X 
 
 

BATTLES OF UBA! 
 
 CONTAINING AN AUTHE 
 
 UNT OF THE 
 
 BATTLES 
 
 FOUGHT ON THAT ISLAND IN/ HER LATE STRUGGLE FOR 
 
 INDEPENDENCE: 
 
 INCLUDING A DESCRIPTION OF THE 
 
 DREADFUL MASSACRE OF 
 
 Fifty-Two 
 
 AMERICAN CITIZENS, 
 
 WITH A LIST OF THEIR NAMES. 
 
 ALSO, THE CAPTURE AND 
 
 OF GEN. LOPEZ!!! 
 
 TO WHICH IS ADDED A GRAPHIC 
 
 HISTORY OF IMMEKIC&N WAR! 
 
 HIGHLY ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 PUBLISHED AT 128 NASSAU STREET. 
 
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BATTLES OF ! 
 
 ' CONTAINING AN AUTHENTIC ACCOUNT OF THE 
 
 BATTLES 
 
 FOUGHT ON THAT ISLAND IN HER LATE STRUGGLE FOR 
 
 INDEPENDENCE: 
 
 INCLUDING A DESCRIPTION OF -THE 
 
 DREADFUL MASSACRE OF 
 
 Fifty -Two |f|* 
 AMERICAN CITIZENS, 
 
 WITH A LIST OF THEIR NAMES. 
 
 ALSO, THE CAPTURE AND 
 
 DEATH OF GEN. LOPEZ ! ! ! 
 
 TO WHICH IS ADDED A GRAPHIC 
 
 HISTORY OF THE MEXICAN WAR! 
 
 HIGHLY ILLUSTRATED. 
 
 NEW YORK: 
 
 PUBLISHED AT 128 NASSAU STREET. 
 1852. 
 
Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1851, 
 
 BY E. HUTCHINSON, 
 in the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the Southern District 
 
 of New- York. 
 
GENERAL LOPEZ. 
 
 Rftff 6ROFT 
 
-a 6 
 
 OFT LTBI 
 
 BATTLES OF CUBA. 
 
 LIBRARY 
 
 INTRODUCTORY REMARKS. 
 
 THIS book is not issued for the purpose of producing 
 excitement in respect to a subject on which there is al 
 ready too much. But the object of the author is to pre 
 sent the facts in the case as far as they are known. There 
 are many in these States who have had friends engaged in 
 the struggle, and feel an intense anxiety to learn as much as 
 possible in respect to their fate, especially since the barba 
 rous slaughter of our fellow-citizens at Havana, in cold 
 blood. 
 
 We deprecate war in every form and on all occasions, 
 when it can possibly be avoided. It is not for us to say 
 whether the rising of the Cubans in different parts of the 
 island was justifiable. They think it was, or they would not 
 have risen ; they, like our ancestors of the Revolutionary 
 times, feel that they have long enough submitted to the 
 iron rule of their oppressors. When the people of any 
 country commence a revolution, and have good reasons for 
 it, we leave it for our readers to decide whether it is right 
 for foreign freemen to thus aid the cause of independence. 
 Still, for ourselves, we believe that our countrymen had 
 better stay at home than to engage in any wars, especially 
 those on foreign shores. But as people will fight and ex 
 cite revolutions, and have done it in all ages of the world, 
 the results of such ebullitions of the people constitute mat 
 ter for history. 
 
 The Cuban struggle, whether right or wrong, must be 
 placed upon the annals of history. We must say that, in 
 our opinion, a thirst for freedom exists among the inhabi 
 tants of that beautiful island, which will ere long burst the 
 bands of despotism that bind them to the dust, and show 
 their oppressors that the people must rule. 
 
BATTLE OP PUERTO PRINCIPE. 
 
 FOR years there has been increasing dissatisfaction 
 among the Cubans, with the oppressive exactions and tyr 
 anny of the Spanish government. Within a year past 
 secret arrangements have been made for concerted action 
 in various parts of the island. Cubans residing in this 
 country have also acted in concert, raised funds, and in 
 duced adventurers to go from these shores and fight the 
 battles of freedom. Puerto Principe, capital of the Cen 
 tral Department of Cuba, was wisely chosen as the place 
 where the flag of liberty should first be unfurled. 
 
 This town is situated in the interior, a little to the east 
 of the center of the island, and 450 miles from Havana. 
 It is thirty-six miles from Neuvitas, which is its seaport, 
 and through which all its foreign trade passes. The town 
 is situated between two rivulets, which unite and form the 
 San Pedro River. The country in the neighborhood 
 formerly produced immense quantities of cattle, and sup 
 plied the markets of Havana. The soil is exceedingly rich 
 and productive, but much of it lies waste and uncultivated. 
 The mountain range of Cuba flanks the city on either hand. 
 The eastern chain, running to the point of the island at 
 Cape Maysi, is savage and broken, some of the peaks 
 rising to the hight of 8,000 feet. These mountain valleys 
 and defiles afforded ample shelter to the revolutionists, who 
 could also draw their supplies from the rich agricultural 
 region adjoining. 
 
 In addition to this advantage the distance from the seat 
 of Government was also in their favor. 
 
 The city of Puerto Principe contains within its juris 
 diction a population of one hundred thousand souls, mostly 
 whites. An inland city, remote from all the blandish 
 ments, frivolities and foreign influences which operate upon 
 and change the native disposition of the inhabitants of sea 
 port towns, the Principanos are noted for their strength of 
 character, inflexible uprightness, sturdy honesty, and con 
 scientious adherence to right principles and abhorrence of 
 wrong, in spite of persecution or opposition, no matter 
 
4 BATTLES OF CUBA. 
 
 under what circumstances. The Principanos ma V, in fact, 
 be considered types of real Cuban character, and it is not 
 too much to say that in many of their prominent charac 
 teristics they resemble the old Puritans of New England. 
 It would naturally be expected that such a place would be 
 the hot-bed and nursery for Liberty and Democracy ; and 
 such is the fact. 
 
 For years the desire of release from the terrible thral 
 dom of Despotism, which has so long manacled Cuba and 
 the Cubans, has burned in the hearts of the Principanos. 
 Each year has the fire grown stronger and greater, and 
 many times has the smothered volcano of popular feeling 
 all but bust forth. But till now, by the ceaseless watch 
 ing and manoeuvres of Spanish despots, the application of 
 their tortures, the use of the garrote, the sword, the dun 
 geon, and expatriation, they have managed to prevent, up 
 to this time, a general rising among the people, though 
 every act of cruelty has but made the day of vengeance 
 more certain .to approach, and the revenge, when it does 
 come, more terrible. 
 
 The late sudden arrest, confinement, and quick banish 
 ment of ten of the first and most distinguished men of 
 Principe, for the crime of being concerned in the revolu 
 tionary movement for Liberty, created the utmost conster 
 nation among the people. The action of the government 
 in the execution of such a high-handed act, only seemed to 
 bring on the crisis and the open outbreak. 
 
 The Spanish garrison at Principe consisted of 2400 men, 
 under command of Gen. Lemery. The troops were quar 
 tered in the convents of the friars, there being no fortress 
 there, and the city being without walls. The fourth of 
 July, the day of our national independence, it seems, was 
 fixed upon as the time for a general rising and the issuing 
 of a Pronunciamento by the Principanos. Accordingly, 
 on that day a crowd assembled in the adjacent groves, 
 under Don Joaquin Aguero y Aguero, as their leader, and 
 raised the banner of revolt. 
 
 The Spanish troops were soon in motion under General 
 Lemery, and fighting commenced in earnest. A party of 
 cavalry lancers rushed forward and attacked the rebels 
 
BATTLES OF CUBA. 5 
 
 with great impetuosity ; but they were met with -firmness, 
 and soon routed by the Patriots, leaving about 20 Span 
 iards dead on the field and a large number wounded. Sev 
 eral Patriots were wounded, but none killed. This suc 
 cess encouraged the revolutionists, and others flocked to 
 their standard. The whole disposable force of the govern 
 ment in that quarter were on the alert ; they were divided 
 into columns of 800 each, and proceeded with great energy 
 against the Patriots. 
 
 Various other towns raised the standard of revolt in the 
 early part of July, and issued their Pronunciamentos, 
 among which were : 
 
 In the Vuelta de Arriba Puerto Principe, Villa Clara, 
 Holguin, Trinidad, Bayamo, Manzanillo, Cienfuegos, Santo 
 Espiritu, Las Tunas. 
 
 In the Vuelta de Abajo Pinal del Rio, Mantua, Galafro, 
 and various places nearer to Havana. 
 
 Trinidad, Cienfuegos, Villa Clara, and all the adjacent 
 towns and villages, sent out their bands ; and on the 24th 
 of July the banner was raised at Guinia Miranda, and 
 proclamations issued to the citizens and to the troops. 
 
 BATTLE OF COSORRO, 
 
 On the same day (July 4th) there was a sharp contest 
 between 200 Cubans and 300 Spaniards, consisting of 
 100 lancers and 200 infantry, who had been dispatched 
 previously to the 4th, to the Coscorro mountains. After 
 much hard fighting, the government troops fled, losing their 
 commander and 20 others, who were killed. Twelve of 
 the Spanish soldiers went over to the Patriots. 
 
 BATTLE OF LAS TUNAS, 
 
 AS DESCRIBED BY ONE OF THE PATRIOTS. 
 
 We raised aloft the banner of liberty on the 4th inst. in 
 the districts (partidos) of Guaymaro and Sebanico, with 
 
6 BATTLES OF CUBA. 
 
 the small number of 250 patriots. We remained there till 
 the 5th, when, in concert with another band which rose in 
 Holguin, we directed our march upon the town of Las 
 Tunas, which was garrisoned by a company of the Regi 
 ment of Zaragosa ; but circumstances growing out of the 
 darkness of the night, led to a meeting of the two parties 
 at 12 o'clock, before the appointed place, and our comman 
 der inquired, " Who is it ?" to whom the other, carried 
 away by the force of habit, answered " Spain ;" whereupon, 
 alas ! the order was given to fire and charge upon them, 
 which charge lasted till they could recognize each other in 
 the midst of the combat. The result of this unhappy 
 affair was the loss of five from the Holguin party, and 28 
 wounded between the two. 
 
 However, this disaster did not discourage our brave 
 patriots, they immediately united, and fell upon Las Tunas 
 with the swiftness of lightning ; they attacked the bar 
 racks by surprise, and after a short resistance, in which 
 some were wounded, the company united with them in mass 
 at the magic word of Liberty. The Lieutenant Governor 
 of that jurisdiction was so cowardly, that he implored our 
 inercy, and in pity we left him at liberty, taking from him 
 only his horse, sword and pistols, and $1000 belonging to 
 the funds of the despotic government. Thence we march 
 ed upon the districts (partidos) of San Juan and Santa 
 Cruz, recruiting our force, and on the 8th we were in 
 Coscorro with 380 horse and 200 foot. 
 
 BATTLE OF NAJASSA, 
 
 The 8th and 9th were passed in organizing four divisi 
 ons under the command of the patriots who had most dis 
 tinguished themselves at Las Tunas : and on the 10th, 
 three of them marched out, the other remaining on the 
 mountains. The one commanded by Don Serapio Recio 
 advanced towards Santa Cruz, and shortly before reaching 
 the river Najassa, was informed that four companies of the 
 regiment of Cantabria were marching in the same direc- 
 
BATTLES OF CUBA. 7 
 
 tion, under command of Colonel Conti ; but that the river 
 being swollen, they were occupied in making rafts to cross 
 it. 
 
 The commander Recio immediately ordered a march 
 towards that point ; he watched the enemy's movements, 
 and when sufficiently near without being seen^ he planted 
 his 250 men in ambuscade, and waited till they should 
 begin the crossing on the raft. That soon took place. 
 The commander of the enemy crossed at the head of the 
 first company, and landed, and the raft, drawn back by the 
 ropes, returned to the opposite bank to bring over the sec 
 ond; our patriots remaining meanwhile motionless and 
 ready for the attack. 
 
 The raft began to move with the second company, and 
 then the patriots fell upon them desperately, scattered 
 confusion among them, took prisoners Colonel Conti, six 
 officers and 56 soldiers. The number killed that could be 
 counted on the banks was 36, without counting a great 
 number of wounded, together with various materials of 
 war, taken from the enemy. Still, in the midst of the 
 fight, the brave Recio did not forget the raft ; he ordered 
 them to cut the ropes and to fire upon it, following it along 
 its course. The result of this most brilliant action in 
 which the patriots only lost one killed and ten wounded, was 
 so complete that none were able to escape but those who 
 kept on the opposite side of the river. 
 
 On the 10th and llth, the other patriot corps had vari 
 ous skirmishes with the troops of cavalry and infantry that 
 marched out from Puerto Principe after them. On the 
 13th, in the district of Guaimarillo, a corps of artillery 
 came over to the patriots under the command of its Capt 
 ain, Don Gabriel Fortun, composed of 60 men and four 
 field howitzers. The 14th, 15th and 16th, the liberators 
 remained inactive, recruiting men from the country ; but 
 the 17th was a day marked by Providence to make the 
 fields of Cuba witnesses of one of the most heroic deeds of 
 arms ever seen in the history of revolutions. 
 
BATTLES OF CUBA. 
 
 BATTLE OF SAN MIGUEL. 
 
 At 3 in the afternoon of that day; the corps commanded 
 by Don Augustin Aguero de Aguero, was marching 
 towards the district of San Miguel. On the way he re 
 ceived information that at the distance of three leagues, 
 were marching in the same direction, three companies of 
 the Regiment of Isabel II., and 80 lancers of the squadron 
 of Bourbon. Aguero immediately halted, examined the 
 positions he could occupy, and selected a level spot bor 
 dered on the right by a pretty high hill. He selected 
 50 men from the corps, and directed them to advance 
 along the road so as to draw the attention of the enemy ; 
 and the rest, consisting of 150 men, he placed in ambus 
 cade at a point agreed upon. 
 
 As soon as the commander of the royalists espied the 
 fifty Patriots, confident in his numerical superiority, he ad 
 vanced at full speed upon them. They, on their side, 
 retreated upon the hill appointed, and there stood firm, 
 intrepidly awaiting the charge. The royalists did not 
 keep them long waiting ; they charged upon them, lance 
 in rest. At that moment those in ambush presented 
 themselves, and surrounded the lancers, who, attacked on 
 all sides by the republicans, had to succumb, the result 
 being that, of the 80 who entered into action, only 10 es 
 caped with life, though badly wounded. 
 
 POSITION OF THE PATRIOT FORCES. 
 
 On the 18th and 19th, nothing worthy of note occurred ; 
 but the republican ranks had gone on increasing every 
 hour. On the 20th, all the corps being united, marched 
 upon the mountains, which march was interrupted by 
 three companies of the Regiment of Cantabria, who were 
 beaten and dispersed. After the 20th, these brilliant po 
 sitions were occupied by 2000 patriots, 600 horse, 4 field 
 howitzers, and the munitions and subsistence required for 
 two months. 
 
BATTLES OF CUBA. 
 
 BATTLE OF THE CERRO. 
 
 On the 21st of July a band of Patriots sallied forth, 
 and attacked the village of the Cerro, six miles from Ha 
 vana, and really a part of the city. They approached with 
 precipitancy, and surprised and killed some of the picket 
 guard, and then returned to their fastnesses in the moun 
 tains. 
 
 After nrt^h hard fighting, the Liberators in the vicinity 
 of Princip^ere driven back into the mountains, and a few 
 captured, among whom was their brave commander Aguero. 
 Some fled to the sea-shore and embarked for the United 
 States, and are now among us. 
 
 It is said that the government authorities had succeed 
 ed, by inducing the mothers of the revolters to go and en 
 treat their sons to lay down their arms and accept of the 
 proffered pardon, in weakening the strength of the Pa 
 triots. Many yielded to the entreaties of their mothers, 
 and this served to dispirit others. The Patriots were 
 poorly armed and equipped, and it is a wonder that they 
 could make any stand at all against such fearful odds. 
 
 LANDING OF GENERAL LOPEZ. 
 
 The news of the Cuban struggle for independence pro 
 duced intense interest in this country ; and several ban 
 ished Cubans and others got up an expedition, with the 
 gallant Lopez as their leader, to go and aid their oppressed 
 brethren. 
 
 The Pampero, commanded by Capt. Lewis, after leaving 
 the Balize, below New-Orleans, made for Key West and 
 reached there on the 10th inst. After having anchored 
 in the harbor some hours, she weighed anchor at 11 o'clock 
 at night, and sailed for the Cuban coast, with Gen. Lopez, 
 suite and about 450 men on board. 
 
 On the 12th she returned to Key West, after having 
 landed Lopez and party at Puerto Cabanos, a place about 
 40 miles West of Havana. 
 
BATTLES OF CUBA. 
 
 General Pragay, the distinguished Hungarian, Adjutant 
 General of Klapka, at Cormorn, who has been in forty-two 
 battles, and is a most skilful and gallant officer, went with 
 Lopez as second in command. There were also twenty 
 Hungarian engineers in the party. 
 
 The other officers, were Col. Crittenden, late of the 
 army, a nephew of the Attorney General, who had imme 
 diate command of an artillery company ; Col. Dollman, of 
 Georgia, who served through the Mexican war ; Major J. 
 A. Kelly, who served in Florida and Mexico j^fcapts. W. 
 Scott Haynes, A. J. Dailey, and others. 
 
 The Pampero, on her return to Key West, again ancho 
 red in the harbor, but she was obliged to leave in about an 
 hour to prevent seizure by our vigilant Government 
 officers. 
 
 She hung aronnd Key West, however, until the night 
 of the 15th, and took off some 20 or 25 emigrants, when 
 she sailed for Jacksonville, Florida, to take on board Gen. 
 Gonzales and a party of 500 men, who were in readiness 
 at that point for embarkation. 
 
 It appears that, close into the entrance of the harbor, Lo 
 pez fell in with a schooner, from which he took out the cap 
 tain and mate, to serve him as pilots on the coast of Bahia 
 Honda, the navigation of which is very intricate. They 
 arrived off Bahia Honda about 9 P. M., when they imme 
 diately commenced making signals to the shore by means 
 of rockets, &c.', which probably had been previously 
 agreed upon between the liberators and those on shore. 
 Gen. Lopez did not effect a landing with his men until 4 
 A. M. ; but the debarkation was done in so masterly a 
 style, that before sunrise he had not only landed his men, 
 with all their munitions of war, but was on his march to 
 Las Pozas, a town a few miles distant from the coast, 
 where he immediately commenced entrenching himself. 
 
 BATTLE OF LAS POZAS, 
 
 LOPEZ' FIRST ENGAGEMENT. 
 
 After the landing of Gen. Lopez was announced at Ha 
 vana, the greatest excitement prevailed. 
 
BATTLES OP CUBA. 11 
 
 The Pizarro, laden with troops, under the command of 
 General Enna (who is next in command to the Captain 
 General), and with him the Admiral, left, about 8 A. M., 
 for Bahia Honda, one thousand men having previously 
 been sent by the railway cars. 
 
 It must be borne in mind, that such was the state of 
 confusion and alarm into which the government were 
 thrown, that they had no distinct idea as to whether Bahia 
 Honda or Mariel was the point to which the liberators 
 had come.C The following morning General Enna came 
 up with the pirates, as they are termed by the government, 
 and fought with them at Las Pozas, a small town about 
 three miles from the coast. He regrets the loss of some 
 of his men and others wounded. 
 
 In this engagementj which occurred Aug. 13, the Span 
 iards were commanded by Gen. Enna in person, who had 
 his horse shot from under him ; Col. Radal and seven offi 
 cers and about 78 men were killed. 
 
 So unerring and deadly was the fire of the brave libe 
 rators that Gen. Enna was three times repulsed with loss. 
 At this moment the Lieut. Governor of Mariel, Col. 
 Guerrea, came up, with about two hundred men more, 
 when the Colonel received a shot through his leg. and his 
 men such a check, that Gen. Enna (as he states in his offi 
 cial communication to the Captain General, dated 3 o'clock 
 on the 14th) saw the uselessness of attempting anything 
 further against the pirates without more artillery, as it 
 would be only exposing his men to certain death, without 
 any favorable result ; consequently he demanded further 
 reinforcements. 
 
 Accordingly, two steamers, the Habanero andvthe Al- 
 niendares, left that day with more troops, to the number of 
 fourteen hundred ; so that, according to their own account, 
 with those who had been concentrating from the other dis 
 tricts, they had upwards of 8,000 men including cavalry, 
 and had up to that time taken only three captives, whom 
 they instantly put to death. Two of the persons were 
 sailors belonging to the steamer Pampero, who, after land 
 ing Lopez, had gone into a tavern and got drunk ; the 
 other poor fellow was found in a hut, unable to move, from 
 a fracture he received when landing. 
 
12 ^BATTLES OF CUBA. 
 
 BATTLE OF B1HIA HONDA, 
 
 And Dreadful Massacre of Fifty-two American 
 Citizens at Havana ! ! ! 
 
 Havana has been the theatre of a scene that could 
 hardly be equalled, in demoniacal barbarity, by the wildest 
 savages of the forest. One universal burst of indignation 
 arose throughout this union. 
 
 It appears that the Spanish war steamer Haibanero fell 
 in with a party of Americans, numbering 52, in four boats, 
 off a place called Bahia Honda, 40 miles West of Havana. 
 
 On the 15th it was known that the liberators, who 
 had been joined in large numbers by the people of the 
 country, made a move in the direction of Diego de Nunez 
 and Cabanas, with the intention of possessing themselves 
 of the fort at the latter place, when, unfortunately, some 
 forty or fifty of- them, who had, in the most daring manner, 
 endeavored to get there by sea in four launches, with the 
 intention of taking the Spaniards in the fort by surprise, 
 were themselves, after a most desperate resistance, cap 
 tured by the Spanish Admiral, who, with his steamer, and 
 an immense number of men, succeeded in taking them, 
 after a fight of four hours. 
 
 They were brought to Havana by the Habanero, on 
 Saturday morning, at 1 A. M., (Aug. 16,) and placed on 
 board a Spanish frigate lying in the harbor. They w r ere 
 executed at 11, 15 A. M. of the same morning. They were 
 shot on the public road in Havana kneeling with their 
 backs to the executioners. At the least calculation, there 
 were present 20,000 spectators. The following are the 
 names of most of the victims : 
 
 Col. W. S. Clendennen ; Capts. F. S. Sewer, Victor Kerr, T. B. 
 Veacy: Lieuts. James Brandt. J. 0. Bryce, Thomas 0. James; 
 Doctors John Fisher and K. A. Tournique : Sergeants J. Whiterews 
 and A. M. Cotchett ; Agt. R. C. Stanford ; Privates M. H. Homes, 
 Samuel Mills, Edward Rulman, George A. Arnold, B. J. Wregy, 
 William Wiseman, Anselmo Torres Herrnandez, Patrick Dillonj 
 Thomas Hearsey. Samuel Reed, H. T. Vinne, M. Philips, James L. 
 Manville, G. M. Green, J. Salmon, Napoleon Collins, N. H. Fisher, 
 Wm. Chilling, G. A. Cook, S. 0. Jones, M. H. Ball, James Buxet, 
 Robert Caldwell, C. 0. Wm. Smith, A. Ross, P. Brourke John 
 
BATTLES OF CUBA. 13 
 
 Christdes, Wm. B. Little, Robert Cantley. John G. Lanka, Jas. 
 Stauton, Thomas Harnott, Alex. Mcllcer, John Stubbs, James Ellis, 
 Wm. Hogan, Charles A. Robinson. 
 
 After they were shot they were dragged by the feet by 
 negroes and then left to the mob, who commenced stripping 
 them of their clothes and carrying them on sticks through 
 the streets, yelling like so many demons. Many of the 
 Cherokee's passengers, who were on the spot of execution, 
 were pointed at with a saeer of contempt, and many 
 stopped in the streets an 1 insulted, telling them they 
 were one and all of the same party that they were 
 Americans, and that ere long they would be in the same 
 situation. At night it was dangerous for an American 
 to be in the streets alone. 
 
 The American Consul was called upon three hours 
 before the execution, and requested to ask of the Captain- 
 General an order to visit the prisoners, that he might 
 know what to communicate to their friends and to whom 
 but he declined this act of humanity upon the plea that 
 it was not his duty. He, however, consented to write 
 a note, which of course was unattended to, when his 
 personal demand would have been respected. 
 
 When the news of this barbarous massacre reached this 
 country, meetings were called in our cities and large towns, 
 and the greatest indignation manifested at the cruelty of 
 the Spaniards, annd the heartlessness of the American 
 consul at Havana. The feeling was so violent at New- 
 Orleans, that when the remains of Col. Crittenden and 
 Capt. Kerr were brought to that city, a mob was raised, 
 who attacked the office of the Spanish paper La Patria, 
 broke in the windows and doors, and threw the presses, 
 cases, types, and furniture into the streets ; in fact, they 
 destroyed everything belonging to the office. 
 
 After demolishing the Union office, the rioters proceded 
 to the cigar store on the corner of St. Charles and Gravier 
 streets, broke in the doors and windows, and destroyed all 
 the stock and fixtures, which were very valuable. At 7 
 o'clock the rioters went to the office of the Spanish Consul, 
 and destroyed desks, furniture, and property of all kinds. 
 They also broke down the sign, which they carried in 
 triumph to a meeting held in La Fayette Square. 
 
14 BATTLES OF CUBA. 
 
 Another dispatch, dated 22d, says a mob of 2000 men 
 surrounded the city prison this morning, where the Spanish 
 Consul had taken refuge, aud threatened to demolish it 
 unless he was delivered up to them. 
 
 Minute guns were fired from sunrise until night in honor 
 of the murdered liberators. Three or four Spanish coffee 
 houses were also destroyed. The military were called out. 
 
 It is said the Spanish Consul received several letters 
 from murdered Americans, written previous to their exe 
 cution, but refused to deliver them up to a Committee who 
 called on him. Subsequently, however, he was forced to 
 surrender them. 
 
 ATTACK OF THE SPANISH STEAMER HABANERO, 
 
 On the American Steamer Falcon. Insult to 
 our Flag! 
 
 The following account is given by a passenger on board 
 the Falcon : 
 
 On the 16th mst., as the U. S. Mail Steamer Falcon 
 was proceeding on her voyage from Chagres to Havana, 
 when off that part of the coast of Cuba known as the 
 Bahia Honda, at 10 A. M., we saw the smoke of a steamer 
 close in shore, and shortly after she hove in sight. 
 
 We, however, held our course, and running only at our 
 usual speed, soon left her eight or ten miles astern, not 
 withstanding she seemed to be doing her best. We at 
 first took her for the Pizarro, but afterwards learned that 
 she was the Isabella Catholica, formerly an English steam 
 frigate the Caledonia. After she had been in chase of 
 us for about an hour, we saw the smoke of another steamer 
 on our starboard bow, close in shore, hull down. She 
 soon, however, showed herself, steering so as to head us off, 
 in which, being a fast goer, she succeeded. She fired two 
 guns shotted, to seaward to bring us to, as soon as she was 
 within about four miles ; but we took no notice of her until 
 she run down close aboard of us and fired a third shot 
 across our bows. After the third shot, the engine was run 
 slow, when she hove to, and hailed us to " stop her," which 
 was then done. 
 
BATTLES OF CUBA. 15 
 
 As soon as they .saw that we had stopped, the officers 
 of the Spanish steamer, the Habanero, took off their caps 
 and waved them round their heads with a hurra! This 
 was a decided insult. An officer then boarded us and de 
 manded what ship we were, where bound, and if we had 
 any Spanish passengers, &c. He was answered, and he 
 said he must go on board his vessel and report. He lost 
 no time in doing so, and then motioned us to go ahead. 
 
 SECOND GREAT BATTLE OF GEN, LOPEZ. 
 
 General Enna, after obtaining large reinforcements, 
 marched to the field of action, and came up with the Pa 
 triots August 17th. A terrible battle was fought. The 
 Spaniards were determined to drive the rebels from their 
 position ; but the latter maintained their ground and fought 
 like tigers, and finally routed the enemy. In this and the 
 previous engagement, the Spaniards lost about 80 officers 
 and 300 privates, either killed or wounded. Among the 
 killed was Gen. Enna himself, whose remains were taken 
 to Havana and buried on the 20th, with great pomp. 
 
 CLOSE OF THE CUBAN REVOLUTION, 
 
 And Execution of Gen. Lopez at Havana. 
 
 After struggling with almost every disadvantage, till the 
 latter part of August, General Lopez saw with dismay that 
 his cause was desperate. The whole power of the Spanish 
 forces in the island was brought to bear against his few 
 heroic adventurers. The Cubans who were favorable to 
 liberty, did not dare to enlist, to any great extent, under 
 the banner of the Patriots, and especially after the barba 
 rous slaughter of 52 Americans citizens at Havana, Au 
 gust 16th ; and those who had enlisted being offered par 
 don by the government if they would leave the rebels, be 
 gan rapidly to desert, until finally Gen. Lopez was left en 
 tirely alone. 
 
16 BATTLES OF CUBA. 
 
 Thos who witnessed his execution, state that he ended 
 his life manfully. 
 
 The failure of the expedition is attributed to the separa 
 tion of Col. Crittenden's command from that of Gen. Lopez. 
 
 Just previous to his capture he had but thirty remaining 
 followers, and they finally deserted him in a wounded con 
 dition, so that he had not one remaining friend. 
 
 He wandered alone for some time, and was finally run 
 down by bloodhounds. His last words were " Adieu, 
 dear Cuba ! 
 
 The Spanish accounts state that of the whole number of 
 Patriots landed by the Pampero and from other quarters, 
 556 had already been killed, and 436 were in prison. 
 
 Previous to the death of Lopez, he declared that he had 
 been greatly deceived in regard to promised aid in Cuba. 
 
 He was captured and taken to San Christoval on the 
 29th, and brought to the city of Havana on the 31st, where 
 he was publicly garroted Sept. 1st., at 7 A. M. 
 
 A few minutes before 7, Lopez was brought forward, and ascended 
 the platform (about 15 feet high), on which was the chair for the ex 
 ecution. He turned, and facing the multitude assembled, addressed 
 them with a short speech ; the conclusion of which (and his last 
 words) was, " I die for my beloved country." He then took his 
 seat, the machine was adjusted, and at one turn of the screw, his 
 head dropped forward. He evinced not the slightest trembling or 
 fear ; his step was proud and firm, and his voice clear and distinct. 
 
 A few hisses and groans were heard from the crowd after the ex 
 ecution ; save that, everything was orderly and quiet. 
 
 The unfortunate party were literally starved out. Several, it is 
 said, died for want of food. Gen. Lopez himself, when taken, was 
 alone, and had eaten his horse through hunger. 
 
 The insurgents were still maintaining themselves in the 
 mountains near Puerto Principe. 
 
 The punishment of the gar-rote is described as placing 
 the victim in an easy chair, clamping his limbs, placing a 
 band around the neck, and gradually pressing a screw 
 until the neck is broken. 
 
 Thus solemnly and awfully has ended, for the present, the attempt 
 of the Cubans to achieve their independence. But the Spaniards, by 
 their barbarous and unheard-of cruelties, will not gain many friends. 
 We confidently aver, that the time is not far distant when the down 
 trodden, oppressed, and enraged populace will rise in their might, 
 and scatter, like chaff before the tempest, the minions of tyranny in 
 that beautiful Island ! 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO, 
 
 Various circumstances contributed to produce this war. 
 In the first place the government of the U. S. had cer 
 tain claims against Mexico, acknowledged by the latter, 
 but not cancelled. Next, the people of Texas, having 
 formed themselves into an independent government main 
 tained that independence eight years, were desirous of 
 being annexed to the United States. In order to accom 
 plish this object, as Mexico was opposed to it, it was 
 agreed between our government and that of Texas, that 
 the former should send upon the borders of Texas, an 
 armed force sufficient to put down any opposition from 
 Mexico. Accordingly Zachary Taylor, Col. of the 6th 
 Regiment of Infantry, was appointed to take command of 
 these forces. He repaired to Fort Jessup, Louisana, and 
 found that post garrisoned by seven companies of the 
 2d regiment of Dragoons, under the command of Col. D. E. 
 Twiggs. May 10th, 1844, eight companies of the 3d Regi 
 ment of Infantry, stationed at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri-, 
 repaired to the same place, commanded by Lieutenant 
 Col. E. A. Hitchcock. Their encampment was called 
 Camp Wilkins. Eight companies of the 4th Regiment 
 from Jefferson Barracks, went, May 13, to Grand Ecore 
 on the Red River, under the command of Colonel Vose. 
 Z. Taylor, with the title of Brevet Brigadier General, 
 
 2 
 
lg BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 arrived at Fort Jessup about the middle of June. April, 
 1845 two companies arrived from Fort Leavenworth, 
 making 25 companies in all of what was called the " army 
 of observation." It having been voted by Congress 
 (Feb. 1845), to annex Texas to the United States, and 
 as the people of that State in convention, would meet, and 
 probably accept the proposition of annexation in July, it 
 was thought best for the army of observation to be pre 
 pared to move to the western frontier of Texas if neces 
 sary. Accordingly it proceeded to New Orleans in 
 July 1845, ready to embark to any requisite point. 
 
 While at that city Col. J. H. Vose of the 4th Infantry 
 died in a fit, which cast a gloom over his associates in 
 arms. July 23d a part of the force set sail for Corpus 
 Christi, (generally called Kinney's Ranch," situated on 
 the western shore of Corpus Christi Bay) and arrived 
 July 31. Many interesting incidents and some spirited 
 battles have occurred at this military post, between the 
 Mexicans and Texans, in which Santa Anna acted a 
 prominent part ; but we must not tarry to describe them 
 here. The army now was no longer called " army 
 of observation ;" but the " army of occupation," In 
 August the aspect of affairs began to be menacing, 
 and it was expected that Mexico would soon declare 
 war. General Arista, was at Monterey with a considera 
 ble Mexican force, and there was another at Matamoras. 
 In the mean time new companies from the United States 
 occasionally arrived. 
 
 Sept. 12th, the steamer Dayton, having on board seve 
 ral officers a?xd soldiers, burst her boilers, on her way to St. 
 osepb's 7 ( :nd eight lost their lives in a most distres- 
 ing iLJf,i&:-, ji September General Worth with six com. 
 & ^* jV . Ringgold with his company of horse 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 19 
 
 and others, arrived at the camp. By the middle of 
 ber 1845 the army of occupation consisted of 251 offi 
 cers 3671 privates, total 3922. These were on the a-yst, 
 and there were about 150 in the interior. 
 
 Texas claimed the land to the River Rio Grande, anr 
 General Taylor was ordered, in Feb. 1846, to move th 
 army to some point on thai river. In March it according^ 
 started, having been at Corpus Christi seven monies ai:i 
 eleven days. March l(?th Col. Twjggs met the advance.' 
 guard of the enemy and was ordered to advance no fur 
 ther. He returned to the army and reported. Nothing 
 however, was seen of the enemy again until our force.^ 
 reached the banks of the Colorado, the passage of whicl 
 was strongly disputed. The Mexican forces were drawi) 
 up on the opposite bank, and declared that they would 
 fire upon our forces if they attempted to cross. General 
 Taylor told them, that as soon as the bank was cut down 
 for the train to pass, the first Mexican that he saw after 
 our men entered the river would be shot. At this they 
 fled. The Adjutant general, Gen. Mejia, the command 
 ing officer at Matamoras, handed a paper to General Tay 
 lor informing him, that if he crossed they would have 
 a fight ; but no opposition appeared. The order of 
 march as our army drew nearer Point Isabel was in four 
 columns, the Dragoons on the right and the 3d Brigade 
 on the left. Before arriving, however, it was ascertained 
 that the place was deserted by the enemy and that all the 
 buildings but one were burned. Our army were then 
 ordered to diiect their march towards Matamoras arid 
 General Worth encamped 12 miles from that place. 
 General Taylor proceeded to point Isabel and the stea 
 mers arid provisions arrived at the same time. While 
 a deputation of fifty armed citizens of Matamoras, protesting 
 
OQ BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 there against our occupying the country. The general told 
 them that he would answer them at Matamoras. Defences 
 were ordered to be constructed at the Point and Major Mon 
 roe appointed Commander of the port. March 25th,General 
 Worth proceeded three miles farther, to Palo Alto and wait 
 ed for General Taylor. March 28th, the army moved to- 
 wards Matamoras, which is on the Rio Grande, arriving op 
 posite the city about 11 A. M. Two of our advanced 
 guard were taken prisoners by the*Mexicans, and the horse 
 of a boy who was a bugler ; which excited our men con 
 siderably. About two hundred Mexicans were to be seen 
 and their colours flying in various places. General Worth 
 was ordered to answer the deputation which visited Gen. 
 Taylor at Point Isabel. The Mexicans for some time 
 would not send a boat across the river : but at last one came 
 with an officer. General Worth sent him back saying that 
 he wished to see the commanding officer. Gen. Mejia 
 said that he would neither receive General Worth or Gen 
 eral Taylor's communication. Mejia sent General La Vega 
 and Worth crossed the river and the interview took place 
 on the Mexican side. La Vega said that the Mexicans 
 considered us as invaders. Nothing of importance was ac 
 complished by the interview. A flag was soon raised by 
 our army on the banks of the Rio Grande. It was thought 
 that the Mexican force, at this post was fifteen hundred. 
 March 26th it was feared that our forces would be attack 
 ed at night and they were ordered to sleep upon their 
 arms. Capt. May with a squadron of the 2nd Dragoons 
 marched to Point Isabel (27 miles) in four hours to reinforce 
 the garrison. On the first of April Gen. Taylor demanded 
 the release of the captured Dragoons and they were return 
 ed with their equipments. It is surprising that several oi 
 our men deserted and went over to the enemy. Some oi 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO 21 
 
 them were shot, who attempted to swim the river. News 
 arrived, April 9th that Mr. Slidell, United States minister 
 to Mexico having given up all hope of opening negotia 
 tions had left the city and returned to the U. S. 
 
 BATTLE OF MATAMORAS. 
 
 General Ampudia, who had superseded Arista, arrived 
 from the South the llth of April and ordered General 
 Taylor to leave in 24 hours or he should consider us as 
 having declared war against Mexico. Taylor answered 
 that he did not wish for 24 hours but would return an an 
 swer at 10 o'clock the next day. He told Ampudia that 
 he was sent there by his government in a peaceful atti 
 tude and he intended to remain, and warned Ampudia 
 against firing the first gun. Lieutenant Porter, while out 
 in pursuit of Col. Cross, who was supposed to be killed 
 was attacked by some Mexicans and slain. Col. Cross 
 was afterwards found murdered. April 26th an ambush 
 was laid for a company of our men and 2 sergeants and 
 8 privates were killed in an engagement with the enemy. 
 
 There was every appearance of a general and speedy at 
 tack. General Taylor sent a requisition on the governors 
 of Louisiana and Texas for 5000 men. April 25th Gen 
 eral Arista arrived at the scene of action. April 28th 
 Capt. Walker's camp was attacked by Generals Torrejoa 
 and Canales, being stationed midway between Point Isa 
 bel and Matamoras. 5 of his men were killed and 4 miss 
 ing, he having gone out with some of his force on a scout. 
 April 29th it was thought that the Point was attacked as 
 cannon was heard in that direction, and a portion of the 
 
22 BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 army inarched immediately in that direction. The report 
 was false as there had been no attack. 
 
 May 3rd the batteries from Matarnoras opened upon our 
 carnp at day-break with great energy. The battle was 
 fierce for a while and in 30 minutes all the heavy gun 
 batteries of the enemy were silenced by our artillery. 
 The enemy threw many shells; but without effect . 
 
 BATTLE OF PALO ALTO. 
 
 Most of our forces were at Point Isabel and in that vi 
 cinity though some were opposite Matamoras . General 
 Taylor , May 7th directed the army to march in the direc 
 tion of Matamoras . It started at 3, P. M . having a val 
 uable train of provisions and munitions of war. Six 
 twelve-pounders were in the wagons and a battery of 
 two eighteen pounders was drawn by oxen. The forces 
 were under the command of Lieut. Churchill. On the 
 morning of the 8th the enemy were observed less than 
 a mile distant, occupying a front of about a mile and a 
 half. The general formed his men in column of attack 
 and permitted them to go half at a time and get water 
 to fill their canteens, as they had marched twelve 
 miles that day and suffered from heat and thirst. Our 
 army moved on with firmness to meet the enemy, and 
 when within 700 yards the enemy opened their fire from 
 a battery on the right. The right wing of our army 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 23 
 
 was composed of the fifth Infantry on the light, Ring- 
 gold's Artillery, the 3rd Infantry, Churchill's eighteen 
 pound battery and 4th Infantry and commanded by Col. 
 Twiggs. The left wing composed of Duncan's Artil 
 lery and the 8th Infantry was commanded Brevet Lieuten 
 ant-Colonel Belknap. Ringgold's and Duncan's batteries 
 advanced and commenced firing. The enemy fired con 
 tinually but not with much precision. Their cavalry 
 move on the left and then three batteries placed in a line 
 at a considerable distance from each other and bodies of 
 infantry between, making a long line of battle. Ring- 
 golds battery made dreadful havoc, cutting down almost 
 whole platoon's at once. The two eighteen pounders 
 roared tremendously and the cavalry of the enemy soon 
 began to -"retire, at first in l a trot and then in a gallop. 
 A movement of the enemy's flank, composed of Cavalry 
 one thousand strong, endangered our train and was 
 promptly met by a section of Ringgold's battery under 
 Lieut. Ridgeway and the fifth and third Infantry. They 
 were received by 5th in a square and twenty of them 
 were killed from the fire of an angle. When the enem^ 
 saw the 3rd Infantry advancing in column by division, 
 they fled with rapidity. On the left Duncan cut them 
 down in great numbers and the shout of our men could be 
 heard above the cannon's roar. Our left wing, particularly 
 the 8th Infantry, suffered from the fire of the enemy, being 
 in a column instead of being deployed in a line. In the 
 midst of the battle the prairie took fire and enveloped the 
 armies in smoke. The firing commenced at 3 P. M. 
 and ceased for a time at 4 P. M. Then Ringgold's bat 
 tery and the eighteen pounders were pushed round to the 
 left flank of the enemy and the 4th Infantry and Jlst Brig 
 ade moved up to their aid. the firing soon commenced 
 
24 BATTLES OF MKXICO. 
 
 again and the enemy were obliged K change their line 01 
 battle. At this moment Duncan poured a tremendous 
 fire into their right flank and threw it into the greatest 
 confusion. As night approached the firing gradually cea 
 sed on both sides. The enemy had been driven froni his 
 position and forced to retire, and our army were left vie. 
 tors upon the battle ground. We had only nine killed, 
 fort\ -four wounded and two missing. Major Ringgold, 
 Captain Page, Lieutenants Luther, 2nd Artillery and 
 Wiillen, 4th Infantry were wounded. Major Ringgold 
 received a shot while sitting on his horse, which carried 
 p'vay the flesh on his legs from his knees up and passed 
 through the withers of his horse. The lower jaw of Capt. 
 Page was shot off. Lieut. Wallen received a slight 
 wound in the arm and Lieut. Luther in the calf of the leg. 
 The Assistant Adjutant General, Capt. Bliss^ and Lieut. 
 Daniels had their horses shot under them. Our wounded 
 suffered much during the night. General Arista com 
 manded the enemy having 6000 men arid our force consist 
 ed of 2211. Thus ended the famous battle of Palo Alto. 
 May 9th the enemy, at day break, moved along the bor 
 ders of the chaparral and it was supposed that they intend- 
 to occupy the road arid prevent our farther progress. It 
 was decided that, we should attack them, and after the train 
 was suitably guarded, our army moved forward soon after 
 sunrise. It was found that the enemy were rapidly retreat 
 ing. In going over the battle field the scene was awful. 
 There were at least five hundred of the enemy killed and* 
 wounded. It would seem that eacngK had already been 
 done to settle the difficulty between ths two nations but a 
 nation's pride is not easily satisfied. This ^var but the 
 commencement of bloody scenes. Gv;n. Ta)loi ordered 
 our men to take care of the wounded among tht <rtss y 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 25 
 
 wherever found, as carefully as our own wounded. At 
 1 P.M. our army moved on. 
 
 BATTLE OF RESACA DE LA PALMA. 
 
 Capt. G. A. McCall was sent forward with one hun 
 dred picked men to reconoitre. He found that the enemy 
 had selected a favorable postion and were waiting for our 
 advance. McCall had a slight brush with them and re 
 turned. Our forces were deployed to the right and left of 
 the road as skirmishers. 'Capt. Me Call's command were 
 ordered to advance and draw the fire of the enemy. The 
 latter wereaon the opposite bank of a ravine concave to 
 wards us and their batteries were so arranged a^to sweep 
 the road and every approach through the chaparral. Me 
 Call received the fire of the enemy and Lieut. Ridgely, 
 successor to Ringgold, was ordered forward with his bat 
 tery. The battle commenced with fury. Frequently 
 were bayonets crossed, they were in such close proximity, 
 The enemy gave way slowly, but fought like tigers, for 
 every inch of ground. The chaparral was so thick that 
 our regiments were mixed ; but fought not the less bravely. 
 Ridgely at one time, had a body of lancers come done 
 upon him, with tremendous force, w T hen he had but one 
 piece unlimbered. Sergeant Kearnes put a load of can- 
 nister on the top of a shell and fired which scattered all 
 but four. Then Ridgely charged them in person and 
 (^rove them back, exhibiting the greatest bravery. 
 
 Capt. May rode bick and asked the general if he should 
 charge the enemy on the opposite side of the ravine. 
 
26 BATTLES OF MEXICO 
 
 The answer was u Charge-, Captain, nolens, volens !*> 
 As May dashed on by Ridgely, the latter cried" hold 
 on Charley till I draw their fire !" Down the ravine 
 they went. Lieut. Inge soon fell and many others; 
 but the rest drove furiously on, crossed the ravine 
 and captured the battery. Capt. Graham's company 
 \vas with May's in this charge. General La Vega 
 stood by his battery to the last and wa taken pris 
 oner by Capt. May. The 3rd* were deployed on the 
 right of the road ; but met no enemy and not being- able to 
 get through the thick, dense chaparral, were obliged to 
 return to get into the action and arrived after the enemy 
 were completely routed. Duncan then took the advance 
 with his battery, the Dragoons,- 3rd Infantry and Smith's 
 command being ordered to support the artillery. We 
 dashed on after the enemy who were in full retreat, pour 
 ing uponW-hem a very destructive fire. Our men soon 
 came up with the enemy's camp and found it deserted 
 arsd captured by the brave Barbour, who with his company 
 of the third Infantry had resisted a formidable charge of 
 cavalry. Mules, packs, provisions, and other trophies 
 were left by the enemy. Our men pursued the enemy, 
 shouting as they went, to the river. Many of the enemy 
 were drowned endeavoring to swim across, and were scat 
 tered in every direction. The rout was general and com 
 plete, though our force consisted of 1700 men, the others 
 being required to guard the train. 2000 of the best of 
 Mexico's troops came over to join in this battle of the 9th, 
 called "Resaca de la Palma." Our loss was three officers 
 and thirty-six men killed, twelve officers and fifty-nine 
 men wounded. The officers killed were Lieut. Z. Inge ? 
 2sd Dragoons ; Lieut. R. E. Cochrane, 4th Infantry ; and 
 Lieut. T. L. Chadbourne, 8th Infantry. The wounded 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 27 
 
 officers were Colonel M. M. Payne, 4th Artillery, acting 
 Inspector-General ; Col. J. S. Mc'Intosh, 5th Infantry ; 
 Capt. A. Hooe, 5th Infantry ; Lieut. S. H. Fowler, 5th 
 ^Infantry ; Capt. W. R. Montgomery, Lieut. J. Selden, 
 S R. P. Maclay, C. F. Morris, C. R. Gates, J. G. Burbank 
 and C. D. Jordan, 8th Infantry ; and Lieut. S. D. Dob 
 bins, 3rd Infantry. We captured eight pieces of artillery, 
 2000 stand of arms, 200 mules, one hundred and fifty 
 thousand rounds of musket cartridges, and all the baggage 
 and camp equipage of the army. Arista's private papers 
 and baggage fell into our hands. One Genera}, one Colo 
 nel, one Lieut, Colonel, four Captains and five Lieuten 
 ants, were taken prisoners. Three Captains and foui 
 Lieutenants of the enemy were buried on the field, and 
 forty-eight officers besides were acknowledged by the 
 Mexicans to be missing. The killed, wounded, and mis- 
 ing of the enemy could not have been less than 2000. 
 
 Gen Taylor was sitting upon his horse in the hottest of 
 the battle, and the balls were rattling all around him. 
 An officer remarked to him that he was exposing himself 
 too much, and proposed that he should retire. The Gen 
 eral said, " Let us ride a little nearer, the balls will fall 
 behind us." 
 
 During the bombardment of Fort Brown (opposite Mat- 
 amoras), Major Brown the commanding officer was wound 
 ed by a shell May 6th and died on the 9th much lamented. 
 The enemy fired 2700 shells at this fort killing one officer, 
 one sergeant, and wounding thirteen privates. They were 
 repeatedly ordered by the enemy to surrender; but would 
 not. Major Ringgold died at Point Isabel May llth 
 and was buried with funeral honors on the 12th. May 
 17th our army were ordered to cross the Rio Grande and 
 take possession of Matamoras. General Arista sent over 
 
28 BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 and wished for an armistice until he could hear from tr- 
 Capital, but Old Rough and Ready said, " No !" Taylo, 
 was asked if he intended to take the city, "Yes," was the 
 reply, "if he had to batter it down. Tell General Arista, 
 said he, " that the city must capitulate, all public proper 
 ty, amunition, provisions &c. must be given up, and then 
 the army may march out and retire. Arista was ordered 
 to give an answer by 3 P. M. In the mean time our 
 army marched three miles up the river, where there was a 
 suitable place for crossing. No deputation came from 
 Arista and we crossed May 18th. By a sad accident 
 Lieut. Stephens was drowned. It was found that the Mex 
 ican army precipitately left the city and the authorities 
 invited General Taylor to take possession. The battle 
 field of Resaca de la Palma presented a sad spectacle 
 such vast numbers of the slain and now the hospitals 
 were filled with the wounded ! Near one poor wounded 
 man, sat a beautiful girl of seventeen keeping off the flies. 
 She was his wife. There the mother and her children were 
 seated by the wounded father. Colonel Twiggs was ap 
 pointed to the chief command of the city. 
 
 Colonel Garland was sent out with two companies on 
 the 19th to follow the enemy. After he had gone 27 miles 
 he came up with them, had a skirmish, and returned the 
 22d. Two of his meri were wounded. He killed two, 
 wounded two of the enemy and captured twenty men with 
 their baggage. Barita, a small town near by, was taken 
 May 17, by Colonel Wilson. When the Congress of the 
 U. S. heard of the capture of Capt. Thornton and his com 
 mand, that body made declaration of war May 13th, and 
 voted to raise fifty thousand volunteers and to appropriate 
 ten milions of dollars for the expense of the war. W T ar 
 was declared by Mexico, April 23rd. Our Congress ap- 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. <W 
 
 pointed General Taylor Brevet Major General, after , the 
 battles of Palo Alto and Resca de la Palma. 
 
 Numerous reinforcements soon came in and the army 
 moved forward. Monterey, Reynosa, Camargo, Mier and 
 other towns were soon taken without resistance. 'When 
 our army left Matamoras, Lieutenant Colonel Clark was 
 appoined to the command of the city. Poor Page after 
 suffering intensely, died July 12th. 
 
 The U. S. army proceeded up the Rio Grande as far as 
 Mier and then left that noble river and turned to the south 
 towards Monterey. 
 
 Sept. 14th, Capt. McCulIough, with thirty-five men, had 
 a brush with two hundred Mexicans, near Ramos. Two 
 of the enemy were wounded, and the Capt. lost one horse. 
 Reports seemed to be confirmed that the enemy were pre, 
 paring for a hard battle at Monterey. It was expected that 
 we should have a fight at Marin, where the enemy undei 
 General Torrejon were seen, just before our army entered 
 the town. When we arrived the enemy had left. At this 
 place the mountains at the foot of which Monterey stands, 
 were distinctly visible, about twenty-five miles distant. 
 
 Sept. 17th General Taylor was addressed by the Spanish 
 Consul at Monterey inquiring whether the property of for 
 eigners would be respected. Taylor replied that he could 
 not be responsible for anything if the city was taken by 
 assault. 
 
 Sept. 19th at 9 P. M. the advance of our forces arrived 
 within three miles of Monterey. Some heavy cannon wer? 
 heard and our men pushed forward : but before they cam* 
 within reach of the guns General Taylor ordered them tc 
 halt. It seems that some lancers came out of the city 
 and endeavored to draw our men within reach of the shot 
 When our advance halted the enemy opened upon us ii 
 
30 BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 earnest. The third shot went directly over General Taylor's 
 staff, coming very near him. Our troops encamped three 
 miles from the city. The city seemed to be well fortified 
 and it was feared that our small guns would not be effectual 
 ^against the large ones of the enemy. It was concluded 
 that our men must take the big guns of the enemy and 
 turn them against themselves. The town was thoroughly 
 reconnoitered on all sides and our men were frequently 
 fired upon. General Taylor decided to send Genera. 
 Worth to take possession of the road to Saltillo, and etorm 
 the heights at the west part of the city. This division, in. 
 eluding Colonel Hay's regiment, and Captains McCuL 
 lough's and Gillepie's rangers, moved off according to order, 
 
 BATTLE OF MONTEREY. 
 
 Sept.20th, (1846), about noon. The works commanding 
 the approaches to the city, are the Bishop's Palace and a 
 fort on a height commanding it on the west: the citadel 
 on the north and several detached redoubts on the east. 
 The streets were barricaded. In the afternoon a battery 
 was commenced for the mortar, and during the night the 
 mortar and two twenty-four pouiid howitzers were estab 
 lished. An express from General Worth arrived the same 
 
BATTLES CV MEXICO. 
 
 3J 
 
 night, stating that he had arrived at his position, and would 
 storm two heights southwest of the castle before storming 
 the heights directly west of it. 
 
 Sept. 21st at 7 A. M., the first and volunteer divisions 
 were ordered to advance towards the city. Our mortar and 
 howitzer batteries opened ; but did not have much effect. 
 Taylor directed the tirst division to move to the east of the 
 city to support Majoi Mansfield in reconnoitering the ene 
 mies' w r orks. The division was under the command of 
 Colonel Garland, 4th Infantry, and went' into action with 
 the 3rd Infantry under Major Lear, 4th Brigade under Col 
 onel Wilson consisting of the 1st Infantry under Major 
 Abercrombie and the Baltimore division under Colonel Wat 
 son, and Bragg's and Ridgeley's batteries. Major Mansfield 
 was the first to commence the action. Company C., 3rd 
 Infantry, under Lieutenant Hazlitt, was reinforced by com 
 pany H.j 3d Infancy, under Capt. Field. The division 
 was formed in line of battle out of reach of the guns of 
 the enemy, and was then ordered to advance by Lieuten 
 ant Pope and Colonel Kinney, and go into the city an^ 
 storm battery No. 1, at the eastern end. The battery opened 
 upon the division anJ the first shot struck in front of our 
 line and ricoched over us. We were fired upon from the 
 citadel. Our men in the midst of these shots, pushed rap. 
 idly onward five hundred yards and rushed into the streets. 
 Not turning soon enough to the left an unperceived batter} 
 opened upon us a deadly fire and balls flew from house-tops, 
 yards, and from every direction upon us, Many of our 
 men were cut down. Major Barbour was the first officer 
 , who fell. An escopet ball passed through his heart. Our 
 men retired into another street, under cover of some walls 
 and houses. Lieutenant Bragg's battery now arrived and 
 came into the street but could not effect much, Finally we 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 33 
 
 were directed to retire in order and make an attack from 
 some other point. Capt. Backus of the 1st Infantry, succeeded, 
 with fifty men, in stationing himself in a tan yard about a 
 hundred and thirty yards in the rear of the battery No. 1, 
 and nearer the town. There wa"S a shed with a wall which 
 served as a breast work for our men. Twenty yards 
 south ivest of the battery was a distillery with thick walls, 
 on the top of which were sand hag embrasures. Capt. 
 Backus drove the enemy from this. Two companies of 
 the 4th Infantry (90 strong) moved forward under a ter 
 rible fire, and determined to storm a work defended by five 
 hundred men. 
 
 Now the Mississippi and Tennessee regiments, under 
 General Quitman, advanced and finally took possession of 
 the battery, after great loss. This was severe fighting. 
 Major Lear was severely wounded, Lieut. D. S. Irwin killed, 
 Capt. G. P. Field killed by lancers, Lieutenants .Hoskins 
 and Woods were killed and Lieutenant Graham mortally 
 wounded. Major Abercrombie and Capt. La Motte were 
 slightly wounded. Lieut. Diilvvorth lost a leg and Lieut. 
 Ferret was taken prisoner. 
 
 The division was ordered to the captured battery to sup 
 port Ridgely's battery, about to advance into the city. Our 
 men had the mortar and thr.ee twenty -four-pound howit 
 zers playing upon the city and one of them having been 
 taken to the captured work was firing upon Fort Diablo. A 
 body of .men, from the 3rd and 4th Infantry, of one hundred 
 and fifty, were now ordered to enter the city and take pos 
 session of a work of the enemy, apparently a few streets 
 distant. They were exposed to a most destructive fire; but 
 moved on, taking advantage of every shelter in their way. 
 Capt. L. N. Morris, 3rd Infantry was commander. Our 
 men crossed one street and were fully exposed to the guns 
 
 3 
 
34 
 
 BATTLES OF MEXICO, 
 
 mounted in barette of a " tete de pont," commanding the 
 passage of El Puente Purissima. We passed through sev 
 eral gardens and streets and finally reached a slight shelter. 
 There was a stream before us and the enemy in force with 
 three pieces of artillery on the opposite bank, so that we 
 could not go any farther. All the streets seemed to be 
 blockaded and every house fortified. Capt. Morris received 
 a mortal wound at the bridge and Capt. W. S. Henry took 
 the command, Lieutenant Hazlitt soon fell. At last, our 
 cartridges being nearly exhausted, we were commanded to 
 retire, in order, to our captured works. At one time, after 
 day-light, we were obliged to lay flat nearly an hour, the 
 balls came so thick. Lieutenant Ridgely, with a section of 
 his battery, advanced to the street leading to the "tete de 
 pont," but fmdifig his fire entirely ineffectual, retired. Lieut. 
 Bragg put to flight, with his battery, a show of a charge of 
 lancers. Our men had not been able to take any dinner or 
 supper and the night was cold and rainy. We had mounted 
 on battery No. 1, one twelve pounder, one nine, two sixes* 
 and one howitzer, in all, five pieces. 
 
 While these scenes were transpiring under the eye of Gen- 
 ral Taylor, Gen. Worth was moving towards the Saltillo 
 road. A large body of cavalry and Infantry opposed him, 
 and charged upon our men. .They were met by the bat 
 talion of light troops under Capt C. T. Smith and Capt. 
 McCulloughs company of Rangers. The first squadron of 
 the enemy were mixed in with our advance when the sec 
 ond came furiously rushing on. Lieut. Hays, of Duncan's 
 battery, poured in among them round shot, which passed 
 over the heads of our men, and the enemy were dispersed 
 with a loss of about one hundred, and among them, one 
 Colonel. Our men marched round nearly two miles to the 
 west end of the town, under a heavy fire from " Indepen- 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO 35 
 
 dence Hill," situated west of the palace and from ''Federa- 
 cion Hill," between which heights, the Saltillo road runs. 
 Now General Worth determined to storm Federacion Hill, 
 and Capt. C. F. Smith, 2d Artillery with three hundred 
 men, half regulars and the rest Texans, -under Major Che 
 valier, undertook the dangerous enterprise. Capt. Miles 
 with the 7th Infantry marched soon after to his support. 
 As Capt. Miles' command advanced, it was not observed by 
 the enemy until it had reached the small stream (Arroyo 
 Topa) south of the city, along the base of the hill on which 
 the battery is situated. As soon as discovered, they were 
 continually fired upon by the enemy, but without much 
 effect. Our men crossed the river and formed on' a point of 
 rock out of reach of the enemy. Detachments were 
 then sent forward under Lieutenants Grant, Little, and 
 Gardner to divert the enemy from Capt. Smiths' command. 
 Colonel Smith of the 2d brigade, came up with the 5th 
 Infantry and ordered Capt. Miles with the 7th to assist hint? 
 in an attack on Fort Soldado, a temporary breastwork a 
 little south east of Federacion Hill. They moved on and 
 found that Capt. Smith had already got possession of it. The 
 2d Brigade formed and advanced amid a shower of balls, 
 and when within a hundred yards, made a charge at double 
 quick step. The enemy fled in all directions. The left 
 wing of the 7th entered the redoubt with that of the 5th. 
 Many of the Louisiana volunteers tender Capt. Blarichard, 
 and the Texan Rangers were up with the advance, all fear 
 lessly striving to be the ^irst to meet the enemy. Colonel 
 Smith appointed Capt. Smith to retain possession of the first 
 height stormed, and Capt Miles with the 7th, the last. Capt. 
 Scott with the 5th Infantry, was to move on the same 
 ridge farther east. The second Brigade held their position 
 during the afternoon and night of the 21st. The 7th In 
 
og BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 fantry were exposed to the fire from the Bishop's Palace 
 several hours but Lieut. Dana of the 7th infantry, with 
 his captured gun, returned the fire with some effect. 
 
 Those who occupied battery No. 1, at the eastern ex 
 tremity of the city, at day-break, (Sept. 22d,) were obliged 
 to lie flat in the mud to shield themselves from the sharp 
 firing from Fort Diablo. Shells, fired from the citadel, 
 fell all around our men, though none burst in the work. Lieut. 
 Scarrett was laboring to put the battery and distillery in 
 a better state of defence. Capt. Bainbridge had command 
 of the 3rd Infantry in the morning. A portion of Colonel 
 Davis's regiment, under General Quitman, relieved the 
 1st, 3rd and 4th Infantry, and the Kentucky regiment. 
 In returning to camp, our men received a destructive fire 
 from the batteries of the enemy, crosswise. One poor fel 
 low, a corporal in the 4th Infantry, was cut in two. Gen. 
 Worth's attack upon the height, commanding the, Bishop's 
 Palace, at day-break, (Sept. 22d.) was fierce and successful. 
 The force consisted of artillery and infantry under Colonel 
 Childs and some Texans under Colonel Hays. The party 
 moved up the hill and at the same time Capt. Miles, with a 
 small force, descended towards the palace and gave three 
 cheers to divert the enemy. In return they received a 
 shower of grape. The enemy, at the castle, being checked 
 so that they could not aid their flying forces, the height 
 was carried witti little loss. Capt. Gillespie first entered 
 the breastwork and fell mortally wounded. General Worth 
 soon sent the 5th Infantry, Capt. Smith's command and 
 Capt. Blanchard's Louisiana volunteers, to reinforce Colo 
 nel Childs. Lieut. Roland soon placed a howitzer in po 
 sition and blazed away at the castle with much effect. A 
 light corps of artillery, under Capt. Vinton, Blanchard's 
 company and some Texans were on the left of the hill, 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 37 
 
 and fired continually. The fire was briskly returned by 
 the enemy. 
 
 About noon, the Mexican cavalry deployed before the 
 palace and endeavored to charge upon our skirmishers. 
 Our men pursued them, under Vinton, with terrible effect. 
 Many of the enemy were kept from entering the castle 
 again, as our men rushed in through every opening-, and 
 drove the enemy before them. Lieutenant Ayers was the 
 first to enter, pull down the Mexican flag, and raise the star 
 spangled banner. 
 
 After the castle was taken, General Worth moved down 
 his forces from the hill and the amunition train the 
 ranch of the Saltillo road and remained in the castle dur 
 ing the night of Sept. 22nd. He, however, ordered the 
 5th Infantry and Blanchard's company to return to the 
 redoubt on the hill where were stationed the 7th Infantry. 
 
 Sept. 23d. at 7 o'clock in the morning General Worth 
 opened upon the town, from the castle, with the enemy's 
 own guns, as he intended to do when he first approached 
 the city. A report was raised that the enemy were endeav 
 oring to escape and the whole command were out imme 
 diately marching towards them. 
 
 It was now expected every moment, that the city would 
 capitulate ; but they held out and fought like tigers. At 
 the east end of the city the firing commenced briskly, the 
 same morning at day-break. The Texan cavalry under 
 Colonel Woods, had dismounted, and with the Mississip- 
 pians, under Colonel Davis, were engaged -with the enemy. 
 The Mississippians very early took possession of Foit 
 Diablo, without any opposition, as the enemy had aban 
 doned it the preceding evening. This was the place 
 from which, on the 21st and 22d, our men had received 
 such a destructive fire. This force under General Quit 
 
33 BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 man, drove the enemy before them from house to house, 
 shooting them wherever they saw one of their heads pro 
 jecting. 
 
 Bragg's battery was now ordered into the city and tne 
 3rd Infantry ordered to support it. They moved forward, 
 and when they came within range of the enemy's guns 
 of the citadel, they crossed the field of fire at full gallop 
 and were unharmed. The 3d went under cover, in a cir 
 cuitous route. On their arrival in the city they found it 
 cleared of the enemy on a line with the cathedral, and 
 w r ithin two squares of it. This edifice was in the main 
 plaza, where the enemy had been concentrated. Much 
 bravery was manifested by General's Quitman, Hender 
 son, Lamar, and Colonels Wood and Davis. Several 
 were wounded and a few killed. Bragg's battery* was 
 in action with them during the remainder of the day. 
 The fighting was not so severe as it was on the 21st, ex 
 cept in the street running directly from the cathedral. It 
 could not be crossed without passing through a shower of 
 bullets. One of Bragg's pieces had little effect in this street 
 as the weight of metal was too light. Bragg's first ser 
 geant by the name of Weightman, was shot while 
 pointing the gun. Our men could only cross, without 
 great danger of being shot, excepting when our piece 
 was pointed at the enemy. fiThen the Mexicans would fall 
 behind their barricade and our men w r ould cross in squads. 
 As soon as, our piece was fired the balls of the enemy 
 came down the street like a shower af hickory nuts. 
 
 General Taylor was in town entirely regardless of his 
 
 person in the midst of danger. This was very imprudent 
 
 ncl wrong. He even crossed the street where so many 
 
 balls were continually passing, and crossed in a walk. 
 
 A commanding officer ought to look out for himself and 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 39 
 
 army better than that. Taylor was brave to the back 
 Lone, but imprudent. Capt Henry reminded him that he 
 ought to retire to a safer position ; but he said cc TAKE 
 TH\T AXE AND KNOCK IN THAT DOOR." Our men commenced 
 on the door and the occupant unlocked and opened it, and 
 behold it was an extensive apothecary shop. The doctor 
 (San Juan) treated his visitors to ripe limes and cool water. 
 He said that Ampudia was in the Plaza with four thousand 
 men, and that two thousand were in the citadel. One door 
 was burst open and we saw five genteel looking women who 
 were on their knees with crucifixes pleading for mercy. 
 They were very grateful when they found that their throats 
 were not to be cut. General Taylor expected that Gene 
 ral Worth would commence throwing shells into the city, 
 in the afternoon, and perceiving that the field pieces were 
 of little use, ordered these forces to retire to camp. During 
 the day (23rd) the enemy sent in a flag of truce, requesting 
 a cessation of hostilities, that the women and children 
 might be removed. Old Rough and Ready said, " No, it 
 was too late." It was reported that some of the enemy 
 were leaving on pack mules, and undoubtedly many others 
 would have left, had not General Worth taken possession of 
 the Saltillo Road. General Worth on the west side of the 
 city, ordered a heavy gun under Capt. Chapman's company 
 to open on the city. This firing drove the enemy from 
 their lines bordering on the river.. About 10 A. M. the 7th 
 Infantry left the redoubt and joined Gen. Worth, at the 
 palace, for the purpose of entering the city. The enemy 
 did not make so great a resistance at the west part of the 
 town as at the east where they were in a larger body, and 
 our men did not suffer so much in the former as in the latter 
 position. There was some loss, however. Capt. M. Kavett, 
 of the 8th Infantry, while marching around the base of the 
 
40 BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 hill, on the morning of the 21st, was killed. Lieut. Potter 7th 
 Infantry, while storming the redoubt, was wounded. Lieut. 
 Rossell was wounded in the attack upon the palace. Major 
 Brown's company of artillery, Capt. Blanchard's company and 
 some Texan Rangers, with a piece from McKall's battery, 
 were ordered to march under Brown arid take possession of a 
 mill on the road to Saltillo, in order to cut off retreat. The 
 city had been reconnoitered by Lieutenant, Meadeand Capt. 
 McCullough. They found that the city had been cleared 
 oi' the enemy as far as the Plaza in which was the ceme 
 tery. Capt. Miles, with three companies was ordered to 
 take possession of the street nearest the river. Col 
 onel Stannlford was to take posession of the next street 
 north. Both parties, the first under the direction of Capt. 
 Holmes, and the second, under Capt. Scriven, moved on 
 and took possession of the cemetery, without a shot from 
 the enemy. Loop holes had been made in the walls and 
 they had been prepared for defence. A piece of artillery fol 
 lowed each of these commands. Then came Colonel Childs 
 with the Artillery Battalion and Capt. Miles with the remain 
 der of the 7th and a company of the 8th Infantry. The last 
 was designed to protect the amunition train sent round byGen. 
 Taylor. Major Monroe and Lieut. Lovell soon placed the 
 mortar in position. Captains Holmes and Scriven, with 
 their forces marched through the . same streets to a square 
 in advance of the cemetery and soon commenced with the 
 enemy. Colonel Childs followed the street upon which was 
 situated a large Plaza. Capt. Gatlin of the 7th 
 
 was now wounded. Our troops were soon under cover of 
 walls and were reinforced by two companies of the 5th 
 under Capt Merrill, and finally by three more under Major 
 Scott. The column in the next street under Colonel Smith 
 were now shortly engaged with the enemy. Capt. Holmes 
 
|^ BATTLES OF MEXICO 4l 
 
 was aided by Texans under Walker, and found bis way 
 through gardens and houses until he came very near the 
 enemy in Cathedral Plaza. Lieut. Colonel Duncan was 
 sweeping the street with his battery. Major Brown was 
 ordered to join the Texans in the Plaza and aid Col. Childs. 
 They worked their way towards the enemy with pickaxes, 
 and soon came up with them, and cracked away. Night 
 came on and our men kept possession of the houses taken, 
 excepting Capt. Holmes who thought best to go back a little 
 as he .was far in advance and had many wounded. Our 
 troops in the Plaza took possession of the houses on both 
 sides and rested till morning. Lieutenant Lovell threw shells 
 'into 'the city during the night with great effect, and the 
 enemy returned the compliment from their howitzers. 
 Lieutenant 'Gardner of the 7th, manifested much bravery 
 in leading the advance with ladders and pickaxes. At 
 one time nearly all of his men were killed or wounded. 
 
 After reveille, on the morning of Sept. 24th, General 
 Ampudia sent Colonel Murino into our camp with a flag of 
 truce, and an offer to surrender the city, if General Taylor 
 would allow him to march out with his troops and all the 
 public property. Of course when the city was nearly in 
 our hands, such an offer was declined- But General Tay 
 lor sent back his terms, saying that an answer would be 
 received at General Worth's headquarters at 12 M. JVIu- 
 rino said that he had been informed that commissioners 
 had been appointed to negotiate for peace and that no rein 
 forcements would be sent them, and that it would cost us 
 two thirds of our command to take the city, if we could do 
 it at all. The action was to commence again if terms were 
 not agreed upon. 
 
 The commissioners on our side were Generals Worth and 
 Henderson and Colonel Davis. On the other side thev 
 
42 BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 were, Manuel M. Llano, T. Requena. and Ortega. The 
 following are the terms : 
 
 Terms of the Capitulation of the City of Monterey, the 
 Capital 'of Nutva Leon, agreed upon by the undersigned 
 Commissioners, to-wit: General Worth, of the United 
 States army ; General Henderson, of the Texan Vol 
 unteers ; and Colonel Davis of the Mississippi Riflemen, 
 ''onthe part of Major-general Taylor, commanding in chief 
 of the United States forces ; and General Requena and 
 General Ortega, of the ar.ny of Mexico, and Senor 
 Manuel M. Llano, Governor of Nueva Leon, on the part 
 of Senor General Don Pedro dimpudia, commanding in 
 chief of the army of North Mexico. 
 
 ARTICLE 1. As the legitimate result of the operations 
 before this glace, and the present position of the contending 
 armies, it is agreed that the city, the fortifications, cannon, 
 the munitions of war, and all other public property, with 
 the undermentioned exceptions, be surrendered to the com 
 manding general of the United States forces now at 
 Monterey. 
 
 ARTICLE 2. That the Mexican forces be allowed the fol 
 lowing arms, to-wit : The commissioned officers^ their side 
 arms ; the Infantry, their arms and accoutrements ; the 
 cavalry, their artillery, one field battery, not to exceed six 
 pieces, with twenty-one rounds of amunitibn. 
 
 ARTICLE 3. That the Mexican armed forces retire within 
 seven days from date, beyond the line formed by the pass 
 of the Rinconada, the city of Linares, and San Fernado de 
 Pusos. 
 
 ARTICLE 4. That the citadel of Monterey be evacuated 
 by the Mexican and occupied by the American forces to 
 morrow at 10 o'clock. \ 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 43 
 
 ARTICLE 5. To avoid collisions, and for mutual conveni 
 ence, that the troops of the United States will not occupy 
 the city until the Mexican forces have withdrawn, except 
 for hospital and storage purposes. 
 
 ' ARTICLE 6. That the force of the United States will not 
 advance beyond the line specified in the third article before 
 the expiration of eight w r eek, or until the orders of the res 
 pective governments can be received. 
 
 ARTICLE 7. That, the public property to be delivered shall 
 be turned over and received by the commanding generals 
 of the t\vo armies. 
 
 ARTICLE 8. That all doubts as to the meaning of any of 
 the preceding articles shall be solved by an equitable con 
 struction, and on the principles of liberality to the retiring 
 army. 
 
 ARTICLE. 9. That the Mexican flag, when struck at the 
 citadel, may be saluted by its own battery. 
 W. J. WORTH, 
 
 Brigadier General United States Army. 
 J. PINKNEY HENDERSON, 
 Major-General com'g Texan Volunteers. 
 JEFFERSON DAVIS, 
 Colonel Mississippi Riflemen. 
 J. M. ORTEGA, 
 
 T. REQUENA, f 
 
 MANUEL M. LLANO, f 
 
 i ( PEDRO AMPUDIA, 
 Approved, j z TAYL()RJ Maj> Qen> s> A com , g< 
 
 Dated at Monterey, September 24th, 1846. 
 
 Our troops were commanded during the imposing cere 
 mony by Colonel P. F. Smith. When the Mexican flag 
 was lowered, they fired a salute of eight guns. When 
 our flag was raised twenty -eight guns were fired from the 
 
44 BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 Bishop's Palace. Our troops marched into the city to the 
 tune of Yankee Doodle. Thus ended one of the severest 
 battles ever fought on the continent. The Mexicans, 
 in all of the battles with us have fought more desperately, 
 *rom the fact that our forces were so very few, compared 
 with theirs. They were ashamed to be beaten by such 
 an inferior force. ' We have believed from the first that an 
 army of fifty thousand men could have marched to the 
 capital of Mexico without shedding a drop of blood. 
 How awful the idea of ushering such multitudes of im. 
 mortal souls into the presence of their Maker, in such a 
 manner ! General Ampudia had about ten thousand men 
 in action, seven thousand of whom were regulars. Our 
 force consisted of four hundred and twenty-five officers 
 and six thousand two hundred and twenty men. VYe 
 lost twelve officers and one hundred and eight men killed \ 
 twenty-six officers, and three hundred and seven privates 
 were wounded. The loss of the enemy was thought to 
 have exceeded ours. Our men captured forty-two pieces 
 of artillery and one eighteen-pounder. The munitions of 
 war captured from the enemy were immense. The fol 
 lowing is a list of the officers killed. 
 
 Captain Williams Topographical Engineers ; 1st Infan 
 try, Lieutenant J. C. Terrett, Lieutenant R. Dilworth ; 3d 
 Infantry, Captains L. N. Morris, G. P. Field, and Brevet 
 MajoV P. N. Barbour, Lieutenants D. S. Irwin and R. 
 Hazlitt; 4th Infantry, Lieutenant C. Hoskins, Brevet 
 Lieutenant J. S. Wood, 2d infantry (serving with the 4th) ; 
 8th Infantry, Captain H. M'Kavett ; Baltimore Battalion, 
 Colonel Watson ; 1st Ohio, Lieutenant Hett ; 1st Tennes 
 see, Captain Allen, Lieutenant Putnam ; Captain Gillespie, 
 Texan Rangers. Wounded : Major-general Butler, Major 
 Mansfield ; 1st Infantry, Major J. S. Abercrombie, Captain 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 45 
 
 J. H. Lamotte; 3d Infantry. Major W. W. Lear, Captain 
 H. Bainbridge ; 4th Infantry, Lieut. R. H. Graham ; 5th 
 Infantry N. B. Rossell ; 7th Infantry, Capt. R. C. Gatlin, 
 Lieutenant J. Potter ; 8th Infantry, Lieutenant G. Wain- 
 wright ; 1st Ohio, Colonel Mitchell, Captain George, Lieu 
 tenants Armstrong, Niles, Morter, McCarty ; 1st Tennessee. 
 Major Alexander, Lieutenants Allen, Scudder, and Nixon ; 
 1st Mississippi, Lieutenant Colonel M'Clung, Captain 
 Downing, Lieutenants Cook and Arthur. 
 
 It is astonishing that the city could be taken at all by 
 so few. The citadel is a regular bastion work with revet 
 ments of solid masonry, with thirty-four embrasures. 
 Inside are the remnants of an unfinished cathedral, which is 
 itself a work of defence. Two magazines were discovered, 
 with ammunition enough to have fired at us for a month. In 
 ruearly every street were works of defence. Barricades over 
 lapped each other, and ditches were dug in front, and every 
 house seemed to be a fortification. On the eastern part of 
 the city there were barricades defending each other, and it is 
 surprising that Worth's division who operated there, were 
 not all cut to pieces. The Bishop's Palace has two or 'three 
 heavy guns mounted, in Barbette, pointing towards the 
 city. There were many fortifications around the- city, 
 Making it a perfect Gibraltar. 
 
 Sept. 26th, the enemy were seen in great numbers 
 mounted on every thing that looked like a horse, from the 
 mustang to the donkey, preparing to follow the army. 
 Ampudia left on the 25th with two divisions. The troops 
 of the enemy had left the city before the close of the first 
 week in October. General Worth and his division occu 
 pied the city, and Capt. Miles was his executive officer. The 
 Governor of the city was allowed to go on as usual, except 
 ing that he was required to furnish supplies for our army, for 
 
4/- BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 which we were f to pay cash. Several deserters were ob 
 served in the ranks of the enemy, among which was Riley, 
 who was appointed a captain in the artillery of the enemy. 
 Immediately after the battle, the Texas troops were dis 
 charged. 
 
 When Ampudia reached Saltillo, he issued a proclama 
 tion, declaring that he had repulsed us with a loss of fifteen 
 hundred men, on the 21st, that, being scarce of amunition 
 and provisions, a conference was held on the 24th and terms 
 were agreed to, which saved their honor and they marched 
 out with their arms. That Santa Anna was coming and 
 then they would see who would be the conquerors. 
 
 On the 16th of August, General Santa Anna arrived at 
 Vera Cruz, and was allowed to land, as our governmen 
 thought that he would use his best exertions to bring 
 about a peace ; but the duplicity of the Mexican character 
 must be learned by sad experience. His proclamation, on 
 the day of his arrival, told his warlike intentions. He was 
 immediately invested with the command of the army, 
 while General Salas acted as President of the republic. He 
 went to San Luis Potosi to raise an army. 
 
 Oct. 12th, Lieutenant R. H. Graham, 4th Infantry, died 
 of his wcunds received Sept. 21st. 
 
 It was said that a woman named Dos Amades, com 
 manded a company of Mexican lancers, who fought des 
 perately and killed many of our men. 
 
 Oct. 25th, Capt. Ridgely's horse fell with him in Monte 
 rey and so injured him that he died on the 27th, and was 
 buried with military honors the next day. He was a fine 
 officer and a graduate of West Point. 
 
 The troops on the Rio Grande were under General Pat 
 terson, whose head quarters were at Camargo. The fol- 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 4? 
 
 lowing were the different regiments, and the mode of their 
 distribution : 
 
 At Camargo. 2d Brigade, General Pillow commanding, 
 composed of 2d Tennessee, Colonel Haskell ; Alabama, 
 Colonel Coffee ; Ohio and Kentucky Brigade, General Mar 
 shall commanding, composed of the2d Kentucky, Colonel 
 McKee, 2d Ohio, Col. Morgan ; Illinois, Brigade, General 
 Shields commanding, composed of 3d Illinois, Colonel 
 Forman, 4th Illinois, Colonel Baker, 2d Infantry, Colonel 
 Riley. 
 
 At Reynosa, Company H. 2d Artillery and two compa 
 nies of the 1st Indiana, Captain Swartwout commanding. 
 
 Matamoras, 3d Ohio, Colonel Curtis, Captains Loads, 
 Vanness, and Norman r s companies of Artillery. Colonel 
 Clarke commanding. 
 
 Camp Belknap, Indiana Brigade, General Lane com 
 manding ; 2d Indiana, Colonel Bowles, 3d Indiana, Colonel 
 Lane. 
 
 Mouth of the Rio Grande, 1st Indiana, Colonel Drake. 
 
 "Srasos Island, Captain Porter's company of Artillery. 
 
 Point Isabel, one company of Artillery, -Major Gardner 
 commanding 
 
 Nov. 2d, 1846, orders were received from Washington, 
 directing General Taylor to announce to the Mexican 
 authorities that the armstice was broken up and that we 
 were to commence hostilities with greater energy than ever 
 Major Graham, with a small escort was dispatched to givw 
 the information to the Mexican forces. General Patterson 
 was ordered to Tampico with a part of our forces at Mon 
 terey. General Worth was ordered with his division except 
 ing the 7th Infantry, a company of artillery and McKalPs 
 
^g BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 Battery and Colonel Smith, to march to Saltillo on the 
 12th (Nov.) 
 
 Santa Anna took away the commissions and placed m 
 tonfmement all the principal officers of Ampudia's army, 
 exce t I g Mejia and Racina. Parades had gone to Ha 
 vana. On the 8th news arrived in camp that Gen. Wool 
 had arrived atMonclova and would not advance upon Chi 
 huahua until further orders. 
 
 On the lOtli Major Graham returned, not having gone 
 rarther than Saltillo. He learned that Santa Anna was at 
 San Luis Potosi, with sixteen thousand men, and expected 
 iix thousand more; but he was nearly destitute of funds 
 ,tind the army had a scarcity of provisions and clothing. 
 
 On the!2th Mr. McLane arrived from Washington order 
 ing our army to take all the towns between Monterey and 
 Tamp i co. 
 
 On the 13th, Generals Taylor and Worth moved towards 
 Satillo, and took possession of the city on the 16th. It is 
 seventy-five miles from Monterey. Capt. Harden with his 
 Dragoons, was left in the city. 
 
 On the 24th Capt. Taylor arrived from Camargo, with 
 two eighteen-pounders and two eight inch howitzers. Gen. 
 Shields and Col. Harny, arrived from General Wool's com 
 mand on the 24th. The former is to go to Tampico and 
 take the command. Brevet Major Buchanan, 4th Infantry, 
 was appointed to command the Baltimore Batallion of Vol 
 unteers. Col. Benton sailed for Tampico, from Brasos, with 
 six companies of artillery, about the same time. Santa 
 Anna destroyed the water tanks between Monterey and 
 Tampico. Seven Texans had been taken prisoners at Chi 
 na, before onr army reached Monterey. General Taylor 
 demanded their release. ' Santa Anna complied. They re 
 ported that Santa Anna had about 27,000 men at San 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 49 
 
 Luis Potosi. The Mexicans caused some of our men, most 
 ly English and Germans, to desert, by giving them $60 each, 
 citizens clothes, a horse, guide to the army, and 50 cents to 
 drink the health of Santa Anna. Dec. 5th General Wool 
 was ordered to Parras, east of Satillo. On the 2nd of Dec. 
 Brigadier General Thomas L. Hamer, of Ohio, died of dys 
 entery, and was hurried on the 4th with military honors. 
 He was very much esteemed. 
 
 NAVAL BATTLES. 
 
 During this time, the navy was engaged in blockading 
 Mexican ports. The brig Truxton, commanded by Com 
 mander Carpenter, was runagrcimd on the 15th of August, 
 on the bar off Tuspan, and deserted. Lieut. Hunter, with a 
 boat's crew, reached a vessel of the squadron, and the other 
 officers and men surrendered to the enemy. They were 
 afterwards exchanged for General La Vega and other Mex 
 ican officers. It was impossible to save the vessel and she 
 was burned. An attempt had been made to capture Alva- 
 rado, and failed as the vessels could not cross the bar. Oct. 
 15th, another attempt was made by the steamers Vixen and 
 Mc'Lane, three gun-boats, Schooners Nonata and Forward, 
 and steamer Mississippi, Commander, Perry. The whole 
 commanded b' 7 Commodore Connor. There was a battery 
 
 4 
 
gQ BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 at the mouth of the river, mounting seven guns. The first 
 division'consisting of the Reefer and Bonita, towed by the 
 Vixen, crossed the bar and engaged with the battery. The 
 second division consisted of the Nonata Forward and Petrel, 
 towed by the Mc'Lane. The steamer run agronnd, and the 
 others could not be towed over. Commodore Connor thought 
 it would be useless to go forward with one division and re 
 tired. Oct. 16th. Commodore Perry sailed to attack. Tobas- 
 co with the Vixen, Capt. Sands, schooners Bonita, Ber 
 ham, Reefer, Sterret, Nonata, and Hazard, schooner For 
 ward, Capt. Nones, and steamer Mc'Lane, Capt. How 
 ard. Capt. Forest had a command of about 200 marines 
 and sailors. He crossed the bar Oct. 23rd, and took, withuot 
 resistance, Frontera, capturing two steamers, and all the 
 vessels in port. Tobasco is seventy-four miles up the river 
 from Frontera. Our forces reached Fort Aceachappa, com 
 manding a difficult pass* in the river, Oct. 25th, and spiked 
 the cannon, the enemy having left the fort. The vessels 
 were all before Tobasco on the same day, about noon The 
 town was summoned to surrender, but it refused. The 
 boats soon captured five merchant vessels. The vessels 
 fired upon the town, and Capt. Forest, with his command 
 was ordered to advance into the city. There was a sbarp 
 engagement, and the command were ordered back at night. 
 At the desire of the foreign merchants the town was spared. 
 On the 26th they left with their prizes. One, under Lieut. 
 Parker, grounded and was fired upon, but Parker defended 
 it and got the vessel off, with one man killed and two 
 wounded. Lieutenant Morris was wounded in carrying a 
 message to Lieut. Parker, and died November 1st. 
 
 This expedition captured two steamers and seven vessels, 
 Nov. 12th, Commodore Connor sailed for Tampico, with 
 a considerable part of the squadron, and on the 14th the city 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 51 
 
 surrendered unconditionally, without opposition. Nov. 20th 
 Lieutenant Parker with Midshipman Rodgers, and Hynson 
 at night with a small boat, and crew of six men, rowed in 
 under the guns of San Juan d'Ullao, and burned the baric 
 Creole, anchored there. This was very daring and brave. 
 Midshipman Rodgers, Doct. J. W. Wright, and J. G. Fox, 
 went ashore to reconnoitre one of the enemies magazines, in 
 order to destroy it. After they had gone a little distance 
 from the boat they were surrounded by seven Mexicans. 
 Dr. Wright escaped, but the other two were taken prisoners. 
 
 The last of August 1846, by order of the President, Brig 
 adier General J. E. Wool concentrated an army (called the 
 " Central Division Army of Mexico") in Texas, for the pur 
 pose of moving against Chihuahua, the capital of the state 
 of the same name. The command was composed of the 
 1st Illinois, Colonel Hardin, 2nd Illinois, Col. Bissell ; six 
 companies of Arkansas mounnted men, Col. Yell, a compa 
 ny of Kentucky volnnteers under Capt. Williams ; two com 
 panies of 1st dragoons, Capt. Steen ; two companies 2d 
 dragoons, Major Beall ; three companies of 6th Infantry, 
 Major Bonneville, and Capt. Washington's company of horse 
 artillery, in all 2,829. The first column moved from Saa 
 Antonio Sept. 26th, commanded by Colonel Harney, and the 
 second column marched Oct. 14th, under Col. Churchill. 
 
 Oct. 29th, the command arrived at Monclora, and took 
 possession without resistance. Here General Wool decided 
 to go no farther towards Chihuahua. 
 The command from Monterey moved on to wards San Luis 
 Potosi. It was reported 'that. Santa Anna was advancing 
 upon Saltillo and a part of our forces returnee!^ Dec. 18th. to 
 Monterey and found that the alarm was false. 
 
 At this time Salas was president of the Mexican Congress 
 
52 BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 and had, in his message, recommended a vigorous prose 
 cution of the war. , 
 
 Dec. 31st, the rear guard of Colonel May, in passing 
 from Labadores to Linares, was attacked by the enemy and 
 out off together with the baggage train. 
 
 General Q,uitman took possession of Victoria on the 30th ? 
 without resistance. 
 
 Just beyond San Pedro, on the way to San Luis Potosi, 
 when our men were passing through a defile with high moun 
 tains each side, a mine was sprung and showers of stones 
 thrown down among us while we were fired upon from the 
 other side. The arrieros deserted their mules and the rear 
 guard, consisting of eleven men, fled. Colonel May dis 
 mounted twenty men and went through the pass. Only 
 an occasional shot was fired at them. Eleven men, twelve 
 horses and all the baggage were lost. At Tula, one hun 
 dred and fifty miles from Victoria, towards San Luis Potosi, 
 Generals Valencia and Urea, had concentrated, as was re 
 ported, Jan. 6th, a large force. 
 
 The order was issued January 12th, 1847, to proceed to 
 Tampico. We set out on the 13th. As General Taylor 
 was about starting, he received orders from General Scott to 
 send his whole command, excepting two batteries ot 
 light artillery, and squadron of dragoons, to Tampico, 
 where Scott would meet them about the first of February. 
 General Taylor was ordered to return to Monterey and re 
 main on the defensive. He left immediately, taking, in ad 
 dition to the above named forces, the 1st Mississippi regiment. 
 Thus Taylor was deprived of almost all of his regulars, 
 which blasted all of his hopes iri reference to advancing upon 
 San Luis Potofi. 
 
 Upon parting with his old veteran soldiers, General Taylor 
 said : 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 53 
 
 "It is with deep sensibility that the commanding general 
 finds himself separated from the troops he so long command 
 ed. To those corps, regular and volunteer, who have shared 
 with him the active services of the field, he feels the attach 
 ment due such associations ; while to those making their 
 first campaign, he must express his regret that he can not 
 participate with them in its eventful scenes. To all, both 
 officers and men, he extends his heartfelt wishes for their 
 continued success and happiness, confident that their achieve 
 ments on another theatre will redound to the credit of thair 
 country and its arms." 
 
 General Scott reached the Brasos, Dec. 28th, 1846 and 
 took the command of the army. Gen. Worth was ordered 
 to move, with all the regulars, excepting Washington's, 
 Webster's, Sherman's and Bragg's batteries, to Point Isabel. 
 
 The force that set out for Tampico, Jan. 13, arrived on 
 the 23rd. General Taylor and his command, arrived at 
 Monterey on his return from Victoria, the last of Jan. 1847. 
 General Wool had established a camp at therancho. Tay 
 lor kept possession of Saltillo and the strong passes in ad 
 vance of it, and stationed his forces, at these points. 
 
 Jan. 22, a scouting party, under Major Borland "and 
 Gaines, the former of the Arkansas , and the latter of the 
 Kentucky cavalry, were surrounded by General Minon 
 with three thousand men, and captured, sixty miles from 
 Saltillo. Our men numbered sixty-four privates and six 
 officers and they were immediately marched off to Mexico. 
 This capture exhibited great carelessness in the officers. 
 Capt Henrie, a Texan Volunteer, escaped and reached Sal 
 tillo in safety. 
 
 Jan. 27th Capt Heady with seventeen Kentucky volun 
 teers was captured by the enemy, while on a scouting 
 party, without any resistance. 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 54 
 
 BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA. 
 
 On the 5th of February, General Taylor, having heard 
 reports of the advancement of Santa Anna with a la^ge 
 force, moved his head quarters eighteen miles south of Sal- 
 tillo, to Agua Nueva. By the 8th all of his army except 
 ing Major Warren's command, which was left at Saltillo, 
 concentrated at that point. The forces consisted of two 
 companies of the 1st Dragoons, under Captain Steen ; two 
 companies 2d Dragoons, under Brevet Lieutenant-colonel 
 May ; Bragg's and Sherman's batteries, 3d Artillery ; 
 Washington's battery, 4th Artillery ; one regiment Arkan 
 sas cavalry, under Colonel Yell ; one regiment of Ken 
 tucky cavalry, under Colonel Marshall ; 2d Kentucky fool 
 under Colonel M'Kee ; 1st Regiment Mississippi Rifles, un 
 der Colonel Davis ; 3d Indiana, under Colonel Lane ; 1st 
 Illinois, under Colonel Hardin ; 2d Illinois, under Colonel 
 Bissell ; and two companies of Texas volunteers, one corn- 
 commanded by Captain Conner, the other a spy company, 
 commanded by the celebrated Captain (now Major) M'Cul- 
 lough, in all amounting to three hundred and thirty-foui 
 officers, and four thousand four hundred and twenty-five 
 men. 
 
 It was evident that there must be a terrible conflict and 
 General Taylor selected a pass two miles in advance of 
 Buena Vista, as his position. There was a valley about 
 three miles broad, with irregular surface, containing occa 
 sionally hills and ravines, and was surrounded by high 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. . 55 
 
 T'Ui road passed by the side of a deep arroyo, 
 which was &f>mable. On the right side of the road } 
 there were gveat Bullies which it was impossible to cross, 
 extending to tlu raountams. On the left of the road 
 were steep ascents to the tops of the spurs of the mountain 
 and there was formed a plain, suitable for a battle field. 
 The choice of this place showed much s-kill and good 
 judgment in the General. By the 21st of Feb. our forces 
 were stationed at this position. Col. Yell was left, with some 
 cavalry to cover the removal cf the stores and were driven in 
 by the enemy. Our men secured most of the stores and 
 burned the remainder. General Taylor went to Saltillo 
 immediately, to make arrangemerts for its defence, leaving 
 Gen. Wool to command the army. Our forces prepared 
 for the advance of the enemy. C*:pt. Washington's bat 
 tery was so placed as to command die road. The 1st 
 and 2d Illinois regiments containing sixteen hundred 
 strong^ and the 2nd Kentucky regiment, occupied crests of 
 ridges in the rear and to the left. Near the base of the 
 mountain at the extreme left, stood the Arkansas and Ken- 
 . tucky cavalry The Indiana Brigade under General Lane, 
 the Mississippi Riflemen, the two squadrons of dragoons, 
 and Sherman's and Bragg's batteries were held in reserve. 
 On the morning of the 22nd the enemy approached, and 
 General Taylor returned immediately to camp. Tremen 
 dous clouds of dust announced the advance of the enemy, 
 . who arrived in position, with immense masses, between 10 
 and 11 A. M. All was silence, waiting for the attack, when 
 a white flag was brought into our camp, by Surgeon-gene 
 ral Lindenberger, with the following message from Santa 
 Anna : 
 
 " You are surrounded by twenty thousand men, and can 
 not in any human probability avoid suffering a route, and 
 
M ; BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 being cut to pieces with your troops ; but. as you deserve 
 consideration and particular esteem, I wish to save you 
 from a catastrophe, and for that purpose give you this notice 
 in order that you may surrender at discretion, under the 
 assurance that you will be treated with the consideration 
 belonging to the Mexican character, to which end you will 
 be granted an hour's time to make up your mind, to com* 
 mence from the moment when my flag of truce arrives in 
 your camp. 
 
 " With this view, I assure you of my particular conside 
 ration. 
 
 " God and Liberty. Carnp at Encantada, February 22d, 
 1847. . 
 
 " ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA. 
 "To Gen. Z. Taylor, comm'g the forces of the United States. 1 ' 
 
 Old Rough and Ready answered thus : 
 
 " Headquarters, Arrny of Occupation, J 
 Near Buena Vista, Feb. 22, 1847. j 
 
 $i r ^ In reply to your note of this date, summoning 
 me to surrender my force at discretion, I beg leave to say 
 that I decline acceding to your request. With high respect, 
 I am , sir, 
 
 " Your obedient servant, Z. TAYLOR, 
 
 "Maj. Gen. U. S. Army, commanding. 
 ' Senor Gen. D.Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, ) 
 Commander; in-chief, La Encantada." j 
 
 Several hours passed before any attack was made. The 
 columns of the enmy's rear could be seen moving up. 
 There was a slight demonstration of our right and a section of 
 Bragg,s battery, supported by the 2d Kentucky foot, were 
 detached to that point. They bivoucked for the night. 
 Ne-ar evening, the light troops of the enemy commenced 
 upon our left, consisting of detachments of Arkansas ami 
 Kentucky cavalry dismounted, and a battalion of Indiana 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO, 57 
 
 
 
 Riflemen, under Major Gorman and all -commanded by 
 Colonel Marshall. Some shells >vere thrown into this 
 part of our line, by the enemy without effect, This skir 
 mishing was continued until after dark, with slight loss 
 on our side. Three pieces of Washington's battery tinder 
 Capt. O'Brien, took position to the left. Here the troops 
 rested during the night on their arms. 
 
 Genral Taylor proceeded to Saltillo with the Mississippi 
 regiment and squadron of 2nd dragoons, and while there 
 about fifteen hundred Mexicans under General Minon had 
 advanced into the valley, by a pass through the mountains, 
 and were seen in the rear of the city. They were d-esigned 
 to harass us and cut off our retreat. There were in the 
 city, four companies of Illinois volunteers under Major War 
 ren of the first regiment. There was a field-work command 
 ing the approaches and was garrisoned by Capt. Webster's 
 company with two twenty-four pound howitzers. Two 
 companies of Mississippi riflemen, under Capt. Rodgers 
 with one field-piece under Capt. Shower, defended the train/ 
 
 Jan. 22nd, during the night, the enemy stationed a large 
 force of light troops upon the side of the mountain, to out 
 flank our left. 
 
 On the morning of the 23rd, the action was renewed at 
 this point. Col. Marshall with his riflemen, re-enforced by 
 three companies of Illinois volunteers, under Major Trail ? 
 stood firm and did considerable execution with their sure 
 rifles. At S o'clock a large column of the enemy moved up 
 the road and threatened our centre, but Washington's ener 
 getic battery kept them back. The enemy could do noth- 
 ng on account of the nature of the ground, where they 
 stood ; but- our left being on an extensive plain, Santa 
 Anna thought that lie could outflank us. Large bodies 
 of the enemy passed up the ravines under cover of 
 the ridges, and concentrated near our left. The 2d Indiana 
 
r o BATTLES OF MKAICO. 
 
 and 2 Illinois regiments formed the. extreme left of out line 
 and the former supported O'Brien's three pieces of artillery 
 The commander on the left was Brigadier-general Lane, 
 O'Brien was ordered to advance towards the enemy with his 
 guns. The fight was- now very severe upon the enemy; 
 but they poured upon our men volleys of grape and can- 
 nister. The action was so warm that the Indiana regi 
 ment broke, not being able to stand against such a fire, 
 and left the artillery unprotected. Thus Capt. O'Brien was 
 obliged to retire leaving one of his pieces, at which ev 
 ery man and horse was either killed or wounded. The 
 cowardly Indiana regiment could not be rallied, though 
 Major Dix, Paymaster U. S. Army, induced a few to return 
 arid join, together with their Colonel Bowles, the Missis 
 sippi regiment. They were very useful during the remain 
 der of the day. Our left giving way, encouraged the enemy* 
 and large masses of them pressed forward and forced our 
 light troops on the side of the mountain, to retire, and ma 
 ny of them could not be rallied until they reached the de 
 pot at Buena Vista. The 2nd Illinois regiment, to which 
 a section of Sherman's battery was attached, were driven 
 before the enemy. 
 
 The Mexican Infantry and cavalry poured in so rapidly 
 that our rear was in danger. Thus far evidently, every 
 move went against us. But General Taylor now arrived 
 and took a commanding position on the elevated plateau. 
 His presence was enough to animate our troops. The 
 Missssippi regiment, under Davis, was ordered to the 
 left, and came in contact, immediately with large portions? 
 of the enemy, who had turned our flank. 
 
 The struggle was severe, but in favor of our jbroops. The 
 2nd Kentucky, under Col. M'Kee, with a section of artil- 
 ery under Bragg, had been ordered to support our left. 
 These with a part of the 1st Illinois under Col. Hardin 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 59 
 
 were now fiercely engaged with the enemy, and recovere d 
 to some extent, tl.e lost ground. 
 
 The batteries of Bragg and Sherman were very effective 
 in the columns of the enemy, and especially those who 
 were in our rear. The Mississippi regiment exhibited grea 
 bravery, sustaining the attacks of the enemy without flinch 
 ing. The 3rd Indiana, under Colonel Lane, and a piece of 
 artillery under Colonel Kilburn, finally moved to their aid. 
 The Mexican infantry and cavalry repeatedly advanced 
 with the most determined impetuosity, intending to force our 
 line, but they were received so firmly and warmly that they 
 were glad to fall back. Our artillery made awful havoc. 
 Brevet Lieutenant Colonel May commanded the regu 
 lar cavalry, and Captain Pike's of the Arkansas cav 
 alry. May, with the Kentucky and Arkansas cavalry, un 
 der Colonels Marshall and Yell, were directed to keep in 
 check the masses that had gained our rear. The enemy 
 still were determined at all hazards, to break our left. Oui 
 forces were pouring upon the enemy a terrific fire from dif 
 ferent sections and pieces, under O'Brien, Bragg, Sherman 
 Thomas. Kilburn, Reynolds, French and Bryan, forming 
 a long line. The thick columns of the enemy were made 
 to stagger, fearful inroads were made in their ranks, and 
 they were finally, after many desperate struggles, obliged 
 to give way. Their success was short, and their shouts of tri 
 umph were soon at an end. Just as they began to give way 
 a little. Lieutenant Rucker, with hi squadron of 1st dragoons, 
 was ordered to dash in among them, which was done with 
 great effect. . 
 
 It was feared that the portion of the enemy in our rear 
 might attack the train at Buena Vista, and Col. May, with 
 his command, and two pieces of artillery under Lieutenant 
 Reynolds, was ordered to that place. But, before they arri 
 ved, the Arkansas and Kentucky cavalry had met the ene- 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 my and repulsed them. They broke in two columns, one 
 escaped by the ranch, and received a destructive fire from 
 the fugitive forces of a part of Major Trail's and Gorman's 
 command, whom Major Munroe had reorganized. The 
 other column of the enemy gained the mountain, but re 
 ceived a terrible fire from the pieces under, Lieutenant 
 Reynolds. 
 
 Colonel Yell was killed, in the charge, at Buena Vista, at 
 the head of his regiment. Adjutant Vaughn, also, of the 
 Kentucky cavalry fell in that engagement. 
 
 A part of the Arkansas and Indiana troops, and Col. May, 
 with his command, kept in check the enemy's right. They 
 were crowded in vast numbers in ravines, and our guns made 
 horrid work with them. Those who had gained our rear 
 were now in the greatest danger. Santa Anna perceived it 
 and in his deceptive and cowardly manner, sent a white flag 
 into our camp, and asked General Taylor " what he wanted." 
 Taylor immediately ordered the firing to cease, and sent 
 General Wool, with a white flag, to answer the message. 
 No consultation could be had, as the Mexicans kept on firing. 
 Santa Anna had gained time for his forces to reach their 
 lines and he cared no more for the truce. This was barba 
 rous enough in the Mexican General. While the enemy 
 were retreating, they were severely handled by our artillery. 
 The cavalry under General Minon. were in the road be 
 tween the battle ground and Saltillo, and it was feared that 
 they would fall upon the city. Capt- Webster fired upon 
 them from the redoubt, and they moved towards Buena 
 Vista. Capt. Shover, with some volunteers and a piece of 
 artillery, accompanied by a piece of Webster's battery, un 
 der Lieut. Donaldson, aided by Capt. Wheeler, with his Il 
 linois volunteers, drove the enemy into the ravines, leading 
 to the lower valley. The enemy endeavored to charge 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 61 
 
 once or twice, out were driven back every time in confusion. 
 Firing had now nearly ceased; but one struggle more was 
 to come. Santa Anna, being reinforced by cavalry, under 
 cover of artillery, ^(iarged our line in a most desperate 
 manner, by horse and foot. Great masses came rushing on, 
 and poured among us a deadly fire. The 2nd Kentucky, 
 1st Illinois, and O'Brien, with two pieces, received the se 
 verest part of the attack. The infantry supporting O'Brien's 
 piece was routed and their piece left in the hands of the 
 enemy. 
 
 Our batteries, however, finally turned the tide. Their fire 
 was so firm, precise and awful, that the enemy could not re- 
 sist, and fell back in disorder. Harden and McKee, charg 
 ed the enemy with great bravery and impetuosity. They 
 fled, but seeing the few pursuing, turned suddenly and came 
 up in vast numbers. There was dreadful carnage on both 
 sides. We had but a mere handful compared with the en 
 emy, and our men were again routed, and it seemed that we, 
 must be beaten. Brent and Whiting of Washington's bat 
 tery covered their retreat. 
 
 General Taylor looked on calmly and unmoved, while 
 the balls were flying all around him. 
 
 Bragg's battery had now reached the place of attack. 
 Bragg told his Captain to unlimber the piece and wait till 
 the enemy had arrived nearly to the muzzle, They rushed 
 on certain that they should conquer us ; but the battery 
 opened and poured into their masses a plenty of grape. They 
 staggered aUhe first fire, and the second opened streets through 
 them and the third volley entirely dispersed them and they 
 fled in dismay. Our loss was heavy in this last struggle. 
 
 In this desperate conflict, Colonels Hardin and McKee j 
 and Lieutenant-Colonel Clay, fell at the head of their regi 
 ments. Our artillery turned the tide of battle three times 
 
62 
 
 BATTLKS OF MEXICO, 
 
 during the day. It was now ten hours that the huttle had 
 been raging. The enemy did not make another attempt to 
 force our lines, and our troops, weary, dropped upon the 
 battle ground to seek rest to prepare the^i for the morrow- 
 among the dead and dying, without any fires to warm their 
 benumbed limbs. The wounded were removed to Saltillo and 
 imr men prepared for an attack in the morning ; but the 
 enemy retired very early to Agua Nueva, leaving many 
 of their dead and dying. Brigadier-general Marshall made a 
 foiced march for Rinconada to reinforce our troops there ; 
 but he was too late to participate in the action. 
 
 In the battle of Buena Vista, we had two hundred and 
 sixty-seven killed, four hundred and fifty-six wounded, and 
 twenty-three missing. The enemy must have lost two 
 thousand. There were five hundred of their dead left upon 
 ihe field. We had twenty-eight officers killed and forty- one 
 Abounded. 
 
 What an awful responsibility rests upon somebody for 
 ishering so many innocent persons into the presence of their 
 Judge ! 
 
 The names of the officers killed and wounded are the 
 following : 
 
 General Staff: killed, Captain George Lincoln, Assis 
 tant Adjutant General ; wounded, H. W. Benliam, 1st 
 Lieutenant Engineers ; F. S. Bryan, brevet 2d Lieuten 
 ant Topographical engineers. 1st Regiment of dragoons : 
 wounded, Captain E. Steen. 2d regiment of dragoons : 
 wounded, Brevet Lieutenant- colonel C. A. May. 3d Regi 
 ment Artillery : wounded, Lieutenant S. G. French. 4th 
 Artillery : wounded, 1st Lieutenant J. P. O'Brien. Missis 
 sippi Rifles : killed, 1st Lieutenant R. L. Moore, 2d Lieut, 
 F. M'Nulty ; wounded, Colonel Davis, Captains Sharp 
 and Stockaw, 1st Lieutenants Conviii and Posey. 1st 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. ^ 3 
 
 Regiment Illinois : killed, Colonel Hardin, Captain Za'uris- 
 \e, and 1st Lieutenant Houghton. 2d Regiment Illinois ; 
 killed, Captain Woodward, Lieutenants Rountree, Fletcher 
 Ferguson, Robbins x Steel, Kelly, Bartleson. Atherton, and 
 Price; wounded, Captains Coffee and Baker, Lieutenants 
 Picket, Engleman, West, and Whiteside. Texas volunteers , 
 killed, 1st Lieutetenant Campbell. 2d Lieutenant Leonhard ; 
 wounded Captain Connor. Indiana volunteers : Brigade 
 Staff; Brigadier-aeneral Lane. 2d Indiana : killed, Cap 
 tains Kinder and Walker, and Lieutenant Parr; wounded, 
 Captains Sanderson and Osborn, Lieutenants Cayce, Davis, 
 Pennington, Lewis, Moore, and Epperson. 3d Indiana 
 killed, Captain Taggart ; wounded, Major Gorman, Cap 
 tains Sleep and Connover. 2d Kentucky foot; killed, 
 Colonel M'Kee, Lieutenant-Colonel Clay, and Captain 
 Willis ; wounded, Lieutenants Barber and Napier. Arkan 
 sas Cavalry : killed, Colonel Yell, Captain Porter : wounded, 
 Lieutenant Reader. 
 
 A large portion af officers fell showing their unconquera 
 ble bravery. It was a battle of* artillery. General Taylor 
 said, 
 
 " The services of the light artillery, always conspicuous, 
 were more/than usually distinguished. Moving rapidly over 
 the roughest ground, it was always in action at the right 
 place and at the right time, and its well-directed fire dealt 
 destruction in the masses of the enemy." 
 
 The General was necessarily much exposed. Two balls 
 passed through his clothes. Our forces consisted of five 
 thousand, and hut four hundred and fifty-three of them were 
 regulars. We were not able to follow up our success for 
 the want of more men. 
 
fA . BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 Oa the 26th General Taylor issued the following order : 
 
 "Headquarters, Array of Occupation, | 
 Buena Vista, Feb. 26, 1847. j 
 
 Order No. 12. 
 
 I. The commanding general has the grateful task of 
 congratulating the troops upon the brilliant success which 
 attended their arms in the conflict of the 22nd and 23rd. 
 Confident in the immense superiority of numbers, and stim 
 ulated by the presence of a distinguished leader, the Mexi 
 can troops were yet repulsed in every effort to force on* 
 Jines, and finally withdrew with immense loss from the field. 
 
 II. The general would express his obligations to the men 
 and officers engaged for the cordial support which they ren 
 dered throughout the action. It will be his highest pride 
 ;o bring to the notice of the government the conspicuos 
 gallantry of particular officers and corps, whose unwaver 
 ing steadiness more than once saved the fortunes of the day. 
 He would also express his high satisfaction with the small 
 command left at Saltillo. Though not so seriously engaged 
 as their comrades, their services were very important, and 
 efficiently rendered. While bestowing this just tribute to 
 the good conduct of the troops, the general deeply regrets to 
 say that there were not a few exceptions. He trusts that 
 those who fled ingloriously to Buena Vista, and even to Sal 
 tillo, will seek an opportunity to retrieve their reputation* 
 and to emulate the bravery of their comrades who bore the 
 brunt of the battle, and sustained, against fearful odds, the 
 honor of the flag. 
 
 III. The exhultation of success is checked by the heavy 
 sacrifice of life which it has cost, embracing many officers 
 of high rank and rare merit. While the sympathy of a 
 grateful country will be given to the bereaved families and 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 65 
 
 friends of those who nobly fell, their illustrious example 
 will remain for the benefit and admiration of the army. 
 
 By order, Major-general TAYLOR. 
 
 Signed, W. W .S. BLISS. 
 
 Assistant Adjutant-general. 
 
 This order wiii be read at the head of every company. 
 
 By order : 
 Signed, W. W. S. BLISS. 
 
 e 
 
 It was found that the enemy were retiring towards San 
 Luis Potosi. 
 
 Our forces returned to Agua Nueva on the 27th. The 
 road was strewed with dead and wounded Mexicans, and 
 their army seemed to be in a perfect state of disorganization^ 
 
 Had it not been for the astonishing bravery of our men, 
 in this battle, (5000 against 21,000,) we must have been 
 overwhelmed. 
 
 General Urea, with about 8000 cavalry, had cut off all 
 communication between Camargo and Monterey, previous 
 to the battle of Buena Vista. A train of waggons, escorted 
 by thirty men, was attacked and captured Feb. 24tn, at 
 Ramos. The wagons were burned and the teamsters dread 
 fully mutilated and their bodies cast into the flames. 
 
 March 7th, Major Giddings, in charge of a train of one 
 hundred and fifty waggons, was attacked near Ceralvo. 
 After a severe struggle, the enemy \vas repulsed, but we lost 
 fifteen teamsters, two privates of Ohio volunteers, and fifty 
 wagons. 
 
 General Taylor returned to Monterey early in March 
 and pursued Urea, for a while and drove Him over the 
 mountaints. In April six thousand volunteers were 
 called out by government to re-enforce the army. General 
 
 5 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 Taylor was to receive enough of them, to make, with what 
 he had, about ten thousand men. 
 
 After this, nothing of much interest occurred in northern 
 Mexico. The theatre of war was changed to another part 
 of the country. The strong forts had been taken and the 
 enemy conquered in every battle. 
 
 General Scott had been ordered to Mexico by the govern 
 ment, Nov. 23rd, 1846, in the following language : 
 
 WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, JVovem&er, 23, 1847 
 
 Sir, The President, several days ' since communicated, 
 in person to you his orders to repair to Mexico, to take com 
 mand of the forces there assembled, and particularly to or 
 ganize and set on foot an expedition to operate on the 
 cJulf coast, if, on arriving at the theatre of action, you 
 yhall deem it to be practicable. It is not proposed to con- 
 .U'ol your operations by definite and positive instructions, 
 but you are left to prosecute them as your judgment, under 
 a full view of all the circumstances, shall dictate. The 
 work is before you, and the means provided, or to be pro 
 vided, for accomplishing it, are committed to you, in the 
 full confidence that you will use them to the best advan 
 tage. 
 
 The objects which it is desirable to obtain have been in 
 dicated, and it isjioped that you will have the requisite force 
 to accomplish them. 
 
 Of this you must be the best judge f when preparations are 
 made and the time for action arrived. 
 Very respectfully, 
 
 your obedient servant, 
 
 W. L. MARCY, 
 Secretary of War 
 
 Gen WINFIELD SCOTT. 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 67 
 
 Vera Cruz is situated in 19 degrees 11 minutes 5:2 sec 
 onds north latitude. One portion of its walls is washed by 
 the Atlantic, and the shore on the opposite side is a dry 
 and sandy plain. 
 
 General Scott sailed from New York, Nov. 30th and 
 leached the Rio Grande Jan 1st 1847. 
 
 AMERICAN FLEET SAL7JTINO THE CASTLE AT VERA CfcUZ 
 
~ BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 DO 
 
 BATTLE OF VERA CRUZ. 
 
 THE new army was designated to attack the city of Vera 
 Cruz and the Castle of San Juan de Ulloa. The naval 
 squadron, Binder Commodore Conner, was to assist the 
 :and forces. The squadron landed at Anton Lizardo, 
 March 7th. The troops, sent from General ^Taylor, ar 
 rived in February, and increased his army to 12,000 men. 
 
 DESCRIPTION OF THE CITY OF VERA CRUZ AND CASTLE 
 OF SAN JUAN DE ULLOA. 
 
 "Vera Cruz is situated in 19 11' 52" north latitude. 
 One portion of its walls is washed by the Atlantic, and the 
 shore on the opposite side is a dry and sandy plain. 
 
 " The city is small, but from the regularity which marks 
 its laying out, it is beautiful. The streets are wide, straight, 
 and well paved. The houses, of which there are one thou 
 sand and sixty-three, are mostly two stories high, and built 
 of the Muscara stone, taken from the sea-beach. 
 
 u The fortifications of the city consist of nine towers 
 connected together by means of a stone and mortar wall, 
 which, however, is not very thick. The two towers named 
 Santiago and Conception are the most important. They are 
 situated at that portion of the walls looking toward the cas 
 tle of San Juan, and are distant from each other one thou 
 sand two hundred and seventy varas. The other towers, 
 including the one called San Fernando, are almost equal 
 in shape, size, and strength. All of them can mount one 
 hundred pieces of artillery of various sizes ; and save those 
 of the middle ones, their fires all cross in front of the 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. gg 
 
 guard-houses, the external walls of which form part of the 
 walls which surround the city. 
 
 " Although the port of Vera Cruz is the principal one an 
 the Gulf of Mexico, it is very dangerous during the seasons 
 of the northers that which is called the bay, being, in 
 reality, nothing more than a bad roadstead. Baron Hum- 
 boldt but too faithfully described the harbor of Vera Cruz 
 when he said, that the only shelter it affords shipping is a 
 dangerous anchorage among shoals. 
 
 " The castle of San Juan de Ulloa is unquestionably the 
 most celebrated of all American fortresses. Its construc 
 tion was commenced in the year 1582, upon a bar or 
 bank, in front of the town of Vera Cruz, at the distance 
 of one thousand and sixty-two Castilian varas or yards, 
 and it is entirely surrounded by water. The centre of the 
 area occupied by this fortress is a small island, upon which 
 Juan de Grijalva landed a year previous to the arrival of 
 Cortes upon the Continent, and, at that period, it acci 
 dentally received the name which it retains to this present 
 day. It seems that there was a shrine or temple erected 
 upon it, in which human victims were sacrificed to the 
 Indian gods ; and as the Spaniards were informed that 
 these offerings were made in accordance with the com 
 mands of the kings of Acolhua (one of the provinces of the 
 empire), they confounded or abbreviated this name into 
 the word Ulloa, which they affixed to the island. 
 
 " According to a report made on the 17th of January, 
 1775, it was the opinion of a council of war, composed of 
 distinguished officers, that this fortress, after all its defen 
 ces were completed, \vould require a garrison for effective 
 service, composed of seventeen hundred infantry soldiers, 
 three hundred artillery, two hundred and twenty-eight 
 sailors, and a hundred supernumeraries. 
 
70 BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 " The exterior polygon, which faces Vera Cruz, extends 
 three hundred yards in length, whilst that which defends 
 the north channel is, at least, two hundred yards long. 
 Besides this, there is a low battery situated in the bastion 
 of Santiago, which doubles the fire on that channel. The 
 southern channel is commanded also by the battery of San 
 Miguel. 
 
 " The whole fortress is constructed of M adrepora Jistrea^ 
 a species of soft coral, which abounds in the neighboring 
 islands. Its walls are from four to five yards in thickness, 
 their exterior being faced with a harder stone. It is well 
 
 O 
 
 supplied with water, having seven cisterns within the 
 castle, which altogether contain ninety-three thousand 
 seven hundred and sixty-seven cubic feet of water. Its 
 full equipment of artillery pieces is three hundred and 
 seventy ; but it contained only a hundred and seventy- 
 seven when attacked by the French in 1838." 
 
 A regiment of Louisiana volunteers, under Colonel 
 Russey , were wrecked in February near the island of Lobos. 
 They were met by a large force under General Cos and 
 ordered to surrender. They were without arms, but Colo 
 nel Russey delayed his answer until night, presenting at 
 the same time a bold front. He lighted up camp fires, 
 left his baggage, and, by forced marches, reached the 
 American quarters at Tampico. 
 
 The two commanding officers, immediately after landing 
 at Lizardo, reconnoitred the city in the steamer Petnta, 
 and thought best to land on the beach due west' of the. 
 island of Sacrificios. At daybreak on the 9th, about 
 2,800 troops were transferred, in each frigate, and p t Dpor- 
 tionate numbers in smaller vessels, to Sacrificios. A little 
 after 11 A. M. the squadron moved off majestically The 
 day was fine, with a gentle breeze from the south east, and 
 a smooth sea. The passage occupied between two and 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 7J 
 
 Jhree hours, and the vessels were anchcired without con 
 fusion . Gen. Scott ordered the landing to be commenced 
 immediately, ordering the steamers Spitfire and Vixen, and 
 five gun-boats, to form a line parallel with and near the 
 beach, in order to cover the landing of our men in the 
 surf-boats. As the boats, 65 in number, received the 
 troops, they assembled in a line, abreast, between the 
 fleet and the gun-boats, and pulled for the shore, all at 
 once, landing without resistance. General Worth com 
 manded this first line of the army and formed his men, 
 4,500 strong, on the beach and neighboring heights just 
 before sunset, and by 10 P. M. an army of 10,000 men 
 were on shore, without any accident occurring. All but 
 a few companies had landed. The next day the artillery, 
 horses, provisions, and other materials were landed, and 
 the remaining troops, making more than eleven thousand 
 men. General Scott landed early in the morning, and 
 preparations were immediately made to surround the city. 
 As our men advanced, some shot and shells were fired 
 from the town and castle, but without effect. At 2 o'clock, 
 March 10th, a brisk fire from the enemy commenced. 
 One of our men had his thigh broken, and two others were 
 wounded. A small detachment was sent out under Cap 
 tain Gordon to reconnoitre. He found himself, after going 
 two or three hundred yards, near a body of men and hailed 
 them. They answered in English, and soon answered 
 again by a volley of /bullets, which was returned by the 
 detachment, and the Mexicans were obliged to retire into 
 the town. At sunrise, the steamer Spitfire, Capt. Tatnall, 
 took position in front of the city and castle, and com 
 menced firing. She continued for an hour, and the city 
 and castle returned the compliment. Soon after the 
 Spitfire opened her fire, the 1st and 2d divisions moved up 
 the beach towards the city about a mile and commenced 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 to invest the place. Four or five regiments of Mexican 
 infantry and cavalry appeared in front of the city, half a 
 mile from our men, and commenced firing upon us. One 
 of our mountain howitzers and some rockets were placed 
 on the hills. A few shots were fired and rockets sent ; 
 but without effect. Captain Taylor was ordered to try 
 the six-pounder, which caused the Mexicans to retire be 
 hind the hill. One Mexican was killed. 
 
 General Worth was successful in taking his position on 
 the right of the investment by 11 o'clock. The line, cir- 
 cumvallating the city, was to run along a chain of sand 
 hills about 3 miles from the city, ranging from 300 to 
 1500 feet high, entirely commanding the town and fortifi 
 cations. The heavy guns from the castle could reach the 
 right wing. 
 
 After Worth had taken his position, General Patterson's 
 division took up its line of march, with General Pillow's 
 brigade in advance, in order to form on the left of Worth's 
 division. After proceeding a mile, they met the enemy 
 in a thick chaparral. There w r as a smart fire for about 
 twenty minutes. The Mexicans retreated. Gen. Pillow 
 had great difficulty in advancing through the chaparral. 
 He proceeded about half a mile farther by 4 P..M., and met 
 the enemy again, in ambuscade. Their fire was heavy 
 upon our men, and General Patterson sent the New York 
 regiment of Shields' brigade to aid General Pillow ; but 
 only one New York company arrived, before General 
 Pillow had routed the enemy by a charge. Only two of 
 our men were slightly wounded. A body of the enemy 
 were seen at a little distance, at a house known as a maga 
 zine, on the left flank of Pillow's command. A 6-pounder 
 was directed towards them, and a few shots were enough 
 to disperse them. Towards sun-down, Gen. Pillow reach- 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 73 
 
 ed, by great effort, one of the highest points in the rear of 
 the city, and erected the star spangled banner. The bat 
 teries from the town and castle, kept up a continued firing 
 till dark. One shell exploded in front of General Worth 
 and staff. 
 
 At 7 A. M., (March llth) General Quitman's brigade 
 was ordered to relieve General Pillow from the place which 
 he occupied during the night. The Mexicans, thinking 
 that our men were deserting the heights, approached and 
 were met by General Quitman, who advanced to the top 
 of the hill. A smart fire was kept up for an hour. 
 
 Capt. Davis, of the Georgia regiment, with twenty rifle 
 men, were sent as skirmishers, to move round under the 
 hill and engage the enemy in close quarters. About 200 
 of the enemy advanced on him, and he held them in check 
 until Colonel Jackson, with the balance of three compa 
 nies, and Col. Dickerson and his regiment, came to his 
 aid. The enemy were obliged to retire, with the loss of 
 several dead and wounded. We had seven slightly 
 wounded. 
 
 At 9 A. M., General Twiggs, with his mounted rifles in 
 advance, moved up to take position on the left of the line. 
 It was very difficult as the cannon had to be lifted over 
 sand-ridges by the men, in many cases. The force all 
 reached their destination by the sea-shore, above the town, 
 about sun-down. Thus the city was surrounded by us, 
 our line reaching about eight miles. General W'orth occu 
 pied the right, General Twiggs the left, and General Pat- 
 terson the centre. 
 
 Our men now com-mcnced placing their heavy batteries 
 in position to open upon the town. 
 
 By the 22d, seven ten-inch mortars were in battery, 
 
74 BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 and the others nearly ready. At two, P. M., General 
 Scott addressed a summons to the Governor of Vera Cruz, 
 and received an answer in two hours. The Governor 
 supposed that Scott ordered him to surrender the town 
 and castle (though that was not the case, as Scott was not 
 prepared to make such a demand). 
 
 Scott now determined to open his seven mortars upon 
 the town. The small vessels of Commodore Perry's 
 squadron, two steamers and five schooners, came within a 
 mile and an eighth of the city and opened a brisk fire, 
 which continued till 9, A. M f (March 23), when the Com 
 caodore called the vessels away from so dangerous a posi 
 tion. By noon we had ten mortars battering the walls of 
 the city. The ten inch mortars planted about eight hun 
 dred yards from the city, were very effective. Our men, 
 thus far, from the time of their landing had only four or 
 five men wounded, and one officer and one private killed. 
 The officer was Capt. J. R. Vinton, of the U. S. 3d ar 
 tillery. He was killed in the trenches, March 24th, at 
 ten, A. M. The naval battery, No. 5, consisting of three 
 thirty-two pounders and three eight inch Paixhans, open 
 ed a terrific fire, under Capt. Aulick. The battery was 
 active till two, P. M. We lost four sailors killed, and 
 Lieut. Baldwin was slightly wounded. 
 
 March 25th, battery No. 4, consisting of four twenty- 
 four pounders, and two eight inch Paixhans, opened. 
 
 Now, batteries 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5, were shaking the whole 
 foundation of the city, by their tremendous fire. 
 
 On the evening of the 24th, the foreign consuls signed 
 
 memorial, requesting General Scott to grant a truce, so 
 that the neutrals and women and children might retire 
 from the city. Our heavy guns made dreadful havoc, dc~ 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 75 
 
 stroymg many women and children. General Scott re 
 plied : 
 
 First, That a truce could only be granted on the 
 application of Governor Morales, with a view to surren 
 der ; second, That in sending safeguards to the different 
 consuls, beginning as far back as the 13th instant, he dis 
 tinctly admonished them, particularly the French and 
 Spanish consuls and, of course, through the two, the 
 other consuls of the dangers that have followed ; third; 
 That although, at that date, he had already refused to al 
 low any person whatsoever to pass the line of investment 
 either way, yet the blockade had been left open to the 
 consuls and other neutrals to pass out to their respective 
 ships of war up to the 22d instant ; and, fourth, he en 
 closed to the memorialists a copy of his summons to the 
 governor, to show that he had fully considered the im 
 pending hardships and distresses of the place, including 
 those of women and children, before one gun had been 
 fired in that direction. 
 
 On the 26th, General Scott received overtures from 
 General Landero, on whom General Morales had devolv 
 ed the command, and on account of a heavy norther, he 
 was unable to communicate with the ships until the 27th. 
 
 The American Commissioners were, Generals Worth 
 and Pillow, Colonel Totten, and Capt. Aulick. 
 
 It was finally agreed that the city and castle should 
 surrender to us. 
 
 The following are the terms of capitulation : 
 
 " 1. The whole garrison, or garrisons, to be surrender 
 ed to the arms of the United States, as prisoners of war, 
 the 29th instant, at 10 o'clock, A. M. ; the garrisons to 
 be permitted to march out with all the honors of war, and 
 
76 BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 to lay down their arms to such officers as may be appoint 
 ed by the general-in-chief of the United States' armies, and 
 at a point to be agreed upon by the commissioners. 
 
 " 2. Mexican officers shall preserve their arms and 
 private effects, including horses and horse-furniture, and 
 to be allowed, regular and irregular officers, as also the 
 rank and file, five days to retire to their respective homes, 
 on parole, as hereinafter prescribed. 
 
 " 3. Coincident with the surrender, as stipulated in ar 
 ticle 1, the Mexican flags of the various forts and stations 
 shall be struck, saluted by their own batteries ; and, im 
 mediately thereafter, Forts Santiago and Concei.^on, and 
 the castle of San Juan de Ulloa, occupied by the forces of 
 the United States. 
 
 " 4. The rank and file of the regular portion of the pri 
 soners to be disposed of after surrender and parole, as 
 their general-in-chief may desire, and the irregular to be 
 permitted to return to their homes. The officers, in re 
 spect to all arms and descriptions of force, giving the 
 usual parole, that the said rank and file, as well as them 
 selves, shall not serve again until duly exchanged. 
 
 " 5. All the materiel of war, and all public property 
 of every description found in the city, the castle of San 
 Juan de Ulloa and their dependencies, to belong to the 
 United States ; but the armament of the same (not injured 
 or destroyed in the further prosecution of the actual war), 
 may be considered as liable to be restored to Mexico by a 
 definite treaty of peace. 
 
 " 6. The sick and wounded Mexicans to be allowed to 
 remain in the city, with such medical officers and attend 
 ants, and officers of the army, as may be necessary to their 
 care and treatment. 
 
 " 7. Absolute protection is solemnly guaranteed to per- 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 77 
 
 sons in tne city, and property, and it is clearly under 
 stood that no private building or property is to be taken 
 or used by the forces of the United States, without previ 
 ous arrangement with the owners, and for a fair equiva 
 lent. 
 
 C{ 8. Absolute freedom of religious worship and cere 
 monies is solemnly guaranteed." 
 
 At the surrender on the 27th, our army were drawn up 
 in two lines, facing each other, and stretching more than a 
 mile. The enemy left the city at ten o'clock, passed be 
 tween our lines, laid down their arms and colors and 
 marched for the interior. General Worth superintended 
 the evacuation and then entered the city. Our flag wai 
 erected over the Plaza and saluted by the guns of the city 
 and squadron. General Worth was appointed Military 
 Governor. 
 
 BATTLE OF SIERRA GORDA. 
 
 GENERAL TWIGGS* division of our army arrived, within 
 three miles of the position of the enemy, April 1 1th, and 
 General Patterson's on the 12th. On the 16th, we had 
 six thousand men ready for action, while the enemy num 
 bered from eight to twelve thousand. They occupied 
 a chain of works along the road, the nearest of which was 
 about a mile and a quarter from General Scott's head 
 quarters, The road over which we had to pass, was bar 
 ricaded and cut up in every way to impede our progress. 
 Beyond the first fortification there are several others com 
 pletely commanding the gorge, through which the road to 
 
Yg BATTLES OP MEXICO. 
 
 Jalapa runs. There were twenty-four pieces of field ar 
 tillery besides about fourteen heavy cannon in position. 
 The high and rocky ravine of the river protected their 
 right flank and a series of abrupt and apparently impassa 
 ble mountains and ridges covered their left. A front at 
 tack, which the enemy expected on account of our bravery, 
 must have been fatal to us. General Scott outwitted the 
 One Leg and had a road cut to the right, so as to escape 
 the front fire, and turn his position on the left flank. A 
 deserter from our camp made this known to the enemy, 
 and they sent General La Vega with a large force to aid 
 the left flank. 
 
 General Scott, on the 17th of April, to cover his flank 
 movements, sent General Twiggs against the fort on the 
 steep ascent in front, and a little to the left of the Sierra. 
 This expedition was commanded by Colonel Hartley, who 
 carried the position under a heavy fire of grape and musket 
 ry. This was an important post gained, situated in front 
 and near the enemy's strongest fortification. By great 
 labor, one of our large guns was placed upon the top of 
 the fort, and blazed away at a strong fort in the rear *, but 
 with little effect. 
 
 April 18th, early in the morning, our army moved to 
 the attack in columns. General Twiggs's division attack 
 ed! the enemy's left and carried the breast works after a 
 slight resistance, at the point of the bayonet, and com 
 pletely routed the enemy at that point. Pillow's brigade, 
 accompanied by General Shields's, passed along the Jala- 
 pa road with rapidity, and took a position to stop the re 
 treat of the enemy. General Worth moved forward to 
 ward the left to aid Twiggs. Twiggs had steep and 
 ough ground to pass over , was constantly exposed to 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 79 
 
 the fire of the enemy in front and to the cross-fire of the 
 forts and batteries. 
 
 The fight was tremendous for a short time, and finally 
 the enemy gave way on all sides. Three thousand men 
 with field and other officers surrendered. A large amount 
 of small arms, ordnance and batteries were taken. Six 
 thousand of the enemy gained the rear of our army on the 
 Jalapa road and were pursued. We lost two hundred and 
 fifty killed and wounded, and among the latter was Gene 
 ral Shields. The Mexican loss was about one hundred 
 more than ours, besides those taken prisoners. We cap 
 tured thirty pieces of cannon, much ammunition, and the 
 private baggage and money chest of Santa Anna, contain 
 ing twenty thousand dollars. On the 19th, Jalapa, and 
 on the 22d, Perote, were taken without opposition. 
 
 Nothing prevented our men from being utterly destroyed 
 but the 'steepness of the ascent under which they could 
 shelter. But they sought no shelter, and onward rushed 
 against a hailstorm of balls and musket-shot, led by the 
 gallant Harney, whose noble bearing elicited the applause 
 of the whole army. His conspicuous and stalwart frame 
 at the head of his brigade, his long arm waving his men 
 on to the charge, his sturdy voice ringing above the clash 
 of arms and din of conflict, attracted the attention and ad 
 miration alike of the enemy and of our own men. On, on, 
 he led the columns, whose front lines melted before the 
 enemy's fire like sp-ow-flakes in a torrent, and staid not 
 their course until leaping over the rocky barriers, and 
 bayone.tting their gunners, they drove the enemy pell mell 
 from the fort, delivering a deadly fire into their ranks, from 
 their own guns, as they hastily retired. 
 
 General Scott, between whom and Colonel Harney 
 there had existed some coolness 3 rode up to the colonel 
 
gO BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 after this achievement, and remarked to him " Colonel 
 Harney, I cannot now adequately express my admiration 
 of your gallant achievement, but at the proper time I shall 
 take great pleasure in thanking you in proper terms." 
 
 It was here the enemy received their heaviest loss, and 
 their General Vasquez was killed. A little after, General 
 Worth, having, by great exertions, passed the steep and 
 craggy heights on the enemy's left, summoned a strong 
 fort in the rear of the Sierra to surrender. This fort was 
 manned by a large force under General Pinzon, a mulatto 
 officer of considerable ability and courage, who, seeing the 
 Sierra carried, thought prudent to surrender, which he did 
 with all his force. General Shiehls was not so fortunate 
 in the battery which he attacked, and which was com 
 manded by General la Vega. A heavy fire was opened 
 on him, under which the fort was carried with some loss 
 by the gallant Illinoisians, under Baker and Benne'tt, sup 
 ported by the New Yorkers, under Burnett. Among those 
 who fell under this fire was the gallant general, who re 
 ceived a grape-shot through his lungs, by which he was 
 completely paralyzed, and at the last account was in a 
 lingering state. On the enemy's right, General Pillow 
 commenced the attack against the strong forts near the 
 river. The Tennesseeans, under Haskell, led the column, 
 and the other volunteer regiments followed. This column 
 unexpectedly encountered a heavy fire from a masked 
 battery, by which Haskell's regiment was nearly cut to 
 pieces, and the other volunteer regiments were severely 
 handled. General Pillow withdrew his men, and was 
 preparing for another attack, when the operations at the 
 other points having proved successful, the enemy conclud 
 ed to surrender. Thus the victory was complete, and 
 four generals, and about six thousand men, were taken 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 81 
 
 prisoners by our army. One of their principal generals 
 and a large number of other officers killed. The Mexican 
 force on this occasion certainly exceeded our own." 
 
 In addition to the loss of the enemy in killed and taken 
 they lost about thirty pieces of brass cannon, mostly of 
 large calibre, manufactured at the royal foundry of Seville. 
 A large quantity of fixed ammunition, of a very superior 
 quality, together with the private baggage and money- 
 chest of Santa Anna, containing twenty thousand dollars, 
 was also captured. 
 
 On the same day that the battle of Sierra Gordo was 
 fought, a portion of the American Gulf Squadron, undei 
 Commodore Perry, captured the town of Tuspan, on the 
 Gulf. 
 
 On the 19th, the city of Jalapa was captured by a de 
 tachment under General Twiggs ; and on the 22d, Gene 
 ral Worth entered the town of Perote. Both these cities 
 were taken without opposition ; and in the latter were 
 found immense stores of small arms, ammunition, and the 
 large guns of the city and castle. 
 
 BATTLE OF CHURUBUSCO. 
 
 GENERAL SCOTT remained inactive for awhile before 
 entering the capital, hoping to be re-enforced, his head 
 quarters being at Puebla, while the Mexicans, notwith 
 standing their repulses and severe losses, were busy in 
 collecting another army and fortifying every entrance to 
 
 the City. (j? or representation of this Battle, see corer > 
 
82 BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 Aug. 8th, our army, having received a few re-enforce 
 ments, marched towards the capital, and reached Ayotla 
 on the 12th, where there was a strong fortification called 
 St. 'Pinon. It was reconnoitred and found to be very 
 strong by nature and art. It was thought, that it would 
 be hazardous to attack it, as was anticipated by the Mexi 
 cans. Scott here again outwitted Santa Anna, for lie 
 found a road south of Lake Charles, opening into that from 
 Vera Cruz, below Ayotla, which would enable our army 
 to pass around *the fort; but the march was a very difficult 
 one, for heavy rains had filled the low places so that the 
 soldiers were often obliged to wade. The steep and rug 
 ged heights w T ere to be crossed : and the paths and gorges 
 were filled with immense stones, which had been rolled 
 in by the enemy. The men became weary during the 
 day, and the nights were dark and wet, which added to 
 their discouragements. 
 
 On the 17th, our advance arrived at San Augustin, a 
 small town about twelve miles south of the capital ; Gene 
 ral Worth led on his men to take possession of a hacienda 
 near the fortification of San Antonio, for the purpose of 
 attacking that place. They captured the village ; but 
 Capt. Thornton was killed in taking a reconnoissance, from 
 a heavy discharge of artillery by the enemy. One or two 
 of our men were wounded. A squadron of artillery and a 
 battalion of infantry were near the redoubt, hoping to 
 make an attack in the afternoon, but a rain set in, and 
 General Scott thought best to withdraw them. Had the 
 batteries of the enemy opened with energy upon this de 
 tachment, it would probably have been obliged to retire 
 or been cut to pieces ; but fortunately the guns were si 
 lent all night. 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 83 
 
 During the night, the divisions of Pillow and Twiggs 
 marched towards the strong works of Contreras, to be 
 prepared for an assault in the morning. This was a very 
 fatiguing march. The darkness of the night, the torrents 
 of rain pouring down upon them, the wild roaring of the 
 winds, the ridges from rocks of lava to pass over, the 
 denseness of the brushwood, the swollen streams to cross, 
 presented difficulties rarely surpassed. 
 
 At eight the next morning, the batteries of the enemy 
 opened upon the hacienda of San Antonio, where General 
 Worth was posted. This cannonading was heavy. The 
 air was shaken by the heavy explosions, while houses and 
 even strong fortifications were shattered to pieces and fell 
 in thundering- ruins, beneath the showers of shot and 
 
 O J 
 
 shells. Almost all of the streets were swept by bullets 
 and large bombs which burst in the air, and hurled slugs, 
 shot and, fragments among our ranks, making sad havoc. 
 But the Yankees were not frightened yet. They placed 
 themselves behind walls and buildings, and calmly, amid 
 this scene of confusion, prepared for action. Soon the 
 divisions of Pillow and Twiggs moved on towards Con- 
 treras, arriving about one P. M. General P. F. Smith 
 was ordered to march up in front of the enemy's works, 
 and Colonel Riley, to move with rapidity towards the 
 right, gain the main road, and prevent any re-enforcements 
 of the enemy. Smith dashed forward under a tremendous 
 fire and secured a good position for his artillery. Every 
 battery and gun on both sides roared away w r ith horrible 
 sublimity and actually shook the ground for miles around, 
 ana their reverberations rolled with grandeur along the 
 lofty ridges of the mountains. The few guns of our ad- 
 ranced battery were soon silenced, and General Pierce 
 proceeded to the relief of General Smith. 
 
84 
 
 BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 At this time, large re-enforcements of the enemy ap 
 proached Contreras, and General Cadwallader hastened to 
 re-enforce Riley. The contest was now terrific. Neither 
 army would yield an inch of ground. 
 
 At four o'clock, General Scott passed along the lines, 
 and was welcomed by an enthusiastic shout. Perceiving 
 the immense strength of the enemy, he ordered General 
 Shields to re-enforce Riley and Cadwallader, and strength 
 en our army in front of the enemy. Now the battle ragea 
 nigher still, and hundreds fell to rise no more. This dread 
 ful carnage was kept up for six hours, when the darkness 
 of night closed the scene, and the cannons ceased their 
 roar. Our men were disappointed, as they expected by 
 that time to have been in the " Halls of the Montezumas." 
 They were obliged to lie upon the cold, wet ground, with 
 out blankets, to rest for the night. 
 
 At eight o'clock in the evening, General Scott retired 
 to San Augustin, and Twiggs and Pillow went at eleven. 
 
 Scott and Worth set out for Contreras early the next 
 morning. Firing was heard, and soon a messenger came, 
 saying that General Worth had carried the whole line of 
 fortifications at Contreras. He planned and executed the 
 undertaking in a skilful manner and with little loss. He 
 took fifteen hundred of the enemy prisoners, including 
 Generals Salas, Blanco, Garcia and Mendoza. He also 
 captured an immense amount of ammunition and camp 
 equipage, and fifteen pieces of artillery, among them the 
 two taken from Capt. O'Brien at Buena Vista; seven 
 hundred of the enemy were killed and many more 
 wounded. 
 
 General Scott now sent General W T orth to attack San 
 Antonio, while he with a force would go in its rear. The 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 35 
 
 soldiers passed over the battle-field of the previous day, 
 and the scene which was presented was enough to make 
 the hardy soldier shudder and feel sick in view of the 
 horrors of war. Hundreds lay covered with blood, stiff 
 and cold in death, while others were uttering piteous 
 groans and begged for water. The streams actually run 
 with human blood. What a shocking scene ! How sur 
 prising that nations will thus imbue their hands in each 
 other's blood ! 
 
 When the force reached San Pablo, another action .com 
 menced, and at the same time Worth's cannon were heard 
 roaring away at Churubusco. The flower of both armies 
 were now engaged in terrible combat. The rattling of the 
 musketry, the clash of arms, and the deafening roar of the 
 cannon and the groans of the dying, made the scene truly 
 awful ! 
 
 Scott was in the midst of danger encouraging his men, v 
 while Worth and Twiggs were cheering their soldiers on. 
 Thus, one of the severest conflicts ever witnessed on this 
 continent, raged with increasing power for two hours. 
 Finally our forces gained full possession of all /the works, 
 and the enemy fled in dismay to. the city. Worth follow 
 ed them almost to the gates. 
 
 The next morning, a detachment of our men entered 
 Chapultepec without opposition. 
 
 Soon after this, Santa Anna sent flags, proposing a sus 
 pension 01 hostilities. Negotiations took place, ar.;d tie 
 following armistice was adopted, August 20th : 
 
 THE ARMISTICE. 
 
 The undersigned, appointed respectively, the first thre<? 
 by Major-general W T in field Scott, commander-in-chief of 
 
36 BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 the armies of the United States, and the last two by his 
 Excellency D. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna, President 
 of the Mexican Republic, and commander-in-cliief of its 
 armies, met with full powers, which were fully verified in 
 the village of Tucubaya, on the 23d day of August, 1847, 
 to enter into an armistice for the purpose of giving the 
 Mexican government an opportunity of receiving proposi 
 tions of peace from the commissioners appointed by the 
 President of the United States, and now with the Ameri 
 can army ; when the following articles were agreed upon : 
 ART. 1. Hostilities shall instantly and absolutely cease 
 between the armies of the United States of America and 
 the United Mexican States, within thirty leagues of the 
 capital of the latter States, to allow time to the commission 
 ers appointed by the United States and the commissioners 
 to be appointed by the Mexican Republic to negotiate. 
 
 2. The armistice shall continue as long as the commis 
 sioners of the two governments may be engaged on nego 
 tiations, or until the commander of either of the said armies 
 shall give formal notice to the other of the cessation of the 
 armistice for forty-eight hours after such notice. 
 
 3. In the- mean time, neither army shall, within thirty 
 leagues of the city of Mexico, commence, any new for 
 tification or military work of offence' or defence, or do any 
 thing to enlarge or strengthen any existing work or for 
 tification of that character within the said limits. 
 
 4. Neither army shall be reinforced within the same. 
 Any reinforcements in troops or munitions of war, other 
 than subsistence now approaching either army, shall be 
 stopped at the distance of twenty-eight leagues from the 
 city of Mexico. 
 
 5. Neither army, nor any detachment from it, shall ad- 
 Tance beyond the line it at present occupies. 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 87 
 
 6. Neither army, nor any detachment or individual of 
 either, shall pass the neutral limits established by the last 
 article, except under a flag of truce bearing the correspond 
 ence between the two armies, or on the business author 
 ized by the next article; and individuals of either army, 
 who may chance to straggle within the neutral limits, shall, 
 by the opposite party, be kindly warned off, or sent back 
 to their own armies under flags of truce, 
 
 7. The American army shall not, by violence, obstruct 
 me passage from the open country into the city of Mexico, 
 of the ordinary supplies of food necessary to the consump 
 tion of its inhabitants, or the Mexican army within the 
 city ; nor shall the Mexican authorities, civil or military, 
 do any act to obstruct the passage of supplies from the 
 city or country, needed by the American army. 
 
 8. All American prisoners of war remaining in the hands 
 of the Mexican army, and not heretofore exchanged, shall 
 immediately, or as soon as practicable, be restored to the 
 American army, against a like number, having regard to 
 rank, of Mexican prisoners captured by the American 
 army. 
 
 9. All American citizens who were established in the 
 city of Mexico prior to the existing war, and who have 
 since been expelled from that city, shall be allowet^ to 
 return to their respective business or families therein, with 
 out delay or molestation. 
 
 10. The better to enable, the belligerent armies to exe 
 cute these articles, and to favor the great object of- peace, 
 it is further agreed between the parties, that any courier 
 with despatches that either army shall desire to send along 
 the line from the city of Mexico or its vicinity, to and from 
 Vera Cruz, shall receive a safe conduct from the com 
 mander of the opposing army. 
 
g BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 11. The administration of justice between Mexicans, 
 according to the general and state constitutions and laws, 
 by the local authorities of the towns and places occupied 
 by the American forces, shall not be obstructed in any 
 manner. 
 
 12. Persons and property shall be respected in the 
 towns and places occupied by the American forces. No 
 person shall be molested in the exercise of his profession \ 
 nor shall the services of any one be required without his 
 consent. In all cases where services are voluntarily ren 
 dered, a just price shall be paid, and trade remain unmo 
 lested. 
 
 13. Those wounded prisoners who may desire to remove 
 to some more convenient place, for the purpose of being 
 cured of their wounds, shall be allowed to do so without 
 molestation, they still remaining prisoners. 
 
 14. The Mexican medical officers who may wish to 
 attend the wounded shall have the privilege of doing so, 
 if their services be required. 
 
 15. For the more perfect execution of this agreement, 
 two commissioners shall be appointed, one by each party, 
 who, in case of disagreement, shall appoint a third. 
 
 16. This convention shall have no force or effect, unlesr 
 approved by their excellencies, the commanders respec 
 tively of the two armies, within twenty-four hours, reckon 
 ing from the sixth hour of the 23d day of August, 1847. 
 
 A. QUITMAN, Maj. Gen. U. S. A. 
 PERSIFOR F. SMITH, Brig. Gen. 
 FRANKLIN PIERCE, Brig. Gen. U* S. Jl. 
 IGNACIO DE MARA Y VILLAMIL. 
 BENITO QUIJANO. 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. gg 
 
 It- is believed that the whole force of the Mexicans, in 
 
 these brilliant engagements, was about thirty-two thou 
 sand men. They lost between five and six thousand, in 
 cluding thirteen generals and forty-five pieces of cannon. 
 Our army consisted of seven thousand, eleven hundred of 
 whom were killed or wounded. What a terrible slaugh 
 ter ! 
 
 After the armistice was agreed upon, various meetings 
 took place between Mr. Trist, the American minister, and 
 Mexican Commissioners, and endeavors were made to ef 
 fect a treaty of peace, until September 2d, when Trist 
 handed in his ultimatum in reference to the boundary line, 
 and the Commissioners were to meet again on the 16th. 
 
 Some infractions of the truce were made by the enemy^ 
 in reference to our supplies from the city ; but the Mexi 
 cans apologized. 
 
 It,appears that as soon as the propositions of Trist were 
 considered in a grand council of ministers and others., 
 Santa Anna, on the 4th and 5th., without giving any no 
 tice to General Scott, commenced again fortifying the 
 city, directly in opposition to the armistice. Scott imme 
 diately sent him a note, which was answered in a false 
 and impudent manner. 
 
 Our arrangements were delayed more than two weeks 
 bv the armistice. It is probable that Santa Anna only 
 entered into it for the mirpose of gaining rime. 
 
90 
 
 BATTLES OF MLXICO. 
 
 BATTLE OF MEXICO. 
 
 SEPT. 7th, General Scott began to reconnoitre the dif 
 ferent approaches to the city within his reach. In the 
 afternoon, a large body of the enemy were seen 
 around the Molinos del Rey (Mills), about a mile and a 
 third from Tucubaya, the head-quarters of our army. 
 These mills were repositories of ammunition, and there 
 was a foundry there for casting cannon. There was a 
 formidable castle in the hands of the enemy on the heights 
 of Chapultepec, between the mills and the gates of the 
 capital. There were eight city gates strongly fortified. 
 It was impossible to stop communication between the 
 mills and the capital, without first taking the castle. Pre 
 paratory to storming it, it was thought best to capture the 
 mills. Accordingly, on the 8th, General Worth's divi 
 sion, re-enforced by Cadwallader's brigade, Pillow's divi 
 sion, three squadrons of dragoons under Major Sumner, 
 and some heavy guns of the siege train under Capt. Hu- 
 ger of the ordnance, and Capt. Drum of the 7th artillery, 
 undertook the enterprise. They moved towards the ene 
 my and soon met them. There was much energy mani 
 fested on both sides. The enemy several times were re- 
 enforced, and the action becoming much more general 
 than was expected, General Scott called to our aid from 
 the distance of three mileSj Gen. Pillow, with his remain 
 ing brigade (Pierce's), and then Riley's brigade of Twiggs' 
 division. These forces approached with great rapidity ; 
 but the victory was won just as General Pierce reached 
 the ground and placed his command between Worth's di 
 vision and the retreating enemy. Thus again were our 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 9 
 
 forces victorious. Various daring reconnoisances now 
 took place, of the castle and approaches to the city. The 
 latter stands on a slight swell of ground, near the centre 
 of an irregular basin, and is girdled with a ditch in its 
 greater extent a navigable canal of great breadth and 
 depth very difficult to bridge, in the presence of an ene 
 my, having eight entrenches or gates, over arches each 
 of which was defended by a system of strong works that 
 seemed to require nothing but some men and guns to be 
 impregnable. 
 
 Outside and within the cross-fire of those gates, to the 
 south, are other obstacles but little less formidable. All 
 approaches' near the city were over elevated causeways, 
 cut in many places (to oppose us) and flanked on both 
 sides, by ditches also of unusual dimensions. The nume 
 rous cross-roads were flanked, in like manner, having 
 bridges at the intersections, recently broken. The mead 
 ows thus checked, were, moreover, in many spots, under 
 'Water or marshy. 
 
 After close observation, it was decided, on the llth, to 
 move round to the south-west and weet part of the capital, 
 believing that the approaches would present less formida 
 ble obstacles. Accordingly, Scott ordered Quitman's di 
 vision from Coyoacan, to join Pillow by daylight, before 
 the southern gates, and that they should by night, proceed 
 (two miles) to join Scott at Tucubaya, where he was quar 
 tered with Worth's division. Twiggs, with Riley's brigade* 
 and Captains Taylor's and Steptoe's field batteries the 
 latter 12-pounders was left in front of those gates to 
 manoeuvre, to threaten, or to make false attacks, in order 
 to occupy and deceive the enemy. Twiggs' other brigade 
 (Smith's) was left at supporting distance, in the rear, at 
 
02 BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 San Angel, till the morning of the 13th, and also to sup 
 port our general depot at Miscoaque. The stratagem 
 against the south was admirably executed throughout the 
 12th, and down to the afternoon of the 13th, when it was 
 too late for the enemy to recover from thft effects of his 
 delusion. 
 
 The first step in the new movement was to carry the 
 Castle of Chapultepec. Besides a numerous garrison, 
 here was the military college of the Republic with a large 
 number of sub-lieutenants and other students. Those 
 works were within direct gun-shot of the village of Tucu- 
 baya, and until carried, we could not approach the city on 
 the west without making a circuit too wide and too haz 
 ardous. 
 
 During the same night (that of the llth) heavy batteries 
 were established. No. 1, on the right, under the com 
 mand of Capt. Drum, 4th artillery (relieved late next day, 
 for some hours, by Lieut. Andrews of the 3d), and No. 2, 
 commanded by Lieut. Huger, ordnance both supported 
 by Quitman's division. Nos. 3 and 4, on the opposite side, 
 supported by Pillow's* division, were commanded, the for 
 mer by Capt. Brooks and Lieut. S. S. Anderson, 2d artil 
 lery, alternately, and the latter by Lieut. Stone, ordnance. 
 
 The bombardment and cannonade, under the direction 
 of Capt. Huger, were commenced early in the morning of 
 the 12th, and before night a good impression had been 
 made on the castle and its outworks. 
 
 Pillow and Quitman had been in position since early in 
 the night of the llth. In the morning, Worth was order 
 ed to hold his division in reserve, near the foundry, to 
 support Pillow ; and Brigadier General Smith, of Twiggs' 
 division, had just arrived with his brigade, from Piedad, 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 93 
 
 [2 miles] to support Quitraan. Twiggs' guns, before the 
 southern gates, again reminded us, as the day before, that 
 he, with Riley's brigade, and Taylor's and Steptoe's bat- 
 teries, was in activity, threatening the southern gates, and 
 there holding a great part of the Mexican army on the de 
 fensive. 
 
 Worth's division furnished Pillow's attack with an 
 assaulting party of some 250 volunteer officers anfl men, 
 under Capt. McKenzie, of the 2d artillery, and Twiggs' di 
 vision supplied a similar one, commanded by Captain 
 Casey, 2d infantry, to Quitman. Each of those little 
 columns was furnished with scaling ladders. 
 
 The signal for the attack was to be the momentary ces 
 sation of fire on the part of our heavy batteries. About 
 8 o'clock A. M., of the 13th, Scott sent to Pillow and 
 Quitman, with notice that the concerted signal was about 
 to be given. 
 
 Both columns now advanced. The batteries threw shots 
 and shells upon the enemy over the heads of our men, with 
 good effect. 
 
 Major General Pillow's approach, on the west side, lay 
 through an open grove, filled with sharp shooters, who 
 were speedily dislodged ; when, being up hill with the front 
 of the attack, and emerging into open space, at the foot of 
 a rocky acclivity, that gallant leader was struck down by 
 an agonizing wound. 
 
 The immediate command devolved on General Cadwal- 
 lader. On a previous call of Pillow, Worth had just sent 
 him a reinforcement, Col. Clark's brigade. 
 
 The broken declivity was still to be ascended and a 
 strong redoubt midway to be carried, before reaching the 
 castle on the heights. The advance of ottr men, though 
 
94 BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 necessarily slow, was unwavering, over rocks, chasms and 
 mines, and under the hottest fire of cannon and musketry. 
 
 The enemy were steadily driven from shelter to shelter. 
 The retreat allowed not time to fire a single mine, with 
 out the certainty of blowing up friend and foe. Those, 
 who, at a distance, attempted to apply matches to the long 
 trains were shot down by our men. 
 
 There was death below as well as above ground. At 
 length the ditch and wall of the main work were reached ; 
 t;he scaling ladders were brought up and planted by the 
 storming parties ; some of the daring spirits first in the 
 assault were cast down killed or wounded ; but a lodg 
 ment was soon made ; streams of heroes followed ; all 
 opposition was overcome, and several of our regimental 
 colors flung out from the upper walls, amidst long-con- 
 I inued shouts and cheers, which sent dismay into the capi- 
 lal. No scene could have been more animating. 
 
 General Quitman, supported by Generals Shields and 
 Smith, [P. F.] his other officers and men, was up with the 
 \>art assigned him. Simultaneously with the movement 
 on the west, he approached the southeast of the same 
 works over a causeway with cuts and batteries, and de- 
 tended by an army strongly posted outside, to the east of 
 the works. Those formidable obstacles Quitman had to 
 face, with but little shelter for his troops or space for man- 
 03uvring. Deep ditches, flanking the causeway, made 
 it difficult to cross on either side into the adjoining mead 
 ows, and these again were intersected by other ditches. 
 Smith and his brigade made a sweep to the right, in order 
 to present a front against the enemy's line (outside), and 
 to turn into intervening batteries, near the foot of Chapul- 
 tepec. This movement was also intended to support 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 95 
 
 Quitman's storming parties, both on the causeway. The 
 first of these, furnished by Twiggs' division, was com 
 manded in succession by Capt. Casey, 2d infantry, and 
 Capt. Paul, 7th infantry, after Casey had been severely 
 wounded ; and the second, under Major Twiggs, marine 
 corps, killed, and then Capt. Miller, 2d Pennsylvania vo 
 lunteers. The storming party, now commanded by Capt. 
 Paul, seconded by Captain Roberts of the rifles, Lieut- 
 Stewart, and others of the same regiment, Smith's brigade, 
 carried the two batteries in the road, took some guns, with 
 many prisoners, and drove the enemy posted behind in 
 support. The New York and South Carolina volunteers 
 (Shields' brigade) and the 2d Pennsylvania volunteers, all 
 on the left of Quitman's line, together with portions of hi&; 
 storming parties, crossed the meadows hi front, under a 
 heavy fire, and entered the outer enclosure of Chapultepec, 
 just in time to join in the final assault from the west. 
 
 Generals Pillow, Quitman, Shields, Smith, and Cadwal- 
 iader, distinguished themselves in these brilliant operations* 
 Also Colonel Andrews, Lieut. Col. Johnstone, Majoi 
 Caldwell. Captains Barnard and Biddle. 
 
 These operations all occurred on the west, southeast, 
 and heights of Chapultepec. To the north, and at th 
 base of the mound, inaccessible on that side, the llth in 
 fantry, under Lieut. Col. Hebert, the 14th, under Col. 
 Trousdale, and Capt. Magruder's field battery, 1st artillery 
 one section advanced under Lieut. Jackson all of Pil 
 low's division had, at the same time, some spirited affairs 
 against superior numbers, driving the enemy from a battery 
 in the road, and capturing a gun. Col. Trousdale, the 
 commander, though twice wounded, continued on duty 
 until the heights were carried. 
 
,, BATTLES OF MFXTCO; 
 
 96 
 
 Early in the morning of the 13th, Scott ordered Worth 
 to support the movement of Pillow from our left. The 
 latter soon called for that entire division, standing momen 
 tarily in reserve, and Worth sent him Col. Clark's brigade. 
 The enemy in the road in front of Quitman's right, was 
 receiving reinforcements from the city less than a mile 
 and a half to the east -and Worth, on our opposite flank, 
 was ordered to return to Chapultepec with his division, and 
 to proceed cautiously by the road at its northern base, in 
 order, if not met by very superior numbers, to threaten or 
 to attack, in rear, that body of the enemy. 
 
 Worth promptly advanced with his remaining brigade 
 Col. Garland's Lieut. Col. C. F. Smith's light batta 
 lion, Lieut. Col. Duncan's squadrons of dragoons, under 
 Major Sunnier. 
 
 Having turned the forest on the west, and arriving op 
 posite to the north centre of Chapultepec, Worth came up 
 with the troops in the road, under Col. Trousdale, and 
 aided by a flank movement of a part of Garland's brigade 
 in taking the one-gun breastwork, then under the fire of 
 Lieut. Jackson's section of Captain Magruder's field bat 
 tery. Continuing to advance, this division passed Cha 
 pultepec, attacking the right of the enemy's line, resting 
 on that road, about the moment of the general retreat con 
 sequent upon the capture of the formidable castle and its 
 outworks. 
 
 There are two routes from Chapultepec to the capital 
 the one on the right entering the same gate, Belen, with 
 the road from the south, via Piedad ; and the other ob 
 liquing to intersect the great western, or San Cosme road, 
 in a suburb outside of the gate of San Cosme. 
 
 Each of these routes (an elevated causeway) presents 
 
BATTLES OP MEXICO. 97 
 
 3 rlouble roadway on the sides of an aqueduct of strong 
 masonry, and great height, resting on open arches and 
 massive pillars, which, together, afford fine points both 
 for attack and iefence. The sideways of both aqueducts 
 are, moreover, defended by many strong breastworks at 
 the gates, and before reaching them. 
 
 Worth and Quitman were prompt in pursuing the re 
 treating enemy the former by the San Cosme aqueduct, 
 and the latter along that of Belen. Each had now ad 
 vanced some hundred yards. The enemy fled in dismay. 
 
 Scott now despatched from Chapultepec first Clarke's 
 brigade, and then Cadwallader's, to the support of Worth, 
 and gave orders that the necessary heavy guns should 
 follow. Pierce's brigade was, at the same time, sent to 
 Quitman, and, in the course of the afternoon, some ad 
 ditional siege pieces were added to his train. Scotl 
 joined the advance of Worth, within the suburb, and 
 beyond the turn at the junction of the aqueduct with the 
 great highway from the west, to the gate of San Cosme. 
 
 At this junction of roads, we first passed one of those 
 formidable systems of city defences spoken of above, and 
 it had not a gun ! ^. 
 
 W u.' ^ T ' i~ l l "C*rUBRAR* 
 
 Within those disgarnished works our troops were en 
 gaged in a street fight against the enemy posted in gardens, 
 at windows, and on house-tops all flat, with parapets. 
 Worth ordered forward the mountain howitzers of Cad 
 wallader's brigade, preceded by skirmishers and pioneers, 
 with pickaxes and crowbars, to force windows and doors, 
 and burrow through walls. The assailants were soon in 
 an equality of position fatal to the enemy. By 8 o'clock 
 in the evening Worth had carried two batteries in this 
 suburb. He here posted guards and sentinels, and placed. 
 
)g BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 his troops under shelter for the night. There was but 
 one more obstacle the San Cosme gate (custom house}- 
 between him and the great square in front of the cathedral 
 and palace the heart of the city ; and that barrier, it was 
 known, could not, by daylight, resist our siege guns thirty 
 minutes. 
 
 Scott had gone back to the foot of Chapultepec, the 
 point from which the two aqueducts begin to diverge, some 
 Vours earlier, in order to be near that new depot, and in 
 *asy communication with Quitman and Twiggs, as well as 
 vith Worth. 
 
 General Scott ordered all detachments and stragglers to 
 .heir respective corps, then in advance; sent to Quitman 
 additional siege guns, ammunition, entrenching tools ; di 
 rected Twiggs' remaining brigade (Riley's) from Piedad, 
 to support Worth, and Captain Steptoe's field battery, 
 also at Piedad, to rejoin Quitman's division, 
 
 Quitman, supported by Shields and Smith Shields 
 badly wounded at Chapultepec and refusing to retire as 
 well as by all the officers and men of the column con 
 tinued to press forward under flank and direct fires; car 
 ried an intermediate battery of two guns, and then the 
 Belen or South- Western gate, before two o'clock in the 
 afternoon, but not without severe loss, increased by his 
 steady maintenance of that position. 
 
 Here, of the heavy battery Capt. Drum and Lieut. 
 Benjamin were mortally wounded, and Lieut Porter, its 
 third in rank, slightly. Lieuts. J. B. Moragne and Wm. 
 Canty, of the South Carolina volunteers, also of high merit, 
 feJl on the same occasion besides many of our bravest 
 non-commissioned officers and men. 
 
 Quitman, within the city adding several new defences 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. gg 
 
 to the position he had won, and sheltering his corps as 
 well as practicable now awaited the return of daylight, 
 under the guns of the formidable citadel yet to be sub 
 dued. 
 
 At about four o'clock next morning (Sept. 14), a depu 
 tation of the ayuntamiento (city council) waited on Gene 
 ral Scott to report that the federal government and the 
 army of Mexico had fled from the capital some three hours 
 before, and to demand terms of capitulation in favor of the 
 church, the citizens, and the municipal authorities. Scott 
 promptly replied that he would sign no capitulation ; that 
 the city had been virtually in our possession from the 
 time of the lodgments effected by Worth and Quitman 
 the day before ; that he regretted the silent escape of the 
 Mexican army ; that he should levy upon the city a mo 
 derate contribution, for special purposes ; and that the 
 American army should come under no terms, not self- 
 imposed such only as its own honor, the dignity of the 
 United Slates, and the spirit of the age should, in his 
 opinion, imperiously demand and impose. 
 
 At the termination of the interview with the city depu 
 tation, Worth and Quitman were ordered to advance slowly 
 and cautiously (to guard against treachery) towards the 
 heart of the city, and to occupy its stronger and more 
 commanding points. Quitman proceeded to the great 
 plaza or square, planted guards, and hoisted the colojrs of 
 the United States on the national palace, containing the 
 halls of Congress and executive apartments of federal 
 Mexico. 
 
 Soon after we entered, and were in the act of occupying 
 the city, a fire was opened upon us from the flat roofs of 
 tke houses, from windows and corners of streets, by 
 
100 BATTLES OF MEXICO. 
 
 some 2,000 convicts, liberated the night before by the fly- 
 ing government joined by, perhaps, as many more sol 
 diers, who had disbanded themselves and thrown off their 
 uniforms. This unlawful war lasted for more than twenty- 
 four hours, in spite of the exertions of the municipal author 
 ities, and was not put down till we had lost many men, in 
 cluding several officers, killed or wounded, and had punish 
 ed the miscreants. 
 
 BATTLE OF HUAMANTLA 
 
 After tne brilliant achievements of the American forces 
 in and around the city of Mexico, there was little to do ex 
 cepting to clear the great thoroughfares of the multitudes of 
 guerillas that infested them. Some sharp engagements oc 
 curred between Mexico and Vera Cruz before these bodies 
 of robbers could be dispersed. One of these battles took 
 place at the town of Huamantla. 
 
 Gen. Lane having arrived at Perote, early in October, 
 was there joined by Capt. Walker and his command ; both 
 advanced together on the Puebla road till they reached the 
 town of Dreyes, at which place Capt. Walker, by order of 
 the commanding General, took up his line of march to 
 Huamantla, by way of the town of San Francisco and 
 Guapastla. On his arrival at Huamantla, a sanguinary en 
 gagement took place in the streets, between the force of 
 Capt. Walker, consisting^ 250 men, and that of the Mexi 
 cans numbering 1,600. 
 
 The result of tin's contest was the total expulsion of tho 
 enemy from the town, and its occupation by our valiant lit- 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 101 
 
 tie army, which lost in the battle only six men. But the gal 
 lant Walker, after performing prodigies of valor, and feats 
 of the most daring character, fell in single combat, pierced 
 by the spear of an enraged father who was goaded to actual 
 frenzy by the death of his son, whose fall by the arm of 
 Captain Walker he had just witnessed. The father rushed 
 forward, heedless of all danger, to revenge his child's death, 
 and attacking the Captain with almost irresistible violence, 
 plunged his spear into his body and slew him almost in 
 stantly. In this engagement the Mexicans lost 200 men 
 and three pieces of artillery. The latter were thrown intc 
 a gully adjoining the town, by the victors. At the battle 
 of Huamantla an interesting struggle occurred between the 
 Indiana Volunteers and a detachment of the 1st Pennsylva 
 nia Regiment, as to who should first reach town and plant 
 the AMERICAN FLAG on the walls. Lieutenant Beany and 
 Private Stebbes, of Pennsylvania, were successful. 
 
 After the achievement of their object, which was the 
 dispersion of the enemy, for which they were despatched to 
 Huamantla, the Americans evacuated the place and directed 
 their course to Final, on the Puebla road, which they reach 
 ed without any opposition. There meeting with Gen. Lane, 
 the combined American force continued its march upon 
 Puebla. 
 
 They found this city in a state of insurrection, and accor 
 dingly entered it in platoons delivering at every step a 
 constant and well-directed ike of musketry, which ceased 
 not till the enemy retired, and order had been restored in 
 every quarter. 
 
 Gen. Rea, of whom we heard so much, lately, fled with 
 400 guerillas towards Atlixco. 
 
 General Santa Anna was at Tehuacan de las Grenadas, 
 having been deserted by all his followers, with the excep 
 tion of 200. 
 
 BATTLE OF ATLIXCO. 
 Gen. Lane, with a considerable detachment, after a foiced 
 
102 BATTLES OF MEXICO, 
 
 march 3rom Perote ten leagues distant, reached the vicini 
 ty of Atlixco on the evening of October 19th ; and after 
 fighting his way through the forces of Gen, Rea, to a sum 
 mit overlooking the town, he there posted his artillery, and 
 for three quarters of an hour threw shot and shells into the 
 " most thickly populated parts," the bright light of the moon 
 enabling the practised gunners to fire with terrific effect. 
 The crash of the walls and roofs of the houses, when struck 
 by our shot and shells, was mingled with the roar of artil 
 lery. Two hundred and nineteen Mexicans were killed, 
 and three hundred wounded, while our own loss was only 
 one killed and one wounded. It was thought necessary to 
 strike these people with terror, because their city had been 
 the refuge and headquarters of guerillas, whence many an 
 exoedition had issued against our troops. 
 
 EXPEDITION TO TEHUACAN, 
 
 NARROW ESCAPE OP SANTA ANNA. 
 
 The detachment, consisting of 350 men and officers, un- 
 derthe command of Gen. Lane, left Mexico on the 18th of 
 January. Maj. Polk, Col. Hays and Capt. Crittenden, ac 
 companied it. Passing Chalco and Rio Prio, the band, 
 took a circuitous route to Puebla, where it arrived on the 
 21st. 
 
 Leaving Puebla at dark the same day, the company took 
 the road to Vera Cruz as far as Amazoque, where General 
 Lane took a road entirely unknown to any one but himself 
 and the guide. It was little better than a mule path over rocky 
 hills, and after a forty mile inarch, the troops arrived next 
 morning at the hacienda of Santa Clara. They were then 
 informed that their object was to take Santa Anna, who 
 was then at Tehuacan, distant forty miles, with 150 men. 
 In order that the Mexican chieftain might not obtain infor 
 mation of the presence of our troops in this section of the 
 country, the General ordered every Mexican in the hacienda* 
 
BATTLES OF MEXICO. 103 
 
 and every one found on the road during the day, to be ar 
 rested and kept close until they left in the evening;. 
 
 After leaving the hacienda at dark, they came upon a 
 party of mounted Mexicans, with a carnage whose occu 
 pant bore a passport from General Smith to travel to Oriza 
 ba. He was permitted to pass, with his attendants. 
 
 At dawn our army were within half a mile of Tehuacan. 
 The report of a solitary gun of the enemy, gave hope that 
 the bird was about to be caged. Our dragoons and riflemen 
 dashed to the right and left, closing every outlet ; while the 
 rangers, with cocked revolvers, galoped toward the Plaza to 
 secure their prey : but their amazement and mortification 
 may be imagined, when they learned that, two hours be 
 fore, the object of their search had fled to Oajaca, with 
 seventy-five men. With chagrin, they also learned, that 
 the Mexican, whose coach was stopped the evening before, 
 had despatched a messenger across the mountain, to in 
 form Sajita Anna, that the American troops were on the 
 road, with the probable intention of making him prisoner. 
 Had it not been for this treachery, the surprise would have 
 been complete. 
 
 OCCUPATION OF ORIZABA. 
 
 Leaving Tehuacan, on the 23d, the troops, after a rough 
 march of several miles, came down, Feb. 26, 1848, into the 
 valley of Orizaba. On arriving at the gates of the city, the 
 authorities delivered up the keys ; and on entering, they dis 
 covered a white flag, at the window of every house, and 
 found the entire population .assembled to witness their en- 
 fey, with apparent satisfaction. 
 
 The inhabitants of the neighboring city of Cordova, sent 
 a deputation requesting its occupation by the American 
 
 Nothing of importance occurred afterwards, until Feb. 2d, 
 1848, when the Treaty of Peace was signed by the Amer 
 ican and Mexican governniena 
 
m *