BANCROFT LIBRARY C BE AP EDITION PRICE FIFTY CENTS. OUR ARMY : '; ON* THE RIO GRANDE, A SHORT ACCOUNT OF THE IMPORTANT EVENTS TRANSPIRING FROM THE TIME OF THE REMOVAL OF THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION" FROM CORPUS CHRISTI, TO THE SURRENDER OF MATAMOROS; WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF ^ THE BATTLES OF PALO ALTO AND RESACA DE LA PALMA, THE BOMBARDMENT OF FORT BROWN, AXD THE CEREMONIES OF THE SURRENEER OF MAT A MO RO S: WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THE CITY ; &c. &c. BY.T. B. THORPE, Author of " Tom Owen, the Bee Hunter," i; My'steries of the Backwoods." &c. Illustrated by Twenty-six Engravings. PHILADELPHIA: CAREY & HART, 128 CHESNUT STREET. For Sale by G. B-. Ziel . $ Co., Philadelphia; W. H. Graham, New York Redding 4- Co. and B. B. Mr.ssey, Boston; Wm. Taylor 4- Co. and N. Hickman, iltirnore; Drinker 1 Lieut. Colonel ; 1 Quarter-Master, J 1 Major; with rank of Lieut.; 1 Surgeon ; 5 Assistant Surgeons. And 10 companies, each to have 1 Captain ; 4 Sergeants ; 1 First Lieutenant ; 4 Corporals ; 1 Second Lieutenant; 2 Musicians; And at least 50 privates. 42 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. Capt. Hardee, detailing an account of the action, and stating that Lieut. Kane and himself were in Matamoros, prisoners of war. Thirty- six of their men were with them, and all were well treated. Capt. Hardee stated that Gen. Ampudia had remarked that the Mexicans had borne the reputation of treating their prisoners barbarously ; but in that respect he intended to redeem the Mexican character. According to orders from Gen. Taylor, Capt. Thornton with his command proceeded up the river, and after advancing probably twenty- six miles, and within a presumed short distance from the enemy's camp, Capt. Thornton's Mexican guide refused to go farther, and stated, as his reason, that the country was filled with Mexican troops. This opinion was confirmed by a Mexican met on the road, who stated that the enemy was encamped, two thousand strong, under Gen. Anastasio Torrejon, within a short distance. Capt. Thornton, having but little confidence in his guide, kept on up the river, when he came to a farm house and plantation, fronted by a bog, and sur- rounded by a thick chaparral fence, except that portion which bor- dered upon the river. Capt. Thornton entered the plantation through a pair of bars, and advanced towards the house, for the purpose of making inquiries : his squadron followed in single file. As soon as his whole command had entered the enclosure, and while engaged at the house in conversation with one of its inmates, the cry of alarm was raised, and Capt. Thornton found himself surrounded by a com- plete army. The fence was lined with infantry, and the entrance of the field taken possession of, while a body of cavalry advanced upon him. These last mentioned he gallantly charged, and drove back ; but he did not succeed in reaching the opening in the fence. In this rencontre Lieut. Kane was unhorsed. Capt. Thornton then endeavoured to clear the chaparral, and turn- ing, charged it with his squadron, when the infantry with which it was lined, opened a destructive fire. Capt. Thornton's horse receiving a severe wound at the instant of making one of the most extraordinary leaps on record, bore his rider gallantly over the chaparral, and both disappeared. The squadron, unable to follow its leader, was rallied under a galling fire, by Capt. Hardee, thus placed in command, and CAPT. THORNTON. 43 endeavored to retreat to the Mexican side of the river by going over the bogsy front, and swimming 1 the stream. In this he failed, for the banks of the river were impassable, and finding himself and command entirely surrounded by the enemy, and all retreat impossible, he ad- vanced towards a Mexican officer, and stated the willingness of him- self and the twenty-five men around him to surrender, on condition that their treatment should be such as is usual to prisoners of war, and in accordance with the customs of civilised nations. If such terms would not be granted, he expressed the readiness of himself and men to sell their lives as dearly as possible. This message being borne to the general commanding, and an answer giving the promise being returned, the command surrendered, crossed the river, and en- tered Matamoros as prisoners of war. The capture of Capt. Thorn- ton's command filled the Mexican army with extacies, and though the force opposed to Capt. Thornton was at least ten or fifteen to one, still it was considered a great and glorious victory. Gen. Arista, on receipt of the news, addressed the following letter of congratulation to Gen. Torrejon. 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 com- municate to your brave soldiers that I have seen with the greatest pleasure their valiant behaviour, and that I await for the detailed des- patch to elevate it to the knowledge of the supreme government, so that the nation may learn the triumph of your arms. MARIANO ARISTA. To Gen. Don AXASTASIO TORREJOX. Matamoros, April 28. On the 29th the comrades of Capt, Thornton heard, with a burst of joy, a statement from a Mexican officer, that Capt. Thornton still lived. It appears that after charging the chaparral fence, he cut his way through the enemy, and ran the gauntlet of a great number of shots, in the midst of which his horse fell, rolling down the bank, se- verely bruising him in many places. He recovered himself, and got 44 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. within five miles of the American camp, when he was stopped by a picket guard of the enemy, and carried into Matamoras. Lieut. Kane having escaped from the enclosure in which the party were surprised, was made a prisoner, and protected from immediate murder by being placed behind a Mexican cavalry officer : but even while thus pro- tected, the Mexican soldiers contrived to pick his pockets, and take part of his uniform, besides the spurs from his boots. . Lieut. G. T. Mason was killed in the rencontre. Rumor has it that he engaged personally with Romano Falcon, singling him out at the commencement of the action. It is said that in the close contest he crippled Romano Falcon by maiming his hand for life. Lieut. G. T. Mason is remembered by his brothers in arms as a gen- tleman universally beloved ; as a chivalrous, high-toned officer, full of the spirit of the valiant soldier, proud of his profession, yet unassu- ming in his manners. He graduated at West Point in 1842, and was assigned to a command in the First Dragoons.* The prospect of Point Isabel (which contained all the military stores) being assailed now hourly increased, and all intercourse be- tween that place and Gen. Taylor's camp was cut off. Fort Brown was nearly completed, and Gen. Taylor commenced preparations ne- cessary to enable the greater part of his force to march to Point Isa- bel. Gen. Taylor gave his orders with great promptitude ; and though he seemed to understand perfectly his singular position, and the im- portance of each movement, he showed by every action that he was entirely confident of success. * In the ambuscade that resulted in the surrender of Thornton's command there were killed, one officer, two sergeants, and eight men, while by the capture nearly one third of the mounted force on the Rio Grande was lost to the army. BRAZOS SANTIAGO. 45 CHAPTER V. Brazos Santiago Incident in its history Entrance in the bay Point Isabel Don Roderiguez His conduct Retreat from Point Isabel Col. Twiggs takes possession of it Made a depot of military stores Major Munroe takes command Stirring incidents Capt. Walker leaves for Fort Brown. IF you would reach Point Isabel by the way of the sea, yon must first pass through Brazos Santiago, which simply means, " St. James' inlet." The pass is as desolate a looking place as can well be con- ceived of. As far as the eye can reach, a barren sand-bar meets the eye, the sameness of which is only broken by the half-burned wreck of some unfortunate vessel blown ashore, in one of the frequent storms that ravage the Texian coast ; and, save on your left, there you see an embankment of perhaps a mile, that once stood up against the dashing sea, as a natural wall. You will at once be struck with the evidence, that at some stated time, the waves of the troubled ocean have swept over it, furrowing it with deep ridges and ravines j such has been the case. But a few years since, and a small Mexican village, and a fort, con- taining some sixty soldiers, stood upon the " Brazos point." Two pieces of camion perfectly defended the entrance of the inlet. On a terrible night, when the wind blew inland, driving ships before it to destruction, as if they had been paper toys, the sea itself, piled in huge masses against the bluff, until amidst the thunder and lightning and darkness, it swept over the frail barrier, engulphing village and fort, and their inmates, in the everlasting grave, and leaving, when the storm cleared away, not the slightest fragment to tell that more ever existed at the Brazos, than the present low desolate-looking sand-hills. The breakers are always rolling at the Brazos bar. There seems ever to be some troubled spirit in the waters and air, that throws about the voyager's craft, and makes the seaman cautious in his movements. The powerful labor of steam, in fair weather, sends in the vessel through the "pass," quite handsomely, if she be not drawing too much water. Once fairly in, you see Point Isabel some three miles 46 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. off, quite picturesquely situated at the head of the bay. Your vessel turns suddenly to the left, and comes to' anchor under cover of the sand-hills, leaving passengers and freight, to find their way to " the point," as best they may, in " lighters," or other shallow craft. Point Isabel is a bluff some fifteen or twenty feet high, reaching out into the bay, and falling back inland ; consequently it commands the country about for a great distance, particularly as you look to- wards Matamoros. It was, up to the 25th of March, 1846, the site of a small Mexican village, composed of grass-thatched cottages, made of reeds, or spars of wrecked vessels. Its population consisted of a Mexican by the name of Don Roderiguez, who was " captain of the port," and consequently had charge of the u custom-house," together with fifty or sixty idle inhabitants. It was then defended by Gen. Garcia, who had with him, it was said, a force of two hundred and fifty men, composed of infantry and artillery. Don Roderiguez repre- sented his class. He was a mail who took bribes from those who exported goods from the country; took bribes from those who im- ported goods into the country; took bribes for not exposing his vic- tims. And in this way he empoverished the people, defrauded the customs, and was getting rich, while managing to send just money enough to head quarters, to let " the government" know that he was busy fleecing the people it should protect. He it was who, after " the delegation" of his own citizens had gone out to meet Gen. Taylor, first discovered the American fleet coming towards the Brazos, from Aransas bay, which, it will be remembered, appeared almost simulta- neously with our army at the rear of the point. Enraged at the sight, and judging rightly that his " occupation was gone," he set fire to the custom-house, a miserable hovel, and with the soldiers under Gen. Garcia, and the inhabitants, fled out of the bay towards Matamoros, by the way of Boca Chica, just in time to escape from our dragoons, under Col. Twiggs, whom Gen. Taylor had ordered, upon seeing the conflagration, to hasten to the point, and at which place Col. Twiggs arrived in time to save a few of the houses, but not to arrest the in- cendiary custom-house officer. Immediately on the arrival of the detachments of the U. S. troops, Point Isabel became a place of great business. The few Mexican huts that were left standing after the fire, were at once occupied ; and then CAPT. WALKER. 47 commenced the erection of a variety of rude sheds and dwellings, for the accommodation of the " military stores" and the property of the sutlers who followed the army. The harbor was filled with vessels laden with the stores of the army, and of every possible size, that could enter it, while in the offing there constantly hovered a number of our vessels of war. For the defence of this place, Gen. Taylor appointed Major John Munroe, with two companies of artillery. Capt. J. Saunders, of the engineering corps, planned its defences, which were immediately com~ menced after taken possession of by the " Army of Occupation." Nothing of startling interest occurred at this place until towards the end of April, when, through the dangers threatened Gen. Taylor at Fort Brown, apprehensions were felt for Point Isabel. Rumors were constantly in circulation, that large bodies of Mexicans were preparing to move to the point, with the intention of cutting off Gen. Taylor from his supplies. The Mexican force known to be about Fort Brown were continually making demonstrations towards Point Isabel, until all communication was cut off between that place and the army on the banks of the Rio Grande. During the nights of the 27th and 28th of April the force at Point Isabel expected to be attacked, and every disposition was made accordingly. The masters of vessels in port were called on for their crews, and about five hun- dred men were furnished with arms, among whom were some fifty or sixty seamen. Small parties of Texians had previously arrived, among whom was Capt. Walker, of the Rangers, who was destined to occupy a prominent place in the stirring events that followed. Major Munroe expressed himself able to hold out with his reinforcements against any number of Mexicans that chose to attack him. At this time several teams that had started for Fort Brown, were compelled to re- turn ; and Capt. Walker, with a number of men, who had, on the 28th, gone out to reconnoitre, were driven back to Point Isabel, suf- fering great loss. He stated, that midway between Point Isabel and the camp, an overwhelming Mexican force suddenly appeared, and many of his men, who were just enlisted, had scattered in confusion, and he was compelled to retreat. He was followed by the Mexicans until within a short distance of the point, where he arrived with only two of his command ; seven afterwards came in. Capt. Walker esti- 48 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. mated the force he met at fifteen hundred, and thought many of the enemy fell in his engagement with them. In spite of the severe repulse Capt. Walker had received, he offered his services to Major Munroe to carry a message to Gen. Taylor. His offer was accepted, and on the evening of the 29th he started, and after running the most imminent risks of being captured, he succeeded in reaching Gen. Taylor's camp in safety. As soon as Gen. Taylor received Major Munroe's message, he determined upon a movement that would protect Point Isabel, and open a communication with his supplies. DEPARTURE OF GEN. TAYLOR FROM FORT BROWN. 49 CHAPTER VI. Gen. Taylor, with the army, march out of Fort Brown The Fort Mexican account thereof Mexican valor Sorrow at not meeting Gen. Taylor Bombardment commenced Incident Death of Sergeant Weigart Mexi- can account of the first day's bombardment Triumph of their arms- Bravery of the people of Matamoros Additional particulars Bulletin of Northern Division Glory of the Mexican arms Their future prospects with posterity. ACCORDINGLY, on the morning of the 1st of May, 1846, the main body of the " Army of Occupation" marched out of its entrenchments upon the banks of the Rio Grande, and moved towards Point Isabel, The Seventh Regiment of infantry, and two companies of artillery, commanded by Capt. Lowd and Lieut. Bragg, the whole under the command of Major J. Brown of the Seventh, were left in the fort to complete its works, and defend it if attacked. Fort Brown, and Grave of Col. Cross. As the army passed out, the banks of the river on the Matamoros side were crowded with spectators, to witness the departure of what they fondly thought were discomfited troops. The bells of the city rang, and the cadences of music showed that there was a gala time in its streets. A boletin de la Division del Norte was duly despatched by Gen. Arista to the city of Mexico, announcing the "retreat" of Gen. 4 50 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. 1. Gen. Taylor's Head Quarters when he first arrived on the Rio Grande. 2. Old Guard House. 3. Fort Brown. 4. Flair. .0. Battery of two Bombs. C. Ferry. 7. Lower Ferry. 8. Road to Point Isabel. 9. Fanques del Raminero. 10. Island. 11. Pond. 12. Garden. 13. Matamoros. 14. Plaza. 10. Fort Parfides. 16. Mortar Battery. 17. Sand-Bag Battery. 18. Mortar Battery. 19. Batteries. 20. Lower-Fort Mortar Battery. 21. Mortar, or Country Battery. 22. Gen. Taylor's Head Quarters after taking Matamoros. MEXICAN BULLETIN. 51 Taylor and his army. The soldiers left in the fort worked Avith new energy all that day, and the ensuing night, to strengthen its walls, and every precaution was used at the same time to repel hostilities. Major Brown assigned to each company a certain part of the work for it to defend, and gave to each man his place on the parapet where he must spring in case of alarm. The movements of Gen, Taylor were perfectly known to the Mexican army. Gen. Taylor's contemplated march fir the relief of Point Isabel had evidently been promulgated in Matamoros, and the Mexican generals had conceived the idea of cutting him off, before he had accomplished his object. Their preparations for such a purpose can be looked at through their own documents, as will be seen by the following extract from a semi-official bulletin.* " On the first of this month, (May,) at 1 1 o'clock in the morning, the general-in-chief left this place, (Matamoros,) 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 Gen. D. Anastasio Torrejon, with all the force under his command. The enthusiasm of our sol- diers 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 ardor of the most excellent general-in- chief, whose orders were obeyed with the greatest promptness and precision, that a few hours were sufficient 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 instruction and aptness for war, but that those qualities are now brought forth by the purest * El Monitor Republicano. Matamoros, May 4. 52 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. 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 indisputable advantage. With deep trenches, with a multitude of fortifications, the defence was easy against those who presented themselves with their naked breasts. " But Gen. Taylor dared not resist the valor and enthusiasm of the sons of Mexico. Well did he foresee the intrepidity 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 aggrandise 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 inarch was observed from our position, and the most excellent Gen. 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 deserve. 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 ardor 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 to cut off the flight of the fugitives. But it was not possible to do so, notwithstanding their forced march during the night. Gen. Taylor left his camp at 2 o'clock in the after- noon, 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. BOMBARDMENT COMMENCED. 53 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 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 anus but those of duplicity and treachery. Why did they not remain with firmness under their colors ? Why did they abandon the ground which they pretend^ to usurp with such iniquity ? Thus has an honorable general kept his word. Had not Gen. Taylor said, in all his communications, 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 igno- miny in sacrificing a part of his forces, whom he left in the fortifica- tions, to save himself; for it is certain that he will not return to their assistance not that he is ignorant of their peril, but he calculates that his would be greater if he had the temerity of attempting to resist the Mexican lances and bayonets in the open plain." The first and second day after Gen. Taylor left Fort Brown, it was entirely unmolested, but on the morning of the third, and the 3d day of the month, the Mexicans opened on the fort, from one of their batteries, containing seven guns. The fire was immediately returned on the fort, and on the town : the consulate flags being respected. In twenty minutes after the fort opened, an eighteen pound ball struck a Mexican twelve-pounder directly in the muzzle, knocking it off its carriage, and wounding those who manned it. A few moments after this incident, the whole battery was silenced. When the fire first com- menced, Lieut. Britton rushed into his tent, seized his rifle, and stepped out, instantly a nine pound ball passed through the tent, ranged through it, breaking the back upright pole, and passing through two other tents, buried itself in the parapet. The enemy, after the silence of their battery, commenced firing shot and shells, from the " lower fort" and *" mortar batteries," but without doing any damage. At this tune, a curtain, connecting the flanks of the north and east bastions of the fort, the one in w r hich the gate was placed, was unfinished. To com- plete this curtain, the soldiers worked night and day, without any re- gularly appointed time for sleeping, and under constant fire. As the 54 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. parapet rose, the men became more exposed, and the enemy took ad- vantage of it, directing their guns upon any point where laborers were seen. About five hours after the bombardment commenced, Sergeant Weigart of the Seventh was killed while at his post, by a cannon-ball, that struck him on the head. His companions conveyed the body to the hospital tent, which was on the south side of the fort, and deposited it on a cot, and but a moment afterwards, a bomb fell through the roof of the hospital tent, among a crowd of sick and wounded, and exploded, blowing off the dead man's head, tearing the tent to pieces, and yet not injuring in the slightest degree a living person. An inci- dent so strange, is hardly recorded in history. Such is the history of the first day of the bombardment. The Mexicans had their notions of it, and with promptness despatched them to " head quarters ;" they were as follows :* " But let us relate the glorious events of yesterday. As Aurora dawned, we began to fire from our ramparts on the fortifications 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 inhabitants of Matamoros. In a mo- ment 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 1 1 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 intelligence and prac- * From El Monitor Republicano, Matamoros, M?./ 4. MEXICAN ACCOUNT. 55 tice of the Mexicans sufficed to conquer those who had superior arms Unequalled glory and eternal honor to our brave artillerymen. "The enemy, in their impotent rage, and before they concealed their shame behind the most distant parapets, had the barbarous plea- sure 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 miserable souls, did not meet with the success expected by those who so unworthily adorn themselves with the title of savants and philanthropists. Their stupidity was 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 sus- tain, they would have admired the patriotism and disinterestedness of the Mexicans, always ready to undergo the greatest sacrifices, when it is necessary to maintain 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 chil- dren 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, w r here a multitude of citizens 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 glo- riously in fighting for their country. The families of those victims ought to be taken care of by the supreme government, to whose pater- nal 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 com- panions. As many of our balls passed through the enemy's embra- sures, the loss to the Americans must have been very great ; and al- though we do not know exactly the number of their dead, the most accurate information makes it amount to fifty-six. It is probable that such is the case. Since 1 1 o'clock in the morning, the abandonment of 56 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. their guns, merely because two of them were dismounted, and the 'i 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 de-j struction 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 descent to the point where they were to fall ; every thing con-j tributes to persuade that indeed the enemy have suffered a terrible^ loss. If it were not the case if they preserved some remnant of ; valor, why did they not dare to repair their fortifications in the night., It is true that, from time to time, a few guns were fired on them inj 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 I 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 number 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 j republic, without their opponents, who could receive succor in the j space of fifty hours, should dare to leave the fort to give us battle.' " j " BULLETIN OF THE NOHTHERX DIVISION, "Matamoros, May 4lh. " FROM the news which we publish to-day, it will be seen that the Northern Division, so deservedly intrusted with the first operations against the North American army, has most nobly fulfilled its highly important mission. Not that we mean to be understood as consider- ing its task is yet fully completed, but we anticipate, before the end of the present week, to witness the total discomfiture of the enemy, who has had the temerity to answer the fire of our batteries : of those MEXICAN BULLETIN. 57 batteries that gave them yesterday such abundant proof of that valor, so characteristic of the Mexicans : a valor rendered famous in a hun- dred 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 inha- bitants, 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 it is to avenge an outrage upon the sacred rights of their beloved country. " From our account of the war, the world will judge of the great superiority of our troops, in courage as well as skill, over the Ameri- cans. It is indeed wonderful to witness the dismay of the enemy : rare is the occurrence when an American ventures 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 inherit the blood of the noble sons of F Happy they who have met with so glorious a death in defending the territory bequeathed to them by their fathers ! * Finding that our six-pounders affected little on the enemy's guns, owing to the distance, and wishing to husband our men and means, I ordered the firing to cease. Major Brown's official despatch to Gen. Taylor. f Upon receiving the news of the Mexican operations on the Rio Grande, the London Times of 15th June, has the following: " War between Mexico and the United States. The despatches of Gen. Taylor are remarkable for their succinct energy, and the absence of those verbose and grandiloquent strains which we are accustomed to meet with in narra- tives of American exploits. He writes like a man of sense, skill, and courage ; and we have not the slightest wish to detract from the honors he has gallantly earned under tlie flag of his country. Whatever opinion we may entertain of the causes of this war, and the political motives in which it originated, the behaviour of the American general and his troops deserves to be judged of by a much higher standard than the policy of the government which it is their duty to serve. The conduct of the Mexican army on the contrary, demonstrates the inability of that government to protect any portion of its dominions from in- vasion; and it degrades the descendants of the Spanish Americans still lower in the rank of nations." 58 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. u The nation with which we are at war is most savage in its pro- ceedings ; no regard being paid to the flags of friendly nations : even those usages and customs respected by civilised nations, to divest war of some of its horrors, have been shamefully disregarded. The enemy have fired red shot against this 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 Division, and his intrepid soldiers, are ready to fight the enemy in any numbers, and we are certain that our arms will be successful ; but the nation against whom we have to contend is excessively 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 everything 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 enthusiasm, so peculiar to us. Indeed, we 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 Me- namia, and Sagintum ; they have determined to die at the foot of the eagle of Anahuac, defend their fort whilst they retain the breath of life this plan is settled. The supreme government is making strenu- ous exertions 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." CAPT. MAY'S RECONNOITRE. 59 CHAPTER VII. ''Bombardment Point Isabel Capt. May attempts a communication with Fort Brown Incidents connected therewith Major Brown's orders to his men Appearance of the enemy Bombardment resumed Mexican re- connoisance Anecdote. THE echoing reports of the cannon that opened on Fort Brown reached Point Isabel : they were listened to with feelings so intense, that our soldiers fairly ceased for a moment to breathe. The cannon- ade continued hour after hour, and then the war was known to have commenced. Gen. Taylor was anxious to know how well the fort stood the bombardment, that he might regulate his movements according to the demand circumstances made upon him. The Mexicans now literally filled the country between the point and the fort : to communicate was desperate service. A command, presumed to be of sufficient force, was selected on the evening of the 3d, to attempt the wished-for communication. Capt. May, with one hundred men, including Capt. Walker and ten of his Texian rangers, was ordered to proceed within six or eight miles of Fort Brown, and to reconnoitre the country on the left of the road towards the Rio Grande ; then to take a position on the edge of the chaparral under cover of the night, and if he heard no cannonading of the fort, to send in a small detachment under Capt. Walker to communicate with Major Brown, and wait the return of the command thus sent in ; then to proceed to the position reported to have been taken by the enemy, examine it, and obtain their strength, return to Point Isabel, examining the country on the left of the roa:l towards the San Colorow, and under no circumstances to hazard an engagement, as the especial service he was on w r as of the greatest im- portance. Capt. May left Point Isabel about 2 o'clock, and proceeded a few miles on his route, when he ordered a halt until dark. He then went on, and came in sight of the enemy's camp fires about 9 o'clock. The 60 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. enemy was posted in a position formerly occupied by our own armyj as a camp, and known as the Palo Jllio. There being no pickets out, Capt. May leading his command, by cautiously proceeding, got with- in half a mile of the enemy's front, circling them until he brought his ; party between the enemy's encampment and Fort Brown. He then- protected himself and command from observation by the edge of the j chaparral, about seven miles from the fort, and hearing no cannonad-J ing, he ordered Capt. Walker, with six of his rangers, to proceed thi-^ therward, and if he found any portion of the Mexican lines near thei fort, to examine their strength, and, if possible, to fire on some of thej pickets, to give notice to those in the fort that an effort was being' made to communicate with them. If successful, he was to inform \ Major Brown, that Gen. Taylor had ordered Capt. May to proceed to] the position he then occupied, as he had heard the cannonading, and then to send Capt. Walker forward to learn the damage done the fort, and also, if its commander could maintain his position ; but not to put his information in writing, it being considered dangerous, as the risk of its falling into the enemy's possession was so very great. Capt. Walker having received his instructions, proceeded to the fort, which he reached between 2 and 3 o'clock in the morning. On his approach, he was hailed by the sentinel, and he answered, " Capt. Walker and friends from Frontone."* The troops of the fort at the time were lying behind the parapets. The instant Capt. Walker spoke his voice was recognised by the troops as that of a friend. The sen- tinel replied, " Stand, Capt. Walker and friends from Fontone !" and immediately communicated the fact to the officer of the guard, who communicated the same to the commanding officer of the fort. Major Brown then directed that the commanding officer of the party outside should come into his presence ; but that his armed party should re- main outside for further instructions. The instant Capt. Walker's voice was recognised, an officer inside the fort requested him to move his party from the position it then occupied, because the place where it stood was singularly exposed to the bursting of the shells sent from the town, as it was directly in the line of fire of the sand-bag fort bat- tery. Capt. Walker did as directed, and a guard of the fort then took * Frontone is used by most of the Texinns a<* synonymous with Point Isabel. ADVENTURES OF CAPTAINS WALKER AND MAY. 61 a ladder, let it down into the ditch, crossed over to the side on which Capt. Walker was standing, let him down into the ditch, and then moved the ladder, so that Capt. Walker was received into the fort, and in the presence of Major Brown. Capt. Walker communicated his instructions to Major Brown, and stating where he had left Capt. May and his party, he requested fresh horses, that he might meet Capt. May, so that the whole party might pass the enemy's lines before daylight. The horses were furnished. Walker and his party left the fort about 4 o'clock, with Major Brown's communications, and proceeded near where he had left Capt. May and his party, but found they had gone, and that the Mexicans were pre- pared to cut off his return to Frontone. He then returned to Fort Brown, reaching it at reveille, saying, that " the game was blocked on him this time, but that he would give the Mexicans another turn when it was dark." Capt. May and command had remained in their saddles waiting for the return of Capt. Walker, until about half an hour before day, when it became apparent that the scouts of the enemy had discovered them ; and as Capt. Walker had been absent six hours, Capt. May was satis- fied he had met with some difficulty in returning, and as his force was not strong enough to engage the enemy, and as his orders were peremptory for him not to do so, Capt. May determined to return ; in doing which, he passed down the enemy's lines, within half a mile, at a brisk gallop over the open prairie, continuing to bear to the main road leading to Point Isabel. When within twelve miles of the point, Capt. May found opposing him, across his road, near one hun- dred and fifty of the enemy's lancers. Forming into line, he charged them and drove them towards the left and towards their own camp, pursuing them nearly three miles on jaded horses. Finding he could not come up with the enemy, and fearing an ambuscade, he wheeled his squadron about, and proceeded to Point Isabel, reaching that place about 9 o'clock. Capt. W^alker and command remained at Fort Brown throughout the day. Immediately after dark, he started from the fort with his party, and proceeded on to Frontone, and by his superior knowledge of the country avoided the enemy who were everywhere in his pathway, and using every means to cut off his return ; they being, as it afterwards 62 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. appeared, well aware of his office of messenger. Capt. Walker and command reached Gen. Taylor in safety, and brought the glorious news that Major Brown could maintain his position with such officers and men as were with him, against any force the enemy could bring against him. Major Brown, finding that the storming of the fort was not to be im- mediately attempted, allowed his men stationed at the exposed parts of the parapets, to step down from their assigned places, but to remain near and opposite, and ready to spring into them at a moment's warn- ing. On the evening of the 4th., soon after Capt. Walker left, the firing of musketry was heard in the rear of the fort, and within three or four hundred yards distance. It was supposed the Mexicans intended an assault. The garrison was immediately under arms, the batteries and defences all manned, and so continued during the night. At dawn of the morning of the 5th, large parties of the enemy were discovered in the rear of the fort, both horse and foot. Their left rested on a point of the river below the fort ; their right on a point above, at least a mile distant. This immense force of thousands was supported by a battery that had been erected in the night, and which was named, after it opened on Fort Brown, the " Battery in the Country." This battery, with those of Matamoros, opened at 5 o'clock in the after- noon, and kept up a galling crossfire of shot and shell, for about one hour. The firing was replied to by our eighteen, and six-pound howit- zer batteries, placed in embrasures on the south-east bastion. The bat- teries on both sides ceased firing simultaneously. About two hours after this, a Mexican by the name of Valdez, presented himself at the gate of the fort and was admitted. He stated that a party of American dragoons had been driven back to Point Isabel, (a Mexican's account, probably, of May's return to that place on the morning of the 4th,) and also that a party had been driven into the fort, (Walker's party, which attempted to communicate with Capt. May.) The Mexican also said that Arista's troops were becoming dissatisfied, and were desert- ing in great numbers, and that another revolution had broken out in Mexico. At 9 o'clock several Mexican officers, escorted by a party of cavalry, commenced a reconnoisance within eight hundred yards of the fort, while large bodies of mounted men and infantry were deployed in BOMBARDMENT OF FORT BROWN. 63 sight. Lieut. Hanson, with a high degree of bravery, asked permis- sion of Major Brown to take the dragoons, and return the reconnoi- sance at closer view; his request was granted, and he and his little party gallanty issued from the fort into the open plain occupied by thousands of the enemy. He rode with great boldness up near where they were busy establishing a battery, at the cross roads, behind which they precipitately retreated on his appearance. After an ab- sence of an hour, Lieut. Hanson returned, reporting the erection of this new battery. In the meanwhile our men were hard at work strengthening the defences. The enemy took possession of Gen. Taylor's encampment, that he abandoned on the 1st, and placed their guards along the ditches he had thrown up for its defence. On Wednesday morning, before the sun had fairly risen, a spirited fire was commenced from the lower fort and mortar battery. This continued about one hour, the shot and shell being well directed, burst in every direction within the fort, tearing the tents to pieces, and wounding many of the dragoon horses. The immense size of the field work, and the few troops left to defend it, although its weak- ness in case of an assault, was its strength in this bombardment, for there were no crowds of living men for the shells to burst among. The cannonading now became a source of considerable merriment with many of the soldiers, who were obliged to sit idly by and wit- ness its progress, for the scarcity of ammunition within the fort would not allow the fire to be returned, as it was deemed prudent to reserve the small stock until an assault was made. The following anecdote is characteristic of the spirit of the inmates of the fort at this time. An old soldier, who prided himself upon the goodness of his coffee, and the military precision with which he served out the morning beverage, was busy making some for his mess. He had just com- pleted the operation, and was stooping over to pour it into the cups of his mess, when a ball whizzed over the parapet, struck in the ashes near him, and overturned his refreshment into the fire. The soldier- cook gave the ball a kick, exclaiming at the same time, in a most dolorous voice, " There ! those Mexicans have knocked over my coiTee." When Gen. Taylor left for Point Isabel he gave his orders to Major Brown. They were, that he must maintain his post, and on no ac- 64 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. count risk his position by making a sally ; and that, in case he was surrounded, he must inform him, by firing at stated intervals the eigh- teen-pounders, which could be heard at Point Isabel. The fort was now surrounded, as Gen. Taylor had anticipated, and accordingly, at half past six, the signal eighteen-pounders were fired, at which the enemy, as if conscious that their reverberations were calling for relief, re-opened their two mortar and howitzer batteries in Matamoros, and a mortar at the cross roads in the rear of the fort. BOMBARDMENT OF FORT BROWN. 65 CHAPTER VIII Gen. Taylor's orders to Major Brown Signal eigli teen-pounders Bomb- proof shelters Manner of escaping from the bursting shells Anecdote of a dodger Mexican on the look out Major Brown mortally wounded White flag Correspondence between Gen. Arista and Capt. Hawkins Infantry attack Bombardment at night Mexicans fired into New bat- teries opened Interference with music Mexican forlorn hope Excite- ment in Fort Brown Distant cannonading Anticipations. IT will ever be a matter of surprise that so little damage was done to Fort Brown and its inmates, by this severe and continued bombard- ment. The magazine of the fort was very small, and the great mass of the military stores of the army was still at Point Isabel. It was, therefore, properly resolved by the officers in command, to expend no ammunition that did not " positively tell," reserving it for the con- stantly expected assault, which the enemy seemed preparing for, and which was looked forward to by those within the fort, as a relief to the monotony of the bombardment. Acting upon the principle of saving powder, after it was discovered that the enemy's batteries could not be dismounted, they being sunk in the ground, with thick em- bankments iii front, the soldiers were ordered to make temporary bomb-proof shelters, which was done by taking barrels of pork for the walls, and across which were laid sticks, the whole covered over with several feet of earth. The bomb proofs were built at points con- venient for the men when at their stations. The different Mexican bat- teries were named, and when the smoke of the discharge met the eye of the sentinel on the look out, he would say, " sand-bag fort battery ;" the men would then retreat into the bomb proof protecting them from this particular battery. So also, if " the lower fort battery," " the battery in the country," or " the mortar battery," was called out. If a shell was coming, which was easily distinguished from a solid ball by its fuse, the soldiers would fall on their faces, and the otherwise deadly messenger would harmlessly explode upwards into the air, and meet with nothing to resist its force. One tall private expressed great indignation at being ordered to run away from the shot and shell, 5 66 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. saying, that he did not like to run from any thing. He finally went to his commanding officer, and asked to be excused from dodging the shot. This permission was granted, and a moment after, whiz came a shell over the parapet, and down went the private's head. A general laugh ensued, but our dodger got out of the difficulty by saying, that he did not consider it safe to stand up against that particular shell. Near the mortar battery of the Mexicans was an unusually tall tree. The moment their batteries opened on the fort, an eagle-eyed fellow, with a spy glass in his hand, would ascend this tree, to gloat over the prowess of the Mexican arms, and every time he saw the men fall to avoid the shell, he would report them as being killed by its explosion. So it looked to him. In this way reports were circulated in Matamo- ros that our men were falling in scores, and a rough calculation was made, to ascertain how long a time would elapse before all the de- fenders of the fort would be destroyed, for the thousands that com- posed Arista's army intended, when that time arrived, to make an assault. After the cross firing, called forth with so much energy by our signal eighteen-pounders, had continued for three hours and a half, the noble-minded Major Brown, commander of the fort, with his ad- jutant lieutenant by his side, took his usual round to see that officers and men were at their posts. He stopped for a moment to give direc- tions to some of the soldiers who were busily employed at one of the bomb proofs. Every instant the men were engaged in dodging, to avoid the ball and bursting shell. One of the latter, from " the bat- tery in the country," struck in the parapet, burying itself in the sand without exploding ; a cloud of dust rose into the air, amid which the gallant commander was seen to fall, mortally wounded. He was im- mediately taken to the hospital tent, and while being borne in the arms of two of his men, he exhorted those about him never to give up the fort. His right leg had been shot off, exhibiting the torn mus- cles, and jagged crushed bones, to the pained sight of his command. Although suffering the most excruciating torture, he remained per- fectly calm, and said to those who were sympathisingly standing about him : " Men, go to your duties, stand by your posts ; I am but one among you." While suffering under the operation of having his leg amputated above the knee, which was most skilfully done, he con- BOMBARDMENT OF FORT BROWN. 67 gratulated his country that the misfortune had befallen him, and not been meted out to a younger man. At this time large parties of infantry were seen in the rear of the fort, a portion of which endeavored to get near enough to use their muskets with effect; in this, however, they were unsuccessful. Mounted men were also seen with the infantry. But a few rounds of canister from Lieut. Lowd's battery soon dispersed them, killing seve- ral, as was afterwards shown. The bombardment now grew, if pos- sible, more severe than ever ; a continued shower of shell whizzed overhead, bursting in the fort, tearing up the earth, and destroying every thing that offered opposition. At noon the firing ceased until 2 o'clock, when a few shells were thrown. At half past four, a parley was sounded by the enemy, and two Mexican officers, bearing a white flag, advanced towards the fort, and when within two hundred and fifty yards, were signalled to halt. Capt. Hawkins, who succeeded Major Brown in the command of the fort, directed Major Sewell and Lieut. Britton to go out, and receive any communication the Mexicans might have to make. This was accord- ingly done, and a communication from Gen. Arista to the commander of the fort was handed to Major Sewell, who requested the Mexican officers to retire to a short distance, and there await an answer. This message was given to Capt. Hawkins, and was as follows : EJERCITO MEXICAXO, DIVISION DEI NORTE, > General en Gefe. 3 Se halla V. S. sitiado por fuerzas sufficientes a rendirla y ademas se encuentra a su espalda una numerosa division encampada que libre de toda atencion, valdra cuantcs auxilios tenga V. S. esperanzas de recibir. El amor de la humanidad reconocido en el siglo presente por todas las naciones cultas, impone sin duda el deber de hacer menos crueles los desastres de la guerra. Este principio que los Mejicanos profesan con preferencia a cual- quiera otra nacion, me obliga a indicarle que siendo inutiles sus esfu- erzos, se rinda, para que por una capitulation evite la total ruina de los soldados que la obedecen. Asi me proporcionara V. S. el placer de cumplir con los sentimi- entos indicados de bondad y dulzura que forman el caracter de mis 68 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. compatriotes, a la vez que dare lleno al mas imperioso de los deberes que mi pais exige, por las ofensas que ha recibido. Dios y Libertad ! CUARTEL GENERAL EN LOS FAN QUE s DEL RAMINERO, Mayo 0, de 1846. M. ARISTA.* There can be no doubt that Gen. Arista thought that the bombard- ment was doing great damage to the soldiers in the fort ; indeed, it seemed impossible that it could be otherwise, but his declaration that " the Mexicans observe, above all other nations," the claims of hu- manity acknowledged in all enlightened countries, was, at this time, most singular hypocrisy, even for Mexicans, for he knew, (as the Americans afterwards learned,) that in his ranks was a " forlorn hope," commissioned by solemn rites to murder the soldiers in the fort, as soon as they surrendered. Upon reading Gen. Arista's letter, which the bearers stated would be answered in one hour, Capt. Hawkins deemed its contents, (though imperfectly understood for want of an interpreter thoroughly versed in the Spanish,) of sufficient importance to convoke a council, con- sisting of all the commissioned officers in his command, and place the letter before them. The spirit of the message was understood to be a proposal for the surrender of the fort. Capt. Hawkins said that he knew there was but one sentiment on that point, but he deemed it right that all the officers should be represented in the reply. * Translation. 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 succors which you may expect to receive. The respect for humanity, acknowledged at the present age by all civilised 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. You will thus afford me the pleasure of complying with the mild and bene- volent wishes above expressed, which distinguish the character of my coun- trymen, whilst I at the same time fulfil the most imperious of the duties which my country requires for the offences committed against it. God and Liberty ! HKAD QUARTERS AT TUB FANQ.UES DEL RAMINERO, May Gth, 1846. M. ARISTA. CAPT. HAWKINS' LETTER TO GEN. ARISTA. 69 The vote of the youngest officer was then taken, and so with the others in succession. The vote was unanimous ; it was to defend the fort to the death. The following reply was therefore prepared and despatched to Gen. Arista within the allotted hour. HEAD QUARTERS U. S. FORCES, Near Matamoros, May 6, 1846, 5 P. M. SIR : Your humane communication has just been received, and, after the consideration due to its importance, I must respectfully de- cline to surrender my forces to you. The exact purport of your despatch I cannot feel confident that I understood, as my interpreter is not skilled in your language ; but if I have understood you correctly, you have my reply above. I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant, E. S. HAWKINS. Commanding U. S. Forces opposite Matamoros. Gen. 31. ARISTA, Commanding Division of the Norih. The Mexicans, upon receiving Capt. Hawkins' communication, opened the batteries with more zeal than ever ; shell, six and four- pound ball were literally showered into the fort, for the men at these hostile guns had acquired precision by long practice. Those at whom these deadly missiles were aimed, were compelled, from want of powder, to look sullenly on, and no reply was made, except the mut- terings of defiance in the rustling folds of the star-spangled banner, that still proudly waved unharmed, and against which this iron storm was principally directed. Towards sundown the regimental colors were displayed. This called forth discharges of musketry from them at eight hundred yards distance. So closed this most eventful day, a day of most exciting interest. The sentinels marched their silent rounds, while men and officers at their posts, stole snatches of sleep while resting upon their arms, and expecting every moment to hear the rushing cry that presages the deadly assault, and which was now more than ever expected. The appearance presented by the bombardment at night must have been singularly grand. As the shells rose into the air, the burning fuses gave them the appearance of fiery comets, and at times so rapidly 70 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. did they fly, that streams of seemingly continuous, hissing light, formed magnificent arches from the Mexican batteries to our fort, where they found a common centre. The continued reverberations of the heavy discharges, the constant explosion of shells, the sheeted flame from the mortars and howitzers, that in the darkness of night seemed bursting volcanoes, formed a picture of war at once sublime and terrible. With the morning light of the 7th the enemy's batteries recom- menced, but after pouring into the fort a large number of shot and shell, they suddenly ceased. About half past 7 o'clock a large num- ber of Mexicans were discovered in and around the Fanques del Ret- minero, and the houses formerly occupied by the guards of our Second brigade. Several rounds of canister and grape were fired into them, which caused them to make a precipitate retreat after throwing a few shell in return. The Mexicans had heretofore used shell made of bronze, they now used iron, which they fired at intervals until noon. It was at this time discovered that the mortar battery in the rear of the fort, had been removed to the city of Matamoros. About noon some shell were thrown, which killed four of Lieut. Bragg's horses, and broke the wheel of one of his caissons. Soon after all their batteries opened, and kept up a steady firing of round shot and shell, which continued for nearly two hours. By one of these discharges, the sentinel lost his arm, but the bomb proofs were so far advanced that the men were comparatively protected. Random shots were now fired from under the bank of the river, and the rear of the fort; it was evidently the determination of the besiegers to give our men no rest, and induce them to expend all their ammunition, our deserters having informed them that there was little in the fort. Orders had been given to return no firing more than eighty yards distant, and as the Mexicans never approached to within twice that distance, they elicited no reply. At half past two a regular bombardment commenced from all the batteries, howitzers, and mortars, which continued without intermis- sion until sunset. During this time a shell struck one of the tents, and entered a chest containing the instruments of the band belonging to the Seventh Regiment. These were entirely destroyed, and scat- tered in pieces about the fort. A barrel of molasses was similarly assaulted, much to the astonishment of the commissary, who saw the BOMBARDMENT CONTINUED. 71 treacle thus divided out in a manner contrary to all " army regula- tions," and the rules of the mess. Such precision in firing had the enemy now acquired, that in this bombardment of six hours' duration, more than half of their shot and shell were thrown in the fort. At dark, the indefatigable Capt. Mansfield, with a small party, left the fort, and levelled the traverse thrown up by our troops when they first arrived on the banks of the river, and also cut down a large quantity of chaparral that served at times to cover the " sharp shooters" of the enemy. Every thing after this remained quiet until midnight Each man was at his post, and anxiously awaiting the assault, when the stillness was broken by volleys of musketry, and bugles "sounding the charge." The firing then ceased, but in a short time recom- menced, and continued until daylight. On the afternoon of this day, in the plaza of the city of Matamoras, was drawn up a body of infantry, denominated the " forlorn hope," whose duty it was to lead at midnight the assault on the fort. To nerve them for the work, every passion was appealed to, and every prejudice consulted, and it was urged that large numbers of the sol- diers of the fort had been killed, and that those living must be worn down and exhausted, it was therefore a most favorable time for an attack. Midnight came volleys of musketry were fired, and the bugles sounded the charge, but the brave defenders of Fort Brown were undisturbed in their vigilance under the parapets of the fort. If the enemy's batteries had been quiet for want of solar heat, they could not have commenced more punctually at sunrise than they did on the morning of the 8th. For three hours, without cessation, the " lower fort," and " sand-bag battery," poured forth a continuous storm of shot and shell, notwithstanding which, a little party ventured from the fort, and succeeded in burning some houses which stood near the banks of the river. At noon the bombardment was resumed, and kept up about two hours. Many of the soldiers began to show symptoms of being worn down with hard labour and watching ; na- ture was becoming exhausted, they grew indifferent about the explo- ding shells, and listlessly let them burst in dangerous proximity of their persons. The heavy bombardment had hardly ceased, when a severe cannonading was heard towards Point Isabel; so sudden 72 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. did it commence, and so rapidly was it carried on, that it seemed like one continued volley of field pieces. The soldiers in the fort sprang as one man to their feet, and listened. The sounds of artillery continued to roll on the plain ; a simultaneous shout rose from the men in the fort, that must have sounded in Matamoros more terribly than our severest cannonade, for it must have told the people there that those in the fort believed that Gen. Taylor was on the advance from Point Isabel. The enemy felt that shout, for there immediately commenced a severer bombardment than the fort had yet sustained; and a new mortar battery having been opened across the river, west of the fort, made four playing upon it from different points at the same time. But our soldiers were now active, and they could scarce suppress their feelings ; for amidst ball and bomb pouring into the fort, they could, hour after hour, hear that distant cannonading, growing more and more distinct. It was too much. Gen. Taylor was surely driving the enemy before them, and in despite of the deadly missiles that rat- tled as a storm of hail over the fort, the men sprang upon the para- pets, and fairly silenced the thunder of the bombardment with their repeated cheers. The enemy's cavalry and infantry were seen above and below the fort crossing the river in masses, supposed for the purpose of rein- forcing the enemy. At 7 o'clock the bombardment ceased, the fort having received through the day three hundred shot and shell, with comparatively little injury. As the sun was setting a Mexican was seen running towards the fort with a flag. He stated that news had been received that our forces had come in contact with the enemy, and had driven them back towards Matamoros. He also stated that he was a prisoner in charge of the Mexican picket guard fired upon by the fort the evening previous, and that while they were carrying off the wounded and dead occasioned by the discharge, he had escaped. The inmates of the fort were now under the most pleasing yet intense excitement. They all felt that victory would perch upon the standard of their brave companions in the field, and that a brilliant era was advancing upon " the Army of Occupation." MARCH TO PALO ALTO. 73 CHAPTER IX. The army leaves Point Isabel Encamps for the night Plains of the Palo Alto Preliminaries of battle Lieut. Blake's reconnoisance Battle of the 8th commences Churchill's batteries Ringgold's batteries Duncan's bat- teries Mexican charge Repulse Ridge Jy's batteries Ringgold's Dun- can's The prairie on fire Action suspended. Ox the evening of the 7th, Gen. Taylor, with a force of little over two thousand men, left Point Isabel for Fort Brown. Leaving the point under the command of Major Munroe, Gen. Taylor had with him, besides his troops, a train of two hundred and fifty wagons, loaded with stores. The coming night the army bivouacked seven miles from the point. Its march was resumed early the following morning. About noon our advanced guard reported the enemy were drawn up in front, to oppose the progress of the army. The long " train" wag immediately parked, the main body of our troops continuing to ad- vance. The moment so ardently wished for by our troops was evidently approaching, and the prospect of meeting the enemy, though of a force so. superior to their own, flushed with pleasure every soldier's cheek. Though they had languished with the fatigues of a severe march, and the brackish water of the prairies stimulated, rather than allayed thirst, yet the mass now moved with accelerated speed ; significant glances passed between brother officers, and the privates, in unsuppressed feel- ing, showed their anxiety to engage in the conflict. In the midst of this excitement, an officer passed to the rear, bear- ing the news that the enemy had withdrawn his advance, leaving the surmise that they had retreated. The beaming face and accelerated step of the soldier disappeared. The wagons were again put in mo- tion, and with slow pace progressed another mile. The country now began to open into prairie. On the right and left of the American line were seen ponds of fresh water, and immediately beyond them, cha- parral. In front opened a broad plain of three miles in extent, bounded by Palo Alto, or dwarfish mosquite trees, that struggled through the 74 OUR ARMY ON THE PjO GRANDE. thickets, and overtopped, by a few feet only, the thorn and prickly pear with which they were surrounded. Word now came back from the advance guard, that upon this prairie were the enemy drawn up. The train was brought into a solid square, and our little army then advanced with buoyant step, until the heads of its narrow columns reached the open prairie. A scene singularly thrilling and sublime, now presented itself a scene such as was never before witnessed in warlike operations. Two contending armies had met upon a battle field formed by an American prairie. Not a shrub, not the slightest hillock or artificial embank- ment of any kind intervened to offer protection, or give to either party advantage over the other. This battle-plain was broad enough for the most extensive operations, while the respective commanders could look over their troops in the contest, as upon a moving panorama. Our soldiers glanced across this richly carpeted prairie, and saw ex- tended before them the Mexican host. In its rear was just discerni- ble the wiry-limbed " tall timber" that has given name to the plain. Upon the extreme right was placed a division of Mexican cavalry, that, from the perfect level of the country, seemed to tower over the sur- rounding landscape. Their sharp lances were erect, upon which hung glittering pennants, as if in bitter mockery of their office. Next was placed the artillery ; then heavy masses of infantry, their burnished muskets glittering in the sun, and jets ol light playing with terrible significance upon their bayonet points. Artillery, infantry, and cavalry were placed alternately, the whole forming a living wall more than a mile in extent, of physical strength, of steel, and latent fire. The me- ridian sun poured down its rays upon breasts heaving with pent-up emotions and fierce passions, soon to be called forth in deadly strife. Six thousand men stood there in battle array. The gallant little American army saw this front with eyes flashing with enthusiasm, and a proud consciousness of coming victory. At the sight, the regimental colors were stripped of their coverings, and amidst deafening cheers unfurled in defiance, and thrown to the breeze. The line of battle was now formed in the following order, com- mencing on the extreme right : Fifth Infantry, commanded by Lieut. Col. M'Intosh; Major Ringgold's Artillery; Third Infantry, com- . BATTLE ARRAY AT PALO ALTO. manded by Capt. L. IN". Morris ; two eighteen-pounders, commanded by Lieut. Churchill, Third Artillery ; Fourth Infantry, commanded by Major G. W. Allen ; the Third and Fourth regiments composed the Third brigade, under command of Lieut. Col. 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 Col. Tvviggs. The left was formed by the battalion of artillery commanded by Lieut, Col. Childs, Capt. Duncan's Light Artillery, and the Eighth In- fantry under Capt. Montgomery, all forming the First brigade, under command of Lieut. Col. Belknap. The train was parked near the water, under direction of Captains Cressman and Myers, and protected by Capt Ker's squadron. Then, thus iirthe presence of the enemy, Gen. Taylor ordered the soldiers to stack their arms, and by companies march to the ponds be- fore them, and refresh themselves with the luxury of fresh water. De- libe'ately, as if on a holiday parade, did they proceed to obey this pleasing- order. After long and invigorating draughts, they poured from their canteens the brackish water obtained at Point Isabel, and refilled them from the ponds. They then returned in order to their respective places. The coolness of Gen. Taylor, and his consideration for the comfort of his men, as evinced by this act, cannot be too much admired. At 2 o'clock, the army moved forward in battle array. While thus advancing, Lieut. J. E. Blake, of the Topographical Engineers, passed at full speed the advance guard, saying u he was going down to observe the enemy's lines." He continued on, until within one hundred and fifty yards of them, when he dismounted, and drawing out his spy- glass, commenced a reconnoisance ; the boldness of which, called forth admiration from the thousands who witnessed it. While thus engaged, two Mexican officers, evidently under the impression that he had some important communication to make to their commanding general, rode out from the ranks to meet him \ Lieut. Blake observ- ing this, remounted his horse, and rode deliberately down the whole of the enemy's line ; then returning, he gave to Gen. Taylor, what was subsequently proven to be a correct account of the Mexican force, in both artillery, cavalry, and infantry. OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. The space between the two armies was now gradually lessening, and soon the details could be distinguished. The tall, rank grass of the prairie, deadened the heavy tramp of the cavalry, and the lumber- ing wheels of the artillery ; and the whole moved forward in such silence, that the rattling of their trappings could be heard singularly plain. A space of seven hundred yards only, intervened between the two armies, when the batteries on the right of the Mexican line open- ed, throwing their ball and grape over the heads of the Americans, and announcing, in tones of thunder, that the contest had begun. In quick succession the whole of their artillery, from extreme right to left, poured forth volleys of ball, which made the earth tremble, and filled the air with clouds of dust and sulphurous smoke. The word was now given for the advancing columns to halt, and deploy into line. When this was done, Lieut. Churchill's eighteen-pounders boom- ed above the surrounding din, announcing, in full-rolling echoes, that the Americans were " in the field." Major Ringgold's and Capt. Dun- can's commands were now ordered forward into the open prairie, and commenced their rapid discharges. A general cannonading now raged, unparalleled, we believe, in any fight upon an open battle field ; Dun- can's battery, from its conspicuousness and nearness to our line, had often the concentrated fire of the enemy upon it. For two hours, twenty or thirty pieces of artillery rent the air with their thunders, the iron hail tearing up the prairie in deep furrows, and sending the dry dust in clouds into the air. There was but little precision in the enemy's firing. The missiles almost invariably passed over the Ame- rican lines ; far different was it with our own ; at every discharge, the sudden opening that followed in the solid masses, marked the terrible course of death where the Mexican cavalry bit the dust. The in- fantry, cool spectators of the raging battle, marked with eagle-eyes this havoc in the opposing ranks, and mingled their exulting shouts with the din, as they witnessed the prowess of their campanions in arms. The terrible eighteen-pounders rose ever above the tumult, and seemed as if keeping time in solemn sound, as at every discharge they sent their huge masses of crashing iron into the living wall at, which they were directed. As the battle thickened, the infantry, now formed in our rear, grew impatient to participate in the fight, and the Mexi- can cavalry, by suffering so severely by our artillery, prepared for the BATTLE OF PALO ALTO.' 77 charge. The manoeuvring of the day now commenced the time for cool courage, quick thought, and deeds of individual heroism had arrived. A regiment of Mexican lancers, commanded by Gen. Torrejon, moved towards our right, as it was supposed to gain possession of our train. The Third and Fifth regiments of Infantry, with a portion of Ringgold's battery, under the command of Lieut. Ridgley, were ordered to check this movement, and turn the left flank of the enemy. They, however, still keeping up an irregular fire, continued steadily to advance toward our right and front, so as to out-flank our line, if possible. Upon their near approach, the Fifth was thrown into square, with Capt. Walker, and twenty mounted men, on its right. Lieut. Ridgely having dashed forward, unlimbered his battery, and com- menced rapid discharges of grape and canister upon the enemy's artillery, causing it to retreat ; but the lancers, fifteen hundred strong, continued steadily to advance, in spite of all opposition, until the Fifth poured into them from the front of the square a fire so deadly, that the front of the cavalry recoiled ; great numbers fell dead, and those in the rear, without pressing forward on to the bayonets ready to receive them, broke into confusion. A portion, however, re-formed, and kept bravely on, in the attempt to reach the trains, when Col. Twiggs ordered the Third Infantry to the extreme right, to cut off their advance, which, when the enemy saw, they commenced a retreat in- good order, marching apparently by squadrons, when Lieut. Ridgely, assisted by Lieut. French, opened his batteries, scattering them in all directions. While Lieut. Ridgely was engaged in directing this fire, his 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 front of the gun. Lieut. Ridgely, re- gardless of personal danger, rushed forward between the two con- tending fires, seized the lead-horses by the head, and brought them into their places, thus saving not only his horses, but the ammunition of his battery. During this time, Major Ringgold's batteries were not idle ; but, supported by the Fourth Infantry, kept up a galling and continuous fire. On the left, and in the advance, was Duncan's bat- tery, which, supported by the Eighth Infantry, and Capt. Ker's squadron of dragoons, poured forth a terrible discharge. The dragoons, who 78 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. from their elevated position could witness its effects, say that horses and riders were frequently blown into the air, and long openings were often visible, which it made in the solid columns against which it was directed ; notwithstanding this, the enemy's line remained unshaken. So rapid were these discharges, that the wiry grass of the prairie, that reached nearly up to the muzzle of the pieces, dried before the sheeted flame, and burst into a blaze ; the sulphurous smoke of the exploded cannon and musket-cartridges had already clouded the air, as if to veil the horrors of war from the clear blue sky above ; but, when this conflagration took place, the very heavens were at times darkened, and huge masses of smoke rolled across the plain, completely ob- scuring our lines from the enemy's view. A BRAVE SOLDIER. 79 CHAPTER X. Action resumed Xe\v line of battle A brave soldier Capt. Page wound- ed Ringgold's battery Ringgold's fall Mexican charge Repulse Duncan's battery, its movements Close of the battle 1 The \\-oui! Council Result Gen. Taylor's despatch Gen. Arista's despatch. Two hours had now elapsed since the artillery opened on both sides, when the Mexican batteries slackened their fire, and soon after ceased altogether. It was evident that their line, unable to withstand the shock of Ringgold's, Churchills, Duncan's, and Ridgely's pieces, were falling back, to form, as Gen. Taylor correctly judged, a new line of battle, under cover of the smoke. The eigh teen-pounders were now pushed forward, until they occupied the position held by the Mexican cavalry at the commencement of the action. As the battalion of artillery advanced, it came up to a private of the Fifth, a veteran in Napoleon's wars, who lay on the battle field with both of his legs shot off. He was one of the first that fell after the cannonade commenced, and after having escaped in the terrible conflicts of Wa- gram and Austerlitz, in the retreat from Moscow, and the battle of Waterloo, he lived to fall on the Palo Alto, by a cannon shot from a Mexican battery. As his fellow soldiers passed him, and noticed the blood flowing from his wounds with every pulsation of his heart, they stopped for an instant to sympathise with him, but the brave fellow, as his eyes were glazing in death, waved them on, as with his last breath he said, u Go, comrades, I have only got what a soldier enlists for." A few moments only had elapsed, since the air had been rent with the fierce discharges of the artillery; now, the familiar sounds of the farm yard were most prominently heard. Twenty yoke of oxen were slowly wending their way over the battle field, dragging, with infinite labor, the two eighteen-pounders into their new position. The drivers yelling, geeing and hawing, and cracking their long-lashed whips as coolly as if at a ploughing match ; an American prairie only was large enough to give them room to wheel into battery, which having done, they philosophically resumed eating the long grass, 80 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. \vhich occupation their labors had temporarily suspended. It is re- markable, that although ten yoke of oxen often extended a broad line to the range of the enemy's guns, not a single one was hurt. The Fifth Regiment advanced, and occupied the extreme right of the newly formed line. During these movements, the wounded were being carried from the field to the rear, the crippled horses of the Light Artillery were removed, and the caissons sent to the train to be replenished with ammunition. The Mexicans arranged their line parallel with our own, but better protected than at first by the cha- parral in their rear. A little more than an hour elapsed, when the action on both sides was resumed, the artillery leading off, our own being apparently more destructive than ever ; the firmness with which the enemy sustained it became a theme of universal remark and admi- ration. Capt. May's squadron was now ordered to make a demon- stration on the enemy's left flank, and try to drive in their cavalry ; that gallant officer had been almost a mere spectator of the day's proceedings, and now obeyed with alacrity the command to take part in the action. As his squadron passed the commander-in-chief, the enemy's batteries concentrated their fire upon it. May succeeded, however, in gaining a position for charging, but the enemy was in such force, that the small number of his squadron could accomplish nothing, accordingly, in obedience to instructions, he returned to his first position, and there remained until the close of the action. The sun was now rapidly descending the horizon, and the Mexi- cans seemed determined to make one great effort to silence, if possi- ble, the terrible eighteen-pounders, and Ringgold's batteries. To ac- complish this, they poured into them a perfect hurricane of grape and canister, killing and wounding numbers of the gallant Fourth, that supported them, among which the brave Capt. Page fell, severely wounded, a cannon ball tearing off the lower part of his face, and stretching him helpless on the ground. Lieut. Col. Payne, inspector general of the army, and acting as aid to Gen. Taylor, coming up at this time, begged Lieut. Churchill to permit him to sight these pieces, which he did with great effect. At this time the gallant Major Ring- gold was placed in a position to try all the qualities of his favorite artillery, and nobly had the successes of the day justified his high expectations; coolly, amidst the rattling hail that fell around him, he MAJOR RINGGOLD MORTALLY WOUNDED. 81 directed his battery with almost the certainty of a rifle. His ammu- nition becoming nearly exhausted, he rode a little to the rear for the the purpose of giving orders to have his supply increased, and checked his horse in the rear of the eighteen-pounders, which were at the moment receiving the concentrated fire of the enemy. Several large shot passed directly over this battery, striking, and throwing up a cloud of dust, which had not dissipated, when Col. Payne heard his name beseechingly called by one of the soldiers, and looking behind, he saw Major Ringgold stretched upon the ground, his favorite steed plunging and writhing a short distance from him. Col. Payne imme- diately went to his assistance, and found that he was mortally wound- ed; a six-pound shot had "struck his right thigh, and passing through the holsters and upper part of the shoulders of his horse, cut through his left thigh, in the same line in which the ball first struck him, ex- posing, but not breaking the bones." Thus terribly mutilated, while the balls were whizzing over his head, and striking about him, Major Ringgold rested his head upon his left hand, appearing more like a soldier reposing at ease after the fatigues of the day, than like one who had just received his death wound. So perfectly calm was he, that his face had not even lost its natural color; and, as his brother soldiers crowded about him, he waved them away, saying, they had work to do, and that they must go ahead ; he then re- moved, with his right hand, the chain from his neck, to which was attached his watch, and handing it to Col. Payne, said, " Give that to my sistei ;" and after taking out his purse, and making the same request, he appeared to have closed his connection with the world, and calmly to await his death. In the mean time, the battalion of artillery under Lieut. Col. 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 the line, and the column continued to advance under a severe fire from our eighteen-pounders. The battalion was formed into square, and held ready to receive the charge, but when the advancing squadrons were within a close range, a deadly fire of canister from the eighteen-pounders dispersed them. A brisk fire of small amis was now opened on the square, by which one officer, Lieut. Luther, of the Second Artillery, was wounded ; but a well-directed volley from 6 82 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. the front of Col. Childs' battalion, silenced all farther firing from the enemy's left. The battle of Palo Alto was now drawing to a close ; the Mexican army had withstood, for hours, the severe cannonading of our batteries. md accomplished much to elevate them, as soldiers, in the eyes of the world ; but their fire was gradually slackening solitary discharges of cannon alone were heard, and the line was slowly falling back into the chaparral. Gen. Arista seemed determined, however, to make one more effort to gain our rear, and possess himself of the stores and ammunition, and the events that now followed were worthy to close the successes of the day. Throughout, the battle had been one of artillery, and the artillery made the last great and brilliant demonstra- tion. While the enemy was pouring in their fire upon Ringgold's and Churchill's batteries, on our right, Capt. Duncan was quietly re- pairing the injuries his batteries had sustained, and replenishing his caissons from the train. When this was done, he limbered up, and according to orders, dashed down to the right of our line, to aid in silencing the enemy's fire, so destructive to the Fourth Infantry, and Col. Childs' battalion. The smoke still rolled in huge masses over the plain ; in fact, the growing coolness of the night air was driving it downwards to the earth, and obscuring the enemy's lines, when a slight breeze for an instant lifted this impenetrable veil, and exposed to Capt. Duncan's view the enemy, who were rapidly moving the entire infantry and cavalry of their right wing upon our train, which was now in the rear of the left of our line of battle. Capt. Duncan promptly communicated to the commanding officer this daring ma- noeuvre of the enemy, who ordered him to proceed with all possible despatch to the threatened point, and hold the enemy in check until the Eighth Infantry could come up to his support. Under cover of the smoke, which now favored this movement, Capt. Duncan, sup- ported in succession by the Eighth Infantry and Capt. Ker's dragoons, dashed back at full speed beyond his original position, and past the burning prairie, until he arrived in full view of the enemy. So sudden and unexpected was this movement to the enemy, (who but a moment before had seen Duncan's battery disappear behind the smoke in an opposite direction,) that the immense column of advancing cavalry under command of Col. Don Cayetano Montero halted before a shot CLOSE OF THE BATTLE. 83 had been fired, or a gun unlimbered. A strong body of their infantry, supported by two squares of cavalry, debouched from the extreme right front of the chaparral, and moved steadily forward to the attack ; nothing could exceed the pomp with which the infantry advanced ; the grand band of the anny was at its head, pouring forth a volume of proud defiance and anticipation of coming victory. Suddenly the right section of Duncan's battery opened with canister and shell. At the first discharge the musicians were completely annihilated ; a shell exploded among them, piling them in one promiscuous heap of frightfully wounded and dead : their instruments were rent as if of paper. At each successive discharge, the havoc was fearful ; but those who escaped for a time, closed in and moved on ; but finally the ad- vancing foot and horse fell back in disorder to the bushes. The other section of the battery now played upon the cavalry that had halted upon the right of the guns, as before mentioned. Although the shots were well delivered, each one making an opening through the entire squadron, this part of the Mexican line remained unbroken. The columns of horse and foot which had been driven back into the chaparral re-formed, and moved forward with great regularity to renew the attack : after advancing about one hundred yards, Duncan's battery again opened, and drove them back pell mell to the bushes, when they commenced a precipitate and confused retreat, rushing against the head of the columns that had hitherto remained firm under our shot. Squadron after squadron followed, until the entire right wing was in full retreat. Both sections of the battery were brought to bear upon the flying columns, until they disappeared into the chaparral, and the darkness of approaching night obscured both friend and foe. The excitement of the contest gone, our soldiers sunk in their har- ness upon the battle field^and from fatigue and exhaustion, fell asleep. The artillerists reposed between the wheels of their well-used pieces, which remained hitched up nature gave way, and could not sustain the men through the labors required by discipline, to prepare them properly for repose. The dragoons all night kept watch; in their extended circle, they rode among heaps of the Mexican dead, and heard from the dense chaparral the groans of the mortally wounded, as they breathed their last. Palo Alto also witnessed that night, a scene which finds a parallel, in the after-part of every battle. By the 84 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. flickering light of torches, the medical staff were busy in binding up bleeding and ghastly wounds, amputating shattered limbs, and other- wise performing their delicate offices, so sacred in the eyes of huma- nity, but the value of which is often overlooked amid the brilliant achievements of the battle field. The officers, after performing their respective duties for the night, rested from their arduous labors, but felt no inclination to repose. Uncertainty hung over the events of the coming day; it was felt that the "tug of war" was yet to come -that the Mexicans would make their last stand not probably in the open field, but with the advantages of protected position, and with increased strength, for straggling Mexi- cans had been picked up, who severally affirmed that the thousands already in the field, had received great accessions from the surround- ing country. To some, it seemed an unequal conflict for our little army to meet, without reinforcements, the formidable force of Palo Alto, with fresh and vigorous troops added thereto, equal in number to our entire force ; and that discretion, which is a part of tnie valor, sug- gested the propriety of holding a war-council upon the battle field. Gen. Taylor was appealed to on the subject; he promptly assented to a council, if such was the wish of the officers. It formed a memorable scene, when the commanders of Palo Alto assembled, and by the light of the torch, consulted together as bro- thers, upon the future, and united their spirits, as one man, to sustain the honor of American arms. It was with eloquent earnestness, that Ridgely dwelt upon the certainty of coming victory, if the enemy again dared to meet them in the field ; and it was with a force as over- powering as a discharge from his own battery, that Duncan declared the defeat of a Mexican army, of whatever strength, that would dis- pute the progress of his brave companions, m their onward march. The young officers, warmed by enthusiasm, and wearing wreaths of glory, plucked in the battle but just ended, thus spoke ; while the noble, gray-haired Mclntosh, who represented the heroes who had won honors in an earlier day, sanctioned the high-souled breathings of his younger brothers in arms. The vote was taken, and declared, without a dissenting voice, " We will go ahead." While this council was being held, Gen. Taylor, in his tent, was preparing the following despatch, remarkable not only for its brevity, GEN. TAYLOR'S DESPATCH. 85 and modest recapitulation of most brilliant events, but also for dis- playing a trait of character he has shown through life ; that of perfect confidence in his own resources, and unconsciousness of the possi- bility of successful opposition j for in it, he declares it to be his con- viction, that the enemy had crossed the river, leaving the road open before him to Fort Brown. HEAD QUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Camp at Palo Alto. Texas, May 9, 1846. SIR : I have the honor to report that I was met near this place yes- terday, on my march from Point Isabel, by the Mexican 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, w r as the arm chiefly engaged, and to the excellent manner in which it was manoeuvred and served, is our success mainly clue. The strength of the enemy is believed to have been about six thou- sand men, with seven pieces of artillery, and eight hundred cavalry. His loss is probably at least one hundred killed. Our strength did not exceed, all told, twenty-three hundred, w r hile our loss was com- paratively trifling four men killed, three officers and thirty-seven men wounded, several of the latter mortally. I regret to say that Major Ringgold, Third Artillery, and Capt. Page, Fourth Infantry, are severely wounded ; Lieut. Luther, Second Artillery, slightly so. The enemy has fallen back, and it is believed has repassed the river. I have advanced parties now thrown forward in his direction, and shall move the main body immediately. In the haste of this first report, I can only say that the officers and men behaved in the most admirable manner throughout the action. I shall have the pleasure of making a more detailed report, when those of the different commanders shall be received. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S. .#., Commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL U. S. Army, Washington, D. C. Far different was the tenor of Gen. Arista's official document, written nearly simultaneously with that of Gen. Taylor. It was 86 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. Arista's object to conceal the truth, and under the guise of contra- dictory, but high-sounding assertions, to give the superficial thinkers among his own countrymen, the idea that he was victorious. This despatch is interesting, because it gives the battle of Palo Alto as re- ceived by Mexican eyes ; and also for its studied expressions, so art- fully worded to deceive. MOST EXCELLENT SIR: Constant in my purpose of preventing Gen. Taylor from uniting the forces which he brought from the Fronton of Sante Isabel, with those which he left fortified 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 1 o'clock, and observed 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 diffi- cult passage. Scarcely was the first cannon fired, when there arrived Gen. 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 Matamoros. 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 sixteen 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 towards 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 embar- rassed. Gen. Taylor maintained his attack rather defensively than offen- GEN. ARISTA'S DESPATCH. 87 sively, employing his best arm, which is artillery, protected by half of the infantry, and all of his cavalry, keeping the remainder forti- fied 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 Gen. D. Anastasio Torrejon to execute it with the greater part of the cavalry, by our left flank, while one should be executed at the same time by our right flank, with some columns of infantry, and the remainder of that arm [cavalry.] I was waiting the moment when that general should execute 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 embarrassed the attack. Some battalions, becoming impatient by the loss which they suf- fered, fell into disorder, demanding to advance or fall back. 1 imme- diately caused them to charge with a column of cavalry, under the command of Col. D. Cayetano Montero; 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 was then adopte'd, 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 artillery, Gen. 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 of national recollection and gratitude for the intrepidity with which they died fighting for the most sacred of causes. Will your excellency please with this note to report to his excel- lency the President, representing to him that I will take care to give 88 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. 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 honor to our arms, and exhibits their discipline. Accept the assurances of my consideration and great regard, God and Liberty ! HEAD QUARTERS, PALO ALTO, in sight of the enemy^ May 8, 1846. MARIANO ARISTA. MOST EXCELLENT SIR, Minister of War and Marine. A DEAD CAVALRY OFFICER. 89 CHAPTER XL Morning of the 9th The train parked A dead cavalry officer Evidences of the battle of the 8th Interesting incident Advance guard under Capt. McCall Fatal accident to Lieut. Blake Burial of the dead Evidences of a murder Enemy discovered Resaca de la Palma Lieut. Dobbins Ridgely ordered forward The battle begins It becomes general. ON the morning of the 9th, as the sun rose and dissipated the smoky haze that had hung over the battle field, the enemy was seen slowly moving away into the chaparral, as if reluctantly leaving the Americans in possession of Palo Alto. Gen. Taylor presumed that the enemy might possibly dispute his progress towards Fort Brown. Forming his plans accordingly, he ordered the train to be strongly parked ; and throwing up an entrenchment, he assigned the artillery battalion, with two eighteen-pounders, and two twelve-pounders, not used the day previous, for its defence. The army was then formed into line of battle, and moved over the prairie, amid the strains of enlivening music, and the halo of the pre- ceding glorious day resting upon it. A short advance brought the army upon the ground occupied by the Mexicans the day previous, and the effect of the recent action began to display itself. One of the first objects that met the eye was the body of a Mexican cavalry offi- cer, who had been killed while in advance of his fellow soldiers. A cannon ball had struck the back part of his head, splitting it open, yet not disfiguring the face. His horse, by some extraordinary accident, had evidently been killed at the same instant with himself. There lay the soldier most gracefully reposing upon his steed, and both looked as if sleeping after the fatigues of a day's hard labor. It was a singular picture, where the calm appearance of life was counterfeited by the eternal sleep of death, which had not robbed a single muscle of repose, or given to the lineaments aught than plays upon them in the sweet dreams of innocence and youth. Continuing on, the evidences of the terrible havoc of our artillery increased. Not only the dead were seen, but wrecks of military ac- 90 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. coutrements. Among them were gun-stocks, bayonets, and in vast heaps cartridges for musket and cannon ; while over the ground torn clothing and military caps were strown in most eloquent confusion. In the long grass beside the road lay a severely-wounded soldier. All night long had he suffered the excruciating agonies of his wounds, and been tormented by thirst. The poor fellow raised himself up, and showed by signs that he was dying for water. The sight impressed all who witnessed it, and the soldiers were ready, but for discipline, to have rushed to his relief. Upon seeing the distressed Mexican, Col. Twiggs involuntarily exclaimed, u Men ! the poor fellow wants water !" and full twenty soldiers stripped themselves of their canteens and threw them at the feet of the wounded Mexican. Once relieved from thirst, he begged for food. Col. Twiggs mentioned this, when a dozen haversacks of victuals were thrown beside the water, and the Mexican officer, gloating upon the relief he received, ate and died sur- rounded by the marks of the generosity of our troops. The army was now on the edge of the chaparral, and halted at a part convenient to water. Gen. Taylor then ordered the light com- panies of the First brigade, under Capt. C. F. Smith, Second Artillery, and a select detachment of light troops, the whole under the command of Capt. McCall of the Fourth Infantry, to move forward into the cha- parral and feel the enemy, and ascertain their position. Gen. Taylor then rode back to the train, accompanied, among others of his staff, by Lieut. J. E. Blake, of the Topographical Corps. While at the train, Lieut. Blake got down from his horse to take some refreshment, his labors having been very severe during the previous twenty-four hours. Having unbuckled his holsters and expressed his gratification at a prospect of a little rest, and threw them down, when, from some unaccountable accident, one of his pistols exploded, throwing the ball upwards through his body. He fell mortally wounded, and in a few hours, having expressed his regrets that he had not fell on the battle field the day previous, he breathed his last. The army now halted, its movements being dependent upon the reports sent in from the advance guard. The wounded Mexicans, who had been left on the battle field by the retreating army, were carried back to our hospitals, and treated with the same attention as its other inmates, while a great number of the dead lying in the parts MURDERED WOMAN. 91 of the battle field occupied by our troops, were decently buried. Our artillery had literally mowed down the enemy. The eye could distin- guish where the infantry had remained in line under the fire, and where they had been struck in the confusion of retreat. And the dead horses scattered along the route, traced the sweeping cavalry. Far off to the left of our line, beyond the dark spot, made by the fired grass that was burnt upon the 8th, could be seen, undisturbed, and reposing beneath the morning sun, the terrible evidences of Duncan's last charge upon the advancing Mexicans. The dead that fell under that assault, had never been touched by friend or foe. The change in the order of battle had thrown them out of convenient reach of both armies, and in the distance it appeared as if a host of horse and foot had carelessly bivouaced in the plain, and were still slumbering. Capt. McCall, with his command, consisting in all of about two hundred and twenty men, entered the chaparral. Capt. C. F. Smith, of the Second Artillery, with the light companies of the First brigade, moved on the right of the road, and Capt. McCall, with the artillery and infantry, moved on the left of the road. Capt. Walker, of the Texian Rangers, with a small detachment of mounted men, went in advance to examine the road, and Lieut. Pleasanton, with his Second Dragoons, brought up the rear. After advancing probably two miles through the chaparral, the troops were startled by the exhibition of a murdered woman, whose body lay beside the road. Her features were singularly regular and beautiful, and her dress indicated her one of the better class of Mexican women. She had evidently been killed during the retreat of the army from Palo Alto. Her appearance and her melancholy fate roused speculation, and a thousand rumors floated about ; but none seemed to be truthful, save so far as they were characteristic of her violent death, and her fate was one of those dark passages in the history of war, which are known to exist, but the particulars of which will probably ever remain clouded in mystery. Capt. Walker's party charged upon a straggling body of Mexicans, killing one man, and taking one prisoner. They then crossed the prairie, and returning, reported the road ahead open. Capt. McCall pushed into the chaparral, and soon discovered other small parties of Mexican infantry, and also a small party of cavalry. These were fired upon by the right of our advance. A few moments passed, and the 92 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. head of Capt. McCall's command readied the open ground bordering La Resaca de la Palma, and were received by three rounds of can- ister from a masked battery. This killed one of our men, wounded two others, and caused them to break to the chaparral. They were instantly rallied, however, and with Capt. Smith's detachment, prepared, by a flank movement, to attack the enemy, who were supposed to be the rear guard of the Mexican army. In the meantime, Lieut. Dobbins, with a few men on the left of the road, had been charged upon by a large party of Mexicans, who rushed out of a ravine. Lieut. Dobbins raised his rifle, and killed their leader, thus killing the first man who fell on the Resaca de la Palma. At the same instant his soldiers fired, and bringing down more than their own number of the enemy, drove the remainder back. The masked battery then opened on Lieut. Dobbins, and a grape shot struck him down. He recovered himself just in time to order his men to the chaparral, to save them from being ridden down by a troop of Mexican cavalry that came up and passed him in pursuit. He then instantly ordered his men to press upon their rear, and the cavalry, supposing that they had fallen into an ambuscade, retreated in con- fusion. Lieut. McCown, having heard a report of the death of Lieut. Dobbins, came up in search of his body, when the two officers met, and returned with their men to the main body of the advance guard. Capt. McCall, being now satisfied that the enemy was in force in the ravine in front, despatched three dragoons to inform Gen. Taylor of the fact, and placed himself in a strong position to await the arrival of the commander-in-chief. At 3 o'clock Gen. Taylor received the message from Capt. McCall, and immediately issued orders for the wagons to be parked. The Artillery brigade under Col. Childs, Duncan's battery, and the Eighth regiment, were left to protect them. Ridgely, with his battery, was ordered forward on the road, while the Third, Fourth, and Fifth regiments O f Infantry were ordered forward as skirmishers to cover the battery, and engage the infantry of the enemy. Gen. Taylor with his staff carne up with Capt. McCall and party at about 4 o'clock. He immediately deployed Capt. McCall to the left of the road, and Capt. Smith to the right, with orders to bring on the action. The Mexicans, after the battle of the 8th, had returned slowly from RESACA DE LA PALMA. 93 the Palo Alto, and moved towards Matamoros; the cavalry being the last to retreat. After moving a few miles, they arrived at Resaca de la Palma, a naturally strong position, and so retreated as to entirely command the approach to Fort Brown. Here they had entrenched. At this place the road crosses, at a right angle, a ravine, probably sixty yards wide and nearly breast high. The lowest parts of the ravine are at all times filled with water, forming long and serpentine ponds through the prairie. In very rainy seasons, these ponds unite across the ridge forming the road, and then flow off towards the Rio Grande, making what is known by the apparently contradictory, yet proper name of the Dry River of Palrna. Along the banks of this dry river, and more particularly on the side then occupied by the Mexicans, the chaparral grows most densely, and at this time, save where it was broken in by the passage of the road, formed almost a solid wall. The enemy occupied this ravine in double line : one behind and under the front bank, and the other entrenched behind the wall of the cha- parral on the top of the rear ridge. A battery was placed in the centre of each line on the right and on the left of the road, and a third battery was on the right of the first line. Six or seven thousand troops were thus strongly fortified in a form resembling a crescent, betw r een the horns of which the Americans had to pass, while the Mexican batteries were enfilading and cross-firing the narrow road which formed the only unobstructed approach to their position. The moment that Ridgely received orders to advance, he moved forward and cautiously along the road, endeavoring, with the assist- ance of Capt. Walker, to obtain the exact position of the enemy's batteries, which they finally discovered in the road, in advance of their own columns. At this instant the batteries opened a fire, and Lieut. Ridgely and men charged them at full speed, and with loud cheers, in which they were joined by the Fifth regiment, who were in the van of the infantry. The Fifth, now deployed as skirmishers, pushed on at full speed nearly three-fourths of a mile before Ridgely opened, and with a speed nearly equal to that of the flying artillery. A portion of the Fourth soon came up, and joined \vith the Fifth on the left, and the Third regiment and the remainder of the Fourth came towards the ravine on the enemy's right. Capt. McCalPs command, having been ordered to move ahead, had 94 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. advanced some three hundred yards, and encountered the right wing of the enemy's infantry. Thus, almost simultaneously, our musketry opened with our artillery, and the action of Resaca de la Palma com- menced. The Eighth regiment was now ordered forward in double quick time, in columns of companies, and under a heavy and most de- structive fire of grape they came up in the rear of Duncan's battery, also ordered to the front. While this movement was going on, Ridgely was answering the enemy's batteries. His cannoniers, stripped to their buff, did their work with a determination that nothing could surpass, and for thirty minutes laboured under a storm of canister and grape that literally filled the air, Ridgely often sighting the pieces with the coolness of mere target practice, and by well-directed discharges endeavored to keep off the assailing cavalry, who frequently pressed him hard, and at times, when our infantry was not up to his support, obliging him to defend his pieces with his own sword. So terrible was now the ene- my's fire, that if it had not often been aimed too high, and thereby passing over to our advancing columns in the rear of the battery, it would have fairly swept away Ridgely's whole command, as the dis- charges were so rapid, that they, joining with the discharges of our own pieces, formed one continued stultifying roar. It is an extraordinary fact, that so rapidly did the regiments move after the orders were given for their advance, that they almost simul- taneously joined in the contest, and with a deafening shout they ap- peared upon the banks of the ravine, and commenced a well-directed discharge of musketry. The Fifth regiment, under Lieut. Col. Mclntosh, supported Ridgely's battery. The Third regiment, under the command of Capt. L. N. Mor- ris, and the Fourth, under Major Allen, scattered by the dense chapar- ral, were obliged to form in the ravine. The Eighth, under the com- mand of Capt. W. R. Montgomery, with Smith's Light and other corps, faced to the right. Duncan's battery was at the edge of the ravine, but he could not use it, as the only position from which the enemy could be engaged without galling our troops was in possession of Ridgely. The best troops of Mexico were now disputing for the honor of their arms. Heretofore ever triumphant in the field when engaged CONTEST AT THE RAVINE. 95 in the wars of civil discord, they seemed determined to meet death rather than suffer a defeat. But they were not able to withstand the spirit with which our troops pressed on. The well-directed musketry, the sharp sword, the constant discharge of artillery, and the often- crossed bayonets, made the outworks of the living wall of the enemy tremble, and they began reluctantly to give way until, finally, our troops announced, in repeated cheers, that they were in the ravine oc- cupied by the enemy's advance at the beginning of the action. To accomplish this, the struggle was terrible. The enemy disputed every inch of ground, never yielding except when overcome by force. The infantry had captured the piece of artillery on the right o enemy's line, and attempted to charge across the pond of wa+cr ; but still the batteries, although surrounded with !ead, stood firm, and kept ( , theil mi nto our living front a storm r or cover of which the Mexicans would charge across the ravine, and attempt to recover their lost position. 96 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. CHAPTER XII. Gen. Taylor's order to Capt. May Ridgely's coolness May's charge Its ef fects Fall of Lieut. Inge The capture of Gen. Vega The Fifth charges Capt. Hooe wounded Lieut. Col. Payne wounded The Eighth Lieut Col. Belknap's charge Lieut. Lincoln Fall of Lieut. Chadbourne Lieut Jordan wounded The Third The Fourth Capt. Buchanan Lieutenants Woods and Hays Capt.Barbour Gallantry and death of Corporal Chisholm Lieut. Col. Mclntosh wounded Charge of Duncan's battery Incident - Arista's camp Charge of Mexican cavalry Death of Lieut. Cochrane. GEX. TAYLOR, finding that the strong position of the enemy kep him from driving tlicm before him, sent word to Capt. May, of the dragoons, who was in the rear, to immediately report himself for duty When that officer appeared, Gen. Taylor observed, " Capt. May, you must charge the enemy's batteries, and take them nolens volens." To' which Capt. May replied, " I will do it ;" and turning to his command he said, " Remember your regiment and follow your officers." Then, striking his spurs into his horse, he dashed down the road, his com- mand, owing to the narrowness of the road, following him in columns of fours. The men, as they swept along, raised a shout that momen- tarily rang above the din of battle, while the mingled tramp of the horses' feet fairly shook the earth. But May's moment had not yet come. The gallant Ridgely ob-1 structcd his onward progress. " I am ordered to charge those battc-j rie.s," said May, coming to a halt. Ridgely, begrimed with powder,] and laboring in the humblest offices about his pieces, turned to his| brother officer, and knowing the dangerous duty he had to perform, said, Wait, Charley, until I draw their fire." The next instant the match descended, and ere the sharp report of Ridgely's batteries had; fairly broken on the air, the enemy replied, and the copper hail came! whizzing and crushing among the brave artillerists. Quick as thought Ridgely limbered up, and deployed from the road, his men jumped on, their pieces, and cheered the dragoons as they passed. The infantry, attracted by the ciy, looked and saw May, who, from die superiority] of his horse, was far across the ravine while the head of his column CAPT. MAY'S CHARGE. 97 was just entering it. The slightest glance told the tale to our little array, and they raised one universal shout of exultation, that fairly re- echoed to the Rio Grande. It was a soul-stirring sight to witness that charge. The dragoons were stripped of every unnecessary encumbrance, and brandished their weapons with their naked arms that displayed the well-filled muscle, glittering like the bright steel they wielded. May, far in the advance, seemed to be a living messenger of death that Ridgely had sent from his battery at its last discharge. His long hair and beard streamed be- neath his gold-tasselled cap, like the rays of a comet ; and upon his cimetar the tropical sun glistened with burning effulgence. There followed in his lead the long dark line of his squadron, and as his charger rose upon the enemy's batteries the rider turned to wave on his men, when he found at his heels the gallant Inge, who answered the challenge with a shout. That instant the enemy poured a terri- ble fire of grape and canister from the upper battery, which swept over the squadron a cloud of winged messengers of death. Eighteen horses and seven brave men came in bloody mangled masses to the earth. Lieut. Sackett whirled from his killed horse, sword in hand, among the enemy ; and beyond the battery the gallant Inge, mortally wounded by a cannon shot in his throat, wavered for a moment, and then, with his steed, fell headlong down. But there was no checking those who lived. On they rushed with Lieut. Stevens, carrying every thing before them, while Capt. Graham, Lieutenants Winship and Pleasanton, with their command, swept to the left of the road, and leaped over the battery there situated. The Mexicans were completely driven from their guns, and their fire silenced. But the men about these pieces, though repulsed, were not beaten. Back they rushed to them, and with their bayonet points determined to retain them or die. Graves of Lieut. Z. M.P.Inge and his dragoons. 7 98 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. May and his squadron having accomplished their work, checked and scattered themselves amongst a host of enemies, who were pour- ing on them a galling fire of musketry, or having rushed back to the guns, commenced ramming home the fatal grape, to again scatter it among our ranks. Gathering five or six men, May charged back to our own lines. As his tall form rose and fell on the gigantic leaps of his charger, the Mexicans shrunk from his powerfully-dealt sword, as if they had been assailed by lightning. One Mexican kept his ground, and vainly tried to rally his men ; despairing of success, with his own hand he seized a match, when May ordered him to surrender. Dis- covering the command came from an officer, the Mexican touched his breast, and said, " Gen. La Vega is a prisoner;" he then handed Capt. May his sword. Under a galling fire of the enemy's infantry, Vega was carried to our lines in charge of Lieut. Stevens, and a non-com- missioned officer, and by them conducted in safety to our rear. Shortly afterwards, Capt. May presented the distinguished captive's sword to his commanding general.* Silenced as were the enemy's batteries, the infantry gathered round them in solid phalanx, disputing for their possession at the bayonet's point. Our troops, broken very much by the peculiarity of the ground * " I have seen it stated, in some of the late papers, that Gen. Vega was delivered to Gen. Taylor on the battle field, by Col. Twiggs. This is an error certainly of no consequence after his capture by the gallant May; but as every thing connected with (he treatment of this distinguished prisoner on, the field, must be more or less interesting, I beg leave to correct the error, and to state what befell the gallant general, after he was conducted to Col. Twiggs, by order of Capt. May. " The Artillery battalion (a regiment of foot) was stationed on the 9th, at the outset of the chaparral, and was there formed ' in square.' This battalion, which had suffered the day before more than any other, except the Eighth Infantry, was placed in this position for these reasons: to protect the train against a charge of the enemy's cavalry, to repair any disaster which might occur in the ordnance, and to afford fresh troops for the pursuit, when the battle was gained. "Col. Twiggs sent for Col. Childs, who commanded it, and turned the pri- soner over to him ; but Childs, having dismounted, (Gen. Vega was on foot,) sent an order to his battalion, that the prisoner should be received with the honor due his rank. As soon as the prisoner issued from the chaparral, the words, 'Present Arms' were given. The square 'presented arms' in perfect silence, and, as he approached, not a smile of gratification or a word of ex- ultation, was seen or heard ; (so much for the delicacy of the common soldier, who had, perhaps, the day before, lost his nearest friend by the enemy's can- LIEUT. COL. BELKNAP. 99 and the intervening clumps of trees, now charged in mass, and en- gaged with the enemy. The Fifth regiment being ahead, was ordered to charge the batteries ; in doing which, Capt. Hooe's sword-arm was shattered by a grape, and he fell at the head of his company. The regiment rushed on, amidst a sweeping fire of musketry that brought down many a gallant spirit, and they crossed bayonets over the muzzles of the cannon. Capt. May charged one piece with only five men ; Lieut. Col. Payne, acting as an aid to Gen. Taylor, with an ardor far exceeding his duty, rushed forward into the ravine, encou- raging the troops by his presence and voice, and although severely wounded, kept his place in the saddle. At this tune Capt. May had dashed up to the Eighth, with the information that he had carried the main battery of the enemy, but, being unsupported, was unable to maintain it; Col. Belknap immediately ordered the regiment to form in the road, when he led it on in person. While advancing, he was joined by a part of the Fifth Infantry under Capt. M. Scott. For an instant, the fire of the Mexicans checked the advance, when Col. Bel- knap 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 Tampico veterans. In non-shot.) Gen. Vega seemed surprised at the salute, courteously and slowly raised his hat, and the square was brought to a shoulder. " Col. Childs then called from his position Capt. Magruder, who command- ed one of the companies of the square. Capt. Magruder had known Gen. Vega before, and immediately insisted upon his mounting his (Capt. M.'s) horse. No sooner was this done, than it became necesssary for the battalion to move on, and Capt. Magruder was ordered by Col. Childs to escort the prisoner, in security, with a small command, to Gen. Taylor. Fortunately no rescue was attempted, as his command was very small, and the order was promptly executed, when Gen. Vega was introduced on the field by Capt. Magruder, to Gen. Taylor. Gen. Taylor shook him warmly by the hand, and addressed to him the following handsome remarks: " ' General : I do assure you, I deeply regret that this misfortune has fallen upon you. I regret it sincerely, and I take great pleasure in returning you the sword, which you have this day won with so much gallantry,' handing him, at the same time, the sword which Gen. Vega had yielded to Capt. May. Gen. Vega made a suitable reply in Spanish, and was then taken charge of by Col. Twigg's, 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. t: One must record and admire so much courtesy and gentleness, united in a most sanguinary field, with so much devotion and courage." Matamoros Cor. Bait. Pat. 100 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. the charge, Col. Belknap had the staff of his standard shot away, and on 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 appeared at the head of his column ; the battery having been carried. The Eighth, then under the immediate command of Capt. W. R. Montgomery, and the Fifth, under Lieut. Col. Mclntosh, charged up the ravine amidst a sheet of fire from the enemy's right and front, They drove their supporting columns before them, repulsing charges of cavalry and infantry of immense superiority of force, and although killing vast numbers, with difficulty driving the enemy from the field. Lieut. Lincoln of the Eighth regiment, headed a charge upon a clump of chaparral, in which were lodged a party of Mexicans, who were pouring a singularly destructive fire upon his regiment, as it ad vanced up the road. In the midst of the conflict, he saw Lieut. Jor- dan, (who had personally 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. Lieut. Chadbourne of the Eighth, after distinguishing himself for his bravery, in one of these skirmishes fell mortally wounded, at the head of his command. Grave of Lieut. T. L. Chadbourne. BATTLE OF RESACA DE LA PALMA. 101 The Third regiment, under the command of Capt. L. N. Morris, and the Fourth, under Major Allen, were conspicuous for the spirit with which they entered the contest. These two corps gallantly- rivalled each other in sharing the brilliant events of the day. These two regiments charged through the densest chaparral ; and while Capt. Morris, and the other officers of the Third, were overcoming what appeared to be insurmountable difficulties to meet the enemy, the Fourth came into the ravine, opposite an entrenchment supported by a piece of artillery, that poured a most galling fire into our ranks. Capt. Buchanan, being senior officer nearest the point, collected some twenty-five or thirty men, and with Lieutenants Hays and Woods charged across the lagoon, knee and waist deep in water, and after a close quarter conflict, routed the enemy. Lieut. Hays distinguished himself, by springing forward and seizing the leading mules attached to the piece, to prevent its being driven off, while Lieut. Woods sprang to the handspikes, and turned it in such a direction as to lock one of the wheels against a tree. A large force of the enemy's cavalry suddenly charged upon these officers, but Capt. Barbour, of the Third, came to the rescue, and with the point of the bayonet drove off the cavalry. Corporal Chisholm, of the Third Infantry, shot the Mexican Lieut. Col. 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 was laying dead on his back, with a cartridge in his hand, and the bitten-off end resting upon his lip. Buchanan's party, along with portions of the Fifth regiment, then charged on the Mexican lines. In the excitement, Lieut. Col. Mcln- tosh dashed on a wall of chaparral, although it was lined with infantry and cavalry. Under a" galling fire, he broke it down by repeated blows of his sword, and the weight of his horse. The instant he got through, his horse fell dead from under him ; Col. Mclntosh sprang to his feet ; a crowd of Mexicans, armed with muskets and lances, rushed upon him, still he gallantly defended himself. A bayonet passed through his mouth and came out below his ear ; seizing the weapon, he raised his sword to cut the fiend down wlio held it, when another bayonet passed through and terribly shattered his arm, and another still, through his hip ; borne down by superiority of force, he fell, and was literally pinned to the earth. The command 102 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. of the Fifth now devolved upon Major Stamford, who conducted it with zeal and ability to the close of the engagement. After the first charge on the enemy's lines had been made, Ridgely was obliged to suspend his fire for fear of galling our own troops. Duncan's battery had been idle, for want of a position to act with any effect. Both batteries were now ordered across the ravine, sup- ported by Capt. C. F. Smith's light infantry, and Capt. Ker's squadron of dragoons. Lieut. Duncan came up ahead with his battery when the Fifth was engaged with the enemy, under a heavy fire from the opposite side of the lagoon that crossed the road. Here he met Col. Mclntosh, and requested of him a party to support him, while he crossed the lagoon, and forced the enemy from their strong position. In the hurry of the moment Lieut. Duncan did not perceive that Col. Mclntosh was wounded. The Col. turned to Lieut. Duncan, present- ing a most terrible sight. The blood from some of his numerous wounds had clotted on his face, and he answered with difficulty, " I will give you the support you need." Lieut. Duncan perceiving his situation, asked, with some emotion, " if he could be of any service to him ?" Col. Mclntosh replied : " Yes ! give me some water, and show me my regiment." Lieutenants Woods and Hays, with a portion of the Fourth, pressed on. and came up with Lieutenants Cochrane and Augur, with a few men of every regiment, when, to then; surprise, they found themselves in the head quarters of Gen. Arista. After taking possessi&n of it, the party still kept up the road, until reconnoitred by a Mexican officer, who was seen riding very close. He was saluted with a discharge of musketry, but he escaped unharmed. Again he was seen moving to- wards our party, and again he was fired upon, and again escaped. Undauntedly he moved on, held his ground, and received a volley of musketry, and most singularly he remained upon his horse, and rode off. A moment only elapsed, when he returned with a squadron of lancers, charging like a whirlwind ; our soldiers delivered their fire steadily, bringing one or two horsemen to the ground, and then fell back into the chaparral. Lieut. Cochrane remained in the open space, and received the whole charge; he nobly defended himself with his sword, but was crushed down, falling dead with seven lance wounds in his breast. BATTLE OF RESACA DE LA PALMA. 103 Grave of Lieut. R. E. Cochrane. All order of battle was now lost, yet the enemy, driven from their entrenchments, and without artillery, and with their camp in our possession, still chivalrously, but unsuccessfully, disputed the onward march of our troops. The last Mexican flag that waved over the field had struck, the tri- color of the Tampico veterans, that had so gallantly shown itself on the Palo Alto, where it was torn by our artillery, and had been de- fended on the Resaca de la Palma, until the regiment to which it had belonged was literally destroyed, was torn from its staff by the gallant spirit that bore it; concealing it about his person, when all hope was lost, he attempted to flee to his countrymen on the east of the Rio Grande. The poor standard bearer, however, did not escape; rode down by our dragoons, he, with others, was a prisoner, and the flag of the Batallon Tanpico^ hangs a trophy in our national capitol. Flag of the Tampico Veterans. Both Duncan's and Ridgely's batteries were opened on the retreat- 104 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. ing enemy, driving them from their last holds, and completely routing those who still lingered. Cavalry and infantry were seen in confused masses, flying in every direction ; many rushing towards the Rio Grande. The camp of Arista told the perfect confidence he had in the strength of his arms. It was evident that not the least preparation had been made for a defeat no such thought had ever been indulged in. Arista brought ,with him into the field an unnecessary amount of bag- gage. His head quarters were just being arranged ; his splendid mar- quee, his trunks, and private property were together, surrounded by pompously arranged walls, comprising the military wealth of the army. There were stands of small arms, ammunition boxes, hun- dreds and thousands of musket ball-cartridges, and nearly five hundred splendid pack saddles; in short, almost an Eastern prodigality of military equipage. In the camp of the army were found the preparations for a great festival, no doubt to follow the expected victory. The camp kettles were simmering over the fires, filled with savory viands, off of which our troops made a plentiful evening meal. In the road were carcases of half skinned oxen. The hangers-on of the camp, while the battle was raging, were busy in their feast-preparing work, unconscious of dangers, when on an instant, a sudden panic must have seized them, and they fled, leaving their half completed labors to be consummated by our own troops. Never, probably, in the history of war, had a more perfect consternation seized upon a defeated army, and seldom has one left such singularly eloquent memorials of the fact, as did the Mexicans at Resaca de la Palma. MAJOR BROWN. 105 CHAPTER XIII. The fort The flag Death of Major Brown Intense excitement Specula- tions on the battle Evidences of defeat Retreat Pursuit Mexicans- Col. Curasco Gen. Ampudia Death of Father Leary Consternation in Matamoros Terrible effects of the defeat Gen. Taylor's despatch from Resaca de la Palma. ON the night of the 8th, the defenders of Fort Brown were permitted to rest in quiet. On the morning of the glorious 9th, their first act was to raise our national flag. On the day previous, the halyards had become unrigged, at a time when the firing from th& enemy was too intense to establish them, the staff at that time being outside of the fort. To meet this difficulty, the regimental colors were raised on a temporary substitute, erected on the parapets. An officer of the Se- venth succeeded in lowering the topmast of the staff, and rigging the halyards. While engaged in this patriotic duty, the enemy opened on him from all their batteries, with round shot and shell, amidst which he coolly labored for fifteen or twenty minutes. Finding he was not strong enough to elevate the topmast to its proper place, he lashed it in its position, and gave the stars and stripes to the breeze. At 10 o'clock, a sergeant and ten men went out, and set fire to the rancho, known by Arista's despatches as the Fanques del Raminero, the buildings of which had been successively occupied by our own and the enemy's pickets. This act brought forth a heavy discharge of shell, canister, and round shot, which continued at intervals for about four hours. Major Brown, since his wound, had lingered on, his friends bestow- ing on him every attention that the circumstances would admit : he bore his sufferings with the greatest fortitude, and whenever he spoke, he urged his men to do their duty, and never surrender the fort. It was necessary that he should be placed in one of the bomb proofs, to protect him from the missiles of the enemy : the weather was exceed- ingly warm, and the air in the bomb proof necessarily close : this circumstance, perhaps, joined with the aggravated nature of his wounds, 106 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. hastened his death. He gradually sunk, and at 2 o'clock peacefully breathed his last. At the time of his death, every thing around the fort was perfectly still ; the soldiers around the dying man seemed scarcely to breathe, lest they should intrude upon his parting spirit ; nor was the silence broken, until Ridgely opened his batteries upon the Resaca de la Palma. No language can describe the intense interest with which the raging battle was listened to : each man was at his post, and every booming gun called forth an almost agonising interest to learn its nationality and effects. Meanwhile the bombardment opened simultaneously with the firing on the field, and continued to increase with unprece- dented severity : but it was not to the batteries of the Mexicans that attention was directed. Our eighteen-pounders were occasionally fired, to let Gen. Taylor know that all was still well in the fort. The firing on the battle field was now growing less and less powerful, and the discharges were becoming irregular. " They have charged on the guns !" shouted one of the officers : another, and another was silenced. " They have carried them !" shouted another in uncontrollable ex- tasy. All cannonading ceased ; volleys of musketry were next heard, then all was still. How eloquently the silence spoke of the hand-to- hand conflict, and how the blood in the hearts of these brave men went and came, from excitement to be engaged in it ! The victorious result of our arms was now almost certain. Gen. Taylor and his brave men would either conquer or die. No bells were now ringing in Matamoros, and the noisy music, that was wont to belabor the air, had been silenced since the evening of the 8th. This, to the heroes of the fort, was full of meaning, and the tale was soon told. At a little before six, a confused rush of cavalry and straggling infantry towards the Rio Grande, announced the victory of the Americans, at sight of which, an officer of the Seventh jumped upon the parapet, beside the regimental flag staff, and gave three cheers, which were responded to so loudly and heartily by all in the fort, that they si- lenced the enemy's batteries, for from that moment they ceased firing. The news had reached Matamoros that to Mexico the day was lost. The distance from Resaca de la Palma to the river, is about four miles. Beyond the battle ground the road forks, leading to both the upper and lower ferries, between which is situated Fort Brown. The FLIGHT OF THE MEXICANS. 107 country here is more broken, and the chaparral of stronger and denser growth than in the interior. Into these intricate thickets a majority of the Mexicans fled after the rout became general ; hundreds and thousands of troops here buried themselves, waiting for the veil of night to aid them in their escape. Along the road, however, great numbers swept, " fear lending them wings." In this flight the slightly wounded infantry fell exhausted ; horses that had been shot, but able to maintain their feet until put at full speed, rolled on the earth, car- rying their riders with them. The soldiers stripped themselves of every encumbrance ; they threw away their muskets, cartridge boxes, their military cloaks, with every thing calculated to retard their speed, plainly marking their route by the abandoned articles. Squadrons of cavalry, finding their movements impeded by the infantry, rode over, without scruple, those whom the fate of war had spared. Our troops pursued ; but their arms lost their force when directed against troops of defenceless beings, or individuals fleeing before a vic- torious foe. One of the " eighteens" hi the fort was now turned towards the Upper ferry, sending a shower of grape among the fleeing hundreds. As our pursuing columns debouched from the chaparral that sur- rounds Fort Brown, and saw the flag of our country still waving in triumph from its ramparts, they raised to the glory of its defenders, a shout that made the welkin ring, and it was sent back from the fort until cheer answering cheer, reverberated along the valley of the Rio Grande. The want of a sufficient number of dragoons made it impos- sible to immediately extend our lines so as to cut off the enemy's re- treat, and Gen. Taylor, deficient in means to cross the river with ra- pidity and force, had made no previous arrangements to attempt so desirable a consummation of his victory. With the approach of night all offensive measures on our part ceased. A part of our pursuing troops, including May's command, having drunk of the water of the Rio Grande, fell back to the battle ground, where they, with the main army, bivouaced for the night. Duncan's and Ridgely's commands, Lieut. Col. Child's battalion, Capt. Ker's dra- goons, together with Capt. C. F. Smith's command, bivouaced on the banks of the river, many upon the same ground they had left nine days before. 108 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. Throughout both battles, the Mexicans had kept up a constant com- munication with Matamoros by means of a secret crossing above the Upper ferry. By this they had sent over their wounded, and brought over their reinforcements as the contest thickened. They forced the poor wretches into sacks slung across the backs of mules, and thus, the agony of their wounds increasing at every step, they were con-j veyed to that city, they had hoped to enter so proudly as victors. When Capt. May made his charge, many of the soldiers in the rear of the Mexican army, abandoned their ranks and fled ; and the ran- cheros, who had hung about as vultures waiting for prey, finding that our train was not likely to fall into their hands, rushed into the camp of their own countrymen, robbed it of whatever loose valuables they * could find, then scattered over the country and disappeared. Col. Cu- rasco, the " bull-dog" so called, of the Mexican army, was the first officer that fled. Early in the contest he crossed to the east of the Rio Grande, and secreted himself in the suburbs of the town. After] our troops charged, and took the batteries, Gen. Ampudia also sought safety in flight, and was the first man that appeared in Matamoros after the defeat of the army. Mad with terror, and exhausted by his narrow escape from being drowned while crossing the river, he entered the Plaza, and circled it several times, unconscious of what he was doing, until his senses were recalled by his wondering countrymen, who : learned Arista's total defeat as Ampudia exclaimed, " All is lost !" At their secret crossing the Mexicans had but one flat, which was entirely insufficient for the numbers who now, in terror, sought the river. While the flat swarmed with infantry, the cavalry would charge, and, filling the flat, drive the poor wretches who had occupied it into the river. The water was covered with the miserable beings who, confused and desperate, plunged about in the waves, calling on God to help them, or venting their impotent maledictions upon those who ; had forced them to a watery grave. They sunk by scores, clutching j each other in the agonies of death ; and the " mad river" fairly boiled j with the expiring breath of those who had sunken under its dark j wave ! In the midst of the panic Father Leary arrived at the bank, and by his presence restored order, in a certain degree, among the fugitives. '. He took his place on the flat, already crowded with troops. It was 1 GEN. TAYLOR'S DESPATCH. 109 about shoving off, when down the bank swept a flying column of ca- valry. Goaded by their riders, the steeds madly leaped into the boats, crushing to death scores of their victims, and driving the remainder into the river, the holy father raised his crucifix above his head, mut- tered an ejaculatory prayer, and disappeared with the mass of his fel- low beings under the waves. Nothing could exceed the consternation that reigned in Matamoros on the night of the 9th. Between four and five thousand lawless soldiers were wandering, panic struck, about the streets. The cha- grined and discomfited officers, formed into cabals, and speculated upon the causes of their inglorious defeat. Meanwhile, Ampudia was en- deavoring to prove his own bravery by secretly denouncing Arista, and declaring, that, had he been commander-in-ehief, he would have swept the Americans from off the face of the earth. The night was made hideous by the constant arrival of the wound- ed in sacks; many yelled like fiends, as the rough carriage, and con- tracted form, started afresh their bleeding wounds ; others were found dead in their sacks, having been drowned while crossing the river on swimming mules. The women of the city rushed to the ball rooms, and tore down the festoons prepared for the great festival, to be given in honor of victorious arms. They tore off and stamped upon their gay apparel, and mingled their cries of wild despair with those of the wounded. The more substantial citizens hurriedly gathered together their effects and fled into the country ; many of these fell by the hands of unorganised troops, and their property was divided among the mur- derers. Hundreds of soldiers were scattered over the country, who pillaged all within their reach, and attacked the defenceless that came in their way. Social, civil, and military order were scattered to the winds, dark crime, and unbridled passion rioted in the confusion that followed this terrible defeat. At 10 o'clock at night Gen. Taylor dictated the following despatch : HEAD QUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPATION, Camp at Resaca de la Palma, three miles from Matamoros, 10 o'clock, P. M., May 9, 1846. SIR: I have the honor to report that I marched with the main body of the army at 2 o'clock to-day, having previously thrown 110 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. forward a bojty of light infantry into the forest that covers the Matamoros road. When near the spot where I am now encamped, my advance discovered that a ravine crossing the road had been oc- cupied by the enemy with artillery. I immediately ordered a battery of field artillery to sweep the position, flanking and sustaining it by the Third, Fourth, and Fifth 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 suc- cession by a squadron of dragoons, and the regiments of infantry that were on the ground. He was soon driven from his position, and pursued by a squadron of dragoons, battalion of artillery, Third In- fantry, and a light battery, to the river. Our victory has been com- plete. Eight pieces of artillery, with a great quantity of ammunition, three standards, and some one hundred prisoners, have been taken; among the latter Gen. 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 Lieut. Inge, Second Dragoons, Lieut. Cochrane, Fourth Infantry, and Lieut. Chad- bourne, Eighth Infantry, were killed on the field. Lieut. Col. Payne, Fourth Infantry, Lieut. Col. Mclntosh, Lieut. Dobbins, Third Infantry, Capt. Hooe and Lieut. Fowler, Fifth Infantry, and Capt. Montgomery, Lieutenants Gates, Selden, McClay, Burbank, and Jordan, Eighth In- fantry, were wounded. The extent of our loss in killed and wounded is not yet ascertained, and is reserved for a more detailed report. The affair of to-day may be regarded as a proper supplement to the cannonade of yesterday; and the two taken together exhibit the coolness and gallantry of our officers and men in the most favorable light. All have done their duty, and done it nobly. It will be my pride, in a more circumstantial report of both actions, to dwell upon particular instances of individual distinction. It affords me peculiar pleasure to report that the field work oppo- site Matamoros has sustained itself handsomely during a cannonade and bombardment of one hundred and sixty hours. But the pleasure is alloyed with profound regret at the loss of its heroic and indomita- ble commander, Major Brown, who died to-day from the effect of a GEN. TAYLOR'S DESPATCH. Ill shell. His loss would be a severe one to the service at any time, but to the army under my orders it is indeed irreparable. One officer and one non-commissioned officer killed, and ten men wounded, compose all the casualties incident to this severe bombardment. I inadvertently omitted to mention the capture of a large number of pack mules left in the Mexican camp. I am, sir, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, Brevet Brig. General U. S. .#., Commanding. The ADJUTANT GENERAL of the Army, Washington, D. C. 112 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. CHAPTER XIV. Burial of the dead on Resaca de la Palma Lieut. Inge Lieut. Chadbourne Lieut. Cochrane Affecting Incident Exchange of prisoners Mexican ser- geant Gen. Vega Prisoners of war Wounded Gen. Taylor starts for Point Isabel Com. Conner "Jack ashore" Meeting Major Ringgold His death Official despatch. EARLY on the morning following the victory, Gen. Taylor sent over to Matamoros for Mexican surgeons, to attend their wounded left on the field, and also for men to assist in burying their own dead. It was an occasion of sadness to our troops, for the day was occupied in burying their brave countrymen, who had fallen on the battle field. These honored dead were laid in their last resting-places, near the spot on which they fell. Resaca de la Palma, therefore, with which is associated a victory of arms, is hallowed by the graves of those heroes, who now sleep peacefully under the sod that had been mute witness of their glorious deeds. Many a sturdy spirit that had faced the cannon's mouth, and rushed impetuously upon the bayonet-point, or received without flinching, the swift squadron of the Mexican cavalry, sank within itself, as were lowered into their mother earth, those who had shared with them the perils and triumphs of a soldier's life. It was mournful to hear the rolling volleys of musketry that were fired, as the last and saddest tribute to the soldier dead. Lieut. Inge and his fellow dragoons rest side by side, but a little removed from the place where they fell : as the traveller crosses the ravine, he can, by turning a few paces from the road, rest a moment by these graves. Lieut. Chadbourne fell in the deadliest struggle of the Eighth. The sod that drank his life-blood, now rests over him. Nearer the river, the road turns, leaving an open space upon the right, in which is a grave slightly distinguished from those about it; Lieut. Cochrane there sleeps his last sleep. EXCHANGE OF PRISONERS. 113 There was an affecting scene enacted among the dead soldiers. One of the first that fell, mortally wounded, was an Irishman a remark- ably brave fellow. As Lieut. Dobbins passed him on the field, while charging on the enemy, he stopped a moment to give a word of con- solation to the dying man ; as he left him, he said, " Have a good heart, you will yet be well." The poor fellow raised his eyes, and vivaciously replied, "faith, I have a good heart it is as big as a meeting-house." All the night ensuing, his poor wife sat upon the field, the stiffened corse of her husband resting on her lap, her little child asleep by her side. As the sun rose in the morning, she was discovered, surrounded with the dead, her head upon her husband's breast, absorbed in grief. As the day wore on, the stench of the field became offensive ; but still she held her seat by the side of the life- less clay, and in paroxysms of overwhelming sorrow, she was torn from the dead, that it might be consigned to its mother earth. The last sepulchral rites having been performed for our own coun- trymen, humanity dictated the same respect to the fallen foe. Many of the wounded, and all of the dead of the Mexican army, had been left upon the field; and as the sun rose high in the heavens, and poured its scorching rays upon these mouldering masses, the scent of blood filled the air. The buzzard, high above, wheeled in lessening circles over its prospective feast, while the foul jackals, that had made the night hideous with their moans, were seen surlily skulking from the eyes of our soldiery, who were busy in gathering together the Mexican dead for burial in one common grave. On the morning of the llth, Gen. Arista having previously pro- posed an exchange of prisoners, Adjt. Gen. Mareno of the Mexican forces, announced to the American prisoners in Matamoros, that they would cross the river to the American side, to be exchanged as pri- soners of war. It needs no penetration to anticipate that this order was obeyed with great alacrity. Upon the glorious field of Resaca de la Palma, there still remained a portion of the victorious army, and with it the Mexicans captured in the battle. The gallant little band with Capt. Thornton, no longer mounted upon their war-steeds, but on foot, and without arms, silently, marched on to the battle field, and in presence of their former com- panions. The beam of pleasure lighted up many a stern face, at the ft 114 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. recognition of familiar faces, but no compliments were passed, or greetings exchanged, as among meeting friends : the returned were still prisoners of war. The Americans, numbering fifty-three privates, were with their offi- cers, arranged in line, by Gen. Mareno. The Mexican prisoners were formed opposite them, by order of Col. Twiggs. These officers then placed themselves near each other, between and at the head of the two lines. Col. Twiggs then called out from among the Mexican prisoners, Don , and a mulatto-looking gentleman, fantas- tically dressed, stepped out. Gen. Mareno called out, Capt. Thorn- ton ; as that officer stepped forward, the two prisoners crossed over into their own ranks, and thus completed their exchange. An old adage says, " A fair exchange is no robbery :" the Mexicans may not have considered themselves aggrieved, but we think that Thornton was worth as many Mexican captains as could be mustered in all the savannas of their country. Capt. Hardee, and Lieut. Kane, with like ceremony, passed over to the American ranks ; then came the non-commissioned officers and privates, successively called, until all were exchanged. Sergeant Allen was called out from among the American prisoners ; a Mexican ser- geant was produced, instanter, when the commanding officer was informed that Allen was not a sergeant, but had been reduced to a private. Col. Twiggs remanded the Mexican sergeant back into the prisoner line ; the poor fellow, supposing he was not going to be ex- changed for, petitioned to be permitted to pass, in a manner truly affecting; at least, it overcame Col. Twiggs' heart, for he gave the Mexican sergeant for an American private, with the remark, that he believed he still had the best bargain. There were a large number of Mexican prisoners left, who would have ever remained in bondage, if they had waited to be regularly exchanged ; they were handed over to their countrymen, with the wounded, a receipt being taken of their number, to be held against the Mexicans, if the fortune of war ever throws our countrymen into their hands. Gen. Vega was offered his parole ; he declined it, on the ground that his government would, in spite of it, force him to bear arms ; he, with Col. Martinez, and ten other Mexicans, his friends, therefore remained prisoners of war. Our own wounded of the 8th and 9th were placed in the best con- A VISIT OF CEREMONY. 115 veyances that could be had, covered ox wagons, and thus conveyed to Point Isabel. Capt. Hooe was fortunate in having provided for him Gen. Arista's private carriage, the morocco cushions and delicate springs doing much to alleviate the pain that would have ensued, in a conveyance such as was used by the less fortunate. There was no travelling hospital attached to the army, and consequently the surgeons had to perform their work in the open field, frequently with the shot of the enemy's guns flying about them. Yet, probably there were never fewer cases of death, as the result of severe wounds, than oc- curred among those of Palo Alto, and Resaca de la Palma. On the morning of the llth, Gen. Taylor started for Point Isabel, for the purpose of having communication with Com. Conner. Com. Conner, while cruising with his fleet off Vera Cruz, had heard of re- inforcements being continually sent to Matamoros for the purpose of cutting off the " Army of Occupation." With the greatest promptness he sailed for Brazos Santiago, with the determination to aid Gen. Taylor, if necessary. Nothing could have been more opportune : the appearance of the fleet, and the reinforcements from it, strengthened the point beyond the possibility of its being successfully carried by the Mexicans. The transformation of five hundred sailors and marines into " land lubbers," afforded a spectacle that occasioned much relief to the dullness of the point ; and " Jack's" soliloquies upon his being ashore on his " beam ends," with a musket in his hands, were among the many chapters of the excessively humorous, that enliven the sad- dest associations of the " horrors of war." The singular simplicity that marks Gen. Taylor's personal appear- ance and habits, has become a subject of universal fame. It is curious that a soldier, so eminent in all the qualities of discipline, should be so citizen-looking in his own appearance. Com. Conner, on the con- trary, is an officer that is not only strict in his dress, but has an extra nicety about it. He appears in full and splendid uniform on all public occasions, being the exact counterpart, in this particular, of Gen. Taylor. At the proper time, Com. Conner sent word to Gen. Taylor, that he would come on shore to pay him a visit of ceremony. This put old "Rough and Ready" into a tremendous excitement. If Com. Conner had quietly come up to his tent, and given him a sailor's 116 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. gripe, and sat down on a camp chest, and talked over matters in an old-fashioned way, Gen. Taylor would have been prepared; but, to have the most carefully-dressed officer in our navy, commanding the finest fleet, come in full uniform, surrounded by all the glittering pomp of splendid equipments, to pay a visit of ceremony, was more than Gen. Taylor had, without some effort, nerve to go through with ; but, ever equal to emergencies, he determined to compliment Com. Conner, and through him the navy, by appearing in full uniform, a thing his officers, associated with him for years, had never witnessed. In the meanwhile, Com. Conner was cogitating over the most pro- per way to compliment Gen. Taylor. Having heard of his peculiar disregard of military dress, he concluded he would make the visit in a manner comporting to Gen. Taylor's habits, and consequently equipped himself in plain white drilling, and unattended, came ashore. The moment Gen. Taylor heard that Com. Conner had landed, he abandoned some heavy work he was personally attending to about the camp, and precipitately rushed into his tent, delved at the bottom of an old chest, and pulled out a uniform coat, that had peacefully slumbered for years in undisturbed quietude, slipped himself into it, in his haste fastening it so that one side of the standing collar was three button holes above the other, and sat himself down as uncom- fortable as can well be imagined. With quiet step, and unattended, Com. Conner presented himself at Gen. Taylor's tent, the noble representatives of the army and navy shook hands, both in exceeding astonishment at each others' personal appearance. The wags in the army say, that the above contains the only au- thentic account of Gen. Taylor's ever being " headed," and that since that time, he has taken to linen roundabouts, of the largest dimen- sions, with more pertinacity than ever. Major Ringgold reached Point Isabel with the wounded of Palo Alto, on the evening following the battle, under the charge of Dr. Byrne. He was immediately placed in the very best quarters that could be afforded, and his wounds were dressed. He complained but little, and at intervals slept. In his waking moments, he spoke of the inci- dents of the battle, and dwelt particularly upon the effects of the artillery. He spoke of the precision with which his guns were used, and lamented that the artillery companies were not increased to one DEATH OF MAJOR RINGGOLD. 117 hundred strong ; he said, as his men fell about their pieces, he had none to take their places. On the evening of the llth, the report spread that the heretofore sanguine expectations of his recovery by his fellow soldiers were not to be realised ; that his strength was falling fast with the passing day. As the night wore on, death came upon him, yet he seemed uncon- scious of its approach, and continued to converse with his friends about him. Suddenly he appeared conscious himself that his hours were numbered, but it produced no effect upon his tone of voice, or the spirit of his conversation. Dr. Byrne used all his skill in vain ; at a little past midnight, he raised his delicate hand to his forehead, wet with the cold sweat of dissolution, and said, " Thank God the brain is the last to die." He then cheerfully gave a few directions for his friends to observe when he was dead, and resignedly breathed his last. Three o'clock, the hour appointed for Major Ringgold's funeral, came, and the army and navy vied to honor his remains ; members of both arms of the service acted as pall bearers, and moved in the solemn train. It was a costly sacrifice to the manes of war when the gallant Ringgold fell. The slow march that rilled the air as the pro- cession moved along, seemed to keep time with each saddened heart. Grave of Major Ringgold. Major Ringgold was buried just outside the entrenchments at Point Isabel. The small mound that marks his grave would not be distin- 118 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. guished, except on a broad prairie, destitute almost of all else beside. The stormy breeze of the gulf at night moans over him, and the sol- dier and citizen, as they pass, step a moment aside to contemplate, and drop a tear over the sacred remains. The 12th was busily occupied by Gen. Taylor in preparing to start for his camp on the Rio Grande : amid his numerous engagements, he found time to write the following despatch : HEAD QUARTERS ARMT OF OCCUPATION, Point Isabel, Texas, May 12, 1846. SIR : I am making a hasty visit to this place, for the purpose of having an interview with Com. Conner, whose squadron is now at anchor off the harbor, 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 Matamoros. The Mexican forces are almost disorganised, and I shall lose no time in investing Matamoros, and opening the navigation of the river. I regret to report that Major Ringgold died the morning of the 1 1th instant, of the severe wound received in the action of Palo Alto. With the exception of Capt. Page, whose wound is dangerous, the other wounded officers are doing well. In my report of the second engage- ment, I accidentally omitted the name of Lieut. Dobbins, Third In- fantry, 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 Lieut. Blake, Topographical En- gineers, 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 reports of our engagements with the enemy, or even accurate returns of the killed and wounded. Our loss is not far from 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. I have exchanged a sufficient number of prisoners to recover the command of Capt. Thornton. The wounded prisoners have been sent GEN. TAYLOR'S DESPATCH. 119 to Matamoros the wounded officers on their parole. Gen. Vega and a few other officers have been sent to New Orleans, having de- clined a parole, and will be reported to Major Gen. 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 authorised 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. 120 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. CHAPTER XV. Gen. Taylor starts for camp Returns Lieut. Col. Wilson's command.; Taking of Barita Appearance of it Proclamation Preparations for talH ing Matamoros Armistice proposed Ceremonies thereof Death of Lieut. * Stevens Raising of the flag Disposition of the army Head quarters of Gen. Taylor Governor of Matamoros Prefect A plain talk Lieut. Col. Garland pursues Arista Is fired upon Anecdote The Rio Grande after the battles The battle fields. ON the morning of the 13th, Gen. Taylor and staff, with an escort of dragoons, started for camp. When but a few miles from the point, he was met by an express that had been sent to inform him that a large body of fresh troops were understood to have arrived at Mata- moros, and that the enemy was concentrating troops at Barita, a small village near the mouth of the Rio Grande, on the Mexican side of the river. He immediately returned to Point Isabel, determining to start for his camp the next day. At the point he found quite an accession to his force had just arrived from New Orleans, including regulars and volunteers from Louisiana and Alabama. These were the first that arrived from those states, in answer to the call of Gen. Taylor for reinforcements. The activity of Gen. Taylor, and the mass of business that he per- forms, is astonishing. From the 1st of the month, up to the present time, he had not had a regular time for eating or sleeping. Dressed in the garb of a common farmer, and seated in a Jersey wagon, on the morning of the 14th he again started for his camp, with over six hundred men, a train of artillery, and two hundred and fifty wagons, loaded with army stores, having previously arranged a plan, and or- ganised a force, to attack Barita. Accordingly, Lieut. Col. Wilson, First Infantry, with four compa- nies of United States troops, two companies of Louisiana volunteers, under the commands of Captains I. F. Stockton, and G. H. Tobin, and one company of Alabama volunteers, under command of Gen R. Desha, got ready to march to Barita. The command was landed at the Brazos, about one o'clock in the afternoon of the 15th, and immediately took TAKING OF BARITA. 121 /N ^s^^VN^^ ) ^^N^y>.'VN^^^N-^^^VN^s^y^^^ tx-N^XN^^-^^N^N* w-s^^^^^-w-^-^^, up its line of march, three steamers at the same time being ordered to ascend the river, and transport the troops across it, at the proper place. Com. Conner ordered part of his fleet off the mouth of the river, to assist in crossing the soldiers, and to aid, if necessary, in the attack, with the men of the fleet. Col. Wilson proceeded up the banks of the river, momentarily expecting an attack from the Mexican cavalry that were said to be in the vicinity. Contrary to expectations, he took possession of Barita, without firing a gun, the inhabitants fleeing be- fore his approach. The town was found to be most romantically situated on the banks of the river, upon a high bluff, surrounded by the very richest quality of land. It was composed of a number of huts, the most important of which was the custom-house, as is usual in all Mexican towns. The inhabitants were found to be idle, living almost without labor, upon the spontaneous productions of the prolific soil. Col. Wilson, on taking possession of the place, issued a manifesto to the inhabit- ants, stating that they might return to their dwellings, that their lives and property would be protected, and all their civil and religious rights guaranteed to them. He then commenced and soon com- pleted a breast-work, which, from the peculiar character of its posi- tion, would command the passage of the river, and the surrounding country. Barita, from that time, became an important resting-place for our troops, who go to Matamoros by way of the mouth of the river. The people soon returned to their dwellings, and however much they were surprised at the approach of our troops, their wonder knew no bounds, when they were paid a fair price for their property by an armed force, who had already taken possession of it without opposi- tion, by the mere exhibition of their arms. Gen. Taylor arrived at his camp, from Point Isabel, without having met with the enemy. On the evening of the 14th, he determined to make an attack on Matamoros, if possible, the following day. Two large sixteen-inch mortars had arrived, which were set so as to throw shell into the city, if it was not surrendered without opposition. Two days, however, were consumed in preparation, it being almost impos- sible to obtain boats of any description, to cross our troops to the east side of the river. On the morning of the 17th, all preparations 122 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. were completed. It was arranged, that at the same time Gen. Taylor made his demonstration on Matamoros, Col. Wilson should advance from Barita. Orders had been given to Col. Twiggs to cross, when Gen. Taylor was waited on by the Mexican Gen. Reguena, empowered by Gen. Arista to treat for an armistice, until the two governments finally settled the difficulties pending. This cunning, on the part of the Mexican chief, was too apparent to Gen. Taylor ; he was aware that Matamoros was filled with the munitions of war, and time was only wanted to move them off. Gen. Taylor replied promptly to Gen. Re- guena, that an armistice could not be granted ; he recapitulated the circumstances of the preceding month, when he had himself proposed an armistice, which Gen. Ampudia had declined. He stated that he was receiving large reinforcements that he would not then suspend hostilities which he had not invited or provoked ; he also said that the possession of Matamoros was a " sine qua non," and that the Ame- rican troops would occupy the city, at the same time giving to Gen. Arista and his forces leave to withdraw from the town, leaving behind the public property of every description. Gen. Taylor remarked, that " Generals Ampudia and Arista had promised that the war should be conducted agreeably to the usage of civilised nations, and yet the Mexican forces had, in the battles of the 8th and 9th, stripped our dead, and mutilated their bodies." Gen. Reguena replied, " that the women( !) and rancheros did it, and that they could not be controlled." Gen. Taylor said, he would come over to Matamoros, and control such people for them. Gen. Reguena then left Gen. Taylor, pledging himself that at 3 o'clock that evening he would come over with an answer from Gen. Arista. Gen. Taylor, accordingly, for the time, suspended his prepa- rations for crossing. The answer promised by Reguena to be delivered to Gen. Taylor, positively at 3 o'clock, did not come. Gen. Taylor immediately ordered preparations to be made for crossing the river ; parties were sent up and down the river to secure all the boats that could be seen on either side. That night, just after dark, the army moved up the river, and encamped opposite the contemplated crossing. On the morning of the 18th Capt. Bliss, assistant adjutant general THE ARMY CROSSES THE RIVER. 123 of the " Army of Occupation," Major Craig, Capt. Miles, and Lieut. Britton, appeared on the banks of the Rio Grande, and sounded a parley. Lieut. Britton then crossed the river with a white flag, and met a deputation of citizens from the prefect, who was the official civil representative of the city. The deputation wished to know the cause of the parley ? Lieut. Britton replied, that Capt. Bliss, aid to the commanding general, wished to see the prefect in person, or, whoever was the commanding officer of the city, as he had an offi- cial communication for him from his chief. The deputation crossed the river with Lieut. Britton, met Capt. Bliss, and invited the Ameri- can deputation to Matamoros. The American deputation crossed over, and met the prefect in his office, which was situated on the north west side of the Plaza. Capt. Bliss then delivered to the pre- fect a letter from Gen. Taylor, which demanded a surrender of the town and all the public stores therein, stating, at the same time, that his general had commanded him to say that the rights of individuals should be protected, that their religion should be respected, and that their courts of law and justice should proceed as they had done under the Mexican government, unless interfering with the rights of our government, and the necessary operations of the commanding general. Capt. Bliss asked the prefect to answer in positive terms, whether he could return and report to his general, that the town would be given up without a blow, or whether it would be necessary to carry it at the point of the sword, (as in either emergency, Gen. Taylor was de- termined to have it.) The prefect then answered, " Gen. Taylor can march his troops into the city at any hour that may suit his conve- nience." Capt. Bliss then said, " here let the interview terminate." While this conversation was going on, our army was crossing above the city. The east bank was defended by two eighteen-pounders, and the three batteries of our artillery. Col. Twiggs ordered the re- gimental bands to strike up Yankee Doodle. The light companies of all battalions first went over, followed by the volunteer and regular cavalry. Lieut. Hays, of the Fourth Infantry, and ten select men, with Capt. Walker, of the Rangers, first crossed the river with orders to ascer- tain and report the number and position of the enemy, if near the river. Immediately after Lieut. Hays had gone over, the flank com- 124 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. panies of the Third, Fourth, and Fifth Infantry, were thrown across, commanded by Capt. Buchanan, and Capt. Lamed. After these com- mands there followed Capt. Smith, of the Artillery battalion, with two companies, followed by Capt. 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 taken] possession of a strong place, to be ready for an attack. In the midst' of these busy operations, Capt. Bliss arrived, and informed Gen. Taylor of his interview with the prefect, and of the unconditional surrender of the town. Gen. Taylor immediately ordered that portion of the American forces that had not crossed the river, to return to Fort Brown and cross there. Capt. Ker, of the Dragoons, passed be- low where the troops were crossing, and raised upon the walls of Fort Paredes, the star spangled banner, unfolding it in proud de- fiance upon the west side of the Rio Grande. The different regiments already on the west side of the Rio Grande were marched to their respective places of encampment, 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 Ma- tamoros by American troops. That evening a small guard was established in Matamoros, to keep the peace. No troops, except under command, visited it that night. The Matamorians slept securely under the protection of the American government, a boon ever denied them by their own. Upon inquiry, it became evident that Gen. Reguena had been sent over to Gen. Taylor merely to gain time ; that, even while he was negociating for the surrender of the city, Arista's troops were throw- ing the public stores into the river, burying pieces of artillery in wells, and concealing other portions of the public stores in out-of-the way places about the city. Arista commenced his retreat on the evening that Gen. Reguena promised to bring a message from him to Gen. Taylor, taking with him two pieces of artillery, and over four thousand men, leaving behind his sick and wounded. A gloom was thrown over the brilliant events of this day by a most unfortunate accident ; Lieut. George Stevens, a graduate of West Point in 1843, and a most promising officer in the Second Dragoons, was OCCUPATION OF MATAMOROS. 125 swept by the swift current from his horse, while crossing the river at the head of his command. He had distinguished himself on the bril- liant days of the 8th and 9th, and his untimely death was universally lamented. His friends, two days after he was drowned, had the me- lancholy satisfaction of recovering his body, and giving it the cere- monies of a soldier's burial within the walls of Fort Brown, beside the gallant hero that gave it his name. Immediately upon taking possession of Matamoros our troops were distributed so as to occupy the upper and lower suburbs of the town, a small guard only being stationed in the city itself. Col. Twiggs' command was stationed above the city along the banks of the river, his own head quarters occupying a romantic spot directly on its brink. Gen. Worth's command was located in the bend of the river below, having a fine view from his tent, and Lieut. Col. Belknap's of the sur- rounding country. Directly opposite Col. Belknap's, were to be seen a few torn tents, and a number of wiry-looking horses. They marked the head quar- ters of Capt. Walker, of the Rangers. From Col. Twiggs' tent you could see the volunteer regiment stretching away west, almost as far as the eye could reach, centering around the Fanques del Raminero, and then scattering off in little groups. The Seventh regiment nestled beneath the walls of Fort Brown, which they had so nobly defended. Gen. Taylor found a few trees that appeared to be higher than their neighbours, under which he pitched his " head quarters ;" they could only be recognised from the tents about them by their disposition they were arranged for shade, and not with military precision. Col. Twiggs was appointed " Governor of the Town, 1 ' and to his especial care was intrusted the taking possession of the military stores left by the Mexican army. Don Jesus Cardenas, the prefect of Matamoros at the time Gen. Taylor took possession, was distin- guished among his fellow citizens for oppression, and for his hatred to foreigners. In surrendering the city, the prefect's only care was to know if he could retain his office. He never stipulated for any pri- vileges for the citizens, or seemed in any way to think of their in- terests. Immediately upon Col. Twiggs taking command, he sent for this notable Cardenas, and asked him for an inventory of the public property. He stated, positively, that he knew of none, and persisted 126 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. in declaring that none was left by the Mexican forces when they evacuated the city. Col. Twiggs dismissed him, and entering the city with information obtained from other quarters, soon began to find vast quantities of military stores, in almost all the out-of-the-way places about the Plaza. This outrageous trifling on the part of the prefect Col. Twiggs was determined to notice. Accordingly he waited upon him the following morning at his office, to give the gentleman what is denominated a u plain talk." The colonel laboured under one difficulty eloquent himself, it was a great drawback to have it marred by an indifferent translator. Fortunately, an American citizen by the name of Dugden, a very intelligent gentleman of Matamoros, and an object of the pre- fect's special oppression, offered his services as an interpreter. " I wish to give this falsifying prefect a proper notion of his conduct," said the colonel, with a variety of explicatures. " Can you, Mr. Dug- den, do justice to what I say?" Mr. Dugden assented, and " the Go- vernor" laid down the first paragraph of his lecture in English. Dug- den did justice to what was said, and, it was thought, added a little on his own responsibility, much to the gratification of the governor. The prefect, bearded in his own den, began to turn a variety of co- lors : his consternation increased, as the citizens of the town crowded into his office, and, by the wildest expressions of delight, testified their pleasure at what was going on. The prefect literally trembled in his shoes, and promised to act better and honestly point out the hidden treasures. But he prevaricated so constantly, that he was finally dis- missed, and ejected from the shadow of the office he still held, and he left the city, it was supposed to join Arista or some other general in the interior. The day following the taking of Matamoros, Lieut. Col. Garland, with all the regular and irregular cavalry of the army, about two hun- dred and fifty dragoons and rangers, started in pursuit of the retreating Mexicans, with orders to harass their rear, and to capture prisoners and baggage. On the 22d, Col. 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, and twenty-two taken prisoners, two of our own troops slightly wounded, and one wagon with ammunition and clothing of an artillery com- THE BATTLE FIELDS. 127 pany captured. The scarcity of water, the barrenness of the country, and the condition of the horses, compelled Col. Garland to return to Matamoros, he having penetrated over sixty miles into the enemy's country. The army of the Mexicans under Gen. Arista, was but twenty-four ,hours ahead of our cavalry, retreating in good order, our officers stopped at the randies where the enemy had, the night previous. A ranchero, at one of these stopping places, inquired with great sim- plicity of Capt. Graham, where the Americans were going; he was told in pursuit of the retreating Mexican army. "Retreating army!" said the fellow with astonishment, "why Gen. Ampudia stopped at my house last night, and said that his troops had conquered the Ame- ricans, and that he was now on his way to Mexico to take the news." The man remained confounded, for it was impossible for him to be- lieve his nation had been whipped in battle, and still more incompre- hensible, that a small number of American dragoons should seriously and for purposes of war, really drive before them over three thousand troops. For several successive days after the precipitate retreat of the Mexi- cans, the bodies of drowned Mexican soldiers were thrown ashore by the current of the river. Among the mass, were distinguishable seve- ral officers. Arista, in his official despatch, mentions two who thus met their death. The body of Father Leary was taken out of the water near the fort, his canonicals still on, and his cross clutched tightly in his hand. As the Rio Grande fell, it left suspended to the overhanging trees, the bodies caught in the meshes of their branches ; thus they hung in the air, until they dropped piece-meal into the water below. The very river itself, for awhile, became offensive ; mutilated corses floated along, attacked by the voracious cat-fish, causing them to twitch and roll about, as if still in the agonies of death. On the battle fields, more glaringly horrible effects of war were pre- sented ; in the lone places in the deep chaparral, lay the mouldering bodies of those of the wounded who had crawled away to die. Buzzards and carrion crows, wheeled in excentric circles over these unmade graves ; beetles and foul insects burrowed beneath them ; jackals, at night, dug their way into the mounds of the dead, exposing 128 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. the interior corruption to the passer-by. The descending rains would beat down the arch made by these desecrations, and the pile marking where a hundred Mexicans lay, gradually sunk, until it seemed as if the remains of so many human beings scarcely disfigured the surface of the earth. A few months, or years passed away, all vestiges will be gone. The result of so great a sacrifice, will be the memory of a few glorious deeds ; the suffering, the sin, the dreadful offences in the sight of heaven, will only have permanent record in another world. With the return of Lieut. Col. Garland's command from the pursuit of Gen. Arista, ended the first great act in the history of the operations of our army on the Rio Grande. MATAMOROS. 129 CHAPTER XVI. Early history of Matamoros It becomes important to the government It8 situation Appearance from Fort Brown Red tower The ferry Anaciiita Its attendants Ferrymen Ranchero Cattle driving Sudden order Suburbs of Matamoros Mexican hedge Sand-bag fort battery Changes Commander-in-chief. MATAMOROS, situated in the department of Tamaulipas, is one of the largest cities in Northern Mexico, and from the American occupa- tion of it, has suddenly become a place of intense interest to us. The 17th of May, 1846, the day on which it was taken possession of by our troops, is destined to mark an important era in our national his- tory, and, probably, in that of the world. It is said, that at the close of the last century, a small farm was situated where Matamoros now stands, and according to Mexican cus- tom, it rejoiced in a cognomen proportionately magnificent to the in- significance of the thing named. The Rancho was known, therefore, as that of San Juan de los Esteros. About the year 1801, a missionary wandered from the interior of the country to the north, and finally came to the bank of the Rio Grande. Charmed with the country, he resolved to establish a mission at San Juan de los Esteros, and wishing to begin every thing anew, he changed the name to the more popular one of Congregation del Refugio, thus setting forth to the world, from the very commencement, an inducement for the oppressed to flee to this retreat, which formed the site of the future city of Matamoros. As late as 1826, when the " Refugio" was approaching its maximum of worldly greatness, the supreme legislature of the department in which it is situated, having occasion to draw largely upon the inhabit- ants for extraordinary taxes, in return granted them the compliment- ary title of Ville de Matamoros. This would have been considered most honorable indeed, by the Spaniards who conquered the Alham- bra, as the name of the city signified that its inhabitants had distin- guished themselves in the wars with the Moors ; a distinction earned, perhaps, by a few of their early progenitors. In the year 1835, the " supreme legislature," having farther use for 9 130 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. money, honored Matamoros with the new appendage of Puerto, and followed it up by the appointment of a series of rapacious and unprin- cipled custom-house officers, who held their uninterrupted sway until the American forces under Gen. Taylor took possession of the city. Matamoros is situated upon the west bank of the Rio Grande, thirty- five miles from its mouth in a straight line, and over one hundred by the way of the river. It is well laid out, the streets crossing each other at right angles. Above the northern ferry stands Fort Paredes, a work constructed with considerable attention to military art ; the other " forts " around the city being little else than earth embank- ments, thrown up to protect the men who were at the pieces used during the bombardment. The Rio Grande, Rio del Norte, or Rio Bravo, as the Mexicans severally term it, is the largest river near Mexico, and one of the longest in the world. It is throughout a river of pleasant scenery, frequently passing through highly picturesque and broken land ; ap- proaching towards its mouth, it courses through a prairie country. It is remarkably straight as a whole, and runs swiftly, hence its name of " Mad river." There being no timber on its banks, it is not filled with snags, but presents a clear, canal-like appearance. In the vicinity of Matamoros, the channel is so narrow that a strong man can throw a stone across it, and conversation can be carried on by persons on opposite sides of the river with ease. The banks are covered with strong wiry grass, most excellent for grazing cattle, interspersed with chaparral, and the stunted mosquete tree. The land on the edge of the river is, in many places, as rich as the imagination can conceive. The city of Matamoros, viewed from the opposite side of the river, seems imbedded in the luxuriant charms of a fine level country, loaded with rich vegetation. The first glimpse of it will always make an impression of pleasure and astonishment. The city is not immediately on the river. Its trade being carried on principally with the interior, and its carrying being done by mules, there has been no inducement, as in American cities, to build immediately on the water's edge for the convenience of commerce. The city therefore appears buried up in a vast garden, which seems to encircle it, its houses and towers thrusting themselves up from among surrounding vegetation. The late operations of the Mexican army probably caused the first DESCRIPTION OF MATAMOROS. 131 labor of any importance immediately upon the river bank. You now ee two small forts, connected together by triangular breastworks. But for these hastily-thrown-up breastworks, the banks of the Rio Grande would look as primitive as they did when the Spaniard first visited them. The city of Matamoros can be traced a mile up and down the river. At its extreme eastern limit is " Fort Paredes," on the walls of which was raised the first United States flag by American troops in Mexico. As you look westward, you perceive the city losing itself in the dis- tance in little gardens, and still farther on, can be traced the hedges Jhat mark the small cotton fields of the Mexican planter. The buildings look well ; many appear remarkably fine. A splendid private residence, built of brick, and yellow washed, is quite con- spicuous, and known as the head quarters of Gen. Mejia, previous to the retreat of the Mexicans. Upon its top can be seen the flasrstafls i . ^^ of the English and French consuls. A large building just beyond, presenting a white gable, has an immense hole between the upper windows, made by one of our eighteen-pound shot. A row of Anglo- American looking houses can be distinguished, that are owned and occupied by foreign merchants living in Matamoros. Two unfinished towers may be discerned with some difficulty; they are above the roof of the cathedral that bounds one side of the Plaza. On the extreme south-east of the city, rises a small red tower, appa- rently that of a church. Soon after our troops encamped on the east side of the Rio Grande, in the direction of that tower were often heard the muffled drum, and quick rollings of musketry. The sounds be- tokened the burial of the soldier dead, or the ruthless murder of some unfortunate offender of the military tyrant that held sway over the Mexican troops. The known cruelty of the Mexican generals, not only to their enemies, but to their own troops, gave to that red tower a startling and curious interest. To the right of the white house we have alluded to as being struck by the eighteen-pound ball, is a square block of buildings, apparently surrounded by a wall, from which rises a flagstaff. This square of buildings was occupied, when in possession of the Mexican troops, by a regiment they called the sapcdorcs, con- sidered to be the best disciplined corps in the Mexican service. Here Lieut. Deas was confined while a prisoner. Matamoros, from the 132 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. regularity with which it is laid out, the great number of what appear to be familiar-looking houses, and the everywhere growing shrubbery, when viewed from a distance by an American eye, has anything else than a foreign look. Passing up the banks of the river, perhaps a quarter of mile above Fort Brown, along a fine road, constantly filled by wagon trains, groups of soldiers, and stragglers generally, you come to the ferry called Anacuita, nearly opposite Fort Paredes. The scene that it presents throughout the day, is one of the most novel to be met with on the Rio Grande. Upon the top of the bank are two or three rude sheds, made of limbs of trees and brush, just high enough to accomo- date some half dozen dark swarthy Mexicans, in a sitting posture, who have for sale "hot corn," and a vile, soul-sickening compound, de- nominated by the Americans " beer," together with tortillas, cheese, and lumps of maple sugar. On their right and left are large piles of copper shells, copper balls, parts of gun-carriages, and hundreds of old muskets and lances. This heterogeneous mass of " military stores," is a portion of the immense quantity being brought out of Matamoros by wagons marked U. S., to be deposited for safe keeping within the walls of Fort Brown. The crowd, in part, is composed of all the variety of blood in the world, with specimens of all possible variety of mixtures. Northern States, Middle States, Western States, Southern States, and no states at all, have strong delegations ; dark swarthy Frenchmen, and darker and swarthier Spaniards, are in juxta-position ; native Mexicans are plentiful, of every possible variety of mongrelness, so that no two are exactly the same shade, for in color they range from the yellow buff, through every variety of nankeen, deepening into the brownish red of the aborigines, and running still lower in the scale of creation, until the hair abandons the straight black, and kinks into wool, to cover heads a white man denominates negro. Yet these vari-colored people are good specimens of what they themselves are pleased to denominate the " magnanimous Mexican nation." A great number of this group were soldiers in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma, and some of them, particularly those most shabbily dressed, were officers in command. THE FERRY. 133 There is not much noise heard ; two or three stem-looking sen- tinels, that occupy the edge of the bank, and show no apparent inte- rest in what is going on, save when they give a fierce, contemptuous look towards these Mexicans, suffice to keep them silent and respectful. The '"regulars" have too much discipline to be otherwise. The " volunteers " are the boys to kick up a fuss and dust, and but for their boisterous mirth, the ferry at Matamoros would be very noiseless, always excepting the eloquent appeals of Uncle Sam's wagon driver's to their " cattle," which are Mexican mules, that seem to look upon the conquest of the country by the Americans with more indignation than any other of the inhabitants, and display it by never doing a particle of work, if they can help it, and none at all, unless labored out of them by hard work, and harder swearing. The ferry flat is worked by two Mexicans, at a stated price per day. They have permanently fixed a rope across the river, and by it pull the flat to and fro, with considerable skill. One of them is en disha- bille, which means undressed, without limitation, when applied to that ferryman : the other has the aggregate of one-eighth of a shirt, and a boot ; they are evidently jolly dogs, having work enough to do to make them happy, and keep them out of mischief, while their accumulating fortune from their labor at the flat, has undoubtedly raised them in the estimation of their countrymen, who, I noticed, laughed most heartily at their jokes, and paid them that deference usually bestowed by humble people upon men in a profitable government office. You are obliged to have patience at times at the Matamoros ferry, as well as at some other frontier towns, as the boat is not always ready to accommodate you on the instant ; so you can examine things about yon. Here is a u ranchero," that wishes to sell his horse ; the poor animal has nothing left in his body from the hard usage he has received, but a vicious spirit. The fellow that has him for sale, stole him from an American that he sold him to the day before ; the ran- chero makes his living by selling that horse, and he will continue thus dishonestly to trade, until at some unlucky time, he will sell that horse to a " ranger," and when he is found out, his days will be numbered, and his father's son will bite the dust for his rascality 134 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. Mexican Ranchero. There is a Mexican yonder, leaning gracefully on the pummel of his saddle ; his dress is that of a better class of citizens, and has a kind of theatrical banditti look, that would have delighted Mr. Crum- mels amazingly. His hat is a palmetto, of a rakish cut, covered with glazed cloth, and ornamented on the sides of the crown with silver balls, that resemble stop-cocks on the head of a steam boiler. These ornaments have caused a great deal of speculation in our minds, to comprehend the character of mental calibre and education, that con- ceives them to be useful and ornamental. His linen is of most excel- lent quality, and wrought with an abundance of needle-work. His pantaloons of dressed leather, ornamented with gay cord and a gross of metal buttons, opened from the hip down, displaying most co- quetishly, wide white drawers. He is puffed up with the gas of self- esteem, as a hard-blown bladder is with wind, and seriously believes, that he is the most distinguished piece of humanity under the sun. A MEXICAN HEDGE. 135 Whoop ! crack ! thwack ! Whip, cut, slash, here is a dust and confusion fifty head of large-horned and splendid-looking cattle won't go across the river, in spite of a horde of half-naked Mexicans who are determined they shall. The oxen reach the edge of the water in a drove, wet their hoofs, and then start back in a rush. Now commences a shower of blows over the face, eyes, and horns, of the 'poor animals ; a few rather tender-pated, plunge into the Rio Grande, their Mexican drivers leap .in after, mount their backs r seize them by their horns, bend their heads cross the river, or under it, as they choose ; the oxen struggle across, the Mexicans tumble off their backs, retracing their way in the water, as glibly as if they were cat fish, and equally independent of the facilities of a ferry. The crowd continues to gather at the ferry, some hundred and fifty persons wish to cross the river, and the flat has started from the other side a general rush ensues to the water's edge, as not more than one-third of the crowd present can be immediately accommodated. The flat touches the shore, and two opposing currents meet : one coming out of the flat and another going in every thing is in confusion, horses and men tumble out of the flat, and men and horses tumble in ; a perfect babel of uttered language ensues, and a fair prospect of a war is presenting itself when, an United States officer arrives the sentinel salutes him he orders the men to fall back every thing becomes quiet in an instant again ; the ferried-over wend their w r ay up the bank, and disperse among the different camps ; as many of the crowd as can be properly accommodated, follow the officer quietly into the flat, and away it goes with a full load for the Mexican side of the river. So passes each day of the ferry Anacuita, at Matamoros. After you get over the ferry, you have an open and picturesque road before you, of nearly a half mile to the city. Much to inte- rest presents itself, for every thing, to American eyes, is unlike " the familiar road-side." The hedge of a small cotton field, now broken down in places, is worthy of attention, for it is characteristic of the fences of the country. Their being no timber to split into " rails," the Mexican cannot disfigure the landscape with those awful " worm fences," that so mar our own fields ; on the contrary, he plants with some care the thorn bushes and delicate brush that every where grow spontaneously, strengthening them with the trunks of the palm tree. 136 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. A thousand vines and wild flowers soon tressel over this " breast- work," binding it together in a solid mass ; and tropical birds with gay plumage, bury themselves in its interstices. A Mexican hedge, therefore, soon becojnes a formidable defence against a foe, defies the most viciously disposed cattle intruders, offers a shade at noon, and is the place of resort for all the gay, the musical, and the beautiful of the feathered tribe. A large species of blackbird will much attract attention. It seems very tame and familiar ; a pair will generally be seen together mounted on some high limb, and performing a series of bowings and contortions truly wonderful to behold, throwing their heads into the air, burying them under their wings, then turning their feathers up with all imaginable roughness, and giving utterance to the strangest varied scream ever heard, the conclusion of which is like the whizzing, crashing sounds made by the breaking off and falling of a heavy limb of a tree. Birds with a pale ashy plumage, and tails resembling those denominated " of Paradise," flit about, and a minia- ture dove, not larger in its body than a robin, pecks modestly in the dust, the most beautiful and loveable bird we ever saw. This hedge leads to a poor Mexican farmer's cottage, that faces close upon the road, and as it represents its class, is worth examina- tion. The walls are made of reed, about three or four inches thick, and ingeniously held together by others running crosswise, not unlike rude basket work. The rafters of the house are made of gigantic reed, thatched most securely from admitting the rain, by long salt marsh grass, cut about the mouth of the Rio Grande. There are no windows two doors, situated on either side, admit all the light and air its inhabitants indulge in. It is a mere lodging room after all in rainy weather, for the Mexicans of the poorer classes live out of doors, sleep under the shade of their stunted trees, or upon the door steps of their rude houses. The house is " a mere form," equally enjoyed by hens and chickens, pigs, goats, fleas, and other domestic animals. The " kitchen garden" looks inviting, though in waste, splendid figs are ripening upon a wilderness of luxuriant trees, pomegranates, with their russet sides, meet the eye, tall green corn, of the best quality, waves in the constant breeze, and, on the ground, there ripen in modest obscurity good looking squashes, that in size show a near relationship to the succulent pumpkin. In front of the house I A MEXICAN HUT. 137 noticed a large hole, occasioned by a shot thrown in the bombard- ment, in the inside of it one of our own troops w r as sitting very comfortably on a bench, eating hot corn, evidently set before him by a Mexican woman, who, though she did no credit to her sex in the way of personal beauty, seemed to honor it by her hospitality. Mexican Farmer's Hut. Just beyond this thatched house, you are turned off of the road by the " Sand-bag fort battery," a rough work, that afforded protection to three or four pieces of artillery in the bombardment of Fort Brown. The rain had already washed down some parts of the walls, and two or three big-headed mules seemed to hold it in full possession. The road every w r here is pleasant, and cottages are filling up with " cake and beer shops ;" the Americans, like their progenitors " across the waters," must be well fed to fight well, and this characteristic is taken advantage of to the great profit of innumerable hangers-on of the camp. In one of these little shops, I found the stock to consist of an empty claret box, a jug of whiskey, two tin cups, a few pounds of maple sugar, a pail of Rio Grande water, and a Mexican saddle worth one hundred and fifty dollars. You now get out. of the fields, and come into the suburbs of the city, the road takes a sudden turn 138 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. to the right, and gives you an extended view down one of the streets that leads " way back towards Monterey." On your left you per- ceive the tortuous winding of the river reaching away towards its mouth, and upon the rolling land are the thousand tents belonging to our army. The tents stretch out before you for miles, until they grow into seeming white spots, looking like snow balls resting on the bluish sward. Nearer to you is an unfinished powder magazine, the workmen have abandoned it after raising its thick square walls the ruins of houses are hidden away among the long weeds a rancher o wends his way across the broken field, and two or three soldiers off duty stop him, to hold a long conversation in Irish, and English, and Spanish, and although they are entirely unacquainted with each others language, they seem very familiar and agreeable companions. Jl very thick-set, farmer-looking old gentleman, in a linen roundabout, and remarkable for short legs and long body, mounted on a snow-white, charger, followed by a mounted dragoon, most perpendicular in his saddle, and covered with trappings, passes by. If you inquire who that is, you will be laughed at, for he is the major general com- mander-in-chief of the " Army of Occupation," and he is going over w to consult with several officers," about something he made up his mind should be done " nolens volens," a month ago. PRIVATE RESIDENCE IN MATAMOROS. 139 CHAPTER XVII. Tho bridge Change in the country Private residence of a wealthy citizen Newspaper in Mexico Interior of the city Plaza Cathedral Its front Chapel Its worshippers Halls of justice Head quarters of our troops Mexican prison A prisoner free Court room Military stores The rich widow Her mules. TURXIXG up the road leading directly into the city, you pass over a very handsomely-constructed bridge, laid in water-proof cement ; it v.-as a public work in the better days of the Mexican republic. This bridge was more needed formerly than now. Until a few years since, there annually fonned by the rains a lake between the river and the city ; it gave a semi-aquatic appearance to Matamoros, and was the common resort of the inhabitants who wished to enjoy a bath. Either the heads of the lake broke away, or the overflowings of the Rio Grande changed the formation of the land, for it dried up, and left hi the place of a transparent sheet of water, a little stream, bounded on either side by dank weeds, over which the bridge gracefully arches, looking liberal from the apparent extra breadth of the span. Past the bridge, on either side of the road, rise tall trees, for the country, giving to it a picturesque and rural appearance. On your right is the Front View of a Private Reeidence in Matamoros. 140 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. large brick house of a wealthy citizen, who was a colonel of militia on the 8th and 9th. You are struck with its desolate front ; it has hot a window or door that is made for comfort or ornament, and those that present themselves are protected by thick heavy batten doors and shutters. Up high, on one corner of the front, is something that looks much like a large cage. That cage is the balcony, whereon at eve, steal forth the females of the family, to enjoy the evening air. They are out of the reach of stolen kisses, or letters of love, and Mexican jealousy is somewhat lulled by this arrangement. The lower part of the house presents bare walls, that protect male and fejuale from the assaults of sudden revolution, of lawless robbers, of plundering sol- diery, and thefts of hungry officials ; that house speaks a volume of melancholy detail, of the social and political condition of the country. Side view of the same Residence. " Hare is de Republica de Rio Grande y amiga de los pueblo, neu papier, one beet." A newspaper boy, for the first time, in the Repub- lic of Mexico. He is looked upon by the inhabitants in favor of the old dynasty, as Indians look upon the appearance of bees it shows that the white man is coming. He is an old boy, though young in news- papers, being full sixty years of age, but he does bravely. " Hare is de Republica." " Hold on there," cries a volunteer, " let us have a WINDOW OF A PRIVATE HOUSE. Family looking out at the American Troops marching by. UNFINISHED CATHEDRAL. 141 number." All sad reflections upon the condition of Mexico, suggested by the prison-like appearance of the Mexican colonel's house pass away, for intelligence has found wings, and those even in Mexico who run, can in future read ; a new order of things has commenced, and sudden and singular improvements for the better are bound to follow in Matamoros. Cleverly in Matamoros, the first impression you receive is the deso- late one created by the prison look of all the houses. They have a semi-moorish appearance, and you cannot divest yourself of the idea that a city thus built, must be inhabited by people of jealous disposi- tions, subject to civil war, and of unsocial habits. As you progress along, you see, peeping through grated windows, pairs of dark eyes that flash strangely with fear and curiosity ; little children retreat be- fore you with that gait peculiar to the young of timid animals, that flee from instinct, before they do it from reason. The double door, opened at an angle to admit the air, gives glimpses of deep brunettes, throwing remarkably luxuriant and dark tresses over their heads, pre- vious to arranging them for the evening's listlessness. Men sit sul- lenly about in their fantastic dresses, half of them looking as if they had stolen out of a stock company of a theatre, while engaged in playing a " brigand piece." There is a flaunting^ stiletto-you-in-the- dark look, about the whole of them. As you wander on, you find the city remarkably well laid out, and although giving evidences of having seen better days, still it is far from being destitute of attractive buildings. Once fairly in the plaza Hidalgo, the principal square of the city, you can rest yourself under the shade of some stunted china trees, and then commence examining at your leisure. You will at once be attracted by the unfinished cathedral, that is so managed, that the houses on its wings appear to be a part of the cathedral itself, giving to the mass a very imposing appearance, bound- ing one entire side of the plaza. It was some years since that the architect commenced the building with most excellent intentions, and but for an evident want of funds, would have made a splendid build- ing. Two fine, but unfinished, towers command the ends of the ca- thedral, upon one of which is laid a rude piece of timber, from which are suspended two bells. The Gothic door in the centre would have exposed the interior with great effect, but, alas, some misfortune over- 112 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. whelmed its' progress, and left the bare walls, to provoke the imagina- tion to contemplating the reasons why a work so well begun, was not completed. In front, seated in the angles formed by the pillars, or upon their bases, fifty or more poor miserable creatures, who seem, in their po- verty, to have nothing in abundance but sunshine, and that they are determined to enjoy. Many are disgustingly disfigured by slow can- kerous diseases, that appear to render their victims hideous, and yet will not kill. Some are slightly wounded soldiers who have crawled out of the hospitals for fresh air. Few well-dressed persons linger in their vicinity, but pass decorously on and disappear in a narrow alley- way on the right of the cathedral, where we will enter. Having done so, you soon come to a small room, no doubt intended originally for the sacristy, but now used as a chapel. The walls are plain ; there is no wealth about the altar to tempt sacrilegious hands. The adorn- ments, on the contrary, are of little value, and of a kind in no way har- monious with the objects for which they are appropriated. The priest is at the altar in the act of celebrating mass, the worshipping con- gregation is impressive, and tempts the heart to join in the solemn service. Before you are kneeling some twenty Mexican women, many of them quite handsome, all calculated to excite curiosity. They kneel gracefully, and, accidentally as possible, expose a fine foot, tastefully set off with a small slipper. There are but two Mexican men in the house, shame upon the sex, but there are men there beside, noble and true-hearted men, that form a curious sight, all the circumstances con- sidered. Some twenty United States troops, in their uniforms, are on their knees at prayer, among the most devotional in the house. It was a sight to see those thus engaged, who but a few days before were sur- rounded by the terrors of the battle field, busy, prominently busy, in the work of death. Such is one of the cathedrals of Matamoros, and the principal building in the city. " Directly opposite the cathedral is a row of buildings two stories high, variously occupied. In the centre are the halls of the city jus- tices ; in the rear of which is the calabozo, and also a kind of maga- zine for military stores. A rich widow owns the lower third of the row, living in great state, within her own premises ; an object of ex- HALL OF JUSTICE. Justice and Head Quarters of our Troops. ceeding interest to the enterprising bachelor " volunteers" who think of settling in the country. The calabozo, or city prison of Matamoros, under the charge of the civil authorities, is one of the most wretched places that can be con- ceived of, in which to incarcerate human beings. You enter from the street, passing between two Mexican sentinels, and come to a thick batten door, with a small grate in it. A poor wretch, nearly naked, and wan from misery and watching, opens the door, and you enter a small court paved with brick, which are polished smooth by the continued stepping of naked feet ; on one side are small cells, open- ing into the court, and having no provision made, when shut, for light or air. The doors were all open now ; sickness or want of food had weakened the few prisoners that were held in bondage, until it was not dangerous to let them enjoy the light of heaven that struggled into their living grave?. Imagination cannot conceive the suffering that is 144 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. endured by humanity, sweltering under a tropical sun, and surrounded by the soul-sickening influences of this prison house. What tales of misery it could unfold, if the walls could speak ; how many brave- hearted Americans have lingered out a miserable existence in these cells for some conventional crime, devised to rob them of their wealth, or to avenge some fancied wrong. There was a hang-dog look about the sunken eyes of the few pri- soners, and, after knowing the Mexican character, one will be at a loss to guess what crime they could commit, to make them odious enough among their own people, to be thus incarcerated. Beneath a rude shed, one of the prisoners was busy in making tor- tillas. There was an expertness about his operations that would always excite the curiosity of the uninitiated. He had a flat stone be- fore him, elevated to a slight angle ; in his hands was a sort of " rolling pin." He placed the just ripened corn on the upper side of the pin, then rubbing it briskly up and down the stone, managed most adroitly to crush out the snowy farina, leaving the hull to gather upon the upper side of the pin. It was evidently the slight of years of practice, and constitutes the labor of one half of the population of Mexico, who thus actually do no more than the work of a few well-conducted steam or water mills. The floury pulp is simply patted into cakes, and laid upon the ashes to bake, and the tortilla is complete. In the extremest of the cells was a wheel-barrow ; upon it was a jnass of something enveloped in a soldier's overcoat. Curiosity prompted the lifting of one corner of this veil : a Mexican soldier lay there asleep^ contracted into a space to suit the short bed of the wheel- barrow. A soldier, fortunate in his sleep, for his soul had left its prison-house of clay, and the terrible one that still held his body in durance vile. Emerging from a Mexican prison into the fresh air, the sky looks brighter to the eyes, and the soul seems to have escaped from bondage. You pass an American sentinel in a large door-way adjoining the prison, and come to a wide pair of stairs. Ascending, you find your- self in the seat of justice of the city of Matamoros, and perhaps for the department in which it is situated. The room is fitted up in a sort of barbaric splendor, a velvet canopy with gold fringe is suspended over the judge's seat, contrasting unpleasantly against a badly finished wall. MILITARY STORES. 145 A velvet cushion, also fringed with goM, forms the couch for a very old bible in the Latin tongue. All else was commonplace. The windows of the court room extended to the floor, and opened upon a gallery, from which you looked down into the public square. The floor of the court room was covered with envelopes of official documents, franked from the different capitals of the departments, and from the city of Mexico, directed to the principal officers who commanded the Mexi- can forces against Gen. Taylor, leaving the supposition that the room was displaced of justice, and occupied by Gen. Arista as his head quarters. Descending from the court room, you pass back, and come to a court yard, from the buildings on either side of which American troops were busily engaged in removing military stores. This depot had just been discovered, and was evidently one of the principal in the city. On the right were standing hundreds of condemned English tower muskets : on the floor, knee deep, and in strange confusion, were scopets, bayonets, and heaps of copper grape and shell. The room on the left contained an immense quantity of clothing fantastically cut and trimmed, which caused one of our troops to remark, " it must have been intended for showmen's monkeys." With the clothing were various crude war implements, belts, cartridge boxes, cases of canister shot, and cannon ball, which had been originally packed by mule loads, in green ox hide, the hide, when drying, having drawn them together as tightly as if they were a solid mass of iron. All this military rubbish our troops were removing ; it cost hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Mexicans. Save the grape and ball, the whole was to us of little value. In breaking up the canisters, several were found filled up with small pieces of bar iron, old keys, and glass ; the great majority, however, were of copper grape. In a little recess, evidently intended for it, reposed quietly a small mountain howitzer, with carriage and equipments complete. It was a small piece of cannon, truly, and compares with our eighteen-pound- ers, as a humming bird does with an eagle. " The officer of the day,"' looking at, said it was an effective weapon in " the narrow mountain passes," where heavier artillery could not be taken. Leaving these " stern realities of war," you can, by going down the plaza a house or two, enter through a sort of half public way into 10 146 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. the court of the rich widow's residence. It is a splendid place, of immense size, bounded on two sides by large and handsomely-orna- mented galleries, the whole interior more beautiful, as with all Spanish houses, than the dull front would promise. The garden abounded with fig and pomegranate trees, and a variety of tropical shrubs. The widow, however, was secluded within the thick walls and the heavy curtains of her own apartments, giving neither stranger or friend, as far as we could learn, a view of her weeds and dark eye lashes. An American, however, will be indebted to that rich widow for a surprise, if he will step under an angle of the house, and look well at her " carriage horses." It is wonderful, that among the most remarkable things in Mata- moros to unsophisticated American eyes, should be a pair of mules, strange and peculiar as all else is. The widow's carriage mules who could look at them, and ever forget the sight ? A mule, forsooth ! who could dwell for a moment on its beauties, big headed, long eared, mongrel, monster beast ? The widow's mules, however, were beautiful, and yet they looked exactly like mules. A fact that can be explained in the extraordinary resemblance that is often noticed between a lovely girl of sixteen, radiant in charms, who is a precise counterpart, in every feature, to her ugly, ill-natured, freckled, furrowed papa. The widow's mules were sublemented certainly their heads were small, and possessed of delicate nostrils, that dilated with breathing, as if they were formed of brocade satin. Their ears were pointed, and blood-like, as any descendant of Godolphin Arabian, with fine legs, ending in hoofs so delicate, that one felt disposed to take them in the hand, and toy with them. The widow's mules would convince the skeptical, that the ass in the east may be, without absurdity, " royal ;" how, and where, did the rich widow of Matamoros get these mules ? Coming again into the plaza, you can rest yourself upon a pile of boxes, just taken out of the Mexican armory. A long train of wagons marked U. S. on their covers, are coming along to take them away; the few Mexicans about, look on surlily, but the boxes are taken off to Fort Brown as cavalierly as if they were from one of our own depots. In the Calle Iturbide, just round the corner, is a refectory worthy of notice, and there one can rest comfortably after the fatigues of a morning's-" looking" excitement. CHAPEL DE LA CAPILLA. 147 CHAPTER XVIII. Chapel de la Capilla Its use by Gen. Arista Its ornaments Its worship- pers Incident The grated house Suburbs of the town The ruined bar- racks The red tower Scene suggested Mexican hospitals Treatment of the sick Their appearance The artillery Musket wound Market square Its commodities Queer dogs Mexican exquisite. Ix the " upper square" is a curiously-constructed building, known as the Chapel de la Capilla, giving its name to the square itself, that will attract attention by the crude taste displayed in ornamenting its front. It appears to have been painted some light dingy color, and then streaked with a large brush along its front with red paint. The instant it was convenient for the Mexican commanders to use this chapel for military purposes, they turned out the sacred furniture of Chapel de la Capilla, 148 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. the altar, and all the ornaments, throwing them in confused heaps, and in their place piled up the ammunition of the army. After the battles, it was used for a few days as a hospital for the wounded, and then restored to its legitimate uses. The Chapel de la Capilla is better furnished than the one in the cathedral: but the great poverty about everything, shows that the people of Matamoros are any thing than enthusiastic or liberal in re- ligious matters. Over the altar, there were to be seen two wax figures, about three feet in height, representing " the Father" and " the Vir- gin." They were dressed precisely as were the people in the streets, and, save a more elevated expression about the face, given by the mysterious light that played on them from above, and the deathly look of the wax of which they were composed, they might have been mis- taken for the common Mexican effigies, in the making of which these people are singularly expert. On the threshold of the chapel, was kneeling in solemn prayer, a Mexican girl, robed in pure white ; her regular, dark features, mingled in them the Castilian and aboriginal blood most witchingly, giving to them a warm expression, truly like the mellow, golden flesh tints seen in an old picture. Large tears were threaded on her dark eye lashes, and as she raised her eyes in prayer, one involuntarily thought of the females that look out from the creations of Corregio. When the priest concluded his prayer, offered up for the sick and afflicted, she turned her head for a moment, when a familiar recognition followed ; a tinge of interest in worldly things shaded the spiritual face. The vanity was flattered by the remembrance ; arid the recognition called to mind by a kindly service rendered to a wounded officer in one of the hospitals, who was attended by a delicate girl, clad at the time in the common dress of the country, and who was remarkably attentive to his wants. This daughter was now praying for the recovery of a parent, over whom she daily and nightly watched, regardless of all the terrible and humiliating scenes around her. Leaving the chapel, and going towards the river, you will be struck with the appearance of a private residence, having extra large bars across the window ; the damaged condition of the front, being done by the shot during the bombardment. SUBURBS OF MATAMOROS. Private Dwelling, Matamoros. The fears of the inmates, joined with the clumsiness of the iron worker, have made this dwelling look like a perfect calalow, but a peep through the open gate gives you a glimpse of an enchanting court, in which Avere seen gay-plumaged birds in cages, and inviting arbors formed by the rich tropical foliage. Farther still towards the river, are the lower suburbs of the town ; here the land is considerably broken, and on the rising ground are the ruins of what apparently Avere several fine houses. A little off the road stand the Avails of an unfinished poAvder magazine. The suspension of this public work was probably OAving to a Avant of go- vernment funds for its completion. Keeping to the right, you pass through a street lined on either side with half rural-looking habita- tions, some of which are quite pretty, when suddenly the road opens into a large parade ground, one side of which is bounded by spacious, and, originally, very handsome barracks. The front is plain, and the pavement being good, and furnished at either end with handsome brick guard houses, the Avhole has a very military appearance. A feAv years since a hurricane passed 1 over Ma- tamoros, and on its way unroofed this building ; a portion of the 150 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. roof still lies across the front. Curiosity prompts the passer-by to enter, through the once strongly fortified doorway. The interior has a perfectly Spanish appearance ; the walls are terribly thick, and all the rooms are dungeon-like. This building seemed to have been recently occupied by troops. Passing from the court, you ascend by wide but steep steps to the upper walls ; and while engaged in fol- lowing the range of the loop holes, and observing how perfectly a few soldiers behind the strong breastwork could command the inside of the whole barracks, it suddenly flashes on the mind, that the strongly-built guard house that surmounts this wall, is the red tower that, while the Mexicans still held the city, so intensely interested our troops. Barracks, Suburbs of Matamoros. During the bombardment of Fort Brown, and when Matamoros was thronged with troops, almost every evening, solemn music was heard, which seemed to proceed from the plaza, and move towards this red tower. At sunset volleys of musketry were fired, followed by a cloud of white smoke circling round this tower. This signified either a funeral, or an execution. One can stand at the base of this red tower, and overlook the HOSPITALS IN MATAMOROS. 151 various courts of the barracks. Directly in front is the main one the parade ground. Imagination, prompted by the well-known summary executions of the military despots of Mexico, can readily call up some poor wretch brought out for sacrifice ; see him pinioned and kneeling in bold relief against the barrack wall, while overhead, and opposite, in all the panoply of abused authority, stands the cruel-hearted military tyrant, coolly giving directions for the execution. An irregular discharge of fire arms follows, the ghastly mutilated victim starts convulsively forward : his comrades, their hearts brutalised by the constant sight of blood, rush, with eager haste, to drive their knives into his heart; so passes a military execution in Mexico. When Gen. Taylor took Matamoros, it was represented to him by public scandal, that there were fifty or sixty persons in it, who were wounded in the battles. The number was considered remarkably small, and created some surprise. After the public stores were taken possession of, there was found among them a quantity of tobacco, a portion of the best was divided out among our troops, and the re- mainder Gen. Taylor ordered to be sold at auction, the proceeds to be applied to the relief of the wounded Mexican soldiers. This led to some examination, when to the surprise of all, the " commission" appointed- to inquire into the number, reported nearly four hundred sick and wounded. This startling fact justified the American estimate of the deadly effect of our arms, which was so flatly contradicted, by the number of wounded first reported as being in the city bv the Mexicans. A visitor in Matamoros would find the hospitals places of melan- choly interest, and sources of constant surprise. They developed traits of the .Mexican character, no where else exhibited. The veil is torn away in these receptables of suffering humanity, and it was a matter of serious speculation, whether the horrors of war were not eclipsed by the horrors of the social condition of the poor wretches, whose mutilated bodies were strewn around. Not a street in Mata- moros is destitute of its hospital, and as you move about, a curtain before the door of some private house would blow aside, and reveal the cot, with the attenuated form stretched under a sheet, surrounded by silent nurses, that seemed to be dark figures, wrought into the solid walls against \vhich they were relieved. 152 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. There were plenty of excellent houses for the Mexicans to place their wounded into, but their officials paid no attention to comfort, even where it was as easily obtained as the miserable places in which the wounded were often thrown, as useless remains of a defeated battle field. Hence the meson-) a dirty, low building, the public inn of the place, where horses and men find, with equal accommodation, a lodg- ing for the night, \vas chosen, among other indifferent places, as an hospital. In the city, better buildings were appropriated to such uses, but in all were the same indifferent attentions, or rather "neglects" of the invalids. The sick generally lay upon the ground ; some few enjoyed the luxury of a raw hide to repose upon, and a block of wood to support their heads ; a sheet of white cotton was wrapped closely about their attenuated frames, exaggerating the horrors they partially concealed. Some passed their time in heavy sleep, with half-opened eyes, that leered upon the spectator more horribly than did those of the un- buried dead at Palo Alto. Some never slept, but ever looked with eyes of living coals of fire, that betrayed the fever that was consuming them ; some swayed to and fro, as if impatient of the restraints of sickness, and were longing for their far mountain homes, from which they had been torn to fight battles in which they had no interest ; some sat doggedly staring into the dust, with scarce sense enough to feel, or mind sufficient to speculate upon their condition. Were these indeed the brave soldiers of the 8th and 9th, who had about them their ghastly titles that showed they had been in the thickest of the fight ? Were these men Mexicans ? Were such va- rieties of colors all equal in social condition ? Even so. The Castilian with auburn hair, the swarthy Indian with straight, the dark negro with kinked, with all their intermediate mixtures, lay side by side, all Mexicans, all of the same sympathies, feelings, language. All moved in their winding sheets, evidently equal in mind and body. To the American, who makes distinction in colors, this strange mixture of races in one people, causes the greatest surprise. Their countenances were hideous from natural physiognomy ; every style of expression was represented : the African, with low forehead and protruding lips ; the besotted Indian, his straight hair hanging over his regular features, giving it additional ferocity ; the Malay-looking MARKET IN MATAMOROS. 153 mongrel, with tawny skin, slight moustache, and cold-blooded, trea- cherous eyes ; the low, cunning, yet intelligent, brutish white man. All these various faces peered out from among loose folds of white cloth, that fall about them, giving them the appearance of Arabs, or some eastern crew of a pirate ship. And yet these were all Mexicans, and might have been, without offence to that people, blood relations, members of the same family. Go where you would, and there were evidences of the artillery. Ringgold had written the strength of "his arm" with terrible distinct- iveness. Arms and legs gone, shattered bodies, ghastly wounds, all too hideous for the musket, were every where to be seen. It was surprising that men could live thus torn to pieces. And yet the greatest suffering, apparently, was from a musket ball. Had it been grape, or of heavier material, it would have done its work effectually, and left its victim painless in death. As it was, it had gone through the breast, tearing the fine machinery of the lungs to pieces, and yet left vitality enough to have them move on in their ruins, poison- ing the whole frame with impure blood, and leaving the patient to suffer beyond the imagination to conceive. Poor soldier, his breath rattled and tore away at his vitals ; his sufferings were indeed a dark spot on the bloody page of war. Amidst all their misery and desolation, amidst these places so hum- bling to pride, so sacrificing to vanity, woman was there, devoted to a husband or a brother ; she sat in the dust, fanned away the torturing insects that lived on blood, and revelled in wounds, sanctifying the most menial offices by her spirit and influence, and shedding, by her smiles, by her silent attentions, by her teachings of hope in another world, the only bright rays that are seen to glimmer in a Mexican hospital. Besides the public squares already mentioned, one other, occupied by the market, is worthy of notice. The building is of commodious dimensions, and in the early morning presents, with the square sur- rounding it, a lively, picturesque appearance. Here are assembled every variety of mongrel population, from the apparent savage, to thai appanage of Spanish enlightenment, a duenna in full dress. Like their class among all nations, the market people are loquacious in the extreme, and on all sides is a continual strain of musical, gut- 154 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. teral sound, composed of the softest Castilian, and the aboriginal languages, curiously intermingled. Their commodities consist of a great variety of vegetables, but red pepper and garlic have the most prominent place. They have also different kinds of cakes, as well as the indispensable tortil. As to the meats, the substantial materials for the culinary art, nothing can be said in favor of them as represented in the Matamoros market. Mexi- can butchers would, by their bungling, make but indifferent beef of a stall-fed ox, and where a half wild steer, whose skin and flesh are of nearly equal weight, is the object of market enterprise, the quality of Mexican beef may be imagined. One of the most singular articles of commerce, occasionally met with, is a curious species of dog, of a steel-gray color, and being per- fectly destitute of hair. To see one of the largest quietly sleeping, one would suppose that a cast iron appendage to some aspiring modern portico had been removed from its place, and dropped in the thorough- fare. These dogs, so destitute of covering, look very well in iron or stone, but a living one, to all refined taste, seems disgusting in its poverty. The long avenue of the market, and the throng constantly moving about, afford a fine opportunity for display, and it is most amusingly taken advantage of by the dandies of the town. A Mexican exquisite is remarkable for his rings and his pride, and it is a most amusing spectacle, when one of them throws his poncho,, " all tattered and torn," across his shoulders, and perambulates the market with an air that would have added new fame to Vandyke, had he given it to one of his Netherland portraits. It is decidedly one of the most exquisite scenes in the world. MEXICAN IMPOSTS, 253 CHAPTER XIX. Abandoned public stores in Matamoros The copper shells Mexican im- posts Large gun-carriages Saddles Evidences of hasty retreat Revo- lutions in Mexico Their effects on the business of Matamoros Its pios- pects under a settled government Number of men engaged in the battles Arista's statements French consul's statement Alcade Gomez Pro- bable number of troops Conduct of our soldiers The moral effects of the battles. THE amount of public stores found in Matamoros, by Col. Twiggs, was incredibly large. They must have cost the government of Mexico from five to six hundred thousand dollars, and had evidently been collected together, from the time that Mexico became indepen- dent of Spain, until the present. A large quantity, no doubt, was sent to Matamoros, during the prosecution of hostilities in Texas. The age of much of these military stores, was known by the old-fashioned manner in which it was packed up, and a part seemed to be the refuse of arsenals, as it was totally unfit for use. The muskets were con- demned English tower muskets, bought probably by the government, from private citizens in England : the same species of commerce has precedence in the manufacture of arms in our own country. The clothing found was of the most fantastic description, and of sizes too small for the average of our American troops : the great object seemed to be, to have plenty of trimmings. The grape and canister shot was of copper, and also the shells ; by some, it is supposed that this " house" was the refuse of the silver and gold ore of the mines. An immense amount of ammunition must have been carried away by Arista, as he seized every possible convey- ance that could be found in the city, and loaded it, to send with his army into the interior. Among the government stores were tobacco, segars, stamped paper, and playing-cards. It would seem that the Mexican government laid its heaviest imposts on the vices of the nation ; and this was wisely conceived, as the Mexicans spend a large portion of their time in card- playing and smoking. Two pieces of cannon were taken from a well. 156 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. In one house were an immense quantity of shell, and two gun-carriages, made of the most splendid mahogany, and intended for at least thirty- two pounders. It is said that these carriages were brought over land, while the guns were shipped at Vera Cruz : the vessel containing them was wrecked at the mouth of the Rio Grande. Had these powerful guns arrived at their destination, and been brought to bear upon Fort Brown, it might have made a change in the fortunes of its defenders/ These superb carriages are now within the walls of the fort, but are exposed to the action of the elements : they should be taken to Wash- ington, and there wrought into furniture, to adorn the capitol. Beneath the^oor of a stable, where a portion of Mexican cavalry horses had been stationed, were found a large number of saddles, many of excellent quality, and some richly ornamented with silver. It is probable, that for years to come, discoveries will continually be made, of hidden depositories of military stores. It was curious to notice how suddenly, in many instances, the work of the soldiers had been abandoned. In the large room in which the gun-carriages were found, was a carpenter's bench the workman had been busily making boxes for cannon shot, and left one nearly com-, pleted ; the shaving in his plane was but half cut off from the board on which he was engaged. In the very act of sweeping his plane, the news had come of the defeat : the carpenter had dropped his in- strument and fled. Such were the evidences of consternation every where to be met with. The continued revolutions in Mexico have gradually undermined the prosperity of Matamoros. Its trade has each year decreased in importance. The taxes imposed by the central government paralyze commerce, and the privilege that each department has of levying a tariff, has constantly tended to confine the business of Matamoros to its own department of Tamaulipas. Hordes of office-holders have come from the city of Mexico to rob its inhabitants. Export and im- port duties were levied on every thing; and, as speculation prevailed among office-holders, confiscations for conventional breaking of laws were of every-day occurrence. Bribery of officials, of course, soon became reduced to a system : the smallest traders bribe the lowest officials the judge, the governor the governor, the minister and REVOLUTIONARY SPIRIT. 157 all seek to evade paying tribute to the supreme government. All these evils tend, directly, to impoverish the country. With the evils of bad government came recklessness of fortune. The inhabitants, not naturally enterprising, from the insecurity of property became to rely upon the spontaneous productions of the soil, rather than upon any business investment, for their support. Hides, tallow, fat, and wool, which are produced in such abundance upon the broad savannas of Mexico, proved to be sufficient for the supply of every present want ; and this has originated with the people a preference for that kind of wealth not liable to be easily stolen, or taken from them by the rapacity of military leaders. Notwithstanding the accumula- tion of evils by which Matamoros has suffered, such is the great production of its commercial wealth, that it still flourishes with con- siderable estate, and maintains a population of six or seven thousand souls. Let the northern part of Mexico be once possessed of good laws and an intelligent population, that would call forth the undeveloped resources of the country, and Matamoros would soon grow into a city of great commercial importance. It is not possible for the present in- habitants to accomplish anything. Besides being indolent, they pos- sess a revolutionary spirit that renders the blessings of a settled go- vernment for them impossible. The causes of this revolutionary spirit are numerous. The people are naturally fond of games of chance, and they carry this passion into every detail of life, and are fascinated by the risk of losing the tor- tilla of the morning's meal, as well as by the chances of a change in government. No matter how prosperously a government may be organised, or however well calculated to benefit the people, those out of office and power have but to display to the mass the prospect of gaining both by a revolution, and it is at once plunged into with the greatest en- thusiasm. This will ever continue to be the state of Mexico, until people of a higher order are distributed through its present population, who will give a new tone to society, infuse a new spirit into its peo- ple, and impress a new character upon its social and political organi- zation. OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE, The exact number of men engaged on the Mexican side in the bat- tles of the 8th and 9th, will always be a matter of some speculation. Gen. Arista garbles his statements throughout, and attempts to palliate defeat by giving false accounts of his own strength. Gen. Taylor had, counting all his force, twenty-three hundred men. He, himself, esti- mates the strength of the enemy to have been six thousand ; while Gen. Arista says, the force under his command amounted to but three thousand men. The French consul resident at Matamoros during the concentration of Mexican troops at that place, and who is evidently not prepossessed in favour of the Americans, sets down the number of their forces en- gaged in the battles as follows : No. of Men. No. of Men. Infantry, 1st, Col. Mendoza, 180 Brought forward, 2SGO " 10th, Col. Gareid, 250 Artillery of all kinds, twelve Sapadores, Col. Reyes, 330 pieces, 400 Ligero 2d, Col. Currasco, 350 Cavalry, 3d, 300 " 6th, Col. Cazanova, 200 7tb, Col. Montero, 300 " 4th, Col. Araga, GOO 8th, Col. Torrejon, 600 Mexico. 300 Irregular, Col. Canales, 600 Morilia, 250 " Col. Lavariego, 130 Tampico Mateos, 400 5190 2860 Alcalde Gomez, a civil magistrate of the country west of the Rio Grande, who lives about seven miles below Fort Brown, states that Arista crossed the main body of troops at his ferry, and impressed him with all the boats between his ferry and Barita into the service. He also states, that two days were occupied by the troops in crossing, with all the flats and boats that could be gathered together, and that upwards of five thousand went over in this time. Alcalde Gomez also says, that it was Arista's intention to give Gen. Taylor battle as he went down to Point Isabel ; but the great delay in getting over his men, allowed Gen. Taylor to pass the place singled out for the con- templated attack upon our army. Gen. Torrejon had, by the acknowledgment of official Mexican documents, over -fifteen hundred regular cavalry under his command; and Canales, who commanded the rancheros, had probably an equal force. These, with the five thousand infantry certified to by Alcalde EFFECT OF THE BATTLES. 159 Gomez, make eight thousand men, which is probably near the num- ber engaged in the battles of the 8th and 9th. Among Gen. Arista's private papers, was found what appeared to be an official return of the army on the morning of the 9th, which set down the whole force at six thousand eight hundred. As this return only included the " regulars," there is yet to be added Canales' ran- cheros, and the eight thousand men are made up. The conduct of our soldiers during the two battles, cannot be too much admired. Every one was anxious to be the first engaged in the contest ; the ambition was to be in the thickest of the fight. There never was fought a battle, on ground that offered so many hiding places, as that of Resaca de la Palma ; every clump of chaparral afforded perfect protection from observation and discovery, yet not an instance is x known of its being taken advantage of, and the returns of both battles have no " missing" in the list. The proportion of officers, in the total of the killed, has no precedence on record, and shows how nobly they must have led on their men. It is a curious fact, that the commanding officer of the American army was a " colonel," opposed to whom were five generals, and one major general. The effect of the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma upon the civilised world, has been great indeed. Our country having but a small standing army, and a generation having passed away since we have had an opportunity to illustrate our prowess in arms, our military power had been somewhat lost sight of by European nations. It is no doubt true that these two battles, comparatively unimportant in loss of treasure and life, have accomplished a moral effect, that may check interference in American affairs by European powers, that would, if actually commenced, result in a general war among the civilised nations of the earth. The spirit with which our troops fought, exhibited a most perfect concentration of courage, tempered by constant acts of generosity. So long as the combat lasted, they furiously contended for the mastery, but the battle ended, humanity immediately resumed her sway. The generous courage of the subordinates, only found a rival in the gallant bearing of the officers who led them on to victory. 160 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. CHAPTER XX. ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS. [In the following anecdotes and incidents, none are given, except such as were related by actors or participators in the scenes, or came under the author's personal observation.] THE GENERALS IN CAMP. THE contrast of the two commanding generals, Taylor and Arista, in the pomp and circumstances of war, was characteristic of the dif- ferent institutions under which they lived. There was a semi-barbaric splendor associated with Arista's, according with the despotism of the Mexican government. A simplicity about that of Taylor's, equally significant of pure republican institutions. The marquee of the commanding general of the Mexican forces was bell-shaped, and of great size.* The material of which it was composed, was ornamented by parti-colored stripes, giving it a holy- day appearance. Around it were stationed officers, whose rich dresses glistened in the sun, and who were ever ready to pay the most abject respect to their chief. Led horses, richly caparisoned, slowly paced in sight. Protecting its rear, like continued labyrinthian walls, was arranged the equipage of the camp. Pack saddles for five hundred mules were tastefully placed for display, and their loads near by, heaped up in prodigal confusion. To the poor Mexican soldier, bi- vouaced in the open air, this wealth seemed a vision of fairy land, and its conventional possessor, rich, beyond their imagination, and powerful, beyond comparison. Bands of rude music almost constantly rent the air with their noisy labor. The furniture of the marquee was rich ; the costly figured chests of the camp were the ornamental furniture ; upon their tops * We had the privilege and opportunity of examining most of Gen. Arista's camp equipage at Fort Brown. We are indebted to the "Commissioners" appointed to examine it, for some particulars relative to the plate, &c. ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS. 161 reposed in ostentation, the heavy silver service of the table, or the elegantly finished u maps of the campaign." Amid this array sat the commanding general, surrounded by his numerous staff his clothes of gay colors, and laced to vulgar profusion. Visits of ceremony, or of business, were conducted with pomp and needless delays; long lines of officials stared and leered, and were impudent, or cringing, as suited their purposes best. Music rolled, sabres and muskets rattled, and the buzz of inflated greatness, and hollow pretence, was trium- phant. About a mile above the city of Matamoros, a little distance from the banks of the Rio Grande, are to be seen (June 1 st,) some stunted and ill-shaped trees, which bend their gnarled and almost leafless limbs over a group of three or four small tents, only different from those of the common soldier in their rear, in this, that they are hete- rogenously disposed of for shade, instead of being in a line, regard- less of all else than military precision. The plain about is dotted over with thousands of tents, before many of which are artillery, and groups of men and soldiers ; and over some wave in triumphant folds our national flag, giving promise of more importance and pomp, than the little knot to which we have particularly alluded. We wended our way on towards the dwarfish trees, that were distinguish- ed by being a few feet higher than the surrounding brush, and the little group of tents that rested beneath them, for they were pointed out as marking the head quarters of the commanding general of a triumphant American army. Not the slightest token was visible, to mark one tent in the group from another ; there were no sentinels, nor any military parade present; a chubby sunburnt child, " belonging to the camp," was playing near by in the grass, temporarily arrested in its wanderings by some insect of unusual size, that was delving in the dust. We presented our- selves 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 Gen. , in busy conversation with a hearty-looking old gentleman, who was dressed in Attakapas pantaloons, and a linen roundabout, and was remarkable for a bright flashing eye, a high fore- head, a farmer look, and a " rough and ready" appearance, it is hardly necessary for us to say, that this personage was Gen. Taylor, the 11 162 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. 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 American arms. There was no pomp about his tent ; a couple of rough blue chests served for his table, on which were strewn in masterly confusion, a variety of official-looking documents ; a quiet-looking citizen-dressed personage made his appearance, upon hearing the 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 we*e deposited upon a stool, and " we helped ourselves," by invitation. We bore to the general a complimentary gift from some of his fellow-citizens of New Orleans, which he de- clined receiving for the present, 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 receiving a present for his services, " before the campaign, so far as he was concerned, was finished." With the highest possible admiration of the republican simplicity of the manners and character of Gen. 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. HARD TO WHIP. Early in the action of the 8th, a private of the Eighth regiment was severely wounded by a grape-shot on the head. He was ordered by the surgeon to the rear, any excitement being liable to cause sudden death. The soldier stole out of the hospital, picked up a musket, and started off to re-enter the engagement. He was arrested, and sent back to the hospital, where he became so enraged at being thus deprived of his " sacred rights," that it became necessary to tie him hand and foot. A CHIVALROUS SOLDIER. In the battle of the 9th, a private belonging to the Eighth regiment, in the charge on the enemy's batteries, threw himself in front of Col. Belknap, and received three balls in his person, aimed at the colonel. His gallantry will be duly rewarded by Col. Belknap, to whose kind attentions he is indebted for his recovery from his severe wounds. ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS. 163 CASE OF ARMY CRUELTY. On our arrival in the American camp, on the east side of the Rio del Norte, the first object that particularly struck our attention, was a soldier posted upon the highest part of " Fort Brown," who was walk- ing to and fro with a perpendicularly anxious look. After having been more than a week in camp, that soldier was still on the same eminence, with the same polished musket, and same anxious look. Occasion- ally he rested upon the muzzle of his musket, with his crossed arms, but generally, he paced up and down his confined walk, as if in the last degree of despair, of ever being released from his painful situa- tion. We know it is the same man we first saw, from the fact that we never saw any one take his place, and also because he wears precisely the same dress and accoutrements, and has the same perpendicular walk. No doubt he is put upon the walls of Fort Brown, in the glaring sun, without an umbrella, to walk day and night, for ever, for some petty offence. We rise every morning expecting to see him gone, but his strength seems wonderful, for he is still there. What a dread- ful fate is his ! What has that soldier done, so criminal, that he should be condemned by heartless rnilitary officers, to walk for ever upon the walls of Fort Brown ? MEXICAN LIEUT. COL., A LA GEX. VEGA. Some two weeks after the taking of Matamoros, the officer of the guard for the day, was very quietly smoking a papereto under the shade of some China trees in the plaza, when he was surprised to see coming towards him, a Mexican officer in military undress. The American officer rose, and approached him, claiming him as a pri- soner. The lieutenant colonel of artillery, for such he appeared, nodded assent, and took a seat beside the officer of the day, looking as profound as possible, and as much as he could like a soldier, who by the fortunes of war had got into the hands of an enemy. A ser- geant was despatched to Gen. Taylor, to announce the capture, and give in the rank and dignity of the prize. Now it so happened that a deputation of Mexican citizens were at Gen. Taylor's tent on some indifferent business, and old " Rough and Ready" asked said deputa- tion, the character and standing of this captured " lieutenant colonel 164 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. of artillery." The deputation said, that he managed the guns of the " Sand-bag fort," that he was a worthless sort of character, and had been about Matamoros, ever since its capture, in a disguise, getting drunk, and, what was of more importance, getting in debt without any prospect of paying. Gen. Taylor heard all this, and said nothing. As the evening sun was declining, an officer came to the general, to know what disposition should be made of the prisoner colonel, who had the live long day, been in " durance vile," in the plaza, much to the edi- fication of the loafers and lazzaroni of Matamoros. " Let him go on bis parole," said Gen. Taylor. The information was conveyed straight- way to the lieutenant colonel. Now it so happened that the prisoner had that very day heard, that Gen. Vega was treated in the United States with great consideration ; that he was a lion of the largest mane, and the favorite of the ladies, and preferred by them, to honest men of their own country, and had, moreover, a letter of credit from Gen. Taylor, to pay his expenses in the United States ; and these bright pictures had caused the magnani- mous self-delivery as a prisoner of war. Instigated by these high and chivalrous motives, he replied a la Vega to the officer who told him he could go on his parole, that he could not accept it, for he would be obliged to fight, or be taken out and shot ; that his government would not pay any attention to a parole. This information was duly conveyed to Gen. Taylor. Whereupon old "Rough and Ready," in great wrath, said, that the Mexican lieutenant colonel of artillery would not do any harm loose without a parole, and ordered him to be released indefinitely. A PERFIDIOUS MEXICAN. A private, on the 9th, \vho had followed Lieut. Dobbins through the thickest of the fight, raised his musket at a Mexican, and would have blown him through if the poor fellow had not most piteously cried out amigo, amigo, at the same time dropping his weapon. The private did the same, and advanced towards the Mexican to take him prisoner. The Mexican then perfidiously raised his piece and in- stantly killed the generous American. This so enraged Lieut. Dob- bins, that he drew his Bowie knife, and at a bound reached the coward, literally splitting his head in twain. ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS. 165 A SUFFERER BY THE BOMBARD3IEXT. During the first day of the bombardment of Fort Brown, there was an attempt made by our soldiers in the fort to fire Matamoros with hot shot. The furnaces prepared to heat the shot were imperfect, and fuel was difficult to obtain, the consequence was, the shot were made very warm, but not sufficiently so to set any thing on fire. The good citizens of Matamoros, determined to make the most of the balls we sent into their city, had frequent scrambles for them, as they fell into their streets. When the hot shot were thrown, one fell into the centre of the plaza, and off started a crowd to obtain the prize ; one indi- vidual, more swift than his fellows, clasped the hot ball in his hands, burning the palms of them to a crisp. After that, the Mexicans were more cautious, and usually waited for the balls to cool. This burnt- handed gentleman was a conspicuous patient in one of the hospitals, declaring that " he was a severe sufferer by the bombardment." AMUSING SCENE IN MATAMOROS. The high price of cotton goods in Matamoros, owing to the Mexican tariff, is well known. Several enterprising " yankees," since Gen. Taylor has taken possession of the city, have " moved in," opened stores, and are selling goods on u cheap principles," about one-third of the usual Mexican prices, but double the usual American prices. It is an amusing scene to witness the crowd around these stores, com- posed of the mixed people of the city. Finely dressed women, ran- cheros, naked Indians, and negroes, all eager to purchase goods, and jabbering good, bad, and indifferent Spanish, with a rapidity truly appalling to a phlegmatic Anglo-American. In the mean time, the " old established merchants" are looking upon their neglected stocks with sorrow and astonishment ; although they have got the greater part of them by defrauding the revenue, they have cost more in bribes to the custom-house officers, and other Mexican functionaries than the yankees' charging prices. This species of war- fare is rapidly converting the people over to American notions, and they have only to fully learn that they can have cheap goods, and the enjoyment of life and liberty, to abandon their government as rapidly as they have their high-priced stores. 166 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. "MUTILATING THE DEAD. These Mexicans went into battle with a horde of unpaid soldiery in their rear, who had the prospect of plunder held out to them as a reward. Arista's aid, Capt. Nagreet, told Col. Twiggs, that these un- paid soldiery plundered their own dead after the battle of the 8th. MEXICAN EXAGGERATION. The Mexicans exaggerated our power after the battles, as much as they were in the habit of exaggerating their own before them. One soldier reported in Matamoros, " that, previous to battle, the American soldiers were fed by their officers on powder and whiskey, to make them fight ;" another said that the Americans " were so strong, that one of our troops could pick up one of their cavalry, and pitch horse and rider, a hundred feet." UNEXPECTED ATTACK. One of Arista's aids, taken on the 9th, told Col. Twiggs, that the Americans charged on them when they did not expect it, and that his army had no idea that Gen. Taylor would so promptly follow up the battle of the 8th. A GRATIFIED MEXICAN. Soon after Gen. Taylor took possession of Matamoros, a Mexican merchant came in from the interior, with twenty thousand dollars in gold and silver. According to the old state of things, the merchant, to export it to the United States, which he wished to do, would have been obliged to pay two heavy duties. Four per cent, for bringing it from the interior, and six per cent, for exporting it out of the country. Not exactly satisfied with the necessity of paying over so much money to the hungry officials who still lingered about Matamoros, he visited Gen. Taylor's tent, and stated his wish to ship to the United States twenty thousand dollars in gold and silver. u Well," said the general, u ship it ; very much pleased you are so disposed." " But," said the merchant, hesitating, " the interior and exterior duties." " I know nothing about such duties, while I am in Matamoros," said Gen. Taylor. The merchant bounced off, congratulating himself in Spanish that the Americans had come to the country, as he had made two thousand dollars in one day by their so doing, upon a small shipment of specie. ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS. 167 THE SMITH FAMILY IX MEXICO. Scene in Gen. W 's tent. A very warm day made the almost constant "Gulf breeze" par- ticularly refreshing ; one or two field officers had met in Gen. W.'s tent, to speculate upon what would be "done next" in the "Mexican war." While thus engaged in conversation, a Mexican lady, plainly but tastefully dressed, suddenly interrupted the group, followed by an attendant, and a nurse bearing a child of an exceedingly blonde ap- pearance. The officers rose instantly, and offered her a chair : her companion placed herself in its rear, and the nurse kept herself outside, to amuse the favorito. The lady spoke eloquently and understand- ingly with her eyes " I came for some information of much import- ance to myself." Her tongue spoke it in Spanish, and, although it was as musical as falling water, it was as indefinite, in particular meaning, to the ears that heard it. An interpreter was instantly de- spatched for, and soon made his appearance, when the following con- versation ensued : Signora. My name is Signora Soledad Ortega, and I came to inquire for my husband, who is an American ; he left, just before the battles, for Corpus Christi, and has not yet returned. General. How long since you saw him ? Signora. Three months. It is three years since we were married, and I am ignorant of what keeps him away. General. He is detained, probably, on important business, and I trust will soon return ; perhaps I may, by hearing his name, recognise an acquaintance. Signora. His name is Don Smeith. A tall, raw-boned yankee, who had had the enterprise to go to Mexico to make a fortune, get a rich wife, and improve the country, rose up in our imagination, but the particular yankee was not sug- gested. Gen. W. replied that he was not personally acquainted with the lady's husband, and expressed a sincere desire that he would soon return ; the conversation then became desultory, and the lady showed that she was truly American in heart, as well as her husband. She stated, with earnest simplicity of manner, that throughout the bom- bardment of Matamoros, she was certain her house would not be 168 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. struck by the cannon balls, because she was herself Americano, and because of her child ; she said, while the dark Castilian blood rushed to her cheeks, that when she heard the firing on the battle field, that she prayed to the saints that her husband was in the battle, fighting. The lady then descanted upon the cheap goods the Americans were selling in Matamoros, and said it was a good thing that such was the case : the nurse then brought forward the favorito, whose name the lady, in the sweetest tones of the Spanish voice, proclaimed to be Felipe Ortega Smeith ; then rising, and adjusting most gracefully her beautiful reloza, she bade the party adios, and disappeared. RIO GRANDE DEER LARGEST ON RECORD. There are wandering over the prairies in the vicinity of our camp on the Rio Grande, a great number of the finest large-horned cattle in the world. " Our Volunteers," wishing for a fresh steak, would oc- casionally make one bite the dust. An order came, that no more " killing beef" must take place : and no more beef was killed. Scout- ing parties now went out for venison ; some good shots were fortu- nate enough to kill one. It was dragged into camp, and duly divided up among the knowing ones of the regiment. When daylight ap- peared, suspicions got out that a beef had been killed. This was stoutly denied, and the report was contradicted by the assertion, that a deer had been killed weighing over eight hundred pounds. This caused universal surprise, especially among certain officers, who de- manded to see the horns. After a great deal of delay they were pro- duced, and examined by a court martial, who solemnly decided, that the deer of the Rio Grande had horns perfectly smooth, and resem- bling those of the ox species in other parts of the world. MEXICAN SOLDIERS. The day on which the battle of Resaca de la Palma was fought, was excessively warm, yet large numbers of the Mexican soldiery fought throughout the battle, with their heavy overcoats on, or tied over their shoulders. It could only be explained in the probable fear they had to leave their coats, which answered them for tents and bedding, in the camp, exposed to the thievish propensities of the rancheros. ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS. 169 THE TROPHIES OF THE WAR. Among the most interesting relics obtained in the battles of the 8th and 9th, are the standards of the different companies and regiments. They were brought to New Orleans by Lieut. Col. M. M. Payne, while on his way with them to Washington. We spent a half hour in ex- amining these " pomps and circumstances of war" with the greatest interest. We found eighteen in all, seventeen of which are of tri- colored woollen or baize cloths, ornamented with the appropriate letters and symbols. They are mounted on staffs sharpened with iron, and are not only ornamental, but dangerous as offensive wea- pons. But the flag of the most absorbing interest is that lettered BATALLON GUARDA COSTA DE TANPICO. This magnificent and torn flag, apart from its associations, is re- markable for its appearance, and the materials of which it is formed. It is of large size : its field of tri-colored silk, green, white, and red. In the centre is embroidered the Mexican coat of arms, more beauti- fully than we conceived any modern Penelope had power to do, even if her delicate fingers were over skilful at the work. The Mexican eagle with its out-stretched wings fairly lay before us, each rustle of the flag on which it rested causing the prismatic colors of the atmo- sphere to play over the brilliant floss-silk needlework as brilliantly as if it had been the plumage of the bird itself. Some fair Mexican damsel's bright eyes must have grown weary under their long dark lashes, in thus delicately counterfeiting nature. Perhaps it was the work of cloistered nuns some holy sisterhood who, by ascetic life, have long attenuated fingers, and thus made more nimble than those possessed by the " world's gazers" of their sex. The members of a wnole convent, probably, have said their matins and then by turns wrought upon that banner, which they fondly hoped was destined to lead, gloriously, the arms of their country in every fight. Alas ! for the fortunes of war. That flag, in the battle of the Palo Alto, was torn by our cannon shot, and now bears upon its folds the shattered shreds thus rudely 170 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. made. At the Resaca de la Palma it waved over the bravest troops, and floated in the wind as long as its regiment lasted before the terri- ble fire of our arms. When all was lost, its bearer tore it from its staff and fled, to save it from the stain of capture. Such, however, was not to be its fortune. The brave man was met by one of our own troops, and hand to hand they fought for the prize the Mexican nerved by every feeling of patriotism, the American by every sentiment of a soldier's ambition. The brave standard-bearer was overcome, and the precious object of his care became an object of idle curiosity, in the hands of his enemy. May it ever be respected among our peo- ple, as the only evidence existing of the once brave " Batallon de Tanpico." A BOXING IRISHMAN. After the battle of Resaca de la Palma became general, a private, an Irishman, found a bunch of chaparral between himself and a strapping Mexican. The Mexican raised his piece, and taking deliberate aim, pulled trigger : the piece did not go off. The Mexican again raised his musket and snapped, Paddy all the time coolly looking on. At the second failure to discharge his piece the Mexican, in a delirium of wrath, threw his musket away, and went through various gyrations of despair. Paddy, mistaking these eccentricities for a challenge for a fist fight, threw away his musket, and placing himself in an attitude that would have delighted deaf Burke, sang out, " Oh, by the powers, you will not find me amiss with the fists, if that's yer game." Lieut. , who was observing this singular exhibition of coolness and chi- valry, ordered the soldier to take up his proper weapon, and send the Mexican to his long home, which was done accordingly. YOUNG McINTOSH. \ In the hottest part of the battle of the 9th, Lieut. Mclntosh noticed a soldier that had been severely wounded in the leg, and who was rapidly bleeding to death. He stopped, stooped down, leaned his mus- ket in the hollow of his arm, and then tied a handkerchief above the wound, thrusting a bayonet in it, so as to form a torniquet, and then passed on to the charge. This chivalrous act, which saved the sol- dier's life, was performed amid the heaviest fire of the enemy. ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS. 171 A FIGHTING CLERGYMAN WEST OF THE RIO GRANDE. There is precedence for fighting clergymen, some distinguished themselves in the revolution for their spirit and love of liberty. We have an excellent specimen of the character now on the Rio Grande. The Rev. Capt. R. A. Stuart, of Louisiana, commands as fine a body of volunteers as were ever mustered, he is strict in his discipline, yet sociable in his habits, he has gone into the field with all the enthusiasm of a patriot, and all the high duty of a Christian clergyman. Sunday, June 1st, will in time be memorable, from the fact that the soldier captain preached in Mexico. Throwing aside the military, he addressed his brothers in arms, as men, responsible to a Supreme Being for their actions ; and his appeals were listened to with the deepest interest, and the eyes of many sunburnt veterans, recently distin- guished on the field of battle, were filled with tears, and their bosoms heaved with emotions more powerful than had ever been called out by the brisk cannonade of an enemy. The Rev. captain took for his text : If ye oppress not the stranger, t7te fatherless and the widow, and shed not innocent blood in this place, neither walk after other gods to your hurt, Then I will cause you to dwell together in this place, in the land I gave to your fathers for ever and ever. Jer. vii., 6, 7. The comments and illustrations were apposite in the extreme, and suggested by the scenes around the speaker. He dwelt upon the in- cidents of the preceding month, and of the beautiful spectacle shown to the world ,by a conquering army, extending over a country its laws, which were more benign, more liberal, more protecting, than those displaced by the fortunes of war. This, said the speaker, warming with his subject, is carrying out the spirit of the text, this " is not oppressing the stranger, or the fatherless, or the widow, or shedding innocent blood." Such a peaceful conquest, he continued, worthily rivals the gallant feats of arms that shone forth on the fields of Pala Alto and Resaca de la Palma, such a peaceful contest went beyond the effect of arms it not only conquered the body, but car- ried willingly captive the mind. It was calculated to shed light over the dark borders of Tamaulipas, to make its inhabitants embrace the blessings of freedom, to open their eyes to the degradations of 172 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. their own government, that enslaves alike their bodies and their minds. The soldier-preacher then passed on to the second part of his text, tt Then I will cause you to dwell in this place, in the land I gave to your fathers for ever and ever." It would be impossible for us to give the slightest idea of the conclusion of this remarkable discourse. The Rev. speaker showed most plainly and beautifully, that it was the order of Providence that the Anglo-Saxon race was not only to take possession of the whole North American continent, but to influ- ence and modify the character of the world, that such was meant by " the land I gave your fathers for ever and ever." He stated that the American people were children of destiny, and were the passive instruments in the hands of an overruling powei, to carry out its great designs ; and beautifully illustrated this position by a rapid glance at the history of our nation in times past, and the present. He concluded by hoping that hostilities with Mexico would cease, that wiser councils would govern at her capitol, and that peace would again extend its wings over her distracted land ; and with a truly eloquent burst of patriotism upon the Christian duty of every man's standing by his country, so long as a single foe remained in arms against her, he sat down, amidst deep, silent, powerfully suppressed feeling. The Rev. R. A. Stuart is a clergyman of the Methodist church, and a sugar planter in the parish of Iberville, Louisiana. COMMERCE ON THE RIO GRANDE. This river, under the influence of American enterprise, is assuming a very busy appearance. The steamers Frontier and Cincinnati have arrived at Matamoros, giving to the port of the town a lively appear- ance. " River front lots" will soon become valuable in that city, and stores will be erected on the water's edge. There was never but one steamer on the Rio Grande, we believe, before the " Army of Occu- pation" arrived on its banks, and that was owned by one of the Texian Austins, as far back as 1827. The boat carried on a very brisk trade as high up tne river as Comargo, in hides, tallow, bones, &c., but the ranchero muleteers, who had the commerce of the country in their own hands, complained to the government in Mexico, and Austin's boat was ordered off, and ever after prohibited entering the Rio Grande. ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS. 173 A BRAVE MEXICAN. Died. On Sunday morning, at 6 o'clock, Capt. Jose A. Baragan, of the Mexican army, wounded in the battle on the 9th of May. Capt. Baragan was a brave and meritorious officer, and behaved gallantly on the field of battle. He was much esteemed by the American officers, and received from them every respect and attention. Matamoros Republic of Rio Grande. We had the melancholy pleasure of seeing Capt. Baragan, while in Matamoros. He was confined to his bed by wounds he received in the battle of the 9th. He was an object of interest to the officers of the army, because of his gallant bearing in the field of battle, and for his fortitude while suffering under his wounds. We heard Col Twiggs observe, that if he died, he should ask permission from head quarters to bury the brave Mexican officer with military honors, as a last token of admiration for his virtues. These incidents are interest- ing, because they display the better side of the soldier's feelings, and the soldier's heart. SERGEANT VANDENHOOF. On the " 9th," Sergeant Vandenhoof, of the Fifth, suddenly came on a Mexican : both raised their muskets at the same time, and fired; both missed ; they then charged with their bayonets, and the Mexi- can fell. A BOLD ACT, Lieut. E. Kirby Smith, of the Fifth regiment of Infantry, in the charge of his regiment on the 9th, jumped astride a gun, defended himself until it was taken by his comrades, and, thus seated, was drawn by the soldiers into the presence of Gen. Taylor. CAPT. BLISS 5 HORSE. This gallant officer, while acting as aid to Gen. Taylor, at the Palo Alto, had the nose of his horse cut badly by a cannon shot. Soon after, another ball struck the horse, and killed him. A DEATH AVENGED. Lieut. Chadbourne was killed, when in the act of taking possession of a battery, by two lancers ; a brother officer avenged his death, by almost instantly killing both of the Mexicans with his sword. 174 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. A MEXICAN'S EYE TO BUSINESS. The immense number of the killed, rendered it impossible for our soldiers, detailed for the purpose, to bury them fast enough ; and Gen. Taylor sent over to Matamoros for two hundred Mexicans, to assist in these solemn rites. Some twenty miserable-looking fellows, in obedience to the demand, came across, who were sent to hunt for bodies in the out-of-the-way places. They were gone a long time, without returning, when it was discovered that they were busy shaving the dead horses' tails the hair being, among the Mexicans, a valuable article of merchandise. A JERSEY BOY. A young man from New Jersey, by the name of Gilbert Dudley, had occasion to carry some message to an advance picket, at the time the Mexicans were surrounding our army at Fort Brown. On return- ing, he saw two Mexican soldiers, seated under a tree, with their muskets leaning near them. Dudley instantly sprang in front of the muskets, and raising his rifle, signified to the Mexicans that they must march in the direction he pointed. They obeyed him, and he thus secured two prisoners of war, marching them into camp. DOGS IN THE BATTLE. Very many of the officers attached to the " Army of Occupation," owned remarkably fine dogs, principally of the pointer and setter species. After the battle of the 8th began, and the firing became gene- ral, two dogs, remarkable for their intelligence, appeared to listen to the confusion for awhile, and after an ardent consultation, they started off at great speed for Point Isabel, being the first arrivals at that place from the battle field. There was one brave dog, however, to redeem the character of the species. He posted himself in front of one of the batteries, and watched with intense gravity the appearance of the ball ; the instant it was discharged, he would start after it at full speed, expressing great surprise that it was out of sight so suddenly ; lie would then wheel round, and watch the appearance of another ball, and then again commence the futile chase, and so continued throughout the action, escaping unharmed. ANECDOTES AND INCIDENTS. 175 GEN. TAYLOR'S FRANKNESS. Gen. Taylor never concealed any of his plans, where it was at all necessary that they should become known in a business way. On all occasions he acts with the greatest frankness towards his own coun- trymen, and towards the Mexicans. As an illustration of his off-hand manner, we heard the following authentic anecdote : After Gen. Taylor had informed the Mexicans that he should take Matamoros, a deputation of its citizens waited upon him, with the evident intention of delaying the. occupation. Gen. Taylor replied that he should take the city at a given time, naming it ; and said, that if any opposition was made, he would batter it down, and if the delega- tion thought he could not do it, they might walk up to Fort Brown, and examine his preparations for themselves. WINNING A SADDLE. Among the Texian Rangers, " winning a saddle," means, taking one from a Mexican. On the 8th, when Gen. Torrejon charged with his cavalry, a Mexican officer and horse fell upon the field. A Texian dismounted amidst the very charge, and in an instant almost, transfer- red the officer's saddle to his own horse, and left his own in its place, saying, that if it was not a fair exchange, the owner might come to him, and he would pay the difference. THE FORCE OF A BALL. A scopet was found on the Resaca de la Palma, through the side of a barrel of which, had passed a musket ball. The scopet is kept as a curiosity. MEXICAN RATIONS. The Mexicans had a curious way of carrying their rations ; many wore heavy high-crowned leather hats. In the top of some of these hats, there were tin pans ingeniously fitted in, and filled with food. CRANIOLOGICAL CURIOSITY. The heads of the Mexicans found on the battle field, were remark- ably small and round; their hats appeared to be short sections of stove-pipe. Their teeth were invariably good. 176 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. ^s*s*^^*j*^s^rv*~rv**s**u*S**s^^ A SQUADRON OF DISAPPOINTED LOVERS. Capt. May, who wears his hair and beard very long, on account of the climate, caused thereby much speculation as to the reason. Some of the papers stated, it was on account of disappointed love. It is a singular coincidence, if this be true, that every man attached to May's command is afflicted in the same way, as they all have, more or less, long hair and long beards. Such a brave set of disappointed lovers, we think, never before got together; they stand up against their wounded hearts most manfully, and seem likely to get through with them, without much ultimate injury. MEXICAN CRUELTY. During Capt. May's charge, Lieut. Z. M. P. Inge fell at the head of his platoon, mortally wounded in the throat by a cannon shot ; his horse was also killed. In the midst of the battle, his body was stripped by the rancheros, and mutilated with their spears. BEAUTIFUL REMARK. A gentleman expressing some surprise that Gen. Taylor was so promptly made a major general, was replied to as follows : " Gen. Taylor wrote out his claims to the title of major general on the battlo field, and public opinion gave him his commission." CHIVALROUS ACT. A sergeant of Capt. Cobun's company, Third regiment, in charging a Mexican battery aimed at our advancing columns, saw one of the Mexican gunners light its quick match, and then retreat ; the sergeant rushed upon the piece, pulled out the match, and then followed on with his company. ANNIVERSARIES. 177 CHAPTER XXI. Translations from Mexican papers found in Matamoros An editor speculates on the propriety of anniversaries He glories in the great days of the Mexi- can nation Some doubt comes on his mind about the unsullied character of his national flag Glorious prospects, if certain things come to pass Ampudia's resignation to Arista Canales threatens to exterminate the Anglo-American nation Ampudia's proclamation against illicit trade Arista's report of the Mexican killed and wounded on the 8th and 9th Parrode to the troops of the department of Tamaulipas. " EVERY nation has one or more days, consecrated to perpetuate the memory of those events that have affected its history the most before the world. Such has been the practice of nations, since the re- motest antiquity. Thus Greece, and Rome, and almost all the pagan nations, raised temples to their illustrious captains, in commemoration of the battles they had won, in which they deposited their tributes of homage, as well as then- tears, to the memory of those killed in their country's cause. Modern nations, and Mexico, have imitated and observed this custom, and for this reason, among us, the 1 6th of September, 1810, has been decreed a solemn anniversary: on such a day, our gratitude must be a public one, as the 16th of September was marked by the finger of God, as the day in which the cry should be given, which at whose echo the lion of Spain felt pros- trate, to be replaced by the EAGLE OF ANAHUAC, the movements of whose wings astonished the world, by showing to it the wonderful metamorphose of the existence of seven millions of inhabitants, which it was before ignorant of. In the same manner, the 27th of September, 1821, after eleven years of a bloody war, and after many brave heads had been cut off by the executioner, is a grateful day to the Mexicans, as it gave to them a country, and in it the catalogue of nations was increased. " But, coming to our object, there are days which we wish were covered with a veil, as they bring to us fatal ideas; such as the 21st of April, 1836, as in it, by an unpardonable neglect, a spot has been left, which we would wish was not indelible, on the tri-colored flag ; 12 178 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. that flag, at whose move fled panic-struck the hosts of the degenerate sons of Pelayus, and of the conquerors of the heroes of Marengo, Austerlitz, and the Pyramids. " It was ten years ago, that, in spite of the glorious engagements in which was exhibited the courage of the Mexican troops, valiant par excellence, that they, at least, had to yield the place, to say so, to those coward enemies, that had raised the flag of ignominy, SAN J AC INTO ! This is distinguished as the loss of Texas, though the true motives were only the fruits of our inexperience and foresighted- ness. San Jacinto caused remembrances that will be forever odious, until we punish those who pretended to be friends of Mexico, the better to evade and usurp our property. " The consciousness of our superiority, and the confidence that the Supreme Being will approve of the victory to be had over the North American army encamped opposite this city, on the left bank of the Bravo ; and the horrible precedents of the generals commanding the Division of the North, are among the powerful reasons which move us, since we have begun to edit this journal, with the just end to ob- tain more glory to Mexico, by raising the warlike spirit of our troops, if these troops, so accustomed to fight with courage for the holy rights of their country, need be excited to it. " No matter if we are blamed for it ; we would have thought it a good omen if we had opened our fires on the enemy two or three days before this, relying that the justice of the God of battles would be ready to fulminate on the day the terrible sword on the heads of the wretches ; that is to say, that this had been done exactly on the Tenth anniversary of the terrible defeat of San Jacinto. " We must confess though, that, convinced as we are that the day will pass without verifying the accomplishment of our desires, we let fall on these lines tears of grief patriotic tears falling perhaps without much cause, but which sadden our hearts, as does the sight of the North American soldier to that of the Republic. Nevertheless, we are cheered by the grateful consideration that in the bosoms of our warriors are burning feelings and patriotic enthusiasms ; and we are convinced that if the battle was not given on the day we thought pre- destinated for the vengeance of a great crime, it will be given at an early day. The soul of the Mexican cannot look with indifference LETTER FROM CANALES. 179 upon the odious flag waving before him odious flag of the stars. Maybe to day and this thought is terrible our enemies are toasting in their curst orgies to the memory of this event, to them so glorious, to us so degrading. Let them tremble amidst their rejoicings, as the veterans of our country will soon plant the tables of their repasts upon the torn corses of their invaders. " His Excellency, the commander-in-chief of the Division of the North, Don Mariano Arista, comes resolved to combat for the honor of the Republic. He accepted the command offered to him by the supreme government for the noble purpose of showing to the proud Mississippi Riflemen what the bayonets of our soldiers can do. Let Heaven pro- tect our just cause. Let the arrival of Gen. Arista be the knell of the extermination of the Anglo-Saxon race. [Matamoros, April 15 jlquila del Norte.] Secretary of the Second General-in-Chief') OF THE DIVISION OF THE NoHTH.^ HONORED SIR : Trusting, after having sent to you the extraordi- nary express by which I announce to you the approaching triumph of our arms over the invading enemy, I received the order which your Excellency communicated to me from his Excellency, the President ad interim, to deliver up the command-in-chief of the division to his Excellency the Gen. Don Mariano Arista ; and for its fulfilment I have made his Excellency known in such character in the general order of day. Few hours were wasted to carry into execution the plan, which I had made myself, when I also received the official despatch, of which the accompanying is a copy. The military laws being so strict, no- thing is left for me to do but to obey superior orders. God and liberty! MATAMOROS, April 14. PEDRO AMPUDIA. To his Excellency, the MINISTER OP WAR AND MARINE. AUXILIARY REGIMENT OF THE CITIES OF THE NORTH : SINCE the very hour in which your Excellency left this frontier, the persecutions began against the citizens who form this Auxiliary Regi- ment, which, from its formation has been under my orders : but even this is nothing. The persecution was extended to all the citizens of 180 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. the cities of the north that had assisted, in conjunction with the regi- ment, to give your Excellency the civic and unfading crown which you so justly deserve. Camargo, Mier, Guerrero, and Reinoso were freed in December '42, by your Excellency's heroic and brave efforts. What are our emotions and feelings of gratitude at seeing your Excel- lency at the head of our forces, none better than your Excellency can estimate : to attempt to explain them would be impossible. It seems as if Providence, in its inscrutable designs, had marked your Excel- lency as the powerful liberator of these inhabitants. Twice have they been near deserted, and as many times has your Excellency appeared as their tutelary deity, to deliver them from a complete extermination. Let your Excellency then receive, on this occasion, the most grateful congratulations, not only from me, but from the Auxiliary Regiment under my command, for your happy arrival in this city, and for the wise appointment which the supreme government has made in naming you our commander-in-chief ; whose mere presence at our head is a sure and happy omen of the future victory that awaits us. On this account we congratulate your Excellency, as under your command triumph is certain. The hated flag of the stars and stripes will shortly be hum- bled at the feet of our eagle. The madness of ambition or rapacity are natural evils, which carry their own punishment. Your Excel- lency may depend upon my efforts, and those of the regiment under my command, to carry into effect the destruction of the North Ameri- cans, and those who may pretend to imitate them. God and liberty! GUADALOUPE CAMP, April 13, 1846. ANTONIO CANALES. To His Ex. the General-in-Chief, DON PEDRO APMUDIA. DIVISION OF THE NORTH,") General-in-Chief. \ CONSIDERING that the hour has arrived for taking vigorous and pre- ventive measures, to clear the eastern department from Anglo-Ameri- can rapacity ; and that, according to the rights and laws of war, every one who may be a traitor to his country, or a spy to the enemy, must suffer the penalty of death, without any remission whatever; and lastly, considering that it is my sacred duty to put a stop to the con- traband trade carried on with the Americans, and making use of the powers granted me by the existing laws, I have resolved KILLED AND WOUNDED OFFICERS. 181 1st. That every natural citizen, or stranger residing on this frontier, or in any of the towns of the three eastern departments, who shall lend aid, either directly or indirectly, to the enemies, shall be shot. 2d. All those, that after the publication of this proclamation, shall continue the baneful contraband trade with the enemy, will suffer the same penalty of the former article, it being granted, that the North Americans, in marching troops to the left bank of the Rio Grande, have in fact declared war. 3d. The civil and judicial authorities are charged strictly to accom- plish these preventive measures, at their own responsibility. PEDRO DE AMPUDIA. HEAD QUARTERS, REONOSA, April 8, 1846. Jlristcfs Report. DIVISION OF THE NORTH. List of Officers killed and tcounded in the battles of the 8th and Qth. BATTLE OF THE EIGHTH. Killed Capt. Antonio Rubi ; Lieutenants Pedo Mabury, Francisco Rosas, and Francisco Battala. Wounded Col. Luis Foriega ; Captains Ignacir Gutierez, Juan Gar- redo, Guabalupe Cardenas, Telesforo Carrion, Leonardo Picazo, Fer- nando Marrni; Lieutenants Remijis Osorno, Antonio Daza, Manuel Mastareno, and Ensign Leopoldo Mijia. BATTLE OF THE NINTH. Killed Captains Jose Ramires, Manuel Arana, Pedro Apesteguia ; Lieutenants Francisco Pacheco, Antonio Lousa,and Ensign Jose Martel. Wounded Lieutenant Colonels Francisco Garcia Cazanova, Mari- ano Fernandez ; Commander of Battalion, J. Maria Mateus ; Comman- der of Squadron, Ignacio Pena ; Captains Jose Barreiro, Jose Garduno, Idelfondo Vega, Mariano Blanco, Jose Felix Velez, Jose Apolonio Bar- ragan; Lieutenants Antonio Aguinaja, Anselmo Juarez, Doroter Nava, Antonio Villegas, Lauro Ordonez, Mariano Sandi, Juan Larrondo, Luir Vargas, Camilo Granados, Roman Gil, Francisco Rivas ; Ensigns Mijuel Gutierrez, Cristoval Castro. Memorandum 1st -All the officers, except Capt. Pedro Apesteguia and Ensign Jose Martel, who were drowned in crossing the river, died on the battle field. 182 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. 2d Lieut. Anselmo Juarez and Ensign Manuel Marano, have just died of their wounds. DIVISION OF THE NOHTH,~) Commander-in-Chief. y The enclosed despatch will inform your Excellency of the number of wounded and killed, that we have had, as well as of those missing' yet, and that our troops amount to four thousand men, exclusive of the numerous auxiliary troops. MAPxIANO ARISTA. The Commander-in- Chief of the Department of TamauUpas, to the troops under his command : FELLOW SOLDIERS : The afternoon of the 8th of this month, our brothers of Matamoros have fought with intrepidity and enthusiasm in the Fanques del Ramerino : on the 9th, they charged again with the same ardor. But fate has not crowned our efforts ; the enemy passed from the fort, favored by the dense smoke of a wood on fire, whicli 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 will be ours at the end of this holy struggle. The God of battles is trying our valor, 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 which our brothers require of our love. Their tomb must be raised in the American camp. The corpses of the Yankees ought to form their mausoleums. Soldiers : If we have lost some of our brothers, the glory will be greater ; there will be fewer conquerors ; it is not the number which gives victory. There were but three hundred Spartans, and the power- ful Xerxes did not cross the Thermopylae. The celebrated army of the great Napoleon perished 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 PARRODE'S PROCLAMATION. 183 he who does not wish to die a traitor he 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 we shall find all that is requisite, and our hearts we will oppose to the enemy. Soldiers : Vengeance for our brothers ! glory for our children ! honor for our country ! We will defend those cherished feelings. Do not fear. I swear to you, that if the day be a laborious one, our glory will be sweeter ; but glory we will have, and your general and companion will attain it with your loyalty and valor. ANASTATIC PARRODE. TAMPJCO, May 13, 1846. 184 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. CHAPTER XXII. Major General Z. Taylor His military history. THE brilliant events which have become associated with the "Army of Occupation," have made Major Gen. Taylor one of the most con- spicuous men of the nation. He has shown himself eminently an example of true American character, by being equal to any emergency. The very difficulties under which he has labored, in the most trying eras of his life, have called forth traits of character, civil, and military, of the highest order. His despatches, for their modesty, clearness, and good taste, have been admired the world over, while they have, at the same time, recorded victories in arms, unsurpassed for bril- liancy in the annals of war. Major Gen. Taylor was born in Orange county, Virginia, on the 24th of November, 1784. His father, Capt. Dick Taylor, removed to the " dark and bloody ground" before Zachary was a year old, he was therefore raised and educated in Kentucky. His father was a chivalrous man, and remarkable for his daring, even among the bold spirits that filled the West in its early days. Zachary was a lad of active habits, and fond of athletic sports. It is related of him that, when he was a young man, he swam, with his brother, from the Kentucky shore across to the Indiana side of the river, and back again, at a time when it was booming with the high water of March, and freezing from the cold weather. Immediately after the news spread through the country of the attack on the Chesapeake, he entered the army as a lieutenant, being then twenty-four years of age ; he rose to the rank of captain before the close of the war. Capt. Taylor was first brought prominently before the people of the country in 1812, by his gallant defence of Fort Harrison. On the 5th of September of that year, the fort, then in the Territory of Indiana, was attacked by the Miamis in large force, and by him re- pulsed. On the evening of the 3d, four guns were heard, which GENERAL TAYLOR'S HISTORY. 185 Capt. Taylor presumed were fired upon two young men. who had previously gone out of the fort ; as a party, under the command of " the Prophet," was known to be skulking about. There were hi the stockade a number of sick, nine women and children, and but fifteen or sixteen men fit for duty. Waiting until morning, Capt. Taylor then sent out a small party, to learn, if possible, the cause of the firing the night previous. The bodies of the two young men were found scalped, and otherwise mutilated; their remains were brought into the fort and buried. A communication was soon afterwards received from the Prophet, that left no doubt that a hostile attack might soon be expected. Capt. Taylor, although having just recovered from a severe indisposition, personally inspected the different defences, ex- amined the guns, and delivered ammunition to his men. Every pre- caution was taken to guard against surprise, it being by him resolved not to surrender the fort while he lived, however great a force might be brought against it. At midnight he was called from his quarters, with the announcement that the Indians had fired the lower block house ; a building that contained a large portion of the stores of the army contractor. The enemy, at the same time, assisted by the light, commenced with then: rifles. Orders were immediately issued for the buckets to be got ready, and for water to be drawn from the well, to extinguish the conflagration which had not yet extended far. The men, however, either from sickness, or apprehension of defeat, did not spring to then* work with spirit ; the fire rapidly extended, reached the store room, and exploded a quantity of whiskey, throwing the flames to the roof of the building; the men in the fort gave up in despair. The scene was now terrible ; the illumination made by the burning building, in the dark night, gave every thing a mysterious and repul- sive look, and reflected upon the faces of hundreds of painted savages, who mingled their war hoop, and rifles, with the crackling of the burning buildings, and the screams of the women and children in the fort. So completely were the soldiers paralysed, that two of the stoutest deserted then- posts. The whole of the resources of Capt. Taylor were now called into requisition. He ordered a number of his men to mount the roof of the barrack building, and throw off such parts as were in contact with 186 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. the block house : he then kept the gable end thoroughly. Laboring with his men, he pointed out to them how the buildings could be saved. Hope began to revive at the prospect of success ; the men labored with spirit, and the block house gradually burned down, with- out communicating its fire to the adjoining buildings. To protect the opening thus made in the fort, a breast work had been erected in ad- vance, which completely protected it from the assaults of the Indians, who found themselves foiled and defeated, when they thought they had accomplished an easy victory over the fort. The fire was now returned from the fort upon the Miamis, who, finally, sullenly re- treated ; Capt. Taylor having lost only one man. With a modesty characteristic of his despatches from the Rio Grande, Capt. Taylor related the attack and repulse of the Miamis upon his fort, to Gen. Harrison. President Madison shortly after- wards conferred upon Capt. Taylor the brevet rank of Major, for his gallantry. In 1832, with the rank of Colonel conferred upon him, he was ac- tively engaged in the Black Hawk war, commanding the First Infantry and the Sixth. In 1836, he was ordered to Florida. The year fol- lowing, he received the title of Brevet Brigadier General. In Florida he distinguished himself by being among the foremost in danger, esta- blishing a lasting fame by his celebrated battle of the O-ke-cho-bee. Story hath it, that Gen. Taylor was challenged to battle by Alligator, an invitation to fight readily accepted. The Indians were confident of success, as they were to be met in their own entrenchments ; the O-ke-cho-bee being the only place, in the Florida war, where the In- dians voluntarily met our troops. The Indians, seven hundred in num- ber, were entrenched in a strong position, in a thick swamp, covered in front by a small stream, which was rendered totally impassable by quicksands. Col. Taylor charged on the Indians with about four hundred men, composed of the First, Fourth, and Sixth regiments of the U. S. infantry, and a number of Missouri volunteers. The battle was hotly contested ; for three hours our troops sus- tained a deadly fire, driving the Indians before them inch by inch, with the point of the bayonet. One hundred and thirty-nine of our troops were killed, being nearly one-third of our whole force. Col. Taylor was on horseback throughout the whole contest, exposed to the GEN. TAYLOR'S HISTORY. 187 deadly fire of the enemy, frequently in the thickest of the fight, en- couraging his troops by his presence, and cheering them on in the deadly charge. Victory was complete : the battle of O-ke-cho-bee was the last stand where the Indians, in any body, met our troops. After five years' arduous service, Gen. Taylor resigned his command in Florida. . After Gen. Taylor's retirement from Florida, he was assigned the command of the First Department of the army, including the states of Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, &cc., with his head quarters at Fort Jessup. His position gave him command of the " Army of Oc- pation." The brilliant events that have cro wned the history of the Army of Occupation, are familiar with the world. On the 29th of June, the President enclosed to Brevet Brigadier General Taylor, the commis- sion of Brevet Major General, for his brilliant achievements on the Palo Alto, and Resaca de la Palma. Lastly, by the recommendation of the President, the unanimous consent of the Senate, and the uni- versal sanction of the people of the United States, Zachary Taylor was appointed a Major General of the United States Army. OBITUARY. MAJOR JACOB BROWN. MAJOR JACOB BROWN, whose death occurred during the bombardment of " Fort Brown," (which appellation it has received in respect to his me- mory,) was a native of Berkshire, Massachusetts. In 1812, he enlisted in the army, as a private soldier. He served with great gallantry throughout the war, and was in all the battles on the frontiers, through 1813 and '14. But before the close of the war, he was commissioned with a lieutenancy^ for good conduct in the battle of Chrisler's fields, and since that time he had risen, through regular gradations, to the rank of Major. In his long service of thirty-four years, Major Brown had many respon- sible tasks imposed upon him, all of which he fulfilled with honor to him- self and country. He possessed the entire confidence and love of all. It is said that he never was engaged in a duel, except as a peace-maker between belligerents, and that he was never tried by a court martial. He is represented as having been an excellent disciplinarian, and a prudent and most efficient commander. Major Brown was a man of sound judgment, and of remarkable kindness of heart. He was beloved by all who knew him, and his fall in the fort caused the greatest feeling on the part of the soldiers. Many of them shed tears, in their uncontrollable sorrow at his and their misfortune. In battle he was distinguished for his great coolness, military skill, and singular courage. Gen. Taylor pronounced his loss "irreparable." During his public career, he was at various times intrusted by govern- ment with large sums of money, and was always remarkable for his accu- racy, untiring attention, great system, correctness, probity, and punctuality in every thing relating to business. He resided for many years at Little Rock, Arkansas, and was so much respected by its citizens for his integrity and business habits, that, although an officer in the United States Army, he was elected president of the Bank of Arkansas, which office he well filled for a year, when he terminated this service by resignation. The high respect in which he was held by the civilians of the country, is illus- trated by the proceedings of a public meeting at Little Rock, held imme- ately on receipt of the intelligence of his death, at which were passed the following resolutions, the mayor of the city presiding : " Resolved, That in the midst of the rejoicings occasioned by the victories 189 190 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. achieved by the Army of Occupation under the command of Gen. Taylor, we grieve for the loss of many brave officers in the American army, and among the number of the slain, we have to deplore the loss of Major JACOB BROWN, of. the Seventh regiment of Infantry, for many years associated and known in this community as a faithful, honest, and efficient public officer. "Resolved, That our sorrow for his untimely loss to the army and to the country, is consoled by the manner of his death, in the service of his country, by the hand of the enemy, on the field of battle, and in the hour of victory. " Resolved, That we desire in this public and solemn manner to testify our regard arid esteem for the private virtues and personal worth of the deceased soldier, while he was associated with us, our admiration of his public services in peace and in war, and our deep sense of the crowning sacrifice of his life, that endears his memory to his countrymen. " Resolved, That the proceedings of this meeting be signed by the chair- man and secretary, and that the papers of the city, and throughout the tate, be requested to publish them ; and that a copy thereof be made out by the secretary of this meeting, and transmitted to the family of the deceased." Major Brown left, at his death, a wife and two daughters, to mourn their loss, and inherit his honorable fame. MAJOR SAMUEL RINGGOLD, THIRD ARTILLERY. THIS distinguished officer, whose death cast a gloom over the glorious events of a victorious battle field, was a native of Washington Co., Mary- land. He was born at Front Park, near Hagerstown. Major Ringgold was the son of Gen. Samuel Ringgold, who at one time represented tha state of Maryland in the United States Senate. He was educated at West Point, at which place he graduated with the highest honors ; after which, he visited all the celebrated military schools of Europe j studied at the Poletechnique) and at Woolwich, and took advantage of every other facility afforded in Europe, to accomplish himself in military tactics, particularly in those relating to artillery. On his return to the United States, he dis- tinguished himself for his persevering efforts to have created an efficient artillery arm, as a part of the military establishment of the country. No one with less energy of character than Major Ringgold possessed, would have succeeded, as public opinion was not in favor of it; but all that the gallant Ringgold promised for flying artillery, was more than realised at the battle of Palo Alto. MAJOR SAMUEL RINGGOLD. 191 Major Ringgold eminently possessed the power to infuse among his command his own spirit, and to impart to his officers his extensive know- ledge ; in illustration of which, we have only to look at the accomplished officers he has left to assume his place. The press of the whole country testified sorrow at his glorious, yet melancholy death : where he was most known, he was most honored. With Major Brown he was singularly popular, while among the civilians of the country he found hosts of enthu- siastic admirers. Baltimore, the capital of his native slate, particularly testified its sorrow at his death, most of the inhabitants knowing him per- sonally, from his long occupation of Fort McHenry. When the news of his death arrived in that city, it caused the liveliest demonstrations of grief. Col. Da vies announced it to a meeting of thou- sands assembled in Monument Square, and drawn together to learn the particulars of the battle of the 8th. The instant it was announced that Ringgold had fallen, every head was uncovered, a silence came over the vast multitude. This was a fearfully sublime tribute to the hero's memory. On the following day, the attorney general of the state, with some touch- ingly eloquent lemarks, announced his death in the Baltimore county court. Motion was made instantly to adjourn, upon which the Hon. Judge Le Grand said " In the motion of the attorney general, the court recognise a becoming appreciation of the sad feeling which the announcement of the death of our brave townsman has inspired in the bosoms of our entire community. It is fitting that the court, and indeed every branch of the government, should exhibit the sincerest evidences of the affliction which all have sus- tained, in the death of one, who surrendered his life in the defence of his country. Custom has prescribed, amongst its usually cold ceremonials, the expression of grief at the final departure of any distinguished citizen ; but when the resolute and noble defender of the honor of the country and the integrity of its soil, is swallowed up in the jaws of death, whilst in the act of adding by his daring intrepidity another brilliant page to its history, the patriotic heart properly demands, and will have, the tribute which the just, and the grateful, ever promptly pay to the gallant dead. To us, all this is evident by the gloom which is everywhere in our city ; and which, the enunciation of a succession of the glorious victories of our arms, cannot dispel. The court, therefore, can have no difficulty in concurring in the motion, responsive as is that concurrence to the feelings of the community and of its own. Major Ringgold was a citizen of Baltimore, known to us all, to some of us intimately, and by whomsoever, and wheresover known, recognised as a gentleman of the highest sense of honor, and of the kind- liest feelings of which humanity is susceptible. He is gone, but the fame 192 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. his late brilliant conduct won, will henceforth constitute a part of the pride and history of his country. Let the court stand adjourned until to-morrow morning at 10 o'clock." And the court accordingly adjourned. On the 26th, the flags of the city and the shipping, were displayed at half-mast, enshrouded in crape. Upon the arrival in New Orleans of the military costume of Major Ring- gold, a great sensation was created, and many manly tears were shed over the relics of the honored dead. They were presented by the friends of the deceased, to the "Ringgold Infantry" of Baltimore; by them, to be preserved through time, as the most precious treasure in their possession. The necessary measures have been taken to have, his remains removed from the desolate barren of Point Isabel, to be buried with military honors in Baltimore. Among the ceremonies provided for, is, "that the remains will be kept in the Rotunda for a few days, with a military guard of honor constantly present, to enable companies in distant portions of the state, to gratify the wishes they have expressed, to participate in the ceremonies ; and the time fixed for the funeral, will be communicated to all companies not located in Baltimore, upon their expressing such a wish, by letter ad- dressed to the Eagle Artillery Company, who are charged with all the details of the funeral." Among the many tributes to the memory of Major Ringgold, that have been written in the gush of -feeling occasioned by his death, the following, from a southern pen, w r ill harmonise with the feelings of all : SONNET. IN MEMORY OF MAJOR RINGGOLD. With solemn step the column files away; 'Tis done ! a buried hero sleeps below ; The eye is dim that kindled in the fray The hand is cold that dealt a freeman's blow ! Sleep sweetly, soldier! in thy narrow bed ! Rest softly, RINGGOLD ! in a soldier's grave ! Bright be the flow'rs that softly o'er thee wave, And green the turf that swells above thy head ! No braver heart than thine e'er beat beneath The starry banner's proudly glittering wave; None nobler ever won the glory wreath; None truer consecrates a soldier's grave ! Then, rest thee ! on thy country's southern strand, HERO ! of daring soul, and mighty hand ! VlCKSBURG. J, E. C. CAPT. PAGE AND LIEUT. BLAKE. 193 CAPT. JOHN PAGE, FOURTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. CAPT. PAGE was a native of Maine ; he was appointed a second lieutenant of the Eighth Infantry, from Massachusetts, on the 13th of February, 1818. He was breveted 1st January, 1829, and received his commission of cap- tain the 30th of April, 1831. Capt. Page was wounded just before the close of the battle of the 8th, and just before Major Ringgold fell, at the time the enemy concentrated all their fire upon Ringgold's and Col. Churchill's batteries, the gallant Fourth supporting them at the time, many soldiers of which fell with their captain. A cannon ball struck down Capt. Page, while in command of his division, with such force as to carry with him the three men next be- hind him. His whole lower jaw was shot away, making one of the most ghastly wounds that could be conceived of. He was conveyed to Point Isabel, where he was carefully attended to. The injuries he received in his trip from Point Isabel to New Orleans, a short time since, did much to depress the sanguine hopes of his friends for his final recovery j but having met with his devoted wife, whose efforts to reach him after he was wound- ed, was so womanly, and so often frustrated by a series of accidents, it was believed he w r ould recover. Fate ordered it otherwise, and he sleeps with Ringgold, Brown, and others, who gave up their lives in defending the honor of the arms of their country. Capt. Page died on Monday morning, July 13th, 1846, on board of the steamer Missouri, while on his way to Jefferson Barracks ; to which place his remains were taken, and with every honor, consigned to their mother earth. LIEUT. J. E. BLAKE, CORPS OF TOPOGRAPHICAL ENGINEERS. LIEUT. BLAKE, a native of Pennsylvania, and a graduate of West Point, has caused his memory to be cherished by his gallant conduct on the 8th, and the melancholy circumstances of his death created a sympathy with every officer and soldier in the army. Of his death, Gen. Worth, in writ- ing to a friend, says, " You will probably by this mail hear of the loss of that gallant ornament and devoted member of the Topographical Corps, my warmly-cherished friend. Blake. The manner adds poignancy to our sor- rows. Had he fallen in the conflict, in which, by all accounts, he had especially distinguished himself, regrets would have been turned into envy. After the battle, on casting aside his weapons, one of his pistols accident- 13 194 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. ally discharged, and gave him a mortal wound. Knowing and valuing him as I did, you will readily conceive how I deplore his loss, both as a* gallant and true-hearted friend, and accomplished comrade. He has left no better soldier behind." Capt. James Duncan, Second regiment of Artillery, made the following report to the commander of the First brigade, relative to Lieut. Blake's chivalrous reconnoisance on the day previous to the commencement of the battle of the 8th. CAMP MATAMOROS, MEXICO. May 30, 1846. GENERAL : The following brief account of the daring reconnoisance made by the gallant and ill-fated Blake, at Palo Alto, cannot fail to be in- teresting to his former commander, with whom he was so long associated, and who properly estimated and appreciated the high qualities he pos- sessed as a man and a soldier. At Palo Alto the enemy's line was formed with his back resting on the chaparral. Partly owing to the bushes in which some of his troops were posted, but chiefly owing to our distance from his lines, it was impossible to ascertain, with the necessary certainty, the disposition he had made of his different arms. To obtain the important information, Lieut. J. E. Blake, of the Topo- graphical Corps, dashed off from the right of our line to within musket shot of the enemy's left. Here he dismounted, and with his field glass coolly counted the number of men in one of the enemy's squadrons, which, of course, enabled him accurately to estimate the enemy's entire cavalry force. Lieut. Blake then remounted his horse, and galloped from left to right of the enemy's line, stopping from time to time, and carefully ob- serving the formation and number of his infantry, as well as the position, number, and calibre of his field guns, all of which information was fully verified by the subsequent events of the day. This approprkte act of personal gallantry was certainly unsurpassed on either of our glorious days; and, in my own estimation, it had no superior in interest, among the many it may become the pleasing task for history to record. Very respectfully, I have the honor to be. your obedient servant, JAMES DUNCAN, Capt. Second Artillery, com'g. Field Artillery First Brigade. GEN. WORTH, Commanding First Brigade. The remains of Lieut. Blake were consigned to the silent tomb, by LIEUTENANTS CHADBOURNE AND INGE. 195 torch light, on the field of Palo Alto, on the evening of the " Ninth/' near the entrenchment thrown up for the protection of the train. Grave of Lieut. Blake. LIEUT. THEODORE LINCOLN CHADBOURNE, EIGHTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY. LIEUT. CHA.DBOURNE, who was killed on the Resacade la Palma, in the deadly charge of the Eighth regiment, was a native of Eastport, Maine. He was of most excellent military descent, being great-grandson of Major Gen. Lincoln of the Revolutionary army. He met his death long before he had arrived at the prime of manhood, being but twenty-three years of age ; yet he had already shown traits of character that marked him among the most promising of the young officers of our little army. He is represented to have been a model of manly beauty, possessing a mind that harmonised with his symmetry of person. He was singularly happy in all his associations with his brother officers. He was the idol of the do- mestic circle, and the pride of his parents. His death carried sorrow into the happiest of family circles, and destroyed well-cherished hopes, that built bright scenes of glory for the warm-hearted and patriotic soldier. Lieut. Chadbourne was a graduate of West Point, and had been two years in the army. Upon the receipt of the news of his death, at Fort Niagara, the United States officers there stationed, held a meeting, ex- pressive of their sorrow at his death, and of their admiration of him as a man and a soldier. LIEUT. Z. M. P. INGE, SECOND DRAGOONS. LIEUT. Z. M. P. INGE, who fell at the head of his command, in the bril- liant charge made by the Second Dragoons on the enemy's batteries, in 196 OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. i the battle of the 9th, was a native of Alabama. He graduated at West Point in the year 1838, and immediately after entered the service as se- cond lieutenant of dragoons. He received his commission of first lieute- nant February 1st, 1841. Lieut. Inge is spoken of by his brother officers in terms of the greatest affection, and was greatly beloved for the quali- ties of his heart, while the manner of his death ranks him among the bravest of soldiers. LIEUT. R. E. COCHRANE, FOURTH INFANTRY. LIEUT. COCHRANE, who fell on the 9th from a charge of Mexican ca- valry, was appointed to the army from the state of Delaware. He was killed beyond Arista's head quarters, being among the advance of the troops. No soldier ever fell more gallantly. His loss was a severe blow to his regiment, and clouded the victory that rested upon their arms. The citizens of his native place have testified their admiration of his vir- tues, by having taken the proper measures to have his remains removed from the banks of the Rio Grande/ to rest among the familiar scenes of his childhood. Lieut. Cochrane has left a young wife to mourn his loss; in her sorrow, she hears the praises of an admiring nation for the memory- of her deceased husband. 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"How much more impressive must be its perusal from the magnificent vo~ Jume just issued by Carey & Hart, of this city, in 'Annual' style, its snowy leaves printed in the perfection of the art, and the matter illustrated by masters of the pencil and graver." Saturday Courier. 2 SCENES IN THE ROCKY MOUNTAINS, OREGON, CALIFORNIA, NEW MEXICO, TEXAS AND GRAND PRAIRIES: OR, NOTES BY THE WAY DURING AN EXCURSION OF THREE YEARS : WITH A DESCRIPTION OF THE COUNTRIES PASSED THROUGH. BY A NEW ENGLANDER. Complete in One Vol. I2mo. 300 Pages. Price 50 Gents, " From a perusal of its contents, we can assure the reading public that the work in question is replete with useful information, and is worthy of especial attention at this time." MidcUetown Constitution. "This book, coming just now, when the countries it describes occupy so large a share of the public attentiou, is exceedingly opportune, though its graphic delineations of life in the wilderness would render it welcome at any time The rude simplicity of the voyageur, and the generous bluffness of the mountaineer, who make the dangerous passages of the vast prairies as trappers and traders, are well developed, and a variety of veritable ' accidents by flood and field,' adventures with Indians, &c., give one a better idea of what such an excursion realJy is, than volumes of ponderous relation "The author also joined the Texan expedition sent against Xew Mexico in the Spring of 1843, and presents us here with the only published accounts of its mishaps and con- flicts with the Mexicans and Indians, prior to its surrender to the U. S. Dragoons, which caused its final dispersion. ' In conclusion, the book is an amusing and well written performance, and worthy of perusal by all classes; and the useful advice offered to persons intending to emigrate thither, will be found all important." JV. Y. Evening Mirror. " This work is one of peculiar interest to the reading public, and cannot fail to be sought after with great avidity, at the present time. ********* "The value of the work in question, is greatly increased by the vast fund of materials contained in it that have been never before produced by any other writer, materials which render its subject-matter pleasingly varied and strangely interesting." Middlttown Sen- tinel. %* ALSO A FINE EDITION, bound in Cloth, Gilt, WITH A FOLIO MAP OF OREGON, TEXAS AND MEXICO, drawn expressly to accompany this work. Price $1 00. OUR ARMY ON THE RIO GRANDE. CONTAINING AN ACCOUNT OF THE of tl)c 2lnng of attpatton from Corpus (!Il}ri0ti to t()e llio (Branic, WITH THE PARTICULARS OF The Erection of Fort Brown, and the Bombardment, ALSO ELABORATE DESCRIPTIONS OF THE BATTLES OF PALO ALTO & RESACA DE LA PALMA On the 8th and 9th of May, AND THE SURRENDER OF MATAMORAS TOGETHER WITH DESCRIPTIONS OF THE CITY AND SURROUNDING COUNTRY, &c., THE WHOLE ILLUSTRATED BT TWENTY-SIX ENGRAVINGS DRAWN FROM NATURE, OF THE PRINCIPAL SCENES TREATED OF IN THE BOOK, TAKEN ON THE SPOT. RY T. B. THORPE, Author of " Tom Owen, the Bee Hunter," " Mysteries of the Backwoods," &c. In One Volume, about 200 pages, Paper Covers, 50 cents. * #* ALSO AN EDITION ON FINE PAPER, With Reports of Battles. Official Papers,