
eight companies of artillery, marched from Monterey for Sal'-
tillo. General Taylor had instructed General Wool to remain
at Monclova, to await his own arrival at Saltillo, there to de-
termine what disposition he would make of the column at the
former place. It was the purpose of General Taylor, at the
same time, to accompany an expedition against Tampico, for
which he had taken preliminary steps. The information he
had received of the difficulty of obtaining water on the road
from Saltillo to San Luis, left him in doubt of the expediency of
attempting any further advance into Mexico in that direction.
On the day of General Worth's march from Monterey, (the
12th) General Taylor, intending to follow him on the next, to
determine his further plans, addressed the War Department,
showing the propriety of occupying Saltillo, even though no
movement should be made beyond it. He said :

" Without active operations towards San Luis Potosi from
this quarter, I still deem the occupation of Saltillo important
for three reasons : first, as a necessary outpost of the main
force at Monterey, covering, as it does, the important defile
which leads from the low country to the table land, and also

290 REVIEW OF

the route to Monclova ; secondly, as controlling a region from
which we may expect considerable supplies of breadstuffs and
cattle, viz., the fertile country around Parras ; and, thirdly, as
the capital of Coahuila, which renders it very important in a
political point of view.

"I have already represented to the Department the difficul-
ties to be encountered in a forward movement upon San Luis,
and the amount of force which would be necessary to ensure
success. Those reasons only apply to the country beyond Sal-
tillo. I consider the occupation of that point as a necessary
complement 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."

In the same communication he stated, with regard to the
then proposed expedition against Vera Cruz, as he had before,
that twenty-five thousand troops, ten thousand being regular,
would be properly required to take possession of Vera Cruz,
and march thence against the city of Mexico. But for the
mere occupation of the former, he expressed to the Secretary
the opinion that ten thousand troops would suffice. Regard-
ing the means by which such a force could be raised, he stated
the whole ten thousand could not be spared from the occupa-
tion of the line of the Sierra Madre ; four thousand might be
diverted from that object ; and that if to these six thousand fresh
troops from the United States w^ere added at the proper time,
the expedition might be undertaken with a promise of success.
He proposed, therefore, to proceed with the preparation for a
movement on Tampico, and, after accomplishing every thing
to be done in that quarter, to hold, if the Department approved,
four thousand men, of which there might be three thousand
regulars, ready to embark at some point on the coast, and effect
a junction with the additional force from the States. The
movement towards Tampico, he considered, would not pro-
duce any delay if his views were adopted ; and he considered
it quite important to occupy Victoria, and the lowTr portion of
Tamaulipas, after securing properly the Hne to be held in that
quarter.

ADVANCE TO SALTILLO. 291

On the 13th of November, General Taylor followed General
Worth's Division to Saltillo, escorted by two squadrons of
dragoons. This town is the capital of the State of Coahuila,
and is distant sixty- five miles south-west from Monterey. As
soon as he had crossed the line of the State, General Taylor
was met by a messenger from the Governor, with the following
protest against his advance :

Saltillo, Nov. 16, 1846.
God and Liberty !

The movement you are making with the forces under your
command, leaves no doubt that your object 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 without oppo-
sition, and compel me to retire from it ; but in doing so, I
ought, and I desire to place upon record, 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 territory occupied
by their arms — for the outrages and damages which may accrue
to the persons and property of the inhabitants of these defence-
less towns — for the injuries the public interests may suffer —
and for all the evils consequent upon the most unjustifiable in-
vasion ever known to the world.

JosE Marie de Aguirre.

Major General Taylor, General-in-chief of
the Army of the United States.

General Taylor, whatever he may have thought of this really
pathetic document, proceeded to Saltillo, which General Worth
had reached on the 16th, and occupied without opposition.

A reconnoissance was made of the country about twenty- five
miles in front, and, at the same time, one projected of the Par-
ras route as far as Patos — a rich hacienda about thirty-five miles
from Saltillo.

The division at Saltillo covered the direct route from San
25*

292 HIS RETURN TO MONTEREY.

Luis Potosi. The other route would be covered by a force at
Parras, which would, at the same time, control abundant sup-
plies to be drawn from the neighbouring country — the richest
of the north of Mexico. Brig. Gen. Wool being in position
at Monclova, and it being fully ascertained that he could not
march thence on Chihuahua, even were it desired, General
Taylor ordered him to move on Parras. It was his intention
thus completely to occupy and cover the State of Coahuila,
and in case of active operations towards the interior, to be in
position to march on San Luis, Zacatecas, or Durango. Having
made these dispositions, and left wdth General Worth a squad-
ron of dragoons. General Taylor returned about the 20th to
Monterey..

On the 25th he learned officially of the occupation of Tam-
pico, on the 14th of the same month, by the naval forces under
Commodore Perry. He had before learned that the garrison
had been withdrawn on the 27th of October. On the requi-
sition of Commodore Perry, General Patterson promptly gave
orders for Lieut. Col. Belton's battalion (six companies) to
proceed to and garrison Tampico ; and also took measures to
ship thither a sufficient supply of heavy ordnance and provi-
sions. These orders were fully approved by General Taylor,
and he directed a regiment of volunteers to be added to the
garrison.

General Taylor still made his dispositions to throw forward
a force as far as Victoria, with the view of examining the
country, and particularly the passes which lead from Linares,
and other points, towards the interior. All his plans for the
occupation of Victoria, and the retention of the line already
acquired, were matured with profound consideration of both
means and ends. As set forth in his despatches they exhibit
foresight, prudence, and comprehensive judgment of details
bearing on one great purpose. Circumstances occurred, how-
ever, to change the character, and reduce the number of his
troops, and thus to affiict his main scheme. The despatches,
therefore, touching his preparations and objects in the occupa-
tion of Victoria, would, in this place, only postpone other mat-

ALARMS AND COUNTER MOVEMENTS. 293

ter, which has paramount interest. It is sufficient to say that
they are among the ablest papers addressed by him to the go-
vernment.

Monterey was made the head-quarters of General Butler, and
on the 15th of December General Taylor set out for Victoria,
having previously put in motion the troops destined for that
point. At Monteraorelos, a junction was effected on the 17th
with the 2d infantry, and 2d regiment of Tennessee foot from
Camargo, and it was his intention, with the whole force, about
three thousand men, to march on the 19th for Victoria. But
the evening of his arrival at Montemorelos a despatch arrived
from General Worth, commanding at Saltillo, with the intelli-
gence that Santa Anna designed to take advantage of the di-
version of force towards Victoria, and by a rapid movement
to strike a heavy blow at Saltillo, and if successful, then at
General Wool's force at Parras. Under these circumstances,
and with no means of judging how far this information might
be well-founded. General Taylor deemed it proper to return to
Monterey, with the regular force, and thus be in a position to
reinforce Saltillo, if necessary. The volunteers under Brig.
Gen. Quitman, reinforced by a field-battery, were ordered to
continue their march, and effect a junction with Gen. Patterson
at Victoria, while General Taylor returned to Monterey with
General Twiggs' Division, then increased by the 2d infantry.

In the mean time, General Butler and Brig. Gen. Wool,
having been advised by General Worth of a probable attack
upon his position, moved rapidly to join him, with all available
force, at Parras and Monterey, while orders were despatched
by General Butler to hasten up troops from the rear. The lat-
ter general proceeded in person to Saltillo, and assumed the
command, agreeably to General Taylor's instructions, given
before his departure, to meet such a contingency.

General Taylor had proceeded beyond Monterey, on his
way to Saltillo, when he was met, on the 20th, by a despatch
from Saltillo, announcing the early arrival of General Wool's
column, and also that the expected concentration and move-
ment of the Mexican troops upon that position had not taken

294 OCCUPATION OF VICTORIA.

place. Deeming the force present and expected at Saltillo
sufficient to repel any demonstration from San Luis Potosi,
General Taylor thought it unnecessary to throw forward Gen.
Twiggs' Division to that place, and, on the 16th of December,
again marched with it towards Victoria.

On the 29th, General Quitman occupied Victoria without
resistance. The enemy had a body of some fifteen hundred
cavalry in the town, but which fell back as General Quitman
approached. General Taylor arrived there, with the division
of General Twiggs, on the 4th of January, and was joined on
the same day by the force which General Patterson conducted
from Matamoros. The force collected there was upward of
five thousand strong.

While General Taylor w^as thus maturing his operations,
according to his plans already referred to, the government had
determined to concentrate the largest possible number of regu-
lars and experienced volunteers in the attack upon Vera Cruz.
General Scott was charged with the command of the expedi-
tion, and immediately took measures to secure its success.
How those measures necessarily affected General Taylor's force
is partly shown in the following extracts from a letter addressed
to him by General Scott from New York, on the 25th of No-
vember. It is proper to remark, that the letter was marked
" private and confidential," but was afterwards published with
other correspondence of the War Department. General Scott
said :

"By the 12th of December I may be in New Orleans, at
Point Isabel the 17th, and Camargo 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 circum-
stances may prevent your coming to me. I shall much regret
not having an early opportunity of felicitating you in person
upon your many brilliant achievements; but we may meet
somewhere in the interior of Mexico.

" I am not coming, my dear general, to supersede you in the
immediate command on the line of operations rendered illus-
trious by you and your gallant army. My proposed theatre is

TAYLOR'S TROOPS WITHDRAWN. 295

different. You may imagine it, and I wish very much that it
were prudent, at this distance, to tell you all that I expect to
attempt or hope to execute, I have been admonished that de-
spatches have been lost, and I have no special messenger at
hand. Your imagination will be aided by the letters of the
Secretary of War, conveyed by Mr. Armistead, Major Graham,
and Mr. McLane.

" But, my dear general, I shall be obliged to take from you
most of the gallant officers and men (regulars and volunteers)
whom you have so long and so nobly commanded. I am
afraid that I shall, by imperious necessity — the approach of
yellow fever on the Gulf coast — reduce you, for a time, to stand
on the defensive. This will be infinitely painful to you, and
for that reason distressing to me. But I rely upon your pa-
triotism to submit to the temporary sacrifice with cheerfulness.
No man can better afford to do so. Recent victories place
you on that high eminence, and I even flatter myself that any
benefit that may result to me, personally, from the unequal di-
vision of troops alluded to, will lessen the pain of your conse-
quent inactivity.

"You will be aware of the recent call for nine regiments of
new volunteers — including one of Texas horse. The Presi-
dent may soon ask for many more, and we are not without
hope that Congress may add ten or twelve to the regular estab-
lishment. These, by the spring, say April, may, by the aid of
large bounties, be in the field — should Mexico not earlier pro-
pose terms of accommodation ; and long before the spring
(March) it is probable you will be again in force to resume
offensive operations.

" Your detailed report of the operations at Monterey, and
reply to the Secretary's despatch, by Lieutenant Armistead,
were both received two days after I was instructed to proceed
south."

In consequence of the plan thus declared, the regular troops,
with the exception of a very small body of the troops which
composed his army in the month of November, the division
of General Worth at Saltillo, of General Patterson at Victoria,

296 ADDRESS TO HIS TROOPS.

the brigades of Generals Quitman and Twiggs at the same
place, and all other corps which could possibly be drawn from
the field of operations, of which the Rio Grande was the base,
were ordered to Vera Cruz. To maintain his position at Sal-
tillo. General Taylor had about five thousand men, only five
hundred being regulars. On parting with the troops who had
so faithfully served with him, he issued an order which in these
terms expressed his feelings :

<' It is with deep sensibility that the commanding general
finds himself separated from the troops he so long commanded.
To those corps, regular and volunteer, who have shared with
him the active services of the field, he feels the attachment
due to such associations, while to those who are making their
first campaign, he must express his regret that he cannot par-
ticipate with them in its eventful scenes. To all, both officers
and men, he extends his heartfelt wishes for their continued
success and happiness, confident that their achievements on
another theatre will redound to the credit of their country and
its arms."

Captain May, on the route from Monterey to Victoria, having
been ordered to examine the country on the south, and ascer-
tain whether there was a pass in the mountains in that direc-
tion, lost eleven men of his rear-guard, who were cut oflf by
a party of the enemy. The command of Captain May con-
sisted of only two companies of dragoons ; and the misfortune
occurred on a mountain road, in a defile so narrow that only
one horse could pass it at a time. The enemy was at no time
seen by the main body, which was in advance. This affair
occurred near Victoria, in the latter part of December. An-
other trifling success was enjoyed by the enemy on a subse-
quent day. Major Borland, with a detachment of fifty Ark-
ansas cavalry, and Major Gaines and Cassius M. Clay, with
thirty men, were surprised by an overwhelming body of Mexi-
can cavalry at the hacienda of Encarnacion, about forty-five
miles south of Saltillo, and taken prisoners. Early in January
General Taylor left Victoria with a small escort, and returned
to Monterey, where he established his head- quarters.

SANTA anna's ADVANCE. 297

While the United States were making preparations to attack
Vera Cruz, and maintain the positions gained by the northern
divisions of the army, under Taylor, Wool, and Kearney,
Mexico was also preparing for a decisive blow. In December,
the Mexican Congress, convened under the restored Constitu-
tion of 1824, assembled in the capital. After considerable
discussion, Santa Anna was elected Provisional President, and
Gomez Farias, Vice President of the Republic. The com-
mand of the army was undertaken by Santa Anna personally.
From the moment of his arrival in Mexico, on his return from
Havana, his labours had been incessant to restore domestic
order, to unite parties, to devise measures of finance, and to
raise and equip troops. An attempt to obtain pecuniary aid
from the church was bitterly opposed by the Primate of Mexico,
and, of course, by the subordinate clergy, who, failing at first
in simple remonstrances, succeeded finally by the exercise of
their spiritual power. Notwithstanding this and every other
embarrassment, Santa Anna had concentrated at San Luis
Potosi, before the end of January, 1847, an army of more
than twenty-one thousand men, prepared to march thence
against the divisions of General Taylor's force between Sal-
tillo and the Rio Grande. On the first of February, Santa
Anna with his array was moving rapidly upon that town, up-
wards of three hundred miles distant from San Luis. The
march was arduous, not only on account of this distance, but
from the want of water and provisions, and the severity of the
winter weather. Unworthy of respect as the Mexican com-
mander has in many instances proved, it is proper to accord
him in this the honour of extraordinary energy and ability.
On the 20th of February he reached Encarnacion, and the
next day his advance on Saltillo was resumed.

General Wool had continued in command of the division
of the American army at Saltillo. Near the end of January
he advised General Taylor of the rumoured advance of Santa
Anna, then organizing his forces at San Luis, as has been men-'
tioned. In consequence of this information, although at that
time indefinite, General Taylor determined at once to meet the

298 IVTEXICAN AND AMERICAN FORCES.

euemy, if opportunity should be offered ; and, leaving a gar-
rison of fifteen hundred men at Monterey, he took up his line
of march on the 31st, with a reinforcement for the column of
General Wool. On the 2d of February he reached Saltillo,
and on the 4th proceeded to Agua Nueva, twenty miles south
of that city, on the San Luis road, where he encamped until
the 21st. On this day, having learned from McCulloch's spies
that the Mexicans were advancing in force, he fell back twelve
miles nearer to Saltillo, to a better position in a defile of the
mountains called Angostura, and facing the hacienda of Buena
Vista. At this place he awaited the approach of Santa Anna,
then within one day's march of it.

The army of Santa Anna, when organized by him at San
Luis, was composed, according to Mexican authorities, of the
following corps : —

Sappers, miners, and artillerists, with nineteen guns of heavy calibre. .. 650

First, third, fourth, fifth, tenth, and eleventh regiments of the Une, and "> „ „ .

first and third of light troops. 3 >'^*"

Fourth light troops, first active Celaya ; ditto of Guadalajara ; ditto ^ » onn

of Lagos ; ditto of Queretaro ; ditto of Mexico. 3 '

Parrodi's division, with three pieces of heavy artillery 1 ,000

Cavalry, (on the march) 6,000

Artillery, (on the march) 250

Mejia's division 4,000

Total 21,340

The brigades of Generals Minon and Juvera are not included
in this enumeration, but it was diminished about one thousand
by casualties, sickness, and desertion on the march.

To oppose the advance of this army — of the force of which
Taylor was not informed — he had at Buena Vista the following
corps : —

First Dragoons 114

Second Dragoons 72

A rkansas Cavalry 392

Kentucky Cavalry 265

Total Cavalry 843

Third Artillery 142

Fourth Artillery 106

Total Artillery 248

/. A

THE GROUND- OF BUENA VISTA. 299

Artillery and Cavalry 1091

Second Kentucky Infantry 516

Mississippi Riflemen 328

Indiana Brigade 1036

First Illinois Foot 519

Second Illinois Foot 496

Total Foot 2895

Texas Volunteers 53

McCulloch's Spies 24

Total Regiments or Corps 4063

General Staff 10

Total eflfective force 4073

Thus, the American array under Taylor was one-fifth the
numerical force of the Mexican army under Santa Anna, when
the latter approached the field of Buena Vista.

CHAPTER XVII.

Taylor's Position at Buena Vista — Washington's Birth-day — Summons of Santa
Anna to Taylor to Surrender — The Reply — Taylor's Detailed Report of the
Battle — His order of Battle on the 22d — Skirmishes — Minon's Cavalry in
the Rear — Battle on the 23d — Attack of the Enemy on the Left and Centre
—Partial success of the Attack — Service of the Artillery — Repulse of the
Enemy — Ruse of Santa Anna — Death of Yell and Vaughan — Renewed At-
tacks of the Enemy — Bragg's Battery — The Day saved — Death of Hardin,
McKee, Lincoln, and Clay — Incidents after the Battle — Comparative Losses
—General Wool and other Officers and Corps distinguished — Official Return
of Loss — Private Letter to General Butler — Taylor's Views of the Battle^ —
Congratulatory Orders — Letters to Henry Clay and Governor Lincoln — Re-
joicings in the United States — Mr. Crittenden — Repulse of Urrea and Romaro
by Major Giddings — Taylor's pursuit of them — Return to his Head-quarters
— Public Estimation of Taylor — The Presidency — His Personal Views as a
Candidate — Concluding Remarks on his Character.

The position selected by General Taylor to receive with his
small army of volunteers the vastly superior force of the Mexi-
can chief, was one of remarkable natural strength. It was at
a point where the main road from San Luis to Saltillo passes
between closely approximating chains of mountains. The
26

300 TAYLOR SUMMONED -TO SURRENDER.

bases of these mountains are cut, by the occasional torrents of
rain, into numerous deep gullies, almost impassable, owing to
the ruggedness and steepness of the banks, leaving between
them elevated table-lands, or plateaus, of various extent. On
the west of the road, and nearly parallel to it, between Agua
Nueva and Buena Vista, is also a ditch, forming one of the
mountain drains on that side. The American army was drawn
up at nearly right angles to the road, its chief force being on
the east of it, occupying a large plateau commanding the
mountain side. Facing the south, this force constituted the
left wing. A battery of light artillery occupied the road, and
the right wing rested on the opposite hill.

In this attitude General Taylor awaited the advance of Santa
Anna, on the morning of the 22d of February, a day dear to
American memories, as that which gave Washington to his
country. It is reasonable to believe that it was not forgotten
on the field of Buena Vista ; and that the four thousand men
there arrayed to oppose five times their number, and to hear
for the first time the din of hostile arms, recalled the name of
him whose glory is a heritage worthy of a nation's dearest
blood. The enemy was soon descried moving in large masses,
the host of cavalry conspicuous from the forest of their lances
glittering under a cloudless sun. An hour before noon the
head of their columns had approached within two miles of the
American position. At this movement a white flag was seen
advancing from the Mexican front, and its bearer was soon in
the presence of General Taylor. He presented the General
the following letter :

Camp at Encantada, February 22, 1847.
God and Liberty !

You are surrounded by 20,000 men, and cannot, in any
human probability, avoid suffering a rout, and being cut to
pieces with your troops ; but as you deserve consideration and
particular esteem, I wish to save you from a catastrophe, and
for that purpose give you this notice, in order that you may
surrender at discretion, under the assurance that you will be
treated with the consideration belonging to the Mexican char-

BATTLE-GROUKD AND VICINITY

BUHMA TE^TAo

FEBRUARY 22d AND 23d, 184 7.

REFERENCES.

A. Right of the American Army.

B. Battery of light artillery posted on the road.

C. Left of the American Army on the " plateau."

D. D. Mexican Army before the battle on the 22d.

(To face page 3W.)

THE REPLY TO THE SUMMONS. 301

acter, 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.
Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna.

To General Z. Taylor,

Commanding the Forces of the U. S.

To this summons General Taylor immediately replied in
these terms — an admirable example of decision without pre-
sumption.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Near Buena Vista, February 22, 1847.

Sir : In reply to your note of this date, summoning me to
surrender my forces at discretion, I beg leave to say that I de-
cline acceding to your request.

With high respect, I am, sir, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Major General U. S. Army, commanding.

Senor Gen. D. Antonia Lopez de Santa Akna,
Commander-in-chief, La Encantada.

With this introduction to the battle of Buena Vista, General
Taylor's detailed report of it is given, as sufficiently compre-
hensive, and the most proper for these pages.

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation.
Agua Nueva, March 6, 1847.

Sir : I have the honour to submit a detailed report of the
operations of the forces under my command, which resulted in
the engagement of Buena Vista, the repulse of the Mexican
army, and the reoccupation of this position.

The information which reached me of the advance and con-
centration of a heavy Mexican force in my front, had assumed
such a probable form, as to induce a special examination far
beyond the reach of our pickets to ascertain its correctness. A
small party of Texan spies, under Major McCulloch, de-
spatched to the hacienda of Encarnacion, thirty miles from this,
on the route to San Luis Potosi, had reported a cavalry force
of unknown strength at that place. On the 20th of February, a
26*

302 AMERICAN LINE OF BATTLE.

strong reconnoissance under Lieutenant Colonel May was de-
spatched to the hacienda of Heclionda, while Major McCulloch
made another examination of Encarnacion. The result of these
expeditions left no doubt that the enemy was in large force at
Encarnacion, under the orders of General Santa Anna, and
that he meditated a forward movement and attack upon our
position.

As the camp of AguaNueva could be turned on either flank,
and as the enemy's force was greatly superior to our own, par-
ticularly in the arm of cavalry, I determined, after much con-
sideration, to take up a position about eleven miles in rear, and
there await the attack. The army broke up its camp and
marched at noon on the 21st, encamping at the new position a
little in front of the hacienda of Buena Vista. With a small
force I proceeded to Saltillo, to make some necessary arrange-
ments for the defence of the town, leaving Brigadier General
Wool in the immediate command of the troops.

Before those arrangements were completed, on the morning
of the 22d, I was advised that the enemy was in sight, ad-
vancing. Upon reaching the ground it was found that his
cavalry advance was in our front, having marched from En-
carnacion, as we have since learned, at 11 o'clock on the day
previous, and driving in a mounted force left at Agua Nueva
to cover the removal of public stores. Our troops were in posi-
tion, occupying a line of remarkable strength. The road at
this point becomes a narrow defile, the valley on its right being
rendered quite impracticable for artillery by a system of deep
and impassable gullies, while on the left a succession of rugged
ridges and precipitous ravines extends far back toward the
mountain which bounds the valley. The features of the ground
were such as nearly to paralyze the artillery and cavalry of the
enemy, while his infantry could not derive all the advantage
of its numerical superiority. In this position we prepared to
receive him. Captain Washington's battery (4th artillery) was
posted to command the road, while the 1st and 2d Illinois
regiments, under Colonels Hardin and Bissell, each eight com-
panies (to the latter of which was attached Captain Conner's

SKIRMISH ON THE 22d. 303

company of Texas volunteers), and the 2d Kentucky, under
Colonel McKee, occupied the crests of the ridges on the left
and in rear. The Arkansas and Kentucky regiments of cavalry,
commanded by Colonels Yell and H. Marshall, occupied the
extreme left near the base of the mountain, while the Indiana
brigade, under Brigadier General Lane (composed of the 2d
and 3d regiments, under Colonels Bowles and Lane), the Mis-
sissippi riflemen, under Colonel Davis, the squadrons of the 1st
and 2d dragoons, under Captain Steen and Lieutenant Colonel
May, and the light batteries of Captains Sherman and Bragg,
3d artillery, were held in reserve.

At eleven o'clock I received from General Santa Anna a
summons to surrender at discretion, which, with a copy of my
reply,! have already transmitted. The enemy still forbore his
attack, evidently waiting for the arrival of his rear columns,
which could be distinctly seen by our look-outs as they ap-
proached the field. A demonstration made on his left caused
me to detach the 2d Kentucky regiment and a section of artil-
lery to our right, in which position they bivouacked for the
night. In the mean time the Mexican light troops had engaged
ours on the extreme left (composed of parts of the Kentucky
and Arkansas cavalry dismounted, and a rifle battalion from
the Indiana brigade, under Major Gorman, the whole com-
manded by Colonel Marshall), and kept up a sharp fire, climb-
ing the mountain side, and apparently endeavouring to gain
our flank. Three pieces of Captain Washington's battery had
been detached to the left, and were supported by the 2d Indi-
ana regiment. An occasional shell was thrown by the enemy
into this part of our line, but without eflfect. The skirmishing
of the light troops was kept up with trifling loss on our part
until dark, when I became convinced that no serious attack
would be made before the morning, and returned, with the
Mississippi regiment and squadron of 2d dragoons, to Saltillo.
The troops bivouacked without fires, and laid upon their arms.
A body of cavalry, some 1500 strong, had been visible all day
in rear of the town, having entered the valley through a nar-
row pass east of the city. This cavalry, commanded by General

304 BATTLE BEGUN ON 23d.

Minon, had evidently been thrown in our rear to break up and
harass our retreat, and perhaps make some attempt against the
town if practicable. The city was occupied by four excellent
companies of Illinois volunteers, under Major Warren of the
1st regiment. A field-work, which commanded most of the ap-
proaches, was garrisoned by Captain Webster's company, 1st
artillery, and armed with two twenty-four-pound howitzers, while
the train and head-quarter camp w^as guarded by two compa-
nies of Mississippi riflemen, under Captain Rogers, and a field-
piece commanded by Captain Shover, 3d artillery. Having
made these dispositions for the protection of the rear, I pro-
ceeded on the morning of the 23d to Buena Vista, ordering
forward all the other available troops. The action had com-
menced before my arrival on the field.

During the evening and night of the 22d, the enemy had
thrown a body of light troops on the mountain side, with the
purpose of outflanking our left ; and it was here that the action
of the 23d commenced at an early hour. Our riflemen, under
Colonel Marshall, who had been reinforced by three companies
under Major Trail, 2d Illinois volunteers, maintained their
ground handsomely against a greatly superior force, holding
themselves under cover, and using their weapons with deadly
effect. About eight o'clock a strong demonstration was made
against the centre of our position, a heavy column moving
along the road. This force was soon dispersed by a few rapid
and well-directed shots from Captain Washington's battery.
In the mean time the enemy was concentrating a large force of
infantryand cavalry under cover of the ridges, with the obvious
intention of forcing our left, which was posted on an extensive
plateau. The 2d Indiana and 2d Illinois regiments formed
this part of our line, the former covering three pieces of light
artillery, under the orders of Captain O'Brien — Brigadier Gene-
ral Lane being in the immediate command. In order to bring
his men within efTective range. General Lane ordered the artil-
lery and 2d Indiana regiment forward. The artillery advanced
within musket range of a heavy body of Mexican infantry, and
was served against it with great effect, but without being able

SUCCESS OF THE ENEMY. 305

to check its advance. The infantry ordered to its support had
fallen back in disorder, being exposed, as well as the battery,
not only to a severe fire of small arms from the front, but also
to a murderous cross-fire of grape and canister from a Mexican
battery on the left. Captain O'Brien found it impossible to
retain his position without support, but was only able to with-
draw two of his pieces, all the horses and cannoneers of the
third piece being killed or disabled. The 2d Indiana regi-
ment, which had fallen back as stated, could not be rallied,
and took no fartlier part in the action, except a handful of men,
who, under its gallant colonel, Bowles, joined the Mississippi
regiment, and did good service, and those fugitives who, at a
later period in the day, assisted in defending the train and depot
at Buena Vista. This portion of our line having given way,
and the enemy appearing in overwhelming force against our
left flank, the light troops which had rendered such good ser-
vice on the mountain were compelled to withdraw, which they
did, for the most part, in good order. Many, however, were
not rallied until they reached the depot at Buena Vista, to the
defence of which they afterward contributed.

Colonel BisselPs regiment (2d Illinois), which had been
joined by a section Of Captain Sherman's battery, had become
completely outflanked, and was compelled to fall back, being
entirely unsupported. The enemy was now pouring masses
of infantry and cavalry along the base of the mountain on our
left, and was gaining our rear in great force. At this moment I
arrived upon the field. The Mississippi regiment had been
directed to the left before reaching the position, and immedi-
ately came into action against the Mexican infantry which had
turned our flank. The 2d Kentucky regiment, and a section
of artillery under Captain Bragg, had previously been ordered
from the right to reinforce our left, and arrived at a most op-
portune moment. That regiment, and a portion of the 1st
Illinois, under Colonel Hardin, gallantly drove the enemy, and
recovered a portion of the ground we had lost. The batteries
of Captains Sherman and Bragg were in position on the pla-
teau, and did much execution, not only in front, but particu-

306 REPULSE OF THE ENEMY.

larly upon the masses which had gained our rear. Discovering
that the enemy was heavily pressing upon the Mississippi regi-
ment, the 3d Indiana regiment, under Colonel Lane, was de-
spatched to strengthen that part of our line, which formed a
crotchet perpendicular to the first line of battle. At the same
time Lieutenant Kilburn, with a piece of Captain Bragg's bat-
tery, was directed to support the infantry there engaged. The
action was, for a long time, warmly sustained at that point —
the enemy making several efforts, both with infantry and
cavalry, against our line, and being always repulsed with heavy
loss. I had placed all the regular cavalry, and Captain Pike's
squadron of Arkansas horse, under the orders of Brevet Lieu-
tenant Colonel May, w^ith directions to hold in check the ene-
my's column, still advancing to the rear along the base of the
mountain, w^hich was done in conjunction with the Kentucky
and Arkansas cavalry under Colonels Marshall and Yell.

In the mean time our left, w^hich was still strongly threatened by
a superior force, was farther strengthened by the detachment of
Captain Bragg's, and a portion of Captain Sherman's batteries
to that quarter. The concentration of artillery fire upon the
masses of the enemy along the base of the mountain, and the
determined resistance offered by the two regiments opposed to
them, had created confusion in their ranks, and some of the
corps attempted to effect a retreat upon their main line of bat-
tle. The squadron of the 1st dragoons, under Lieutenant
Rucker, was now ordered up the deep ravine which these re-
treating corps were endeavouring to cross, in order to charge
and disperse them. The squadron proceeded to the point in-
dicated, but could not accomplish the object, being exposed
to a heavy fire from a battery established to cover the retreat
of those corps. While the squadron was detached on this ser-
vice, a large body of the enemy was observed to concentrate
on our extreme left, apparently with the view of making a de-^
scent upon the hacienda of Buena Vista, where our train and
baggage were deposited. Lieutenant Colonel May was ordered
to the support of that point, with two pieces of Captain Sher-
man's battery under Lieutenant Reynolds. In the mean time,

RUSE OF SANTA ANNA. 307

the scattered forces near the hacienda, composed in part of
Majors Trail and Gorman's commands, had been, to some ex-
tent, organized under the advice of Major Munroe, chief of
artillery, with the assistance of Major Morrison, -volunteer
staff, and were posted to defend the position. Before our
cavalry had reached the hacienda, that of the enemy had made
its attack ; having been handsomely met by the Kentucky and
Arkansas cavalry under Colonels Marshall and Yell. The
Mexican column immediately divided, one portion sweeping
by the depot, where it received a destructive fire from the force
which had collected there, and then gaining the mountain op-
posite, under a fire from Lieutenant Reynold's section, the re-
maining portion regaining the base of the mountain on our
left. In the charge at Buena Vista, Colonel Yell fell gallantly
at the head of his regiment; we also lost Adjutant Vaughan,
of the Kentucky cavalry — a young oflScer of much promise.
Lieutenant Colonel May, who had been rejoined by the squad-
ron of the 1st dragoons, and by portions of the Arkansas and
Indiana troops, under Lieutenant Colonel Roane and Major
Gorman, now approached the base of the mountain, holding
in check the right flank of the enemy, upon whose masses,
crowded in the narrow gorges and ravines, our artillery was
doing fearful execution.

The position of that portion of the Mexican army which had
gained our rear w^as now very critical, and it seemed doubtful
whether it could regain the main body. At this moment I re-
ceived from General Santa Anna a message by a staff officer,
desiring to know w^hat I wanted ? I immediately despatched
Brigadier General Wool to the Mexican general-in-chief, and
sent orders to cease firing. Upon reaching the Mexican lines
General W»ol could not cause the enemy to cease their fire,
and accordingly returned without having an interview. The
extreme right of the enemy continued its retreat along the
base of the mountain, and finally, in spite of all our efforts,
effected a junction wuth the remainder of the army.

During the day, the cavalry of General Minon had ascended
the elevated plain above Saltillo, and occupied the road from

308 THE DAY SAVED.

the city to the field of battle, where they intercepted several
of our men. Approaching the town, they were fired upon by
Captain Webster from the redoubt occupied by his company,
and then moved off towards the eastern side of the valley,
and obliquely towards Buena Vista. At this time, Captain
Shover moved rapidly forward with his piece, supported by a
miscellaneous command of mounted volunteers, and fired se-
veral shots at the cavalry with great effect. They were driven
into the ravines which lead to the lower valley, closely pursued
by Captain Shover, who was farther supported by a piece of
Captain Webster's battery, under Lieutenant Donaldson, which
had advanced from the redout, supported by Captain Wheel-
er's company of Illinois volunteers. The enemy made one or
two efforts to charge the artillery, but was finally driven back
in a confused mass, and did not again appear upon the plain.
In the mean time, the firing had partially ceased upon the
principal field. The enemy seemed to confine his efforts to
the protection of his artillery, and I had left the plateau for a
moment, when I w^as recalled thither by a very heavy musketry
fire. On regaining that position, I discovered that our infantry
(Illinois and 2d Kentucky) had engaged a greatly superior force
of the enemy — evidently his reserve — and that they had been
overwhelmed by numbers. The moment was most critical.
Captain O'Brien, with two pieces, had sustained this heavy
charge to the last, and was finally obliged to leave his guns on
the field — his infantry support being entirely routed. Captain
Bragg, who had just arrived from the left, was ordered at once
into battery. Without any infantry to support him, and at the
imminent risk of losing his guns, this officer came rapidly into
action, the Mexican line being but a few yards from the muzzle
of his pieces. The first discharge of canister caused the enemy
to hesitate, the second and third drove him back in disorder,
and saved the day. The 2d Kentucky regiment, which had
advanced beyond supporting distance in this affair, was driven
back and closely pressed by the enemy's cavalry. Taking a
ravine which led in the direction of Captain Washington's bat-
tery, their pursuers became exposed to his fire, which soon

RETREAT OF SANTA ANNA.

checked and drove them back with loss. In the mean time,
the rest of our artillery had taken position on the plateau,
covered by the Mississippi and 3d Indiana regiments, the for-
mer of which had reached the ground in time to pour a fire into
the right flank of the enemy, and thus contribute to his repulse.
In this last conflict we had the misfortune to sustain a very
heavy loss. Colonel Hardin, 1st Illinois, and Colonel McKee
and Lieutenant Colonel Clay, 2d Kentucky regiment, fell at
this time w^hile gallantly leading their commands.

No farther attempt was made by the enemy to force our po-
sition, and the approach of night gave an opportunity to pay
proper attention to the wounded, and also to refresh the sol-
diers, who had been exhausted by incessant w^atchfulness and
combat. Though the night was severely cold, the troops were
compelled for the most to bivouack without fires, expecting that
morning would renew the conflict. During the night the
w^ounded were removed to Saltillo, and every preparation made
to receive the enemy, should he again attack our position.
Seven fresh companies were drawn from the town, and Briga-
dier General Marshall, with a reinforcement of Kentucky cavalry
and four heavy guns, under Captain Prentiss, 1st artillery, was
near at hand, when it was discovered that the enemy had aban-
doned his position during the night. Our scouts soon ascer-
tained that he had fallen back upon Agua Nueva. The great
disparity of numbers, and the exhaustion of our troops, ren-
dered it inexpedient and hazardous to attempt pursuit. A
staflfoflficer was despatched to General Santa Anna to negotiate
an exchange of prisoners, which was satisfactorily completed
on the following day. Our own dead were collected and buried,
and the Mexican w^ounded, of which a large number had been
left upon the field, were removed to Saltillo, and rendered as
comfortable as circumstances w^ould permit.

On the evening of the 26th, a close reconnoissance was made
of the enemy's position, which was found to be occupied only
by a small body of cavalry, the infantry and artillery having,
retreated in the direction of San Luis Potosi. On the 27th,
our troops resumed their former camp at Agua Nueva, the
27

310 GREAT LOSS OF OFFICERS.

enemy's rear-guard evacuating the place as we approached,
leaving a considerable number of wounded. It was my pur-
pose to beat up his quarters at Encarnacion early the next
morning, but upon examination, the weak condition of the
cavalry horses rendered it unadvisable to attempt so long a
march without water. A command was finally despatched to
Encarnacion, on the 1st of March, under Colonel Belknap.
Some two hundred wounded, and about sixty Mexican soldiers
were found there, the army having passed on in the direction
of Matehuala, with greatly reduced numbers, and suffering
much from hunger. The dead and dying were strewed upon
the road and crowded the buildings of the hacienda.

The American force engaged in the action of Buena Vista is
shown, by the accompanying field report, to have been 344
officers, and 4425 men, exclusive of the small command left;
in and near Saltillo. Of this number, two squadrons of cavalry
and three batteries of light artillery, making not more than 453
men, composed the only force of regular troops. The strength
of the Mexican army is stated by General Santa Anna, in his
summons, to be 20,000 ; and that estimate is confirmed by all
the information since obtained. Our loss is 267 killed, 456
wounded, and 23 missing. Of the numerous wounded, many
did not require removal to the hospital, and it is hoped that a
comparatively small number will be permanently disabled.
The Mexican loss in killed and wounded may be fairly esti-
mated at 1500, and will probably reach 2000. At least 500
of their killed were left upon the field of battle. We have no
means of ascertaining the number of deserters and dispersed
men from their ranks, but it is known to be very great.

Our loss has been especially severe in officers, twenty-eight
having been killed upon the field. We have to lament the
death of Captain George Lincoln, Assistant Adjutant General,
serving in the staff" of General Wool — a young officer of high
bearing and approved gallantry, who fell early in the action.
No loss falls more heavily upon the army in the field than that
of Colonels Hardin and McKee, and Lieutenant Colonel Clay.
Possessing, in a remarkable degree, the confidence of their

WOOL AND HIS DIVISION. 211

commands, and the last two having enjoyed the advantage of
a military education, I had looked particularly to them for sup-
port in case we met the enemy. I need not say that their zeal
in engaging the enemy, and the cool and steadfast courage
with which they maintained their positions during the day, fully
realized my hopes, and caused me to feel yet more sensibly
their untimely loss.

I perform a grateful duty in bringing to the notice of the
government the general good conduct of the troops. Exposed
for successive nights, without fires, to the severity of the
weather, they w^ere ever prompt and cheerful in the discharge
of every duty ; and finally displayed conspicuous steadiness
and gallantry in repulsing, at great odds, a disciplined foe.
While the brilliant success achieved by their arms releases me
from the painful necessity of specifying many cases of bad
conduct before the enemy, I feel an increased obligation to
mention particular corps and officers, whose skill, coolness, and
gallantry in trying situations, and under a continued and heavy
fire, seem to merit particular notice.

To Brigadier General Wool my obligations are especially
due. The high state of discipline and instruction of several
of the volunteer regiments was attained under his command,
and to his vigilance and arduous service before the action, and
his gallantry and activity on the field, a large share of our suc-
cess may justly be attributed. During most of the engagement
he was in immediate command of the troops thrown back on
our left flank. I beg leave to recommend him to the favoura-
ble notice of the government. Brigadier General Lane (slightly
wounded) was active and zealous throughout the day, and dis-
played great coolness and gallantry before the enemy.

The services of the light artillery, always conspicuous, were
more than usually distinguished. Moving rapidly over the
roughest ground, it was always in action at the right place and
the right time, and its well-directed fire dealt destruction in
the masses of the enemy. While I recommend to particular
favour the gallant conduct and valuable services of Major
Munroe, chief of artillery, and Captains Washington, 4th artil-

312CORPS AND OFFICERS DISTINGUISHED.

lery, and Sherman and Bragg, 3d artillery, commanding bat-
teries, I deem it no more than just to mention all the subaltern
officers. They were nearly all detached at different times, and
in every situation exhibited conspicuous skill and gallantry.
Captain O'Brien, Lieutenants Brent, Whiting, and Couch,
4th artillery, and Bryan, topographical engineers (slightly
wounded), were attached to Captain Washington's battery.
Lieutenants Thomas, Reynolds, and French, 3d artillery (se-
verely wounded), to that of Captain Sherman ; and Captain
Shover and Lieutenant Kilburn, 3d artillery, to that of Captain
Bragg. Captain Shover, in connection with Lieutenant Don-
aldson, 1st artillery, rendered gallant and important service in
repulsing the cavalry of General Minon. The regular cavalry,
under Lieutenant Colonel May, with which was associated
Captain Pike's squadron of Arkansas horse, rendered useful
service in holding the enemy in check, and in covering the
batteries at several points. Captain Steen, 1st dragoons, was
severely wounded early in the day, while gallantly endeavour-
ing, with my authority, to rally the troops which were falling
to the rear.

The Mississippi riflemen, under Colonel Davis, were highly
conspicuous for their gallantry and steadiness, and sustained
throughout the engagement the reputation of veteran troops.
Brought into action against an immensely superior force, they
maintained themselves for a long time unsupported and with
heavy loss, and held an important part of the field until rein-
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 particular notice of the government. The
3d Indiana regiment, under Colonel Lane, and a fragment of
the 2d, under Colonel Bowles, were associated with the Mis-
sissippi regiment during the greater portion of the day, and
acquitted themselves creditably in repulsing the attempts of the
enemy to break that portion of our line. The Kentucky cavalry,
under Colonel Marshall, rendered good service dismounted,
acting as light troops on our left, and afterward, with a portion

CORPS AND OFFICERS DISTINGUISHED. 313

of the Arkansas regiment, in meeting and dispersing the column
of cavalry at Biiena Vista. The 1st and 2d Illinois, and the
2d Kentucky regiments, served immediately under my eye, and
I bear a willing testimony to their excellent conduct throughout
the day. The spirit and gallantry with which the 1st Illinois
and 2d Kentucky engaged the enemy in the morning, restored
confidence to that part of the field, while the list of casualties
will show how much these three regiments suffered in sustain-
ing the heavy charge of the enemy in the afternoon. Captain
Conner's company of Texas volunteers, attached to the 2d
Illinois regiment, fought bravely, its captain being wounded
and two subalterns killed. Colonel Bissell, the only surviving
colonel of these regiments, merits notice for his coolness and
bravery on this occasion. After the fall of the field-ofhcers of
the 1st Illinois and 2d Kentucky regiments, the command of
the former devolved upon Lieutenant Colonel Weatherford ;
that of the latter upon Major Fry.

Regimental commanders and others who have rendered re-
ports, speak in general terms of the good conduct of their
officers and men, and have specified many names, but the limits
of this report forbid a recapitulation of them here. I may,
however, mention Lieutenants Rucker and Campbell of the
dragoons, and Captain Pike, Arkansas cavalry, commanding
squadrons; Lieutenant Colonel Field, Kentucky cavalry; Lieu-
tenant Colonel Roane, Arkansas cavalry, upon whom the com-
mand devolved after the fall of Colonel Yell ; Major Bradford,
Captain Sharpe (severely wounded), and Adjutant Griffith,
Mississippi regiment ; Lieutenant Colonel Hadden, 2d Indiana
regiment, and Lieutenant Robinson, aid-de-camp to General
Lane; Lieutenant Colonel Weatherford, 1st Illinois regiment;
Lieutenant Colonel Morrison, Major Trail, and Adjutant White-
side (severely wounded), 2d Illinois regiment ; and Major Fry,
2d Kentucky regiment, as being favourably noticed for gallantry
and good conduct. Major McCulloch, quartermaster in the
volunteer service, rendered important services before the en-
gagement, in the command of a spy company, and during the
affair was associated with the regular cavalry. To Major War-
27*

314 CORPS AND OFFICERS DISTINGUISHED.

ren, 1st Illinois volunteers, I feel much indebted for his firm
and judicious course, while exercising command in Saltillo.

The medical staff, under the able direction of Assistant Sur-
geon Hitchcock, were assiduous in attention to the wounded
upon the field, and in their careful removal to the rear. Both
in these respects, and in the subsequent organization and ser-
vice of the hospitals, the administration of this department
was every thing that could be wished.

Brigadier General Wool speaks in high terms of the officers
of his staff, and I take pleasure in mentioning them here, having
witnessed their activity and zeal upon the field. Lieutenant
and Aid-de-camp McDowell, Colonel Churchill, inspector
general, Captain Chapman, assistant quartermaster. Lieutenant
Sitgreaves, topographical engineers, and Captains Howard and
Davis, volunteer service, are conspicuously noticed by the Ge-
neral for their gallantry and good conduct. Messrs. March,
Addicks, Potts, Harrison, Burgess, and Dusenbery, attached in
various capacities to General Wool's head-quarters, are like-
wise mentioned for their intelligent alacrity in conveying orders
to all parts of the field.

In conclusion, I beg leave to speak of my own staff, to
whose exertions in rallying troops and communicating orders I
feel greatly indebted. Major Bliss, assistant adjutant general,
Captain J. H. Eaton, and Lieutenant R. S. Garnett, aids-de-
camp, served near my person, and were prompt and zealous in
the discharge of every duty. Major Munroe, beside rendering
valuable service as chief of artillery, was active and histru-
mental, as were also Colonels Churchill and Belknap, in-
spectors general, in rallying troops and disposing them for the
defence of the train and baggage. Colonel Whiting, quarter-
master general, and Captain Eaton, chief of the subsistence
department, were engaged with the duties of their departments,
and also served in my immediate staff on the field. Captain
Sibley, assistant quartermaster, was necessarily left with the
head-quarter camp near town, where his services were highly
useful. Major Mansfield and Lieutenant Benham, engineers,
and Captain Linnard and Lieutenants Pope and Franklin, topo-
graphical engineers, were employed before and during the en-

REPORT OF KILLED AND WOUNDED. 315

gagement in making reconnoissances, and on the field were
very active in bringing information and in conveying ray orders
to distant points. Lieutenant Kingsbury, in addition to his
proper duties as ordnance officer, Captain Chilton, assistant
quartermaster, and Majors Dix and Coffee, served also as extra
aids-de-camp, and were actively employed in the transmission
of orders. Mr. Thomas L. Crittenden, of Kentucky, though
not in service, volunteered as my aid-de-camp on this occasion,
and served with credit in that capacity. Major Craig, chief of
ordnance, and Surgeon Craig, medical director, had been de-
tached on duty from head-quarters, and did not reach the
ground until the morning of the 24th, too late to participate in
the action, but in time to render useful services in their re-
spective departments of the staff.

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."

ABSTRACT OF RETURNS OF KILLED, WOUNDED, AND MISSING, IN
THE BATTLE.

KILLED, WOUNDED,
AND MISSING.

WODNDED.

General Staff

First Dragoons

Second Dragoons. .
Third Artillery . . .
Fourth Artillery. , .
Mississippi Rifles . ,
Kentucky Cavalry .
Arkansas Cavalry .
Second Ken. Foot .

First 111. Foot

Second III. Foot. . .
Second Ind. Foot. .
Third Ind. Foot...
Company Texas Vol

1 ..

3 .

. 4

7 .

. 1

2 .

. 1

1 ..

22 .

. 1

5 ..

21 .

, 1

40 ..

. 5

56 .

. 7

27 ..

. 5

34 .

. 6

17 ..

. 1

32 .

. 3

41'

44 ..

57 .

. 6

102

29 ..

18 .

. 5

48 ..

75 .

. 16

110

126

32 ..

71 .

. 11

107

9 ..

56 .

. 4

14 ..

2 .

. 3

239

267 ..

I\5

456 .

. 69

677

746

316 CAUSE OF THE MEXICAN DEFEAT.

The action thus officially and generally described, was in
some respects distinguished above any other in which Taylor
had commanded — and it may be added any other which had
ever been fought on this continent. The enemy's forces were
five to one of the American, and every arm proportionably
superior. Although Taylor's position was a strong one, it was
not impregnable from the mere nature of the ground, as the
temporary success of the Mexicans on his left sufficiently proved.
Thrice during the day that success seemed complete, when their
vast numbers — scores sometimes against units — pressed for-
ward with courage and energy, lacking only the indomitable
perseverance of their foes to make victory secure. But the
fire of the latter, maintained with precision and rapidity, as
long as a man remained to serve a gun, was more than Mexi-
can firmness could endure. The spirit which stormed the
heights of Monterey, which rushed into its streets when the
metal sleet from its forts and barricades swept down all before
it — that spirit was not theirs. Their courage could approach
or follow success, but was unequal to the task of defying de-
feat.

In a private letter to General E. G. W. Butler, General
Taylor thus referred to certain incidents of the battle. The
concluding passages will arrest attention, as proof of the sin-
gularly hazardous position in which he had been placed by the
withdrawal of his regular troops :

" In the morning of the 23d, at sunrise, the enemy renewed
the contest with an overwhelming force — with artillery, infantry,
and dragoons — which lasted with slight intermissions until
dark. A portion of the time the conflict was much the se-
verest I have ever witnessed, particularly towards the latter
part of the day, when he (Santa Anna) brought up his reserve,
and in spite of every effiDrt on our part, after the greatest exer-
tions I have ever witnessed on both sides, drove us by an im-
mense superiority of 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

REFUSAL TO RETIRE. 317

men retreating, when they were brought into battery and
opened on the enemy, then within fifty yards in hot pursuit,
with canister and grape, which brought him to a halt and soon
compelled him to fall back. In this tremendous contest we
lost three pieces of artillery, nearly all the men having been
killed or crippled, which put it out of our power to bring them
off; nor did I deem it advisable to attempt to regain them.

" The enemy made his principal efforts against our flanks. He
was handsomely repulsed on our right, but succeeded early in
the day in gaining our left, in consequence of the giving way
of one of the volunteer regiments, which could not be rallied ;
with but few exceptions, the greater portion retiring about a
mile to a large rancho or farm-house, where our wagons and a
portion of our stores were left. These were soon after attacked
by the enemy's cavalry, who were repulsed with some loss.

" For several hours the fate of the day was extremely doubt-
ful ; so much so that I w^as urged by some of the most expe-
rienced officers to fall back and take a new position. This I
knew it would never do to attempt with volunteers, and at
once declined it. The scene had now become one of the
deepest interest. Between the several deep ravines, there were
portions of level land from one to four hundred yards in ex-
tent, which became alternately points of attack and defence,
after our left was turned, by both sides. These extended
along and near the base of the mountain for about two miles,
and the struggle for them may be very appropriately 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 artil-
lery 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 fi:'eezing point, ready and expecting
to renew the contest the next morning; but we found at day-
light the enemy had retreated during the night, leaving his
killed and many of his wounded for us to bury and take care
of— carrying off every thing else, and taking up a position at

318 CONGRATULATORY ORDERS.

this place. We did not think it advisable to pursue, not know-
ing whether he would renew the attack, continue his retreat,
or wished to draw us from our strong position ; but contented
ourselves with watching his movements closely.

" The loss on both sides was very great, as you may sup-
pose— 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 hun-
dred wounded. The enemy has suffered in still greater num-
bers, 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 hun-
dred— enough to exchange for all that have been taken from
us — as well as some medical officers left behind to take care of
the wounded, say that their killed and wounded is not less
than fifteen hundred, and they say perhaps more.

" I hope the greater portion of the good people of the
country will be satisfied with what we have done on this occa-
sion. 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
hundred regulars and about four thousand volunteers, will
meet their approval. I had not a single company of regular
infantry ; the whole was taken from me."

Three days after the battle. General Taylor issued the fol-
lowing congratulatory orders : —

"1. The comrpanding general has the grateful task of con-
gratulating the troops upon the brilliant success which attended
their arms in th/conflicts of the 22d and the 23d. Confident
in the immense superiority of numbers, and stimulated by the
presence of a distinguished leader, the Mexican troops were
yet repulsea in efforts to force our lines, and finally withdrew
with immense loss from the field.

" 2. The general would express his obligations to the offi-
cers and men engaged, for the cordial support which they ren-
dered throughout the action. It will be his highest pride to
bring to the notice of the government the conspicuous gallantry

LETTER TO HENRY CLAY. 319

of diflferent 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 en-
gaged as their comrades, their services were very important
and efficiently 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
bravery of their comrades who bore the brunt of the battle,
and sustained, against fearful odds, the honour of our flag.

" The exultation of success is checked by the heavy sacri-
fice of life which it has cost, embracing many officers of high
rank and rare merit. While the sympathies of a grateful
country will be given to the bereaved families and friends of
those who nobly fell, their illustrious example will remain for
the benefit and admiration of the army."

As the battle of Buena Vista was the most remarkable of
Taylor's victories, so it was most memorable for its cost of
blood and life. The limits of this volume are already so ex-
tended, that it is necessary to forego the grateful labour of re-
cording instances of singular devotion and heroism on the part
of many officers and corps. The official report, already quoted,
distinguishes the most notable of these — instances which in the
history of war, ever painful, ever deplorable, may well be the
theme of a nation's pride and gratitude. There are a few,
however, of the noble dead, whom General Taylor's peculiar
regard has distinguished by tributes to their memory, too ho-
nourable to himself to be omitted here. These tributes are
the annexed letters : —

"Head-Quarters, Agua Nueva, March 1, 1847.

"My Dear Sir: — You willno doubt have received, before

this can reach you, the deeply distressing intelligence of the

death of your son in the battle of Buena Vista. It is with no

wish of intruding upon the sanctuary of parental sorrow, and

320 LETTER TO EX-GOVERNOR LINCOLN.

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 owe 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 ex-
press 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 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 honourable in every impulse, with no feeling but
for the honour of the service and of the country, he gave every
assurance that in the hour of need I could lean with confidence
upon his support. Nor was I disappointed. Under the guid-
ance of himself and the lamented McKee, gallantly did the
sons of Kentucky, in the thickest of the strife, uphold the ho-
nour of the state and the country.

^« A grateful people will do justice to the memory of those
who fell on that eventful day. But I may be permitted to ex-
press the bereavement which I feel in the loss of valued friends.
To your son I felt bound by the strongest ties of private re-
gard, and when I miss his familiar face, and those of McKee
and Hardin, I can say with truth, that I feel no exultation in
our success.

" With the expression of my deepest and most heartfelt
sympathies for your irreparable loss, I remain,

" Your friend,
" Z. Taylor.

«' Honourable Henry Clay."

« Head-Quarters, Agua Nueva, April 3, 1847.
*«Sir: — Your letter of the 4th ult., in relation to the re-
mains 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

POPULAR HONOURS TO TAYLOR. 321

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 one of its most
gallant soldiers. It is hoped, however, 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 discharg-
ing the duties of his profession.

" I learn upon inquiry that the body of your son was care-
fully 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 request 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 opportunity, and that he give you, at the same time, due
notice thereof,

<' I am, Sir, with great respect,

" Your ob't serv't,

"Z.Taylor.

« Ex-Governor Lincoln, Massachusetts."

The news of the victory of Buena Vista was received in
every part of the United States as the crowning evidence of
Taylor's generalship. He had assumed the responsibility of
holding his position beyond Monterey. Knowing his resources
and trusting in his officers and troops, he hesitated not to risk
every thing on the field against the host of Santa Anna. He
has himself done justice to the brilliant part which General
Wool bore in the action, approving all the preliminary disposi-
tions of that able commander. He has also borne testimony
to the services of all others who took part in the action. It
was the province of the nation, in return, to acknowledge
the surpassing merit of the commander-in-chief. That merit
was acknowledged in every form of popular rejoicing and con-
28

322 CAMP AT WALNUT SPRINGS.

gratulation. Cities and states were emulous in exhibitions of
sympathy for his trials, exultation for his success, and respect
for his character.

On the 2d of March, General Taylor entrusted to Mr. Crit-
tenden the official reports of the battle of Buena Vista, to be
conveyed to Washington. He was escorted by Major Gid-
dings, commanding two hundred and sixty infantry, and two
pieces of artillery, and having in charge also one hundred and
fifty wagons. When within a mile of Seralvo, on the road
from Monterey to Camargo, the escort, which was divided for
the protection of the wagons, was attacked by sixteen hundred
Mexican cavalry and infantry, under Generals Urrea and Ro-
maro. After a brief and gallant struggle, the enemy was re-
pulsed with the loss of forty-five killed and wounded. The
loss in Major Giddings' command was seventeen men, fifteen
of whom were teamsters. General Taylor, subsequently hear-
ing that Urrea was in command of a still larger force, pursued
him with a command of about twelve hundred Ohio and Vir-
ginia volunteers, a squadron of May's dragoons, and two com-
panies of Bragg's artillery, as far as Caidereta, where he
learned that the fugitives had crossed the mountains. General
Taylor then returned to the camp at the Walnut Springs, three
miles from Monterey, which, since that time has continued to
be his head-quarters. The reduction of the number of his
troops by the expiration of their terms of service, and by re-
moval to other quarters, has prevented on his part any oflfensive
operations in the direction of San Luis, if, indeed, such con-
tinued to be entertained, after the direct movement of General
Scott upon the capital. For this reason, as no action of mo-
ment— compared with the great and stirring events of the
Mexican war, prior to March — has occurred to excite renewed
attention to the army under Taylor's command, it is not
deemed necessary at present to record the incidents of its quiet
occupation of the positions secured by the final victory of
Buena Vista. When another land-mark in Taylor's career
shall have been reared, it will be proper to follow his level
progress in this interval.

TAYLOR AND THE PRESIDENCY. 323

From the time that the character of General Taylor's first
achievements on the Rio Grande began to be appreciated in
the United States, he was regarded by a large body of the
people as a proper candidate for the Presidency. Monterey
and Buena Vista confirmed the preference of many who had
previously wavered. Numerous meetings, held in different
parts of the Union, gave form and strength to this sentiment.
Under the sanction of these meetings, as well as on individual
responsibility, many letters were addressed to General Taylor,
tendering formal nominations for the Presidency, or requesting
a definition of his political opinions. To all these letters he
has replied substantially in the same terms, expressing modestly
his doubts concerning the propriety of undertaking an office
for which he deems others more peculiarly fitted, and declining
to accept any nomination for it, imposing pledges on his part
to any political party. It is unnecessary to quote more than
one of these letters of Taylor — which, as the latest from his
pen, comprehends not only the declarations of those of earlier
date, but contains a distinct avowal of his political partialities
not previously expressed. This document is as follows :

Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation,
Camp near Monterey, August 10, 1847.

Sir: Your letter of the 17th ultimo, requesting of me an
exposition of my views on the questions of national policy now
at issue between the political parties of the United States, has
duly reached me.

I must take occasion to say that many of my letters, ad-
dressed to gentlemen in the United States in answer to similar
inquiries, have already been made public, and I had greatly
hoped that all persons interested had, by this time, obtained
from them a sufficiently accurate knowledge of my views and
desires in relation to this subject. As it appears, however,
that such is not the case, I deem it proper, in reply to your
letter, distinctly to repeat that I am not before the People of
the United States as a candidate for the next Presidency. It
is my great desire to return at the close of this war to the dis-

Q24HIS DECLARATIONS ON THE SUBJECT.

charge of those professional duties and to the enjoyment of
those domestic pursuits from which I was called at its com-
mencement, and for which my tastes and education best fit
me.

I deem it but due to candour to state, at the same time, that,
if I were called to the Presidential Chair by the general voice
of the people^ without regard to their political differences,
I should deem it to be my duty to accept the office. But
while I freely avow my attachment to the administrative
policy of our early Presidents, I desire it to be understood that
I cannot submit, even in thus accepting it, to the exaction of
any other pledge as to the course I should pursue than that of
discharging its functions to the best of my ability, and strictly
m accordance with the requirements of the constitution.

I have thus given you the circumstances under which only
can I be induced to accept the high and responsible office of
President of the United States. I need hardly add that I can-
not in any case permit myself to be brought before the people
exclusively by any of the political parties that now so unfor-
tunately divide our country, as their candidate for this office.

It affi^rds me great pleasure, in conclusion, fully to concur
with you in your high and just estimate of the virtues, both
of head and heart, of the distinguished citizens [Messrs. Clay,
Webster, Adams, McDuffie, and Calhoun] mentioned in
your letter. I have never yet exercised the privilege of voting ;
but had I been called upon at the last Presidential election to do
so, I should most certainly have cast my vote for Mr. Clay.

I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Z. Taylor,
Major General U. S. Army, commanding.
F. S. Bkonson, M. D., Charleston, S. C,

The concluding sentence of this letter sets at rest any doubt
of Taylor's political principles, while it confirms unequivocally
his former declarations to stand as a candidate for the President,
if at all, independent of the obligations of a partizan.

In the attempt to trace through the preceding pages an out-

CONCLUDING REMARKS. 325

line of the public career of General Taylor, it has been neces-
sary to touch lightly many points, and to omit others wholly,
which would serve to illustrate his character. Its prominent
traits, however, are sufficiently revealed to prove it a union of
rare moral worth and mental power, assured by a physical
temperament of the happiest mould. In considering Taylor's
fitness for the exigencies in which he has been tried, we find a
singular weight and balance of qualities ; a vigorous constitu-
tion to endure hardships ; firm nerves to brave danger ; quick
perception, forecast, prudence, invention, decision, indepen-
dence, fortitude, and integrity. And all these gifts are made
useful by tireless industry, and graceful by genuine modesty.
For the duties of a profession, adopted in the generous ardour
of youth, he has foregone, in the sober maturity of years, the
tranquillity of home, the endearments of kindred, the luxuries
of affluence. When the war, which still demands his exertions,
shall have ceased, whether his own inclination may lead him
to the retirement of private life, or the nation's desire place
him on the highest platform of public responsibility, his services
cannot be the less gratefully remembered, nor his virtues the
more faithfully proved.

28*

ANECDOTES

GENERAL TAYLOR.

Taylor's kepublican habits.

The committee from New Orleans, which presented General Taylor a sword
on behalf of their fellow-citizens, gave the following account of the interview :
« 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 blanket, dressed in
Attakapas pantaloons and a linen roundabout, and remarkable for a bright flash-
ing eye, a high forehead, a farmer look, and 'rough and ready' appearance. It
is hardly necessary for us to say that this personage was General Taylor, the
commanding hero of two of the most remarkable battles on record, and the man
who, by his firmness and decision of character, has shed lustre upon the Ame-
rican arms.

« There was no pomp about his tent ; a couple of rough blue chests served
for his table, upon which was strewn, in masterly confusion, a variety of official
documents: a quiet-looking, citizen-dressed personage made his appearance upon
hearing the significant call of * Ben,' bearing, on a tin salver, a couple of black
bottles and shining tumblers, arranged around an earthen pitcher of Rio Grande
water. These refreshments were deposited upon a stool, and we « helped our-
selves,' by invitation. We bore to the general a complimentary gift from some
of his fellow-citizens of New Orleans, which he declined receiving for the pre-
sent ; giving at the same time a short but 'hard sense' lecture on the impropriety
of naming children and places after men before they were dead, or of his re-
ceiving a present for his services ' before the campaign, so far as he was con-
cerned, was finished.'

" With the highest possible admiration of the republican simplicity of the
manners and character of General Taylor, we bade him good-day, with a higher
appreciation of our native land, for possessing such a man as a citizen, and of
its institutions for moulding such a character."

The following anecdote is told by a correspondent of the Pennsylvania In-
quirer : " During the Florida campaign, a certain young officer, after receivingf
his commission, was ordered to join the army in that quarter. His first duty
was, of course, to report himself to General Taylor. After a very tedious
journey, however, through the woods, our officer arrived at a small shanty,
called a tavern, about fifty miles from head-quarters, where he thought proper to
stay three days. There were only two visitors there besides himself. One of
them, an oldish, shabby-looking man, with a black hat, minus part of the crown,
and a piece of twine for a ribbon, was very inquisitive, and among other things

(326)

ANECDOTES OF TAYLOR. 327

asked our officer what excuse he intended to make for his delay in reporting
himself to the General.

<' ' Oh,' said the officer, < they say Taylor is a very easy old soul, and I can
easily make up an excuse.' On going to bed that night, the officer asked the
landlord who that impudent, inquisitive old fellow was! < Why,' said the host,
« dont you know General Taylor ?' About an hour afterwards, at midnight, the
tramp of a horse's feet was heard, making quick tracks towards head-quarters."

The extreme simplicity of General Taylor's habits has become proverbial ;
but, like all human beings, if the old General was not proud of his dress, or of
the pride and pomp of " glorious war," he had his weakness, and it displayed
itself in his state carriage. This magnificent vehicle was one of the last pur-
chases the old soldier made ere he started for the wars. It was none of these
high-backed, four-horse, soft-cushioned, coat-of-arms panelled affairs, such as
Martin Van Buren imported from England to ride in when he was President,
but it was, in vulgar parlance, a Jersey wagon, and one of the ugliest and most in-
convenient ones ever sent out from that sand-soil State. We have no doubt
that this same wagon was kept on hand in some little country town until it was
discovered that no one would buy it, and it was sent out to New Orleans to sell.
The General looked at it, and it struck his fancy as one of the most luxuriant,
strong axle-treed, hard-seated, low-backed, first-rate carriages that ever was
made ; so he bought it, shipped it, and in due time landed it at Corpus Christi.
It was evidently General Taylor's pet ; he kept it standing right up beside
Ringgold and Duncan's batteries, as if he would have those sons of thunder
blaze away at any body that did not say that it was the greatest carriage that
ever was made.

The old General was never seen in it. By many it was supposed that the
top was so low that such a thing was impossible. When he started to Mata-
moros from Corpus Christi, it was made the carrier of the old General's blue
chest, and the celebrated overcoat that got wounded at Buena Vista. After the
battles of the 8th and 9th, a change for two hours and fifty-seven minutes came
over his feelings — he had read, no doubt, of « General Scott's splendid military
carriage" — and the General came to the conclusion that he must put on a little
grandeur, so he got into his military carriage, and started from Point Isabel to
Matamoros, to complete his victories by driving Arista from that town. No
record was ever made when he resumed his old gray, but long before half the
distance was completed, a sick soldier was in the General's place, and he him-
self was again on horseback. Nothing of an exciting nature occurred to the
old "Jersey carryall" for a long time. It was duly dragged about, and stationed
where its owner could see it taken care of and honoured. It went up to Mon-
terey, and finally down to Victoria. When the General was ordered back from
his march to Vera Cruz, the old wagon-top looked exceedingly surly, and its
wheels screeched awfully. On this trip it met with a sad disaster. A drunken
teamster run his baggage wagon into it, tore the hind wheels off, and otherwise
laid it in ruins. Now the old General had philosophy enough to pocket, with-
out repining, the orders that were so humiliating to his pride ; but he had not
philosophy enough to pocket the destruction of his state carriage, so he rode up
to the unfortunate teamster, and catching him by both ears, he shook the fellow's
head violently, exclaiming " what did you do that for 1 I brought it (the wagon)
all the way from Corpus Christi !" The excitement soon passed away, the old
General cast a lingering glance at the ruins pf his pet, and left it to decay beside
the road.

328 ANECDOTES OF TAYLOR.

Among the volunteers in the Florida campaign was a « gentleman's son" —
a full private, who heartily sick of rainy weather, mud, and no shelter, first
went to his captain with his complaints, but meeting with no particular sym-
pathy, resolved to have a talk with General Taylor himself. Arrived at the
commander's quarters, the General was pointed out to him, but he was rather
incredulous. '^^ That old fellow General Taylor 1 Nonsense!" Satisfied,
however, that such was even the case, he marched up, and rather patronizingly-
opened his business.

" General Taylor, I believe."

*' Yes, sir."

« Well, General, I'm devilish glad to see you — am, indeed." The General
returned the civility.

« General, you '11 excuse me, but since I 've been here I 've b'een doing all I
could for you — have, indeed ; hut the fact is, the accommodations are very bad
— they are, indeed ; mud, sir ! bleeged to lie down in it, actually ; and the fact
is, General, I 'm a gentleman's son, and not used to it !"

The General, no doubt strongly impressed with the fact of having a gentle-
man's son in his army, expressed his regret that such annoyance should ever
exist, under any circumstances, in a civilized army.

ti Well — but, General, what am I to dol"

" Why, really, I don't know, unless you take my place."

" Well, now, that 's civil — 'tis, indeed. Of course don't mean to turn you
out, but a few hours' sleep — a cot, or a bunk, or any thing, would be so refresh-
ing ! Your place — where is it. General V

« Oh, just drop down — any where about here — any place about camp will
answer !"

The look which the " gentleman's son" gave the General was rather peculiar.

" Well, no wonder they call you ' Rough and Ready,' " said he ; and, amid
the smiles of all but « Rough and Ready" himself, the " gentleman's son" re-
turned to take his chance of the weather.

TAYLOR'S COURAGE AND DETERMINATION.

"By way of illustrating an important characteristic of General Taylor, to
wit, determination, I will briefly relate a scene that occurred on the battle-
ground of Buena Vista, during the action of the 23d. At a time when the
fortunes of the day seemed extremely problematical — when many of our side
even despaired of success — the General took his position on a commanding
height, overlooking the two armies. This was about three or perhaps four
o'clock in the afternoon. The enemy, who had succeeded in gaining an advan-
tageous position, made a fierce charge upon our column, and fought with a des-»
peration that seemed for a time to insure success to their arms. The struggle
lasted for some time. All the while. General Taylor was a silent spectator, his
countenance exhibiting the most anxious solicitude, alternating between hope
and despondency. His staff, perceiving his perilous situation, (for he was ex-
posed to the fire of the enemy,) approached him and implored him to retire. He
heeded them not. His thoughts were intent upon victory or defeat. He knew
not at this moment what the result would be. He felt that that engagement
was to decide his fate. He had given all his orders and selected his position.
If the day went against him he was irretrievably lost ; if for him, he could re-
joice in common with his countrymen, at the triumphant success of our arms.

"Such seemed to be his thoughts — his determination. And when he saw
(he enemy give way and retreat in the utmost confusion, he gave free vent to

ANECDOTES OF TAYLOR. 329

his pent-up feelings. His right leg was quickly disengaged from the pommel of
the saddle, where it had remained during the whole of the fierce encounter —
his arms, which were calmly folded over his breast, relaxed their hold — his feet
fairly danced in the stirrups, and his whole body was in motion. It was a
moment of the most exciting and intense interest. His face was suffused with
tears. The day was won — the victory complete — his little army saved from the
disgrace of a defeat, and he could not refrain from weeping for joy at what had
seemed to so many, but a moment before, as an impossible result. Long may
the noble and kind-hearted old hero live to enjoy the honours of his numerous
and brilliant victories, and many other honours that a grateful country will ere
long bestow upon him." — Lieutenant Corwin.

Extract of a letter from a volunteer at Monterey: — "You may probably wish
to know how a young soldier feels when he smells powder for the first time —
I will tell you. At first I felt as though I should like to have been out of the party
— I felt decidedly 'queer,' and looked from one end of the battalion to the other
to see if I could see any one run. Yes, I felt like running, I must acknow-
ledge, but they all stood like men, and I could not bear the idea to be the first
to run, and, therefore, kept on with the rest. The Tennesseeans were about ten
yards in our advance, the Mississippians about the same distance in our rear.
You will therefore see, gentlemen, that I had to ' stand up to the rack, fodder or
no fodder.'

" At this moment an awful fire was opened on the Tennesseeans. They fell
by scores, but the balance stood like veterans. We were fired upon by a cross
fire from nine and twelve pounders, and a murderous discharge of small arms
from the corner of streets, doors, windows, and tops of houses.

" By this time, Colonel Watson was trying to get us ahead of the Tennes-
seeans, (having applied for the advance, and received from General Taylor the
promise of it,) and, while in the act of giving three cheers, was shot down. He
was on our right, some twenty paces ahead of ua. I saw him fall, and all ap-
prehension now left me. I made an involuntary eflfort to get to him to afford
him help, but was borne on by the pressure of the mass behind, and willingly
yielded to it, impelled by a thirst for revenge that would have carried me through
a storm of bullets or laid me out in Monterey. We were now within fifty
yards of the wall, behind which the enemy were lying in perfect security, and
at this moment General Taylorrode up in gallant style, accompanied by a young
oflScer.

" Now came the thrilling scene of all. A huge Tennesseean sung out ' silence,
men — here comes Old Zack — three cheers for Old Zack I' Three tremendous
cheers were now given, until

'Heaven's broad arch rang back the sound.'

I trembled for his safety, for I expected to see him fall every moment." .

A volunteer at Monterey thus mentions Taylor's calm bravery: — "Monterey
is the strongest place naturally that I ever saw with the eye or in print. There
is an open plain, three to four miles long, and four or five wide in front, except
a range of hills, about forty feet high, behind which the town lies. In the rear,
and on the right and left, the mountains back right up to it, and rise several
hundred feet high abruptly and almost perpendicularly, while the only pass is
through a mountain gorge directly in its centre. I was within ten feet of Gen-

330 ANECDOTES OF TAYLOR.

eral Taylor, in the town, on the 21st. He was as cool as a cucumber, and
ordered us to pass into the city and break open the houses. God knows how
any of us got out."

At the time General Taylor was conducting the Florida war against the Semi-
noles, he became remarkable among the Indians for his singular disregard of
danger. He never hesitated to move about unattended, and generally, when
riding out on important business, he kept a mile or two ahead of his escort. No
matter how many Indians were prowling about, the old General seemed uncon-
scious that they would harm him, and often, when only armed parties could
escape attack. General Taylor would trust himself alone under some wide-
spreading tree in close proximity with the enemy, and thus circumstanced, he
would eat his frugal meal, and if desirable indulge in a sound sleep. At the
time the Indians were most troublesome to our troops. General Taylor announced
his determination to go from Fort King to Tampa Bay, which journey would
take him through nearly one hundred miles of hostile country. The jaunt was
considered by every body as a most desperate adventure. The morning for
starting came, when the General's travelling companions. Major Bliss and a
young lieutenant, began to look wistfully around for the appearance of the
escort. In due time, six dragoons, all saddled and bridled, made their appear-
ance. There was a force to meet several thousand wily Seminoles, who filled
up every nook and corner between Fort King and Tampa Bay ! After some
hesitation, one of the General's friends suggested that the escort was not suffi-
ciently strong, and that a requisition should be made for a greater force. The
General examined the appearance of the six dragoons attentively for a moment,
and then remarked if the number was not sufficient, two more might be added
to it.

Colonel Jefferson Davis, who, from the connection existing, is not very likely
to be influenced by other than true and proper motives, is represented by the
New Orleans papers as having used the following language concerning General
Taylor : — After complimenting his fellow companions from other States, he for
a moment dwelt upon the virtues of the old hero who had led them all to vic-
tory, and to whom they looked up as children to a parent. Colonel Davis said
that General Taylor had shown himself the distinguished soldier of the age, yet
he was equally remarkable for his kindness of heart and simplicity of habits,
his strong judgment and excellent sense. He alluded to the fact that General
Taylor had shared the humblest soldier's fortune in the campaign; that he had
in every thing identified himself with his troops. He alluded to that hour of
the battle of Buena Vista, when the day seemed, if not lost, to be going against
our arms, when General Taylor, amidst the thickest of the iron hail, rode upon
the plateau, and calmly surveyed the scene. Vast as were the consequences of
that hour, he appeared to fear no danger, expect no harm. From that moment,
said Colonel Davis, the volunteers felt assured of victory. The presence of that
old man inspired a courage that could not l)e overcome ; and not a soldier pre-
sent, said he, (pointing to the regiment before him,) but felt then willing to die
rather than yield an inch. It was not, continued Colonel Davis, alone on the
battle-field that we learned to love General Taylor. The excitement of the car-
nage over, the same soul that could remain unmoved when his friends were fall-
ing like leaves around him, who could look unblanched upon the front of the
thundering artillery, became the poor soldier's most sympathizing friend ; and
the eye, so stern in battle, was as mild as the tender-hearted matron's."

ANECDOTES OF TAYLOR. 331

Taylor's humanity and good nature.
A correspondent of the Montgomery (Alabama) Journal, says that General
Taylor lately had occasion to visit Point Isabel, after the battle of Buena Vista,
and the captain of the steamboat had reserved a suite of state-rooms for the Gen-
eral's accommodation. There were several sick and wounded volunteers on the
boat, en route for New Orleans, who had to take the wayfare incident to a
crowded boat, and particularly so on this occasion. General Taylor saw all this,
and at once ordered these men to be placed in his state-rooms, and proper atten-
tion paid them. It was rather a cold, rainy day when this occurred. The deck
hands and many others on the boat did not know General Taylor. The wind
blew high, and the firemen had raised a sail in front of the boilers to protect
themselves from the rain, and under this sail there were some old mattrasses ;
here General Taylor laid down and went to sleep. At supper time great inqui-
ries were made for the General, and servants sent off to look him up. But he
could not be found ! At last some one going below, inquired of a fireman if he
had seen any thing of such and such a man — the fireman said no, but added,
<' there is a clever old fellow asleep there under the sail, in front of the fire !"
It was General Taylor. Yes, sweet indeed, must have been the sleep of such
a man, who has the heart to change places with the poor sick soldier, as General
Taylor did on this occasion ; such humanity stands out in bold relief, and greatly
mitigate the evils incident to war.

The following, from the Picayune, speaks for itself: — "The parting scene
between the Mississippi Regiment and General Taylor, we are told, was affect-
ing in the extreme. As the men marched by him to return to their homes,
overpowered with a recollection of the high deeds which had endeared them to
him, and with their demonstrations of respect and affection, he attempted in
vain to address them. With tears streaming down his furrowed cheeks, all he
could say was, < Go on boys — go on — I can't speak I' "

"J. E. D.," the Monterey correspondent of the New Orleans Picayune, tells
the following story :

" Did you ever see a collection of men that could not turn out a specimen of
•what is generally termed ' a character V If you ever did, you can, to make use
of a vulgarism, ' beat my time' considerably, for I never did, and what is more,
never expect to. The next door to my quarters a company of Virginia volun-
teers are stationed, and as they turn out to roll-call and drill I have a good op-
portunity of observing them. I had noticed among the men a short, thick-set
Irishman, whose head seemed to have settled down between his shoulders a trifle
too far to permit him to sit as a model for a sculptor, although he will answer
very well for a soldier. There was something so odd about his appearance and
.in his manner of performing the manual, that I was convinced he was ' a cha-
racter,' and upon expressing my belief of that fact, I discovered that I was not
far wrong, the following anecdote being related of him :

" ' Plaze sir,' said the soldier, touching his hat to his captain, < whin will we
be paid off, sir ]' ' In a few days, Patrick,' replied the officer. < Yis, sir,' con-
tinued Pat, 'and whin, sir, will we be after Santy Anny, the blackguard 1'
< That 's more than I can tell you, Patrick ; it 's rather hard to tell when or .
where he will show himself,' replied the officer. 'Yis, sir, thank you kindly,
sir, we'll be paid off in a few days any ways, however,' said Pat, as he touched
his hat again and retired. In a few days he appeared again and opened the

332 ANECDOTES OF TAYLOR.

conversation with — ' If ye plaze, sir, divil the copper we have been paid yet*
sir.' • I know it, Patrick,' was the reply of the officer, « but I can't help it ;
they are waiting for the paymaster to arrive.' ' Oh, it 's the paymasther we 're
a waitin' for, is it 1 and what the divil 's the excuse he has for not bein' here,
when he 's wanted 1 What 's the use of a paymasther if he isn't on the spot
when he's wanted V said Pat, beginning to wax indignant at having to wait so
long for his ' tin.'

" The circumstance caused him much uneasiness, and, after cogitating the
matter over and over, he was struck with a luminous idea, and announced to
his comrades that he 'd have his money before you could say ' thread on my
coat.' One morning immediately after breakfast, off posted Pat to General Tay-
lor's camp, and on approaching his tent inquired of a soldier standing by where
the General's 'shanty' was. 'That's his tent,' said the sentinel, pointing out
the General's quarters. 'And is that the Gineral's tentl' said Pat, taking off
his hat and rubbing his hand over his hair, which had been cut to the degree of
shortness peculiar to natives of Erin's green isle. 'And where 's the Gineral's
old grey horse]' inquired Pat. 'There,' replied the soldier, indicating the spot
where the old horse stood lazily whisking the flies away with his tail, 'And is
that the old horse 1' again inquired the sprig of Erin, with great awe, < an' where,
if you plaze sir, is the old gintleman, himself?' continued Pat. * There he sits
under that awning,' answered the soldier. « What,' exclaimed Pat, in almost a
whisper, and in a tone amounting to reverence, ' an' is this the old gintleman V

* Yes,' said the soldier, walking away, ' that 's General Taylor.' After gazing
upon the ' war-worn veteran' in silent admiration for a while, he at last mustered
sufficient courage to approach him. ♦ I beg your pardon, Gineral, but you '11
plaze to excuse the bit of liberty I 'm taking in presuming to call on your honour,
but if ye plaze, sir, I came on a little matther of business, bein' as I thought
maybe you might be afther helpin' us out of a little bit of a scrape.'

« I Well,' said the General kindly, 'what is the trouble, and what do you wish V

« 'If you plaze, sir, I 'd like to know when the hands will be paid off, sir V

" ' When the hands will be paid offV repeated the General, a little puzzled.

« ' Yis, sir, if ye plaze to have the goodness. The hands have had divil the
cint of wages since they 've been in the country.'

<" Oh, I understand, you 're a volunteer, and wish to know when you'll be
paid off. Well, my good fellow, you must apply to your company officers for
that information, I have nothing to do with it.*

" ' Beggin' your pardon, sir, I did ax the boss about it, but he didn't give me
no sort of satisfaction about it, and so I told the other hands I 'd fix it ; an' bein*
as you 're the head boss, I thought I 'd be comin' over here to see if you could-
n't give us some satisfaction.'

" The ' head boss' being unable to relieve the anxiety of Pat, the latter retired
to the ' other hands,' having the satisfaction of saying that although he had failed
in the object of his mission, he had seen the 'head boss,' his 'shanty,' and the

* old gray horse,' which was ' glory enough for one day.' "

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tise on ihe Horse, "^ with nuoierous iliustralious. Complete in 1 vol. 8vo.
This work will be found of the greatest importance to farmers and csttle raisers

throughout the United Slates, and should be in the possession of every farmer, as

it is the most complete work on this subject ever published.

m'MAHON'S AMERICAN eARSENER.

Ninth edition, much improved. In 1 vol, 8vo.

This is an invaluable work to all who wish to obtain any information on the sub-
ject of Gardening in all its various branches.

& GO'S

RURAL REGISTER AND ALMANAC

For 1§4§: to be continued Animally.

For farmers and gardeners it is invaluable, giving full directions for all their
work for every month in the year, and for all the States in the Union. There is
no work ever published that contains so much useful and valuable information in
so cheap and convenient a form ; and we do say that no farmer or gardener, who
is worth a " bit," should be without one. There is no pursuit in which more real
rational enjoyment and comfort will follow to an industrious man than Horticul-
tural employments.

BOOK OF POLITENESS.

The Gentleman and Lady's Book of Politeness and Propriety of Deport-
ment. Dedicated to the Youth of both sexes. By Madame Celnart.
Translated from the Sixth Paris edition, enlarged and improved. Fifth
American edition.

THE BEAUTIES OF HISTORY.

Or, Examples of the Opposite EtTects of Virtue and Vice, for the use of
Families. 1 vol. 12mo., with plates.

** After a careful examination of this book, we can conscientiously recommend
it to parents and teachers as a most meritorious performance. There are here
collected, within a narrow compass, the most striking examples of individual virtue
and vice which are spread forth on the pages of history, or are* recorded in per-
sonal biography. The noblest precepts are recommended for the guidance ol
youth; and in the most impressive manner is he taught to conquer the degrading
impulses which lovver the standard of the human character. We have not lately
met with a volume which, in design and execution, seemed so acceptable as this.
The book, moreover, is handsomely got up, and illustrated with wood engrav-
ings."

TEE OLERSYMAN'S ASSISTANT.

Or, Guide in Reading the Liturgy; containing Directions for Reading Cor
rectly with the Pronunciation. By Rev. W. H. Odenheimer, of Phiia-

delphia. 1 vol. 12rao., cloth.
6

LIFE OF PAUL JONES.

In one vol. 12mo., with 100 Illustrations.

« Life of Rear Admiral John Paul Jones," &c. &c., by James Hamilton. The
work is compiled from his original journals and correspondence; and includes an
account of his services in the American Revolution, and in the war between the
Russians and Turks in the Black Sea. There is scarcely any Naval Hero of any
age who combined in his character so much of the adventurous, skilful and daring,
as Paul Jones. Th-e incidents of his life are almost as startling and absorbing as
those of romance. His achievements during the American Revolution — the fight
between the Bon Homme Richard and Serapis, the most desperate naval action on
record, and the alarm into which, with so small a force, he threw the coasts of
England and Scotland, are matters comparatively well known to Americans; but
the incidents of his subsequent career have been veiled in obscurity, which is dis-
sipated by this Biography. A book like this, narrating the actions of such a man,
ought to meet with an extensive sale, and become as popular as Robinson Crusoe
in fiction, or Weems'' Life of Marion aiyi Washington, and similar books in fact.
It contains 400 pages — has a handsome portrait and medallion likeness of Jones,
and is illustrated with numerous original wood engravings of naval scenes and
distinguished men with whom he was familiar.

L. G. Curtis, Esq., editor of The Commercial, Cincinnati, Ohio, speaking of this
work, &c., observes: — " Life of Rear Admiral Paul Jones, illustratea with nume-
rous engravings from original drawings." This book we prize above any in our
possession. John Paul Jones was truly an extraordinary man. He had the honor
to hoist with his own bands the flag of freedom, the first time it was displayed in
the Delaware, and in after life declared that he attended it with veneration ever
after. To Paul Jones the honor of raising up an American navy belongs. He was
the first commander in the world who made the proud flag of England "come
down." His life, as printed by Messrs. Grigg, Elliot & Co., should be in the
hands of every intelligent American.

WALKER'S SOHOOL AND FAMILY OIGTlSJIABy.

N5:VV EDITION.

FROM NEW STEREOTYPE PLATES, GREATLY IMPROVED, AND PRINTED
ON WHITE PAPER.

A Critical Pronouncing Dictionary and Expositor of the English language,
in which the meaning of every word is explained, and the sound of
every syllable distinctly shown. To which are prefixed an Abstract of
English Pronunciation, and Directions to Foreigners for Acquiring a
Knowledge of the Use of this Dictionary. By John Walker, author of
'^Elements of Elocution," " Rhyming Dictionary," &c. &c. Abridged
for the use of Schools, by an American Citizen.

P. S. This is a new edition, on fine paper, and improved in printing and bind-
ing. Parents and Teachers will please examine and order Grigg, Elliot & Co.'s
Improved Edition.

An eminent writer, and a good judge of the value of Dictionaries, observes ao
follows: —

We have received from the publishers, Messrs. Grigg, Elliot & Co., No. 14
North Fourth Street, a copy of their nev/ and handsome edition of Walker's Criti-
cal Pronouncing Dictionary for Schools. The present edition is decidedly the
best and most convenient we have ever seen, both in regard to the size of the
type on which it is printed, and the style and form in which it is issued. It has been
"got up" in a handsome and substantial manner, expressly for schools — has been
greatly improved and made better in every respect for teachers and scholars. All
teachers who have any regard for their eyes and the eyes of their scholars, would
find it to their advantage to use this edition, printed as it is from new stereotypy
plates and on clean white paper. The edition is for sale by booksellers and coun-
try merchants generally throughout the United States.
7

** The above series, taken separately or collectively, is considered one of the
most valuable contributions to the cause of education which has ever been pub-
lished in this country."

This interesting Series of Books has already met with the most flattering recep-
tion from the American press. They have been introduced into the public schools
of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Ohio, Maine, New York, Tennessee, Alabama,
Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, the Carolinas, &c., and many of the first class Semi-
naries of Learning in the United States. The moderate price of this series is a
great recommendation, being half the price of the common school books in use,
on the same subject.

Yale College, Dec. 19, 1845.

I think this an excellent work — condensed, lucid, exact, and comprehensive — a
safe guide for the pupil, and a useful review for the teacher. The illustrations
are numerous and exact. B. SiLLIMAN.

Extract of a Report to the American Institute.

Your committee with much pleasure recommend this highly valuable book to
the attention of those who conduct our Schools, Academies, and Colleges, as a
work excellently calculated to give the first outlines of the very important sludy
of Geology to students. Nor do we hesitate to say, that all men, except learned
Geologists alone, will feel, after its perusal, that they have received a great re-
ward for a very small expense of time and money. JAMES J. MAPES.

GRiaG & ELLIOT'S NSW SERIES OP

COMMON SCHOOL READERS,

Numbers First, Second, Third and Fourtli.

These books are particularly adapted for an introduction into the Schools gener-
rally in the South and West; and Teachers who feci a deep interest in promoting
the welfare of their pupils, will, no doubt, after a careful examination, give them
the preference over all other Readers now in use.

Parents and Teachers will please read the following notice of this invaluable
series of Elementary School Books.

We called atieniion lo the above-named series of Common School books several weeks
since, vv'hen publishing an advertisement for the sale of them by some of our merchams.
Since that lime we have had opportunity to give them a thorough examination, and we
feel it due to the community in which we live, aud the proprietors of those interesting pub-
lications, to notice them more particularly. They certainly contribute a valuable addition
to our stock of elementary literature; in their plan and details presenting an iniimaie
acquaintance with the necessiiies that demanded their production, and developing, in their
prosfcuiion. a wisdom and zeal in adapting ihe material at hand to the attainment of the
object in view, every way worthy of commendation and confidence.

The First Class reader is exactly such a book as v/ould iiiierest and impress the minds
and hearts of little boys and girls. Conlposed of short and easy words, embodying plea-
sant and profitable instruction, it is just the thing lor infant learners, who find in it such
words as they can readily pronounce, and such ideas as ttiey can easily comprehend. In
the Second and Third Class Readers the style increases in the miricacy of diction and the
elevation of sentiment, in beautiful consistency with the progress of attentive and studious
pupils, in the more advanced sia°res of primary school education. The Fourth Class
Reader i.? an invaluable compendium of deeply interesting and instructive tacts, argu-
ments and inferences, drawn from that unfailing repository of truth, the history of the men
and manners of by-gone times. It is a reprint of the '• iieauiies of History," consisting of
anecdotes of men and women made illustrious by the splendor of their talents and virtues,
or rendered eternally iniamous by the vileiiess of their characters and crimes. It is, there-
fore, a fit companion lor those who are completing their term of study, preparaiory to
entering the great arena of life ; inviting and encouraging them by the bright example of
the good, to walk iu wisdom's narrow path, and warning them, by the wretchedness and
ruin of the vicious, from entering the broad road of sin and death.

After the table of contents of the Second Reader, is a chapter g\w\ng directions for the
attainment of a correct and elegant style of reading, the great importance of which all
know the value of, but few attain. For the truth of these remarks, we refer to the books
themselves.

*^* Public, private and social libraries, and all who purchase to sell again, supplied on
the mo,st reasonable terms with every article in the Book and Stationery line; including
new novels, and all new works in every department of literaiure and science.

117=" Particular attention will also be paid to all orders, through country merchants, or
by mail, for Law, Medical and Miscellaneous Books, for public and private libraries, and
no effort w;ll be spared to complete all such orders on the most reasonable terms.

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CONTENTS

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Full text of "A life of Gen. Zachary Taylor : comprising a narrative of events connected with his professional career, derived from public documents and private correspondence"

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