i i 1 1 1 ill i i iiimiililliiia MiliMei ^11 /9n BOUGHT WITH THE INCOME OF THE ,_ SAGE ENDOWMENT FUND THE GIFT OF Henrg 1BJ. Sage 1891 £.3.fe,1.fc.fc HOME USE RULES -s>^ 4954-"H~S- IWfc*M±*: All Books subject to Recall All borrowers must regis- ter lin the library to borrow book$^for home use. All. books must be. re- ^twned at entj.^ of cpUege year for inspection and ■r^airs, -, , ,,^. Limited books must be re- turned, within the fouirweek limit ^ud not renewed.^ Students must retu?^ all lOks before leaving town. " Officers t^ould iarrange.for ther^urn of books wanted during their absence from ,. town.,, ^ Volumes of ^perjodipals • and of: pamphlets are held in -the^ library as much as lO^ible: For special pur- poaes^they are given out for a limi^tpd time. ^ Borrowers sh9uld not use thear library privileges! for the b^^efit 6f other persons. Books of special value and gift books; when the giver -rwishes it , are not allowed to circulate. Readers are asked to r«- po^t all cases i of books marked or mutilated. Do not deface books by marks and writing. E 41 1.M12'lTl'7'"™"'''' "'''"' ^''TiiIHImm.,)'*'^'' "'^'■y •" George B. McCle 3 1924 020 415 372 The original of tliis book is in tine Cornell University Library. There are no known copyright restrictions in the United States on the use of the text. http://www.archive.org/details/cu31924020415372 '^taf&l»Sl&^&S>tBlif^iiS^'^^»!S» ^^ts^tfiSt^^ =*=*i* M^<*c*^i^i^fce? [■^ r S^'^ '^"■^:al^ j^^^^- ;^^J^i^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^ ^^^s*^ i^i^ ' "-.-.r^'.-'^B ^Sy ^ "5 ^■■^ly Ww m w. ^ 1 ■ Was. *:^ N M ^w^m S |\|| W^p^^'"^ 1 B ||/ i'»'S ^W- -''I^JffiBf A S IP" l?:^! ^ vV5 i ^H^^^^^^B' -^^^^^^^^^^B^^ig|fi fv «-• & B^BB^KT^ Li'i ^1 . 1 its •, iA'',''!i- .' i^ m n ^g ^^^^ w 'p' *U-.t- ^:| ■-■** li^^^^^Ss^^^s^^S^^s ■^ (From a -daguerreotype taken in 1846, just before leaving for the front) Lieut. McClellan, His Father and His Brother Arthur. THE MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF GEORGE B. McCLELLAN EDITED BY WILLIAM STARR MYERS, Ph.D., ASSISTANT PBOPESSOR OP HISTORT AND POLITICS PBINCBTON UNIVHRSITT PRINCETON UNIVERSITY PRESS PRINCETON LONDON: HUMPHREY MILFORD OXFORD UNIVERSITY PRESS 1917 00 f ^ Ki^^k^^ Copyright, 1917, by Princeton UNrvERSiTY Press Publiahed April, 1917 PREFACE During the past four or five years I have been preparing a hfe of General McClellan in which I plan especially to stress the political influences behind the military operations of the first two years of the Civil War. The main source for my study has been the large collection of "McClellan Papers" in the Library of Congress at Washing- ton, most of which hitherto never has been pub- lished. In this collection is the manuscript Mexican War diary and by the courteous per- mission and kind cooperation of General Mc- Clellan's son, Professor George B. McClellan of Princeton University, I have been able to make the following copy. I desire to thank Professor McClellan for other valuable help, including the use of the daguerreotype from which the accompanying frontispiece was made. My thanks also are due Professor Dana C. Munro for his timely advice and valued assistance in the prep- aration of the manuscript for the press. The map is reproduced from the "Life and Letters of General George Gordon Meade," with the kind permission of the publishers, Charles Scrib- ner's Sons. iv PREFACE It has seemed to me that this diary should prove to be of special value at the present time, for it throws additional light upon the failure of our time honored "volunteer system" and fore- casts its utter futility as an adequate defense in a time of national crisis or danger. Wm. Stakr Myers. Princeton, N. J. January 3, 1917. LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS Lieut. McClellan, His Father and His Brother Arthur From a daguerreotype taken in 1846, just before leaving for the front Frontispiece War Map opp. p. 6 First Page of the Mexican War Diary in an Old Blankbook Facsimile reproduction of McClel- lan's manuscript opP- P- 40 Church at Camargo, Seen from the Palace Facsimile reproduction of a sketch by McClellan opp. p. 70 INTRODUCTION George Brinton MeClellan was born in Phila- delphia, Pa., on December 3, 1826. He died in Orange, N. J., on October 29, 1885. His hfe covered barely fifty-nine years, his services of national prominence only eighteen months, but during this time he experienced such extremes of good and ill fortune, of success and of failure, as seldom have fallen to the lot of one man. While still a small boy MeClellan entered a school in Philadelphia which was conducted by Mr. Sears Cook Walker, a graduate of Harvard, and remained there for four years. He later was a pupil in the preparatory school of the Univer- sity of Pennsylvania, under the charge of Dr. Samuel Crawford. MeClellan at the same time received private tuition in Greek and Latin from a German teacher named Scheffer and entered the University itself in 1840. He remained there as a student for only two years, for in 1842 he received an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. MeClellan graduated from West Point second in his class in the summer of 1846 and was com- 2 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF missioned a brevet second lieutenant of engineers. On July 9 Colonel Joseph G. Totten, Chief of Engineers, ordered McClellan to "repair to West Point" for duty with the company of engineers then being organized by Captain A. J. Swift and Lieutenant Gustavus W. Smith. The Mexican War had begun during the preceding May and the yoimg graduate of West Point was filled with delight at the new opportimity for winning reputation and rank in. his chosen profession. The company of engineers was ordered to Mexico and left for the front during the month of Sep- tember. The diary that follows begins with the depart- ure from West Point and continues the narrative of McClellan's experiences through the battle of Cerro Gordo in April, 1847. It ends at this point, except for a line or two jotted down later on in moments of impatience or ennui. To the student of McClellan's life this diary presents certain striking contrasts in character between the youthful soldier, not yet twenty years of age, and the general or politician of fif- teen or twenty years later. At this time Mc- Clellan was by nature happy-go-lucky, joyous, carefree, and almost irresponsible. In after years he became extremely serious, deeply and sincerely religious, sometimes oppressed by a GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 3 sense of duty. And yet at this early age we can plainly discern many of the traits that stand out so prominently in his mature life. He was in a way one of the worst subordinates and best superiors that ever lived. As a subordinate he was restless, critical, often ill at ease. He seemed to have the proverbial "chip" always on his shoulder and knew that his commanding officers would go out of their way to knock it off ; or else he imagined it, which amounted to the same thing. As a commanding officer he always was thought- ful, considerate and deeply sympathetic with his men, and they knew this and loved him for it. These same traits perhaps will explain much of the friction during the early years of the Civil War between McClellan and Lincoln and also the devotion that reached almost to adoration which the soldiers of the Army of the Potomac showed for their beloved commander. And Mc- CleUan had many intimate friends, friends of high character, who stood by him through thick and thin imtil the very day of his death. This relationship could not have continued strong to the last had he not in some measure deserved it. His integrity, his inherent truthfulness and sense of honor, stood out predominant. McClellan could write. In fact his pen was too ready and in later years it often led him into 4. MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF difficulties. He had a keen sense of humor, though it was tempered by too much self-confi- dence and at times was tinged with conceit. He was proud, ambitious and deeply sensitive. All this appears in the diary, and it will be seen that this little book offers a key to the explanation of much that followed. McClellan took a prominent and brilhant part, for so young a man, in the later events of Scott's campaign which ended in the capture of the City of Mexico. He showed himself to be able, brave and extremely skilful. He was pro- moted to the rank of brevet first heutenant, August 20, "for gallant and meritorious conduct in the battles of Contreras and Cherubusco," and brevet captain on September 13 for his services at Chapultepec. He was brevetted in addition for Molino del Rey on September 8, and the nomination was confirmed by Congress, but he declined the honor on the ground that he had not taken part in that battle, while this brevet "would also cause him to rank above his com- manding officer — Lieut. G. W. Smith — who was present at every action where he was and com- manded him." (Ms. letter from McClellan to General R. Jones, Adj. Gen. U. S. A., dated "Washington City, August 1848." McClellan Papers, Library of Congress, Vol. I.) GEORGE B. JMcCLELLAN 5 The diary gives a vivid picture of Mexico, the land and its people. Furthermore, there is a fine description of the life of the soldiers on the march, of the siege of Vera Cruz, and of the ill behavior and lack of discipline of the volunteer forces. The notes will show that General George Gordon Meade, later the Union commander at Gettysbin-g, also was a lieutenant in Taylor's army, and his estimate of the volunteers agrees in every particular with that mentioned above. McClellan's career has been the subject of end- less controversy, often pursued with such acri- mony and gross unfairness that its memory rankles today in the minds of many. Further- more, upon the outcome of this controversy have depended the reputations of many prominent men, for if McClellan should be proved to have been in the wrong the mantle of greatness still might rest upon the shoulders of certain pohti- eians and generals hitherto adjudged to be "great." On the other hand, if McClellan was in the right, and the present writer believes that in large part he was, then he was a victim of envy and downright falsehood. His name should now be cleared of all unjust accusations, and also history should reverse its judgment of many of his opponents. Wm. Starr Myers. PARTS or /\J^-^^^^^ '"T^ s TEXAS&MEXIOO ^ y ,■^^^£^^1^ ^^Sj 4 1 THE Seat of the War :me3:ico Imh^x^ ••.^ 'il o^K^^^""^ i ■'^S^^^^^''^*^^^^-^ v^^ o fr^ f^^l£^^^^\tc ^/ ar^Mi^i- /^"i-ci /-ir ~^A- ^,t^i^ 4 7S.«<* vSfcf /ig^i-^ l^^^a^.-,'^cM- Facsimile reproduction of McClellan's manuscript. First Page of the Mexican War Diary. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 41 — as Arista's map says. . . . It is a large yellow house — looking quite modern in the wilderness. The crossing at the stream was very bad, and required a great deal of work. Major McCall thought it would take two days — in two days we were at Victoria. The stream is a branch of the Soto la Marina and is called San Antonio. It is a clear cold stream — the banks lined with cypress trees — ^the first I ever saw. Pat (after ringing in to the owner of the ranch for a dinner) ensconced himself in the roots of a large cypress and with a countenance expressing mingled emo- tions of fear, anxiety, impatience and disgust watched the progress of the work — yelled at every one who rode into the water etc., etc. January 3rd. We started before dayhght and succeeded in getting clear of the volunteer camp administration of Mexico. In 1821 he advocated the cele- brated "Plan of Iguala," in which it was proposed that Mexico should become independent under the rule of a member of the Spanish royal family. Ferdinand VII re- garded the movement as a rebellion, and Iturbide himself was proclaimed emperor as Agustin I in May, 1822, and crowned the following July. . A rebellion immediately broke out against his authority under the lead of Santa Anna, who proclaimed a republic at Vera Cruz. Iturbide was forced to abdicate in March, 1 828, and went to Europe. He returned to Mexico the fol- lowing year but was arrested and shot at Padilla on July 19, 1824. 42 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF by dint of great exertions. After marching about five miles through a fertile river bottom we reached the main branch of the Soto la Marina, a most beautiful stream of the clearest, coldest, most rapid water I ever saw — about sixty yards wide and three feet deep. Songo had some trou- ble in crossing without being washed off "Jim." Padilla is situated on the banks of this stream — an old town rapidly going to ruin— with a quaint old Cathedral built probably 200 years ago, if not more. After marching about twelve miles more we reached the stream of La Corona, another branch of La Marina, similar in its char- acter to the others. After working for about an hour on the banks we encamped on the further side. The Tennessee horse gave our men a "hft" over both the last streams — some of the Sappers^ ^ had evidently never been mounted before. January 4th. Very early we started for Vic- toria — and had to work our way through the camp of the Ilhnois regiments which was placed along the road. At last we cleared them and found ourselves marching by moonlight through a beautiful grove of pecan trees. I know nothing more pleasant than this moonhght marching, everything is so beautiful and quiet. Every few ^"^ Sappers, soldiers employed in the building of fortifi- cations, field works, etc. {Century Diet.) GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 43 moments a breath of warm air would strike our faces — reminding us that we were ahnost beneath the Tropic. After we had marched for about four hours we heard a httle more yeUing than usual among the Volunteers. Smith turned his horse to go and have it stopped when who should we see but the General and his staff in the midst of the yelling. We concluded that they must be yelling too, so we let them alone. This is but one instance of the many that occurred when these Mustang Generals were actually afraid to exert their authority upon the Volunteers. — Their popularity 'would he endangered. I have seen enough on this march to convince me that Volunteers and Volunteer Generals wont do. I have repeatedly seen a Second Lieutenant of the regular army exercise more authority over the Volunteers — oncers and privates — ^than a Mus- tang General. The road this day was very good and after a march of about seventeen miles we reached Vic- toria. The Volunteers had out their flags, etc. — those that had uniforms put them on, especially the commandant of the advanced guard. Picks and shovels were put up — Generals halted and collected their staffs, and in they went in grand procession — evidently endeavoring to create the impression that they had marched in this way all 44 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF the way — ^the few regular officers along laughing enough to kill themselves. General [John A.] Quitman came out to meet General Patterson— but old Zach [Taylor], who arrived with his regulars about an hour before we did, stayed at home like a sensible man.^^ We made fools of ourselves (not we either, for I was laughing like a wise man all the time) by riding through the streets to General Quitman's quar- ters where we had wine and fruit. Then we rode down to the camp ground — a miserable stony field — we in one comer of it, the "Continental Army" all over the rest of it. We at last got settled. About dark started over to General Taylor's camp. Before I had gone 200 yards I met the very person I was going to see — need ^^ "General Taylor never wore uniform, but dressed himself entirely for comfort. He moved about the field in which he was operating to see through his own eyes the situation. Often he would be without staff officers, and when he was accompanied by them there was no prescribed order in which they followed. He was very much given to sit his horse sideways — with both feet on one side — particularly on the battlefield. . . . Taylor was not a con- versationalist, but on paper he could put his meaning so plainly that there could be no mistaking it. He knew how to express what he wanted to say in the fewest well chosen words, but would not sacrifice meaning to the construction of high sounding sentences." U. S. Grant, Memoirs, Vol. I, pages 138-139. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 45 not say how glad I was to meet him after a two months absence. This reminds me that when at Matamoros — a day or two before we started on the march — we received the news of poor Norton's death. I had written a letter to him the day before which was in my portfolio when I heard of his death. The noble fellow met his death on board the Atlantic, which was lost in Long Island Soxmd near New London on the 27th November 1846. Captain Cullum and Lieutenant C. S. Stewart were both on board, and both escaped. Norton exerted himself to the last to save the helpless women and children around him — but in accordance with the strange presentiment that had been hanging over him for some time, he lost his own life. He was buried at West Point — which will seem to me a different place without him. One night when at Victoria I was returning from General Taylor's camp and was halted about 150 yards from our Company by a Volun- teer sentinel. As I had not the countersign I told him who I was. He said I should not go by him. I told him "Confound you I wont stay out here all night." Said he "You had no busi- ness to go out of camp." Said I "Stop talking, you scovmdrel, and call the Corporal of the Guard." — "I ain't got no orders to call for the 46 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF Corporal and wont do it — you may, though, if you want." "What's the number of your post?" "Dont know." "Where's the Guard tent?" "Dont know." — As I was debating whether to make a rush for it, or to seek some softer hearted speci- men of patriotism, another sentinel called out to me "Come this way, Sir!"^ — It appeared that the first fellow's post extended to one side of the road, and the last one's met it there. — "Come this way, Sir" said he, "Just pass aroimd this bush and go in." "Hurrah for you" said I, "you're a trump, and that other fellow is a good for noth- ing blaguard." Left Victoria January 13th and arrived at Tampico on the 23rd. Wednesday January 13th. From Victoria to Santa Rosa four leagues. Road not very hilly, but had to be cut through thick brush; two very bad wet arroyos [gulches] were bridged. Santa Rosa a miserable ranche — could only get a half dozen eggs and a little pig in the whole concern — good water in the stream. [January] 14th. Started before daylight and before going 200 yards we landed in a lake — the road, or path, passed directly through it, and during the rest of the day it was necessary to cut the road through thick brush — ^no cart had ever been there before. Bridged two wet arroyos and encamped about sunset by a little stream. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 47 Just as enough water had been procured the stream was turned off — probably by the Mex- icans. We had a stampede this day. Rode on about six miles with the guide. Country a per- fect wilderness — ^not a ranche between Santa Rosa and Fordleone. [January] 15th. Started early, road cut through a mesquit[e] forest, many gulHes, two bad arroyos before reaching El Pastor. Here General Twiggs^* caught us, about 11 A. M., army encamped, but we went on. I worked the road for about five miles, and started back at 4 -^ David E. Twiggs was born in Richmond Co., Georgia, in 1790. He served in the war of 1812, and in the Mex- ican War became a brigade and division commander under General Scott. In February, 1861, he was in command of the Department of Texas, but surrendered his forces, with the military stores under his charge, to the Confed- erates. On March 1, 1861, Joseph Holt, Secretary of War, issued "General Order No. 5" as follows, — "By the direc- tion of the President of the United States, it is ordered that Brig. Gen. David E. Twiggs, major-general by brevet, be, and is hereby, dismissed from the Army of the United States, for his treachery to the flag of his country, in hav- ing surrendered, on the 18th of February, 1861, on the de- mand of the authorities of Texas, the military posts and other property of the United States in his department and under his charge." {Official Records, War of the Rebellion, Series I, Vol. I, page 597.) Twiggs was appointed a major general in the Confed- erate Army, and died at Augusta, Georgia, on September 15, 1862. 48 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF [o'clock]. Smith and Guy de L ^* rode on about ten miles. Road better but very stony. "Couldn't come the cactus" over Guy de L this day. He (G. de L.) shot five partridges at a shot which made us a fine supper. [January] 16th. Reveille at 3 — started at 4 — arrived at end of preceding day's work just at daybreak. Road very stony in many places — swore like a trooper all day — arrived at Arroyo Albaquila about 11 [A. M.]. Twiggs came up and helped us wonderfully by his swearing — got over in good time — cussed our way over another mile and a half— then encamped by the same stream — water very good. [January] 17th. Started before daybreak- road quite good — prairie land — arrived at Ford- leone or Ferlon at about half after ten. Fine large stream of excellent water — good ford — gravelly bottom — gentle banks. 11 miles. [Januaiy] 18th. Reveille at 3. Started long before daybreak — eyes almost whipped out of my head in the dark by the branches. Crossed the Rio Persas again at a quarter before seven — ^* "The correspondent of the 'Spirit of the Times/ G. de L., is Captain [Guy] Henry, of the Third Infantry, a classmate of mine at West Point, a very good fellow, and I notice his recent productions since our march from Camargo have been quite spirited." Meade, Life and Let- ters, Vol. I, pages 167-168. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 49 road rather stony in some places, but generally good. Great many palmetto trees — beautiful level country, covered with palmettos and cattle. "Struck" a bottle of aguardiente, or sugar cane rum. Made a fine lunch out of cold chicken and rum toddy — had another toddy when we arrived at our journey's end. Water from a stream, but bad. . . . Rode on about three miles and found the road pretty good. [January] 19th. On comparing notes at reveille found that the rum and polonay had made us all sick."^ Started at 5, road pretty good. Much open land, fine pasture — great deal of cat- tle. Reached Alamitos at about 9 A. M. — fine hacienda [farm] — good water, in a stream. Had a bottle of champagne for lunch — thanks to Gen- eral Smith. From this place to Tampico, the principal labor consisted in making a practicable wagon road across the numerous arroyos — ^most of them diy at the time we passed: the banks ^° "McClellan's sobriquet in Mexico, among his intimate friends, was 'Polance' (sugar). On the march, when [he] first arrived, he insisted upon eating a lot of the sugar arranged on eVen cobs and persuading his companions to eat it too. He was always fond of sweet things. They all became ill in consequence, and he more than any of them. After that they addressed him as 'Polance' for he kept say- ing, — 'Why it's Polance, the hest sugar — it can't hurt any- one'." (Note in writing of McClellan's daughter, McClel- lan Papers, Vol. 108.) 50 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF very steep. Altamira is a pretty little town, one march from Tampieo. The road between them passes through a very magnificent forest of live oaks. We encamped three miles from Tampieo for about four days, and then moved into quar- ters in the town — ^the quarters so well known as "The Bullhead Tavam." Tampieo is a dehghtful place^® — we passed a very pleasant time there, and left it with regret. We found the Artillery regiments encamped around the city. Many of the officers came out to meet us near Altamira. Champagne suppers were the order of the day (night I should say) for a long time. From Victoria to Tampieo we were detached with Guy Henry's company of the 3rd — ^^and Gantt's of the 7th — Henry messed with us. When within about four days march of Tampieo we saw in front of us Moimt Bemal, which is shaped hke a splendid dome. -^ Tampieo is a delightful place, having fine cafes, and all the luxuries of a somewhat civilized town. ... I find the place much larger than I expected, and really quite delightful. There is a large foreign population of mer- chants, and in consequence the town has all such comforts as good restaurants, excellent shops, where everything can be purchased, and is in fact quite as much of a place as New Orleans. It is inaccessible, owing to a bar, having only eight feet of water, and as this is the season of 'Northers,' already many wrecks have taken place." Meade, Life and Letters, Vol. I, pages 175 and 177. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 51 We left Tampico^'^ at daylight on the 24th February [1847] on board a little schooner called the Orator — a fast sailer, but with very inferior accommodations. I really felt sorry to leave the old "Bullhead Tavam" where I had passed so many pleasant moments. The view of the fine city of Tampico as we sailed down the river was beautiful. Its deUghtful rides, its beautiful rivers, its lagoons and pleasant Cafe will ever be present to my mind. Some of the happiest hours of my life were passed in this same city — Santa Anna de Tamaulipas. On arriving at Lobos^^ we foimd that we had ^' "You can form no idea of the pleasure it gave us to meet the regulars after having been so long with the cursed volunteers. ... I am tired of Tampico for I like to be in motion. — You have no idea of the charm and excitement of a march — I could live such a life for years and years without becoming tired of it. There is a great deal of hardship — but we have our own fun. If we have to get up, and start long before daybreak — we make up for it, when we gather around the campfires at night — -you never saw such a merry set as we are — no care, no trouble — we criticize the Generals — laugh and swear at the mustangs and volunteers, smoke our cigars and drink our brandy, when we have any — go without when we have none." (Let- ter to Mother dated Tampico, February 4, 1847. (Mc- Clellan Papers, Vol. I.) ^* The Isle of Lobos is "a lovely little spot, formed en- tirely of coral, about two miles in circumference, twelve miles from the Mexican shore, sixty from Tampico, and 52 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF arrived a day in advance of the "Army of the Rhine," which had started a day before us. Lobos is a small island formed by a coral reef — about 18 or 20 miles from the shore, forming under its lee a safe but not very pleasant anchorage. I went on shore but found nothing remarkable. Some 60 vessels were there when we started. At last the order was given to sail for Point Anton Lizardo. We sailed next but one after the gen- erals and arrived before any of them except Twiggs. We ran on the reef under the lee of Salmadina Island, were immediately taken off by the navy boats which put us on shore where we were very kindly received by the Rocketeers. It was a great relief to get rid of that confounded red and white flag — "send a boat with an officer" — and the disagreeable duty of reporting to the 'General en Gefe' every morning. A French one hundred and thirty from Vera Cruz." N. C. Brooks, History of the Mexican War, page 295. It was at the Isle of Lobos that General Scott organized his army. The regulars were divided into two brigades, commanded by Generals William J. Worth and David E. Twiggs respectively. General Robert Patterson com- manded the division of volunteers which was comjxised of the three brigades of Generals Gideon J. Pillow, John A. Quitman and James Shields. All told, Scott's army num- bered over 12,000 men. J. B. McMaster, History of the People of the United States, Vol. VII, page 506; James Schouler, History of the United States, Vol. V, page 42. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 53 sailor of the Orator undertook to pilot us and carried us on a reef of what he called Sacrificios^^ but what turned out to be Anton Lizardo. On the morning of the 9th of March we were removed from the Orator to the steamer Edith, and after three or four hours spent in transfer- ring the troops to the vessels of war and steamers, we got under weigh and sailed for Sacrificios. At half past one we were in full view of the town [Vera Cruz] and castle, with which we soon were to be very intimately acquainted. Shortly after anchoring the preparations for landing commenced, and the 1st (Worth's)*" Brigade was formed in tow of the "Princeton" in two long lines of surf boats — bayonets fixed and colors flying. At last all was ready, but just before the order was given to cast off a shot whistled over our heads. "Here it comes" thought everybody, "now we will catch it." When the order was given the boats cast off and forming in three parallel lines pulled for the shore, not ^^ The island of Sacrificios, three miles south of Vera Cruz. ^"William J. Worth was bom in Hudson, N. Y., on March 1, 1794.. He fought in the War of 1812 and in the Seminole War in 1841. During the Mexican War he par- ticipated in the campaigns of Generals Taylor and Scott and later he commanded in Texas. He died at San An- tonio, Texas, on May 17, 1849. 54 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF a word was said — everyone expected to hear and feel their batteries open every instant. Still we pulled on and on — vintil at last when the first boats struck the shore those behind, in the fleet, raised that same cheer which has echoed on all our battlefields — we took it up and such cheering I never expect to hear again — except on the field of battle. Without waiting for the boats to strike the men jvmiped in up to their middles in the water and the battalions formed on their colors in an instant — our company was the right of the re- serve under [Lieut.-] Colonel Belton. Our com- pany and the 3rd Artillery ascended the sand hills and saw — nothing. We slept in the sand — wet to the middle. In the middle of the night we were awakened by musketry — a skirmish be- tween some pickets. The next morning we were sent to unload and reload the "red iron boat" — after which we resmned our position and took our place in the line of investment. Before we com- menced the investment, the whole army was drawn up on the beach. We took up our posi- tion on a line of sand hiUs about two miles from the town. The Mexicans amused themselves by firing shot and shells at us — all of which (with one exception) fell short. The Sim was most intensely hot, and there was GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 55 not a particle of vegetation on the sand hills which we occupied. Captain Swift found himself tin- able to stand it, and at about half past twelve gave up the command to G. W. Smith and went on board the "Massachusetts" that same after- noon. He did not resimie the command, but re- turned to the United States. He died in New Orleans on the 24th of April. About one we were ordered to open a road to Mahbran (a ruined monastery at the head of the lagoon). The Mohawks had been skirmish- ing arovmd there, but, as I was afterward in- formed by some of their officers, that they fired more on each other than on the Mexicans. After cutting the road to Mahbran we continued it as far as the railroad — a party of Volunteers doing the work and some 25 of our men acting as a guard. When we arrived at the railroad, we foimd it and the chaparral occupied by the Mex- icans. Our men had a skirmish with them — charged the chaparral and drove them out of it. We returned to Mahbran and bivouacked on the wet grass without fires — ^hardly anything to eat — ^wet and cold. Got up in the morning and resumed our work on the road — from the railroad to the "high bare sand hill" — occupied by the Pennsylvanians the night before. The work was very tedious, tiresome and difiicult — the hill very 56 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF high and steep — and the work not at all facih- tated by the shells and shot that continually fell all around us. At last we cut our way to the summit — tired to death. A M rifleman was killed this morning by a 24 poimd shot — on top of the hill. Lieutenant Colonel Dickenson and some few Volunteers were wounded by esco- pette*^ balls. I was sent up in the morning to find the best path for our road and just as I got up to the top of the hill the bullets commenced whistling hke hail aroimd me. Some Lancers^^ were firing at the Volunteers — who were very much confused and did not behave well. Taylor's Battery and the rest of Twiggs's Division moved over the hill towards their position on the left of the line. Worth's Division (or Brigade as it was then called) occupied the right of the investment, the Mohawks under Patterson the centre, and Twiggs the left. After resting our men at Mali- bran, we moved back to our old position with the 3rd Artillery, where we bivouacked. I had observed on the preceding day the posi- tion of the aqueduct supplying the city with ^^ Escopette, a carbine or short rifle, especially a form used by the Spanish Americans (Century Diet.'). ^^ Light cavalry armed with lances, or long spears, vary- ing from 8% to 11 feet in length {Century Diet.). GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 57 water, I told Lieutenant Beaviregard*^ next morning what I had seen. He reported it to Colonel [Joseph G.] Totten [Chief of Engi- neers] and Smith and myself were ordered to cut off the water, Foster remaining at home. We took a party, cut off the water. Smith exploded a humbug of Gid Pillow's and we started on a reconnoitring expedition of our own. I stopped to kill a "slow deer" and Smith went on. I then followed him with three men and overtook him a httle this side of the cemetery. We went on to within 900 yards of the city and at least a mile and a half in advance of the line of investment — ascertained the general formation of the ground and where to reconnoitre. We retimied after dark, Foster much troubled as to what had be- come of us. It was upon reporting to Colonel Totten on this night (12th) that he said that I ^' Pierre G. T. Beauregard, later a prominent Confed- erate General, was born in New Orleans on May 28, 1818. He graduated from West Point in 1838. Died at New Orleans on February 20, 1893. Beauregard was appointed a brigadier general in the Confederate Army in 1861 and bombarded and captured Fort Sumter in April of the same year. He commanded at the first battle of Bull Kun on July 21, 1861, and fol- lowing it was promoted to the rank of general. He took part in the battle of Shiloh in April, 1862, commanded at Charleston, S. C, from 1862 to 1864, and in Virginia in the latter year. 58 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF and G. W. [Smith] were the only officers who had as yet given him any information of value — that we had done more than all the rest, etc., etc. All forgotten with the words as they left his mouth — vide his official report of the siege. G. W. and myself wiU never forget how we passed this blessed night — (new fashioned dance). On the next day Foster was sent after our bag- gage and camp equipage. I was ordered to move the company and pitch the tents on a spot on the extreme right. Smith went out with Major [John L.] Smith to where we had been the night before, but went no further toward the city than we had been. [March 14th]. The next day Foster was de- tailed to assist Major Smith and Beauregard in measuring a base line etc. on the sand hills. G. W. and myself went to the hme kiln in the morning, where we saw Captain [John R.] Vin- ton, Van Vhet, Laing, Rodgers and Wilcox (Cadmus) — ^took a good look at the town and its defences — and determined to go along the ridge by the cemetery that night and to go nearer the city. While at the lime kiln an order was re- ceived from General Worth informing Captain Vinton that the enemy's picquets would be driven in that day and that he (Captain Vinton) must not attempt to support them — as there were strong reserves. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 59 We returned to camp, got our dinner and started again — being a little fearful that our picquets would be so far advanced as to interfere with our operations. But we foxmd them about 150 yards in advance of the line of investment, stooping, whispering, and acting as if they ex- pected to be fired upon every moment — whilst we had been a mile and a half in advance of their position with a dozen men. They were at first disposed to dissuade us from going on — as being too dangerous etc. We went on though, accom- panied by Captain Walker of the 6th. The Cap- tain left us before we got to the cemetery. I took one man (Sergeant Starr) and went down to reconnoitre it — in order to ascertain whether it was occupied by the enemy, whilst G. W. [Smith] went on to examine a hill which covered the vaUey from Santiago and the Castle to some extent. I went down to the cemetery (finding a good road) went around it and got in it — satis- fying myself that it was not occupied. I rejoined G. W. and together we went on very near the i;own. We returned late, being the only oflScers of any corps who had gone as far as, much less beyond the cemetery. [March] 15th. The next day we were ordered to cut an infantry road as far as the cemetery. We found that one had been cut before we got 60 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF out by Captain Johnson as far as the old grave yard. We cut one completely concealed from view from there to the hollow immediately op- posite the cemetery. Captain Walker's company was behind the cemetery. Whilst there one of his sentinels reported the approach of some Lancers. They stopped at a house about 30 yards from the other side of the cemetery — and came no farther. On the strength of the ap- proach of these 15 or 20 Lancers a report got back to camp that the advanced picquets had been attacked by a strong force of Mexicans — so on our return we met nearly the whole division marching out to drive them back — litters for the "to he wounded" and all. It was a glorious stam- pede — ^well worthy of Bold Billy Jenkins. [March] 16th. The next day we went out [and] met Major Scott Who went with G. W. to [the] position afterward occupied by the six gim battery — ^whilst I had a hole made through the cemetery wall and broke into the chapel — hoping to be able to reach the dome, and ascertain from that place the direction of the streets. I could not — we rather — get up to the dome, so we left the cemetery, determining to push on toward the town. G. W. found a very fine position for a battery about 450 yards from Santiago and enfilading the principal street. We met Colonel GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 61 Totten and Captain [R. E.] Lee" — showed them the place — ^they were very much pleased with it. We came out with the Company ( Captain Lee, Smith, Foster and myself) that evening, arrived at the place after dark, and Captain Lee, Smith and Foster went in to lay out a battery — leaving me, in command of the Company, in the road. When on our return we were passing by the old grave yard a sharp fire of musketry commenced — one of our pickets had been fired upon. The next day (17th) we cut a path to the position of this battery (in perspective) . As we retmned they discovered us and opened a fire of 24 poiHid shot upon us which enfiladed our path beautifully. They fired too high and hit no one. We reached at length a sheltered position where we remained until the firing ceased — the balls striking one side of the hill — we being snugly ensconced on the other. On the next day (18th) the position of the batteries was definitely fixed. In the afternoon I was ordered by Colonel Totten to arrange at the Engineers' Depot (on the beach) tools for ^* Robert E. Lee, later the celebrated Confederate Gen- eral-in-Chief and McClellan's main adversary. He was bom at Stratford, Westmoreland Co., Virginia, on Jan- uary 19, 1807, and died at Lexington, Virginia, on October 12, 1870. 62 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF a working party of 200 men — and be ready to conduct it as soon as it was dark to the proper position. The working party (3rd Artillery, Marines, and 5th Infantry — all under Colonel Belton) did not arrive until long after dark — and it was quite late when we arrived at the posi- tion for the batteries. I was placed in charge of Mortar Battery No. 1 — G. W. in charge of No. 2 — a parallel was also made across the little val- ley. Each of these batteries was for three mor- tars. No. 1 was formed by cutting away the side of a hill, so that we had merely to form the epaul- ments^^ and bring the terreplein*® down to the proper level— the hill sheltering us from the direct fire of the Castle and Santiago. So also with No. 2 — ^which was made in the gorge where the road to the cemetery crossed the ridge on left of valley. The tools for [the] working party were ar- ranged on the beach in parallel rows of tools for 20 men each and about four feet apart, so that they might take up the least possible space. Each man was provided with a shovel and either a pick, ^^ Epaulment, the mass of earth or other material which protects the guns in a battery both in front and on either flank (^Century Diet.'). ^* Terre-plein, the top, platform or horizontal surface of a rampart, on which the cannon are placed (Century Did.). GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 63 axe, or hatchets (about 140 picks and mattocks) . The party was conducted in one rank, by the right flank. The men were well covered by day- hght. [March] 19th. Mason, Foster, and I think [I. I.] Stevens, relieved Captain Lee, Beaure- gard, Smith and myself at 3 A. M. During the day they continued the excavation of the two batteries and the short parallel across the valley. The enemy kept up a hot fire during the fore- noon but injured no one. During the evening of this day Smith laid out and commenced the par- allel leading from No. 1 to the position after- ward occupied by the 24 pounder battery. The work was difficult on accoimt of the denseness of the chaparral and the small number of work- men. The parapet was made shot proof (or sufficiently so to answer the purpose of covering the morning relief) by daybreak. The enemy fired grape etc. for a short time, but not suffi- ciently well aimed or long enough kept up to impede the progress of the work. The battery known as the Naval Battery was commenced on this same night. The enemy were kept in entire ignorance of the construction of this battery until the very night before it opened, and then they only discovered that something was being done there — they did not know what. The Mexican 64 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF Chief Engineer told Colonel Totten of this fact after the capitulation. [March] 20th. The construction of the par- allel and of the mortar batteries Nos. 1 and 2 was carried on during this day. By 3 P. M., when Mason and myself went out there — ^the parallel was finished — the excavation of the two batteries completed — ^the sandbag traverses in No. 2 finished — those in No. 1 very nearly so. We were to lay out and excavate the positions for the two magazines of each battery, to com- mence Mortar Battery No. 3 (for four mortars) , lay the platforms and place the magazine frames —which were to be brought out at night fall. By the direction of Mason, I had the positions of the magazines prepared and laid out before dark. Colonel Totten came out and directed me to lay out No. 3. I also laid out the boyau^'^ leading from 1 to 2. Mason took charge of the maga- zines 1 and 2 and directed me to take charge of No. 3. I employed four sets of men on the bat- tery at the same time — ^one set throwing the earth from the rear of the parallel upon the berm*^ — ^^ Boyau, a ditch covered with a parapet, serving as a means of communication between two trenches, especially between the first and third parallels. Also called a zigzag or an approach {Century Diet.). ^* Berm, a narrow level space at the outside foot of a parapet, to retain material which otherwise might fall from the slope into the ditch (Standard Diet.). GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 65 a second on the berm disposing of this earth thrown on the berm — a third set working at the rear of the battery, excavating toward the front, these threw the earth so as to form shght epaul- ments, and in rear. A fourth set were employed in making the excavations for the magazines. A very violent Norther arose which obliged me to employ the first and second sets in front of the battery — ^they excavating a ditch. At dayhght the parapet was shot proof and the battery required about one hour's digging to finish it. Owing to some mistake the platforms and magazine frames did not arrive until very late and but little progress was made as far as they were concerned. Had they arrived in time all three batteries could have opened on the after- noon of the 21st. The construction of the battery on the left of the railroad [was] still progress- ing. They fired rockets etc. at us during the early part of the night. [March] 21st. During this day not very much was done — some progress was made with the six gun battery — ^magazines, platforms, etc. [March] 22nd. Not being aware of a change in the detail I went out at 3 A. M. Found the magazines of No. 2 finished, the small magazines of No. 1 the same. Took charge of large maga- zine of No. 1 — ^whilst Mason was engaged with 66 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF those of No. 3. About 8 [o'clock] was informed of change of detail, went to camp and was re- quested by Colonel Totten to go out to the trenches "extra" and give all the assistance in my power, since the General wished to send in a summons to the town at 2 P. M. and open upon them if they refused to surrender. I went out and was chiefly occupied during the day in cover- ing the magazine of No. 1 with earth. This was done under fire of Santiago and adjacent bastion, which batteries having a clear view of my work- ing party made some pretty shots at us — striking the earth on the magazine once in a while, but injuring no one. At 2 P. M. we were ready to open with three mortars in No. 1 — ^three in No. 2 — one in No. 3. — seven in all. The flag was carried in by Captain Johnston, the enemy ceased firing when they saw it. Col- onel Bankhead^^ informed the Commandants of Batteries 1 and 3 that the discharge of a mortar from No. 2 would be the signal to open from all the mortars. The flag had hardly commenced its return from the town when a few spiteful shots from Santiago at my party on the maga- zine told us plainly enough what the reply had been. Probably half an hour elapsed before a ^° Colonel Bankhead was the Chief of Artillery at the siege of Vera Cruz. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 67 report from No. 2 gave us the first official intima- tion that General Morales*" had bid defiance to us, and invited us to do our worst. The command "Fire!" had scarcely been given when a perfect storm of iron burst upon us — every gun and mortar in Vera Cruz and San Juan, that could be brought to bear, hurled its contents around us — the air swarmed with them — and it seemed a miracle that not one of the hundreds they fired fell into the crowded mass that filled the trenches. The recruits looked rather blue in the gills when the splinters of shells fell around them, but the veterans cracked their jokes and talked about Palo Alto and Monterey. When it was nearly dark I went to the left with Mason and passed on toward the town where we could observe our shells — ^the effect was su- perb. The enemy's fire began to slacken toward night, im.til at last it ceased altogether — ours, though, kept steadily on, never ceasing — ^never tiring. Immediately after dark I took a working party and repaired all the damage done to the parapets by the enemy's fire, besides increasing the thick- ness of the earth on the magazines of No. 1, *" General Juan Morales was the Mexican commander at Vera Cruz. 68 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF Captain Vinton was killed a short time before dark near Battery No. 3 by a spent shell — two men were woimded by fragments of shells near No. 1. Shortly after dark, three more mortars were put in Battery No. 3 — making 10 mortars in all. Captain [John] Saiinders was employed upon the 6 gun battery (24 pounders). He revetted*^ it with one thickness of sand bags, all of which fell down next morning. I brought out from the Engineer Depot the platforms for this battery during the night — the magazine frame was brought out next day. The battery on the left of the railroad [was] still progressing, imder the charge of Captain [R. E.] Lee, [Lieut. Z. B.] Tower and [G. W.] Smith — who relieved each other. [March] 23rd. Firing continued from our mortars steadily — fire of enemy by no means so warm as when we opened on the day before. Our mortar platforms were much injured by the fir- ing already. The 24 pounder battery had to be re-revetted entirely — ^terreplein levelled. During this day and night the magazine was excavated, and the frame put up. Two traverses made — the positions of platforms and embrasures deter- mined. Two platforms laid and the guns run in " Revet, to face, as an embankment, with masonry or other material (^Century Diet.). GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 69 — the embrasures for them being partly cut. One other gun was run to the rear of the battery. [March] 24th. On duty with Captain Saun- ders again — could get no directions so I had the two partly cut embrasures marked with sand bags and dirt, and set a party at work to cover the magazine with earth as soon as it was finished. During this day the traverses*^ were finished, the platforms laid, the magazine entirely finished, and a large number of sand bags filled for the revetments of the embrasures. The "Naval Bat- tery" opened today, their fire was fine music for us, but they did not keep it up very long. The crash of the eight inch shells as they broke their way through the houses and burst in them was very pretty. The " Greasers^ ' had had it all in their own way — but we were gradually opening on them now. Remained out all night to take charge of two embrasures. The Alabama Volunteers, who formed the working party, did not come until it was rather late — we set them at work to cut down and level the top of parapet — thicken- ing it opposite the third and fourth guns. Then laid out the embrasures and put seven men in each. Foster had charge of two, Coppee of two, *^ Traverse, an earthen mask, similar to a parapet, thrown across the covered way of a permanent work to pro- tect it from the effects of an enfilading fire {Century Diet.). 70 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF and I of two. Mine were the only ones finished at daylight — ^the Volunteers gave out and could hardly be induced to work at all. [March] 25th. Mason and Stevens relieved Beauregard and Foster — but I remained. I had- the raw hides put on — and with a large party of Volunteers opened the other embrasures. This was done in broad daylight, ia full view of the town — yet they had not fired more than three or four shots when I finished and took in the men. The battery then opened. We then gave it to Mexicans about as hotly as they wished. We had ten mortars — ^three 68s, three 32s, four 24s, and two eight-inch howitzers playing upon them as fast as they could load and fire. Captain Anderson, 3rd Artillery, fired on this morning thirty shells in thirty minutes from his battery of three mortars (No. 1). As I went to our camp I stopped at Colonel Totten's tent to inform him of the state of af- fairs — ^he directed me to step in and report to General Scott. I found him writing a despatch. He seemed to be very much delighted and showed me the last words he had written which were "in- defatigable Engineers." Then we were needed and remembered — ^the instant the pressing neces- sity passed away we were forgotten. The echo of the last hostile gun at Vera Cruz had not died Facsimile reproduction of a pencil sketch by McClellan. Church at Camargo, seen from the Palace. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 71 away before it was forgotten by the Commander in Chief that such a thing existed as an Engineer Company.** The superiority of our fire was now very ap- parent. I went out again at 3 P. M. — met Ma- son carrying a large goblet he had found in a deserted ranch. Found Captain Lee engaged in the construction of a new mortar battery for f our mortars, immediately to the left of No. 1 — in the parallel. There was a complete cessation of fir- ing — a flag having passed in relation to the con- suls, I think. The platforms of this battery were laid, but not spiked down. A traverse was made *' General Scott "always wore all the uniform prescribed or allowed by law when he inspected his lines ; word would be sent to all division and brigade commanders in advance, notifying them of the hour when the commanding general might be expected. This was done so that all the army might be under arms to salute their chief as he passed. On these occasions he wore his dress uniform, cocked hat, aiguUlettes, sabre and spurs. His staff proper, besides all officers constructively on his staff— engineers, inspectors, quartermasters, etc., that could be spared — followed, also in uniform and in prescribed order. Orders were prepared with great care and evidently with the view that they should be a history of what followed. . . . General Scott was pre- cise in language, cultivated a style peculiarly his own; was proud of his rhetoric; not averse to speaking of himself, often in the third person, and he could bestow praise upon the person he was talking about without the least embar- rassment." U. S. Grant, Memoirs, Vol. I, pages 1S8-139. 7a MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF in boyau between Nos. 1 and 2, just in front of the entrance of the large magazine of No. 1, it being intended to run a boyau from behind this traverse to the left of the new battery. I laid out a boyau connecting Stevens's communications with the short "parallel" of No. 2, then Captain Lee explained his wishes in relation to the new battery and left me in charge of it. I thickened the parapet from a ditch in front — inclined the superior slope upward^ left the berm, made the traverses, had the platforms spiked, etc. The mortars were brought up and placed in the bat- tery that night. Captain Saunders sent me to repair the embrasures of the 24 pounder battery — doing nothing himself. He then sent me to excavate the boyau I had laid out. About 11.30 the discharge of a few rockets by our rocketeers caused a stampede amongst the Mexicans — ^they fired escopettes and muskets from all parts of their walls. Our mortars re- opened about 1.30 with the greatest vigor — some- times there were six shells in the air at the same time. A violent Norther commenced about 1 o'clock making the trenches very disagreeable. About three quarters of an hour, or an hour after we reopened we heard a bugle sovmd in town. At first we thought it a bravado — then reveille, then a parley — so we stopped firing to await the re- GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 73 suit. Nothing more was heard, so in about half an hour we reopened with great warmth. At length another chi-wang-a-wang was heard which turned out to be a parley. During the day the terms of svurender of the town of Vera Ci'uz** and castle of San Juan de Ulua were agreed upon, and on 29th of March, 1847 the garrison marched out with drums beating, colors flying and laid down their arms on the plain between the lagoon and the city. . . . muskets were stacked and a number of escopettes. . . . pieces of artillery were fovmd in the town and ... in the castle. After the surrender of Vera Cruz we moved our encampment — first to the beach, then to a position on the plain between our batteries and the city. Foster was detached on duty with the other Engineers to survey the town and castle. Smith and myself were to superintend the land- ing of the pontoon and engineers trains, and to collect them at the Engineer Depot. Between the Quartermasters and Naval Ofiicers this was hardly done when we left. I dismantled the bat- teries, magazines etc. — -then amused myself until we left, with the chills and fever. J[immie] S[tuart] being too sick to go on **Vera Cruz at that time was a city of about 15,000 in- habitants. 74 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF with his regiment came over to our camp and stayed with us. Instead of being sent on in our proper position, at the head of Twiggs's Division, we were kept back and finally allowed to start on the same day that Worth started*^ — we re- ceived no orders to move, merely a permission. Our teams (6) were the worst I ever saw — they had just been lassooed as they swam ashore, and neither they nor their teamsters had ever seen a wagon before. We left Vera Cruz on the 13th [April]. By dint of applymg some of the knowledge I had acquired imder Guy Henry's parental care, I succeeded in getting four teams to Ve[r]gara (Twiggs's headquarters during the siege). As Smith and Foster did not come up I rode back to see what was the matter and f oimd that they had arrived at a point opposite the middle of the city, broken down two sets of teams, got one teamster's arm and hand badly kicked — and the devil to pay in general. At last they got on, and by leaving half the loads by the roadside we managed by hard swearing to get to within one half mile of El Rio Medio by dark. The road so far was horrible, being hilly and *° On the advance of Scott's army from Vera Cruz, Twiggs led the way, followed a day later by Patterson, and five days later still by Worth. J. B. McMaster, History of the People of the United States, Vol. VII, page 507. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 75 very sandy. Our mules were so weak and miser- able that the men actually had to push the wag- ons along, and it was easy to see that our march was to be very severe upon all concerned. Gen- eral Worth and his staff passed us as we were busily engaged in "cussing" a team up a hill — we then learned for the first time that Santa Anna was at Cerro Gordo with a large force. When we encamped this night everybody was tired to death, and the only event worthy of rec- ollection was the thrashing that a certain lazy nigger "Isaac" received from his frisky "bos." On the [14th] we made an early start and after "persuading" the mules up the hill beyond Rio Medio we got along without very much trouble until we arrived at Santa Fe. Here the wagons were unloaded and leaving me with about ten men Smith and Foster went back after the loads left at Ve[r]gara. Jimmie [Stuart] and I struck up an acquaintance with the Alcalde — a very nice sort of a man. I found a couple of cavalry bar- racks etc. We amused ourselves chatting with the Alcalde aU day — ^who tried hard to stampede us with gueriUa tales etc. Captain Hughes came up late in the afternoon. Smith arrived after dark, having left the wagons with the ordnance people about half a mile behind. While G. W. [Smith] was at supper, Jimmie, who had been amusing 76 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF himself by playing monte with the Rancheros, came back and amused us by an account of a muy poquito muchachito [a very little boy] about four years old playing monte and smoking paros \^puros, or cigars]. Foster came up at last, and we all turned in. Santa Fe is a poor little affair — ^no water, but rather a fine view of a large extent of rolling country. On the 15th I started back after the wagons before daybreak "imwashed and uncombed." After a vast amovmt of swearing at "Seven Bot- tles," of whom more anon, I got all the wagons up to Santa Fe — set the men to work at loading the wagons — got my breakfast, and at last we started. Country at first a rolling prairie — finally more broken and woody. We passed some of the most magnificent forests I ever saw — trees covered with most beautiful flowers — the fields also — ^the villages were completely deserted. About the middle of the day we stopped at a stream to rest. — ^While taking our lunch vmder the bridge an old stupid Dutch teamster brought down his mules to water and finally proceeded to water himself. He drank seven ( !) claret bottles full of water and at length finding that process too slow he took to his bucket! We went on and overtook the ordnance fellows at GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 77 Had a good supper and a fine sleep, although they did try to stampede us about Lancers etc. — but they could not do it. Started early on the 16th [April] — country remarkably broken — even mountainous. We passed several very long hills, at which it was necessary to treble our poor little teams. Met Simon Buckner** with a beef party. Arrived at Puerto Nacional just before Worth's Division left it (about 2 P. M.) . Saw all the fellows and made our preparations to start at twelve at night. Took a 6ne bath in the clear mountain stream, and then dinner. After dinner we went to see Santana's Hacienda — found a little boy in it who was frightened to death at the Barbarians. A real [a small coin, about 12 J cents] soon quieted him. The bridge has a curved axis — it is a beautiful piece of architecture. It would be impossible to cross it were the heights around properly de- *" Simon B. Buckner was bom in Kentucky on April 1, 1823, and died January 8, 1914. He graduated from West Point in 1844. During the Civil War he was first a brigadier general, and later a lieutenant general in the Confederate Army. He stood by his troops and surrendered Fort Donel- son to General Grant on February 16, 1862. After the war he became Governor of Kentucky and was the candi- date for Vice-President on the Gold Democratic ticket in 1896. 78 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF fended and the bridge itself occupied. The bridge and heights might all be tximed by enter- prising light infantry, for the stream is fordable. From the nature of the ground it would be im- possible for artillery or cavalry to turn it with- out great trouble and labor. Reveille at 11.30 — started at quarter past twelve — ^of course no undressing. S[tuart] "thought as he was already dressed there could be no hurry." Night pitch dark. About an hour before daybreak found in the road a saddle (American) and a pool of blood — some poor devil of a straggler from Worth's Division prob- ably murdered. After ascending the hiU just beyond this spot, G. W. [Smith], J. S[tuart] and myself laid down in the road to sleep — that half hour's sleep just before going into battle was the sweetest I ever enjoyed. Passed in the course of the morning a great many stragglers from Worth's Division — ^they had lagged behind in the night march. About two miles from Plan del Rio we were sitting in a ranche waiting for the wagons, when a wagon master came gallop- ing by saying that the Lancers had cut off the train. The escort of dragoons was about 800 yards nearer Plan del Rio than we. We gal- loped back — the escort not far behind and fovmd that our wagons were safe, but that the Lancers GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 79 had cut off a few of the stragglers whom we had passed. Suddenly a turn of the road displayed Plan del Rio*'' at our feet — ^the little valley filled with troops, horses, artillery, wagons, etc. We ar- rived at about 10.30 A. M. — found the Engineers and took a lunch with them. G. W. S[mith] and myself then rode out to Twiggs's position with Captain Lee — ^we arrived just in time to see the ball open [i. e., the battle of Cerro Gordo]. Saw old Twiggs, who wondered "Where the devil did you two boys come from?" and started back to bring up the company. On the way back a roimd shot came about as near my head as would be regarded agreeable in civil Uf e and then missed enfilading the 2nd Infantry about a foot and a half. When we got back to El Plan, I was ordered to join [Lieut. Z. B.] Tower with ten men — to go with Gid Pillow and the Mohawks.** Did my best that afternoon to *^ About sixty miles from Vera Cruz, and about thirty from Jalapa. J. S. Jenkins, History of the War with Mex- ico, page 270. ** General Pillow's brigade consisted of four regiments of infantry, — 1st Tennessee (Colonel Campbell), 2nd Ten- nessee (Colonel Haskell), 1st Pennsylvania (Colonel Wyn- koop) and 2nd Pennsylvania (Colonel Eoberts) ; also a detachment of Tennessee Horse and a company of Ken- tucky Volunteers under Captain Williams. R. Semmes, Service Afloat and Ashore, page 179. 80 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF find out iiDhere we were to go in the morning but none of them would tell me anything about it. G. W. left me ten of the best men in the com- pany, and took Foster and the rest with him to report to General Twiggs. It seemed to be a mutual thought that the chances all were that we would not meet again! The idea of being killed by or among a parcel of Volunteers was anything but pleasant. Got up before daybreak — woke up the men — had the mare fed and saddled — drank some cof- fee — distributed tools to my party and was ready for battle long before our dear Mohawks had their breakfasts. Also gave some tools to the Volunteers. My men had hatchets, axes and billhooks — the Volunteers [had] axes, sap-forks and billhooks. At length all was ready and much to my surprise we marched straight up the road toward Jalapa. So little did I know of our point of attack — I only knew that we were to attack either their right or front, and that we would as sm"ely be whipped — for it was a Volun- teer Brigade. I led off with my detachment, and after passing the greater part of Worth's Division — ^which was formed in column of pla- toons in the road — ^we turned off to the left, nearly opposite the point where Twiggs turned to the right. Tower directed me to place my men GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 81 on the path inchning most to the left. I did so and rested my men, whilst waiting for the Vol- unteers who were a long distance behind. At length General Pillow came up, and seeing my men, directed that they should be placed on the path inclining to the right. Lieutenant Tower made some remark about changing the route, and also that we would be more apt to be seen when crossing some ravine if we went to the right. I remember distinctly that the impression made upon me by the con- versation was that General Pillow had against the opinion of Lieutenant Tower changed the route to he followed in order to attain the point of attack. I had no idea of the importance of the change and that it could lead to a different point of attack. I afterward foimd that the different paths led to very different parts of the enemy's position, the one we actually followed bringing us in a very exposed manner against the front of the works, whilst if we had taken the one advised by Lieutenant Tower we should have turned the right of their works and have been but little exposed to their fire. The fault of the erroneous selection was Gen- eral Pillow's, except that Lieutenant Tower should, as the senior Engineer with the column, have taken a firm stand and have forced General 82 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF Pillow to have pursued the proper path. It was certainly a fine opportunity for him to show what stuff he was made of — but imfortrmately he did not take advantage of it at all. We at length moved off by the flank. My de- tachment [was] at the head, and dioring the movement — at all events before the firing against us commenced — we heard the musketry of the attack of Twiggs's Division upon the Telegraph Hill." After moving about two-thirds of a mile from the main road we reached a certain crest border- ing upon a ravine, whence a strong picket of Mexicans was observed. Tower advised General Pillow to incline his Brigade well to the right in order to cross the ravine lower down and out of view. The General directed Colonel [Francis M.] Wynkoop^" to countermarch — file twice to the right and move upon a certain dead tree as his point of direction (Colonel Campbell's [1st] ^' "The Cerw) Gordo, or Big Hill, called by the Mexicans in their dispatches. El Telegrafo, is an immense hill, of a conical form, rising to the height of near a thousand feet. It stands . . .at the head of the pass, to which it gives its name, and formed the extreme left (our right) of the fortifications of the enemy." Semmes, op. cit., pages 176- 177. ^He commanded the 1st Regiment of Pennsylvania Vol- unteers. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 83 Tennessee Regiment to support him) . He was then to form his men for the attack and charge upon hearing a concerted signal from the rest of the Brigade. Colonel [William T.] Haskell"^ at once commenced forming his Regiment in a column of platoon, the flank of the column to- ward the work. His men having straggled a great deal this arrangement was attended with some difficulty — the men being literally shoved into their places one by one. Hardly two pla- toons were formed when General Pillow shouted out at the top of his voice — "Why the H — 1 dont Colonel Wynkoop file to the right?" I may here observe that we had heard very distinctly the commands of the Mexican officers in their works. This yell of the General's was at once followed by the blast of a Mexican bugle and within three minutes after that their fire opened upon us. The General may have shouted this before a single platoon of Haskell's was formed — but the interval must have been very short, because Wynkoop's Regiment had not reached its desti- nation and had not formed there when the firing commenced. When the Mexican fire opened Haskell's Regi- ment became at once "confusion worse con- founded." Some of the men rushed toward the °^ He commanded the 2nd Tennessee Volunteers. 84 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF works, many broke to the rear, very many imme- diately took cover behind the rocks, etc. I at once asked General Pillow for orders to proceed "somewhere" with my detachment — for I had as yet received no orders or directions from anyone and was utterly ignorant of the groimd. While talking with the General — who was squatting down with his back to the work — he was wounded in the arm, upon which his aide. Lieutenant Rains, appeared from somewhere in the vicinity and they together went off to the rear, on the run. I then went in amongst the Tennesseeans and found at once that it was useless to attempt doing anything there, as that Regiment (Has- kell's) was utterly broken and dispersed and the Pennsylvania Regiment, which was to support them, had kept so well in reserve that they could not be found. I then went over to the other side of the ravine — ^the firing had by this time nearly if not altogether ceased. Upon arriving there I foimd Campbell's Regi- ment in pretty good order and in good spirits, the Pennsylvania Regiment (Wynkoop's) in most horrible confusion. Campbell was moving on toward the work, and I at once advised General Pillow to halt him until some order could be restored to the other Regiments. He took my advice and directed me to give the order to Camp- GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 85 bell, which I did. I thought that it was by no means certain that Campbell alone could carry the works and that if he were checked or repulsed all was lost, for there was not a company formed to support him. Besides, although his Regiment was moving on well, they were not then under fire, nor had they been under any fire, to speak of, that day — so I doubted the steadiness of their movements when their advance should have brought them in sight and under the fire of, the Mexicans. Colonel Haskell came up without his cap about this time and a very warm conversation ensued between him and General Pillow — the General accusing him of misconduct and deserting his troops, the Colonel repelling his assertions and stating that his Regiment was cut to pieces. I at once, without saying a word to either the Gen- eral or the Colonel, called to my party and directed them to beat the bushes for "2nd Ten- nesseeans" and to bring all they could find to where we were. They soon returned with quite a number. In the course of conversation I told General Pillow that I did not think that he could carry the works without some Regulars. He assented and directed me to go at once in search of Gen- eral Scott and ask him, from him (Pillow) for 86 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF a detachment of Regulars — whatever number he could spare, saying that he would make no move- ment until my return. I immediately ran down to the road where I expected to find General Scott and Worth's Division and there found that the General had gone on. I jimiped on my mare and galloped aroimd by Twiggs's road and at length found the General about half way up the ridge over which Worth's Division passed to reach the Jalapa road — ^the rear of Worth's Division was then crossing. I told the General my message and he directed me to say to General Pillow that he had no Regulars to spare, that the last of Worth's Division was then passing over, that Santa Anna had fallen back with all his army, except about 5000 men, toward Jalapa, that he expected to fight another battle with Santa Anna at once, and that he thought it prob- able that the 5000 men cut off would surrender — finally that General Pillow might attack again, or not, just as he pleased. He evidently was not much surprised and not much "put out" that Pillow was thrashed, and attached no importance to his future movements. With this reply I returned, and could not for a long time, find any of the valiant Brigade. I at length found Wynkoop's Regiment. He told me that white flags were flying on the work and GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 87 that one or two had come down toward his posi- tion — but that as he did not know what they meant, could not raise a white handkerchief in the crowd, and had no one who could speak Spanish, he had held no communication with them. I told him what they meant and said that when I had seen General Pillow I would return and go to meet them. As I left he asked me if I could not give him an order to charge — I said 'Wo"— then said he— "Tell General Pillow that if I dont get an order to charge in half an hour, I'll be d — d if I dont charge anyhow" — this after I had told him that the white flag meant a sur- render!!! I at length found General Pillow some distance in rear and reported. Castor came up a moment or two afterward and told General Pillow that he had been sent to inform him that the Mexicans had surrendered — on which I took my men down the road and directing them to come on and re- join the company as soon as possible — I galloped on to overtake it. During my conversation with General Scott he mentioned that he had seen the charge of Twiggs's Division and spoke of it as the most beautiful sight that he had ever wit- nessed. He said everything in praise of his "ras- cally Regulars." With reference to the operations of Twiggs's 88 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF Division. — During the afternoon of the 17th [April] the hill opposite to and commanded by the Telegraph Hill was carried by Harney's ( [Persifer F.] Smith's) Brigade and the enemy pursued partly up the Telegraph Hill by the Rifles and 1st Artillery, They were, however, recalled to the hill first mentioned, which was occupied in force. During the night one twenty-four pounder, one twelve potmder and a twenty-four pound howitzer were with great difficulty hauled up and put in position behind a slight epaulment. There were also a couple of the Mountain Howitzers and some Rocketeers, Shields's^^ Brigade of Vol- unteers were somewhere in the vicinity to sup- port and were employed to man the drag ropes used to haul up the pieces. It may be well to mention that they were more than once "stam- peded" while engaged in this by the mere dis- charge of a piece — ^no ball coming near them. Another detachment of New York Volunteers ^^ James Shields was born in County Tyrone, Ireland, in 1810. After the Mexican War he was United States Senator (Democrat) from Illinois during the years 1849- 1855, and from Minnesota in 1858-1859. He was one of the "political generals" in the Union Army who were de- cisively defeated by "Stonewall" Jackson during the cele- brated "Valley Campaign" of May and June, 1862. Shields died in Ottumwa, Iowa, on June 1, 1879. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 89 was engaged during the afternoon and night of the 17th in hauling an eight inch howitzer along the crest on the other side of the "Rio" in order to take an enfilade or reverse fire upon the Mex- ican works. Taylor's Battery was with Twiggs, Dunean came around with Worth — Steptoe was with Twiggs. The cavalry and rest of the artil- lery were in the Jalapa road ready to advance in pursuit. Harney was directed to storm the hill, Reilly to cut off the retreat of the Mexicans by the Jalapa road — Worth to support. The affair of the 18th was opened, on our side, by the fire of our artillery. The 24 poimder was badly served and did little or no real damage. At length Harney charged over the valley with the 1st Ar- tillery, 3rd and 7th Infantry, the Rifles being thrown out to cover his left. He carried the hill in gallant style. Reilly allowed himself to deviate from his proper path and instead of pushing straight on for the Jalapa road, he amused him- self by skirmishing to his right and left — so that he did not accompUsh the purpose for which he was sent, that is, he did not cut off Santa Anna's retreat. In the meantime Shields was sent around still further to our right, to turn the Mexican left. He finally came out in front of certain batteries. 90 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF charged them but was repulsed completely and himself badly wounded. About this time Harney carried the Telegraph Hill and that command- ing these last batteries, one or two discharges from its summit with the captured pieces at once cleared them. Upon that the Volunteers right gallantly charged and carried them at the point of the bayonet, there not being a soul in the bat- tery at this time. Twiggs — at least a part of his Division — moved on at once in pursuit. The Cavalry soon followed, but the Mexicans had gained a long start and made the best use of their legs — so that not very many were killed or taken in the pur- suit. Twiggs and the Cavalry also the Volim- teers halted at Eneero. Worth remained at Plan del Rio and Cerro Gordo. I myself overtook my company at Eneero where we bivouacked that night — and felt right proud that we had won that day a glorious victory. On the morning of the 19th we marched from Eneero to Jalapa, about twelve miles, at the head of Twiggs's Division. We entered Jalapa about 11.30 A. M., our company being the first Amer- ican infantry to set foot in that city. It rained quite violently during the greater part of the march, which prevented me from enjoying fully the beauty of the scenery, especially as I had to GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 91 foot it. It was really delightful, upon entering Jalapa, to see gentlemen and ladies, at least per- sons dressed and appearing as such. The white faces of the ladies struck us as being exceedingly- beautiful — ^they formed so pleasing a contrast to the black and brown complexions of the Indians and negroes who had for so long been the only human beings to greet our sight. The Jalapinos appeared perfectly indifferent about us, mani- festing neither pleasure nor sorrow at our ap- proach. Our march from Encero and entrance into Jalapa was entirely undisturbed — ^not a shot being fired or soldiers seen. Of course not the slightest excess was committed by any of the Regulars. We at first marched to the Cuartel [Barracks] where we remained some few hours, until at last we were ordered to a posada [sleep- ing place] on the Plaza. I was very much pleased with the appearance of Jalapa and its inhabitants. The women were generally pretty, the gentlemen well dressed. They carried to a great extent the custom of fill- ing the balconies with flowers, which gave a very pleasant appearance to the streets. Soon after we had established ourselves at the posada we were astonished by a great commotion in the streets, which was ascertained to be caused by the arrival of the Cerro Gordo prisoners, who had 92 MEXICAN WAR DIARY OF all been released on parole, and of course fought us again upon the first opportunity. They were marching back to Puebla and Mexico, organized in regiments, etc. — ^merely being deprived of their arms. The disgust in the Division at this release was most intense, we felt poorly repaid for our exertions by the release of these scoimdrels, who, we felt sure, would to a man break their parole. They passed the night in the streets around the Plaza and in the morning robbed all the poor market women in the vicinity.^^ We had no beds that night — our baggage not being up — were lucky enough to get some frijoles and chocolate for supper — breakfast ditto. Worth's Division came up about one o'clock on the 20th and we were ordered on at the head of it, — ^to leave Jalapa at 3.30 of the same day. City of Mexico,®* opposite Alameda, Novem- ^^ The American forces present at the battle of Cerro Gordo, both in action and in reserve, were about 8,500 men. The Mexicans were estimated at 12,000 or more. The American losses in the two days fighting were 33 officers and 398 men, a total of 431, of whom 63 were killed. The enemy losses were estimated at 1,000 to 1,200, in addition to five generals and 3,000 men who were captured. Gen- eral Scott's official report dated "Jalapa, April 23, 1847" (Senate Docs. SOth Congress, 1st Session, No. 1, pages 263-264). ^* The City of Mexico was surrendered to General Scott's victorious army on September 14, 1847. GEORGE B. McCLELLAN 93 ber 3rd, 1847. G. W. thinks that a captain will be sent out to command the Company, and that he (G. W.) Avill be relieved by the 1st March, 1848. Mc. thinks that no captain will come and that the unfortunate "duet" wont get out vmder a year, or longer. Quien Sabe? April 15th, Post Office — Captain hasn't "ar- rivo" — duet still here — ^year most half out and a'in't off yet!!P September 22nd, 1849— West Point, N. Y. Mc. thinks that he's booked for an infernally monotonous life for the remainder of his natural existence and wishes he were back again in No. 2 Calle San Francisco. August 25th, 1852 — Sohtary and alone on the "Columbus" — for New Orleans. December 25th, 1852 — Solitary and alone at Indianola [Texas]! Heavens! What a Christ- mas! ==McClellan left the City of Mexico on May 28, 1848, and reached West Point, N. Y., on June 22 following. INDEX Altamira, SO. Anton Lizardo, Point, 59, S3. Bankhead, Col., 66. Beauregard, Lieut. P. G. T., 57, 63, 70. Belton, Lieut^ol., 54, 63. Brazos de Santiago (Texas), 7, 8-9. Brooks, N. C, quoted, 51 (note). Buckner, Simon B., 77 (and note). Camargo, 10-11, 13. Campbell, Col., 83, 8*-8S. Cerro Gordo, battle of, 79-90. Chiltipine, 30-34. Crawford, Dr. Samuel, 1. Encero, 90, 91. Encinal, 37. Fordleone, 47, 48. Foster, Lieut. J. G., 57, 58, 61, 63, 69, 70, 74, 75, 80. Furber, George C, quoted, 27 (note). Grant, U. S., quoted, 44 (note), 71 (note). Guijano, 37. Harney, 88-90. Haskell, Col. WiUiam T., 83-84, 85. Henry, Capt. Guy, 48, 50, 74. Iturbide, Agustin de, 40. Jalapa, 90-93. Lee, Capt. R. E., 61, 63, 68, 71, 73, 79. Lobos, Isle of, 51. McCaU, George A., 21, 33, 41. 96 INDEX McClellan, George B., birth and education, 1 ; commissioned, 2 ; promotion, 4; leaves for Mexico, 7; at Camargo and Matamoras, 10-14, 23-24; march to Victoria, 24-43; at Victoria, 43-46; march to Tampico, 46-50; at Lobos, 51; at Vera Cruz, 53-73; march to Cerro Gordo, 74-79; battle of Cerro Gordo, 80-90; march to Jalapa, 90-93; at Mexico City, 93-93. McMaster, J. B., quoted, 52 (note), 74 (note). Malibran, 55, 56. Marquesoto, 40. Mason, Lieut. J. L., 63, 64, 65-66, 67, 70. Matamoros, 10, 11, 12, 23. Meade, George G., 5, quoted, 18 (note), 23 (note), 48 (note). Moquete, 23, 27. Murphy, 34, 39. Padilla, 42. Patterson, Gen. Robert, 14, 15, 16, 20-21, 22 (note), 23-24, 26, 27, 30, 31-32, 33, 35, 37, 40, 41, 43, 56. Pillow, Gen. Gideon J., 15, 23, 25, 26, 35, 37, 52 (note), 79, 81-87. Plan del Rio, 78-79. Puerto Nacional, 77. Quitman, Gen. John A., 44, 52 (note). Rancho Padillo, 23. Reilly, 89. San Fernando, 33-34. Santa F&, 75-76. Santander, 37. Santa Rosa, 46. Santa Teresa, 27-28, 29. Saunders, Capt. John, 68, 69, 72. Scott, Gen. Winfield, 52 (note), 70, 71 (note), 86, 87. Semmes, R., quoted, 79 (note), 82 (note). Shields, Gen. James, 52 (note), 88, 89, 90. Smith, Lieut. Gustavus W., 2, 4, 7, 11, 20-21, 23, 25, 26, 31, 36, 38, 55, 57, 58, 59, 60-62, 63, 68, 74, 75, 78, 80, 93. Smith, Major John L., 68. "Songo," 27-28, 30, 37, 42. Stevens, Lieut. I. I., 63, 70, 72. INDEX 97 Stuart, "Jimmie," 14,, 73-74, 75-76, 78. Swift, Capt. A. J., )3, 7, 11, 16, 55. Tamaulipas, 51. Tampico, 50-51. Taylor, Gen. Zachary, 23 (note), 44. Totten, Col. Joseph G., 2, 57-58, 61-62, 64, 66, 70. Tower, Lieut. Z. B., 67, 78-81. Twiggs, Gen. David E., 47, 48, 52, 56, 74, 79, 80, 83, 87-90. Vera Cruz, siege of, 53-73. Vergera, 74,75. Victoria, 43-46. Vinton, Capt. Jolin R., 58, 68. Volunteers, 16, 18, 28-29, 36, 38-39, 43, 80. Walker, Sears Coolt, 1. Waterhouse, Major, 36. Williams, Seth, 15-16, 32. Worth, Gen. William J., 53 (note), 53, 56, 58, 74, 75, 77, 78, 80, 86, 89, 90, 92. Wynkoop, Col. Francis M., 82, 84, 86-87. 1! P'-