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HISTORY
OF THE  ----
MEXICAN WAR
BY
GENERAL CADMUS M$WILCOX.

EDITED BY HIS NIECE,
MARY RACHEL WILCOX,
WASHINGTON, D. C.:
TH  CHURCH NEWS PUBLISHING COMPANY.
I892.




ï~~I W67
entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1892, by
M. R. WILCOX,
In the office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.




ï~~CONTENTS.
Preface...........................
CHAPTER I.
Annexation of Texas.-Concentration of United States troops at
Corpus Christi.-Apprehensions of disaster to the Army of
Occupation.........................................       5
CHAPTER II.
Efforts to renew diplomatic relations with Mexico............... 15
CHAPTER III.
Corpus Christi abandoned.-The march to the Rio Grande.-The
Little Colorado crossed.-Point Isabel and Matamoros.Ampudia assigned to command on the Rio Grande.-Arista
supersedes him.-A collision of arms.......................*30
CHAPTER IV.
Hostilities begin April 25, 1846.-General Taylor marches to Point
Isabel.-Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma.................. 44
CHAPTER V.
Matamoros evacuated.-Arista retires toward Monterey.-Relieved by General Mejia and court-martialed.-Three months'
volunteers.-No active operations before the expiration of
their term of service.-Personal Reminiscences.-Want of
transportation in the American Army.-Arrival of twelve
months' volunteers.--Advance upon Camargo.-Orders preparatory to the march upon Monterey.-Overthrow of the
Paredes Government.-Ampudia relieves Mejia............. 69
CHAPTER VI.
Battle of Monterey.-Federacion.-Soldado.-Bishop's Palace.Personal reminiscences and observations,................... 91
CHAPTER VII.
California and New Mexico.-Wool's expedition.-Colonel Doni.
phan's march to Chihuahua.-Actions at Brazito and Sacramento.--The march from El Paso to Chihuahua.-A revolt in
New Mexico...................................... 122




ï~~vi I

(Ionden ts.

CHAPTER VIII.
Correspondence between General Taylor and the War I)epartment.-Evacuation of Tampico........................... 165
CHAPTER IX.
General Scott sails from New York to New Orlean-.--Correspondeuce.-The march to Victoria............................ 182
CHAPTER X.
Battle of Buena Vista.-Reconnoissances under May and McCul
loch pushed forward to Encarnacion --Taylor falls back to
Buena Vista.-Position of troops on the field............... 2o1
CHAPTER XI.
Siege of Vera Cruz.-Landing of troops -Taking up the line
of investment.-Works pushed forward -Vera Cruz summoned to surrender.-Defenses of the city.-Skirmish on
Twiggs' line.- Second communication from    foreign consuls.-The affair at Medelin.-Vera Cruz in flames.-General
Landero asks a suspension of hostilities with the vien to surrender.-Capitulation of Vera Cruz and Castle of San Juan de
Ulua.................................................. 242
CHAPTER XII.
Vera Cruz occupied.-General Worth commandant and governor.-Martial law order No. 40.-The advance into the interior.-Alvarado and Antigua.-Santa Anna after Buena
Vista.-Battle of Cerro Gordo.-Numbers engaged and losses
sustained.............................................. 263
CHAPTER XIII.
After Cerro Gordo Santa Anna retires to Orizaba.-General Scott
at Jalapa.--Volunteers discharged.--Worth ads ances upon
Puebla................................................ 30r
CHAPTER XIV.
Arrival of General Scott in Puebla.-Address to the Mexican
people.-Asks to be relieved from command.-Personal re
marks.-Operations of the Navy after the Army marched
from  Vera Cruz.-Commodore Perry captures Tabasco.Number of Scott's Army when he advanced from Puebla.... 313
CHAPTER XV.
The march from Puebla to the Valley of Mexico.-Santa Anna in
the National Capital..................................... 338
CHAPTER XVI.
The battle of Coiitreras, called by the Mexicans the battle of Padietia............................................... 358




ï~~Contents.                        vii
CHAPTER XVII.
Battle of Churubusco.-Attack upon the Convent of San Pablo.The tete-de-pont.--Portales.--Numbers engaged. -Casualties
at Contreras and Churubusco.-Armistice................378
CHAPTER XVIII.
Major Lally's march from Vera Cruz to Jalapa.-Guerrillas attack
trains in the Tierra Caliente.-Paso Ovejas.-National Bridge
and Cerro Gordo.-Stoning of American teamsters in the City
of Mexico.-Meeting of peace coimissioners.-Projel submitted by Mr. Trist.-Counter projet on the part of Mexican
commissioners.-A meeting of general officers at Scott's headquarters September 6th.--Armistice dissolved............... 410
CHAPTER XIX.
Battle of Molinos-del-Rey. - Capture of the Casa Mata. -
Losses......................................................429
CHAPTER XX.
Storming  of Chapultepec..................................... 443
CHAPTER XXI.
The City of Mexico--Belen and San Cosme Gates.-Personal incidents.-Santa Anna.-The siege of Puebla.-Huamantla.A resume of the march through the Valley of Mexico........469
CHAPTER XXII.
Occupation of the city.-Collisions with small detach ments.-Atlixco.-Matamoras and the Pass Guadalajara.-Mexican Finances.-Strength of the United States Army.-Tehuacan.Orizaba.- Cordova.--Teotihuacan -Tulancingo.- Sequalteplan.-Resumption of peace negotiations.-A treaty signed
February 2, 1848.-General Scott relieved from command and
succeeded by Gen. William O. Butler.-The Chihuahua expedition.-Santa Cruz de Rosales.-Official correspondence of
Polk, Buchanan and Trist.-The treaty of peace ratified by
the United States Senate and by the Mexican Congress...... 511
Conclusion...........................................560
APPENDICES.
Appendix A.-Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.................... 563
Appendix B.-The Court of Inquiry.............................. 576
Appendix C.-Roster of Army officers serving in Mexico.........609
Appendix D. -Roster of Volunteer officers serving in Mexico.... 653
Appendix U.-Roster of Navy officers serving in Mexico........ 696
Appendix F.-Names of the original members of the Aztec Club,
organized in the City of Mexico, A. D. 1847................. 710




ï~~I LLUSTRATI ONS.*
Gen. Cadmus M. Wilcox. Frontispiece.                   r
(From photograph by C. M. Bell.)
Map I.-Plan of the country to the northeast of the City of Matamoros..............................................
(By J. M. Stewart, Delaware.)
Map II.-Plan of the battle of Palo Alto........................52
(By J. M. Stewart, Delaware.)
Battle Scene-Palo Alto..................................... 57
(From a lithograph by Bayot.)
Map III.-Plan of the battle of Resaca de la Palma.............. 59
(By J. M. Stewart, Delaware.)
Map IV.-Plan of the battle of Monterey....................... 92
(By J. M. Stewart, Delaware.)
Gen.  Persifor  F. Sm ith......................................... JT
(From a photogragh by linkle, lent by the family.)
Battle Scene-Capture of Monterey........................ Tor
(From a lithogragh by Bayot.)
Second Lieut. U. S. Grant.............................    8
(After the steel plate furnished by Webster & Co., puplishers
of Grant's Memoirs.)
Con. Robert F. Stockton......................................'35
(After the engraving by Hall, from the painting by Newton,
given by the family.)
Gen. Stephen  W. Kearny......................................140
(After an engraving by Welch from original daguerreotype.)
* Great di appointment is felt that the portraits of Con. M. C.
Perry, Gen. Joseph Lane, Maj. Ben. McCulloch, Lieut. Col. John C
Fremont and Col. Jefferson Davis are not in this history. The originals of the first three were so faded that nothing could be done with
them, and the last two were promised, but never received.




ï~~T77ustrations.                      ix
Gen. John  E. W ool............o...l......................  148
(After an engraving by Johnson, Fry & Co. from the painting
by Chappel.}
dcn. D. Antonio Lopez de Santa Anna........................... 204
(From a lithograph by Ackerman.)
Map V.-Plan of the country near Buena Vista.:............... 208
(By J. M. Stewart, Delaware.)
Map VI.-Plan of the battle of Buena Vista......,........   219
Battle Scene-Buena Vista.............................. 234
(From a lithograph by Bayot.)
Gen. Zachary  Taylor........................................  238
(After an engraving by Johnson, Fry & Co. from the original
painting.)
Map VII.-Outline of the siege of Vera Cruz................. 247
Battle Scene-The siege of Vera Cruz..................252
(From a lithograph by Bayot.)
Gen. Robert Patterson..................................257
(After an engraving by Welch, lent by the family.)
Map VIII.-Road front Vera Cruz to the City of Mexico.........271
Map IX.-Plan of the battle of Cerro Gordo.................279
(By J. M. Stewart, Delaware.)
Gen David E. Twiggs...............................283
(From a photograph by G. W. Davis, lent by the family.)
Gen. Jam es  Shields..........................................  289
(After an engraving by Johnson, Fry & Co.)
Battle scene-Cerro Gordo................................ 295
(From a lithograph by Bayot.)
Map X.-The Valley of Mexico........................... 342
(By J. M. Stewart, Delaware.)
Map XI.-Battle-field of Contreras......................... 361
Capt. Robert E. Lee..............................*......367
(Photograph by Miley from an original painting-artist unknown-given by the family.)
Nap XII.-Plan of the battle of Churubusco.................... 378
Battle Sccne-Churubusco.............................. 384
(After a lithograph by Bayot.)
Col. George W. Morgan.................................. 390
(From a photograph by J. H. Burkholder.)
Col. Pierce M. Butler....................................396
(After a photograph by Fitzgerald, from original painting,
lent by family.)




ï~~T 7ir tra bo i8.

Map XIII.-Plan of the ba ttle Moliiios-clef-kley......... 429
(By 5. M. Stewart, IDelaware )
flattle Scene.--Molinos-del-Rev............ 436
(Brous a lithograph by Bayot.)
Cel. William J. Worth.....................................44
(After an engraving by Johnson, rrv& Co. from iall original
painting.)
Map XIY.-Plan of Chapultepec, San Cosine and Belen Gates.. 452
(By J. M. Stewart, Delaware.)
Gen Gideon J Pillow........................................ 456
(From a photograph, lcnt by fanmily.)
ratttle Scene--Stormiing of Chapultepec-Pillow's attack........4,53
(From a lithograph by Bayot.)
Biattlc Scene-Storming of Chapultepec-Q<uitnianl' attack...461
(Froom a lithograph by Bayot.)
Gen. John A. Quitman...................................... 463
(After an engraving from the original painting by Chappel.)
Scott's entrance into the City of Mexico.......................483
tFrom a lithograph by Bayot.)
Gen. Winfield Scott......................................... 490
(After an engraving from the of iginal pictnre by Chappel.)
Gen. Sterling Pr ice............................................538
(From a photograph, lent by family.)




ï~~E E~ATA.

PAG E.
3, " posterity " should be prosperity.
7, "or " should be to her.
45, and throughout the history, " chapparal " should be chaparral.
84, " poulation " should be population.
85, " chrystal " should be crystal, and " Tenria " should be Teneria.
i1, " Beuna " should be Buena.
124, " adventerous " should be adventurous.
131, " captian," " commited," and "Brancroft " should be captain,
committed, and Bancroft.
175, " controled " should be controlled.
292, (32d line,) the verb " are " should be is.
344, (5th line,) " 200,000" should be loo,ooo.
394, " exemple ' should be example.
395, " flag " should be flag.
431, " determinded ' should be delermined.
43n, " Cadwlader " should be Cadwalader.
467, (foot note,) "dishoner" should be dishonor.
480, " upun " should be upon.
484, " Assistant Acting" should be Acting Assistant.
523, " speading " should be spreading.
529, " Lieut. J. Adde ' should be Lieut. Geo. J. Adde, and " Colonal "
should be Colonel. -
533, " preceeded " should be preceded.
561, insert men after " io,8oo."




ï~~PREFACE.
The province of the historian is to narrate briefly and
clearly public events; it is his duty to be impartial and authentic, his privilege to recall names made illustrious by
certain great deeds, and to perpetuate memories hallowed
and ennobled by distinguished public service. Nearly half a
century has elapsed since the war between the United States
and Mexico. Other and more absorbing intervening events
have 'almost obliterated it from attention; most of the participants in it have gone from our midst; the names and
memories of many of them have been forgotten; no record
of their gallant deeds made; no memorial kept of services
which, though heroic and patriotic, were poorly rewarded
and never fully acknowledged.
The object of this work is to revive some interest in an
event fraught with great national results; to show that the
war was jutst and unavoidable, skilfully managed by wise
and able leaders, aided by brave and gallant troops with
whom to dare was to conquer, and to conquer to be magnanimous. 'When waged there was a large party in the
United States opposed to it, and public sentiment at home
and abroad regarded it as an undue advantage taken by a
strong and aggressive nation over a weak and disorganized
neighbor, whose civil dissensions and helpless condition invited invasion. \ Seen' in the perspective of years the course
of the United States Government is proved to have been
judicious, its policy wise and prudent, and its aims honest
and patriotic. Precipitated by the annexation of Tex,




ï~~Pre face.

the ill-feeling caused by the wanton attacks of Mexicans on
the rights, persons, and property of American citizens for
over forty years must have culminated in war, even had
the Texas question not been agitated. War, under any and
all circumstances a great calamity, is not an unmixed evil;
the clash of arms, like the conflict of physical elements,
clears the moral atmosphere and is followed by a calm,
impossible under disturbed social conditions.
Prior to 1846 the people of the United States regarded
the Mexicans as an inferior race, ignorant and superstitions,
and the latter stigmatized their Northern neighbors as
uncouth barbarians.  On the fields of Palo Alto, Buena
Vista, Cerro Gordo, and Churubusco they learned to respect
and nonor each other; the Mexicans, though defeated,
fought bravely, and even retreating had the sympathy and
admiration of their opponents. The Americans, tempering
victory with humanity, vindicated their claim to superiority.
The only great war waged by the United States on foreign
soil, it was conducted throughout with a skill and daring
that insured success; its purpose, to " conquer a peace,"
was kept steadily in view. No undue advantage was ever
taken, even in the hour of doubtful contest or of signal
success, over the enemy. No cities were sacked, no domain
plundered. Scott's act in halting his troops after the battle
of Churubusco at the gates of the City of Mexico, and, instead of imposing humiliating terms, inviting the Mexicans
to listen to propositions of peace, is without parallel in
military annals. In both armies there were acts of individual heroism worthy of commemoration; each had its
contingent of deserters; both were followed by the prayers
and tears of loving wives and mothers; in both the leaders
had cause to complain of public ingratitude, and each furnished names destined in after years to wield power and
influence in their respective nations.




ï~~Preface.                     3
The States formed from the domain acquired by the war
rejoice as members of the American Union in a posterity
they could never have known under Mexican domination,
and Mexico, relieved of territory she was powerless to
protect and improve, really suffered no great loss by her defeat. To-day the two republics enjoy a peace guaranteed by
mutual interests. Let us trust these friendly relations may
continue and that upward and onward their future careers
may be alike glorious and honorable.




ï~~w
m




ï~~CHAPTER I.

ANNEXATION OF TEXAS.-CONCENTRATION OP UNITED STATES
TROOPS AT CORPUS CHRISTI.-APPREHENSIONS OF DISASTER
TO THE ARMY OF OCCUPATION.-WAR NOT CONSIDERED IMMINENT.
In the year 1844 a President was to be elected in the United
States, and the most prominent issue submitted by party
leaders to the people for consideration and discussion during
the Presidential campaign was the annexation of Texas,
whose independence, achieved in 1836* after a series of desperate conflicts with Mexico, had been acknowledged by the
United States and the leading European powers, but was still
disputed by Mexico.
James K. Polk, of Tennessee, the nominee of the Democratic party, advocated the re-annexation of Texas, claiming
it to have been an integral part of the territory of the United
States since the purchase of Louisiana from France in 1803
to the purchase of Florida from Spain in 1819, while Henry
Clay, of Kentucky, the nominee of the Whig party, though
he agreed with Mr. Polk in the claim of the United States to
Texas from 1803 to 1819, opposed its re-annexation, urging
in support of his views that to annex Texas would be to invite war with Mexico and would be a violation of national
faith. His warnings were unheeded, and the election of Mr.
Polk in November by a large majority was interpreted as
voicing the emphatic approval by the people of the annexation of the sister republic.
*A few months after declaration of independence by Texas, the
battle of San Jacinto (April 2I, 1836) was fought, Santa Anna defeated,
and in less than a year its independence was acknowledged by the
Van Buren administration. Texas desired annexation to the United
States, but it was declined, lest it might involve war with Mexico. At
length a treaty of annexation in 1844 was proposed by the two republics, but it was rejected by the United States Senate-ayes 35, nays 16.




ï~~6 General Taylor Ordered to the Rio Grande.
Joint resolutions of annexation* were introduced and discussed in the Congress which expired with the Tyler ad
ministration, and after a severe and doubtful struggle, were
passed March I, 1845, with a majority of twenty-two in the
House and a majority of two in the Senate, and speedily approved by the President, who thus crowned the close of his
term by adding a star to the galaxy of States forming the
American Union. The opponents of the measure urged that
Mexico would regard it as a grievous injury, if not a casus
belli. The Mexican Minister, General Almonte, protested
against the act of annexation, demanded his credentials, and
returned to Mexico.
The probable consequences of these events formed the engrossing topic of public discussion, and naturally caused
much excitement, especially in Texas and the States bordering upon the southern frontier. In the latter part of May,
and mainly in consequence of threats from the Mexican
authorities and of rumors of hostile movements on the part
of her population resident on the Rio Grande, Brigadier
General Zachary Taylor, f whose command-the First Military Department-included West Louisiana with headquarters at Fort Jesup, was instructed by the War Department to
place the troops under his command as well as those to be
assigned to it, in a suitable position to enable them, should
such action become necessary, to act promptly in defense of
Texas. These instructions had been issued in anticipation
of the acceptance by Texas of the terms of annexation proposed to her by Congress, and were generally regarded as
merely precautionary, few persons believing there would be
other employment for the troops than to check the incursions
of predatory Indian bands. General Taylor was notified that
in the event of Texas accepting the terms of annexation, she
would become a part of the United States and as such would
be entitled to and would receive protection alike against In* The previously acquired Territories of Louisiana and Florida had
been secured by treaties confirmed by the Senate. This caused many
politicians of the day to say that the Constitution had been violated
by admitting Texas under a joint resolution.
President of the United States from March 4, 1849, to his death,
July 9, 1850.




ï~~War Department Instructions.

dian depredation and foreign invasion. He was directed to
open communication with the authorities of Texas, as well
as with the diplomatic agent of the United States accredited
or, the Hon. Andrew Jackson Donelson, of Tennessee, to the
end that he might be kept informed with regard to both the
common Indian enemy and the intentions of any foreign
power. Should she be invaded by any such power after annexation, and he be so advised by her officials, he was
ordered to use the force under his command in the most
effective manner to defend her territory and to expel the
invader.
Although all diplomatic intercourse between the two countries was suspended immediately after the annexation of
Texas, and the instructions above referred to had been issued
from the War Department, war was not considered to be really
imminent. The force under General Taylor was deemed
fully adequate to repel any Indian incursions in Texas, but
it was not purposed to limit him to that force, and he had
authority to increase it from troops in his own department or,
in the event of foreign invasion, by troops from other departments.
General Taylor was notified of the probability of the Texas
Congress passing on July 4th or within a few days thereafter
resolutions of annexation, thus making that republic an integral portion of the United States. In advance of such action
on the part of Texas he was ordered to move forthwith the
Third and Fourth Regiments of Infantry and seven companies
of the Second Dragoons, at or near Fort Jesup, Louisiana, to
the point most favorable to embarkation for the western
frontier of Texas. The ultimate destination of these troops
was to be some healthy location on or near the Rio Grande,
suited to repel invasion from Mexico and to defend what in
the event of annexation would be our western frontier. He
was to confine himself to the defensive unless war should be
declared by Mexico. Urged to be expeditious, he was nt to
disembark on Texan soil until he was certain it had been annexed or unless instructed to do so by Major Donelson, our
charge in Texas.
The War Department instructed General Taylor not to molest certain military establishments held by Mexico on the




ï~~8

The Line of' the U. S. Army.

east side of the Rio Grande as long as peaceful relations were
maintained between the two countries, and as it did not have
the requisite information, either to indicate what points should
be occupied or what movements should be made, these were
to be left to him and he to be governed by circumstances,
but no aggressive acts were to be committed as long as peace
between the two countries was undisturbed. The Rio Grande
was claimed as the boundary between the two countries. *
Up to that stream he was to extend his protection, but not to
interfere with posts occupied by the Mexicans or with any of
their settlements east of that line over which the Republic of
Texas did not exercise jurisdiction at the time of annexation
or shortly before that event. These instructions were addressed to him as the " Commander of the Army of Occupation, in Texas."
At the time of these orders the Line of the Army of the
United States consisted of but two regiments of dragoons, four
regiments of artillery, and eight regiments of infantry. The
regiments of the several arms of service had ten companies
each. This small force occupied the posts along the Atlantic
seaboard from Maine to the lower extremity of Florida, the
Mexican Gulf Coast along that State to Alabama, Mississippi,
and Louisiana; the northern frontier from Maine to the west
end of Lake Superior, and on the western border Forts Jesup,
Touson, Washita, Gibson, Scott, Leavenworth, and Snelling.
It was no easy matter to concentrate this little army or a large
portion of it. Much time was required; frequent and unavoidable delays were almost certain to occur.
General Taylor, on receipt of the order to move the Third
and Fourth Infantry and the seven companies of the Second
Dragoons, gave directions for the latter regiment to advance
the 4th of July, 1845, and the two former on the 8th via the
Red River to New Orleans. He wrote from that city July
20th, acknowledging certain orders, and was next heard from
on board steamship Alabama, at Aransas Pass, Texas, July
* Claimed by Texas, but never conceded by Mexico, several of
whose towns were on the east bank of the Rio Grande, Laredo, with
a population of five or six hundred, being the largest; Point Isabel,
the seaport of Matamoros, was nine miles east of the Rio Grande.
Texas had never exercised jurisdiction there.




ï~~Corpus Christi Selected for the Camp.

9

28th, reporting his arrival at that place on the 25th, having
with him eight companies of the Third Infantry, which had
been placed in camp on St. Joseph's Island. He reported
the Texas coast unfavorable for debarkation, rendering supplies difficult to obtain and at an increased expense.
Before leaving New Orleans he had been advised by Major
Donelson that the Texas convention had accepted unanimously the resolution of annexation,* and Major Donelson
also suggested that he send a small force to garrison the
Texan capital. General Taylor declined to detach any force
from his command until the intentions of Mexico should be
known, as Indian depredations had occurred near San
Patricio, some thirty miles from Corpus Christi, and these
would first occupy his attention. He reported to the War
Department at as early a date as possible, after careful examination mostly by himself, that he had selected as the
point of concentration for the troops Corpus Christi, west of
the Nuecest (he had been directed to place them west of
that stream), and, moreover, a healthy place. His depot
would be on St. Joseph's Island, at Aransas Pass, thirtyeight miles from Corpus Christi, and intervening shallow
water rendering light draft boats a necessity, he urged that
they be sent over from New Orleans without delay. Corpus
Christi was a port through which Mexican merchants on and
beyond the Rio Grande then imported goods. Trains of
pack mules made frequent trips between it and the Rio
Grande, and several were made even after the troops encamped there.
In his first report from Corpus Christi, General Taylor
referred to rumors that General Arista would march for
Matamoros from Monterey early in August with 1,5oo
troops, 500 of which were regulars, an equal number of
like troops being already there. These reports being regarded as reliable and this movement of Arista as a preliminary step indicating a declaration of war, General Taylor
* The Texas Congress passed the resolutions of annexation July 4,
1845, and the Congress of the United States passed resolutions admitting Texas into the Union December 22, 1845.
t Mexico claimed the Nueces to be the western limit or boundary
of Texas.




ï~~10      Anciety for the Army of Occupation.
asserted he would spare no exertion to meet suitably such a
contingency, and on the arrival of more troops hoped not to
altogether act on the defensive.
He promptly informed President Anson Jones, of Texas, of
his presence at Corpus Christi and the strength of his command, and advised him that he would make no detachments
in view of the hostile attitude of Mexico, writing now mainly
to suggest that he retain the volunteers then in service, if he
regarded them necessary for the defense of the frontier.
Should he (President Jones) concur with him, he would detach an officer at once to muster into the service of the United
States the companies designated.
General Taylor had been instructed to ascertain from the authorities of Texas what auxiliary forces, volunteers, etc., could
be placed at his disposal, and in case of emergency the time it
would require to put them in the field. The requisite authority had been conferred for this step and a copy of the
communication, addressed by the War Department, on that
subject to the Governors of Alabama, Louisiana, and Mississippi had been transmitted for his information. The numbers
as well as description of these new troops were to be determined by himself; he was required to report what further
forces or additional supplies should be sent to Texas, and was
informed that it was deemed expedient to establish one or
more depots of ordnance and other supplies at suitable points,
to be designated by himself. Orders had already been issued
to send 10,000 muskets and i,ooo rifles to Galveston, Tex.,
subject on arrival to his orders.
General Taylor's letter of July 28th, written from Aransas
Pass, reached Washington August ixxth, and from that date
until the end of the month no other report was received.
This long interval of silence gave rise to wild and exaggerated rumors of disaster to his command, beginning in New
Orleans and spreading over the whole country. The letters
to General Taylor show that great anxiety and uneasiness had
prevailed in the War Department, for Secretary Marcy used
the following language: " There is reason to believe that
Mexico is making efforts to assemble a large force on the
frontier of Texas for the purpose of entering its territory and
holding possession of it. * * * Texas must be protected




ï~~Idle Rumors Unheeded.

11

from hostile invasion, and for that purpose you will, of course,
employ to the utmost extent all the means you possess or can
control;" and notifies him of 1,00o more men of the regular
army having been ordered to join, and of his having authority
to accept volunteers from Louisiana, Alabama, Mississippi,
Tennessee, and Kentucky. These States were to be called
upon at once if Mexico had declared war or had sent a force
across the Rio Grande. The Secretary complained of his not
having been kept advised, and urged that no chance be
omitted to communicate, "even if but a line." " In order to
keep up proper communication between the army in Texas
and the seat of Government three vessels will be put into
service as soon as they can be made ready, as dispatch vessels,
to convey intelligence, supplies, etc."
Between July 28th and August 15th nothing had occurred
to report; General Taylor had been occupied riding over the
country, but subsequent to that date, had written repeatedly,
advising of the arrival of troops, their condition, etc., and
of the favorable character of rumors from the far side of the
Rio Grande. He discouraged the sending of volunteers to
Texas, unless called for by himself. Of the idle gossip current in the United States, he wrote from Corpus Christi,
August 26th: "I regret to learn that false and exaggerated
rumors prevail in New Orleans relative to disasters encounered by this command. These rumors are not only calulated to cause much pain and anxiety in the community, but
also to entail a heavy and useles expense upon the Government, in procuring the muster of volunteers, etc."
Apprehending that the erroneous impressions current in
New Orleans, in regard to his situation, might induce General Gaines to order the muster of a battalion or brigade of
infantry, General Taylor addressed August 3oth a communication to him by the steamship Alabama, expressing thanks
for the reinforcement of the volunteer battalion of artillery,
but asking that no more troops be sent without a requisition
from himself. He wrote Secretary Marcy: " Could I have
imagined such a condition of affairs, I would certainly have
apprised the Department, by every opportunity, of my operations, unimportant as they may have been. No intelligence
worthy of credit was received from the Rio Grande, until just




ï~~12

The Longq 2March of the Troops.

before my report of August x5th. Arista at last accounts was
at Mier without any force, nor is there yet any concentration
of troops on that river."
The excitement in the States in August and September
passed away, but revived in May following. General Taylor,
through his confidential agent, in the early part of September
was advised that there were no extraordinary preparations
being made at Matamoros, and that the garrison, had not even
been increased. The United States Consul there did not regard war as at all probable, and asserted that so averse to
war were the people on the frontier, that if it should come,
he believed several of the northern departments of Mexico
would declare for independence and form a new government.
General Taylor warned the authorities not to heed idle
rumors, his having been ordered to make requisitions upon
certain States for troops being due to them, and to quiet all
apprehensions in the said States, he announced that he intended, should any auxiliary forces be required, to take them
exclusively from Texas, and did not think it would be necessary under any circumstances to call for troops from other
States.
On October 15th he reported as follows: " All troops destined for this point are now here in position, except Ringgold's company, daily expected from St. Joseph's Island.
The morning report of to-day shows an aggregate present of
3,733; a small detachment absent and Ringgold's company
will bring it up to 3,860. The longest march made by any of
the troops to reach Corpus Chri~ti was that of the seven companies of the Second Dragoons with a train of fifty wagons,
from Fort Jesup, which crossed the Sabine into Texas, marched
due west over broad, undulating prairies, crossed the Trinity,
Buffalo Bayou, Brazos, Colorado, San Marcos, Guadalupe,
San Antonio, and halted on the west bank of the Nueces,
twenty-eight miles from Corpus Christi, opposite to the hamlet of San Patricio. Some of the streams were forded, and at
others were ferries. The men and horses were in excellent
condition after this long summer march. The other three
companies of this regiment marched from Fort Washita to
San Antonio."




ï~~The Pleasures of the Camp.

13

General Taylor had served in the war of x81 2, and when
in command at Corpus Christi was sixty-one years old. It is
questionable if either he or any officer under his command
had ever seen so many of the regular army together at one
time. Possibly General Worth and one or two others who
had served in Canada in 1812-'15 may have been so fortunate,
but there were colonels who had never seen their entire regiments, lieutenants who had risen to be captains in the same
regiments who had never met, many officers who had not
seen each other since the war of 1812, and others who had not
met since receiving their diplomas at West Point.
Convenient to the camp at Corpus Christi was a level and
extended plain, well adapted to military exercises, where all
arms of service could drill within full view of each other.
Many infantry officers, not young in the service, had never
drilled at evolutions of the line; others had scarcely drilled
in the school of the battalion since they were cadets. The
afmy was small, divided among many different posts, with reduced garrisons, and scattered over the entire country. The
officers at Corpus Christi appreciated the rare opportunity
there presented for instruction and the necessity of fully
utilizing it. Hence the concentration of so large a fraction
of the army in one camp was not only of incalculable benefit
in the matter of instruction, but also enabled officers to revive
former acquaintance and friendship and to form new ties,
which contributed much to their individual pleasure and were
of great advantage to the service in subsequent operations.
When not actually on duty there was great variety of
recreations. To those fond of rowing or sailing few sheets
of water were better adapted to such pastimes than the bay
of Corpus Christi, nearly forty miles long and from ten to
fifteen broad, and during the year there was scarcely a day
when white-capped waves were not seen. Fish were abundant
and of many different varieties-sheephead, red fish, the red
snapper, highly prized for the table; a speckled trout, larger
than his fresh water kinsman, and causing more excitement
at the end of the line.
Many officers with the army there refer to the interesting
fact that in one of the winter months during the prevalence
of a " norther " of unusual violence the waves rose high and




ï~~14

War Not Thought Probable.

were driven over the beach far back inland, flooding the tents
of some regiments and, receding, left thousands of the best of
fish in depressions filled with water or thickly strewn upon
the dry surface. Hundreds of turtles, and of the largest
species, were borne along by the huge waves and left high
and dry, many of them on their backs, and consequently an
easy prey to the soldiers. The fish supply from this " norther "
lasted the army for over a week. Duck and geese during the
winter months were abundant, deer and antelope covered the
prairies within an hour's ride of the camp, and in two or three
hours droves of wild horses could be reached; theatres at
night, the circus and horse races during the day, completed
their amusements and made camp life when not on duty decidedly an enjoyable affair.
During the month of October General Taylor was informed
from Washington that it was not probable any serious attempt
at an invasion of Texas would be made by Mexico, although
she might continue to threaten incursions, and upon this supposition an important question to be decided would be the position or positions to be occupied by his troops. His confidential agents having made reports that suggested the same
conclusions, he had already considered the propriety of making changes with a portion of his command so as to bring
them more convenient to wood, and also to determine what
points along the new frontier to garrison in the event of a
peaceable solution of the pending difficulties. Should there
be an early adjustment of the boundary and the consequent
establishment of permanent posts, he urged that they be occupied before the warm months should set in, bringing with
them, as was feared, much sickness. Meanwhile Commodore
Conner, commanding the fleet near Vera Cruz, informed him
" that Mexico had accepted our proposal to arrange existing
troubles by negotiation," and his agents also reported that no
Mexican troops were moving to the frontier, and that there
was a probability of efforts being made culminating in peace.




ï~~CHAPTER II.

EFFORTS TO RENEW DIPLOMATIC RELATIONS WITH MEXICO.
Having annexed Texas the Government of the United
States naturally preferred to possess it in peace, and sought to
revive the diplomatic intercourse suspended by Mexico, under
what she conceived to be a gross outrage upon her as an independent power.
The United States Consul at the City of Mexico was instructed by the Secretary of State " to ascertain from the
Mexican Government whether it would receive an envoy
from the United States, intrusted with full powers to settle
all questions in dispute between the two Governments. Should
the answer be in the affirmative, such an envoy will be immediately dispatched." The Consul sought the information
called for; the Mexican Government replied through its
minister, Senior Peia y Peia, stating: " In answer, I have to
state to you that, although the Mexican nation is deeply injured by the United States through the acts committed by
them in the department of Texas, which belongs to this
nation, my Government is disposed to receive a commissioner
of the United States who may come to the capital with full
powers from his Government to settle the present dispute in a
peaceable, reasonable, and honorable manner, thus giving a
new proof, that even in the midst of its injuries, and of its
firm decision to exact adequate reparation for them, it does
not repel with contumely the measures of reason and peace
to which it is invited by its adversary."
The consent of the Mexican Government to receive the
commissioner " to settle the present dispute" was made dependent upon " the previous recall of the whole naval force
lying in sight off our port of Vera.Cruz." The communication made by the United States Consul to the Secretary of
State when forwarding this reply from the Mexican Minister




ï~~16    Arrival qf U. S. Minister at Vera Cruz.
is not given in full in the executive document. The consul
wrote: " The Mexican Government is very anxious to know
when it may expect the envoy from the United States, and also
that I may soon be able to give it the information of the
American squadron having retired from the port of Vera
Cruz." The Mexican Minister represented his Government
as willing to receive a commissioner " to settle the present
dispute." That it did not regard this as an assent to receive
the usual minister is evident from a communication of the
minister October 31, 1845, addressed to the consul, which
commences as follows: " Although this is not to be understood in any way as an intimation of the reopening of friendly
relations at present interrupted between Mexico and the
United States, I find myself compelled by an occurrence,
etc." This occurrence was that a sloop of war of the
United States had entered a port on the Pacific, causing
alarm and forcing the local authorities to place themselves in
a position of defense. The report proved, however, to be
false.
The Mexican Government consented to receive a commissioner, charged with a particular restricted mission, " to settle
the present dispute," in its understanding the Texas question.
But there was accredited to it by the United States Government the usual envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, who arrived at Vera Cruz the 29th of November, z845,
and notified the United States Consul at that port that he
wished to leave that night in the diligence for the capital.
The consul at Vera Cruz reported to the one in the City of
Mexico that the American Minister had arrived, and the latter
reported the fact to the Mexican Minister, who was taken by
surprise at the arrival so promptly of the American commissioner, and said that though he admitted no time had been
designated, yet, from his conversation with the consul and
from what he had heard from others he had good reasons
for believing he would not have been appointed by the
United States, or at least would not have started on his mission until after the meeting of the Mexican Congress, which,
as was well known, would not meet until December 6th
The Mexican Minister represented his Government as well
disposed and ready to proceed in the negotiation, but that




ï~~Mr. Slidell Proceeds to the Capital.

17

if commenced then it would endanger its existence. His
Government was afraid that the appearance of the envoy
at that time would produce a revolution against it, which
might terminate its existence. Such was the report made by
the United States Consul in the City of Mexico to the United
States Secretary of State.
The newly arrived minister pushed on to the Mexican
capital, reaching it December 6th. He had been met in the
meantime at Puebla by the American Consul, who advised
him of probable delay in his reception. On the 8th, the
minister, Mr. John Slidell, announced his arrival to the
Mexican Minister, and asked to be informed when it would
be convenient for him to present his credentials to the President. This was answered through the United States Consul,
stating his request had been laid by the Mexican Minister
before the Council of Government, and he would be advised
on receipt of an answer. No reply having been received up
to the I5th, Mr. Slidell addressed a second note, stating his
desire to communicate speedily with his Government and
begging to be informed when he might expect an answer.
A reply was returned the following day, which was regarded
as evasive and unsatisfactory, intimating difficulties respecting his credentials, and that the negotiations were, by the
terms of his letter to the consul, to be confined to the subject
of Texas, and this note was not addressed to Mr. Slidell in
his official capacity. In reply to this note, Mr. Slidell
begged to call the attention of the Mexican Minister to what
" he supposed to be a misapprehension on his part of the
proposition made by the United States through Mr. Black,
their consul, on the 13th of October last, and its acceptance
by the Mexican Government, as signified by the letter of His
Excellency, of October 15th."
Mr. Slidell reminded the Mexican Secretary that he had,
inadvertently perhaps, failed to address him with his proper
title.
The Mexican Minister, in reply to Mr. Slidell, after some
preliminary observations, writes: "In order to place this refusal to receive an envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary upon its proper grounds, the undersigned will




ï~~18 'orrespondence between Slidell and Pena y Pena.
communicate briefly to Mr. Slidell the reasons by which His
Excellency the President is guided.
" The proposition in question emanated spontaneously from
the Government of the United States, and the Mexican Government accepted it, in order to give a new proof, that in the
midst of grievances, and its firm decision to exact adequate
reparation, it did not repel or contemn the measure of reason
and peace to which it was invited; so that this proposition as
well as its acceptance rested upon the precise and definite
understanding that the commissioner should be ad hoc-that
is to say, commissioned to settle in a peaceful and honorable
manner the questions relative to Texas. This has not been
done, as Mr. Slidell does not come invested with that character, but with the absolute and general functions of an
envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary, to reside
in this quality near the Mexican Government.
" If His Excellency, Mr. Slidell, be admitted in this character, which differs substantially from that proposed for his
mission on the part of the United States, and accepted by the
Government of the undersigned, there would be reason to
believe that thenceforth the relations between the two republics were open and frank, which could not be the case
until the questions which have led to the present interruption of these relations should have been settled in a manner
peaceful but at the same time honorable to Mexico.
"*Although it is true that in the credentials brought by
His Excellency Mr. Slidell it is stated that he is informed
of the desire of the President of the United States to restore,
cultivate, and strengthen friendship and good correspondence
between the two countries, it is also no less true that in this
clause the single word restore is by no means sufficient to give
to Mr. Slidell the special character of commissioner or plenipotentiary ad hoc, to make propositions as to the affairs of
Texas calculated to establish peace firmly, and to arrest the
evils of war by means of an adequate agreement. Mr. Slidell
is too enlightened not himself to see that the powers of such
a plenipotentiary ought to refer, and to be adequate and directed definitely to the business for which he is appointed;
and that he is very far from possessing these requisites, in
virtue of the character in which he appears, of an absolute




ï~~Correspondence between Slidell and Peia y Pena. 19
and general minister, of an ordinary plenipotentiary, to reside
near the Mexican Government.
" The admission of such a minister should be, as the undersigned has already said, preceded by the agreement which
the United States proposes to enter into for the establishment
of peace and good correspondence with Me*ico, interrupted
by the occurrences of Texas, this point being from its very
nature necessary to be obtained before any other; and until
it shall have been entirely and peacefully settled not even an
appointment should be made of a resident minister by either
of the two Governments. The supreme Government of Mexico,
therefore, cannot admit His Excellency Mr. Slidell to the exercise of the functions of the mission conferred on him by the
United States Government; but, as the sentiments expressed
by the undersigned to the consul in his above-mentioned communication of the z4th of October last are in nowise changed,
he now repeats them, adding that he will have the utmost
pleasure in treating with Mr. Slidell so soon as he shall have
presented credentials authorizing him expressly and exclusively to settle the questions which have disturbed the harmony and good understanding between the two republics, and
which will bring on war between them unless such settlement
be effected in a satisfactory manner, to which the proposition
from the Government of the United States related, and under
the express understanding of which that proposition was accepted by the Mexican Government. Until this be done Mr.
Slidell cannot be admitted in the character with which he appears invested, as the honor, the dignity, and the interests of
the Mexican Republic would thereby be placed in jeopardy."
Mr. Slidell replied: "The undersigned will abstain from
the full expression of the feelings of astonishment and dissatisfaction which the perusal of the minister's communication
has so naturally excited, fearful that if he did do so he might
overstep the bounds which courtesy and the usages of diplomatic
intercourse prescribe in addressing a person occupying the
distinguished position of Mr. Penia y Peia, but he should be
recreant alike to the character, dignity, and interests of the
Government which he has the honor to represent were he not
to point out to His Excellency, and through him to the people of the Republic of Mexico, the misstatements (and he begs




ï~~20 Correspondence between Slidell and Pena y Pena.
to be understood that he uses this word in no invidious sense)
which the communication of His Excellency contains of the
correspondence which induced the appointment of the undersigned, refute the reasoning by which Mr. Peia y Penia attempts to sustain the refusal of the Mexican Government to
receive him, and apprise him of the very grave consequences
to which a persistence in that refusal will probably lead."
Por the purpose of pointing out misstatements and refuting
false logic Mr. Slidell continued: " It will be necessary to
refer briefly to the difficulties which existed between the two
Governments when at the instance of Your Excellency* the
consul of the United States, acting by the authority of his
Government, addressed to Your Excellency on October x 3th
last a letter the substance of which had been communicated
orally to Your Excellency in a confidential interview two days
previously. * *   * Mexico considered herself aggrieved
by the course which the United States had pursued in relation to
Texas, and this feeling, it is true, was the immediate cause
of the abrupt termination of all diplomatic relations, but the
Government of the United States on its part had causes of
complaint, better founded and more serious, arising out of
claims of its citizens on Mexico."
He then referred to many wanton attacks upon the rights
of persons and property endured by citizens of the United
States from Mexican authorities. " They were the subject
of earnest, repeated, and unavailing remonstrance during a
long series of years, until at last, on the i th of April, 1839, a
convention was concluded for their adjustment. * * * Under
this convention a board of commissioners was organized for
the liquidation of claims, but was to terminate its duties
within eighteen months, and much time was lost in preliminary discussion. Only a small amount of claims was finally
acted upon. Two million twenty-six thousand one hundred
and thirty-nine dollars was the amount awarded, and $928,627
examined and awarded by the American commissioners, upon
*As far as the official papers have been consulted, one has not been
able to discover that the American consul addressed a note October
13th to the Mexican minister at the request of the latter, but, as far
as known, the United States took the initiative and instructed, as
has been stated, its consul to approach the Mexican Government and
ascertain if it would receive a diplomatic agent.




ï~~Correspondence between Slidell and Penia y Penta. 21
which the umpire refused to decide, alleging that his authority had expired, while others aggregating $3,536,837 remained
altogether unacted upon because they had been submitted too
late. In relation to the claims which had been submitted to
the board of commissioners, but were not acted on for want
of time, amounting to $4,265.,464, a convention was signed in
the City of Mexico on the 20th of November, 1843, by Waddy
Thompson on the part of the United States, Senores Bocanegra and Trigueros on that of Mexico, which was ratified by
the United States Senate, with two amendments, obviously
reasonable and necessary. Upon a reference of these amendments to the Government-of Mexico it interposed evasions,
difficulties, delays of every kind, and has never yet decided
whether it would accede to them or not, although the subject
has been repeatedly proposed by the ministers of the United
States. Subsequently additional claims have been presented
to the Department of State, exceeding in amount $2,200,000,
showing in all the enormous aggregate of $8,496,603. But
what has been the fate even of those claimants against the
Government of Mexico, whose debts have been fully liquidated, recognized by Mexico, and its payment guaranteed by
the most solemn treaty stipulations? The Mexican Government finding it inconvenient to pay the amount awarded
either in money or in an issue of treasury notes, according to
the terms of the convention, a new convention was concluded
between the two Governments to relieve that of Mexico from
this embarrassment. By its terms the interest due on the
whole amount awarded was ordered to be paid on the 3oth of
April, 1843, and the principal with the accruing interest was
made payable in five years, in equal installments, every three
months. Under this new agreement, made to favor Mexico,
the claimants have only received the interest to the 3oth of
April, 1843, and three of the twenty installments.
"If," continues Mr. Slidell, "Your Excellency had not himself conducted the preliminary and informal negotiations with
the consul of the United States, of which the preceding version is given by him; if the letter of the consul had not been
addressed to and answered by Your Excellency the undersigned would be constrained to believe that Your Excellency
had derived his knowledge of it from some unauthentic




ï~~22

The Point in Dispute.

source. But as this is not the case, the undersigned trusts
that Your Excellency will pardon him if he suggests the
doubt whether Your Excellency, constantly occupied, as he
must for some time past have been by the disturbed state of
the internal affairs of the republic, has reperused the letter of
the consul of October 15th, with that scrupulous attention
which the gravity of the case demanded, and whether the
lapse of time has not left on the mind of Your Excellency but
a vague and incorrect impression of what really occurred.
The point in dispute between the two ministers seems to
have been this. The Mexican Minister stated to the consul
that his government was disposed to receive the Commissioner of the United States, " who may come to this capital
with full powers to settle the present dispute in a peaceable,
reasonable, etc.; " the Mexican Minister meaning by " the
present dispute " the one that had interrupted or broken off
diplomatic intercourse-the Texas question. The consul had
been instructed " to ascertain from the Mexican Government
whether it would receive an envoy from the United States,
intrusted with full power to adjust all the questions in dispute between the two governments; " and to this request
the Mexican Minister gave the above reply. Under Mr.
Slidell's instructions the Texas question was included, but
the Mexican Government insisted upon disposing of the
Texas question alone.
Mr. Slidell continued: " If the undersigned had been admitted to the honor of presenting his credentials to His Excellency the president of the republic, he was instructed to
assure His Excellency of the earnest desire which the authorities and the people of the United States entertain to restore
those ancient relations of peace and good will which formerly
existed between the governments and citizens of the two republics. Circumstances have of late estranged the sympathies of the Mexican people, which had been secured
towards their brethren of the North by the early and decided
stand which the United States had taken and maintained in
favor of the independence of the Spanish American republics
on this continent. The great object of the mission of the
undersigned was to endeavor by the removal of all mutual
causes of complaint for the past and of distrust for the future,




ï~~The Olive Branch Rejected.

23

to revive,. confirm, and, if possible, strengthen those sympathies. The interests of Mexico and the United States are, if
well understood, identical, and the most ardent wish of the
latter was to see Mexico elevated under a free, stable, and
republican government to a distinguished rank among the
nations of the earth. Such are the views of the government
of the undersigned, and such was the spirit in which he was
directed to act. * * * Mexico rejects the olive branch
which has been so frankly extended to her, and it is not the
province of the undersigned to criticise the motives or comment upon the influences, foreign or domestic, which have induced her to pursue this course, or to speculate upon the consequences to which it may lead. For a contingency so unexpected and unprecedented no foresight could have provided,
and the undersigned consequently finds himself without instruction to guide him in his very delicate and singular
position. He shrinks from taking upon himself the fearful
responsibility of acting in a matter that involves interests so
momentous, and as no motive could exist for protracting his
stay in this capital, he will proceed in a few days to Jalapa,
where he can communicate more speedily with his Government and await its final instructions."
The administration of Herrera regarded Texas as forever
lost to Mexico; it lay conterminous with the United States,
and it was known that during the war between Mexico and
her revolted province, citizens of the United States had
openly aided and abetted the Texans, with arms, men, and
supplies, their Government being either powerless to check,
or else quietly permitting these infractions of nieutrality. It
was even worse than this; the Government of the United
States gave grounds for well-founded suspicions, if not proof
positive, of open sympathy with Texas; for one of its general
officers, General Gaines, with his command-a portion of the
Army of the United States-crossed the Sabine into Texas
and penetrated as far as Nacogdoches; the Texans understanding this to be a moral, if not direct support, and subsequently the American Minister in Mexico, Governor Shannon, admonished the Mexican Government that, pending the
question of annexation, a continuance of the war against
Texas would be regarded as an unfriendly act.




ï~~24

The Overthrow of Herrera.

Herrera had favored the independence of Texas, and proposed its recognition, judging rightly, that lying intermediate
to the two countries, it would protect Mexico from the aggressions of the United States. The suspicion that he would
prefer losing Texas, or seeing it annexed to the United
States, to going to war with that power about it, was the
main-spring of the revolution that resulted in his overthrow,
and doubtless the presence of Mr. Slidell in the Mexican
capital tended, as foretold by Senor Penia y Penia to Mr.
Black, United States Consul, to precipitate that event. The
Pronunciamiento of General Paredes forced Herrera to resign
on the night of December 29th. General Valencia was installed President ad interim, awaiting the arrival of General
Paredes; and Mr. Peia y Penia was succeeded in the Foreign
Office by Mr. Castillo y Lanzas, January 6, 1846.
The United States Consul, Mr. Black, applied at once for
an escort to conduct Mr. Slidell to the coast; his application
was answered January 8th, but the escort was not provided
until the 15th. On the 17th he left the capital, reached Jalapa the 20th, and remained there till the latter part of March,
his passports being forwarded from the City of Mexico March
2 st. While at Jalapa, Mr. Slidell addressed a communication to the new Minister of Foreign Relations, under the
Paredes Government, Don Joachim Castillo y Lanzas, calling
his attention to the fact that he had been accredited by the
Government of the United States as Minister to Mexico, but
that Mr. Peia y Peria, his predecessor in office, had been instructed to decline receiving him. He wrote, however:
" The destinies of the Mexican Republic having since been
committed to other hands, the President of the United States,
unwilling to take a course which would inevitably result in
war, without making another effort to avert so great a calamity, wishes by exhausting every honorable means of conciliation to demonstrate to the civilized world that, if its
peace shall be disturbed, the responsibility must fall upon
Mexico alone * * * and he hoped as little delay as possible, may occur in notifying him of the final decision of His
Excellency the President ad interim in the matter of his
request."




ï~~Slidell Again Refused.

25

Mr. Castillo y Lanzas acknowledged the receipt of Mr.
Slidell's note, advised him that he submitted it to the President ad interim, who after deliberate consideration of its contents and mature reflection upon the business, had seen fit to
order him " to make known to Mr. Slidell, in reply, as he
now has the honor of doing, that the Mexican Government
cannot receive him as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary to reside near it. And here he might terminate
his note, if reasons of great weight did not convince him of
the necessity of making some reflections in this place, not
through fear of the consequences which may result from this
decisive resolve, but through the respect which he owes to
reason and justice." After a brief reference to the causes
which have brought the two Governments to their present
attitude towards each other, he adds: " If good faith presides, as is supposed, over the dispositions of the Government of the United States, what motive could exist for so
anxiously repelling the indispensable restriction with which
Mexico has acceded to the proposal spontaneously made by
the former? If it was really and positively desired to tie up
again the bonds of good understanding and friendship between the two nations, the way was very easy; the Mexican
Government offered to admit the plenipotentiary or commissioner, who should come clothed with special powers to treat
upon the question of Texas.
" Upon this point the resolve of the Mexican Government
is immutable, and since in the extreme case it is the rights of
the Mexican nation which have to be affirmed, for it is her
honor which has been outraged and which will have to be
avenged, her Government will, if the necessity arise, call
upon all her citizens to fulfill the sacred duty of defending
their country. A lover of peace, she wishes to ward off this
sad contingency, and without fearing war she would desire
to avoid so great a calamity for both countries. Por this she
has offered herself, and will continue to offer herself, open to
all honorable means of conciliation, and she anxiously desires
that the present controversy may terminate in a reasonable
and decorous manner.
" In the actual state of things, to say that Mexico maintains
a position of quasi hostility with respect to the United States,




ï~~26

Castillo y Lanzas' Able Note.

is to add a new offense to her previous injuries. Her attitude
is one of defense, because she sees herself unjustly attacked,
because a portion of her territory is occupied * by the forces
of a nation intent, without any right whatever, to possess
itself of it; because her ports arc threatened by the squadrons of the same power. Under such circumstances is she to
remain inactive without taking measures suited to so vigorous an emergency?
" It is, then, not upon Mexico, seeing her present state,
that it devolves to decide if the issue shall be a friendly negotiation or an open rupture. It is long since her interests
have made this necessary, and her dignity has demanded it;
but in the hopes of an accommodation at once honorable and
pacific she has silenced the clamor of these imperious exigencies.
" It follows that if war should finally become inevitable and
if in consequence of this war the peace of the civilized world
should be disturbed, the responsibility will not fall upon Mexico. It will all rest upon the United States; to them will
the whole of it belong.
" Not upon Mexico who, with a generosity unequaled, admitted the American citizens who wished to colonize in
Texas, but upon the United States, who, bent upon possessing themselves, early or late, of that territory, encouraged
emigration thither with that view in order that in due time its
inhabitants, converting themselves from colonists into masters,
should claim the country as their own for the purpose of transferring it to the United States. Not upon Mexico who, having in due season protested against so enormous a transgression, wished to remove all cause for controversy and hostilities, but upon the United States, who, to the scandal of the
world and in manifest violation of treaties, gave protection
and aid to those guilty of a rebellion so iniquitous.
" Not upon Mexico who, in the midst even of injuries so
great and so repeated, has shown herself disposed to admit
propositions for conciliation, but upon the United States who,
* Mexico always claimed the Nueces as the western boundary of
Texas, and Corpus Christi (the camp of General Taylor) was west of
that river and a Mexican seaport.




ï~~The Correspondence Ends.

27

pretending sincerely to desire a friendly and honorable accommodation, have belied by their acts the sincerity of their
words.
" Finally, not upon Mexico who, putting out of view her
own dearest interests through her deference for peace, has entertained as long as was wished the propositions which, with
this view, might be made to her, but upon the United States,
who by frivolous pretexts evade the conclusion of such an
arrangement proposing peace at the very moment when they
are causing their squadrons and their troops to advance upon
the ports and frontiers of Mexico, exacting a humiliation impossible to submit to in order to find a pretext, if no reason
can be found, which may occasion the breaking out of hostilities.
"It is, therefore, upon the United States and not upon
Mexico that it devolves to determine in the alternative presented by Mr. Slidell; that is, between a friendly negotiation
and an open rupture. The undersigned doubts not that he
makes His Excellency Mr. Slidell sensible that in view of
what is set forth in the present note, the Mexican Government trusts that the Executive of the United States in coming to the determination which he shall deem proper will act
with the deliberation and mature consideration demanded by
the exceedingly grave interests involved in this thorny
question."
In reply Mr. Slidell repeats somewhat previous statements, but he denied that the United States had encouraged
emigration of its citizens to Mexico, and asserts they were invited there by Mexico, that when they, the Texan colonists,
had a development that under the Constitution of 1824 would
have permitted their admission into the Mexican Union as a
separate State, they held their convention, a State constitution was formed and they applied for admission as a State,
but the application was rejected and the delegate imprisoned.
Soon after this act the Constitutional Congress of Mexico
was dissolved by military force. This same arbitrary authority convened a new congress, abrogated the Federal Constitution, and in its stead consolidated a central government.
Texas, as she had a right, refused to acknowledge the new
order of things, and as the compact had been dissolved,




ï~~28      Buchanan's Instructions to Slidell.
seceded, declared her independence and won it at San
Jacinto, and it was acknowledged by the leading powers of
Europe. Texas being as independent as Mexico, could do as
she pleased-remain independent or annex herself to the
United States.
We cannot understand the full purpose of Mr. Slidell's
mission without reference to his instructions, which covered
not only the subject of unsettled claims of citizens of the
United States, but the question of boundary between the two
countries, and also the matter of a further acquisition of territory from Mexico.
The Secretary of State, in his instructions to Mr. Slidell,
says: " The first subject which will demand your attention
will be the claims of our citizens against Mexico," and he
explains partially in what these consist and recalls the vexatious delays that have thus far attended all attempts at settlement, and continues: " The fact is but too well known
to the world that the Mexican Government is not in a condition to satisfy these claims by the payment of money. Unless
the debt should be assumed by the Government of the United
States the claimants cannot receive what is justly due.
Fortunately the joint resolution of Congress approved March
r, 1845, 'For annexing Texas to the United States,' presents
a means of satisfying these claims in perfect consistency
with the interests as well as the honor of both republics. It
has reserved to this Government the adjustment of all questions of boundary that may arise with other Governments.
This question of boundary may, therefore, be adjusted between the two republics so as to cast the burden of the
debt due to American claimants upon our own Government,
whilst it will do no injury to Mexico."
The Secretary then recalls how Texas, by act of Congress
in December, 1836, claimed the Rio Grande as its boundary
in that  direction. That river was, without doubt, he says,
the boundary of Texas, but it was different with New Mexico,
for it lay on both sides of that stream, that to the east being
within the limits claimed by Texas. And hereafter should it
remain a Mexican province it would become a subject of dispute, a source of bad feeling between the two countries. If
in the adjustments of the boundary New Mexico could be in



ï~~Liberal Offer of the United States.

29

cluded within the limits of the United States it would obviate
the dangers of a future collision.
Mr. Slidell was assured the President did not desire to be
illiberal towards Mexico, but the reverse, and that if she
would consent to part with New Mexico the United States
would not only assume all debts due by her to citizens of the
United States but would in addition pay her $5,000,000.
With reference to California, remote from Mexico, over
which she exercised little control and was incapable to defend
it, if this province, considerable in extent, with a fertile soil,
salubrious climate, and magnificent harbors on the Pacific,
should be possessed by England or Prance it would prove
embarrassing to the United States. It might be that Mexico,
in view of its sparse population and great distance, would consent to part with it. The President wished him to use
his best efforts to induce Mexico to cede it to this Government. Could he bring this about he would render an
immense service to his country and establish an enviable
reputation for himself. Money would be no object compared
with the value of this acquisition. This matter should be
managed with great prudence, with caution and tact, so as
not to arouse the jealousy of the Mexican officials. To secure California he was authorized to pay $25,000,000, besides assuming the debts due our citizens by Mexico. If the
boundary should strike the Pacific above Monterey $20,000,000
would be paid. The greater the territory obtained south of
San Francisco the better. It can scarcely be questioned that
President Polk regarded the Texas question as already settled;
was intent upon a further acquisition of Mexican territory,
and was disposed to obtain it in a peaceful manner, purchasing it and paying, as he supposed, liberally for it.




ï~~CHAPTER III.
CORPUS CHRISTI ABANDONED.--THE MARCH TO THE RIO
GRANDE.-THE LITTLE COLORADO CROSSED.-POINT ISABEL AND MATAMOROS.-AMPUDIA ASSIGNED TO COMMAND
ON THE RIO GRANDE.-ARISTA SUPERSEDES HIM.-A COLLISION OP ARMS.
As heretofore shown, General Taylor in the autumn of
1845 believed that the differences between the Government
of the United States and that of Mexico would be arranged
by negotiation, but in January, 1846, the prospects of an amicable solution of them were less favorable.
Instructions were sent* him to advance as soon as the season of the year and the condition of the routes would permit.
Several points on or near the Rio Grande were indicated as
probable points to be occupied; the final selection was left to
his judgment, as also whether or not he would divide his
forces. It was considered probable that in carrying out
these instructions and in other movements that might have
to be made, the use of the Rio Grande would become necessary, if not indispensable.
Should Mexico object or interpose obstacles to the common
use of that river, he was instructed not to attempt such use,
without further orders, and to ascertain and report without
delay if means beyond those already at his disposal would
be required to enforce and maintain our common right to
navigate it, also to give to the Department his views as to
the importance of this right, in the defense and protection of
Texas.
* War Department, Jan. 13, 1846, Ex. Doc. No. 6o. These orders were
sent General Taylor the day after information was received that Slidell had not been received by Mexico as Minister.




ï~~Reconnoissances From      Corpus Christi.

31

It was not intended, in the then existing relations with
Mexico, to treat her as an enemy, but should she assume
that character by a declaration of war or by an open act of
hostility, he was not to act merely on the defensive, if his
means would permit him to do otherwise; and as Texas had
been admitted into the Union, he was authorized by the
President to make a requisition upon her Governor for such
militia as might become necessary to repel or to secure her
against even apprehended invasion, and to inform Governor
Henderson of these instructions.
In reply General Taylor notified the War Department of
his intention to abandon Corpus Christi entirely, as soon as
the supplies, public property, etc., could be transferred to St.
Joseph's Island, which would be held for the present. Point
Isabel would certainly be & cupied, as well as some place
opposite Matamoros, but no further subdivision of his forces
would be made until the situation was such that it could be
done with entire safety. With regard to the Rio Grande, he
could give no opinion until his army should be in its immediate vicinity, though he was quite sure his presence near it
would have a decided effect, so much so that its common use
would not be disputed. He would not call for any militia,
unless some unforeseen circumstances should render its employment necessary. He urged the importance of having his
movement upon Brazos Santiago covered by a vessel of war.
No time was lost, and anticipating his advance to commence about the ist of March, he ordered reconnoissances to
be made from Corpus Christi to Point Isabel, one by way of
Padre Island, the other over the mainland, the route to be
taken to be determined by the reports of the officers making
these examinations.
He cautioned the War Department against heeding exaggerated accounts of preparations made by the Mexicans to
resist his advance, or to attempt an' invasion of Texas, as
such rumors were already in circulation at Corpus Christi,
originating with those wishing the army to remain where it
was. From reliable reports his forward movement to the
Rio Grande would not be resisted, though his command
would advance prepared to resist hostilities should they be
provoked by Mexico.




ï~~32

The Forward Movement.

The engineer officers charged with the two reconnoissances reported both routes practicable; the one by Padre
Island included Brazos Santiago and Point Isabel; the other
extended as far as the Arroyo Colorado, a distance of near
130 miles. Taylor reported his preparations for the forward
movement as nearly completed. He would send forward forty
miles to the Santa Gertrudes four days' forage, and an equal
amount of subsistence stores, guarded by Maj. Wm. M.
Graham, with two companies of the Fourth Infantry.
1 He represented to a party of Mexicans visiting his camp
and who had a large drove of mules for sale that his forward
movement, soon to be made, would not be hostile; that his
troops would in no event go beyond the Rio Grande unless
hostilities should be begun by the Mexicans themselves; that
those Mexicans living east of the river would be protected in
rights and property, all supplies required for the army would
be paid for at fair market prices, and until the present misunderstanding should be finally settled the harbor of Brazos
Santiago would be open to Mexicans as before. The same
views had been expressed by Captain Hardee, commanding
the escort with the reconnoitering party on Padre Island, to
the Mexican custom-house officials and to others at Point
Isabel.
Commodore Conner had sailed for Vera Cruz, but promised to cover the establishment of the depot at Point Isabel
with one or more war vessels. Finally, all needful preparations having been made, the weather being propitious, the
roads in excellent condition, and with that exhilaration of
spirits common to forward movements, the advance column,
composed of the cavalry and Major Ringgold's battery of field
artillery, under the command of Colonel David E. Twiggs,
Second Dragoons, moved March 9, 1846, in the direction of
Matamoros. The strength of this advance guard was 401 men
and officers.
A siege train, field battery, ordnance officers, and those of
the Pay Department, under Major John Munroe, Second Artillery, and Captain Sanders, of the engineers, were to sail
from St. Joseph's Island in time to be at or near Brazos
when the troops should reach Point Isabel. Before leaving
Corpus Christi General Taylor had published the following




ï~~Order No. 30.

3

order, No. 30, which was translated into Spanish and sent
over to the Rio Grande for distribution among the Mexicans:
[Order No. 30.1
HEADQUARTERS ARMY OF OCCUPAION,
CORPus CHRISTI, TEx., March 8, 1846.
The Army of Occupation of Texas being now about to take a position upon the left bank of the Rio Grande, under the orders of the Executive of the United States, the General-in-Chief desires to express
the hope that the movement will be advantageous to all concerned,
and with the object of attaining this laudable end he has ordered
all under his command to observe with the most serious respect the
rights of all the inhabitants who may be found in peaceful prosecution of their respective occupations, as well on the left as on the
right side of the Rio Grande. Under no pretext nor in any way will any
interference be allowed with the civil rights or religious principles of
the inhabitants, but the utmost respect for them will be maintained.
Whatsoever may be needed for the use of the army will be bought by
the proper purveyor and paid for at the highest prices. The Generalin-Chief has the satisfaction to say that he confides in the patriotism
and discipline of the army under his command, and that he feels
sure that his orders will be obeyed with the utmost exactness.
Z. TAYLOR,
Brig. Gen. U. S. Army, Commanding.
The infantry, divided into three brigades, moved successively on the 9th, loth, and i th of March. On the 12th,
thirty-one miles west of Corpus Christi, General Taylor informed the War Department that the United States brig Porpoise arrived near Aransas on the i Ith, Lieutenant Hunt commanding, under orders from Commodore Conner, to commnunicatp with the army and render all the aid possible. This
brig, together with the cutter Woodbury, convoyed the army
transports to Brazos and assisted Major Munroe in landing
and establishing the depot at Point Isabel. He referred to a
proclamation of General Canales that was placed in his hands
as he was leaving Corpus Christi, and which had not, to his
knowledge, been made public on the Rio Grande. It referred
exclusively to the Pronunciarniento of Paredes and the overthrow of Herrera, denouncing it as an unlawful act of a council of generals.
March x8th, x 8 miles west of Corpus Christi, he reported
again through that port to the War Department that he was




ï~~34       Encampment Near Little Colorado.

with the head of the column, the cavalry and First Brigade
of Infantry, that the Little Colorado was thirteen miles in
front, on reaching which he would concentrate his army so as
to be prepared for contingencies.
On the 17th and 18th small armed parties of Mexicans were
seen in front, or off on the flank, but kept at a distance. He
reported the different commands of his army as being in
excellent condition and buoyant in spirits, "equal to any service that might be before them."
Rarely, if ever, was there a better disciplined or a more
thoroughly-instructed little army than the one commanded
by General Taylor at that time. Most of its officers had been
educated for their profession, were full of zeal and pride in
the service, and, animated by an honorable ambition, the
esprit de corps was perfect. The weather was favorable, the
roads excellent, stretching over broad and slightly undulating
prairies; the attention of both officers and men constantly
directed to herds of deer and antelopes and droves of wild
horses, bounding over the soft, green turf that covered the
vast plains in every direction. During this march the army
was neither annoyed nor fatigued by dust or mud, heat or
cold.
The I9th of March the advance brigade encamped within
three miles of the Little Colorado, a salt lagoon, about o
yards wide and of barely fordable depth. A reconnoissance
was pushed forward to this stream and a small body of irregular cavalry was seen on its far side. They offered no opposition whilst the reconnoissance was being made, but intimated
to the officer in charge that an attempt to cross it would be
regarded as an act of hostility, and those so engaged would
be treated as belligerents.
The army was reunited on the 2zst of March at the Little
Colorado, and early in the morning the cavalry and the First
Brigade were placed in position at the ford, the artillery so
posted as to sweep with its fire the opposite side. While these
dispositions were being made the irregular cavalry, seen the
day before, reappeared on the far side, and Captain Joseph
K. F. Mansfield, of the engineers, was sent across to communicate with the officer in command, who stated that he had




ï~~General Mej ia' s Proclamation.

35

positive orders to fire upon the Americans if they attempted
its passage.
A second party now made its appearance under Captain
D. Jose Barragan, chief of squadron, who crossed the stream
to hold communication with General Taylor, and reiterated
what had been stated the day before, that they had peremptory orders to fire upon his soldiers if they attempted to
cross, and that the passage of the stream would be considered
a declaration of war.
At the same time he gave General Taylor the following
proclamation of General Mejia, issued in Matamoros several
days before:
" FEIJow CI'rIZENs: The annexation of the department of
Texas to the United States, projected and consummated by
the tortuous policy of the Cabinet of the Union does not yet
satisfy the ambitious desire of the degenerate sons of Washington. The civilized world has already recognized in that
act all the marks of injustice, iniquity, and the most scandalous violation of the rights of nations. Indelible is the stain
that will forever darken the character of virtue falsely attributed to the people of the United States, and posterity will
regard with horror their perfidious conduct and the immorality of the means employed by them to carry into effect that
most degrading depredation. The right of conquest has always been against humanity, but nations, jealous of their
dignity and reputation, have endeavored at least to cover it
by the splendor of arms and the prestige of victory. To the
United States it has been reserved to put in practice dissimulation, fraud, and the basest treachery in order to obtain possession, in the midst of peace, of the territory of a friendly
nation, which generously relied upon the faith of promises
and the solemnity of treaties.
" The Cabinet of the United States does not, however, stop
in its career of usurpation. Not only does it aspire to the
possession of the department of Texas, but it covets also the
regions on the left bank of the Rio Bravo del Norte. * Its
army, hitherto for some time stationed at Corpus Christi, is
now advancing to take possession of a large part of Tamau* The Rio Grande.




ï~~36

General flejia' s Proclamation.

lipas, and its van-guard has arrived at the Arroyo Colorado,
distant eighteen leagues from this place.
" What expectation, therefore, can the Mexican Government have of treating with an enemy who, whilst endeavoring to lull* us into security by opening diplomatic negotiation, proceeds to occupy a territory which never could have
been the object of the pending discussion. The limits of
Texas are certain and recognized; never have they extended
beyond the River Nueces, notwithstanding which the American Army has crossed the line separating Tamaulipas from
that department. Even though Mexico could forget that the
United States urged and aided the rebellion of her former
colonists, and the principle giving to an independent people
the right, to annex itself to another nation, is not applicable
in this case, in which the latter has been the protector of the
independence of the former, with the object of admitting it
into its own bosom. Even though it could be accepted as an
axiom of international law, that the violation of every rule of
morality and justice might serve as a legitimate title for acquisition, nevertheless the territory of Tamaulipas would still
remain beyond the law of annexation, sanctioned by the
American Congress, because that law comprises independent
Texas, the ground occupied by the rebellious colony and in
no wise includes other departments, in which the Mexican
Government has uninterruptedly exercised its legtimate authority.
" If the banks of the Panucot have been immortalized by
the defeat of an enemy, respectable and worthy of the valor
of Mexico, those of the Bravo shall witness the ignominy of
the proud sons of the North, and its deep water shall serve
as the sepulchre of those who dare approach it. The flame
of patriotism which burns in our hearts will receive new fuel
from the odious presence of the conquerors, and the cry of
Dolores and Igualo shall be re-echoed with harmony in our
ears, when we take up our march to oppose our naked breasts
to the rifles of the hunters of the Mississippi. * * *
* Slidell was in Mexico endeavoring to open negotiations.
f On this stream, near Tampico, Santa Anna gained a victory over
the Spaniards in the war for Mexican Independence.




ï~~Attitude of IHostility.

" Until the long-looked for day shall arrive, when we enter
upon the great campaign for the reconquest of the territory
of which we have been despoiled, and to carry our eagles in
triumph to the banks of the Sabine, we who have the glory
to be in front of the invaders must serve as an impenetrable
barrier."
General Taylor tersely informed the Mexican officer that
the stream would be crossed at once, and if he and his command were seen after it was affected, or after his troops had
commenced to cross, his artillery would open fire upon them.
The rear brigade arrived at this time, and was ordered into
position on the right; the troops entered the stream and were
soon across, no opposition being offered on the part of the
small Mexican force; the American cavalry were thrown forward, and the Mexicans who had been sent out to observe
and report Taylor's advance were seen retreating towards
Matamoros.
The cavalry, First and Second Brigades, and 200 wagons
went into camp three miles beyond the Little Colorado, where
there was a halt of two days, owing to the detention of the
supply train of one of the brigades. At this camp General
Taylor learned that the Mexicans had about 2,000 troops in
Matamoros, but none east of the Rio Grande. Reports of
Ampudia's movements were quite contradictory, though it
appeared that his arrival from the interior was daily expected. General Taylor made a detailed report of the crossing of the Little Colorado, it being the first occasion on which
the Mexicans had shown themselves in an attitude decidedly
hostile, and in this report he refers to them as the " enemy."
Leaving General Worth in command of the infantry, with
orders to march towards Matamoros, until a suitable encampment was found, then to halt, covering his front with pickets,
General Taylor proceeded with the cavalry to Point Isabel to
ascertain if the transports had arrived, to give directions for
establishing a depot, intrenching, etc.
While on the march to Point Isabel, a party of Mexicans
bearing a white flag, seen on the opposite side of the river,
proved to be a civil deputation from Matamoros desiring an
interview, and intrusted with a formal protest from the pre



ï~~Protest From Tamaulipas.

feet of the northern district of Tamaulipas against the occupation of Mexican soil by American soldiers, as follows:
OrrICE o TH
PRErCT ox TH NORTHEIRN DISTRICT or TAMAULIPAS,
SANTA RITA, March 23, 846.
"God and Liberty! "
SIR: Although the pending question respecting the annexation of
the department of Texas to the United States is subject to the decision
of the Supreme Government of Mexico, the fact of the advance of the
army under Your Excellency's orders over the line occupied by you
at Corpus Christi places me under the necessity, as the chief political
authority of the northern district of Tamaulipas, of addressing you,
as I have now the honor to do, through the commissioners, who will
place this in your hands, and of informing you that the people under
his prefecture, being justly alarmed at the invasion of an army which,
without previous declaration of war and without announcing explicitly
the object proposed by it, comes to occupy a territory which never
belonged to the insurgent province, cannot regard with indifference
a proceeding so contrary to the conduct observed towards each other
by civilized nations and to the clearest principles of the law of nations-that directed by honor and patriotism.
Certain that nothing has been said officially by the Cabinet of the
Union to the Mexican Government respecting the extension of the
limits of Texas to the left bank of the Rio Bravo, and trusting in the
well-known justice of their cause and using their natural right of defense, they, the citizens of this district, protest in the most solemn
manner that neither now nor at any time do they or will they consent
to separate themselves from the Mexican Republic and to unite them
selves with the United States, and that they are resolved to carry this
firm determination into effect, resisting so far as their strength will
enable them, at all times and places, until the army under Your Excellency's orders shall recede and occupy its former position; because
so long as it remains within the territory of Tamaulipas the inhabitants must consider that whatsoever protestation of peace may be
made hostilities have been openly commenced by Your Excellency,
the lamentable consequences of which will rest before the world exclusively on the heads of the invaders.
I have the honor to say this to Your Excellency with the object indicated, and to assure you of my consideration and esteem.
JENES CARDENAS.
As General Taylor approached Point Isabel smoke was seen
ascending in large volumes, several houses being on fire, the
torch having been applied by the port captain acting, as was
reported, by order of General Mejia. The troops arrived in




ï~~Pixciternent in Maa moros.

time to extinguish the flames, three or four houses only being
burned. Most of the citizens had fled to Matamoros. The
army and, the transports arrived about the same time, the
latter two or three hours in advance. Engineer officers were
ordered to select locations for and to begin immediately the
construction of defensive works. General Taylor as soon as
a sufficient amount of supplies could be thrown forward to
Matamoros designed moving up and occupying a point as near
it as circumstances would permit.
Remaining at Point Isabel several days, then leaving Captain Porter's company with the command of Major Munroe,
he set out for Matamoros, and, rejoining the main body of the
army under General Worth, moved forward on the 28th. No
resistance was encountered, nor was any hostile act committed
save that two dragoon soldiers of the advance guard sent forward may have been captured, as they did not return.
The rumored approach of the American Army in front of
Matamoros created great excitement. The roofs of dwellings
and of the highest buildings, as well as the steeples of churches,
were covered and filled with people awaiting with eager curiosity the appearance of what they designated as " their enemy."
Soon the Americans were seen in the distance, the generala
was sounded, the fortifications, old and but rarely occupied,
were manned, the troops put under arms and prepared for
combat, the people believing no doubt that a battle would be
fought at once. The defensive works, fronting on the river,
were weak and unfinished. Details were made and the work
pushed forward with the greatest activity night and day.
The Mexican forces occupying Matamoros at the time of
the arrival of the Americans were a battalion of Sappers, the
Second Light, the First and Tenth Regiments of the Line,
the Seventh Cavalry, the auxiliaries of the towns of the North,
several companies of Presidiales,* a battalion of the National
Guard of the city of Matamoros, and twenty pieces of artillery, and the second or third day thereafter the Marines of
Tampico, the Sixth Infantry, and a battalion of the Guarda
* The Presidiales are soldiers stationed along the frontiers to repel
the incursions of the Lipans, Apaches, Comanches, and other marauding Indian bands.




ï~~40

Interview of Worth with Vega.

Costa of Tampico arrived, making an aggregate of about 3,000
men.
General Taylor halted his troops, and, in full view of
Matamoros, the regiments were deployed into line and
stood at a rest. He ordered a white flag to be displayed,
when a boat with two officers and an interpreter crossed
from the Mexican side. General Taylor wished to send
General Worth with a communication to the commanding
general at Matamoros, as well as to the civil authorities,
and an interview for this purpose was requested. The
Mexican party returned and soon crossed again to the left
(American) bank, reporting that General Romulo Diaz de la
Vega would receive General Worth, who then, accompanied
by several members of his staff, crossed the river. General
Vega was attended by Liceneiado Casares, two officers, and
an interpreter.
After the usual salutations General Worth stated he was the
bearer of dispatches from the commanding general of the
American forces to General Mejia and the civil authorities of
Matamoros. General Vega replied he had been instructed to
receive such communication as General Worth might present
from his commanding general, and then began to speak of the
American forces being on Mexican territory. He was disposed to argue, but Worth was not, and stated he had been
sent with a dispatch from his commanding general to General
Mejia, who had refused to receive it from him in person. It
was read to General Vega as an act of courtesy, but was
retained by General Worth, he saying if General Mejia
wished hereafter to communicate with General Taylor, he
(General Mejia) must propose the means, and he assured General Vega that should General Mejia present himself or his
communication by a subaltern officer, he would be received
with becoming courtesy and hospitality. The Mexicans desired to argue and remonstrate, but General Worth did not
encourage them and confined himself to the delivery, or attempted delivery, of General Taylor's communications.
He asked if the American Consul was in arrest or in prison.
Vega replied, " No."  Worth: " Is he in the exercise of his
proper functions? "  Vega: "Yes."  Worth: " Then, as an
American officer, I demand an interview with the consul of




ï~~Ampudia, Not Liked on the Rio Grande.

41

my country."  No answer. Worth: "Has Mexico declared
war? "  Vega: "No."  Worth: "Are the two countries at
peace?"  Vega: " Yes." Worth then again asked to see the
consul of his country. This demand was referred to General
Mejia, who refused to see General Worth or to let him see the
United States Consul. Worth said he regarded this refusal to
let him see his consul as a belligerent act, and he would add
that the American commander would regard the passage of
any armed party of Mexicans in hostile array across the Rio
Grande as an act of war, and would pursue it accordingly.
He returned with his staff to the left bank of the river. The
interview was productive of no good and indicated clearly
that there was a feeling of extreme irritation on the part of
the Mexicans. As soon as he arrived opposite Matamoros
General Taylor ordered defensive works to be constructed
and so placed as to command the city of Matamoros.
It became known that Paredes had overthrown the Government of Herrera, and that one of the principal causes leading
to this was its supposed disposition to treat for the recognition
of Texan independence, and naturally it was expected that
Paredes would dispatch at once heavy forces to the Rio
Grande frontier to oppose General Taylor. Ampudia was
ordered from the capital, but with a very inadequate force,
and arrived at Matamoros April x th, having with him
200 cavalry and a force of infantry, artillery, and cavalry in
rear, soon to arrive; in all, about 2,200 men composed as follows: The Fourth of the Line, the active battalions of
Mexico, Puebla, and Morelia, the Eighth Cavalry and six
field pieces, all commanded by General Torrejon.
The assignment of Ampudia to command the Rio Grande
frontier was far from being acceptable to the people of that
section. It was known that he had seconded the Pronunciamiento of Paredes at San Luis Potosi; and his appointment as
commander was regarded as a reward for that personal service. The Paredes Pronunciarniento had little or no response
from the people, who regarded it as an affair exclusively of
the soldiery. Ampudia had neither the respect nor the confidence of the people; this was decidedly the case at Matamoros, from which place a vigorous protest was sent to the
National Capital, alleging that fatal and disastrous conse



ï~~42

Taylor Summoned to Withdraw.

quences would surely follow if he was continued in command, and urging that Arista, then at his hacienda of Mamulique, be substituted in his place.
The first order of Ampudia directed all Americans to leave
Matamoros wvithin twenty-four hours and repair to the town
of Victoria, several hundred miles in the interior. He had issued a similar order at Reinosa before reaching Matamoros,
and the following day summoned General Taylor to withdraw his army within twenty-four hours, as follows:
" To explain to you the many grounds for the just grievances felt by the Mexican nation, caused by the United States
Government, would be a loss of time and an insult to your
good sense. I, therefore, pass at once to such explanations
as I consider of absolute necessity. Your Government in an
incredible manner-you will even permit me to say an extravagant one, if the usage or general rules established and
received among all civilized nations are regarded-has not
only insulted but has exasperated the Mexican nation, bearing its conquering banner to the left bank of the Rio Bravo
del Norte; and in this case, by express and definitive orders
of my Government, which neither can, will, nor should receive new outrages, I require you in all form, and at latest in
the peremptory term of twenty-four hours, to break up your
camp and return to the east bank of the Nueces River while
our Governments are regulating the pending question in relation to Texas. If you insist upon remaining upon the soil
of the Department of Tamaulipas, it will certainly result that
arms, and arms alone, must decide the question; and in that
case I advise you that we accept the war to which, with so
much injustice on your part, you provoke us, and that on our
part it shall be conducted conformably to the principles established by the most civilized nations-that is to say, that the
law of nations and of war shall be the guide of our operations,
trusting that on your part the same will be observed. With
this view, I tender you the consideration due to your person
and respectable office.
"'God and Liberty. '
" Two o'clock p. m., April 12, 1846.
"PEDRO DE AMPUDIA."




ï~~Ampudis Reiie ed qf Command.

43

Ampudia wished to assume the offensive, cross the Rio
Grande and give battle at once, the movement to commence
on the I5th, but he was not permitted even to attempt its
execution, being relieved by an order of the Government received on the night of the 14th. The new commander,
Arista, ordered him to suspend all contemplated operations
and undertake no movements of any kind. Ampudia gave
up the command with great reluctance, and not until he had
called a junta of officers, explained the situation and the
great danger of delay. He represented General Taylor to
be in a false position, and urged an attack at once, before he
could be reinforced; he had assured the Government that
he would answer for failure with his head, and he appealed
to his generals to co-operate with him, and disregard the
orders of Arista, who was absent, the urgency of the case justifying disobedience. His officers expressed great sympathy,
but were not disposed to disobey the positive order of the
Commander-in-Chief; hence there was no alternative for
Ampudia but to obey.
In the meantime General Taylor's forces and the Mexicans
were each working energetically on intrenchments. There
were about this time a number of desertions from the American Army, and the rancheros of the vicinity were being organized into armed bands. Colonel Trueman Cross, chief
quartermaster of the army, waylaid and killed April 21st by
a force of this kind, was an officer of fine executive ability,
and his loss was a serious one to the army.




ï~~CHAPTER IV.
HOSTILITIES BEGIN   APRIL 25, 1846.-GENERAL TAYLOR
MARCHES TO POINT ISABEL.-PALO ALTO AND RESACA DE
LA PALMA.
Arista, the new commander, was as eager for action as
Ampudia had been, and while en route, at the rancho of Solinceflo, three leagues from Matamoros, resolved to take the
initiative, and ordered a small force, composed of the Battalion
of Sappers, two companies of Light Infantry, and all the cavalry to rendezvous there, the whole detachment to be commanded by General Torrejon. These troops crossed the Rio
Grande at La Polangana * April 24th, and the next day Torrejon had a successful encounter at a ranch near the Rio
Grande, called by the Mexicans La Carricitos, in which he
captured a detached command of United States Dragoons, including two captains, Thornton and Hardee, and Lieutenant
Kane. Lieut. George T. Mason and sixteen men were killed.
Total loss, as reported by General Taylor, sixty-three killed
and captured.
Previous to this unfortunate incident depredations by small
bands of Mexicans on the east side of the river and in some
instances not far from the American encampment were frequent, and to check these General Taylor ordered Iieut. Stephen D. Dobbins, of the Third, and Lieut. Theodoric H. Porter, of the Fourth Infantry, with a select party of men, to
scour the country for miles, and capture or destroy any such
forces encountered. These officers separated. The latter at
the head of his own party surprised and captured a Mexican
camp, driving the men off and seizing the horses. Subse* See map No. i.




ï~~,.r.__.   _- __
w',
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r
"
"                   +,                  "             w
w
M
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w "
w "
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A                                "      w.      _                        "w,w




ï~~M




ï~~Thornton and Hardee Prisoners.

45

quently Lieutenant Porter's party was fired upon from the
chapSaral, himself and one soldier killed. On the 28th of
April, while Capt. S. H. Walker, of the Texas Rangers, and
most of his officers were absent, his camp was surprised, five
of his men killed and a like number reported missing.
In reporting the capture of Captain Thornton's detachment
General Taylor wrote, April 2 6th, as follows: " I regret to
report that a party of dragoons, sent out by me on the 24th
inst. to watch the course of the river above on this bank, became engaged with a very large force of the enemy, and after
a short affair, in which some sixteen were killed and wounded,
appear to have been surrounded and compelled to surrender.
Not one of the party has returned except a wounded * man
sent in this morning by the Mexican commander, so I cannot
report with confidence the particulars of the engagement or
the fate of the officers except that Captain Hardee was known
to be a prisoner and unhurt. Captain Thornton and Lieutenants Mason and Kane were the other officers. The party was
sixty-three strong.
" Hostilities may now be considered as commenced, and I
have this day deemed it necessary to call upon the Governor
of Texas for four regiments of volunteers, two to be mounted
and two to serve on foot As some delay must occur in collecting these troops I have also desired the Governor of Louisiana to send out four regiments of infantry as soon as practicable. This will constitute an auxiliary force of nearly five
thousand men, which will be required to prosecute the war
with energy and carry it, as it should be, into the enemy's
country."
The report of this reverse, the most serious of the preliminary collisions, spread rapidly, and the people were soon
thoroughly aroused, all recognizing in it the beginning of hostilities. The country, excepting Indian troubles, had been at
peace for thirty years, and the excitement of war was a novel
sensation. There is nothing more contagious than military
enthusiasm, and though philanthropists depict the blessings
of peace and dilate on the horrors of war, let the drum
* He was returned by General Torrejon, as he could not care for
him, having no " flying hospitals."




ï~~46

War Fervor in the United States.

beat and the bugle sound and the field and workshop will be
deserted and the young and brave follow in their wake in quest
of glory and adventure.
There was a large party in the United States opposed to
any war with Mexico, and when the appropriations for increasing the army and raising volunteers were being discussed
in Congress Henry Clay, Daniel Webster, ex-President Adams,
Abraham Lincoln, and many others, either famous then or destined in after years to become so, spoke against them, but their
words, however eloquent, and their prophecies, albeit fraught
with truth, were powerless to stem the war current, and the
whole country throbbed with patriotic ardor, the question being
not how to raise volunteers, but to select from the many coming
forward the requisite number, so as to favor alike different
sections and give all a chance to share the coveted glory.
Scattered through the country, especially in Southern and
Western States, were many who had taken an active part in
the Texan struggle for independence and returning home
were objects of attention, notably at barbecues and massmeetings, so dear to the American heart, where their denunciation of Mexican oppression and cruelty, and their descriptions
of the heroic sufferings of the Texan martyrs never failed to
touch a responsive chord. There was scarcely a fireside in
the land unfamiliar with the barbarous massacre of Fannin's
men at Goliad, of the Spartan-like defense of the Alamo, enbalmed in the epitaph, " Thermopylae had her messenger of
defeat, the Alamo not one;" of the retreat of the Texans
across the San Marcos, Guadalupe, Colorado, Brazos, Buffalo
Bayou, halting only when they reached the San Jacinto, then
turning on their pursuers and shouting, " Remember Goliad!
Remember the Alamo! " charged them with a reckless impetuosity, direct and fatal as thelightning of heaven, killing,
capturing and dispersing the whole Mexican Army. Among
the prisoners were Generals Santa Anna and Almonte, who
had ordered or abetted the bloody deeds of their subordinates, and that they were treated with the courtesy due to
distinguished rank, not made the victims of a natural vengeance, was a sublime proof of the magnanimity of the conquerors.




ï~~Extract From    Hardee' s Report.

47

There was scarcely a hearth-stone where the details of the
ill-starred Mier expedition had not been listened to with
horror, and where the story of those fatal beans and their resulting cruel executions had not aroused cries for vengeance.
Many had lost friends and relatives in this and in other Texan
encounters, and naturally to them a Mexican was the
synonym for barbaric wickedness. Of Ampudia it was related that in Yucatan in one of the numerous revolts cormmon
in the Mexican States, his adversary, General Santmenal, fell
in his hands, and without awarding him a trial, he had his
head cut off and boiled in oil and his body mutilated beyond
recognition. Naturally with such association with his name,
when announced that Thornton, Hardee and comrades had
been captured and were in Ampudia's power, there was universal excitement and a common impulse to rush to their
rescue. It is a matter of record, however, that Ampudia in
his dealings with Thornton and Hardee did not prove himself
the unmitigated savage he was reputed to be.
Some years after our late war of 1861, whilst a guest of General Hardee, a distinguished Confederate, the Mexican War
being the subject of conversation, and the fact of his having
been a prisoner in the early part of it being referred to, he
said that he remembered with pleasure General Ampudia's
great kindness and generous hospitality. Only recently has
it been ascertained that he had so reported at the time to
General Taylor.
Generals Ampudia and Hardee have both passed from
among us. In order to render full justice to the memory of
the former let us insert the following extract from the report
of the latter to General Taylor at the time: " I was brought
to Matamoros to-day, April 26th, about 4 p. m., and I take
pleasure in stating that since our surrender I and my brave
companions in misfortune have been treated with uniform
kindness and attention. It may soften the rigors of war for
you to be informed fully of this fact. Lieutenant Kane and
myself are living with General Ampudia. We lodge in his
hotel, eat at his table, and his frank, agreeable manner and
generous hospitality almost make us forget our captivity.
General Arista received us in the most gracious manner; said
that his nation had been regarded as barbarous, and that he




ï~~48

Extract From Thornton' s Report.

wished to prove to us the contrary. He assured Lieutenant
Kane and myself that we should receive half pay and our men
should receive ample rations. On declining the boon on the
part of Lieutenant Kane and myself, and a request that we
might be permitted to send to our camp for money, he said
no; that he would not permit it; that he intended to supply
all our wants himself. These promises have already been
fulfilled in part."
*hen Captain Hardee made his report, which included all
'fe incidents connected with the expedition and his capture,
he believed Captain Thornton, his senior, had been killed.
The following extract is from the report of the latter:
" I have the honor to report my arrival at this place to-day,
April 27th," and then he gives a full report of his expedition
and capture. " As a prisoner of war I am happy to inform
you that attentions and kindness have been lavished upon me,
as a proof of which I will state that upon my reporting to General Arista that a dragoon had treated me rudely he ordered
immediate punishment for him. "
In consequence of the difficulty in making reconnoissances,
owing to the peculiarities of the country and possibly to the
fact that his corps of spies and scouts was not then thoroughly
organized and instructed, General Taylor had not the information upon which to base a decided movement. Uncertain
of the strength of the hostile forces on the east side of the
river, he did not, in the unfinished condition of his field work,
deem it prudent to make a movement against them just then,
but he urged forward the work as rapidly as possible, with
heavy details, night and day, and by the ist of May they were
well advanced. In the meantime he was reliably informed
that Arista intended to cross the Rio Grande below Matamoros, and, uniting with the force under General Torrejon, already east of the river, move with the entire command against his depot at Point Isabel. He was disposed to
credit this report, having positive knowledge that Arista was
short of supplies, occasioned by the unexpected blockade of
the river by the Americans.
Arista, anxious for battle, was certain if he crossed the Rio
Grande with his main force and occupied Taylor's line of
communication there would be a collision, and Torrejon hav



ï~~The American Clamp Astir.

49

ing rejoined him, success, in his opinion, could scarcely be
doubtful. Moreover, Tornel, the Minister of War, had ordered
a forward move to be made, and for the purpose of executing
this order, in which he heartily concurred, Arista taking twelve
guns, marched his army on April 3oth to the Rancho de Longorefio, five leagues below and near the point where he proposed to cross the river.
General Mejia was left in Matamoros with the remainder of
the artillery, the active battalion of Mexico, and the pickets
of the different army corps. By some unpardonable mismanagement when the army reached Longoreflo they found but
two boats there to transport them across the river, and a delay
of twenty-four hours was thereby caused. Mejia reported to
Arista that at 2 p. m., May ist, the American camp was astir,
tents were struck, wagons drawn out, and some movement
evident. Mejia had divined correctly.
General Taylor had apprehensions for the safety of his
depot at Point Isabel; consequently, leaving the Seventh
Infantry under Maj. Jacob Brown, the batteries of Capt.
Allen Lowd, Second Artillery, four I8-pounders, the four
6-pounders, under Lieut. Braxton Bragg, Third Artillery,
and the sick of the army in the field work, then nearly completed, he marched May ist., at 3 p. m., for Point Isabel, and
arrived there at noon the next day without any hostile encounter.
Arista, having been informed by Mejia of this move, believed his wishes were about to be realized, and that Taylor
would attack him, but to guard in part against a possible contingency-that of his moving upon Matamoros-he ordered
the Battalion of Morelia to be countermarched to that city.
Arista's delay of twenty-four hours in crossing the Rio Grande
enabled General Taylor to pass on to his base without a battle, but, knowing that he must return to his camp opposite
Matamoros, Arista pushed out from the river and bivouacked
at Palo Alto,* on the Point Isabel road, the day Taylor reached
there, and to quicken his return despatched orders to Mejia
to open fire upon the Americans in the fort opposite Mata* See map No. i.




ï~~50     U S. Garrison Under Arms All Night.
moros, which order was obeyed, the firing beginning early the
following morning.
Owing to a very limited amount of water at Palo Alto,
Arista in the afternoon of the 4th moved his camp back several miles off the road to a more abundant supply at the Tanques del Ramirefio, * and ordered Ampudia to recross the
river, return and attack the Americans opposite Matamoros,
taking with him four guns, the Battalion of Puebla, two companies of Sappers, 200 Auxiliaries, to be soon joined by the
Battalion of Morelia. Ampudia moved promptly, and at 9 a.
m. opened fire with seven guns upon Major Brown's command in the newly constructed earth-work, and this fire, extending from the rear up the river near a mile, continued
until Ix p. m.
The garrison was kept under arms, the defensive works
and batteries were all manned, and the soldiers remained at
their posts during the night. The artillery, cannon and mortars resumed fire the following morning (5th) at 5 o'clock.
It was reported that a strong reconnoissance was being made
within 800 yards of the works in rear, and that other parties,
both cavalry and infantry, were seen at a like distance.
Lieut. Charles Hanson, Seventh Infantry, who had asked
and received permission to go out with a party of dragoons
to reconnoitre, returned and reported that the Mexicans
were establishing a battery, but at his appearance retired
under cover of their works, and that small parties, both infantry and cavalry, were seen in General Taylor's old camp.
At x x p. m. musketry was heard in rear, extending from the
bend in the lagoon to the river; the Americans were under
arms all night. At 5 a. m. of the 6th the Mexicans resumed
fire from all of their batteries, and continued till ro a. m.
During this fire the commanding officer, Major Brown, received a shell wound from which he died at 2 p. m. of the 9th.
At xc a. m. several parties of infantry and mounted men
were seen threatening the fort from the rear, but were dispersed by rounds of canister from Bragg's Battery. A great
number of shells were thrown into the fort immediately after
this, the fire continuing until 12:30. At 4 p. m. a white flag
* See map No. i.




ï~~Taylor Rescues the Force in Fort Brown.        51
was displayed from an old building in rear bearing a summons"' to surrender, which was declined. Cannon and mortar firing continued at intervals during the 7th, killing five
artillery horses and wounding one sentinel. At 2 p. m. there
was heavy firing of infantry; x 2 o'clock at night musketry
was active, and under cover of this Ampudia withdrew, having been ordered by Arista to rejoin the main army. In the
meantime Arista had been informed that General Taylor was
on the march towards Matarnoros.
Taylor having strengthened the defensive works at Point
Isabel, prepared to return to his camp opposite Matamoros,
and knowing Arista had crossed to the east side of the Rio
Grande, issued the following orders before marching:
[Orders No. 58.]
H3ADQUARTERs ARMY of OccuPATrIoN,
PoINT IsABEL, May 7, r846.
The army will march at 3 o'clock to-day in the direction of Matamoros. It is known that the enemy has recently occupied the route
in force; if still in position the General will give him battle.
The Commanding General has every confidence in his officers and
men. If his orders and instructions are carried out he has no doubt
of the result, let the enemy meet him in what numbers he may. He
wishes to enjoin upon the battalions of infantry that their main dependence must be in the bayonet.
By order of General Taylor:
W. W. S. BLISS,
Assistant Adjutant General.
There was mutual respect and esteem between General
Taylor and the little army he commanded. The order was
responded to with cheers, and the march began with elastic
steps. Every officer and soldier knew the perils surrounding
the small force left in the fort; the bombardment had been
heard day and night since the 3d inst., they knew the exhaustion that must prevail from continued vigilance and
labor, and were more occupied with thoughts of the insecurity and dangers of their comrades, many of whom were sick,
than of their own, although it was known they would have to
* This was signed Arista, although he is represented in Mexican
history as being at the time with the main army at Tanques del Ramireno, near which he had crossed the Rio Grande.




ï~~52

11exican   Line of   Battle.

meet and defeat Arista before their friends could be relieved
from peril. After a march of seven miles the army bivouacked for the night.
Arista, when informed that General Taylor was on the return march, determined to give battle, ordered Ampudia to
rejoin the main army, and directed the cavalry to move forward from the Tanques-del-Ramireno at io a. m. of the 8th,
and halt upon the spacious plains of Palo Alto;* the infantry
followed at 2 p. m. and soon came in sight of the Americans.
Orders were given to form line of battle in the following
order: On the right, screened by a small rise of ground and
resting on chapparal, was posted a squadron (A) of the Light
Regiment of Mexico, the line prolonged over the prairie; to
the left of the squadron was one gun (A"'), then the Battalion of Sappers (B.S.), followed by the Second Regiment
of Light (2), next the Battalion and a company of the Guarda
Costa (G. C.), of Tampico, then a battery of eight guns (A'),
followed by the First, Sixth, Tenth, and Fourth of the Line,
in the order mentioned. The infantry was under Generals
de la Vega and Garcia. Four hundred yards to the left of
the infantry were four squadrons of cavalry from the Seventh
(c) and Eighth (b) Light Regiments, and the Presidial (p)
companies; in the interval between the first and second of
these were two light pieces (A") of artillery, commanded by
General Torrejon. General Ampudia, with a company of
Sappers, two guns, the Fourth Regiment of the Line, and
200 Auxiliaries was posted on the left flank at some distance,
screened by woods.
General Taylor formed in the following order, commencing
on the extreme right: Fifth Infantry (5th), under Lieut.-Col.
James S. McIntosh, Maj. Samuel Ringgold's artillery (R);
Third Infantry (3d), Capt. Lewis N. Morris; two x8-pounders (C), Lieut. William H. Churchill; Fourth Infantry (4th),
Maj. George W. Allen; the Third and Fourth composed the
Third Brigade, under Lieut. -Col. John Garland, and all
the above-mentioned troops, together with two squadrons
of dragoons under Captains Croghan Ker and Charles A.
May, composed the right wing under Gen. David E. Twiggs.
* See map No. 2.




ï~~Dow)
fiIf
fl,;
r ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ t 4,/d r,.'! S tf     t'"  jUU  r.,IL~ f   $. y }   ~ J _




ï~~


ï~~American Line q/f Battle.

The left was formed of the battalion of artillery (AB),
Lieut.-Col. Thomas Childs, Captain Duncan's Light Artillery (D), and the Eighth Infantry (8th), Capt. William R.
Montgomery, all forming the First Brigade, under Lieut. -Col.
William G. Belknap. The train was parked in rear near
water, under Capts. George H. Crosman and Abraham C.
Myers, and guarded by Captain Ker's squadron.
For the first time these descendants of two distinct races
were to measure their strength in defense of the rights of their
respective nations, contending for supremacy in the new continent as often of yore in the old. Representing the two
greatest republics in the world, they were different in origin,
in character, in moral standards, and aims; and though their
interests were identical and future developments intimately
connected, were animated by mutual jealousy and hate. The
one, springing from ancestors imbued with a love of liberty
and a sense of justice, had risen by natural stages to an undreamed-of height of national power and prosperity; the other,
from progenitors seeking only gain and adventure, bigoted,
superstitious, cruel, and tyrannical, had derived no benefits
from independence, and in internal seditious and revolutions
wasted energies that, well applied, might have secured stable
government.
Immediately before the battle, Arista rode along his line,
rectifying it here and there, and addressed his troops, stimulating their ardor with hopes of victory and dwelling on the
grateful thanks with which their countrymen would reward
their patriotic services. He was received with cheers and
shouts of " Viva la Republica," mingled with strains of martial music.
Whilst Arista was thus moving among his soldiers, many
of whom were veterans, General Taylor's troops, having been
formed in columns, were moving forward in the best of spirits, eager for the fight. An officer, leaving the columns,
dashed forward at a gallop, over the green plain, towards the
Mexican Army, approached it within short cannon range, dismounted, and, walking along its front, reconnoitered, and discovered that the Mexican batteries were in position along the
line of infantry. This officer was Lieut. Jacob E. Blake, of
the Topographical Engineers, and with him was Lloyd Tilgh



ï~~Lieut. Blake' s Daring (ourage.

man. The courage displayed was witnessed by the two
armies and was referred to in complimentary terms by General Taylor in his official report of the battle of Palo Alto;
but Lieutenant Blake was, unfortunately, shot by the accidental discharge of his own pistol, early in the morning of
the 9th, and died within a few hours, deeply regretted and
lovingly remembered by his comrades of the Army of Occupation.
The Mexicans began the engagement with artillery; the
first shot, passing over the troops in front, wounded a teamster
with the wagons parked in rear, and was followed by others,
causing a halt in Taylor's advance, an immediate deployment
into line of battle, and the opening of fire from all his guns.
Ringgold's battery (R) advanced about one hundred yards,
and fired on the left (the cavalry); the i8-pounders in battery
on the road opened also upon this part of the line and with
marked effect, dispersing the cavalry; Duncan (D), on the
left, moved in front of the infantry some two hundred yards,
came into battery, and discharged a rapid and destructive fire
upon the enemy confronting him. May's Squadron of Cavalry was ordered forward to guard the left flank and support
Duncan. The cannonade continued with the greatest animation, and proved to be very trying to the infantry of the two
armies, both of which acted with coolness and marked courage.
It being discovered that a large body of Mexican (P. B. C.)
cavalry was moving out from their left, skirting a piece of
woods to the right of Taylor's line, with the view, as believed,
of either turning it or passing to the rear to attack and capture the trains in park, the rifth Infantry was ordered to meet
this force, advance to the right and front four or five hundred
yards, and reach a position by which the enemy must pass.
They were soon seen approaching along the edge of the chapparal, apparently,0ooo strong, making the impression from
their soldierly appearance of being Arista's best troop.
They hastened to charge. The Fifth Infantry formed
square, when down they came at full speed along a wet flat
some 200 yards distant, turned to the right, delivered their
fire upon one front of the square, and continued to advance,
directed their fire this time against the second front, having




ï~~Prairies on Fire From       Artillery.

515

approached it to within forty or fifty yards, but did not charge
the square after firing. The threatened fronts were in succession ordered to fire. The effect was fatal. Many of the
cavalry were killed, and the charging column, thrown into
confusion, retired rapidly.
While retiring and when four or five hundred yards from
the Fifth Infantry they met two pieces of artillery coming
forward to their support, halted and faced about to protect the
guns. At this instant Lieut. Randolph Ridgely, of Ringgold's
battery, who had been ordered to report to the colonel of the
Fifth Infantry, arrived at a gallop, his horses covered with
foam, came into battery on the left of the Fifth, opened
with a quick fire, and with such precision that the two pieces
of Mexican artillery retired precipitately upon their cavalry
without firing a shot. In the meantime the cannonading on.
other parts of the two lines had been active. While the Fifth
Infantry and Ridgely's section of artillery were engaged as
described the Third Infantry (3), to insure security to that
flank, was ordered out in rear of the Fifth, for a part of the
hostile cavalry had passed beyond that regiment. This movement being thwarted, the enemy's cavalry retired and rejoined
the main body of that arm in rear of its first position. The
Fourth Infantry had in the meantime supported the other section of Ringgold's battery whilst firing from its advanced position.
The grass of the prairies was set on fire by the artillery, the
volume of smoke caused by it being so great as to partially conceal the enemy from view. It was, however, discovered that
his left had retired or had been driven back a short distance.
His right was changed to conform to the new line, the I8 -pounders (C) were moved forward to near where the enemy's
left (his cavalry) had been first posted. The Fifth Infantry
was moved up and occupied a point on the extreme right of
the new or second line.
The First Brigade in the new position being still on the
left of the 18-pounder, General Taylor made a change of
position corresponding to that of General Arista, and after a
respite of nearly an hour the battle was renewed. In his
official report General Taylor uses the following language
complimentary to the Mexicans: " Openings were constantly




ï~~be        Taylor's Positions at Palo Alto.
made through the enemy's ranks by our fire, and the constancy with which the Mexican infantry sustained this severe
cannonade was the theme of universal comment and admiration."
May's Squadron was ordered around upon the enemy's left
flank to drive in the cavalry. In making this move he drew
upon his men the fire of the Mexican artillery, which killed
six horses and wounded five men. The flank when reached
was found too strong to be charged by his small command,
and he (May) returned and occupied his former position.
In Taylor's second position the Eighth Infantry was again
on the left, and Duncan's battery between it and the Artillery
Battalion, under Lieutenant-Colonel Childs. Duncan observing the enemy's cavalry, together with an infantry force
moving in rear of the left flank, reported it to Colonel Belknap and requested permission to engage them. Dashing at
a gallop to the threatened flank, followed by the Eighth Infantry, he unlimbered in full view of the enemy and within
point-blank range. The hostile cavalry halted before a shot
was fired. Soon a force of infantry (B. S., G. C., and 2d
Light) with two squadrons of cavalry (G. E.) emerged from
the chapparal on the extreme right and moved forward to attack. Upon this last body Duncan directed his fire, first of
solid shot from one section, then of shell and spherical case,
with such stunning effect as to cause the whole force to retire
in disorder into the chapparal. The other section played in
the meantime upon the cavalry that had halted, when his
guns were first seen.
Although these shots were well directed and tore through
entire squadrons, the latter remained unshaken. The mixed
column of infantry and cavalry that had been driven back
into the chapparal reformed and advanced a second time with
great regularity, and when about oo yards in front of the
thicket the section before ordered to drive them back again
opened and they then fell back pell-mell into the dense chapparal and began to retreat. Squadron after squadron took
it up, and all retreated, the artillery firing upon them until
they disappeared in the chapparal or darkness put an end to
the battle. When Duncan's battery first took position on
the left and before the Eighth Infantry came up, Captain




ï~~r
d




ï~~9b9  'HI9 A IN
Ol2d OlVd dO 3BliiVS




ï~~. ayor Ringgold Mortally Wounded.

57

Ker, of the Second Dragoons, who had been guarding the
trains, came promptly to his support.
While the Eighth Infantry was on the left a strong demonstration was made against the I8-pounders by the Mexican
cavalry, which advanced under a severe fire from these two
heavy guns. The artillery battalion under Lieutenant-Colonel
Childs was instantly formed in square to receive them, but
when the advancing squadrons were within close range a
withering fire of canister from the i8-pounders and the fire
from the square dispersed them. A brisk but distant fire of
small arms upon the square wounded Lieutenant Luther,
Second Artillery. A volley, from the first face of the square
was delivered upon the distant infantry. It was now near
dark, the fight was over, the enemy had been driven back,
having failed in all his efforts.
The Fourth Infantry, which had been ordered to support
the 18-pounders, was exposed to a very trying artillery fire,
by which several men were killed and Captain John Page
mortally wounded, the enemy's fire at this time being directed
against the i8-pounders and Ringgold's guns. Major Ringgold, whilst superintending the firing of his guns, was struck
by a cannon ball and mortally wounded, his horse being killed
by the same discharge. He was a brave and gallant officer,
justly esteemed by his command for his many soldierly virtues
and manly accomplishments.
The action of May 8th on the Plains of Palo Alto was, on
the part of the United States forces, defensive and mainly  - -
of artillery against Mexican artillery and cavalry, supported by infantry. The two light batteries of Ringgold and
Duncan, although not thoroughly equipped, were well disciplined and instructed and officered by men of quick perception and of courage, even to audacity. The field was favorable to celerity of movement; they seemed to be ubiquitous,
changing from one position to another, according to the
varying exigencies of the strife, and moved at full speed,
going into battery; unlimbering, loading and firing was an
affair of an instant; they delivered seven or eight shots per
minute, and in general with effect.
The two i8-pounders under Lieutenants Churchill and
Thomas J. Wood, the latter of the Topographical Engineers,




ï~~58 American Artillery and Infantry Win at Palo Alto.
were well served; their superior weight and greater range
overmatched any guns of the Mexicans and were a complete
surprise to them, carrying havoc into their ranks, even to the
reserves and trains in rear. As might have been anticipated,
the enemy's cavalry made several ineffectual efforts to capture them.
To the American Infantry the battle of Palo Alto was
most trying and unsatisfactory, subjected as they were to
artillery fire for hours, and constrained to watch nimblefooted cavalry, but when the occasion offered they acquitted
themselves well. The Fifth Infantry, under its commander,
Lieutenant-Colonel McIntosh, an officer of distinction in the
war of r812, in which he was wounded, when detached to
watch a flank movement of the enemy's cavalry, advanced
with confidence, and meeting them formed square, when the
charging squadrons were repulsed, the nearest of the cavalry
falling within forty yards of the square. The artillery battalion,
serving as infantry, under its gallant commander, LieutenantColonel Childs, also a distinguished officer of the war of 181:2,
aided in protecting the i8-pounders against a charge of Mexican cavalry by forming square. These were the first two
cases in which United States Infantry resorted to the square
for motion, for protection against cavalry. The opinion prevails at present that the infantry square belongs to the past,
and will never be revived.
It should be stated that the little garrison in the field
work, opposite Matamoros, was tried most severely during
the 8th. All day, with slight intermission, it was subjected
to severe cannonading. At 3 p. m. they heard artillery in
the direction of Palo Alto, and it continued until 7 p. in.;
the excitement was intense and harrowing, their own fate
depending upon the issue of that battle. Late in the day,
and while the distant cannonade seemed to be most violent,
a small cavalry and infantry force was seen to leave Matamoros and march to the sound of the artillery; whether a favorable indication or not they could not tell.
At daybreak of the 9th the two armies were in sight of
each other. General Taylor held a council of officers to discuss the situation; there was a diversity of opinion, some




ï~~


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ï~~Resaca de la Palma.

59

were for falling back to Point Isabel, others for intrenching
and awaiting reinforcements.*
Before sunrise the enemy could be seen moving, either falling back or making a change of position preparatory to a renewal of the struggle. After listening with becoming respect to the various opinions advanced and freely expressed as
desired, General Taylor spoke, ordering " go to your respective
commands, we move forward in thirty minutes." The movements observed among the Mexicans proved them to be falling back; Arista had given the order, and Ampudia, second
in command, was directed to cover the rear. At 6 a. m. his
columns began to retire by the road to Matamoros, and by io
a. m. arrived at the Resaca de Guerrero, f where Arista determined to make a stand if attacked. The report of Captain
Berlandier, of the engineers, had much weight in the determination of this Resaca (ravine), as the probable field of battle,
and Mexican authorities state that he represented it as a line
that could be held advantageously and with probabilities of
success. The general direction of the Resaca was oblique to
that of the Matamoros road;t the two extremities were pools
of water, and along its margin were thick woods and brambles embarrassing the approaches. The ravine was six or
eight feet deep, from forty to sixty yards wide.. The Battalions of Sappers (a), the Sixth (E) of the Line,
the Second Light (B), the Tenth (F), and First (C) Infantry,
were all posted on the Mexican right of the road, the men
being covered to the breast by the first or front bank of the
ravine; upon the south bank, or beyond the ravine on the
left, was placed the company and the Battalion of the Guarda
(G) Costa of Tampico; in the woods and in rear of the right,
and as the second line, were the Second of the Line and the
Fourth (D) Battalion, the left flank being covered by the
Regiment of Canales; the remainder of the troops was
placed at the two batteries, situated one at the entrance,
* It was known at the time that Colonels McIntosh and Martin
Scott, Lieutenant Colonel Belknap and Captain Duncan, concurred
with General Taylor and advised offensive movements on the 9th.
+ And not Resaca de la Palma; the battle of the 9th of May will,
however, be known as that of Resaca de la Palma, having been called
by that name for so many years.
$ Map IIt.




ï~~60       The Trail of the Enemy Pollowed.
north of the road into the Resaca, and the other on its southern bank, to the right and left of the road. The cavalry (H.
Y. S.) was some 300 yards in rear, and the general trains
(m) were parked to the left of the same in a small open
space, flazoleta, surrounded by woods. Companies of sharpshooters were deployed to the front, covering part of the left
as far as the Fourth and Sixth. His troops being in line,
Arista not really anticipating a battle in the position occupied, although Ampudia covering his rear, reported the
Americans to be following closely, gave orders to unharness
the teams and relieve the pack mules of their loads, but at 2
p. m. a reconnoitering party of Americans approached, retiring only when fired upon by his artillery.
The trains of Taylor remained during the 9th parked as on
the 8th; with them were four guns, the two I8-pounders that
had rendered such good service the previous day, and the
two I 2-pounders that had not been used; the wounded were
sent to Point Isabel, and at an early hour the Army of Occupation moved forward, the line being formed as on the 8th,
the Fifth Infantry again on the right. After a short advance
there was a halt, and the Fifth, ordered forward into woods on
the right to ascertain if they were occupied by the enemy or
if he was beyond and near, discovered that he had continued
his retreat towards Matamoros. The advance guard was
under Capt. George A. McCall, Fourth Infantry, and consisted of his own command and a detachment of artillery and
infantry, the first on the left of the road, the latter, four light
companies of the First Brigade, under Capt. C. F. Smith,
Second Artillery, on the right; Captain Walker, of the Texas
Rangers, with a small detachment of mounted men, was in
front, and Lieut. Alfred Pleasanton, Second Dragoons, with a
small party. followed in rear. The trail of the enemy was
followed for two and a half miles through the chapparal; a
prisoner was captured and one of the enemy killed by Walker's men on the edge of Jackass prairie. The far side of the
prairie being found unoccupied by the enemy, the advance
continued, Walker leading, and the main army remained at a
halt, awaiting developments. Several small parties of the
enemy were seen in the bush, one of which, a mounted party,
was fired upon by the flankers on the right.




ï~~The Advance to the Resaca.

61

On debouching upon an open space, which proved to be
near Resaca, McCall's men received three discharges of canister from guns concealed in chapparal; one man was killed,
two sergeants wounded, and the force was compelled to seek
temporary shelter. Captain Smith's detachment was ordered
from the right to the left of the road, preparatory to attacking
the supposed rear guard of Arista's army. Lieut. John P.
McCown, Fourth Artillery, was sent with two men to recall
Lieutenant Dobbins, Third Infantry, who, with a small party,
had deployed to the left, where he had killed several of the
enemy. On their return large bodies of the hostile forces
were reported in motion on the left and a party of lancers on
the road in front.
Captain McCall, being convinced that the enemy was in
position and in force in his immediate front, sent three of
Pleasanton's Dragoons, with a report to that effect, to General Taylor, who, directing the army, then at a halt, to be put
in motion, ordered McCall to advance into the chapparal on
the left, with Smith on the right; Ridgely's battery to move
along the road, followed by the Fifth Infantry on the left and
the Third on the right, half of the Fourth Infantry in rear of
the Fifth, and the other half in rear of the Third Infantry to
be deployed as skirmishers. May's squadron of cavalry, actively employed during the early morning, reconnoitering the
chapparal in advance, now moved with the head of column.
After an advance of some 400 yards, McCall's command
encountered the Mexican Infantry in front of the ravine, in
which was the main body of the enemy, and, in addition to a
heavy infantry fire, received a discharge of canister from three
field pieces near the Mexican centre. Ridgely, advancing
with McCall's command, saw the enemy open artillery fire,
and moving rapidly forward, returned it. On both sides the
artillery played with great violence, but the enemy was driven
from the right towards the road. Other troops (the Fifth,
Fourth, and Third Infantry) now became engaged, but the
dense chapparal rendering it difficult to advance in order. or
to see to any great distance. commands became unavoidably
both intermingled and scattered, leaving much to the judgment of company officers and to the individual courage of the
men and non-commissioned officers. The fire was rapid,




ï~~62

General La Vega Captured.

close, and incessant-musketry and canister-the latter from
100 to 150 yards; the former at times in the dense jungle
within a few feet. For a quarter of an hour this heavy fire
was mainly on the Fifth Infantry and McCall's command.
On the Mexican side the infantry first encountered were the
Second Light and two companies of sharpshooters from the
Fourth and Sixth; these advanced troops, sustained by artillery, fought well. Of the two captains of the latter, Jose
Barragan, of the Fourth, was slain, and Jose Maria Moreno
captured; their men gave way only when without commanders. The Second Light, with the greater number of its officers killed or wounded, among whom was Lieut. -Col. Mariano
Fernandez, was obliged to retreat, producing some little disorder among the troops in rear.
The engagement becoming general, the Mexican Infantry
was forced back, but the artillery still maintained its position, several pieces being in the road at the ravine, in which
was also posted a large portion of the infantry. Believing the
loss of the artillery would prove decisive, General Taylor ordered Captain May to charge the batteries. Instantly this
gallant officer, with his squadron in column of fours the width
of the road, with dense chapparal on either side, admitting of
no other formation, swooped down the road over three guns
near the ravine, into this, across it and up the opposite bank,
charging over four guns, and using sabres upon the Mexican
cannoneers. Having passed through the battery, he rallied
but six men, and charged a second time upon a few of the
Mexicans who had returned to the pieces. It was at this second charge that General Vega was captured, fighting at the
time, by a private soldier of May's squadron.
The infantry followed the cavalry, and in a few minutes the
Eighth Regiment of the First Brigade arrived. This brigade
had been halted a mile from the Resaca to be held as a reserve, but the firing had not continued long when Colonel
Belknap was ordered to send forward Duncan's battery and
a battalion of infantry. In response to this call the Eighth
moved to the front at a " double quick," went into action on
the right of the road, and greatly aided in driving the enemy
back. Just as the Eighth came up Captain May reported he
had captured the enemy's battery, but could not hold it, and




ï~~Arista' s Delusion.

63

the infantry, with regiments and companies intermingled, including the Eighth, dashed forward and recaptured the guns,
part of them having been again taken by the enemy, though
not fired.
The contest in the chapparal, on both sides of the ravine,
near the guns, was severe, being made on the side of the Mexicans with especial determination by the battalion and a company of the Guarda Costa of Tampico. Juan Mateos, commanding the First, was wounded, and Captain Arana, of the
Second, killed. Finally Capt. D. Jose Barreiro, assisted by
the adjutant, D. Ramon Tabera, took command and continued
the contest till forced to retire, being, as they claim, nearly
surrounded. The captain received three wounds which disabled him, and on falling back united with the Presidial companies under Colonel Sabarieogo, and began to retreat.
General Arista, who entertained the opinion that there
would be no real battle at Resaca, characterized the attack as
first made, and properly, as a skirmish, and, so believing, said
to General La Vega, " You shall command in the action today," and passed around to the left of the Fourth Regiment
of the Line, under Lieutenant-Colonel Calatayud, to his tent
in (0) rear, represented on the map of the battle-field to be in
the midst of his troops. This incident, a tent pitched, and
so immediately with the troops in battle array, evidenced his
belief that there would be no battle. The battery on and
near the road, on both sides of the ravine, having been captured and its heroic captain, D. Dolores Ramires, killed, General La Vega made prisoner, fighting at the time in the midst
of the guns, the infantry on the right and left of the battery
and which had fought most courageously, having been forced
back, Arista must have painfully, though too late, become
convinced of his delusion. He is represented as having halted
the remnants of a regiment under Colonel Uraga, and ordered
Ampudia to lead it back into action, to which order Ampudia
responded with a zeal and energy that could not be surpassed,
inspiring the men with his own valor, but even that could
not stay the ominous tide then beating so heavily against
them. Arista, still unwilling to despair, resolved to make
an effort to check the disorder and recover his losses or make
atonement with his life. He placed himself at the head of




ï~~64

The Mexicans Routed.

the cavalry which, having been in rear, was intact, charged
boldly upon those who were already the victors, and penetrated as far as his first position, though without avail.
Lieutenant Ridgely in his report states: " Their cavalry
came so near that I once cut at them with my sabre." It was
a field not adapted to the use of cavalry, a dense chapparal
on either side of the road, and in it the American infantry,
who poured in upon them from both flanks as well as in front
a close and murderous fire. Retreat or annihilation was the
alternative, as the Americans would not be driven. The
Lancers retreated in as good order as possible, followed by
the victors. The Mexican left flank was covered by Canales
and the retreat of his squadrons hastened the rout. The
disorder produced by the defeat of the left soon extended to
the right, which had not been under fire, and dispersed shamefully, except the First of the Line, which with its organization preserved and with its colonel at its head retired without
burning a cartridge and crossed the river at Longoreio'. The
Mexicans being driven from their position on the right of the
road, the whole army retreated precipitately, leaving baggage
of every kind. The Fourth Infantry took possession of a
camp in which were the headquarters of Arista, captured his
tent, all his official correspondence, and baggage.
The battalion of artillery, Lieutenant-Colonel Childs commanding, had remained with the baggage train, but was now
brought up without the flank companies, which had been already engaged. The Third Infantry and Ker's Dragoons,
with Duncan's battery, were all ordered to pursue, which they
did with vigor, halting only at the Rio Grande. But few
prisoners were captured; many were supposed to have been
drowned in attempting to swim the river. The pursuing
troops bivouacked near the Rio Grande and Taylor's main
army remained on the battle-field.
The Mexican Army having been defeated, the dispersion
became general, the soldiers making their way to the river
in all directions, not believing themselves safe until they were
upon the west bank. Arista with the cavalry crossed at the
Villa de Ampudia; Canales with his regiment and Tabera with
a great number of stragglers whom he had collected, and two
pieces of artillery, not far above that place, and the force that




ï~~Numbers Engaged.

65

had attacked the American field-work opposite Matamoros
at Anacuitas amidst the greatest disorder and confusion. The
Mexican batteries at and near Matamoros opened fire on the
pursuing Americans, and the guns in Fort Brown were directed upon the mass of fleeing Mexicans while crossing
at the upper ferry. The cannonading between the hostile
forces ceased at dark. Colonel Childs, commanding the artillery battalion, on reaching the river threw out pickets and
captured one captain and a few enlisted men.
General Taylor in his official reports of the engagements of
the 8th and 9th of May gives his numbers with a precision
and accuracy that cannot be questioned. At Palo Alto he
states his numbers as follows: Officers, 177; non-commis- V
sioned officers and men, 2,111, the aggregate being 2,288, and
on the 9th at Resaca, officers, 173; non-commissioned officers v
and men, 2,049; aggregate, 2,222.
The history of the Mexican War, written by a Mexican and
evidently prepared with care, referring to Arista's army on
the eve of Palo Alto, says: " With the reinforcements thus received,-the return of Ampudia to the army from his expedition designed to capture the Americans in their field works
opposite Matamoros,-our Army counted 3,000 fighting men, a
number equal with a trifling difference to that of the enemy."
If the number here given be correct there was a very great
depletion of ranks during the few days preceding the 8th
and 9th, or Arista committed an indiscretion disparaging to
him as a commander in dividing his army into two nearly --
equal parts and having but one of these fractions engaged on
May 8th and 9th. A few days after the arrival, March 28th,
of the American Army opposite Matamoros, the Mexican
history gives the force then under Mejia as 3,000 men, with
twenty guns-field pieces-and the munitipns nQt scarce, if
not abundant. Ampudia reached Matamoros April x 1th with
a cavalry regiment, and on the 14th his division arrived, having six field pieces, cavalry, infantry, and artillery, amounting
in all to 2,200 men. When Arista, April 23d, superseded
Ampudia he brought no troops, Mejia's 3,000 and Ampudia's
2,200 gave to Arista 5,200 men and twenty-six guns.
General Taylor captured eight guns, but Mexican history
only reports two having returned to the west bank of the




ï~~66

The Killed and Wounded.

river, leaving two unaccounted for. He reported the Mexican loss during the two days to have been 1,00o killed,
wounded, and missing; near 200 were buried on the fields by
his own troops. The Mexicans left less than 400 wounded in
Matamoros when that place was evacuated; there were, no
doubt, many slightly wounded that remained with the army.
Having no definite Mexican reports, we may accept the estimate of General Taylor as being near the truth.
On the 9th the cavalry, which was greatly distinguished,
made a successful charge over a most unfavorable field upon
artillery and infantry, the latter intrenched on the far side of
the ravine. May's squadron, consisting of his own company
and Capt. L. P. Graham's, both of the Second Dragoons,
had five men wounded on the 8th and five on the 9th before
the charge was made, leaving sixty-seven men, exclusive of
officers. With May's company were Lients. Z. M. P. Inge,
George Stevens. and Delos B. Sackett; with Captain Graham's
were Lieuts. O. F. Winship and Alfred Pleasanton; the former, the ravine having been crossed, captured the guns on
the right, and the latter those on the left. In the charge
Lieutenant Inge, seven men, and eighteen horses were killed;
Sergeant Smiley, nine privates and ten horses were wounded,
and Corporal McCauley taken prisoner. The charge was
made, as the losses clearly show, under a heavy fire of the
enemy's batteries, in which, no doubt, the infantry participated. Lieutenant Sackett, at the head of the column, and a
sergeant had their horses killed under them.
Of the 2,211 Americans engaged at Palo Alto, nine were
killed and forty-seven wounded; of the latter were Bvt.-Maj.
Samuel Ringgold, Third Artillery, and Capt. John Page,
Fourth Infantry, mortally, and Lieut. Roland A. Luther, Second Artillery, slightly. At Resaca de ]a Palma thirty-nine
were killed and eighty-two wounded; of the former were
Lieuts. Inge, Second Dragoons; R. E. Cochrane, Fourth Infantry, and Theodore L. Chadbourne, Eighth Infantry.
Lieutenant-Colonel McIntosh, Fifth Infantry, was severely,
and two lieutenant-colonels, two captains, and eight subalterns slightly, wounded.
There were a number of personal collisions, tangled and
scattered, as the infantry were in the dense chapparal. Lieuts.




ï~~Mlatamoros Occupied.

67

Collinson R. Gates and Charles D. Jordan, Eighth Infantry,
were badly, but not mortally, wounded; the latter, when personally charging the enemy, being overpowered by numbers,
was relieved by Lieut. George Lincoln, who slew with his
own hand two of his fiercest assailants. Lieuts. Joseph Selden, John G. Burbank, Robert P. Maclay, and Charles F.
Morris were wounded. Lieut. Charles B. Daniels, acting aidde-camp, had his horse killed under him by a cannon ball,
and Capt. Henry McKavett, Eighth Infantry, acting field
officer, had his horse killed under him by a musket ball.
The full fruits of the victories of the 8th and 9th of May
were not secured by General Taylor, owing to his want of
means for prompt pursuit. In active military operations a
well-organized pontoon train is indispensable and, whilst encamped at Corpus Christi, he had not failed to call the attention of the War Department to this subject. Had this want
been supplied as requested, he would doubtless have captured all the public property in Matamoros, or the enemy
would have been compelled to destroy it, and in the demoralized condition of the Mexican forces a great number of prisoners must have been captured.
Arista, having been apprised of General Taylor's purpose
to cross the Rio Grande on the 17th, sent Gen. D. Tomas
Raquena, with a white flag, requesting an armistice until the
two Governments could arrange a settlement of the question
at issue. General Taylor replied that such a proposition could
not now be considered; that he had made, a month previously, this same offer to General Ampudia, but it was declined; circumstances had since changed, and operations,
neither provoked nor begun by him, would not be suspended;
Matamoros must be occupied; Arista might withdraw his
forces, leaving all public property. An answer was promised
that afternoon, but none received. The following day (z8th)
the Army of Occupation crossed the Rio Grande, occupied
Matamoros, promised protection to its citizens, and found
more than 300 wounded soldiers in hospitals. All wounded
officers, by order of General Taylor, were paroled. General
La Vega and other officers who declined to be paroled were
sent to New Orleans under instructions to report to General
Gaines.




ï~~68

Arista Reorganizes His Forces.

The ranks of Arista's army after its defeats were greatly
depleted. If their own historians are to be credited, there
remained on the ioth but one-fifth of all the forces assembled at Matamoros previous to the beginning of active
operations, and there must have been a general dispersion
of his troops, attributed mainly to a scant supply of subsistence stores. The Rio Grande frontier was sparsely settled;
the Mexican Army was to have been supplied principally by
contractors who were to bring cargoes by sea to Point Isabel,
but were prevented doing so by the blockade of that port, by
order of General Taylor.
During the ioth, in Matamoros, to which place the beaten
and dispersed fragments of his army had been ordered to
rendezvous, Arista, true to himself and to the interests
with which he was intrusted, began to reorganize his reduced and sadly dispirited forces. To revive their courage
and restore morale, well nigh extinct, he visited the quarters of the men to aid, comfort, and cheer them as best he
could. Mournful were the impressions made upon the inhabitants of Matamoros; the Government through its discords and civil strifes had not or could not aid and protect
them against the invaders; despair was visible in every direction and among all classes. Arista called a Junta of his
officers and appealed to them to forget and bury at once and
forever all feuds, jealousies, and dissensions, and to concentrate their united energies henceforth upon the one sole,
sacred object-the defense of their unhappy country.
The moral effect of these battles was incalculable; it gave
to the Americans a prestige of victory that never faltered until their conquering standard floated from the Mexican Capital. It inspired their commander with confidence in the
nerve and courage of his army, and the soldiers with faith in
the judgment and ability of their chief. It hung a sombre
shadow over the Mexican hosts, paralyzing the arms of the
soldiers, though brave and patriotic, and rendering abortive
the best efforts of their leaders, though able and daring.




ï~~CHAPTER V.
MATAMOROS EVACUATED.-ARISTA RETIRES TOWARDS MONTEREY.-RELIEVED   BY GENERAL MEJIA    AND  COURT
MARTIALED.-THREE-MONTHS VOLUNTEERS.-NO ACTIVE
OPERATIONS BEFORE THE EXPIRATION OF THEIR TERM
OF SERVICE. - PERSONAL REMINISCENCES. - WANT OF
TRANSPORTATION IN THE AMERICAN ARMY.-ARRIVAL OF
TWELVE-MONTHS VOLUNTEERS.-THE ARMY ORDERED TO
CAMARGO.-ORDERS PREPARATORY TO THE MARCH UPON
MONTEREY.-OVERTHROW    OF THE PAREDES GOVERNMENT.-AMPUDIA RELIEVES MEJIA.
Aware of his inability to defend Matamoros with his reduced and demoralized army, Arista about daylight on the
Both quietly withdrew the greater portion of it to the plains
of Doia Rita, a league from the town. Learning subsequently that General Taylor was about to cross the Rio
Grande and occupy Matamoros, he called a council of his
officers, at which were present Generals Ampudia, Raquefia,
Torrejon, Garcia, Jauregui, and Morlet, and Colonel Uraga,*
and requested each one to express his opinion candidly and
freely. They agreed unanimously that Matamoros should be
given up, but differed as to the time and manner; some were
for leaving at once, " the quicker the better," whilst others
thought that military honor required them to retire under fire.
On the adjournment of this council a white flag was despatched to General Taylor by Raquefla, as previously stated.
* Subsequently commander of the Mexican Army under the Emperor Maximilian, while Marshal Bazaine commanded all the foreign
troops-French, Austrian, and Belgian.




ï~~70

The Mexicans' Pai ful Retreat.

It was finally determined, there being a dismal lack of transportation, to call upon the prefect for a certain number of
carts drawn by oxen, and these having been secured and
loaded, to leave the city forthwith.
At dusk the retreat began upon Linares in the following
order: Arista with the second brigade of infantry, the artillery and the carts; the first brigade of infantry followed, and
the cavalry covered the rear; Canales, with his command
greatly thinned by desertions, moved on the right, through
the towns and villages to the north of the line of retreat. At
2 a. m. Arista halted at the Rancho of Venado, four leagues
from Matamoros, where he left the sick and wounded, the
baggage of officers of the staff, and their clerks, chests, etc.
Five guns were spiked, and much valuable property, not removed for want of transportation, was thrown into the river
or destroyed. The march continued to the Rancho of Medranefio, where numberless inconveniences and hardships began,
scarcity of water causing great misery, as the route was
through a desert.
They reached Ebanito on the I9th, heard that a body of
300 American cavalry was in pursuit, bivouacked on the 20th
at Nutria, and here took precautions to guard against a surprise; remained in camp the next morning, when, learning
that the pursuing cavalry had returned, they resumed the
march at 4 p. m. In an hour it began to rain, to the great
relief of the soldiers, almost famished for water, only obtainable from the clouds, and which they welcomed as a heavensent boon. It rendered, however, the roads almost impassable. Their food was reduced to a scant supply of beef, and
weary and enfeebled they threw themselves down, many remaining buried in the mud, never to rise again.
General Taylor had ordered all of his cavalry, regular and
volunteer, under Lieut.-Col. John Garland, Fourth Infantry,
to pursue the enemy, harass his rear, and capture prisoners
and baggage. Colonel Garland returned on the 22d, having
captured a small rear party after a trifling skirmish at night,
in which one man and unfortunately a woman were killed and
two of Garland's men slightly wounded. He followed Arista
sixty miles, but the scarcity of water and the condition of his




ï~~Americans Control the Rio Grande.

71

horses made it useless to proceed further. No reference is
made in Mexican history to this skirmish.
On the 22d a halt was made on the plain of Esperanza to
permit the soldiers to dry their clothing, and from dire necessity they killed for food the oxen hauling their carts and artillery, thus compelling them to leave behind concealed in
the bushes much public property, and, in the language of
their own historians, "'the children of the republic drew the
pieces forward with their own hands."
Many of the cavalry, having lost a number of horses, were
seen on the road on foot, carrying their saddles, and in this
plight arrived at Calabozo, where in sheer desperation many
soldiers committed suicide. On the 23d they were at Grmiiiadora, reached the Well of Todos Santos on the 24th, and
on the 25th the hacienda of Vaqueria, where the want and
misery of the past days were relieved by supplies too long delayed. On the 26th the cavalry bivouacked at the hacienda
of Trinidad, the infantry at Pomona, and were united on the
27th at Guadalupe, where they received abundant provisions
forwarded from Linares, where they arrived on the 28th.
At Linares General Garcia, a distinguished citizen and a
brave and chivalrous officer, died, as believed, through grief
caused by the misfortunes of the army and the impending
doom of his country. The Government, whose wretched dissensions and unwise measures were responsible mainly for
the late disasters, threw the odium of defeat upon Arista, superseded him in command by Gen. D. Francisco Mejia, and
had him brought before a court martial. His course was evidently unwise, but whatever his neglects or deficiencies they
were condoned by his countrymen, and within four years
from that date he was elected to the Presidency of the republic.
The collisions of May 8th and 9th decided the control of
the Rio Grande. Within a few days after the last action both
banks of that river were occupied by the United States forces,
whilst those under Arista were compelled to retire to the vicinity of the Sierra Madre, which mountain range became his
new line of defense. General Taylor knew that the retreating army should be pursued vigorously, as with numbers so
reduced and in such a demoralized state it could have been




ï~~Tribude to 3/ajor Jacob Brown.

destroyed, but he was not prepared for such prompt action,
having neither the requisite amount of cavalry nor the transportation needed to assume the offensive by crossing the Rio
Grand. and invading the enemy's country.
Of the two commanders, the defeated Arista was full of
gloom and evil forebodings for the safety of his routed army,
which he effected, however, by a retreat with much suffering;
the other, the victorious Taylor, was confined reluctantly to
the Rio Grande over three months, awaiting the arrival of reinforcements and an increase of transportation, this latter involving a number of steamboats adapted to the navigation of
that river. He reoccupied his old camp opposite Mataamoros,
issued orders congratulating his troops in appropriate language upon their brilliant victories, and proposed that, as a
mark of respect to the Chief Magistrate of the republic, the
field work constructed at Point Isabel to cover the main depot
of the army be known as Fort Polk, and in memory of the
commander who fell in its defense, the work opposite Matamoros be Fort Brown. Major Jacob Brown, Seventh Infantry,
had served in the war of 1812, and was selected by General
Taylor to command this field work, not yet finished, when his
army marched for Point Isabel. By his courage and manly
bearing during the bombardment, as well as in the attack
made by Ampudia, he won the confidence and respect of his
officers and men, justifying to the fullest extent the choice
made by the commanding general.
Captain Mansfield, of the Engineer Corps, who had superintended the construction of Fort Brown and remained in it
during the absence of the army, referred in his official report
to Major Brown in the following words: " I cannot close this
official report without expressing my regret for the loss of
the commander, Major Brown, who indicated by the manner
in which he exercised his command, and his coolness and
self-possession under trying circumstances, the true characteristics of the soldier and the gentleman."
PERSONAL REMINISCENCES.
I had not graduated at West Point when the battles of Palo
Alto and Resaca de la Palma were fought, and well remember
how profound was the sensation created in the corps of cadets




ï~~Personal.hemtnuscences.

73

by the reported capture of Captains Thornton and Hardee with
their companies, and the fall of Lieutenant Mason in the conflict. When it became known that Arista had crossed with his
army to the east bank of the Rio Grande it was evident to all
that hostilities had commenced in earnest. There was a weary
anxiety for over a week, when, to the great relief of all, news
came from the southern frontier and was announced in orders
at evening parade that there had been not one, but two battles, the last being a complete rout of the enemy and not
ending until the Mexicans had been driven across the Rio
Grande, in which many were drowned.
The " excitement among the cadets knew no bounds; the
rules and regulations of the academy were disregarded, loud
and long-continued cheering was heard in the two barracks,
boisterous laughing and talking and running about in all directions in defiance of orders; tattoo and taps were ignored.
The following day the entire corps of cadets volunteered
their services to the Government, and wished the War Department to be advised of the fact. This patriotic impulse
was not appreciated by the authorities of the academy and
met with no encouragement; on the contrary, the cadets
were reminded that, being already in the service, when required they would be ordered without hesitancy on the part
of the Government, but for the present the country was in no
need of their services, however valuable they might be regarded, and closed with a reference to the great disorder in
the barracks the night before, and an intimation that a repetition of it might not be overlooked.
Within three weeks after the news of these two battles the
graduating class of 1846 received diplomas and the usual furlough of three months was granted. Not one of the class, it
is believed, declined to accept the leave, having been made
to understand that the Government would order them to
duty whenever it might suit its convenience.
Leaving the academy the day diplomas were given, I, in
company with three of my classmates, Thomas J. Jackson,
Archibald B. Botts, and Clarendon J. L. Wilson, all three of
Virginia, passed through New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore,
and made our first stop in Washington. We found the Mexican War the main topic of conversation among all classes, on




ï~~74

Personal 1?eminiscences.

the streets, in private houses, and with the crowds that
thronged the hotels; nothing else seemed to be thought of.
Palo Alto and Resaca were heard from all lips, and it was the
general impression that the hero of these two battles must
be quite well advanced in his march to the City of Mexico;
even the most skeptical were sure he would reach that capital by the 4th of July. It was frequently stated among the
crowds on the streets that General Scott was old, in his dotage, for it was reported he had said General Taylor would be
on the Rio Grande several months before he could strike for
the interior of the enemy's country.
No one person in Washington attracted so much attention
as Lieut. Roland A. Luther, of the Second Artillery, who was
at the same hotel with our party. He had just arrived, fresh
from General Taylor's camp, the first officer seen who had
been in battle with the Mexicans. What added much to the
interest and excitement caused by his presence was a wound
by a musket ball in the leg that disabled him, and, hobbling
about on crutches with his long, sun-scorched beard and
bronzed face, clothed in a suit not fresh from the tailor, he
was the lion of the occasion-the undisputed hero of the National Capital. In the hotel he was generally so surrounded
that it was with difficulty he could be seen or the sound of
his voice even heard.
One day there was a man, who subsequently became a distinguished general in the Mexican war, seen standing on tiptoe, overlooking those surrounding Roland, and listening with
bated breath to his account of the regiment to which he belonged, forming square to repel a charge of Mexican Lancers,
and he informed them that at this time he received his disabling wound.
Upon arrival in the Capital, I called first upon the Hon. C.
H. Williams, to whom I was indebted for my cadet appointment; then upon General Jesse Speight, who had been a
friend of my father and at the time was one of the Senators
from Mississippi. Referring to the war, the Senator said the
President seemed to have been taken by surprise when he
heard of fighting on the Rio Grande; but he might have
known, having ordered General Taylor to that river, that
such would have been the case. Diplomatic intercourse hav



ï~~Personal Reminiscences.

75

ing been suspended, and the two armies confronting each
other, separated by only a narrow river-it could hardly have
been possible for them not to fight-he deplored the heavy
expense to be incurred by the Government in carrying on
this war.
Among those to whom I was introduced, I recall with
pleasure and interest Mr. Jefferson Davis, a member of Congress from Mississippi and a graduate of the Military Academy. He asked many questions about West Point and listened attentively to the replies, manifesting much interest, as
they no doubt recalled reminiscences of his own cadet life.
I was impressed with his refinement of manner, his tone of
voice, the grace and fluency of his conversation as well as
the purity and elegance of his vocabulary. He asked me to
accompany him in the evening to the White House to attend
the levee; the invitation was accepted.
Among the guests at the White House were the usual proportion of distinguished Senators and Representatives, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Judges of the Supreme Court, and
ladies mostly in full toilette. The one of the many well-known
persons present that is remembered most vividly and with by
far the most interest, was Mrs. Madison; the incident is highly
prized, and it is regarded even now as great good fortune to
have seen and conversed with her. She asked many questions about cadet life, and, referring to the Mexican War, said
she hoped if I had to go to it it would be to return well preserved and with distinguished honors. The impression made
was that she felt for me a deep interest.
On our return to the hotel I remarked to Mr. Davis that I had
seen in the newspapers references made to his having been
elected colonel of a regiment of volunteers from his State, and
asked if it was true and if he would accept. He replied it was
true he had been elected colonel and that he would accept if he
could have the men armed with rifles. On being asked why
his acceptance should be contingent upon the weapon with
which the regiment might be armed, he remarked if armed
with the ordinary infantry musket it would be but one of
many regiments similarly armed; but if with the rifle, besides
being more effective, there would probably be no other body
of men so armed, and it would be known and referred to as




ï~~76

Personal Reminiscences.

the Mississippi Rifles and, consequently, would be more conspicuous. It was armed as he desired; he accepted the colonelcy and it did become well known, and is referred to as
the Mississippi Rifles prominently in the histories of the
Mexican War.
Having remained but twenty-four hours in Washington, I
bid adieu to my classmates and left for my home. On board
the steamer from Louisville was a part of Colonel McKee's
regiment of twelve-months volunteers from Kentucky, commanded by Lieut.-Col. Henry Clay, jr., a graduate of West
Point, and with it was Maj. Cary H. Fry, also a graduate of
the Academy. The officers and men were in the best of
spirits, little anticipating the diseases and discomforts incident to camp life on the Rio Grande during the summer
months. This regiment subsequently suffered severly in the
battle of Buena Vista, in which Colonel McKee and Lieutenant-Colonel Clay were killed, but as is too often the case,
many more died from sickness.
General Taylor was prompt in reporting to Washington
that the navigation of the Rio Grande was of the first importance in future operations on that frontier, if they were to be
directed towards the interior of Mexico. As early as May
i8th he had instructed his quartermaster to make requisition
for steamboats to that end; within a few days a second requisition was forwarded, and as further evidence of his great
anxiety on that point, he despatched Capt. John Sanders, of
the Corps of Engineers, to New Orleans to confer with the
quartermaster in charge in that city, to inform him of the
kind of boats adapted to the navigation of the Rio Grande,
and to expedite their purchase and arrival. He reported the
want of boats would paralyze his movements, as without them
he could do nothing more than occupy a few points along
the river.
The call made by himself April 26th for eight regiments of
volunteers, four from each of the States of Texas and Louis'iana, and the requisition made by General Gaines,* on his
* The course of General Gaines at this time caused much amused
comment. A veteran of 1812, he was the second in rank in the army,
and in command of the Western Geographical Division. Anticipating a war with Mexico, he requested the command of the army sent




ï~~Earnest Call For Transportation.

77

own responsibility, soon brought two classes of troops to the
field, and the Act of May I3, 1846, still another class. Those
volunteering under General Taylor's requisition could by the
law (Act 1795) serve only three months; those entering the
service under the call of General Gaines volunteered for six
months and were mustered into the service for that period.
These two classes of volunteers reached the Rio Grande
early, and by June 3d General Taylor's little army was increased to 8,ooo men, but they brought no transportation.
By the ioth he had five Louisiana regiments, 3,000 men, a
regiment fron St. Louis, one from Louisville, several companies from Alabama, and they were coming in from Texas
to an unknown extent, flocking from all quarters. By the
17th of June the St. Louis, Louisville, and Louisiana Volunteers aggregated 5,ooo; there were seven companies from
Alabama, twelve or fifteen from Texas, and still continually
arriving.
He reminded the Government that he had called for troops
from Texas and Louisiana only, and that the large number
without transportation was a serious embarrassment. On
the subject of transportation he was very earnest, using the
following language: "No steamboats have been sent from
New Orleans for the navigation of the Rio Grande, and in
the absence of all information on that point or respecting
the views of the Government I am altogether in the dark as
to our future operations. I must think that orders have been
given by superior authority to suspend the forwarding of
means of transportation from New Orleans, as I cannot otherwhe account for the extraordinary delay shown by the
Quartermaster Department in that city." He wished it to be
understood at the department that the inactivity of the army
was from no neglect on his part, and expressed astonishment
against it, not so much, as he averred, " for conquering a peace as for
a crusade against the awful maladies of alternate anarchy and despotism." On receipt of the news of Thornton's and Hardee's capture,
he issued a call for volunteers and as numbers responded, he, in his
enthusiasm, ignored the War Department, the Government, everything, and on his own authority received them, and soon had an immense army en route to Brazos Santiago, officers of the line and staff
all appointed by himself. In self-defense, the Department relieved
him of command, and " Gaines' Army" was for many years a familiar
term.




ï~~78

Volunteers Arriving.

that reinforcements in such numbers had been sent without
being accompanied with additional means of transportation,
both by land and water. Situated as he was, whatever might
be the expectation of the department, there could be no movements without boats of the proper kind, and he could give no
assurance in regard to further operations.
The volunteers joining Taylor's army under the call of
General Gaines were a source of annoyance to him and of embarrassment to the War Department. They had responded
with the greatest alacrity and were eager to serve the term
for which they had volunteered and for which they had also
been mustered, but under the law they would only be legally
in the service for three months. The only solution for the difficulty was to volunteer for twelve months or to be mustered
out at the expiration of three months. They chose the latter,
Congress appropriated money to pay them, and they were
honorably discharged.
Much sympathy was felt and expressed, both by General
Taylor and the War Department, as shown by the official
correspondence, for these volunteers, who responded so
promptly to the call of General Gaines. The whole country,
excited over the capture of Captains Thornton and Hardee
with their commands, became more so when it was known
that Arista had not only crossed the Rio Grande with his main
army, but had interposed between General Taylor at Point
Isabel, and the small force he had left opposite Matamoros
and the destruction or capture of General Taylor and his
army was feared to be imminent.
It was in the midst of a community highly excited by~reports, which proved to be true, that General Gaines caught
the enthusiasm and sharing apprehensions, probably for the
safety of Taylor and army, called for volunteers from Louisiana in excess of the number General Taylor had asked.
The demand was answered by that spirited and generous
people in a manner worthy of all praise and with a persistent
eagerness not to be stayed. The unanimity with which they
rallied to the rescue, as they believed, of the imperiled forces
of General Taylor is referred to in the official correspondence
of the time. The judge* deserted the bench, the lawyer his
* Persifor P. Smith.




ï~~Tennesseeans the First to Report.

79

clients, the physician his patients, the merchant his counting-house, the mechanic his workshop, the minister of the
Gospel his pulpit, all following the impulse to sacrifice everything in defense of national right and national honor.
This enthusiasm could be utilized only to a limited extent,
merely to occupy a few points along the Rio Grande. By tom:
middle of May Burita, a small town on the Mexican side of
the Rio Grande, below Matamoros, was occupied by a battalion of regulars, under Lieutenant-Colonel Henry Wilson,
First Infantry, and by a volunteer force, near a thousand,
from Louisiana, under General Persifor F. Smith. June 7th
the First Infantry battalion, under Colonel Wilson, and a section of Bragg's battery were moved up on the west bank of the
Rio Grande, thirty miles above Matamoros, to the town of
Reinosa. These points were occupied after the arrival of the
three-months volunteers, and this was about all that was or
could be accomplished before the arrival of steamboats.
The Texans encamped near Point Isabel, and were organized under their governor, James P. Henderson, commanding,
with the rank of major-general. Of the twelve months volunteers under the Act of May 13, 1846, the Tennesseeans
were the first to report. They arrived at the Brazos June
24th, and with the other troops, except two regiments left at
Matamoros, were moved up to and encamped at Burita.
The requisition for steamboats, for warded May r8th, had
brought them to the Rio Grande by July iith; from that date
every effort was made to expedite the movement of troops
and supplies to Camargo mainly by boats, this place having
been chosen as the base of operations to be directed upon
Monterey.
This (Monterey) was the largest and most important town
in Northern Mexico, being situated at the northern entrance
to the only pass through the Sierra Madre Mountains practicable for wagons and artillery, and to occupy and hold it was
of the first necessity. With Camargo as a base, land transportation and the marching distance were greatly lessened; on
the road to Monterey there were abundant water and wood,
and a probability of supplies being plentiful.
Whilst busy in preparations for the move upon Camargo,
General Taylor issued orders for mustering out of service the




ï~~80o

The Move Upon Camargo.

three and six months volunteers, the latter having declined
to volunteer for twelve months, not being in service legally
for a longer period than three months. Of all the Louisiana
volunteers who responded to thecalls ofTy1or4Iic ines,
but one compan     Blauchard's) volunteered for twelve
months, and by ul 12th one Louisiana regimn nt had sailed
for New Orleans, and within the following week all had returned to their homes. General Taylor ordered an Alabama
battalion and one from St. Louis to be mustered out.
July z3th General Taylor reported the arrival of the twelve
months regiments destined for his command, except those
frm  Illinois and 1isouri, and possibly a few comn anies from
other States. The same day he issued orders regulating the
ronrinof troops and of the service generally in rear. All
of these troops, except a few regiments to guard depots in
rear, were to be ordered to Camargo, near which he hoped
healthy camps would be found, and on account of the difficulties of transportation only a small portion of volunteers would
move on Monterey. He directed that the four artillery companies under Maj. Harvey Brown, Fourth Artillery, should
be the first to ascend the river, to be followed as rapidly as
possible by other troops in the order named, to wit, Louisville
Legion, Col. Stephen Ormsbey; Baltimore and Washington
Battalion, Lieut. -Col. William H. Watson; Ohio Brigade,
Brig.-General Thomas L. Hamer; Second Kentucky Volunteers, Col. William R. McKee; Mississippi Rifles, Col. Jefferson Davis; First Tennessee, Col. William B. Campbell; Alabama Regiment, Col. John R. Coffey; Second Tennessee,
Col. William T. Haskell; the Indiana brigade and the Missouri and Illinois regiments were to remain below until further orders; the Texas troops were to receive special orders.
Brig.-Gen. Thomas L. Hamer was ordered to detail one
regiment to move up by water and report to Col. Newman
S. Clarke, Sixth Infantry, at Matamoros. The Ohio brigade
and the Louisville and Baltimore battalions would send their
heavy baggage by water to Camargo; the regiments of the
former would detail four companies each and the battalion
two each to accompany the baggage; the remaining companies with light baggage would move by land as soon as
transportation could be provided, probably by the i oth of




ï~~Reconnoissance of the San Juan.

81

August; the other troops, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama,
and Georgia regiments, to go by water as soon as practicable
and in the order previously prescribed.
Brig.-Gen. David E. Twiggs, remaining in rear, was to see.
all the volunteer infantry pass up by land, and then follow
with the dragoons and horse artillery. After the departure
of General Twiggs Colonel Clarke, Sixth Infantry, would assume command. The artillery train, with the third brigade
and the rear companies, would march August 5th under
Lieut.-Col. John Garland, Fourth Infantry.
Camargo was occupied July 14th by two companies of the
Seventh Infantry under Capt. Dixon S. Miles, followed the
next day by two pieces of artillery with the remainder of the
regiment and a company of irregular cavalry. The Fifth Infantry, and the whole of the First Brigade, Gen. Wm. J.
Worth, arrived by boat; the Third Brigade followed, and in
a short time all the regulars had arrived.
General Taylor in person reached Camargo on August 8th,
and was anxious to begin the move upon Monterey, at the
latest, by September ist, and to march with 6,ooo men, half
of that number being regulars. A reconnoissance was sent
on the loth up the valley of the San Juan sixty-two miles, under Maj. Ben. McCulloch, who returned and reported having
seen a small party of irregular cavalry, who retired before
him, and also that the crossing of the San Juan was liable to
be bad in rainy weather. A reconnoissance by the Mier route
was also ordered.
On August 17th orders were issued for the troops to prepare to move in the direction of Monterey, and for a depot to
be established at Cerralvo, seventy-five miles from Camargo,
upon which point the First Brigade would move on the 19th.
August 2oth an order was issued organizing the twelvemonths volunteers into divisions and brigades, as follows:
First Division, Maj.-Gen. Wm. O. Butler; First Brigade,
Brig. -Gen. Thomas Marshall, one mounted regiment, two
foot regiments, all of Kentucky; Second Brigade, Brig.-Gen.
Thomas L. Hamer, the foot regiments, all of Ohio; Third
Brigade, Brig. -Gen. Joe Lane, three foot regiments, all of
Indiana.




ï~~82

Divisions and Brigades.

Second Division, Maj.-Gen. Robert Patterson; First Brigade, Brig.-Gen. James Shields, two regiments of foot, Illinois and Missouri; Second Brigade, Brig. -Gen. Gideon J.
Pillow, two regiments of foot and one of cavalry, all of Tennessee; Third Brigade, Brig. -Gen. John A. Quitman, three
regiments of foot, one of Alabama, one of Georgia, one of
Mississippi, and the Baltimore and Washington battalion.
August ist General Taylor wrote to the War Department:
" Our wagon train is considerably less than when we left
Corpus Christi, our force being increased five fold; " and on
the 2d he wrote: " To call attention to the scarcity* of medical officers with this army; while nearly two-thirds of the
regular army are now serving on this frontier, we have not
more than two-sevenths of the medical staff, a manifest disproportion, to the great injury of the service."
Col. Henry Whiting, the chief quartermaster with the
Army of Occupation, reported to the quartermaster general,
from Camargo under date of September 3d, " that 200,000
rations had been forwarded to Cerralvo. Our means of
transpoi tation are 1,900 pack mules and I8o wagons, drawn
by mules or horses; " rations had been forwarded from
Camargo, the first going with Worth's column. With reference to the delays and difficulties of transportation. it is
well known that when General Taylor's forces were at and
near Matamoros the supplies were hauled from Point Isabel,
a distance of twenty-eight miles, over an excellent road
when dry, but bad during the rainy season, being heavy with
mud. Upon the arrival of steamboats in the Rio Grande,
Point Isabel was still the depot; vessels with supplies crossed
the bar at Brazos Santiago, having from eight to nine feet of
water, and anchored within a short distance; the cargoes
were then taken on light draught steamers to Point Isabel, a
distance of four miles.
The stores were next shipped on other light draught steamers nine miles to the mouth of the Rio Grande, crossed the
* Surgeon General Lawson, under date of July 29, 1846, says, in reply to this: " The laws of the land in former times, as on a late occasion, awarded two medical officers to a regiment of 750 men, or one to
375, and from long experience this has been found adequate; upon
the return of General Taylor's army, he finds he has one to every 164
men.




ï~~The March to Uerralvo.

83

bar at the mouth, and were landed upon the bank three or
four hundred yards within. It was necessary to keep a train
of wagons on hand at Point Isabel to haul supplies over to
the Rio Grande during the prevalence of high winds, or in
the case of the loss or disabling of the lighters plying between Isabel and the mouth of the river. The river steamers had a distance of 400 miles to run from the mouth to
Camargo, a strong current against them in the rainy season,
and sand bars when the water was low. The number of
steamers estimated for, in the first place, was not adequate
to the necessities of the service.
The advance under General Worth, as before stated,
marched from Camargo August 19th; the rear brigades,
Hamer's and Quitman's, of Butler's Division, the latter
bringing up the rear, filed out of Camargo September 6th.
Maj.-Gen. Robert Patterson with the brigades of Pillow and
Marshall, remained in rear, on the Rio Grande. General
Taylor had been urgent in demands for transportation, and it
is well known that popular clamor in rear caused the advance
to be made sooner than was approved by his judgment, and
with a less force than he believed to be necessary. It is
stated that General Taylor was advised by a letter from a
distinguished friend, Senator J. J. Crittenden, to say nothing
more about reinforcements and means of transportation.
" The public is impatient; take foot in hand, and off for the
halls of Montezuma."
It may be well to refer to the fact that when the act of Congress of May I3, 1846, passed, authorizing the President to
call for volunteers, not to exceed 50,000, to serve for twelve
months unless sooner discharged, General Scott urged that
these new troops when organized be located in healthy sections of the country, in camps of instruction; for if sent to the
Rio Grande before autumn they would be decimated by disease and remain inactive on the Rio Grande, as General Taylor could not leave that river before the middle of September
or the ist of October.
These timely suggestions were ridiculed by newspapers and
politicians. He was said to be in his dotage. " General
Taylor would be in the City of Mexico by the 4th of July, "
was the common saying and expectation. General Scott's




ï~~84

The Mexican Army.

age, high rank, and many years of service, alike honorable
and distinguished, did not shield him from sharp criticism
and abuse.
The march to Cerralvo was very trying, especially to volunteers, and extremely so for the first thirty-five miles. with a
sultry sun, dusty roads, without shade for fourteen miles, and
no water during one day's march. The last brigade, Quitman's, reached Cerralvo September 13th.
Leaving the United States forces, under General Taylor,
now concentrated at this place half way between Camargo
and Monterey, and ready for the advance upon the latter, we
will return to the Mexican Army, which had been halted May
28th at Linares in its painful retreat from Matamoros.
Immediately upon his arrival at Linares, Arista ordered
Lieutenant-Colonel Zuloaga, with a small engineer force, and
Lieut. -Col. D. Mariano Reyes, with a battalion of Sappers, to
proceed to Monterey, locate and construct a system of works
that would render it capable of good defense. A few days
subsequently he was relieved, as previously stated, by General Mejia. While recuperating from its fatigues and recruiting its numbers, the morale of Arista's forces was still further
weakened by dissensions among officers and their commands,
growing out of late defeats; criminations and recriminations were rife and all. including the sick, dragged along with
the army, victims of neglect and ingratitude, realizing too
painfully the wretched condition to which the Mexican
soldier had been reduced.
General Mejia determined on a change of position, and
July 9th the army, under Gei. D. Tomas Raquefia, marched
to the Rancho of Encadenado, thence to Montemorelos,
where they were warmly welcomed and abundantly supplied; thence to the Hacienda of Conception, next to Caderey
ta Jimenez, where they remained from the 12th to the 2 [st
of July, were rejoined by General Mejia and ordered to
Monterey, it being believed that General Taylor's next move
would be directed against that city
Monterey, the capital of the State of Neuvo Leon. was the
largest, most flourishing, and in a military point of view, the
most important town then, as to-day, in northern Mexico,
having a poulation of io,ooo inhabitants. Situated in a val



ï~~The Defenses of Monterey.

ley extending for miles along the base of the high and picturesque Sierra Madre Mountains and fertilized by the chrystal
waters of the San Juan, flowing between banks lined with
pretty houses and villas and with gardens abloom with
flowering shrubbery, it was well fortified, and with its stone
and brick buildings, above the azoteas x of which rose thick
walls, its narrow streets, and many plazas easily barricaded,
was well adapted for defense. The scene, neither during the
war of independence nor in the many civil commotions, of
armed strife, it was now for the first time threatened with the
presence of contending forces.
Since the actions of the 8th and 9th of May and the occupation of Matamoros by the Americans, the defenses of the city
had been strengthened and enlarged, and though still incomplete were formidable. To the north, at the junction of the
three roads leading from Marin, Pezqueria Grande and Monclova, was the citadel, a square bastioned work with dry
ditches and embrasures for guns, and enclosing the walls of
an unfinished cathedral. This work was about x,oo yards
from the'city. South of it a branch of the San Juan traversed
in a southeasterly direction the suburbs, and was crossed by
the bridge of La Purisima, defended by a strong tete-de Pont
and by breastworks. The southeastern front of the city was
defended by a system of lunettes, the most complete of which
La Tenria, covered by its fire the roads from Marin and
Cadereyta. Beyond La Teneria was El Rincon del Diablo,
and to the north of the Saltillo road lay the Loma de Independencia, a steep acclivity, about midway of which were the
massive ruins of the Obispado (Bishop's Palace), strongly
fortified and furnished with battlements with sand-bag parapets and covered by a priest-cap work with platforms for four
guns in barbette. Southwest lay a range of hills, at the summit of which was Fort Soldado, a square redoubt, and opposite the Loma de Independencia was the Loma de Federacion.
Between the citadel and Obispado a system of redoubts had
been planned, but not completed. Of these the Loma de In* Azotea is a flat roof surrounded with a parapet three or four feet
high, often filled with growing flowers, shrubs, and fruit trees on
movable stands, and is the favorite family rendezvous, refreshments
being often served there and friends received and entertained.




ï~~86

Ampudia Restored to Command.

dependencia with the fortifications of the Obispado was the
most prominent, and being in close proximity was evidently
the key to the city. The engineer, Colonel Carrasco, sent by
Arista, had planned to complete and fully man the citadel, the
fire from which would sweep all approaches to the city from
Cerralvo and to fortify La Teneria and the Loma de Independencia.
It was now August ist. The soldiers, encouraged by the
presence of their officers, worked industriously, and the citizens of Monterey contributed freely of their means, and were
patriotic and enthusiastic. The Governor of Nuevo Leon,
D. Francisco Morales, exercised his authority to fill up the
ranks, and information of Taylor's advance having arrived
at Camargo all redoubled their efforts.
In the midst of all this earnest work came news from the
capital of the Pronunciamiento of August 4th, and with it the
downfall of the Paredes Government and the return of Santa
Anna to the Presidency. A.7z nta of officers was called;
some were in sympathy with the movement, others regretted
it; yet all continued their efforts to stem the tide of invasion.
With the change of Government Ampudia was restored to
the chief command. The press opposed him; public sentiment was against him, and many officers wrote to the capital
protesting against him, alleging that old jealousies and antipathies, which should forever be set aside, would be again
aroused.
Ampudia in the meantime arrived with over 5,000 troops
and thirty-two cannon from San Luis Potosi, and after a careful personal examination of Monterey and vicinity urged the
engineers to push forward the works as rapidly as possible;
adopted Mejia's plan to hazard nothing, to act wholly on the
defensive, and remain in Monterey awaiting expected supplies.
Capt. D. Francisco Segura, of the engineers, made a reconnoissance towards Cerralvo, going as far as Papagallos,
within two days' march of the former. Up to this time the
Auxiliaries of Neuvo Leon had been posted in the woods of
Alacranes, near a mile in rear of that place-Papagallos.




ï~~A Junta of Ofcers.

87

Colonel Uraga* was still in Cadereyta with a brigade of infantry, the cavalry regiment of Guanajuato and the Lancers
of Jalisco; the strength of his command not given. These
troops do not appear in the enumeration of those that fought
at Palo Alto and Resaca. General Romero, who was also not
on the Rio Grande, was in Marin with his command; his
numbers are not given.
General Ampudia changed his mind, and abandoning the
plan of Mejia, after receiving the report of Captain Segura,
decided to give battle at Marin, and if unsuccessful, to retire
upon Monterey, the country between Papagallos and Marin
offering advantages in his opinion that should not be neglected.
A Junta, composed of the chiefs of brigade, was convened
to consider the new plan, and when fully explained by Ampudia, Mejia, whom he had superseded in command, stated
that his men and officers would obey any orders he might
give. The statements of other chiefs were not so satisfactory,
and this last scheme, his own, was frustrated and finally
abandoned. At Monterey, in addition to the troops already
mentioned, were the Third and Fourth Light, the Third of
the Line, the active battalions of Aguas Calientes, Queretaro
and San Luis Potosi, all infantry; of cavalry, the Third Regiment of Guanajuato, San Luis, and Jalisco. Whether the
cavalry regiment of Guanajuato and the Lancers of Jalisco,
referred to as being with Colonel Uraga at Cadereyta, are the
same as the Third Regiment of Guanajuato and Jalisco, here
mentioned, is not known.
Arista's army that marched from Linares to Monterey was
composed of the First Regiment, the Second Light, the Fourth
and Tenth of the Line, and two companies of the Sixth, the
Actives of Mexico and Morelia, all infantry; of cavalry, the
Seventh, the Eighth, and the Light; artillery, thirteen pieces.
General Morlet was detached with the active battalion of
Puebla and the company and battalion of the Guarda Costa
of Tampico, and marched to reinforce Tampico. Ampudia's
force in Monterey at this time cannot be given with the pre* Uraga was engaged at Palo Alto and Resaca, commanding only
a regiment.




ï~~88

Taylor's Advance Upon Marin.

cision desired. He brought to that city over 5,000 men, with
thirty-two guns, and Arista's army numbered i,8oo, less the
battalion of actives from Puebla and a company and the battalion of Guarda Costa of Tampico. To these may be added
Uraga's and Romero's commands, whose numbers are not
given. We are, however, certain he had forty-five guns, and
it is hardly possible he would have had less than Io,ooo men,
his force probably exceeding that number.
Ampudia, informed of the concentration of the enemy at
Cerralvo, called a junta of defense, chief of staff, General D.
Jose Garcia Conde presiding, and it was decided that work
should be continued on the first and second or interior line
and urged forward with zeal. On September 11th Ampudia
visited Marin to examine that position for himself, and concentrated all of his cavalry there. On that day General Taylor, ordering the advance from Cerralvo, advised them to be on
their guard, as the enemy might be encoiuntered. The pioneers of the army, united in one body under Capt. Lewis S.
Craig, Third Infantry, were to march early the next day towards Marin * to repair the road, this party to be covered by
a squadron of dragoons and McCulloch's company of Rangers,
and to be accompanied by two officers of the Topographical Engineers detailed by Capt. William G. Williams. Ampudia, leaving orders with Torrejon how to act on the approach of the enemy, retired on the z2th to Monterey, and on
the same day Uraga joined the main army there.
On the i3th the advance upon Marin began, the first division, Twiggs', leading, followed by the second, Worth's,
and this by the volunteers, General Taylor being with the
advance division. The troops had eight days' rations and
forty rounds of ammunition. Two companies of the Mississippi regiment remained at Cerralvo as a guard to tip. stores
there deposited and the disabled and sick at that place. Ampudia calling a 7unta to consider for the second time what
works were necessary for the defense of Monterey, it was decided to abandon such as had been begun-between the cita* Two regiments of mounted Texas troops had been marched from
Camargo by the more southern route through the town of China to
join the main army at Marin. General Taylor had when he advanced
from Marin 425 officers and 6,220 men, an aggregate of 6,645.




ï~~A Second Junta of Defense.

89

del, unfinished cathedral, and the Obispado-but to continue
the works at these places, the Teneria, as well as at other
points in the city proper.
Ampudia's course, at this time vacillating and uncertain,
made the impression that he lacked the self-reliance requisite
for an independent command, especially if confronted by a
leader of skill and courage. On the 14th his army was at
Monterey and Torrejon was at Marin, four miles in front,
with his cavalry covered by the Auxiliaries of Nuevo Leon,
who then held Alacranes, fifteen miles beyond, and who after
an insignificant skirmish left the road open as far as Marin.
The Americans continued their advance to Papagallos, where
they bivouacked and then resumed their march. The Mexicans withdrew in full view, evacuated Marin, and crossed the
river San Juan, followed by the Americans as far as Aguafria, where the American cavalry encamped, and the Mexicans continued on to San Francisco.
Here an effort was made, yielding to Ramirez, to change
the plan of defense and destroy the work at the Teneria,
heretofore regarded as so important. Naturally such indecision of plans with the invaders almost in sight * not only
weakened confidence, but created, if not distrust, feelings of
uncertainty and anxiety.
The Army of Occupation rested the 16th, the Mexican cavalry remaining in its front in observation; the 17th the former
remained quiet, but the Mexicans reinforced their cavalry
with the Seventh Regiment under General Jauregui, and parties of auxiliaries entered Moniterey.
On the i8th General Taylor's forces resumed the advance,
two Texas companies, McCulloch's and Gillaspie's, followed
by a squadron of dragoons, led the column; then came the
first division, General Taylor being with it, next the second
division, and after this the third--volunteer division. The
Mexican cavalry retired upon Monterey in the forenoon, and
was ordered to form on the slope of the Loma de Independencia. A condueta of $28,000 was received during the day
from the City of Mexico and distributed to Ampudia's troops,
relieving much distress
* Twiggs camped three miles beyond Marin on the San Juan.




ï~~90        The Bivouac at Walnut Spring*.
The United States forces encamped at San Francisco, eight
or ten miles from Monterey, and at sunrise on the 19th moved
forward, the Texas troops under General Henderson leading.
These had a slight skirmish with the Mexican cavalry, who
fell back into the city, followed by the Texans, who displayed
on the plain in full view of Monterey and the citadel, remained in this position an half hour, then withdrew to the
woods of San Domingo. General Taylor's headquarters were
established in these woods, at Walnut Springs, three miles
from Monterey, and as the main army came up, it halted and
bivouacked under the shade of live oaks, enjoying an abundant supply of good water.




ï~~CHAPTER VI.
BATTLE OF MONTEREY.--FEDERACION.-SOLDADO.--BISHOP' S
PALACE. - PERSONAL   REMINISCENCES AND   OBSERVATIONS.
Without loss of time General Taylor ordered reconnaissances to be made of Monterey and its approaches. One
party of engineers under Maj. Joseph K. F. Mansfield directed its observations towards the road which leads southwest out of the city a short distance along a valley, then ascends a mountain slope through the Rincoiada Pass, to the
town of Saltillo, sixty or seventy miles distant. This was the
main thoroughfare over which Mexican supplies and reinforcements must pass to reach Monterey, and the object of
this reconnoissance was to determine whether or not this important line of communication could be cut and the enemy's
works turned. A second party, under Capt. William G. Williams, was ordered to examine the approaches on the east
side, and ascertain the extent to which they had been protected and strengthened with defensive works. The reconnoissances of Major Mansfield demonstrated the practicability of reaching the Saltillo road and cutting the communications south, so vital to Amptidia. General Worth was ordered
to move the next day, 20th; having in addition to his own
division, the First Texas, Col. Jack Hays, to turn the Loma
de Independencia, seize and hold the Saltillo road, and capture, if deemed practicable, the enemy's works on that side.
Worth moved from camp in the Santo Domingo woods, 2
p. m., but owing to detentions caused by a narrow road requiring much work to enable the artillery to pass, the march




ï~~The Texans Lead in the Advance.
was arrested at 6 p. m., when but six miles had been made.
The troops bivouacked out of range of the enemy's guns, on
the ridge above the Bishop's Palace, and a reconnoissance
under cover of the Texas troops was pushed forward to the
intersection of the Pezqueria and Saltillo roads, and many indications that a further advance in that direction would most
strenuously be resisted, were noted.
Worth's move having been observed by the enemy, a cavalry force of 200 men was directed by Ampudia to watch and
report. With a view to divert the attention of the enemy,
General Taylor ordered Twiggs' division and the volunteers
under Butler to display in front of the city; this demonstration was continued until dark, after which arrangements were
made to place two 24-pound* howitzers and a o-inch mortar
in position to open fire the following morning, when a diversion in favor of Worth would again be made. The Fourth
Infantry guarded this battery during the night. At 6 a. m.,
of the 21st, General Worth advanced, Hays' Texans leading,
supported by the light companies of the First Brigade, under
Capt. C. F. Smith, Second Artillery, followed closely by
Duncan's battery. On turning an angle of the mountain a
cavalry force, ordered by Ampudia to march to the intersection of the Topo and Saltillo roads, was encountered, and the
Texans answered a heavy charge from it with their deadly
rifles. Smith's light companies opened a rapid fire, Duncan's,
supported by a section of Mackall's battery, was soon in battery and the whole command was in line in a few minutes,
but the engagement had already ended.
The enemy retired in disorder, leaving on the ground i00
killed and wounded, among the former Juan N. Najera, colonel of the permanent regiment of lancers. The enemy retired upon the Saltillo road, and was closely pursued until
possession of the gorge was secured, where all debouches
from Monterey unite; whereby the force just defeated, as
also reinforcements and supplies from that direction, were
excluded from entering the city."f Surrounded and sum* See Map IV.
f Report of General Worth, Ex. Doc. No. i., 2d session, 29th Congress (Senate).




ï~~B&d'A~flE0o,
M ON T EfEY
Sr PrE UBL
torm(T2.'"*Z3U
1$4$




ï~~A Diversion in Favor of Worth.

93

moned to surrender, Colonel Najera refused, and resisted his
assailants until faint from loss of blood, he fell from his horse
and rolled down to the foot of the mountain, dead.
When the engagement began, Ampudia ordered Gen.
Garcia Conde, with two pieces of artillery and the Battalion
of Aguas Calientes, to march rapidly to the threatened point.
Garcia had just begun to move, when he received a second
order to return to the city and send the battalion to the bridge
of Purisima.
To make a strong diversion in favor of Worth's attack on
the morning of the 2st, General Taylor ordered Twiggs' division and the volunteers under General Butler, leaving a
company from each regiment to guard the camp, to march
towards Monterey. The Second Dragoons, under Bvt. Lieut.Col. May, and Col. George T. Wood, Second Texas Cavalry,
the two commands being under General Henderson, moved
over to the right, to support Worth if required or to make an
effort against the upper part of the city if possible.
When the infantry and artillery, under Twiggs and Butler,
arrived at the mortar and howitzer battery (cztablished during the night), the volunteers were halted under cover of a
slight ridge in rear; but the First and Third Regiments of Infantry, the Washington and Baltimore battalion, under Lieutenant-Colonel Watson, and Bragg's battery, all under Lieut.Col. John Garland, Fourth Infantry, continued the march,
inclining towards the lower part of the city, to make a strong
demonstration and carry one of the enemy's advanced works
if it could be done without too heavy loss.
Major Mansfield, of the engineers, Captain Williams, and
Lieut. John Pope, of the Topographical Engineers, accompanied the troops; the former, charged with the direction of
the march, was to indicate the points of attack.
The xo-inch mortar and the two 24-pound howitzers, the
former under Capt. George D. Ramsay, of the Ordnance, the
latter, under Capt. Lucien B. Webster, of the First Artillery,
opened upon the Citadel and the town a fire which was responded to promptly by the former and by numerous guns of
heavier metal than the howitzers. A rapid discharge of artillery, mingled with lively musketry of considerable volume,
was heard in the direction of Garland's command. Major




ï~~94

Tie Mexican Strongholds.

Mansfield had pushed forward and entered the suburbs of the
town with a small infantry support, which was soon increased,
and had drawn a heavy fire, both artillery and musketry.
Having secured partial cover, he sent a message to Colonel
Garland, requesting him to advance within supporting distance, and a second message to advance in line.
The forward movement of Garland was, in direction, to the
right of Teneria, his men being exposed at the time to artillery fire from the right and rear, the Citadel,' and from
his left, the Teneria,2 and from  Diablo3 in front, and
musketry fire from houses and other small works also in front
and on his flanks. The Washington and Baltimore battalion
moved or, a road leading directly to the work, Teneria.
Under a heavy fire, inflicting much loss, Garland reached the
suburbs of the town, where partial cover for the men was
found. The Maryland and District of Columbia volunteers
were broken and many of them retired beyond range, but
Lieutenant-Colonel Watson, the commander, several other
officers, and some seventy men remained and fought gallantly;
the former fell near the work mortally wounded.
In the meantime Bragg's battery had advanced to the
suburbs; but a few discharges proved its inefficiency. His
horses and men fell under the fire of an unseen enemy,
whose guns in No. 2 were heavier and fired through embrasures. The object of Garland's move, directed by the
engineer, was to get in rear, if possible, of No. 2 and force its
capture or evacuation by a fire from that direction. This
demonstration had thus far been attended with severe loss
and had developed considerable strength of position on the
part of the enemy.
When the rapid fire previously referred to was heard in the
direction of Garland, General Taylor ordered the Fourth Infantry and three regiments of Butler's division to march
towards the Teneria No. 2, in support. The First Kentucky,
Col. Stephen Ormsbey, remained as a guard to the mortarM
and howitzer battery. Two companies of the Fourth Infantry did not receive the order and remained near the battery. General Butler, in the immediate command of his regiments, moved towards the Teneria. The leading brigade,
Quitman's, advanced upon the work, nreceded by three




ï~~Americans Assailed at Every Step.

95

companies of the Fourth Infantry, whilst the division commander, with the First Ohio Regiment, Col. A. M. Mitchell,
entered the town to the right. The companies of the Fourth
Infantry had advanced within short range of the work when
they were received by a fire that struck down in one moment
one-third of the officers and men, rendering it necessary to
retire and join the remaining two companies, then advancing;
Quitman's Brigade, though suffering most severely, particularly in the Tennessee regiment, continued to move on, and
finally carried the work, Teneria, as well as a strong building
in its rear. Five guns, a considerable amount of ammunition,
and thirty prisoners, including three officers, were captured.
The First Infantry, under Maj. John J. Abercrombie, passing the enemy's advanced work No. 2, gained possession of
several houses on the left of the Third and Fourth; Captains
E. Backus and J. M. Scott, of the First, with their companies,
gained the roof of a large building in rear, and were pouring
in upon that work a rapid fire when it was captured. Capt.
J. H. La Motte, First Infantry, was doing valuable service at
this time, when he received two wounds which forced him to
retire. In this operation loss in the killed and wounded in
these three companies was severe. Lieut. R. Dilworth, of
La Motte's company, had his leg taken off by a 2-pounder
before entering the town. With the wounding of La Motte,
there being no officer with the company, it was incorporated
with others of the regiment.
General Butler, with the First Ohio, Hamer's Brigade, felt
his way gradually into the suburbs of the town, assailed at
every step by heavy fire in front and flank, and meeting
Major Mansfield, who had directed the move made by Garland, was informed by him that it had failed, and advised the
withdrawal of his command. General Butler reported this to
the commanding general, who ordered a retrograde movement,
and it was commenced but immediately countermanded, Quitman's success having been just then reported. The direction
of General Hamer's brigade was instantly changed and
Monterey entered by another route, which, after exposure to a
heavy artillery fire, brought it confronting the enemy's second
work, No. 3, Rincon-del-Diablo. General Butler, regarding it
as a strong position, resolved to attempt to carry it by assault,




ï~~96         Butler's Troops Falling Fast.
and was in the act of directing the advance when he received
a wound which compelled him to halt. Colonel Mitchell,
First Ohio, and his adjutant, Lieutenant Armstrong, were
wounded at the same time. General Butler's troops were
falling fast under the converging fires of the three different
batteries that swept the intervening space over which the
men must pass. He had not previously discovered that the
enemy's work was defended by a heavy infantry force, firing
from crenelated walls and the azoteas of surrounding houses.
Under these circumstances he advised the withdrawal of the
troops to a less exposed position and relinquished the command to Brigadier-General Hamer. Fragments of various
regiments were under cover of the Teneria and buildings
near it, and the batteries of Bragg and Ridgely were placed
in it, but an incessant fire was kept up against them from the
Rincon-del-Diablo, from other works on its right, and from
the citadel, on all approaches to it. General Twiggs, although quite unwell, joined at this time and caused the captured artillery, served by Ridgely, to be brought to bear
against No. 3 until Captain Webster came up with the 24 -pound howitzer.
In the meantime General Taylor directed all the men that
could be collected of the First, Third and Fourth Infantry
and the Baltimore Battalion to enter the town, penetrate to
the right and capture the Rincon-del-Diablo if possible.
This command, under Lieutenant-Colonel Garland, advanced
to the right several hundred yards beyond the Purisima)
Bridge, and finding it impossible to gain the rear of
No. 3, a portion of it remained under a terrible fire for
some time in their advanced position, but failing to make any
permanent impression at that point the command, including
Ridgely's battery which had joined it, was withdrawn to No. 2.
Garland's command, in this move, after forcing several barricades in streets raked by artillery in the tete-de-pont of the
Purisima, found themselves under musketry fire, the hostile
infantry being on house-tops, behind garden walls and terraces, or stationed along the parapet of the tete-de-pont and
along a low wall extending on the southern bank of the
rivulet. The men in some confusion, commands being
mingled, passed beyond, not over, the Purisima Bridge, and




ï~~Americag. a! a Disadvantage.

97

entered yards of houses on the street next the stream, driving the Mexicans from adjacent buildings. With such spirit,
intermingled and broken as they were, did they contend that
the Battalion of Aguas Calientes was sent by Ampudia to reinforce his line at this point. Ridgely used a section of his
battery, but his fire was not effective against heavier guns in
position.
In this struggle, under marked disadvantages to the Americans, much courage was shown, and many valuable officers
and men of unquestioned courage and some of a high order of
ability were killed or wounded. Of the number Major Lear,
commanding the Third Infantry, Capt. L. M. Morris succeeding to the command of the regiment, and Second Lieut. Robert Hazlitt, while endeavoring to place his commanding officer
under shelter, were mortally wounded; Second Lieut. G. P.
Field, Brevet Maj. P. N. Barbour, First Lieut. and Adjt.
D. S. Irwin, all of the Third, killed; Capt. Henry Bainbridge, of the Third, slightly wounded. In the Fourth Infantry Lieut. Charles Hoskins, adjutant, was killed, an officer
deeply regretted by his regiment, as well as by those of other
commands who knew him; Bvt. First Lieut. James S. Woods,
Second Infantry, serving with the Fourth, killed. It was
after such losses and the impracticability demonstrated of
getting in rear of No. 3 that Garland's command retired upon
No. 2.
While Garland was engaged near the Purisima Bridge the
Mexican cavalry (M. C.), the Third and Seventh Regiments,
commanded by General Garcia Conde, were seen approaching
from the direction of the citadel. Bragg galloped with his
battery (B'b) to a suitable position, and after several discharges the enemy was brought to a halt. Capt. Albert S.
Miller's company, First Infantry, was actively employed in
driving the enemy from hedges and stone fences near No. 2,
and having succeeded with considerable loss, he then took
command of what remained of Companies C, E, and G of his
regiment, and accompanied by Lieut. Schuyler Hamilton as
adjutant, Major Abercrombie and Adjt. John C. Terrett being
both wounded, moved to aid (CE G) and support Bragg in repelling the threatened attack of lancers. After a few discharges
from Bragg's gun" and the appearance of the infantry they




ï~~98

The Diversion Successful.

fell back. These companies of the First Infantry subsequently operated with Hamer's brigade in the suburbs of the
town until near night.
The Mexican lancers had previously charged upon the
Ohio and a part of the Mississippi Rifles at a distance from
the edge of the town, near some fields, but were repulsed with
considerable loss. A display of cavalry(M. C.) made on the opposite side of the river was driven off by Ridgely's battery,(R. B") and retired into the city. At dusk all the troops
engaged returned to camp, except Ridgely's battery and the
regular infantry of Twiggs' division, which remained as a
guard for No. 2 during the night, Garland being in command.
A battalion of the First Kentucky reinforced this command,
intrenching tools were brought up and the works strengthened
during the night under the direction of Lieut. J. M. Scarritt,
of the engineers.
When the volunteers moved forward they were under a
heavy artillery fire, and one shot from the citadel killed nine
Tennesseeans. Quitman inclined further to the left than the
troops preceding him, and, coming within musket range,
formed line; the Mississippians on the right and confronting
No. 2, the Tennesseeans on the left, the advance preceded by
four companies of the Fourth Infantry, who were terribly cut
up by the first fire. When in close range there was a halt for
a few minutes. The two regiments opened fire, and soon
charging at full speed carried the work with a rush, not halting until a large house in rear was captured and a portion of
the enemy chased across a small stream in rear and others
back into the Rincon-del-Diablo.(3) In this spirited charge
Lient. -Col. A. K. McClung, of the Mississippi Rifles, was
severely wounded and the horse of General Quitman was
killed.
The main object proposed in the movement was effected.
A powerful diversion had been made to favor the operations
of Worth's command on the Saltillo road. One of the advanced works of the enemy had been aried, and Taylor's
forces had secured a strong foothold in the town. The order
to Colonel Garland was to " make a strong demonstration and
to carry one of the enemy's advance woksif it could be done
without too heavy a loss."  General Taylg aon gave per



ï~~The Enemy' s Advanced Work Carried.

99

sonal direction to this demonstration. The most advanced
work just at the outer edge of the city had been taken with
its five guns and thirty prisoners, three being officers. This
outer work, abandoned at one time by the Mexicans and partly
destroyed, and then restored and reoccupied the night before the attack, had been captured with the loss to the regular army in officers, as above stated, and of volunteers Lieutenant-Colonel Watson, Baltimore and Washington battalion;
Capt. William B. Allen and Lieut. Silas M. Putnam, First
Tennessee, Lieut. Matthew Hett, First Ohio, killed. The
mortally wounded, regulars and volunteers, were Maj. W. W.
Lear, Third Infantry, and Lieut. Richard Hill Graham, Fourth
Infantry. The slightly and seriously wounded were General
Butler, Major Abercrombie, Major Mansfield, Captain La
Motte, Lieutenant-Colonel McClung, Mississippi Rifles; Colonel Mitchell, First Ohio, and his adjutant, Lieut. A. W.
Armstrong. Total killed and wounded, 394.
On the Mexican side General Mejia was charged with the
defense of the part of the line attacked by Twiggs' and Butler's commands, extending from the Teneria, No. 2, to the
Purisima Bridge.(p)  Describing the struggle at these advance points on this part of their lines, the Mexicans say:
"There broke forth to the northeast a vivid flash of musketry and artillery on the points of the line of General Mejia.
A rude, sustained and desperate shock took place in the redoubt of the Teneria, whose limited garrison, with only four
guns, was multiplied by their glowing heroism. The attacks
were renewed. The impulse of the invaders was vehement.
The general-in-cheif sent the Third Light to reinforce us.
The enemy came up close to the work; we now had not one
cartridge for the cannon. An assault was evident; our reinforcements had come; an order was sent to the lieutenantcolonel of the Third Light to sally forth and charge the
enemy. This order, it is reported, was cheered by the
troops, but it was not obeyed. The lieutenant-colonel instead of obeying the order rushed out through the gorge of
the work, plunged into the river and fled, followed by cries
of scorn and indignation. It was the desertion of this officer
that led to the capture of the Teneria. The little garrison,
with the exception of thirty men, retreated to the Rincon-del-. *.  **
*  C




ï~~100

A Word For The Mexican Heroine.

Diablo,(8) Devil's Corner, within musket range of the Teneria,
and there fought courageously, as Taylor's troops can bear
witness."  Distinguished among the Mexican officers on this
part of their line, and referred to in terms of highest praise,
were Lieut.-Col. D. Calisto Bravo and Captain Arenal, of the
artillery.
The stubborn contest was revived at the bridge of the Purisima,* under the immediate presence of General Mejia; it
was, to use their own language, " tenaciously prolonged with
great carnage," and as shown by our official reports, so well
had the Mexican engineer officers planned their system of
defensive works, that General Taylor's troops were subjected to direct and flank fires both of artillery and musketry
as they advanced, and at the Purisima were arrested and
forced to retire with the loss of valuable officers and men.
[During the battle of Monterey, as in other rencounters
between the invading and defending forces, the Mexican
women were by no means idle spectators, but like the heroines of ancient Greece and Rome and modern Spain and
France, aided and encouraged their compatriots, and on occasions when fathers, husbands, and lovers fell, took their
places, manned the guns and wielded lance and sabre. One
young girl, rich, beautiful, and of distinguished lineage,
Seniorita Zozaya, compared by native authors to the beautiful deities of pagan mythology, took an active part, now on
the azoteas, now at the batteries, everywhere encouraging
and aiding the soldiers, and like the maid of Zaragossa, proving herself aid, avenger, consoler.]
As already stated, General Worth reached the Saltillo road
with but slight opposition, and to favor movements made by
him, regarded as important, the demonstration above described was made. The first of the works approached by
Worth was the Loma de Federacion; the second, El Soldado,
they being about 6oo yards apart.
At 12 m. a force was detached under Capt. C. F. Smith,
Second Artillery, with orders to assault the nearest work,
* Immediately at the bridge of Purisima were 3,000 soldiers of Agnas Calientes and Queretaro, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel
Ferro, and commander of Battalion D. Jose Maria Herrera; D. Patricio Gutierrez commanded the artillery.




ï~~4




ï~~PERSIFOR F. SMITH,
BRIGADIER GENERAL, U. S. A.
BORN IN PENNSYLVANIA.--~APPOINTED FROM LOUISIANA,




ï~~~Sodado (1?t(7-PedeCW4'ofl (irried.  10

101

Federacion, and this having succumbed, to storm Soldado;
these being carried, there would yet remain the Loma
de Independencia to be taken. Smith's command was composed of four companies, two of the Third Artillery and two
of the Fourth Artillery, and Green's, McCown's, Gillaspie's,
Chandler's, Balowe's, and McCulloch's companies of Texas
Riflemen under Maj. Michael H. Chevallie acting in co-operation, in all about 300 effective men. On approaching the
base of the mountain, the guns of both batteries opened a
plunging fire, and numerous light troops were seen descending and arranging themselves at favorable points on the
slopes.
Perceiving these indications of determined resistance, Captain Miles, Seventh Infantry, was detached with that regiment to support the First Infantry, and in a short time the
fire became general, the enemy gradually yielding and retiring up the rugged declivity, and our men as steadily pursuing. The appearance of heavy Mexican reinforcements on
the summit, and the importance of the operations, induced
General Worth to order forward the Fifth Infantry under
Maj. Martin Scott, and Blanchard's company of volunteers,
accompanied by Brigadier-General Smith, who was instructed
to take command in that qtarter. On reaching the advance
parties General Smith discovered that, under favor of the
ground, he could by directing a portion of the force to the
right and moving it obliquely up the hill carry Soldado, sim-4
ultaneously with the Federacion. He accordingly very judiciously moved and accompanied the Fifth and Seventh Regi"
ments and Blanchard's company in that direction.
Capt. C. F. Smith's command having most gallantly carried the first position, Federacion, promptly turned the captured gun (a 9-pounder) upon the second, and moved on with
his main body to participate in the assault upon Soldado,
which was carried in gallant style by the forces under Scott,
Miles, Blanchard, and Hays. The latter had been detached
on special service, but returned in time to share with fifty of
his men in the first assault, and to take a prominent part in
the second, the whole directed by Gen. Persifor Smith. At
this point another 9-pounder was secured, and immediately
both pieces were brought to bear upon the Bishop's Palace,




ï~~102

Night Suspends Operations.

midway the southern slope of the hill Independencia and
north of the Saltillo road, a valley of about 6oo yards in width
intervening. A violent rain setting in, and night approaching, operations were suspended; the men had been thirty-six
hours without food and actively engaged, and such rest as
could be had in a rainy night, without cover was sought until 3 a. m. of the 22d.
The operations of Worth against both positions were successful and with but little loss, the only officer killed being
Captain McKavett, Eighth Infantry. The heights had been
imperfectly fortified and the works had but one gun each.
Experience shows that heights are generally carried without
entailing heavy losses.
The Mexicans devote but little space in their history to the
capture of these positions, saying: " The Americans, masters
of the Saltillo road, now launched rapidly upon the feeble
detachments situated on the hills fronting the Obispado.
They gained two pieces and waved their victorious flag over
the small fort of the Federacion."
Offensive movements by Worth began at 3 a. m. of the 22d
under Brevet-Colonel Childs, First Artillery, in command of
three artillery companies-two of the Fourth and one of the
Third-and three companies of the Eighth Infantry under
Captain R. B. Screven, with 200 Texas riflemen under Colonel Hays and Lieut.-Col. S. H. Walker (captain subsequently
of Mounted Rifles), conducted to the point of attack by Capt.
John Sanders, of the engineers, and Lieut. George G. Meade,
Topographical Engineers. Under cover of the night, this
command by daybreak arrived within about Ioo yards of the
crest, where, among clefts of rocks, the enemy was encountered, but retreated, delivering a weak fire, which was not
returned until Colonels Childs and Hays had ascended to
within a few yards of the summit. A well-delivered and destructive fire, followed by the bayonet of the regulars and the
rush of the Texans, gave Childs possession of the work, the
cannon having been previously withdrawn.
No impression could be made upon the massive walls of the
palace or its outworks without artillery. Lieut. John F.
Roland, of Duncan's battery, was ordered from the main
camp with a 12-pound howitzer, and in two hours, aided by




ï~~The Obispado Captured.

103

fifty men of the Line, under Captain Sanders, of the engineers, that enterprising officer had his guns in position,
having ascended a rugged and steep acclivity between 700
and Soo feet. A fire was immediately opened from the howitzer upon the palace and its outworks, 400 yards distant, and
soon produced a visible sensation. Meanwhile, to reinforce
the position, the Fifth Infantry, Maj. Martin Scott, and
Blanchard's company of volunteers had been passed from the
first heights, Federacion, and reached the second in time to
participate in the operations against the Bishop's Palace.
Upon this point, the capture of the Bishop's Palace, General Worth states: " Lieutenant-Colonel Childs had advanced
under cover two companies of light troops, commanded by
Capt. John R. Vinton, acting major, and had judiciously
drawn up the main body of his command, flanked on the
right by Hays' and on the left by Walker's Texans. The
enemy advanced boldly; was repulsed by one general discharge of all arms; fled in confusion, closely pressed by
Childs and Hays, preceded by the light troops of Vinton, and
while they fled past our troops entered the palace and fort.
The captured guns, one 6-inch howitzer, one 1 2 and two 9 -pounders, brass guns, together with Duncan's and Mackall's
field batteries which came up at a gallop, were in full and
active play upon the retiring and confused masses that filled
the streets (of which we had the prolongation) leading to the
nearest plaza, also crowded with troops. At this moment the
enemy's loss was heavy. The investment was now complete."         /
The Mexican account of this affair is as follows: "The
Americans at dawn of the 22d reached the west peak of the
highest mountain of the Obispado, surprising seventy men of
the Fourth Light, who defended it against the predictions
and assurances of General Garcia Conde, who had insisted
it was inaccessible. The enemy brought up artillery and
opened fire from this point and that of the Federacion upon
the work of the Obispado, which Lieut. -Col. D. Francisco
Berra defended with 200 men and three pieces. The commander sent some guerrillas to proceed beyond the works and
check the enemy. * * * Our guerrillas finally repelled
the enemy, aided by a small reinforcemnt of fifty cavalrymen,




ï~~104

1&racts from Wexican isory.

whom General Torrejon commanded. The Americans with
intrepidity detached three columns upon the disputed work
and charged with confidence, while ours, overpowered by
numbers, fell back in disorder."
In continuation the Mexicans say: " It was 4 o'clock in the
afternoon when the Americans, in high spirits, approached
the work (Bishop's Palace). The soldiers (Mexicans) in their
hurry, full of fright, descended and penetrated to the interior
of the place, spreading terror, when a tardy reinforcement,
the Battalion of Sappers and the First of the Line, was sent
to the Obispado. Our communication with Saltillo remained
then absolutely cut off."
With Twiggs' division in the lower part of the city, the 22d
passed without active operations. Guns from the citadel, as
well as from other Mexican works, fired during the day at
parties exposed within range and at the works occupied by
the United States forces. The guard left in the Teneria the
night of the 21st, except Ridgely's battery, was relieved at
mid-day by Quitman's brigade. Bragg's battery was placed
under cover in front to repel any demonstration of cavalry in
that quarter.
The brigade of Quitman, as it moved to the front to take
post in the Teneria, was exposed to a severe fire of artillery
for a short distance from works still in possession of the
enemy on that side of the city, and also to a flank and rear
fire from the citadel. Quitman planned an assault of the
works confronting him, but when his attention was called to a
body of 1,500 Mexicans in line in front, his own force being
but little over half of that, he did not risk it. During the
night of the 22d he sent out scouts to approach as near the
Mexican works as possible, but at break of day it was discovered that the enemy had evacuated El Diablo, which was
soon after occupied by a portion of the Mississippi Rifles,
under Colonel Davis, and a part of the Tennessee Regiment,
under Lieutenant-Colonel Anderson.
Another Mexican4 work, called in Quitman's report a
half moon, a triangular redoubt, was to his right and front
and connected with heavy stone buildings and walls. He
asked and received permission to advance and attack it. A
lieutenant with a small party led off, reinforced by one com



ï~~EZ Diablo Abandoned.

108

pany, followed soon by Colonel Davis with two companies of
his own and two from the Tennessee regiment. This work
had also been abandoned, but was found to be exposed to fire
from walls, as well as from heavy stone buildings in rear. The
men were posted with a view to protection, and further orders
awaited. All attempts to reconnoitre attracted the fire of infantry from house tops or from walls that had been loopholed.
Reinforcements were sent Quitman, and a brisk fire began on
both sides, the most annoying coming from the roof of alarge
house on the left. The action soon became lively and general, all of Quitman's brigade, except a detachment left in
Teneria, taking part. The fighting consisted in entering
houses by digging through the walls, then mounting to the
roofs and opening fire. The enemy was made to yield gradually, and after an hour's contest a detachment of Texans,
under General Henderson, joined Quitman. Buildings and
streets were successively occupied without much loss. In
five hours the troops had penetrated to within a square of the
grand plaza. Ammunition being nearly exhausted, active
operations were suspended until the effect of the artillery
brought to the front could be determined. The defensive
works of the enemy near the plaza being such as to resist effectually the fire of our light guns, the men were ordered to
retire slowly to the work,3 which had been abandoned by
the Mexicans during the night.
In reference to the withdrawal of the Mexicans to their interior line the night of the 22d their historians say: "Our
communications with Saltillo being cut, a silent fear preceding defeat was the result. This feeling, with few exceptions,
pervaded the officers. Ampudia himself was affected. This
apprehension increased. Finally an order was given to withdraw to the interior line, abandoning all the more advanced
works east and west, preserving only a few to the south, on
the bank of the river, at seventy yards from the plaza. The
withdrawal was executed at ii o'clock at night in the midst
of a noisy confusion, arising from the troops refusing to abandon their positions without fighting. Grumbling and discontent were openly shown, military morale suffering from it in
a manner beyond description. One hundred and fifty men
remained in advance on the west and in the approaches to the




ï~~106

Extract From Worth' s -eport.

Obispado and five hundred garrisoned the citadel under Colonel Uraga."
General Worth during the night of the 22d had made preparations for assaulting the city the next morning. In his
official report he says: " About io a. m. on the 23d a heavy
fire was heard in the opposite quarter. Its magnitude and
continuance, as well as other circumstances, did not permit a
doubt that the General was conducting a main attack, and
that his orders for my co-operation having to travel a circuit
of six miles, had miscarried or failed to reach me by means
of the numerous cavalry of the enemy. Under these convictions the troops were instantly ordered to commence opcations which, if not otherwise directed, I had designed to execute in part under favor of the night.
"Two columns of attack were organized to move along the
two principal streets leading from our position in direction of
the grand plaza, composed of light troops slightly extended,
with orders to mask the move whenever practicable, avoid
those points swept by the enemy's artillery, press on to the
first plaza, San Antonio, get hold of the ends of the streets
beyond, enter the buildings, and by means of picks and bars
break through the longitudinal section of the walls, work
from house to house and ascending to the roofs to place themselves upon the same breast height with the enemy.
" Light artillery by sections and pieces under Duncan, Roland, Mackall, Martin, Hays, and Curd followed at suitable
intervals, covered by reserves to guard the pieces and the
whole operation against the probable enterprise of cavalry
upon our left. This was effectually done by seizing and commanding the head of every cross-street. Streets were at different and well chosen points barricaded by heavy masonry
walls, with embrasures for one or more guns, and in every
instance well supported by cross-batteries.
" These arrangements of defense gave to our operations a
complicated character, demanding much care and precaution,
but the work went steadily on, simultaneously and successfully. About the time our assault commenced the fire ceased
from our force in the opposite quarter. Disengaged on the
one side, the enemy was enabled to shift men and guns to our
quarter, as was soon manifested by accumulation of fire. At




ï~~


ï~~4h

CAPTURE OF MONTEREY.
SEPTEMBER 21sT. 1846.




ï~~Capture of the City of Monterey.

107

dark we had worked through the walls and squares and
reached to within one block of the Grand Plaza, leaving a
covered way.n our rear; carried a large building, which
towered over the principal defenses, and during the night and
ensuing morning crowned the roof with two howitzers and a
6-pounder. All things were now ready to renew the assault
at dawn, when a flag was sent in asking a momentary suspension of fire, which led to the capitulation upon terms so
honorable to our arms.
" As the columns of attack were moving from the Bishop's
Palace, Major Munroe, chief of the artillery, arrived with a
xo-inch mortar, which was immediately advanced to the
Plaza de Capilla, put in position, masked by the church wall,
its bed adjusted as rapidly as possible, and by sunset opened
upon the Grand Plaza. At this period our troops had worked
to within one square of the Plaza. The exact position of our
cpmrades on the opposite side was not known, and the distance to be assailed from the bomb battery but conjectural;
8oo yards was assumed, and fuse and charge regulated accordingly. The first shell fell a little short of the point on
which it was directed, and beside our troops. A slight increase of the projecting charge gave exact results."
In reference to the operations of the 23d, the Mexicans
say: " Early in the morning of the 2 3d it was supposed that
the enemy's force, situated in the mountain of the Obispado,
had been considerably reinforced with infantry and artillery,
occupying the Quinta-de-Arista, Campo Santo and other contiguous positions. At the points we abandoned in the night,
in the midst of frightful disorder, soldiers might be seen still
remaining, through carelessness or laziness, drunk, discharging their pieces in the air, committing excesses, and giving a
clear idea of the want of concert which prevailed. We
labored with eager anxiety on the works undertaken, topping
roofs of houses with sand bags and loop-holed those bearing
upon the approaches to the central part of the city. By ii
a. m. the enemy had reached with his musketry to within a
short distance of the main Plaza." They represented the
attack as ceasing at 1:30 p. m. to be renewed at 5:30 with
great violence, and only ceasing near dark.




ï~~108       A mpud a    ommunicaes With      Taylor.
At 3 a. m. on the 24th General Ampudia addressed the following communication to General Taylor:
HEADQUARTERS, MONTEREY,
SEPTEMBER 23, r846-9 o'clock p. m.
GENERAL: As I have made all 'he defense of which I believe this
city capable, I have fulfilled my obligation, and done all required by
that military honor which to a certain degree is common to all armies
of the civilized world, and as a continuance of the defense would only
bring upon the population distresses to which they have already been
sufficiently subjected by the evils consequent upon war, and believing
that the American Government will appreciate these sentiments, I
propose to Your Excellency to evacuate the city and citadel, taking
with me the personnel and material of war which is left, and under
the assurance that no prosecution shall be undertaken against the
citizens who have participated in the defense. Be pleased to accept
the assurance of my most distinguished consideration.
PEDRO DE AMPUDIA.
Senor DoN Z. TAYLOR,
General-in- Chief of the American Army.
To which General Taylor replied as follows:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY of OCCUPATION,
CAMP BEFORE MONTEREY, September 24, r846---7 a. m.
Your communication bearing date 9 o'clock p. m. of the 23d has
just been received by the hands of Colonel Moreno. In answer to
your proposition to evacuate the city and fort with all the personnel
and material of war, I have to state that my duty compels me to decline acceding to it. A complete surrender of the town and garrison,
the latter as prisoners of war, is now demanded. But such surrender
will be upon terms; and the gallant defense of the place, creditable
alike to the Mexican troops and nation, will prompt me to make
those terms as liberal as possible. The garrison will be allowed, at
your option, after laying down its arms, to retire to the interior, on
condition of not serving again during the war, or until regularly exchanged. I need hardly say that the rights of non-combatants will
be respected. An answer to this communication is required by I2
m. If you assent to an accommodation, an officer will be despatched
at once under instructions to arrange conditions.
I am, sir, respectfully, your obedient servant,
Z. TAYLOR,
Major-General U. S. A. Commanding.
Senor DoN PEDRO AMPUDIA,
General-in-Chief Monterey.




ï~~The Capitulation.

109

It was arranged at the interview between General Taylor
and Colonel Moreno that there should be a cessation of fire
until 12 o' clock, at which hour the former would receive
the answer of the Mexican General at General Worth's headquarters, to which he soon repaired. "In the meantime,"
says General Taylor, " Ampudia had signified to General
Worth his desire for a personal interview with me, to which I
acceded, and which finally resulted in a capitulation, placing
the town and material of war, with certain exceptions, in our
possession." The terms were, briefly, the Mexican army to
retire, the infantry and cavalry carrying their arms and accoutrements, but the artillery to retain one field battery, not
to exceed six pieces, with twenty-four rounds of ammunition.
The Mexican flag, when struck at the citadel, to be saluted
by its own battery.
In addition, it was agreed that the Mexican armed forces
should retire within seven days from date beyond the line
formed by the Pass of the Rinconado, the city of Linares, and
San Fernando de Presas, and that the forces of the United
States were not to advance beyond this specified line before
the expiration of eight weeks, or until the orders or instructions of the respective Governments be received. It was
further agreed that all doubts as to the meaning of any of the
preceding articles should be determined by an equitable construction and on principles of liberality to the retiring army..
Upon occupying the city it was found to be of great
strength in itself, with approaches carefully and strongly
fortified. The town and works were armed with forty-two
pieces of cannon, well supplied with ammunition and manned
with a force of at least 7,000 troops of the Line and from 2,000
to 3,000 irregulars. The force under General Taylor before
Monterey, as shown by the returns, was 425 officers and 6,225
men; aggregate, 6,65o. The artillery consisted of one xoinch mortar, two 24-pound howitzers, and four light field batteries of four guns each, the mortar being the only piece
suited to the operations of a siege.
His loss was i 2 officers and io8 men killed, 31 officers and
337 men wounded; aggregate, 488. The loss of the enemy
is not accurately known, but it is believed to have been
heavy. Major Lear, of the Third Infantry, Captain Williams,




ï~~110

Taylor's Wounded and Killed.

Topographical Engineers, and Lieutenants Graham, of the
Fourth and Terrett of the First Infantry, and many soldiers
died of their wounds soon after the battle. The proportion
of killed to wounded was unusually large.
Upon the subject of the capitulation, under date of September 25th, General Taylor wrote to the War Department
as follows: " It will be seen that the terms granted the
Mexican garrison are less rigorous than those first imposed.
The gallant defense of the town, and the fact of a recent
change of Government in Mexico, believed to be favorable
to peace, induced me to concur with the commission in these
terms, which will, I trust, receive the approval of the Government. The latter consideration also prompted the convention for a temporary cessation of hostilities. Though scarcely
warranted by my instructions, yet the change of affairs since
those instructions were issued seemed to justify this course."
Monterey was not invested by General Taylor's army;
there remained two roads yet open to the enemy by which he
could retire. Had it been the purpose of the Government to
order General Taylor to move at once upon San Luis Potosi
he could not have made the needful preparations within the
specified time-eight weeks' suspension of active operationsand the difficulties attending said movement, even with ample
transportation, were such as would hardly have warranted the
attempt.
PART SECOND.
MY JOURNEY TO MONTEREY.
The Battle of Monterey had been fought just one month
when I joined the Fourth Infantry, October 23, I1846, as a
brevet second lieutenant. That regiment at the time was encamped near Walnut Springs, three miles north of Monterey.
I had given myself ample time, as was supposed, to join it by
September 3oth, the expiration of my leave of absence.
Arriving at Memphis, I descended the Mississippi River by
boat to New Orleans, was detained there several days waiting
for a steamer for Brazos Santiago, and sailed from New Orleans on the steamer Sea, Captain Deshon. Among the halfdozen passengers on board were Lieut. William M. Gardner,




ï~~Personal Reminiscences.

111

of Georgia, a West Point classmate, like myself, under
orders to join his regiment in Mexico, and Maj. Alfred H.
Colquitt, of Georgia, a newly-appointed paymaster, en route
to report to General Taylor. The first mentioned was subsequently severely wounded in the battle of Churubusco, and
again in the " late war " in the battle of the First Bull Run,
where he was a field officer of a Confederate Georgia regiment. The latter served on the staff of General Taylor at
Beuna Vista, was a Confederate brigadier general, Governor
of his native State, Georgia, and is at present a distinguished
United States Senator.
We were fortunately favored with good weather and had an
unruffled sea. We ran close in along Galveston Island; no
houses were seen where the present pretty city of that
name now stands. The coast was low, level, monotonous
and uninteresting to the eye. Entered Matagorda Bay
through the Paso de Cavallo and ran up to Port La Vaca, the
base from which Wool's column marched for the invasion of
New Mexico, and on landing found a train of wagons being
loaded for San Antonio. Capt. James R. Irwin, assistant
quartermaster, in charge of the depot at this point, was a
graduate of the Military Academy, had been adjutant of his
regiment, the First Artillery, and brevetted captain for the
action at Fort Drane, Florida, August 21, 1836. He was chief
quartermaster of the army commanded by General Scott, and
was distinguished in the battle of Chapultepec and for the
energy and ability displayed in the management of his department. Assistant Surgeon W. L. Wharton was sick at La
Vaca and never recovered, dying October 4, 1846. There
were several newly-made houses at this place, but none
where the present town of Indianola stands.
The steamer next passed into Corpus Christi Bay through
Aransas Pass and landed against the wharf at St. Joseph's
Island, several hundred yards inside the Pass. On St.
Joseph's Island was a general hospital in which were a
few sick, still some of the Palo Alto and Resaca wounded.
Several one-legged soldiers were seen hobbling about with
crutches. Early in the morning I left the boat, strolled along
the beach, strewn with beautiful shells of every color, size
and form. Since the army under General Taylor encamped




ï~~112

Personal Reminiscences.

at Corpus Christi the newspapers had been filled with letters
describing the wild country, its advantages and drawbacks,
pleasures and annoyances; among the latter being the scorpions and tarantulas, frequently seen in the officers' tents, reinforced by centipeds, alacrans and an occasional rattlesnake,
all even more abundant on the Rio Grande.
When near camp we encountered some creatures that we
mistook for tarantulas, with shell backs, circular and slightly
convex, bodies an inch from the ground, supported by numberless legs, enabling them to move backward or forward,
right or left, and on their backs two vertical cylindrical stems
an inch high, on the ends of which were their eyes. We
moved back, they ran forward, we jumped on a large box,
and a soldier near came up and asked, saluting us: " What is
the trouble? " "Tarantulas," we said. "Where?" "There!"
pointing to the friendly little beasts. He smiled and said:
" The lieutenants need have no fear; those are only fiddlers and perfectly harmless." Lieutenant Gardner and I
walked several miles on the beach and returned over the
prairie, seeing any number of deer, but not a tree or bush of
any kind.
Steaming south along the coast the following morning, the
captain, it being cloudy, ordered the lead to 'be thrown, and
when a sailor had used it several times I asked if we were in
shallow water. " No," he replied, " but we can make no observations, and I sound to determine how far we are from the
shore." The depth of water, a fact mentioned by Humboldt,
varies in a regular manner, increasing in a certain ratio, and
the depth gives the distance from land.
At Brazos sailing vessels were anchored outside and some
within the bar unloading, the freight being then taken on
steamers to the mouth of the Rio Grande, nine miles south,
and over the bar to be landed on shore, then to be reshipped
on river boats to Matamoros and Camargo. At Brazos, lying
on the sand and exposed to the sun, we saw a number of
sick, one of whom was a West Point classmate, all terribly
emaciated and unfit for duty. They were to be taken on board
the steamer Sea to New Orleans. Walked from the Brazos to
the mouth of the Rio Grande; found there a large wagon
train being loaded with subsistence stores, also a river




ï~~Personal Reminiscences.

118

steamer, on which we took passage for Camargo, and arrived
at Matamoros the following morning. Here, the first Mexican town seen, we found the stores open and the citizens,
mostly Mexicans, moving about attending to their business
as though there was no war. We were two days making the
trip to Camargo, and on our arrival heard that a severe battle
had been fought at Monterey, that Taylor had been successful, though no details were known.
Maj.-Gen. Robert Patterson, in command on the Rio
Grande, had his headquarters at Camargo, and near it were
encamped the volunteer brigades of Brigadier-Generals Pillow and Marshall; Lieutenant Kane, Second Dragoons, was
the civil and military Governor of the town. Major McCall
was on duty with General Patterson as adjutant-general, and
at this point were stationed various officers of the general
staff, it being the base from which all reinforcements and
supplies for Taylor's army were forwarded.
The depot commissary at Camargo was Lient. Forbes Britton, of the Seventh Infantry, a graduate of the Military
Academy of the year 1834, and as well known and universally esteemed as any officer of the army of his rank. Of
splendid physique, he had a wonderful capacity for work, and
was inimitable as a raconteur.
The second day after our arrival at Camargo, the Hon.
Baillie Peyton, of Tennessee, and Mr. George W. Kendall,
editor of the New Orleans Picayune, arrived direct from Monterey; the former had served on the staff of General Taylor
as volunteer aid-de-camp; the latter had marched from
Santa Fe to the City of Mexico as prisoner, and in a book
written after his return to the United States, gives an interesting account of his capture, his march to the Mexican
capital and detention as prisoner in the Castle of Perote.
From these gentlemen previous reports of the battle were
confirmed, and further details given, proving it to have been
a bloody affair, at least for one portion of the regular army,
of which many officers were killed and wounded.
While detained at Camargo I saw what was reported at the
time in the newspapers as General Pillow's fortifications, with
the ditch on the inside. Being recently from West Point,
with our minds full of what the text books prescribed in such




ï~~114

Personal Reminiscences.

cases, I and my classmates were greatly amused, and one,
Lieut. James Stuart, of South Carolina, mounted on a Texas
mustang, and riding at a fast gallop, leaped both parapet and
ditch. Probably General Pillow had nothing to do with their
construction; and that he should have been so credited, was
due possibly to some active newspaper correspondent.
After a delay of two weeks at Camargo a command consisting of a detachment of recruits for the regular army, under Capt. E. K. Smith, Fifth Infantry, and Capt. Francis
Taylor's battery, First Artillery, marched for Monterey October 13th, and after a short march of nine miles, bivouacked
for the night near the Rio Grande. Most of the officers with
the recruits were young graduates, and with the command
was Paymaster Dashiel, having a large amount of funds for
payment of the troops under General Taylor.
It was very dusty and hot at Camargo, and it was therefore
a great relief to leave it and be on the road, en route for Monterey, 150 miles in the interior. The second day's march
over a good foad brought us to the town of Mier, twenty-five
miles from Camargo, no houses being seen between these
two towns. The latter was rather a pretty little place, famous in Texas history as the tragic scene of the capture and
cruel treatment of the soldiers of the memorable Mier expedition. The next day the road was good and slightly ascending, and after a march of sixteen miles camp was
reached early in the afternoon. Near by was a clear, running stream (Chicharon) and wood in abundance; only one
house seen, the Casa Blanca, several miles from the road on
an eminence to the right and then unoccupied. The following day after a march of sixteen miles the command encamped at Punta Auguda, and after a like march we reached
Cerralvo, half way between Camargo and Monterey.
This was a small though pretty place, Lombardy poplars
shading the streets through which water flowed in a number
of acequias, and was garrisoned by companies of Col. G. W.
Morgan's regiment of Ohio volunteers under Lieut.-Col.
William Irvin, a graduate of West Point. Five days more
marching and the command arrived at Walnut Springs, having been ten days from Camargo, though the troops were in
a better condition than when they began the march. This




ï~~Personal Reminiscences.

115

was my first practical experience as a soldier; there were no
real discomforts, nor was I fatigued at any time during the
i5o miles march. A portion of the recruits and young graduates were assigned to regiments encamped at this place;
the remainder continued on into Monterey, and joined regiments of Worth's division quartered there.
Walnut Springs are in a slight depression; their waters rise
to the surface in considerable volume, flow off rapidly in a
shallow, narrow bed, and near them the headquarter tents of
General Taylor were pitched. The Third and Fourth and
four or five companies of the First Infantry, with Bragg's
battery of the Third Artillery, were encamped within three
or four hundred yards, while the Second Regiment of Dragoons
was over a half mile, and the volunteer brigades of Quitman
and Hamer a full mile below. The troops were in a healthy
location, with an abundant supply of good water and wood,
the Sierra Madre Mountains looming up grandly in front,
at the base of which, stretched along the banks of the San
Juan, was the city of Monterey.
The Fourth Infantry, to which I had been assigned, belonged to Garland's brigade of Twiggs' division, and was
commanded at the time by Bvt.-1Iaj. William' M. Graham,
who entered the military academy in 18i3, was twice wounded
in the battle of Withlacooche, October Si, 1836, and for gallantry on that occasion brevetted major. Dr. Madison Mills,
surgeon of the regiment, was appointed assistant surgeon in
1834; First Lieut. Granville O. Haller, appointed in 1839,
was the commissary; First Lieut. Charles Hoskins, a graduate of 1836, and the adjutant, had been killed September 2Zst
in the battle of Monterey, and Second Lieut. John A. Richey,
a graduate of 1845, was then acting adjutant, and Second
Lieut. U. S. Grant, a graduate of r843, was quartermaster.
The regiment, together with the Third Infantry, with which
it was brigaded, had lost heavily in the late battle.
Joining his regiment and being assigned to duty to take his
place among those who are to be his companions and associates in the future, all of whom are his superiors in rank, is
an interesting incident in the military life of the young gradtate. Being well posted in the tactics of the three arms of
service, he is at once competent and efficient in drilling en



ï~~116

Personal Reminiscences.

listed men, either as cavalry, artillery, or infantry, and in
charge of details to construct batteries or field fortifications
he directs with intelligence, due to his familiarity with the
text books in use at the Academy. Subordination, deference, and respect for superior officers have been thoroughly
inculcated during his four years' instruction and training at
West Point, and to the usages of the service he readily adapts
himself.
For mutual convenience in active campaigning, company
officers form messes and the one I was invited to join had
three. Besides myself were First Lieut. Sidney Smith, of
Virginia, appointed in the army in 1839; Second Lieut. Jenks
Beaman, of Vermont, a graduate of 1842, and Second Lieut.
U. S. Grant, of Ohio, a graduate of 1843.
Among the senior officers of the Fourth Infantry at this
time were Capt. and Bvt.-Major R. C. Buchanan, a graduate
of 1830, captain in 1838, brevetted major for gallantry in the
battle of Resaca, where he commanded a battalion of skirmishers, and brigadier-general of regulars in the civil war;
Capt. and Bvt.-Maj. Charles H. Larnard, a graduate of 1831,
captain in 1841, and brevetted major for gallantry in the battles of Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma. He was an officer
of studious habits, fine abilities, great general information,
was intimately associated with Maj. William W. S. Bliss, the
able, distinguished, and accomplished adjutant general on
duty with General Taylor, and was unfortunately accidentally
drowned in Puget's Sound, near Fort Madison, Washington
Territory, March 27, 1854.
Bvt.-Col. John Garland, of the Fourth Infantry, and commpanding the brigade, was appointed lieutenant in 1813, served
with distinction in the Florida Seminole war under General
Worth, was brevetted colonel for gallantry in the battles of
Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma.
The division commander, Brig. -Gen. David E. Twiggs,
entered the army as captain of the Eighth Infantry in 181 2,
at the reorganization of the army was retained as captain of
the Seventh, in 1825 made major of the First Infantry, lieutenant colonel of the Fourth in 1831, colonel of the Second
Dragoons in 1836, and appointed brigadier-general June 3o,
0 46.




ï~~Personal Reminiscences.

11'

Maj. Gen. Zachary Taylor, commander of the Army of Occxpation, entered the service May 3, i 8o8, as first lieutenant
of the Seventh Infantry; made captain in November, x18o;
brevetted major for gallant conduct in defense of Fort Harrison September 5, 1812; promoted to major of Twenty sixth
Infantry I814; commanded in an affair with the British and
Indians near mouth of Rock River August 30, 1814; retained
May, I816, as major of the Third Infantry; lieutenant-colonel
of the Eighth April, I8 9; colonel of the First Infantry April
4, I832, and commanded a brigade (under Brigadier General
Atkinson) in the battle of Badaxe; transferred July, 1843, to
the Sixth Infantry; brevetted brigadier general for distinguished services in the battle of Okeechobee with the Seminole Indians December 25, 1838, and in which he commanded; was promoted to major general June 29, 1846. These
officers, whose military histories have been briefly sketched,
were in my immediate vicinity on active duty in the field,
and had been with the army while encamped at Corpus Christi.
I recall the interest with which I met officers who had been
with their companies and regiments in active field service,
and the marked attention I paid when in conversation they
referred to incidents connected with the battles in which they
had taken part. I esteemed it good fortune that Lieutenants
Smith, Beaman, and Grant, with whom I was most intimately
associated, had been with the army at Corpus Christi, on the
march to the Rio Grande, and in the battles of Palo Alto,
Resaca de la Palma, and Monterey-in the latter where the
battle had been fiercest and most destructive to the Third and
Fourth Infantry. There seemed to be an impression that the
war would terminate with the battle of Monterey, and all who
had seen field service, especially if they had been in battles,
were regarded with high favor.
I remember a day or two after reporting for duty seeing a
superb-looking horse, with arched neck and flowing mane,
pass at a sweeping gallop; his rider, tall and of soldierly
bearing, with long hair and beard, graceful and easy in his
seat, reigned up and dismounted at the headquarters of General Taylor. This was Bvt. Lieut.-Col. Charles A. May, of
the Second Dragoons, the hero of Resaca, and frequently
seen at headquarters. Of the same regiment was Capt. L. P.




ï~~118

Personal Reminiscences.

Graham, who had been in the charge on La Vega, and his
guns at Resaca, and was frequently in our camp. Lieuts. W.
H. Saunders, Phil MacDonald, Fowler Hamilton, Toney
(John H.) Hill, and Dan Rogers, all of the same regiment,
also often visited the Fourth Infantry. The first was clever
and original, a writer of poetry and songs; the second (aid
to General Twiggs) was a great favorite and a fluent writerall boon companions-dashing cavalrymen, as reckless and
peerless a set as ever flashed a sword; they all passed away,
save Graham, while low in rank, to be remembered in their
profession by only a few surviving comrades.
In the Third Infantry, encamped beside the Fourth, were
Lieuts. Don Carlos Buell and George Sykes, the former just
made adjutant in place of Lieut. Douglass S. Irwin, killed in
the battle of Monterey; the latter, commissary. Buell was
frequently seen on horseback, but whether mounted or on
foot, the eye always followed him as he passed, attracted by
his fine soldierly air and a natural and easy dignity of manner. Near the Third Infantry was Bragg's battery, and with
it were George H. Thomas and John F. Reynolds. The tall,
spare form of the first, his large black eyes and heavy brows,
nervous, tremulous voice, attracted notice; and his industry,
attention to duty, and strict regard for discipline, ensured the
efficiency and gallantry subsequently exhibited with such
splendor and success on the field of Buena Vista.
Of the officers whose names have been recalled, and who
were at Walnut Springs when I joined, and others not mentioned, many became in subsequent years greatly distinguished, known and honored in our own country, and, in some
instances, all over the civilized world; of the latter, the most
remarkable career being that of a second lieutenant of infantry. This subaltern, in manners quiet, plain and unobtrusive, of good common sense, with no pretension to genius, or,
as believed at that time, to a high order of talent, but much
esteemed among his immediate associates for kindly disposition and many excellent qualities, eclipsed all contemporaries, rose to the highest grade in the army, commanding
successfully more soldiers than any general of modern times,
and attaining the highest position of general-in-chief, not
through political influence, but, as claimed, for ability dis



ï~~


ï~~t




ï~~Personal Reminiscences.

119

played and victories won on well-contested fields, these giving an irresistible prestige to his name and fame. The hero
of a series of triumphs culminating at Appomattox, and as
distinguished for magnaminity to his opponents as for the
skill and courage with which he had led his conquering troops,
he was borne on the tide of popular favor from the camp to
the White House and made chief of the nation he had served
so ably and faithfully. Re-elected to a second term as President, and even advocated by many prominent citizens for a
third term, he died mourned and regretted by the whole
country, and as sincerely and deeply by those he had confronted on bloody battle-fields as by those he had led to
victory.
A few days after my arrival at Walnut Springs I obtained
permission to be absent from camp and visit Monterey. I
walked, accompanied by Lieut. Sidney Smith, and followed the
line of march of Twiggs' division and Butler's volunteers, to
the point where the io-inch mortar and the 24-pounders were
placed in battery. The citadel or Black Fort, as called by
the United States soldiers, was 1,200 yards off to the right,
and, though not completed, gave evidence of having a competent engineer. The guns from this work had both a flank
and reverse fire on the forces attacking the Teneria, and if
carried by assault would have entailed heavy loss. Though
well located, it had been hastily constructed, as had also the
Teneria and Rincon.
We followed the- line of advance of our troops from these
forts to the Purisima Bridge, and thence to the grand plaza,
where Ampudia's troops, pressed by Worth on one side
and by Quitman on the other, made their final and desperate stand, and, recognizing the strength of a Mexican
town fortified by engineers for defense, we could appreciate
the difficulties and dangers confronting our troops in their
gallant attack, undismayed by a constant artillery fire from
secure cover, and were inspired with admiration for their
courage and nerve. We passed through the suburbs of the
town to the Saltillo road, and ascended the Loma de Independencia, a steep height to the right, up the rough surface of
which Child's assaulting party, having taken position under
cover of the night, climbed and fought.' We visited and ex



ï~~120

Personal Peminiscences.

amined thoroughly the Obispado with its massive fortifications and complicated works, then went to the Loma de Federacion and from there back to Mohterey, having had an
object lesson materially enlightening us as to the struggle
made by our soldiers.
The casualties in Garland's brigade were severe, and if the
fruits of victory were great the price paid for them was dear.
There was evidently much dissatisfaction -,t the way the battle had been fought in the northeastern part of the city, and
harsh and unfavorable criticism, even the general-in-chief
not escaping, was universal, all condemning the subjection of
our troops to a cross-fire of artillery from invisible assailants.
There was, however, unstinted praise of Worth, who, detached
and free to plan his own movement, had conducted with consummate skill and rare good judgment the operations confided
to him, carrying many fortified places by assault and fighting
his way into the heart of the city with the trifling loss of two
captains killed, less than a half dozen officers wounded. He
was without doubt the favorite in the army at the time. He
entered the army in 1813 as a lieutenant of infantry, served on
the staff of Major General Lewis as aid-de-camp, also as
aid to Brig.-Gen. Winfield Scott in 1814, brevetted captain
for gallantry in the battle of Chippewa, July 5th, major, July
25th, for distinguished service in the battle of Niagara, in
which he was severely wounded, served at the Military Academy from 1820 to 1828, most of the time as commandant of
cadets, the duties of which position he discharged ably and
faithfully; was appointed colonel of the Eighth Infantry in
1838, and brevetted brigadier general for distinguished service
in the Florida war March, 1842.
Owing to difference of opinion between General Taylor
and himself on the subject of brevet rank, and aggrieved, as
he believed, by the action of his commanding officer, he tendered his resignation and returned to the United States, but
his resignation was not accepted, and be rejoined the Army
of Occupation, the battles of the 8th and 9th of May having
been fought during his absence from the army. His course
naturally occasioned some adverse criticisms, but, detached
at Monterey, he at one bound recovered what may have been
lost, and was at the time lauded by all with no unfavorable
comments from any quarter.




ï~~Personal Peminiscences.

121

As stated, the adverse criticisms upon the battle of Monterey made by officers and men included the commanding
general, but with a full knowledge of the facts before us we
do not see that General Taylor was at fault. Congress
passed a resolution of thanks to General Taylor for courage displayed at Monterey, but attached to it a proviso censuring him for the terms of capitulation. Riding in advance of his army, with the Texas troops under General Henderson, he came in full view of Monterey about noon of the
19th of September, and with but little delay took in the situation. The Texans were ordered back a short distance into
the Santo Domingo woods, and reconnoitering parties were instantly despatched to examine, first, Monterey on the side of
Saltillo, to determine if the road leading to that town, south
of Monterey, could be cut and occupied, thus securing the
main line of communication of the enemy. This party was
under Major Mansfield, his senior engineer. The second
party was ordered to examine Monterey and approaches to
it from the north and east. The report made by Mansfield
was favorable, and Worth was ordered to move on the 20th
and cut the enemy's communication south. Worth's operations were to be the main or most important. The other
move directed against the east and southern portion of the
town was to aid Worth's, the true attack.
That General Taylor had reached the proper and correct
conclusion, and that his orders and movements of troops were
wise and opportune, well conceived and directed, no one can
deny. He had shown himself equal to his high position in
every respect; his orders were executed, and the city occupied by his army. That there were severe losses sustained by
a portion of the troops engaged is true, but that could not be
laid as a charge against him. It was not his duty, nor could
it be expected of him, to lead in attacks. It may be that a
portion of the operations in the northeastern section of the
city could have been better conducted; had General Taylor
had more and heavier artillery, six or eight io-inch mortars,
the place could have been taken with less loss, but his limited
transportation rendered this impossible, and for this deficiency he should not be held responsible.




ï~~CHAPTER VII.

CALIFORNIA AND NEW MEXICO.-WOOL'S EXPEDITION.-COLONEL DONIPHAN'S MARCH TO CHIHUAHUA.-ACTIONS AT
BRAZITO AND SACRAMENTO.-THE MARCH FROM EL PASO
TO CHIHUAHUA.-A REVOLT IN NEW MEXICO.
Lieut. John C. Fremont, of the Topographical Engineers,
made several exploring expeditions to the Western plains,
crossing even the Rocky Mountains, which range had not
been visited by any officer acting under orders of the Government, except Captain Bonneville, Seventh Infantry, since
the time of Lewis and Clarke. He was brevetted captain as
a reward for his explorations, which were published by authority of Congress. In the spring of 1845 he was charged
with a third expedition, with the view of further explorations
and discoveries. It was necessary both for protection against
savage Indians and as a means of support that his party
should be armed, the game found on the plains and in the
mountains supplying it with food.
In January, 1846, he found himself Ioo miles east of Monterey, in the San Joachim valley, in which game was abundant. It was covered with the finest of grass, and as his
animals were thin and required rest, he determined to encamp and recupera' e both men and horses. Leaving his
party, he proceeded to Monterey, and received from the commandant, Gen. D. Jose Castro, permission to remain in the
valley during the winter.
It is represented that De Castro, having granted permission
to Fremont to winter in California, and after the latter had
rejoined his party, received orders from the Mexican Gov



ï~~Fremont Leaves California for Oregon.

123

ernment not to allow him to enter the province, and accordingly took steps to rouse the people against him. Fremont,
it is also claimed, was informed of De Castro's conduct by
Mr. Larkin, the American consul at Monterey, and when it
became known a number of Americans (settlers in the valley)
offered to join him; but, not wishing to compromise his Government, he declined their aid, marched his small party
of sixty-two backwoodsmen to within thirty miles of Monterey, took a position on the Sierra Nevada, from which he had
a fair prospect over much of thesurrounding country, hoisted
the American flag, and prepared for resistance. De Castro
moved out towards Premont's party, but did not attack them,
and the latter, finding no probability of hostilities, started on
his march for Oregon.
Fremont's presence in California, as well as his conduct,
was reported by De Castro to the Mexican Government, and
increased the excitement resulting from the annexation of
Texas and the concentration of troops at Corpus Christi.
Pursuing his march to Oregon, he was overtaken by Lieut.
Archibald H. Gillespie, of the Marine Corps, who, in November, 1845, was ordered by the President and the Secretary
of the Navy, Mr. Bancroft, to proceed to California by way
of Vera Cruz, thence to the City of Mexico, and on by the
shortest route to Mazatlan, to watch over the interests of the
United States and counteract the influence of any foreign or
European agents in that country with objects prejudicial to the
United States. He bore the duplicate of a dispatch to the
United States consul at Monterey, T. O. Larkin, esq., a packet
for John C. Fremont, esq., and a letter of introduction to the
latter from the Hon. James Buchanan, Secretary of State; the
first he destroyed before landing at Vera Cruz, having previously committed it to memory. He had been informed
that he would find Fremont in California on the Sacramento,
and when joined he was to confer with and acquaint him
fully with his instructions, it being important that they should
act in concert, and great vigilance and activity were required.
A feverish state of excitement pervaded Mexico, and for
his own security Gillespie passed himself off as a merchant,
and, as already stated, destroyed the official dispatch to the
consul at Monterey, the character of it being such as to have




ï~~124

Gillespie' s Overland   Trip.

compromised him should it have come into the hands of
Mexican officials. He was delayed in the City of Mexico by
the Paredes revolution in December, 1845, and being subsequently sent by Commodore Sloat to Monterey by way of the
Sandwich Islands, arrived in California a month later than
had been anticipated. He did not tarry in Monterey, but
hastened to the Sacramento Valley in search of Fremont, and
reached the last settlement (Lassin's), in the extreme north
end of the valley, May ist, to learn that Fremont had set out
eight days before for Oregon.
Gillespie, knowing that Fremont must move slowly, determined to follow him, and, taking four men, besides himself
and negro servant, pressed on May 2d to the north, against
the advice of settlers, who warned him of the Indians being
hostile; and about sunset May 9th Fremont was overtaken.
Gillespie had made a long and adventerous overland trip,
the latter portion of it in the midst of hostile Indians. The
night after he joined Fremont, their camp was attacked,
three men killed, one wounded; one Indian also killed.
He delivered the letter of introduction and the packet to
Fremont and informed him of the instructions from the Government. Without loss of time they began the return march,
not halting until they arrived at the settlement in the Sacramento Valley, May 24, 1846, where they found the sparse and
scattered population much excited, fearing an outbreak of
the Indians at any moment, and believing General De Castro
to be instigating them to rise and burn their wheat crops.
There was also much excitement among the Indians near
Suter's Fort. Seguamne, the chief, informed Captain Suter
that General Castro had offered him a liberal reward if he
would cause the Indians to burn the crops of the American
immigrants, and had told him that he intended to drive them
out of the country.
Fremont having rested two days at Lassin's, moved down
the valley to Dutton's on Bear Creek. It soon became known
at Suter's Fort that he had returned to California and was
encamped in the upper end of the valley. Samuel Hensley,
subsequently captain, had just returned to Suter's from San
Francisco, remained there but a day, and continued on north
to Fremont's camp. Upon arrival there he promptly apprised




ï~~Both Ofcers Return to California.

125

him of the condition of affairs in California, of the designs
of the leading citizens, and expressed the opinion that
though an effort would be made to drive the Americans from
the country, they would not abandon it without resistance.
Settlers, old and young, men and women, sought Fremont,
begging protection.
Hensley's arrival in Fremont's camp was followed by
Neal's, direct from San Francisco by way of Sonoma, who
represented the whole population of California as being
greatly incensed against the Americans, that troops were
being collected at Santa Clara, and that General Castro had
passed into Sonoma for the purpose of organizing the Spaniards and Indians in one body against the immigrants and
Fremont's party. The settlers made repeated appeals to
Fremont on the ground that they were Americans. Hensley
and Neal traversed the Sacramento Valley up and down,
warning the settlers to organize and concert measures for a
common defense. The camp of Fremont, who had moved
down the valley to the Buttes, about sixty miles above Suter's, was proposed as the rendezvous. At Bear Creek, Fremont ordered Lieutenant Gillespie to proceed to San Francisco for supplies, as his men were in need both of provisions
and clothing, and had only meat to eat, with neither salt nor
bread. Gillespie started May 28th, arrived the following
night at Suter's, left there June ist, was in San Francisco on
the 7th, and there learned that General Castro had gone to
Sonoma to confer with Vallejos and procure horses with
which to commence operations.
Captain Montgomery, of the sloop of war Portsmouth, furnished Gillespie with all the supplies that could be spared
from his vessel and turned over a small sum of money to him
for Fremont. Gillespie left Sausalita in the launch of the
Portsmouth, commanded by Lieutenant B. F. Hunter, accompanied by Purser Watmough and Assistant Surgeon Duvall,
who had volunteered to visit Fremont's camp, arrange his
medicine chest, and render any assistance in his power. Gillespie returned to Suter's Landing June 12th at i2 p. m., and
learning that Fremont was not there passed into the American
fork, where Fremont arrived with part of his men on the z3ti




ï~~126

The Revolution Begins.

and went into camp not far from Gillespie's party, near the
Sacramento.
On June 16th Capt. Ezekiel Merritt arrived with a small
escort, bringing General Vallejos, Colonel Vallejos, Colonel
Prudon, and Mr. Jacob Leese prisoners. A party of forty
settlers had surprised and captured Sonoma, and among the
prisoners were the above, who were taken to Suter's Fort
and there confined. On the 17th the stores brought by Gillespie were delivered to Fremont; the launch of the Portsmouth returned. There was much correspondence and many
conferences between the settlers and Fremont, for the danger
seemed imminent and a junction of forces was deemed prudent. In this manner what was styled the revolution commenced. The settlers claim they were driven to it in selfdefense; they would probably, however, not have risen but
for the expected aid and protection of Fremont, whose party
was relatively strong, well armed and well disciplined. The
name of Fremont, known to be an officer of the United
States Army, gave confidence and served to unite the settlers. It was also known, both in camp and among the
American immigrants, that Lieutenant Gillespie had brought
from Washington orders to Captain Fremont, which, when received, caused him to face about and return to California, and
they knew or believed he had authority for what he was
doing.
Before Fremont halted June z 3th near Suter's he had been
joined by a few settlers; others, who had greater distances to
travel, were known to be en route for his camp, and it being
reported that a small party of Mexican soldiers were in the
vicinity collecting horses for General Castro, he determined
to act at once, and sent a small force to recover the horses,
which they did, first dispersing the party in charge. Previous to this Captain Merritt had come into collision with the
Californians.
Some days before Fremont sent out his small party, Hensley had been despatched to communicate with Dr. Marsh, an
American resident on the south side of the bay of San Francisco, from whom he learned that Castro was gathering a
large force and proclaiming his intentions to expel from the
country the American settlers, including Fremont's party.




ï~~Sonoma and San Raphael.

127

Hensley returned to Fremont's camp reporting Castro's intentions, and the same day information was received that a large
force under Joachim de la Torre was crossing the bay to retake Sonoma, and that the little garrison of fourteen men and
the citizens begged to be assisted. Fremont instantly started
with all his own force and the settlers in his camp, arrived at
Sonoma on the 25th at 2:30 a. m., and learned that the settlers, twenty-four in number, had had a collision the day before with seventy Californians under De la Torre, had defeated them and captured many horses. A settler had issued
a proclamation setting forth the causes of the revolution, declaring California independent and free from Mexican authority, and a flag was displayed, a grizzly bear upon a white
field, as the insignia of the new State.
Being informed that reinforcements under de Castro were
crossing San Pablo, Fremont moved out immediately to San
Raphael to meet them. No hostile force was at this place,
but there was one on the point of San Pablo waiting an opportunity to cross, and it was ascertained that horses were to
be sent to the point the following morning to mount eighty
men, who would then be pushed forward for immediate action. Fremont had but i6o men. The Mexicans did not
cross the straits. A letter was intercepted, addressed to
General Castro, announcing the intention of attacking Sonoma the next morning, and urging him to send men to thier
aid. Fremont returned promptly to Sonoma, leaving a few
men to hold San Raphael; but the force that was to have attacked Sonoma became alarmed and retired precipitately to
Sausalita, where it seized a launch and escaped over the bay,
the northern side of which embracing the districts of Sonoma,
Bodega, and Napa, was now free of armed Californians. All
the section known as New Helvetia was considered as American territory, and the population represented to be content
with the new state of affairs.
In the afternoon of July 4th Fremont returned to Sonoma
where the anniversary of American independence was celebrated for the first time in California, and the national salute
fired. On the 5th the people assembled and organized a battalion of four companies, in all 224 men. One company was
left to hold Sonoma, and the other three (under Fremont)




ï~~128     American Flag Raised At Monterey.
marched in pursuit of Castro by way of the Sacramento Valley. Captain Hensley was sent with a small party to communicate with Dr. Marsh, and upon his arrival learned that
war was raging between the United States and Mexico; that
Commodore Sloat had arrived at Monterey and raised the
American flag. Returning to rejoin Fremont with this intelligence, Hensley was advised that be, too, had been informed
at Suter's Fort, July zoth, of the war, and had set out immediately to meet and confer with Commodore Sloat. Hensley joined Premont at the mission of San Juan, near Monterey, where they arrived July 19th.
We have given a brief account of what transpired in California before Fremont knew that war had been declared
between the United States and Mexico. It will be found to
differ but little from the report (No. 75) made by General
Cass, chairman of the Military Committee of the Senate, first
session of the Thirtieth Congress. It is stated in this report
that, in an interview between Commodore Sloat and Fremont
on board the United States frigate Savannah at Monterey the
latter part of July, 1846, Fremont informed the former that " he
had acted on his own authority and not from orders of the Government."
It is seen from the deposition of Fremont, included in the
report of the committee, that Lieutenant Gillespie brought
him a letter of introduction from the Secretary of State, and
also letters and papers from Senator Benton * and family.
The Secretary's letter, Fremont says, was addressed to
him in his private or citizen capacity, and, although importing nothing beyond the introduction, accredited the
bearer to him as coming from the Secretary of State, and " in
connection with the circumstances and place of its delivery
indicated a purpose in sending it, which was intelligibly explained to him by the accompany;ng letter from Senator Benton and verbally by the bearer." Lieutenant Gillespie had
been directed to find Fremont and to acquaint him with his
(Gillespie's) instructions, which had for their object to ascertain the disposition of the California people, to conciliate their
feelings in favor of the United States, and to find out, with de* Fremont was the son-in-law of Senator Benton.




ï~~Vigilance and Activity.

129

sign to counteract them, the schemes of the British Government upon that country. These communications made and
received caused Fremont to turn back and seek again the
Sacramento Valley.
From the statement of Lieutenant Gillespie before the committee it is seen that he delivered his letter of introduction to
Fremont and made known to him the wishes of the Government, which required of Fremont what he (Gillespie) had been
instructed to do, viz, " to watch over the interests of the
United States in California and to counteract the influence of
any foreign or European agents who might be in that country
with objects prejudicial to the United States."
Fremont's admission that he had acted on his own authority
and not upon the orders of the Government, if accepted,
would conflict somewhat with Gillespie's statement, who says
he was ordered by both the President and Secretary of the
Navy to seek Fremont, who would probably be found upon
the Sacramento, and to confer with and make known to him
his (Gillespie's) instructions, it being desirable they two should
act in concert. Fremont, if Gillespie states correctly, must
then have had orders, and great vigilance and activity, he was
informed, were expected of both. Gillespie, when he overtook Fremont, made him acquainted with the wishes of the
Government, and the latter began his return march to California promptly the next morning.
What were the interests to be guarded by these two officers,
one of the Marine Corps, the other of the army, may be inferred from the questions asked by the committee. One that
most of the witnesses were required to answer was " whether
or not they knew or understood from a credible report that
California authorities were granting or selling the national
domain or the missions, and on what terms," and the answers
were that certain missions, and at low rates, had been sold, and
that a large grant of land had been made to an Irish Catholic
priest, who was pledged to bring a considerable number of
immigrants to occupy and cultivate these fertile lands. Several of the witnesses stated that efforts had been or were
about to be made to place California under the protection of
some foreign power, and England was believed to be that
power.




ï~~130

Convention for Foreign Protection.

The supposed design of seeking foreign protection for California rests, as far as the report of the committee shows,
upon the statements of Capt. Samuel Hensley and Lieutenant
Gillespie. The former says, being in San Francisco early
in May, 1846, he met General Vallejos, a prominent and influential Californian, and understood from him that he had
recently attended a convention composed of General Castro,
himself, and five other Californians, at which the proposition
had been made and debated to separate from Mexico and establish a government in California under the protection of
some foreign power, believed by us to be England, but the
General positively stated that though he was, the majority
was not in favor of placing the country under the protection
of the United States. General Vallejos was, of course, guarded
in conversation on so dangerous a subject. The convention
of seven delegates from different districts of California had
not, as appears from Hensley's statement, advanced very far
in the supposed scheme of foreign protection for California.
The letter of Lieutenant Gillespie says: ' A Junta was to
have assembled at Santa Barbara June 15th, the purpose of
which was to ask foreign protection and to give an immense
tract of land in the Valley of San Joachim for settling 10,000
Irishmen, all of which was defeated and broken up by the
timely and prompt operations of the settlers under the directions of Fremont." The intention of the California authorities, as also that of the central government, to encourage
immigration to the department by giving grants of land, appears to have been pretty well established, but not so the
determination to have foreign protection. It was upon reports such as the above that the Government of the United
States justified the operations of Fremont in California before
it was known to him that there was war between the two
countries. When the instructions given to Minister Slidell
in the autumn of 1845 with reference to the purchase of California are considered, and that he was informed the further
south of San Francisco he could secure the better, and that
Gillespie was despatched about the same time with orders
and instructions for Fremont, which, when delivered, made
him leave Oregon at once and return to California, then his
subsequent course of conduct, there seems to be little or no




ï~~.De Castro's Official Letter.

131

cause to doubt that the Government had determined to take
California from Mexico, and that this would have been accomplished had there been no war existing at the time.
Upon the arrival of Commodore Sloat at Monterey, the
Mexican authorities believing Fremont and party to be a lawless band, addressed to him an official communication, as
follows:
HEADQUARTERS, SAN JUAN DI BAUTISTA, July 9, 1846.
The undersigned, commanding-general of Upper California, has the
honor to represent to the Senor Commander-in-Chief of the naval
forces of the United States in the Pacific Ocean, now in Monterey,
that a band of adventurers headed by J. C. Premont, a captian in the
United States Army, forcibly took possession of the port of Sonoma,
hoisting an unknown flag, making prisoners of the chiefs and officers
there, and committing assassinations, and every kind of injury to the
lives and property of the inhabitants. The undersigned is ignorant
to what Government belong the invaders of that part of the department, and a party of them who are in the neighborhood of Santa
Clara; and as he cannot believe that they belong to the forces commanded by the Senor Commodore, he will be obliged to him if he
will be pleased to make to him an explanation on this subject, in order
that he may act in conformity with his reply, for neither the undersigned, nor a single citizen of the country will permit excesses of any
kind to be commited by these bands.
" God and Liberty! "               JOSE DE CASTRO.
To Senor COMMANDER-IN-CHIZ oi NAVAt, oRCEs
Of the United States in the Pacific Ocean, in Monterey.
The Mexican history states that, " although it was positively known that arms, munitions, and clothing were sent
on shore to the adventurers, the commander replied that
neither the Government of the United States nor the subalterns had any part in that insurrection, and that the Mexican authorities ought, therefore, to punish its authors in conformity with the laws."
Mr. Brancroft, Secretary of the Navy, advised May t5,
1846, Commodore Sloat, commanding naval forces in the
Pacific, that a state of war existed between the United States
and the Republic of Mexico, that henceforth he would exercise all the rights belonging to him as commander-in-chief of
a belligerent squadron, and that he would consider it of the
first importance to take possession of without fail and to hold




ï~~132

Commodore Stoat's Instructions.

San Francisco, Mazatlan, Guaymas, Monterey, and such
ports as his force would permit. The towns he could not
hold he would blockade; as opportunity offered he would
conciliate the inhabitants of California and Sonora, endeavor
to render their relations with the United States as intimate
and friendly as possible, and to so conduct himself as to render the occupation of San Francisco and other ports a benefit to the inhabitants. He was authorized to intercept Commodore Biddle, who had sailed for China, on his arrival at
the Sandwich Islands, and order him to sail at once for California, or Sonora, and was advised that the frigate Potomac
and sloop Saratoga, having been ordered to the Pacific, to
send orders to Callao and direct them where to meet him
(Sloat). He was also advised that other reinforcements would
be sent him, as the wants of the service might require, and
was instructed to send reports across the country to the Rio
Grande and so on to Washington.
June 8th the Commodore was again instructed by the Navy
Department to take, first San Francisco, next Monterey, then
such other ports as he could hold and to blockade as much of
the coast as his force would permit, also to endeavor to establish the supremacy of the American flag without strife with
the people of California. " You will bear in mind generally
that this country desires to find in California a friend, and not
an enemy, to be connected with it by near ties, to hold possession of it at least during the war, and to hold that possession,
if possible, with the consent of its inhabitants." He was informed that the sloop of war Dale, Commodore McKean, had
sailed from New York on the 3d to join his squadron; that
the Lexington, Lieut. Theodorus Bailey, would sail as soon
as she could take her stores on board. July I2th Captain
Tompkins, company of artillery, with guns, mortars, and
munitions, had sailed in the Lexington to report to him, to
act under his directions, and in the absence of an army officer
higher than captain he would select the ports or posts to be
occupied. He was advised that the object of the United
States was, under its rights as a belligerent nation, to possess
itself entirely of Upper California, so that when peace is made
the basis of uti possi ditis is established. " The Government




ï~~Co-operation Between Army and Navy.        133
expects through your forces to be found in actual possession
of Upper California."
Having secured Upper California, if his force would permit,
he would take and hold the harbors on the Gulf of California
as far down at least as Guaymas, but this was not to interfere
with the permanent occupation of Upper California. Copies
of confidential instructions from the War Department were inclosed to him for Brig.-Gen. S. W. Kearny, ordered overland
to California. A regiment of volunteers from New York had
been called for and would sail about August roth, and August
13th instructions were sent to Commodore James Biddle or
Commodore R. F. Stockton, or the senior officer in command
of the United States naval forces in the Pacific, reiterating
the previous orders, advising of the ordering of General
Kearny overland to California, and recommending and enjoining cordial co-operation between the naval and land
forces.
Commodore Sloat, learning at Mazatlan, June 7th, that the
United States and Mexico were at war, sailed on the Savannah for the coast of California, leaving the Warren at that
port; arrived at Monterey July 2d, found there the Cyane
and Levant, and learned that the Portsmouth was at San
Francisco. Having examined the defenses of Monterey, he
sent at 9:30 a. m., by Capt. William Mervine, a summons to
the military commander to surrender the place to the United
States forces under his command, and received a reply from
an artillery captain, Mariano Silva, that he had no authority
to surrender, but would forward his note to the commandant
general. All arrangements having been made, 256 seamen
and marines embarked in the boats of the squadron, landed
at 1o a. m. under the guns of the ships, formed and marched
to the custom house, where the commodore's proclamation
was read to the people and the United States flag hoisted with
three hearty cheers from the troops and foreigners present
and a salute of twenty-one guns fired by all the ships. Captain Mervine, assisted by Commander Hugh N. Page, commanded the force that disembarked and occupied the town.
A courier was then dispatched to General Castro, military
commander of California, summoning him by letter to surrender the forces and munitions belonging to the Mexican
Government.




ï~~134              Summons to Surrender.
UNITED STAThs SHIP SAVANNAH,
MONTERY, July 7, 1846.
SIR: The Central Government of Mexico having commenced hostilities against the United States of America, the two nations are
actually at war. In consequence I call upon you, in the name of the
United States of America, to surrender forthwith to the arms of that
nation, under my command, together with all troops, arms, munitions, and public property of every description under your control
and jurisdiction in California.
The immediate compliance with this summons will probably prevent the sacrifice of human life and the horrors of war, which I most
anxiously desire to avoid.
I hereby invite you to meet me immediately in Monterey, to enter
into articles of capitulation, that yourself, officers, and soldiers,
with the inhabitants of California may receive assurances of perfect
safety to themselves and property.
JOHN D. SLOAT,
Commander-in-Chief of the U. S. Naval Forces in the Pacific Ocean.
To Senor D. JOSE DE CAsTRO, Commandant General.
July 9th a letter was addressed to Don Pio Pico, Governor
of Santa Barbara, inviting him to surrender:
FILAG SHIP SAVANNAH, BAY o  MoNTEREY, July 9, 1846.
SIR: I have the honor to enclose herewith to Your Excellency copies
of my summons to General Castro to surrender the country, etc.,
under his jurisdiction to the United States forces under my command,
together with a copy of my proclamation to the inhabitants of California, and the general order issued to the forces under my command
just previous to the landing, and I assure Your Excellency that not
the least impropriety has been committed, and that business and
social intercourse of the town have not been disturbed in the slightest
degree.
I beg Your Excellency to feel assured that although I come in arms
with a powerful force I come as the best friend of California, and I
invite Your Excellency to meet me at Monterey, that I may satisfy
you and the people of California of that fact. I pledge the word and
honor of an American officer that Your Excellency will be received
with all the respect due your distinguished situation, and that you
can depart at any moment you may think proper, and feel every confidence that an American officer expects when his word of honor is
pledged. I have already employed albmeans in my power to stop
the sacrifice of human life by the party in the North, and trust I shall
succeed, provided there is no further opposition. I tender Your Excellency my cordial and high consideration.
JOHN D. SLOAT,
Commander-in-Chief U. S. Naval Forces in Pacific
Ocean and the Territory of Calfornia,
To Senor Dor Pio Pico, Los Angeles.




ï~~


ï~~ROBERT F. STOCKTON,
COMMODORE U. S. NAVY.
BORN IN AND APPOINTED FROM NEW JERSEY.




ï~~Commodore Stockton Assumes Command.        135
Upon landing, Commodore Sloat issued a conciliatory proclamation, from which we extract the following: " He came
as a friend and would protect all peaceable Mexicans, would
pay for such supplies as were furnished the troops, etc.;
henceforth California will be a portion of the United States,
and its peaceful inhabitants will enjoy the same rights and
privileges they now enjoy, together with the privilege of
choosing their own magistrates and other officers for the administration of justice among themselves, and the same protection would be extended to them as to any other States in the
Union."  He pointed out the great benefits to flow from the
change of government, in the increase in value of real estate
and the products of California.
July 6th orders, despatched by sea to Commander Montgomery to take immediate possession of the bay of San Francisco, were received on the 8th, and at 7 a. m. on the 9th
the flag was hoisted at San Francisco, where the proclamation, being read, was posted.
July 7th Captain Fremont marched with his forces by land
to Monterey and captured the artillery and supplies found on
the way, which the commandant-general could not transport
on his retreat to Los Angeles. Thus was completed the occupation of all towns in Northern California.
Commodore Sloat, on the 23d, directed Commodore Stockton to assume command of the forces and operations by land
and sea, and being sick and believing no further resistance
would be made (General Castro having less than ioo men),
sailed on the 29th for Mazatlan and Panama.
July 24th, the day after assuming command, Commodore
Stockton organized the California Battalion of Mounted
Rifles and received them as volunteers into the service of
the United States, appointing Captain Fremont major and
Lieutenant Gillespie captain of the battalion. On the 25th
they were embarked on the sloop of war Cyane, Commander DuPont, and sailed from Monterey for San Diego, to
be landed south of the Mexican forces (about 8oo strong)
under General Castro and Governor Pico, who were well fortified at Camp Mesa, three miles from the city of Los
Angeles. A few days after the departure of the Cyane,
Commodore Stockton sailed in the Congress for San Pe



ï~~136

16he Government in Calfornia.

dro, the port of entry for Los Angeles and surrounding country, and thirty miles from that town he lapded his sailors
August 7th and marched directly for the Camp of Mesa.
As they approached, General Castro retired; and the Governor of the territory and other officers separated into parties
and fled in different directions. The Battalion of Mounted
Rifles did not get up in time to pursue, but joined August
13th and occupied Los Angeles.
The Commodore reported that " in less than a month after
assuming command the Mexican Army had been chased more
than 300 miles along the coast and pursued thirty miles into
the interior, routed and dispersed, and the territory secured
to the United States; the war ended, peace and harmony restored among the people, and a civil government put into successful operation."  Commodore Stockton had under his
command 360 men from the frigate Congress and the eighty
rifles under Fremont.
He reported the Cyane and Warren would blockade the coast
below San Diego, that he would sail with the Congress on the
arrival of the store-ship, and, believing there would be no more
fighting, would cruise for the protection of our commerce; and,
when he left the territory, would appoint Fremont governor
and Gillespie secretary. He issued a conciliatory proclamation to the people, and announced California as belonging to
the United States.
August 22d he issued a proclamation ordering elections in
the several towns and districts of California, at the places and
hours where elections have usually been held, for alcaldes
and other municipal officers for one year. He had previously
declared what the government of the territory would be, until altered by proper authority of the United States, also regulations for custom-houses and tariffs.
Leaving California under the government prescribed by
Commodore Stockton, with garrisons holding Monterey, San
Francisco, and the southern towns of San Diego, Los Angeles,
and Santa Barbara-the greater number of troops being in the
first two places-we will describe the invasion and occupation of New Mexico, and next the march of General Kearny
from Santa Fe to California, first giving the character and
numbers of troops comprising the army commanded by him.




ï~~Army of the West.

137

Hostilities had barely commenced when the Government
began preparations for the invasion of Mexican territory at
several points. One expedition was to advance from the
Missouri River, west, to New Mexico, the capital of that department (Santa Fe) being its objective point, and had scarcely
been organized when it was determined to continue the
march over to the Pacific Ocean and occupy Upper California.
The body of troops that invaded New Mexico was known
as the Army of the' West, and was commanded by Col.
Stephen W. Kearny, First Dragoons. A third command,
referred to in the newspapers of the day (as well as in the
histories) as the "Center Division," was organized at S an
Antonio, Tex., having Port La Vaca, on the bay of Matagorda, for base, and moved towards Chihuahua, under command of Brig. Gen. John E. Wool.
Orders for the organization of the Army of the West, to
be composed principally of volunteers from the State of Missouri, were issued on May 13th and 14th, 1846, and as the
organization progressed, written instructions from the War
Department, of date June. 3d, were forwarded to Colonel
Kearny, stating that the object of the move was to take possession of Upper California, after having occupied New Mexico. To enable Kearny to take with him to California the
greater portion of the troops he then commanded, an additional requisition was made upon the Governor of Missouri
for 1,000 mounted volunteers to follow in his rear. He was
also authorized to enlist from among the Mormon emigrants
en route to California as many as he might deem proper, not
exceeding the third of his entire force, and to accept in California the services of American settlers who might volunteer.
With reference to the civil governments of the conquered
Territories of New Mexico and California, his instructions
were, " to establish temporary civil governments therein,
abolishing all arbitrary restrictions that may exist, so far as
may be done with safety. * * * The duties at the custom houses ought at once to be reduced to such a rate as to
be barely sufficient to maintain the necessary officers, without yielding revenue to the Government. You may assure
the people of those provinces, that it is the wish and design
of the United States to provide for them a free government,




ï~~188      (earny Pollows the Santa PA Trait.
with the least possible delay, similar to that which exists in
our Territories. They will then be called upon to exercise
the rights of freemen in electing their own representatives to
the Territorial Legislatures." It will be seen that it was intended to be a permanent occupation. Colonel Kearny ordered forward in detachments the volunteers first called out
with instructions to halt at Bent's Fort, on the Arkansas
River, and leaving instructions for the organization of the
volunteers last called, and for their speedy march, he set out
to join those ahead. The route pursued by the troops was
the old Santa Fe trail from Fort Leavenworth. *
The Army of the West when concentrated at Fort Bent
was near i,8oo men, composed of eight companies of United
States Dragoons, two of United States Artillery, two of United
States Infantry, and nine companies of the First Missouri Regiment of twelve-months cavalry under Colonel Alexander W.
Doniphan.
June 5th Secretary Marcy wrote to General Kearny that he
had enclosed to him a few copies of a proclamation prepared
for General Taylor to issue to the Mexicans, but observing
that parts of it were unsuitable for New Mexico and California, not to publish it, as the needed alterations would be
made and sent him before there would be occasion to use it.
The Army of the West after being organized marched
August i, 1846, from Bent's Fort for Santa Fe, the capital of
New Mexico, General Kearny having issued the day before
a short proclamation addressed to the Mexican people. He
said, " he entered New Mexico with a large military force
for the purpose of seeking union with and ameliorating the
condition of its inhabitants. This he did under instructions
from his Government, and, with the assurance that he will be
amply sustained in the accomplishment of this object, admonished all citizens of New Mexcio to remain quietly at
their homes, continue their peaceful avocations, and they
would not be interfered with by the American army, but
would be respected and protected in their rights, both civil
and religious; those, however, taking up arms and resisting
will be treated as enemies, etc."
* Beyond the Arkansas River there were two routes, known as the
Cimaron and the Raton, the latter the more northern, and it was this
that Kearny followed.




ï~~Las Vegas and San Miguel

Between Fort Leavenworth and Las Vegas, 70o miles,
there was no house except at Bent's Fort, nor was there
wood save along the few water-courses crossed, bois-de-vacke
being the fuel relied on for cooking. The wide, intervening
plain was covered with grass, and thousands of buffaloes
were seen daily from the Arkansas to within a few days'
march of Las Vegas; deer were also abundant, and bears occasionally seen. The march partook more of the nature of a
summer excursion, such as had been in years past made by
bodies of cavalry, to visit and make treaties with the Indians,
than of a warlike expedition.
When it became known to Armijo, Mexican Governor of
New Mexico, that an American force was advancing upon his
department, he exerted himself to raise troops to oppose,
check, and defeat it. He had but a handful of soldiers of the
Mexican army, but of militia, New Mexicans and Indians,
quite a number, supposed to have been between three and four
thousand, with six pieces of artillery, and these were encouraged by reports of large reinforcements to arrive under Gen.
D. Jose Urrea.
New Mexico was remote from the Central Government,
and General Taylor's army had so fully occupied its attention that no assistance was given to Armijo. Kearny's command entered and took possession of Las Vegas on the morning of August i4th, no Mexican soldiers being seen. Armijo
advanced fifteen or sixteen miles east of Santa Fe to Apache
Pass, where he proposed to resist the further advance of the
Americans.
On the 15th the officials of Las Vegas took the oath of allegiance. The people submitted quietly, and the village, if
it deserved the name, so small was it, passed under the Government of the United States, and the same ceremony was
enacted the next day at San Miguel. Upon Kearny's approach Armijo called a.unta of officers, when a retreat was
advised, and, being commenced, continued through Santa
Fe south as far as Albuquerque. On the 17th the Mexicans
retreated, and on the 18th Santa Fe was occupied without
opposition, and General Kearny courteously received by the
lieutenant-governor, Vigil, who had not retired with Armijo.




ï~~140

4aa P4 Quietly Occupied.

On the 19th the citizens assembled in the plaza, and General Kearny addressed them in kindly tones, such as had been
used at Las Vegas and San Miguel; the 22d he issued a proclamation declaring his intentions of occupying and holding
the department with its original boundaries on both sides of
the Rio Grande. " The United States hereby absolves all
persons residing within the boundaries of New Mexico from
any further allegiance to the Republic of Mexico, and
hereby claims them as citizens of the United States. Those
who remain quiet and peaceable will be considered good citizens and receive protection; those who are found in arms or
instigating others against the United States will be considered
as traitors and treated accordingly."
He reported to General Wool " that he had taken possession
of Santa Fe without spilling a drop of blood, and had that day
(i9th) issued his proclamation claiming the whole department
with its original boundaries for the United States. He represented the people as quiet and peaceable, understanding
and appreciating the advantages to be derived from a change
of Government; that other troops would soon arrive, and
then he would send those he did not need to him, and if he
did not want them they could be despatched to General Taylor or they could be discharged. He stated he would leave
for Upper California in a few days." He communicated to
the adjutant-general these facts and in addition his purpose to
move down the Rio Grande, visit some of the principal towns,
and on his return organize a civil government and appoint
officers. This accomplished, he would be ready to march for
California about the end of November. He reported he had
heard nothing of Colonel Price and the command he was to
raise and follow him with, nor had he heard of Capt. James
Allen and the Mormons, but supposed they would arrive in a
few weeks.
September 2d General Kearny, leaving Santa Fe with 700
mounted men, marched down the Rio Grande, his purpose
being to see the people and quiet the minds of those excited
by idle rumors. He was absent two weeks, and on his return
reported to the adjutant-general that the people seemed delighted at the change, and were prompt in civilities and in
providing supplies for men and horses. He anticipated no




ï~~STEPHEN W. KEARNY
BRIGADIER GENERAL U. S. A.
BORN IN NEW JERSEY, ---APPOINTED FROM NEW YORK




ï~~


ï~~Civil Appointments Made.

141

organized resistance, but intended to protect the inhabitants
from depredations committed by the Navajo Indians. He
had determined to leave for California on September 25th,
and as he had no information of Captain Allen he would take
with him Major Sumner with 300 dragoons and leave orders
for Allen to follow. His line of march would be down the
Rio Grande for 200 miles, then cross to the Gila, down that to
near its mouth, leave it, cross the Colorado, and keep near
the Pacific, on up to Monterey. Large numbers of troops
were constructing, under direction of Lieut. Jeremy F. Gilmer, of the engineers, an earthwork for the protection and
defense of the capital of the Territory, which would be called
Fort Marcy, if approved by the authorities. Nothing had
been heard of Colonel Price.
On September 22d he forwarded to Washington a copy of
the laws he had prepared for the government of the Territory,
in which he was aided greatly by Colonel Doniphan and Private William P. Hall, of his regiment. He also announced
that by authority of the President he made the following appointments of officers for the Territory:
Charles Bent, governor.
Donaisano Vigil, secretary.
Richard Dallan, marshal.
Francis P. Blair, United States district attorney.
Charles Blumer, treasurer.
Eugene Seitzendorfer, auditor of public accounts.
Joab Houghton, Antonio Jose Otero, and Charles Beaubian,
judges of the Supreme Court.
General Kearny, having with him five companies of the
Second Dragoons, under Major Sumner, and a small party of
topographical engineers, under Lieut. William H. Emory,
left Santa Fe for California September 25th, the date mentioned to the War Department. At Albuquerque, sixty-five
miles south of Santa Fe, he crossed to the west bank of the
Rio Grande and continued on down that river until October
5th, when he met Kit Carson with a party of sixteen men on
his way to Washington with a mail and papers, an express
from Commodore Stoclkton and Lieutenant-Colonel Fremont,
" reporting California already in possession of the Americans
under their command, the national flag flying from every imi



ï~~142

Kearny' s Long klarch South.

portant position in the Territory, the country forever free
from Mexican control, the war ended, and peace and harmony
established among the people."
In consequence of this information he ordered Major
Sumner with three companies to remain in New Mexico,
and with the remaining two companies, and two mountain
howitzers, under Capt. Benjamin D. Moore, First Dragoons,
continued the march 230 miles south of Santa Fe. October
15th he left the river and marched west for the copper
mines, beyond the mountain chain, where he arrived on the
i8th, reached the Gila on the 20th and continued on down,
crossing and recrossing it when necessary. On November
1 1th he passed about eighty miles from a settlement in
Sonora and through the Pimos villages. These Indians
were found living comfortably, had made good crops, were
honest, and furnished provisions for both men and horsescorn, flour and beef. The mouth of the Gila was passed
November 20th. Ten miles below the Colorado was crossed,
and after a march of thirty miles down it the command bore
off west and crossed a desert sixty miles wide, without grass
or water, reached December 2d Warner's ranche, Agua
Caliente, a frontier settlement in California on the road leading to Sonora; marched to Mrs. Stokes' ranche, Santa Isabella, and was met on the 5th by a small party of volunteers, under Captain Gillespie, sent out from San Diego by
Commodore Stockton to give information of the enemy.
Throughout the Territory there were supposed to be 6oo or
700 men in arms, determined to oppose the Americans.
Kearny encamped the night of the 5th near San Maria, a
second ranche of Mrs. Stokes, forty miles from San Diego.
Having followed Kearny in his long march, we will return
to the operations in California. Commodore Sloat regarded
the war in California as terminated when he turned over the
command to Commodore Stockton, but the latter soon found it
necessary to make an expedition to Los Angeles, thirty miles
in the interior, where there was an armed force, represented to
be several hundred, holding a strong position. Mexican history represents hatred of the invaders as " the prevailing feeling among the Californians, this disposition being more pronounced in the first district, where the impolitic and despotic




ï~~Mexicans Reoccupy Los Angeles.

143

conduct of the military authority exasperated their minds."
In the town of Los Angeles it is represented that several citizens were imprisoned on suspicion and cruelly treated. The
people were incensed, and nothing but the want of arms prevented a prompt uprising.
California under Mexican rule was organized into two
districts, the first consisting of Los Angeles (the capital), San
Diego and Santa Barbara, its inhabitants not exceeding 6,ooo;
the second, composed of the towns of San Luis Obispo, Monterey, and other settlements north to Sonora, with a population of near four thousand, the resistance having been greater
in the towns south, in the first district.
September 23d, two days before General Kearny set out
from Santa Fe to California, a number of the citizens of Los
Angeles, led by a captain of auxiliaries, Cervulo Varela, and
indifferently armed, attacked the Americans in their quarters,
but were repulsed. As news of this uprising spread over the
sparsely settled country, the excitement increased; the Mexicans, with and without arms, hurried towards Los Angeles,
and in two days there were 500 in the vicinity of the town,
commanded by Jose Maria Flores, a captain of the regular
army.
On the 26th a party of Americans, en route to assist those in
Los Angeles, were intercepted on a little stream, El Chiro,
and after a sharp collision surrendered to Captain Yarela and
Lieut. Diego Sepulveda. Military, operations were directed
against the town on the 27th, 28th, and 29th; and on the 30th
the Americans, under a capitulation in which it was stipulated they should retain their arms, withdrew, and marched
to San Pedro to embark for Monterey.
After the reoccupation of Los Angeles, it was believed the
towns of San Diego and Santa Barbara could be recovered,
and two detachments were soon marching for that purposeone under the commandant of the squadron of auxiliaries
(Manuel Gatfiias) against Santa Barbara, the other under Capt.
Francisco Pico, of the regular army, leaving the garrison in
Los Angeles much reduced. October 6th an American frigate
anchored at San Pedro and on the 7th debarked a force which
marched promptly for Los Angeles. The commander there
ordered Jose Antonio Camillo, commanding an auxiliary




ï~~144

Stockton Reinforces San Diego.

squadron, to march with fifty horsemen and check them, while
he collected all the force possible. These fifty horsemen
caused the Americans to halt at the rancho of San Diego, three
leagues from the port and six from Los Angeles. At 7 p. m.,
same day, Flores joined him with fifty more horsemen and
one gun, a 4-pounder. On the 8th, early in the morning, the
Americans advanced; the engagement was spirited for an
hour; the Americans then retreated to San Diego and re-embarked, but remained at anchor in the bay. The towns of
San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, and Los Angeles were reoccupied; and on the 29th the Legislature met in session and
appointed Flores governor and commandant-general, with
extraordinary powers, to provide for the defense of the country. A general enthusiasm is represented to have prevailed,
and garrisons remained in the reoccupied ports, while a larger
force held the capital.
The American forces that remained on shipboard at San
Pedro were reinforced by Commodore Stockton, and a landing
made November ist with a large command and several guns,
but they re-embarked and sailed to San Diego, where they
were landed fifty leagues from Los Angeles, and supplied by
means of their vessels with provisions from Lower California.
A small detachment under Manuel de Castro moved up north
and had a collision with Fremont November i 6th at La Natividad, eight leagues from Monterey, and the Mexicans
report that they repulsed Fremont.
Near the close of November, Kearny's command of 300
Americans entered California by the Sonora road from New
Mexico. The Mexican commandants, though overestimating Kearny's force, knew of his advance and exact locality,
and, wishing to prevent his junction with the other American
forces occupying San Diego, sent Andres Pico with ioo horsemen to oppose and attack him if the opportunity offered.
Learning through Captain Gillespie that there was an
armed party of Mexicans with a number of horses some three
leagues from San Maria, General Kearny sent Lieut. Thomas
C. Hammond, First Dragoons, with a few men to reconnoiter.
He returned at 2 a. m., reported he had found the party at
the place mentioned, and, although seen by them, was not
pursued. General Kearny made preparations to march and




ï~~Bloody Charge at San Pasqual.

145

attack them at daylight of the 6th. His aid-de-camp, Capt.
A. R. Johnston, First Dragoons, was assigned to the command of the advance guard, consisting of twelve dragoons,
mounted on the best horses of the command; then Captain
Moore followed with fifty men, mounted, with few exceptions,
on mules that had been ridden from Santa Fe, 1,050 miles;
then some twenty volunteers under Capt. Samuel Gibson, and
Gillespie's men; next came two mountain howitzers, with
dragoon artillerists, under Second Lieut. John W. Davidson,
of the First Dragoons. The few remaining cavalry (volunteers) and citizens employed by officers of the staff were
placed under the command of Maj. Thomas Swords, quartermaster, with orders to follow on the trail with the baggage.
At dawn of day the enemy, already in the saddle, were
seen at San Pasqual; Captain Johnson charged them with the
advance guard, followed and supported by the dragoons, and
they gave way; Captain Moore led off rapidly in the pursuit,
accompanied by the dragoons (mounted on horses) and followed, though slowly, by those on the tired mules. The
enemy, well mounted and superb horsemen, after falling
back half a mile, halted, and seeing an interval between Captain Moore with the advance and the dragoons coming to his
support, rallied their whole force and charged with lances.
Moore held his ground for some minutes, but was forced back,
when those in rear coming up, the enemy were in turn driven
back and fled, not to rally again. Kearny occupied the field
and encamped upon it. But few of Moore's men escaped
without wounds. Captain Johnston was shot dead at the
commencement of the action; Captain Moore was lanced and
killed just before the final retreat of the Mexicans; Lieutenant Hammond was also lanced, surviving the wound but a few
minutes; two sergeants, two corporals, and ten men of the
First Dragoons, one private of volunteers, and a citizen engaged with the engineers were killed.
General Kearny received two wounds, Lieut. Wm. H.
Warner, Topographical Engineers, three, and Captain Gillespie three, Captain Gibson, of the volunteers, one sergeant,
one bugler, and nine privates of the dragoons wounded, most
of them when unhorsed and incapable of resistance. The
howitzers were not used in the action; the mules became




ï~~146

San Gabriel Falls.

frightened, escaped from their drivers, ran off among the
enemy and were lost. The Mexicans were commanded by
General Andres Pico, brother of the late Governor of California. There were six of the enemy's dead left on the field;
their wounded and a portion of the dead were carried off.
Ambulances for the American wounded were made, the dead
buried the morning of the 7th, and when the march was resumed the enemy were seen on the hills in front, from which
they retired as Kearny advanced; they made a halt at San
Bernardo, occupied a hill near and held it until attacked by
the advance, when they were driven off, leaving five killed
and wounded; the Americans suffered no loss.
Upon his surgeon's advice Kearny remained at San Bernardo until the i2th, was then joined by Lieut. A. F. V.
Gray, of the navy, commanding a party of sailors and marines sent out by Commodore Stockton from San Diego.
Leaving San Bernardo no enemy was seen, and on the 12th
they arrived at San Diego, having been seventy-eight days
on the march from Santa Fe.
December 29th General Kearny left San Diego with 500
men, consisting of sixty dismounted dragoons under Capt.
Henry S. Turner, First Dragoons, fifty California volunteers,
and the remainder sailors, and marines with a battery of artillery. Lieutenant Emory, Topographical Engineers, acted as
assistant adjutant-general, and Commodore Stockton accompanied the expedition. The march was made for some days
without seeing the enemy, but on January 8th they showed
themselves, about 6oo well-mounted men with four guns
commanded by Governor Flores. They held a height in
front commanding the crossing of the San Gabriel, and evidently intended to prevent further progress. Having made
the necessary disposition, Kearny advanced to the ford,
crossed, and drove the enemy off after a fight of one and a
half hours, during which they charged his left flank but were
repulsed, leaving the Americans in possession of the field.
The march was resumed the 9th, the enemy was seen in
front and on the flanks, and when the plains of the Mesa were
reached the Mexican artillery opened fire, which was returned by Kearny's battery as his men advanced. After
hovering around and near for two hours, occasionally skir



ï~~The Last Stand at.Mesa.

147

mishing during the time, they concentrated their force and
made a charge a second time upon the American left flank,
which was quickly repulsed, and soon after they retired.
The mairch of the Americans was resumed, and in the afternoon they encamped on the banks of the Mesa, three miles
below Los Angeles, which was occupied the next morning
(Toth), without further molestation. The loss on the 8th and
9th was one soldier killed, two officers and eleven privates
wounded, the former being Rowan, of the navy, and Captain
Gillespie.
Referring to this affair, the Mexican history says: "This
was the last exertion made by the sons of California for the
liberty and independence of their country, whose defense
will always do them honor, since without supplies, without
means or instruction, they rushed into an unequal contest, in
which they more than once taught the invaders what a people
can do who fight in defense of their rights. On January zo,
1847, the city of Los Angeles was occupied bTieAmericaY
forces, and the loss of that rich, vast, and precious part of the
Mexican Territory was consummated. The commanding general was now without means of defense and without supplies.
His force consequently dispersed, being overwhelmed by superior numbers. He was therefore obliged to emigrate with
some of the natives of the country to the State of Sonora,
passing immense deserts and suffering unheard of privations."
The expedition against Chihuahua, commanded by Brig.Gen. John E. Wool and known as the "Centre Division,"
was the last to be set in motion. The necessary supplies
were forwarded to San Antonio, Tex., through Port La Vaca,
situated on the western shore of Matagorda Bay. The troops
composing this command were concentrated at San Antonio,
where the expedition was organized. Two companies of the
Second Dragoons, forming part of it, had been stationed there
since the annexation of Texas. The Ar ansas volunteers,
three companies o taesSixth Infantry, and the
ad itmonal companies o the econ  ragoons came downby
lan  rom Arkansas.Washington's battery marched through
the country romCarlisle arracks,Pennsylvania; the First
and Secon i ilroiRegiments of volunteers were transported




ï~~148

Wool' s Expedition.

by the Mississippi River in steamboats to New Orleans, thence
by transports to La Yaca, and thence to San Antonio.
General Wool left Port La Vaca for San AntonioA t8,
1846, having previously directed the concentration of his
rorces there. The command was composed of five companies United States dragoons, three companies Sixth Infantry, one light battery of artillery, six guns, Capt. James H.
Prentiss; one regiment of Arkansas cavalry, Col. Archibald
Yell; two of Illinois infantry, Col. John J. Hardin commanding the First and Col. Wm. H. Bissell the Second, and one
company of Kentucky volunteer infantry, Capt. John S. Williams.
The expedition was encumbered with a large number of
wagons, as the line of march was near 200 miles, over a country known to be wholly unsettled and deficient in all kinds of
supplies, and it was uncertain if they could be obtained even
after having crossed the Rio Grande. Leaving San Antonio
September 28th, a march of 182 miles was made in eleven
days, bringing the advance of the column to the Rio Grande,
opposite Presidio, where the river was 270 yards wide, with
a rapid current.
General Wool issued promptly a proclamation, which was
distributed broadcast over the country, informing the Mexicans that he did not invade their country to make war upon
citizens who remained at their homes occupied with their own
affairs, but to compel the Mexican Gqvernment to render
justice to the United States. Those who did not take up
arms would be undisturbed, either in property or person, and
if they would furnish supplies to his troops would be kindly
treated and liberally compensated.
After a bridge had been constructed under the supervision
of Capt. William D. Fraser, of the engineers, the material
for which had accompanied the column in wagons, the
army crossed over into Mexico, numbering at the time 1,954
men. The ends of the bridge were protected by field works,
and a garrison of two companies was left under InspectorGeneral Churchill, who remained temporarily at this point to
superintend the forwarding of supplies. The army pushed
out from the river to the town of San Juan de Bautista, a
place of 2,ooo inhabitants, and occupied it without resistance.




ï~~JOHN E. WOOL,
BRIGADIER GENERAL, U. S. A.
BORN IN AND APPOINTED FROM NEW YORK.




ï~~i




ï~~Villages Passed on the March.

149

Several companies of Mexican cavalry that had been stationed
there were recalled to, Monterey before the battle at that
place. The country in the vicinity of San Juan was very
fertile, abounding in all kinds of vegetables and fruits. Among
the latter were figs, oranges, and peaches, abundant supplies
of which were furnished at very reasonable rates. The next
march was twenty-six miles, without water, the command
being halted near the town of San Juan de Nava, a place of
1, 200 inhabitants, three-fourths of the houses being uninhabited and the people wretchedly poor. From the river to this
place was a dead level, and between San Juan de Bautista
and Nava there was not a house. San Fernando de las Rosas,
the next town occupied, was a place of three or four thousand
inhabitants, in a fertile plain, well watered by the Arroyo Escondido, a clear, full stream. The people were friendly, and
provided all needful supplies, for which they were liberally
paid.
From San Fernando de las Rosas the line of march was more
southerly, leading toward a pass in the Sierra de San Jose.
The country was sterile and broken, long ranges of mountains
lying off to the right and left, valley after valley opening to
view; the road tortuous and ascending until the summit was
reached, then descending the narrow, winding gorge to
Llano de San Jose, a broad plain thirty miles wide, across
which the route lay directly. Midway in this plain and but
three miles apart were two rivers, serious obstacles for the
army, the Alamos and Sabinos, which uniting form the
Salado and empty into the Rio Grande, each with a strong
current four feet deep and forty yards wide. These streams
were torrents and with currents of such force that horses and
mules had difficulty in maintaining their footing, but, by the
aid of the men, with extended ropes, the troops, artillery and
over two hundred heavily-laden wagons were crossed without
serious accident or loss. The march was now directed upon
Santa Rosa, at the foot of the mountain of the same name,
and entered it October 24th without opposition. Abundant
supplies, purchasable at reasonable rates, were found there.
Generol Wool before leaving San Antonio endeavored to
obtain information of the various routes leading to Chihuahua,
and learned that as they all passed near or through Santa




ï~~150            Wool a~ls cd 7%foncov.
Rosa he could select from one of the following: (r) Through
Naciemento del Rio, via San Carlos and Alamo; (2) through
Puerto de Obayos, via Cuatro Cienagas and Santa Catarina;
(3) or through Monclova and Parras. The whole extent of
country between Santa Rosa and Chihuahua, as far north as
Paso del Norte and south to Monclova, was mountainous with
extensive intervening arid plains, there being few inhabitants
and scant supplies, water being scarce. At Santa Rosa these
reports were confirmed, and the first two routes being regarded impracticable he moved by the Monclova route and
from thence marched to Parras on the road from Chihuahua
to Saltillo. His course was south in a valley between Santa
Rosa and San Jose, where sheep and goats were found, the
country sterile to Rosa de las Hermanas, in which was an extensive hacienda, owned by Senior Blanco, an influential
citizen of Coahuila. The course then was southerly on to
Monclova, where the troops encamped without resistance, occupied it November 3d and displayed the flag from the Governor's Palace. A depot was here established in which to
store corn and flour, thus doing away with the inconvenience
of the long hauling from Port La Vaca, or even from Camargo,
480 miles nearer. Much of the supplies for the Mexican
troops at Monterey was drawn from this place, and i0,000
pounds of flour were seized in the act of being sent to Saltillo.
Wool halted here by reason of the Monterey Armistice and
was joined by Colonel Churchill with the rear column and zoo
more wagons, well filled with supplies. November 24th, expiration of armistice, he left 250 men to guard the stores, then
moved for Parras, i8o miles distant. The general course
was nearly southwest by way of Costafla, Marques, Bajan, La
Joya, Punta de Estafiosa, Punta de Reata, Jaral, San Antonio,
Teneja, Cienaga Grande, Calera and Ojuelos, on to Parras,
where they arrived December 5th. Parras was said to have
6,ooo people, and was capable of a good defense. It is zoo
miles from Saltillo, 200 from Durango, 300 from San Luis
Potosi, 156 from Monterey, 450 from Chihuahua, and in the
center of a good grain-growing country. The grape is cultivated extensively, and large quantities of wine and brandy of
a superior quality are made and sold in the large towns of the
country. It was a strategic position and would have been oc



ï~~Doniphan's March to Chihuahua.

151

cupied much earlier but for the Monterey armistice. Chihuahua could be reached on a good road, the same with Durango
or Zacatecas, and besides from it General Taylor's army could
be readily reinforced. December 17th, as will be seen hereafter, General Wool marched from Parras to Agua Nueva
under a call made by General Worth to be reinforced, he expecting an advance and attack from Santa Anna. The command arrived at its destination, La Encantada, December
21st, and it was this force, known as the "Centre Column,"
that enabled General Taylor to resist Santa Anna successfully
at Buena Vista, February 22 and 23, 1847.
When General Kearny marched from New Mexico into
Upper California Col. Alex. W. Doniphan remained in command with orders, upon the arrival of the second column of
Missouri mounted volunteers, to move south and report to
Brig.-Gen. John E. Wool, supposed to be in the city of Chihuahua. He was directed, before obeying this order, to
make an expedition into the country of the Navajo Indians,
conciliate and make a treaty, binding them to keep the peace
with their neighbors, citizens of New Mexico. General
Kearny regarded it as an obligation to protect New Mexico,
having required the people to remain at their homes and follow their ordinary industrial occupations, and the various officials having taken the oath of allegiance to the United
States.
October 26th Colonel Doniphan left Santa Fe and marched
west, intending to enter the country of the Navajos at several
different and widely separated points. Maj. William Gilpin,
of the regiment commanding the more northern detachment,
consisting of 200 men, marched north from Santa Fe, and
leaving the Rio Grande at the mouth of the Chamas, crossed
the dividing chain of mountains separating the Rio Grande
from the Colorado, and on arriving at the San Juan moved
down it, crossed the Techunica Mountains, and marched by
the Red Lake to the valley of the Little Colorado. This
march was the first made by United States troops into that
remote country.
A second detachment moving south from Santa Fe crossed
and left the Rio Grande at Albuquerque and moved up the
valley of the Puevea, of the west, to near its source. Capt.




ï~~159

1~2         Various Deltckments.

John W. Reid marched with a detachment through the centre
of the Navajo country, while Capt. Monroe M. Parsons penetrated further south, and the remainder of the regiment still
further in that direction. Nearly the entire country was
visited and many of the Navajos, perhaps three-fourths of
the tribe, assembled at Ojo Oso, where a permanent treaty
was made with them. These various detachments of Doniphan's regiment returned to the Rio Grande, striking it at
Socorro December 12th; it had been crossed by the last detachment moving west on November 2d. Much of the Navajo country was traversed in the winter, mountains and valleys being covered with snow.
With his regiment reunited at Socorro, Colonel Doniphan
marched down the Rio Grande to Valverde, and a large caravan of American merchants awaiting there his arrival and
protection, he at once began preparations for the march to
Chihuahua to report to Brigadier-General Wool.
The advance of Doniphan's command, 300 men, under
Major Gilpin, marched from Valverde December 14th, and
followed the road leading across the well-known Jornado de
los Muertos, a plain of ninety miles with neither wood nor
water. This detachment was to wait at Donia Afia the arrival of the remainder of the command. On the 16th 200 men
under Lient. -Col. Congreve Jackson followed, and on the
z8th the remaining forces under Doniphan, with an escort of
ninety men under Lieutenant-Colonel Mitchell, of the Second
Missouri Mounted Volunteers. Mitchell's command had
been ordered by Col. Sterling Price to open communication
between Santa Fe and Chihuahua, and had marched south
while Doniphan's command was in the Navajo country.
Doniphan's entire force was 856 effective men, though he had
no artillery.
Before leaving Valverde Doniphan learned that a Mexican
force had been sent north to El Paso from Chihuahua to defend it against the Americans, and to meet this force, he ordered Major Clark, of the volunteer artillery, then in Santa
Pe, to join him at the earliest moment with a battery of four
6-pounders, two i2-pound howitzers, and 00 men.
The disasters of Palo Alto, Resaca, Monterey and New
Mexico were well known in Chihuahua, and, filled with alarm




ï~~Chilthuahiu  Pilled With Alarm.

153

and anticipating invasion,iher officials sent earnest appeals to
the Central Government) for aid, not only to defend themselves but the cause evei'of national independence. The administration made a vain effort to respond to this appeal by
sending a thousand muskets to Chihuahua, and making arrangements by which General Reyes was to march with a force
from Zacatecas to Durango to organize a suitable defense of that
frontier, but these preparations were frustrated, and the hopes
of Chihuahua blighted. General Heredia was appointed general-in-chief without increase of force, much to the disappointment of the people. General Trias, at the head of the State
Government, hoping everything from the patriotism of the
citizens, though without arms, artillery, disciplined troops,
or money, determined to attempt some resistance. Preparations had barely commenced when it became necessary to
send a force of 1,500 men to meet the enemy-Doniphan.
At El Paso, more than 100 leagues from Chihuahua, a few
men from Presidial companies joined this force, together with
armed men of the disbanded squadrons of Gen. Garcia Conde
and seventy men of the active infantry company of the District. These additions swelled the force to 2,000 men, with
four pieces of artillery; supplies and money were given to
the commander, Col. Gavino Cuilty, at ElPaso, and the people
of the country tendered horses, that the cavalry might be well
mounted. This.was the force at El Paso when the report
came from the North that the advance of the AmericansGilpin with 300 men-had reached Dofia Afia. At this critical moment Colonel Cuilty announced that he was sick, and
upon advice of his surgeon gave up the command to Lieut.Col. Luis Vidal, but Antonio Ponce, commandant of squadron,
protested against this order.
When Doniphan's several detachments were reunited at
Dofia Ania, sixty miles north of El Paso, he was informed that
700 of the enemy were at El Paso with four guns. The
march south was resumed December 23d; on the 25th the advance, 500 men, halted about 3 p. m., with orders to encamp;
and the volunteers were scattered in small groups getting
wood and water, when the guard on the road in front reported
the enemy to be close at hand, moving rapidly.




ï~~154

Afair at Bra' io.

Colonel Vidal marched out of 21 Paso December 21st,
halted his forces at Presa after a march of one league, erected
slight fortifications, and on the 24t1 ordered Ponce to advance on the Santa Fe road with 500 horse, seventy infantrymen of the Active Company of El Paso, fifteen artillerymen,
and one howitzer; Ponce marched four leagues and encamped.
Resuming the march the morning of the 25th, he discovered
the American vanguard in a bend of the Rio Grande at a
place known to the Mexicans as Temascalitos, eight leagues
from El Paso, and the two forces being now in contact, a battle followed.
Lieut.-Col. Jackson, in command of the American rear, was
several miles off when the presence of the enemy was reported and the alarm sounded. The volunteers soon formed
on foot, in open order as skirmishers, Lieutenant-Colonel
Mitchell on the left, and to guard his flanks Doniphan threw
them back so as to rest on the river. The Mexicans represent the Americans as having encamped and, taking no precautions, permitted Ponce to reconnoiter them unobserved;
that he then gave orders to leave the road so as not to raise
any dust, and had approached quite near before being discovered. He then ordered the formation for battle, the infantry
being in the center; on the left the company of Collame, the
auxiliary squadrons of El Paso, and a part of the company of
Chihuahua; on the right a company of the Second Cavalry,
the company of the North, that of San Elizario, and the remainder of the Chihuahua, having the howitzer in rear.
The Mexican history says: " We feel an invincible repugnance at having to describe acts so shameful as those we are
about to relate, caused by unskillfulness so inexplicable that
they seem to have been produced by fatality." The Mexicans advanced, opened fire, having deployed as skirmishers
while moving forward; the howitzer accompanied the skirmishers; the cavalry of the left wing advanced in line, led by
Ponce himself; the cavalry on the right extended more to the
right. The fire was opened at rather long range for infantry;
the Mexicans represent the first line of the Americans as being thrown into disorder and retreating rapidly towards the
woods, where their officers rallied and led them back into
action. They further represent that Ponce ordered the charge




ï~~Z Paso Lost to the Mexicans.

155

to be sounded (which was understood to be the retreat), and
that the cavalry retired in good order, leaving the infantry
fighting, the enemy having reformed and returned. Ponce
was wounded and ordered the infantry to retreat, then turned
the command over to Captain Carabajal. The howitzer was
abandoned, but the retreat continued in good order.
The Mexicans had opened fire-the howitzers having discharged three times-but Doniphan ordered his men to reserve their fire until the enemy came within good range;
then, perceiving an effort to turn his flanks, he ordered a fire,
which checked their advance and threw them into great disorder. Captain Reid, with twenty mounted men of his company," attacked the Vera Cruz Dragoons, which, breaking
while rallying to charge the left flank, fled to the mountains.
Doniphan had seven men wounded-none killed; he reported the enemy as having forty-three killed and 150
wounded. Doniphan calls the place where this affair occurred
Brazito; the Mexicans, Temascalitos. The latter did not report their casualties.
Vidal, informed of what had taken place, made arrangements to retire from El Paso with the whole force, which he
represented as having suffered little or no loss. He, supposing he would be pursued, left El Paso and made forced
marches for Chihuahua, taking all the troops except those
of El Paso, and the disbanded.
On the 27th Doniphan occupied El Paso, and learned that
Wool was not at Chihuahua; the artillery from Santa Fe
joined him February ist, the trains on the 5th; and on the 8th
he commenced the march for Chihuahua.
El Paso being lost, the Chihuahuans redoubled exertions to
prevent the occupation of their capital; enthusiasm with its
illusions had inspired hopes of not only successfully defending Chihuahua, but, also of being able to aid in expelling the
Americans from New Mexico, the inhabitants of which,
though without arms, were anxious to be free and independent.
Doniphan, having made the requisite preparations, moved
out from El Paso the evening of February 8th, encumbered
with a merchant train of 315 wagons, and marched towards
Chihuahua, a little over Ioo leagues south. His effective
force was 924 men and six guns. The march was uneventful




ï~~Action at Sacramento Pass.

for seventeen days, when the enemy was reported to be in
force twenty-five miles in front, at Encinillas, the countryseat of Governor Trias; but when Doniphan arrived there (on
the evening of the 26th) he ascertained that the enemy had
retreated, and arriving at Sauz on the 27th, he learned through
spies and scouts that he was in strong force at the Sacramento
Pass, to which point he had fallen back and fortified.
At sunrise on the 28th the march was resumed; the 315
wagons, merchant train, the company, commissary and quartermaster wagons were formed in four columns to shorten the
line; the artillery and all the command, except 200 cavalry
proper, marched between the columns of wagons. Within
three miles of Sacramento they halted and made a reconnoissance of the Pass without difficulty, the road running over a
level plain, flanked on both sides by sterile mountains. From
the range on the right a spur extended to the left, reducing
the width of the valley to about one and a half miles; on the
left was a deep arroyo, between which and the mountain-spur
the surface rose abruptly sixty feet.
General Heredia and Governor Trias agreed to resist the advance of the Americans at Sacramento Pass if they could not be
attacked before reaching that point, and speedily fortified it.
General Pedro Garcia Conde, who had fought at Monterey, reported to Heredia, and being assigned to the command of the
cavalry, was ordered to move with 70o horse, meet the enemy,
observe his movements and attack without hazarding a general engagement. February 21st Heredia and Trias marched
North with their main force, consisting of seventy men of the
Seventh Infantry, 250 of the Active Battalion of Chihuahua,
i8o National Guards, 50 of the Second Dragoons of Durango,
acting as infantry, not having horses, 10 pieces of artillery, 4,
6 and 8-pounders, and i 19 artillery men. The cavalry under
Conde advanced north as far as Encinillas, twenty-two leagues
from Chihuahua, and learning that the Americans had possession of the Well of Gallego, Conde reported this fact to
Heredia and fell back to the Hacienda de Sauz with the view
of a speedy junction with the main army, in the event of the
Americans moving by Agua Nueva to Tabalopan. Heredia
and Trias on arrival at the Hacienda de Sauz met the cavalry,
and it being reported that the Americans were advancing,




ï~~Illusions of the Chihuahuans.

157

ordered Conde to retire to Sacramento, where he arrived and
encamped the night of the 27th. The whole force, amount
ing to 2,200, was here reunited under Heredia, with Trias
second in command and Conde and Major-General Justiniani
as the principal officers under them.
The Mexican history says: "Small, indeed, in numbers,
put perfectly well armed, supplied with provisions of all kinds
for a campaign in a desert for months, all paid to the last
dollar, and with funds in the chest for the future, the good
Chihuahuans looked with pride upon the results of their
labors, and in every gun and musket they saw the fruits of
their personal exertions. Of all this nothing existed three
months before. All was created by them, all was new, all
was brilliant, and they were filled with delight in noting the
maiden enthusiasm  of the troops. * * * The enemy,
according to reports, were to appear on the following day, and
that night there was a festival in camp. In every tent, in every
friendly group, cheerful toasts were drunk to the liberty of the
country, the young men abandoning themselves to the illusive
delirium of expected triumph, and thinking more of their
expedition to New Mexico to assist their brethren, to cast off
the American yoke, than of the approaching encounter, which
they looked upon as less important than it was."
The reconnoissance, made by Capt. Phil. R. Thompson,
First Dragoons, discovered a number of batteries on the
elevated ridge over which the road passed, one to the right
with four guns, one on the left, and near the centre a third,
and intermediate to these three were others, all protected by
epaulements, and on a ridge to the left, near and parallel
with the road, a number of redoubts in which were infantry
well protected. The Mexican cavalry appeared first on the
plain at the foot of the ridge, but retired and formed to the
left of the infantry.
Doniphan's main force halted within a mile and a half of
the enemy's line; his cavalry advanced nearer, when suddenly and at a quick pace his whole force, including wagons,
moved rapidly to the right and ascended the ridge, beyond
the extreme left battery of the enemy, which move turned
the intrenched batteries commanding the road. The enemy,
perceiving Doniphan's march, ordered his cavalry to antici



ï~~158

Complete Rout of the Enemy.

pate and check it, and they moved, taking with them four
guns. The Americans advanced so rapidly that the ridge was
mounted by the troops and many of the wagons in time to
form, before the Mexican cavalry came within reach of their
guns and halted. Doniphan's men advanced to within a
thousand yards to enable the wagons to reach the crest of the
ridge and form compactly. The Mexican cavalry then advanced within reach of the artillery, which opened fire, killed
and wounded many, and caused disorder which the officers
could not prevent. The Mexican artillery opened fire, but
did not restrain the cavalry, which now broken and in confusion, dispersed, involving the infantry advancing in rear.
Captain Weightman with the 12-pound howitzers dashed forward, supported by the cavalry, under Captains Reid, Parsons,
and Hughes, the remainder of the First Regiment, dismounted,
followed rapidly on foot, accompanied by Major Clark with
the remaining four guns, and all, infantry and artillery,
opened fire upon the Mexican infantry in the line of redoubts,
drove them back and cleared and captured the redoubts. On
the left of the line of infantry a battery surrounded by an infantry force still remained in possession of the Mexicans and
continued a rapid fire. Major Clark directed his guns upon
this battery, Lieutenant-Colonels Jackson  and Mitchell
charged it, and when it fell the rout of the enemy was complete.
Colonel Doniphan estimated the Mexican force at 2,900;
the enemy reported it at 2,000. Doniphan had 924 effective
men, 100 of whom were not engaged, being with the wagons
or holding horses. The Mexicans lost all their artillery, ten
guns, but do not give their casualties. They refer to the fact
of the last and severest fighting being at the left redoubt,
where Captain Rosales and Lieutenant Quintana were killed
whilst encouraging their troops. Colonel Oinz, of the cavalry, also fell, and his men then fled. The whole camp, with
all the public property, fell into the victor's hands. Trias
and Conde withdrew, preceded by Heredia, to Chihuahua, leaving behind their wounded. " Then faded away the last light
of that day, whose rising sun had shone upon so many hopes.
That night was a frightful one for Chihuahuans. In the city
where, blinded by the expectations of victory, they were pre



ï~~R2evolt in fleMeico.15

169

paring with enthusiasm for a triumphal festival, the sound of
cannon had been heard in the evening with the liveliest anxiety, and when news was received of the disaster the utmost
terror spread among the people. Such was the sad picture
presented to the unhappy Chihuahuans the night of February
28, 1847, in the very places where in the preceding evening
they had gaily drank toasts to independence and liberty. The
next day, March ist, the State Government removed to Parras,
a town near the frontier of Durango."
Doniphan lost but nine men, killed and wounded. With
him of the regular army were Capt. Phil. R. Thompson, First
Dragoons, and Capt. Charles F. Wooster, Fourth Artillery.
Major Clark and Lieutenant-Colonel Gilpin had been in the
regular army, and Captain Weightman had received a military education.
March ist Chihuahua was occupied, but General Wool, to
whom Doniphan had been ordered to report, was near Saltillo, whither he had been ordered from Parras in February
to aid in resisting the advance of Santa Anna.
Col. Sterling Price, Second Missouri Volunteer Cavalry,
remained in command of New Mexico on the departure of
Doniphan for Chihuahua, and in December, 1846, received
reports of attempts being made to excite the people of the
Territory against the American Government, Thomas Ortiz
and Diego Archuleta, Mexicans, being represented as instigators of the movement. A list of the disbanded Mexican
soldiers near Santa Fe was found in the possession of a former
Mexican officer who was seized. Ortiz and Archuleta escaped arrest and fled, as supposed, to Chihuahua, and with
the flight of these two conspirators the excitement apparently
died out.
On January 14th Governor Bent left Santa Fe for Taos, and
on the i 9th he and five others were seized at Fernando de
Taos by Mexicans and cruelly murdered; on the same day
seven Americans were murdered at the Arroyo Honda and
two others on the Rio Colorado. The purpose of these revolutionists seems to have been to kill every American, and
even Mexican, who had accepted office under the new Gov-,
ernment. Colonel Price received this information January
20th at Santa Fe through captured letters, calling upon the




ï~~160

Americans Murdered.

inhabitants of the lower Rio Grande for aid, and the further
intelligence that these malcontents were approaching Santa
Fe, their numbers being increased by the people of the towns
through which they passed. Colonel Price, prompt to act,
ordered up from Albuquerque Maj. Benj. B. Edmonson, Second Regiment Missouri Volunteers, and Capt. John H. K.
Burgwin, First Dragoons, with their commands, directing the
latter to leave one company at Santa Fe and join him with
the other, and the former to remain at that place. Capt. N.
B. Giddings, Second Missouri, was ordered to join Colonel
Price when relieved by one of Burgwin's companies. Leaving Lieutenant-Colonel Willock in Santa Fe, Colonel Price
marched north with five companies-Capts. Thomas Barber's
Wm. C. Halley's, Sam. H. McMillan's, Wm. V. Slack's,
and Williams'. Capt. Wm. Z. Angney's battalion Missouri
Volunteers, a company of Santa Fe volunteers under Capt.
Ceran St. Vrain, and four mountain howitzers under Lieut.
A. B. Dyer, of the ordnance. All of this force, 353 men, were
dismounted, except St. Vrain's company. On the march,
Captain Williams being ill, Lieut. B. F. White commanded
his company. About i p. m., January 24th, the mounted
company in the advance reported the Mexicans in considerable force near the town of Canada, situated upon a small
stream. They occupied three houses at the base of the hills
beyond the stream, and also the crests of hills in rear. The
attack was ordered at once, the shells of the i 2-pound mountain howitzers were directed upon the houses and the heights
beyond, and St. Vrain's company detached to meet a party
of Mexicans who threatened the trains in rear. Angney's
battalion charged the enemy in the houses on the right, drove
them out, and the line held on the heights were charged at
once, while St. Vrain, who had rejoined, moved around to
cut off the retreat. The Mexicans were soon dispersed.
Their force numbered, as estimated, 1,500, with and without
arms. Thirty-six of them were killed; the number wounded
not known. Price's loss was two killed and six wounded.
The town was occupied during the night. and the following,morning some 400 of the enemy were seen on distant heights,
but as they retired without resistance on the approach of
Price's men the latter returned to the town.




ï~~Canada and Embudo.                161
On the 27th Price moved up the Rio Grande as far as Luceros, where early on the 28th he was joined by Captain Burgwin's company, First Dagroons, a company of the Second
Missouri Volunteers under Lieut. D. M. Boone, and Lieut.
Clarendon J. L. Wilson, First Dragoons, with a 6-pounder,
sent for from Canada. Burgwin's company was dismounted,
and had made a long and rapid march from Albuquerque.
The entire force under Price was now 479, and with this he
marched on the 29th to La Joya, where he learned that sixty
or eighty of the enemy had taken position on the steep,
rugged acclivities of the mountain enclosing the caion leadng to Embudo. The road being here impracticable for artillery and wagons, Captain Burgwin was ordered forward with
18o men from his own, St. Vrain's, and Lieutenant White's
companies, accompanied by Lieut. Robert Walker, adjutant
of Price's regiment, and Lieut. C. J. L. Wilson, First Dragoons, who volunteered as a private in St. Vrain's conipany.
Burgwin moved forward and discovered the enemy, estimated
to be between six and seven hundred, posted on both sides of
the road where the canion contracted so as barely to admit
the passage of three men abreast. The mountain sides were
abrupt and covered with a thick growth of scrubby cedar and
ledges of rock that gave good shelter. St. Vrain dismounted
his men, scaled the mountain on the left, and engaged the
Mexicans; other flanking parties under Lieutenants White,
Second Missouri Mounted Volunteers, McElvain, and 0. H.
P. Taylor, First Dragoons, ascending the mountains rapidly,
the Mexicans soon began to retire toward Embudo, bounding along the steep and rough sides of the mountains with an
ease and speed that defied pursuit.
When firing was heard in the canion Captain Slack was ordered forward with twenty-five mounted men, and on reaching the field relieved Lieutenant White; Lieutenants McE1 -vain and Taylor were recalled, and Lieut. Rufus Ingalls,
First Dragoons, and Captain Slack led the pursuit. The
Mexicans having retreated beyond reach, Burgwin resumed
the march through the cation, on the far side reunited his
command, and marched into Embudo without opposition, several persons meeting him with a white flag. Price had one




ï~~162

Taos fountains Crossed.

man killed and one severely wounded; the Mexicans twenty
killed and sixty wounded.
January 3oth Captain Burgwin led off in the march for
Trampas, with orders to await there the main force, obliged
on account of the artillery and wagons to pursue a more southern route. With the united force, Price marched on the 31st
to Chamisal, reached the summit of the Taos mountains (covered with snow two feet deep), and halted February 2d at a
small village called Rio Chiquito, on the edge of the Taos
valley. With commendable constancy and patience, the
troops endured the sufferings of the two days' marching in
snows, several being frost-bitten and all severely tried. On
the 3d Price marched to Fernando de Taos, and, ascertaining
the Mexicans had fortified themselves in the Pueblo de Taos,
continued on to that place.
The Pueblo was capable of a good defense against the
force confronting it, being surrounded by an adobe wall and
picket fence, and the buildings within the enclosure being of
the heavy, thick adobe style usual to Mexico. Near both the
northern and southern wall were two large buildings, seven
or eight stories high, each capable of sheltering five or six
hundred men. The church was large and situated in the
northwestern angle of the town, a passage being left between
it and the surrounding wall. The exterior walls, as well as
those of the buildings within, were loop-holed for the use of
small arms.
The place having been reconnoitered, Lieutenant Dyer orordered a charge against the southwestern side of the church, his
guns (the 6-pounder and the howitzer) being within 250 yards.
This fire continued for several hours, but the ammunition
wagons not having arrived, the troops (suffering from cold
and fatigue) were withdrawn to Fernando de Taos for the
night. Colonel Price returned to the attack the following
morning; Burgwin, with his dragoons, was posted within 250
yards of the western side of the church; St. Vrain and Slack
on the opposite side of the town to observe and intercept any
Mexicans that might attempt to escape either towards the
mountains or to Fernando de Taos. The remainder of the
troops were within 300 yards of the north side of the walls,
and here Lieutenant Dyer posted the 6-pounder and two of




ï~~Assault on Pueblo de Taos.

163

the howitzers, while Lieutenant Hassandeubel, of Major
Clark's battalion (light artillery), was posted near Burgwin
with two howitzers. A cross-fire swept the front and eastern
side of the church.
The artillery opened on the town at 9 a. in., and finding by
II o'clock that it was impossible to breach the walls of the
church with pieces of such small calibre, Price ordered the
town to be assaulted; Captain Burgwin, with his own and
Captain McMillan's company, charged upon the western side,
while Captain Angney's battalion (Captain Barber and Lieutenant Boone, Second Missouri,) charged the northern wall.
When Burgwin reached the western wall, axes were used to
breach it, and a temporary ladder made with which the roof
was reached and set on fire. He then crossed the outer wall
with a small party and endeavored to break or force the door
of the church; in this exposed position he received a wound
of which he died on the 7th. Lieutenants McElvain (First
Dragoons), Royall, and George E. Lackland (Second Missouri) followed Burgwin over the wall, but all efforts to force
the door failed, and they again sought the protection of the
wall.
In the meantime small holes had been made through the
western wall of the church, shells were thrown in by hand
and did much execution. The 6-pounder was brought up
to within 200 yards, fired grape into the town, at 3 p. m.
it was run up to sixty yards of the church, and after ten
rounds one of the holes cut by axes was made into a practicable breach. The storming party, led by Lieutenants Dyer
(of the ordnance), Wilson, and Taylor (First Dragoons) entered through it and took possession of the church.
The troops that supported the guns on the north side now
charged; the enemy abandoned the western part of the town,
many taking refuge in the large houses on the east side, while
others endeavored to escape to the mountains, but were pursued by the mounted companies of Slack and St. Yrain; fiftyone of them were killed, only two or three escaping. The
fight terminated about dusk, and the town was occupied, the
troops being quartered in the abandoned houses. The next
morning the enemy sued for peace, which was granted on
condition that Tomas, the main instigator of the uprising and




ï~~164

Killed and Wounded.

one of the party who murdered Governor Bent, be delivered
to the Americans.
The number of Mexicans engaged in Taos was between six
and seven hundred, of whom 150 were killed; wounded not
known. Price's loss was seven killed and forty-five wounded;
many of the latter died. The principal leaders in the insurrection were Tofoya, Pablo, Chavis, Pablo Montoya, Cortez,
and Tomas, a Pueblo Indian; of these the first named was
killed at Canada; Chavis at Pueblo; Montoya was hanged at
Fernando de Taos on the 7th, and Tomas was shot by a private soldier while a prisoner in the guard room at Taos. It
is not recorded that these men were tried by any tribunal,
civil or military.
The spirit of revolt, or desire to resist invasion was not
confined to that part of New Mexico visited by Colonel Price;
every village and settlement east of the mountains, except
Las Vegas and Tuccolote, was excited, and the want of arms
alone prevented thousands from aiding the uprising. At
Mora, January 20th, five Americans who had been captured
were robbed and then shot. On the 24th a party of eighty
men under Capt. Israel R. Hendley, of Price's regiment,
bearing that an armed band of Mexicans was at Mora, marched
from Las Vegas and attacked them, killing fifteen or twenty.
Hendley, however, was killed in the collision, and it being
reported that Mexican reinforcements were approaching, the
Americans returned to Las Vegas.




ï~~CHAPTER VIII.
CORRESPONDENCE BETWEEN GENERAL TAYLOR AND THE
WAR DEPARTMENT.-EVACUATION Or TAMPICO.
Monterey having been occupied, General Taylor renewed
efforts to increase his transportation and to accumulate there
an abundant supply of subsistence stores. He also caused
two depots of clothing to be established in rear, one at Camargo, from which the garrison there and the forces under its
immediate command could be supplied; the other at Point
Isabel, for the troops stationed there and at other points along
the Rio Grande.
Near the middle of October he advised the War Department that he had received its communications of the 21st and
22d of September, delivered by Lieut. Lewis A. Armistead,
* of the Sixth Infantry, and in which certain movements of
troops were suggested. In reply, he informed the department that the terms of the capitulation at Monterey would
prevent military operations south of a certain line, beyond
which the department wished troops to be dispatched, and he
promised a more detailed reply in a few days.
October 15th he wrote that no detachment could be made
to Tampico without contravening the Monterey capitulation,
advised the department of the whereabouts of Ampudia and
his army, and that Santa Anna was reported in San Luis, actively engaged in organizing a large force. Saltillo, the
capital of Coahuila, and 300 miles from San Luis, was already
virtually in possession of the United States forces, and could
be occupied as soon as the armistice expired, but such occupation would increase by seventy-five miles the line over
which supplies would have to be drawn.




ï~~166

f7orrespondenee adad Instruct'ions.

The letters from the War Department of September ast and
22d were written during the battle, which continued until late
on the 23d, and the department did not, of course, at the dates
of these letters know of this battle. General Taylor was informed by them of the determination of the Government to
make a descent upon the gulf coast of Mexico as soon as it
could be undertaken, with a due regard to the health of the
troops, and that Tampico would probably be the point of
attack. The possession of this seaport and adjacent country
would facilitate the further prosecution of the war, and in
the event of the occupation of San Luis Potosi would be indispensable. Upon this matter he was requested to express
an opinion, also to indicate the kind and number of troops
necessary to attain the end in view. The department believed 1,500 or 2,000 would be ample, one-half being regulars
which could be furnished without detaching from Taylor's
army.
In the communication of September 22d General Taylor
was informed that the Mexican Government had refused to
consider at that time proposals for the restoration of a peace,
just and honorable to both sides; that it had, in fact, deferred
definite action until the meeting of their Congress, December
6th. To impress this Congress and to create a desire among
the people for peace, the department believed they should be
made to feel the war, and Tamaulipas or the most important
places in it occupied.
General Taylor was also informed that under the usages of
civilized warfare, either of three modes may be resorted to in
obtaining supplies: First, to purchase at such prices as the inhabitants of the country may choose to ask; second, to pay
a fair price, without regard to the enhanced value resulting
from the presence of a foreign army; third, to take without
compensation,* this last method being the ordinary way, and
* Under " the usages of civilized warfare" supplies are obtained, as
the Secretary states, but history records departures from these three
methods; burning, sacking, destroying what the invading army does
not at the time stand in need of. These exceptions, due to the will of
particular commanders, do not affect the general rule or usage, only
demonstrate their humanity and wisdom. When we refer to usages
of civilized warfare, we mean those practiced by Christian nations,
but we find the Mahometans were and are abreast of the Christians in




ï~~Correspondence and Instructions.

167

he was instructed to adopt it if he believed the demands of
the army could be supplied in that way. If this could not be
done, then he must pay, as had been the practice up to that
time. The President was hopeful of supplying the army
from the hostile country, but if this was not practicable, then
to do so in the most inexpensive manner.
Relative to Tamaulipas, to be occupied at the earliest period
possible, it was suggested that a route dependent upon the
Gulf at that season of the year was liable to serious objections, that the land route from the Rio Grande might prove
impracticable, and for the debarkation proposed, two points
had been considered, viz: the bay of Santander and that of
Soto la Marina, from either of which ports important places
in the State of Tanaulipas could be easily reached.
Such were the subjects that occupied the attention of the
War Department whilst the battle of Monterey was being
fought, and inasmuch as they were military, could have
been properly left to General Taylor's judgment.
General Patterson was designated as the officer to command
the expedition, with Generals Shields and Pillow commanding
brigades under him. The move was to be made with the
least possible delay consistent with the health of the troops,
and it was left to General Patterson, under General Taylor's
instructions, to decide whether the movement was to be made
by land or water, or partly by both.
General Taylor was requested to give his views in regard
to the best mode of prosecuting this expedition, particularly
as to the amount and description of force, and the quantity
and kind of ordnance required. The Secretary believed that
General Taylor, on the receipt of his letters,. would have arrived at Monterey, perhaps even Saltillo, and have been enabled to form some estimate as to his ability to advance upon
San Luis. This move, if practicable, would be facilitated
the observance of these rules. Abubeker, who succeeded Mahomet as
Caliph, in dispatching his army into Syria, instructed the commander
as follows: " When you meet with your enemies quit yourselves like
men, and don't turn your backs, and if you get the victory kill no
little children, nor old people, nzor women; destroy no palm trees nor
burn any fields of corn; cut down no fruit trees nor do any mischief
to cattle, only such as you kill to eat." (History of the Saracens by
Edward Gibbon and Simon Ockley.)




ï~~108

Correspondence and Instructions.

by the contemplated expedition to Tampico, which would
enable him to effect a co-operation with the squadron and
with the column under General Patterson on a line in advance
of the Rio Grande.
To General Patterson the department also addressed a communication, September 22d, as follows: "As soon as you learn
from General Taylor that a sufficient force for the enterprise can
be spared, and receive his directions in regard to it, you will
lose no time in putting them into execution. If General Taylor should not give direction as to moving by land or water,
the choice would then be left to your determination. The
Department will expect from you, without delay of sending
through General Taylor, a reply to this communication,
embracing your views and the facts you may possess having
a bearing on matters connected with the proposed expedition."
General Taylor replied October 15th saying that the further
his army penetrated into Mexico, the longer the line over
which supplies must be transported, until San Luis Potosi be
occupied; and to march against that city would require an
army of 20,000, half of which should be regulars, with an additional 5,000 to keep open his line of communication and to
secure his base. At the date of his letter he had 9,000 volunteers and 3,000 regulars. With this small force, 3,000 of
which were required to keep open his communications, he
regarded his numbers as entirely inadequate, and as he had
but half the force requisite to move against San Luis, it was
quite impossible for him to make the double move, and
that nothing less than twenty-five or thirty thousand men
could justify those two moves, on any military principle.
Largely increased means and material of every kind would
be equally necessary to render the army effective, such as
cavalry and artillery horses, means of transportation and ordnance stores, in all of which the army he had led against
Monterey was deficient when it marched from Camargo, and
over six thousand troops had to be left on the Rio Grande for
want of transportation. He limited his reinarks to the position
of the army on the Monterey and Rio Grande line, and the essentials for a campaign against San Luis, the suggestions in
the Secretary's letter being confined to this general theatre of
operations, but he stated that should the Government deter



ï~~Taylor's kianly Letter.

169

mine to strike a decisive blow at Mexico, it was his opinion
that the force should land near Vera Cruz or Alvarado, and
after establishing a secure depot, march thence on the capital. The amount of troops required for this service would
not fall short, in his judgment, of 25,000 men, of which at
least o,ooo should be regulars.
In conclusion he said: "I feel it my duty to make some
remarks which I would gladly have been spared the necessity
of submitting. I feel it due to my position and to the service
to record my protest against the manner in which the Department has sought to make an important detachment from my
command, specifically indicating not only the general officers,
butto a considerable extent the troops that were to compose
it. While I remain in command of the army against Mexico,
and am therefore justly held responsible by the Government
and the country for the conduct of its operations, I must claim
the right of organizing all detachments from it and regulating
the time and manner of their service. Above all do I consider it important that the War Department should refrain
from corresponding directly with my subordinates and communicating orders and instructions on points which, by all
military precept and practice, pertain exclusively to the general-in-chief commanding. Confusion and disaster alone can
result from such a course. The reason alleged, viz, the loss
of time in communicating with General Patterson, has no application, for the Secretary's despatch came from that officer
to my headquarters in sixty hours, and he could not move,
at any rate, without drawing largely upon this column for
artillery and regular troops.
"I beg to be understood that my remarks have no personal
application. It was quite probable, in the event of making
such a detachment, I would have placed it under General
Patterson, but I conceive that mode of regulating details and
ordering detachments direct from the Department of War to
be a violation of the integrity of the chief command in the
field, pregnant with the worst evils and against which I deem
it my duty respectfully but earnestly to protest."
This manly letter from General Taylor must be approved
by all intelligent soldiers of practical knowledge in the command of troops, and will be endorsed certainly by all who




ï~~170

Corresponden cc C'ontin ued.

have been intrusted with the command of armies during war,
and who are competent for such positions. General Taylor,
of course, knew it was the President and not the Secretary
who gave the orders, and he also knew the President had the
power to give them if he chose; but it was a departure from
well-founded and long continued usage of the service, and he
conceived it to be his duty and that the interest of the country through that of the service demanded that he protest
against such action on the part of his legal superior, whose
orders his oath of office required him to obey.
A communication, dated October 15 th, was the first to General Taylor after the receipt at Washington of his dispatches
announcing the battle and capitulation of Monterey. It contained well-expressed compliments to General Taylor and the
troops under his command, and no one can question their
sincerity; but, touching the capitulation, the Secretary said:
"The President instructs me to say that he regrets it was not
deemed advisable to insist upon the terms which you had first
proposed. The circumstances which dictated doubtless justified the change. The Government did not contemplate, as
you will perceive by the tenor of the dispatches of September
2 1st and 22d from this Department, that there would probably
happen any contingency in the prosecution of the war in
which it would be expedient to suspend hostilities before the
offer of acceptable terms of peace. The Government is fully
persuaded that if you had been aware of the special reasons
disclosed in the dispatches of September 22d, and the intentions of the Government still entertained, you would not have
acceded to the suspension of hostilities for even the limited
period specified in the articles of capitulation, but as its continuance depends upon the orders of your Government, you
are instructed to give the requisite notice that the armistice
is to cease at once, and that each party is at liberty to resume
and prosecute hostilities without restriction."
In reply to the above letter, General Taylor, after reciting
several good reasons why the capitulation was agreed to, and
such as were entirely satisfactory to the army present at the
time, showed conclusively that the United States, in the condition his army was in, and not from any oversight on his
part, had lost nothing by the armistice.




ï~~orrespondence and Instructions.

171

In regard to the armistice, the fact that in eleven days the
period fixed by the convention would terminate, and that he
was not prepared to advance in force, is sufficient explanation
of the military reason which dictated the suspension of arms.
It paralyzed the enemy during a period when, from the want
of the necessary transportation and supplies, General Taylor
could not possibly move. Other good reasons (not military)
were assigned for agreeing to the capitulation of Monterey.
He concluded his letter thus: "The result of the entire
operation, the move upon Monterey, and the battle of three
days there fought, has been to throw the Mexican army back
more than 300 miles beyond Monterey to the city of San Luis
Potosi, and open up the country to us as far as we choose to
penetrate it up to the same point."
At this late date, when the actors in these movements have
passed away and with all the facts and official correspondence
before us, the conclusion is evident that General Taylor displayed good judgment in agreeing to the convention of Monterey, and that he was always straightforward and honest in
his correspondence with the War Department, clear, intelligent, and forcible, his logic unanswerable, and his style a
model for the military profession.
November 9th he advised the department that in obedience
to instructions contained in the communication of October
13th he had formally notified the general-in-chief of the Mexican forces that the armistice agreed to at Monterey would
cease on the 13th instant, the date at which the notice would
probably reach San Luis Potosi. November 8th the order
was issued for the occupation of Saltillo, the march to begin
on the i3th, the detachment detailed for that purpose to be
under General Worth and consisting of the Fifth and Eighth
Regiments of Infantry, eight companies of the artillery battalion, Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan's battery, and Captain
Blanchard's company of Louisiana Volunteers.
The War Department was under apprehensions, October
2 2d, that recent political changes in Mexico would tend to
unite' the people, arouse war feeling, and, under the leadership of Santa Anna, inspire a more powerful and determined
resistance. Hopes of disaffection and luke-warm support of
the war in the more northern States of Mexico could no longer




ï~~172

 Crrespondence and Instructions.

be indulged, and the question of supplies as Taylor's troops
advanced beyond Saltillo being a serious one, the move in
that direction being mainly dependent upon it, doubts were
entertained whether or not he should advance beyond his
present position. Should he concur in this opinion he would
turn his attention to making his position at Monterey secure
and keeping open his communications with the Rio Grande.
The department, however, did not intend to restrain him if he
wished to make expeditions from Monterey into Nuevo Leon,
as these might prove beneficial by confusing the Mexicans as
to his real design or purpose.
General Taylor was also informed that a move upon Vcra
Cruz was under advisement, that it was believed that city
might be taken, the castle of San Juan de Ulua reduced
or compelled to surrender, and if he should decide to remain
at Monterey and call General Worth to his immediate command the requisite number of troops could be withdrawn from
his forces and sent to Vera Cruz.
He would therefore, unless it materially interfered with
his own plan of operations or weakened him too much in his
present position, make the necessary preparations for having
4,000 men, 1,500 or 2,000 to be regulars, ready to embark for
Vera Cruz or such other destination as may be designated, at
the earliest practicable period, and Brazos was indicated as
the probable point of embarkation. It would be well to make
the impression that Tampico was to be the point of attack.
General Patterson, who was to command the expedition, had
been furnished with a copy of this letter to General Taylor.
It must impress many, and even those not soldiers, that it
was unusual, and a selection that could not have been anticipated, to order General Patterson to take charge of an enterprise like that of the siege of Vera Cruz, an operation that
demanded, besides a general knowledge of the military profession, so much that was purely technical and in such operations most essential. It is not the purpose to underestimate
General Patterson, but his previous life-long avocations were
not such as to encourage the belief that he was a competent
leader for such an expedition.
November 25th the War Department informed General
Taylor that it had been determined not to push invasion be



ï~~Scott's Letter to the Secretary.

173

yond Monterey unless it be to occupy Saltillo as an outpost,
this conclusion having been reached mainly through his own
letter. Hence offensive moves being suspended on his line, a
sufficient force could be detached for a successful attack upon
important places on the coast, which would take more forces
than had been previously suggested, and the President having
decided to send Major-General Scott to the seat of war, had
communicated this decision to him on November i8th.
The Secretary referred then, reluctantly, to the protest of
General Taylor against interference with the army while he
was in command, and said nothing was further from his purpose, that he was only the medium of communication between
the President and the army, but that General Taylor could
not question the right of the President or general-in-chief to
give orders. He then added: " With the disposition, which I
am sure you possess, to judge fairly on the subject, I allow
myself to hope that on reflection you will perceive that the
reasons alleged for a direct communication with General Patterson were not idle ones, and perhaps you may regard it, as
it was and still is here regarded, of sufficient importance to
justify the course adopted."  And in conclusion: " I assure
you that nothing could be further from the views of the department than any intention to interfere with or derogate
from the authority belonging to you, by right or usage, as
commanding general, and allow me to add that after full
consideration of the part of the dispatch deemed by you exceptionable, I am unable to convince myself that either in the
manner or matter, all circumstances considered, it furnishes
just grounds for your animadversions."
Soldiers well understand that General Taylor was right,
while other persons equally honest, but not familiar with the
military profession, may not see that he had cause for remonstrance, it being competent under the law for the President to
give orders in the case. Military men also know that selecting
a civilian to direct siege operations might be a very hazardous experiment, howcver well the public interests might be
supposed to be guarded, by surrounding such commander with.
an educated and competent staff.
In September, 1846, General Scott addressed the Secretary
of War as follows:




ï~~174

The Secretary's Reply.

HEADQUARTERS OE THn ARMY,
WEST PoINT, N. Y., September 12, 1846.
SIR: In the letter I had the honor to address to you the 27th of
May last, I requested that I might be sent to take the immediate command of the principal army against Mexico, either " to-day or any
better time the President may be pleased to designate."
The horse regiments, twelve months' volunteers, destined for that
army, being, I suppose, within fifteen or twenty marches of the Rio
Grande, and the season for consecutive operations at hand, I respectfully ask to remind the President of that standing request. I do it
without any hesitation in respect to Major-General Taylor, having
reason to believe that my presence at the head of the army in the
field, in accordance with my rank, is neither unexpected nor undesired by that gallant and distinguished commander.
A slight return of chills and fever may detain me here with my
family long enough to receive your reply to this note. Should the
President yield to my wishes, a few hours in New York and Philadelphia would enable me to make certain arrangements and save the
necessity of a return to these cities from Washington. I suppose it
would be easy for me to reach the Rio Grande by the end of this
month. With high respect, I have the honor to be
Your obedient servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Hon. W. L. MARCY, Secretary of War.
To this request of General Scott the following reply was
made by the Secretary of War:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, September 14, I846.*
SIR: I have received your letter of the 12th inst., and submitted it
to the President. He requests me to inform you that it is not within
the arrangements for conducting the campaign in Mexico to supersede General Taylor in his present command by assigning you to it.
I am, with great respect,
Your obedient servant,                 W. L. MARCY.
Major-General ScoTT.
Two months later the President decided to send MajorGeneral Scott to the seat of war, and so notified him on November 18th. The following is the order under which General Scott left Washington for Mexico:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WASHINGTON, November 23, 1846.
SIR: The President several days since communicated to you in person his orders to repair to Mexico, to take command of the forces
* Just one year later, September 14, 1847, General Scott after a
series of brilliant victories entered the City of Mexico.




ï~~Carte Blanche Given General Scott.

175

there assembled, and particularly to organize and set on foot an expedition to operate on the Gulf Coast, if on arriving at the theatre of
action you shall deem it practicable. It is not proposed to control you
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 provided for accomplishing it, are committed to you in the full
confidence that you will use them to the best advantage. The objects which it is desirable to obtain have been indicated, and it is
hoped that you will have the requisite force to accomplish them. Of
this you must be the judge, when preparations are made and the
time for action has arrived.
Very respectfully your obedient servant,
W. L. MARCY,
Secretary of War.
Maj.-Gen. WINFIED ScoTT, Washington.
It will be seen that under this order General Scott was not
to be controled in his operations by definite and positive instructions, but to prosecute them as his judgment should
dictate in full view of all circumstances. Upon him was
the responsibility; he was to be free to exercise his judgment, and such means as he deemed necessary were to be
provided. The day after the receipt of the order Scott left
Washington for New York, and the next day addressed the
following private or confidential letter to General Taylor.
The selection of Taylor to command the Army of Occupation
was made with the concurrence of General Scott, as we learn
from his autobiography.
[Private and confidential.]
NEw YORK, November 25, 1846.
MY DEAR GENERAL: I left lWashington late in the day yesterday,
and expect to embark for New Orleans the 30th inst. By December
12th I may be in that city, at Point Isabel the 17th, and at Camargo,
say, 23d, in order to be within easy corresponding distance from you.
It is not probable that I may be able to visit Monterey, and circumstances may prevent your coming to me. I shall regret not having
an early opportunity of felicitating you in person upon your many
brilliant achievements, but we may meet somewhere in the interior of
Mexico.
I am not coming, my dear general, to supersede you in the immediate command on the line of operations, rendered illustrious by you
and your gallant army. My proposed theatre is different. You may
imagine it, and I wish very much that it were prudent at this distance




ï~~176

Scott's Letter to Taylor.

to tell you all that I expect to attempt or hope to execute. I have
been admonished that despatches have been lost, and I have no special
messenger at hand. Your imagination will be aided by the letters of
the Secretary of War, conveyed by Mr. Armistead, Major Graham,
and Mr. McLane.
But, my dear general, I shall be obliged to take from you most of
the gallant officers and men (regular and volunteer) whom you have
so long and so nobly commanded. I am afraid that I shall by imperious necessity, the approach of yellow fever on the gulf coast, reduce you for a time to stand on the defensive. This will be infinitely
painful to you, and for that reason distressing to me; but I rely on
your patriotism to submit to the temporary sacrifice with cheerfulness. No man can better afford to do so. Recent victories place
you on that high eminence, and I even flatter myself that any benefit that may result to me personally from the unequal division of
troops alluded to will lessen the pain of your consequent inactivity.
You will be aware of the recent call for nine regiments of new
volunters, including one of Texas horse. The Prdent maysoon
ask for many more, and we are not without hope that Congress may
add ten or twelve to the regular establishments. These by the spring,
say April, may by the aid ofargebounties be in the field, should
Mexico not earlier propose terms of accommodation, and long before
the spring (March, it is probable) you will be again in force to resume
offensive operations.
I am writing at a late hour of the night and more than half sick of a
cold. I may dispatch another note before I embark, but from New
Orleans or Point Isabel, you will hear from me officially and fully.
It was not possible for me to find time to write from Washington, as I
much desired. I only received an intimation to hold myself in
preparation for Mexico on the 18th instant. Much has been done
towards that end, and more remains to be executed.
Your detailed report of the operations at Monterey and reply to the
Secretary's dispatch, by Lieutenant Armistead, were both received
two days after I was instructed to proceed south. In haste, my dear
General,                        Yours faithfully,
WINPIELD SCOTT.
Maj.-Gen. ZACHARY TAYLOR, United States Army.
The harbor of Tampico de Tamaulipas was always regarded
as one of the best on the Gulf, and its importance in both
military and commercial points of view were so appreciated
by the Mexican Government that it was well and strongly
fortified. Situated on the left bank of the Panuco River, two
leagues from the sea and near Lake Carpintero, which lies quite
near the river, it formed a point of some strength as a defensive position, and was known in history for the vigorous defense made in 1829 against the Spaniards.




ï~~Evacuation of Tampico Ordered.

6 177

When General Taylor advanced to the Rio Grande the
Mexican Government ordered it to be strengthened with field
works, having first called upon Gen. D. Anastacio Parrodi
for a report as to its condition. He replied that the fortifications had been razed in 1837, as they gave shelter and points
of defense to disturbers of public order, who kept the district
in constant agitation, and that it was also deficient in troops.
Upon receipt of this report orders were given to fortify it, so
as to render it capable of good defense. Troops, supplied
with a liberal amount of ammunition, were despatched to it,
and in October, 1846, it contained a garrison of over 1,ooo
men, composed of the battalions of the Twelfth of the Line,
the Actives of Puebla; the Guarda Costa of Tampico; the
Companies Veterana of Tampico; a company of the Sixth
Cavalry of Tamaulipas; a detachment of artillery, 120 guns
of all calibers and near 2,000 national guards; and in addition
to this land force, three vessels of war-Union, Poblano, and
the Queretana.
General Parrodi, notified to consider himself under the orders of Gen. Santa Anna, was subsequently ordered to turn
the command over to Gen. D. Francisco Garay, and the day
this officer arrived to assume command Parrodi was instructed
by Santa Anna to evacuate the place and march to Tula de
Tamaulipas, seventy leagues in the interior and beyond the
Sierra Madre mountains. Tula is a mountain pass on the
San Luis and Victoria road, about eighty miles from the latter place.
The order to evacuate Tampico was a surprise to Parrodi,
as he had fortified it at considerable expense and had construed the order of the Government to Garay (to relieve him
in command) as evidence that it was to be held at all hazards.
The order to abandon Tampico produced widespread discontent among the citizens; even the soldiers murmured. The
excitement and irration were extreme; it was asserted treason
was at the bottom of it, and those who did not believe or
utter such sentiments thought the move unwise, as the Government would lose much revenue not only from customs,
but those accruing on a multitude of articles already stored
in the city. The governor, Nutnez Ponce, in sympathy with
his people, and unwilling to witness the great destruction of




ï~~178 *

Urrea -Relieves Parrodi.

property that would follow the retreat from Tampico, offered
funds to Parrodi to defray the expense of holding it.
Parrodi, disclaiming any intention of disobeying the order
of Santa Anna, sent an express to San Luis, explaining in
what way there would be heavy loss of war material and that
it would require Bo pack mules to move the public property,
while but 300 could be obtained. Incensed by this communication, Santa Anna reiterated the order, indicated October
2 7th as the day on which the evacuation must take place, and
informed Parrodi that he would be held responsible for its
faithful and prompt execution.
As but little time was allowed, the war ships-Union, Poblano, and Queretana-were loaded with the valuables that
could be saved and placed under charge of Surgeon D. Francisco Marchante, who was to take them to Tamoral, fifty
leagues above by the river Tamesis, seven leagues from Villa
de Valles, thence by land to the Sierra Madre, and over these
to Tula. Some of the vessels could only go as high as
Panuco, on the right bank of the Panuco river, where the
valuables were transferred to canoes and the three vessels
returned to Tampico, having been sold to a merchant.
On the 27th the first detachment of troops marched from
the town, to be followed on the 28th by the remainder, accompanied by General Parrodi. Santa Anna, informed of the
state of feeling at Tampico and the resistance to the execution of his orders, and blaming Parrodi for it all, sent Gen.
D. Jose Urrea to relieve him of the command. This officer
met Parrodi October 29th near the point of the Laguna de la
Purita, took charge of the troops, continued the march to
Horcacitas, Santa Barbara, and thence to Tula, where they
arrived November 16th, having been twenty-one days making
the distance from Tampico. One of the vessels of the United
States blockading squadron in the gulf, cruising off the bar
and being near the mouth of the river, learned what had
transpired and reported it to the commander of the squadron,
who ordered Tampico to be occupied, November 15th, by
four or five hundred sailors and marines.
Marchante, who had been detained at Panuco without
means, without soldiers to guard his valuable freight-the
canoes not coming to his assistance-narrowly escaped. The




ï~~Marchante Rescued.

179

officer commanding the United States forces in Tampico, being informed by a Mexican of Marchante's detention at
Panuco, ordered several launches, with oo men, to ascend
the river and capture him; but, being warned by a countryman
in Tampico, he secured small boats, abandoned eight gunsi8 and 24-pounders-threw kegs of powder and other property
into the river, and escaped just before the arrival of the
launches. The officer in charge of these, being told that he
had been gone so long he could not be overtaken, put the
cannon and other trophies on the launches and returned to
Tampico, where, learning he had been deceived and that
Marchante could be overtaken and captured, he despatched
a second expedition (consisting of two steamboats with zo0
men each) up the river, but this expedition also failed-two
of the boats not being able to ascend far enough-and Marchante, though entirely helpless, escaped capture. He had,
with great efforts, secured the assistance of citizens and had
gotten his stores to the Pugal.
General Urrea, in the meantime, learning from Tampico
how serious had been the loss in public property, sought to
repair the great wrong in abandoning Marchante, charged
with the care of so much that was valuable, and accordingly
ordered, November 28th, Comniandante D. Jose Barreiro to
leave Tula with 200 infantry and a small cavalry force and
march at once to Marchante's relief, and to arrest, if necessary, all officers who had caused delay and danger. Barreiro,
arriving at Villa de Valles, secured the services of a large
body of the national guards and many laborers, and, sending
out small parties in many directions, marched alone to Pugal,
where he found Marchante. The Americans had steamed up
as far as Tamanal, and there, learning of the force sent to the
relief of Marchante, returned to Tampico.
Barreiro, being with Marchante in the Pugal, unloaded the
stores promptly, and by December ist returned with the trains
to Tula. The rough road, over which neither wagons nor
artillery had ever before passed, offered many difficulties, but
patience and perseverance finally prevailed; cannon were
passed along at many places by hand, other property by mulateers, and the remainder of the supplies were finally saved,




ï~~180

Tula Fortified.

all of which, in the opinion of many intelligent Mexicans,
should have been used in defense of Tampico.
Santa Anna, dissatisfied from what he had heard, made
grave charges against Urrea and ordered Gen. D. Joachim
Monet, colonel of the Puebla regiment, to be sent to save
this train. Monet set out at once, but met the trains moving
along in good order at Villa de Valles. Urrea, vexed at
Santa Anna's impatience, went also to meet them, and on
December 25th the convoy reached Tula.
No one can read of the sufferings of Arista's army on its retreat from Matamoros without being painfully moved, nor can
we think of the labor and almost superhuman efforts, made
with scanty means, to save the public property at Tampico,
evacuated hastily and under a peremptory order issued at a
distance and apparently in ignorance of the condition of affairs at that place, without feelings of lively sympathy and
admiration for the energy, courage, and fortitude displayed
by Marchante, Arista and others.
When General Taylor threw Worth's command forward to
Saltillo, it was regarded by the Mexicans as a menace to
San Luis Potosi, and when Patterson was ordered by Taylor
from the Rio Grande to Victoria to unite there with the
troops from Monterey, Santa Anna conceived his right flank
threatened and ordered Tula to be reinforced, General
Valencia having already been assigned to its command.
Santa Anna ordered the Pass to be fortified and Gen. D. Ignacio Mora y Villamil repaired thither with a section of engineers.
They (engineers) reported that the Pass of Tula had
heights on all sides commanding it, and even if fortified and
garrisoned, must succumb if attacked, but they indicated
other points on this same flank (right) whose importance had
been overlooked, and which were capable of an effective resistance. Santa Anna, however, having ordered the Tula
Pass to be strengthened, did not heed their suggestions.
Valencia lay idle in the Tula Pass, while the Americans occupied Victoria, some eighty miles distant, and then continued their march on to Tampico, their right flank all the
time exposed. He asked permission to be allowed to move
upon Victoria and attack the Americans, or if this was




ï~~Mexicans Withdraw to San Luis.

181

deemed unadvisable, to be allowed at least to advance with
a corps of guerillas and harass them by attacking their rear
guards and trains, but Santa Anna, annoyed by the repeated
requests of Valencia, which he regarded as evidence of insubordination, reprimanded him and relieved him from duty,
assigning Gen. D. Ciriaco Vasquez to his place. Valencia
was known to be courageous and enterprising, and Santa
Anna feared that in his eagerness to fight he might disobey
orders, and thus thwart his general plan of campaign, which
was to bring his whole force, united, compact, and strong
upon Taylor.
Valencia, relieved from command, was ordered to Guanajuato.  One of the strangest incidents connected with the
evacuation of Tampico is that General Parrodi was brought
before a court martial and tried for ordering the evacuation
of Tampico, but justly acquitted. The Americans having
passed through Victoria and on to Tampico, the division of
Mexican troops at Tula was withdrawn to San Luis and
formed part of the army with which Santa Anna attacked
Taylor in February, 1847, at Buena Vista.




ï~~CHAPTER IX.
GENERAL SCOTT SAILS PROM NEW YORK TO NEW ORLEANS.CORRESPONDENCE, ETC.-THE MARCH TO VICTORIA.
General Scott sailed from New York to New Orleans November 3oth, but, owing to head winds and northers after
reaching the Gulf, was nineteen days making the trip. On
December 20th he informed General Taylor of the object of
his being assigned to command in Mexico-viz., to conduct
an expedition against Vera Cruz and the castle of San Juan
de Ulua, to the end that if successful, a new and shorter line
of operations upon the Mexican capital might be opened.
The first difficulty anticipated by General Scott was the
concentration in time, off the Brazos, of a force large enough
to give reasonable hopes of success before the usual periodend of March-of the return of the black vomit to the coast of
Mexico. He regarded J5,000 troops (5,000 to be regulars)
and the co-operation of the navy desirable, if not absolutely
necessary, but he would go forward if he could assemble 5,ooo
regulars and 3,000 volunteers. The middle of January was
the date named for the general rendezvous off Brazos of the
transports with troops and supplies in order that debarkation
might be made near Vera Cruz as early as February ist.
On all these points and others connected with the invasion
of Mexico, Taylor's advice was requested; he hoped they
might meet at Camargo or lower down the river, and said he
would send an officer at an early date to communicate his
views in detail. In the matter of the new regiments of volunteers, called for from the States, he could hardly expect more




ï~~Scott' s Preliminary Orders.

183

than four to reach Brazos by January 15th, and he foresaw
as he had intimated in his letter of November 25th from Nev
York, that he would be compelled to withdraw so many troop;
from Taylor's command as to reduce him to the defensive,
though it would be of the greatest importance to the success
of his own expedition for Taylor to be strong enough to act
offensively in the direction of San Luis Potosi.
In addition to the regulars and volunteers at Tampico and
en route to that place, he wished Worth's division of regulars,
two field batteries (Duncan's and Taylor's), 500 regular and
the same number of volunteer cavalry, and as many volunteer
foot as he could spare to be sent, Taylor retaining only a
force adequate to hold Monterey and preserve his communications with Camargo, the mouth of the Rio Grande, and
Point Isabel. He wished these troops to be at the mouth of
the river January 15th, and as he believed that the troops at
Tampico were at a better point for embarking, a garrison
would be left there. The second day after his arrival in New
Orleans, Scott wrote the Secretary of War acknowledging
receipt of several communications and stating that he had
seen two letters of the War Department to Col. Thomas F.
Hunt, quartermaster at New Orleans, in which the Secretary
had directed vessels loaded with ordnance and ordnance stores
to rendezvous at Pensacola rather than at Brazos; of this he
approved. He expressed fears that most, if not all, the new
regiments of volunteers would be backward in organization
and embarkation, and would have no time for tactical instruction at Pensacola or elsewhere, before landing in Mexico, in
the enemy's presence.
He urged that the chiefs of staff, near the Secretary, be instructed to push forward the volunteers to Brazos, so that as
many regiments as possible might be there by the middle of
January, and stated he would leave instructions of the same "
purport with General Brooke, commanding in New Orleans,
with reference to the four regiments to pass out of the Mississippi, and that such troops as should reach Brazos after he
had sailed south would find requisite instructions where to go.
He reported there were rumors of Taylor being about to move
a portion of his troops upon Victoria via Linares.




ï~~184

84xtracts of Correspondence.

December 23d he wrote the Secretary that the steamship
Alabama had been detained receiving freight and five corn
panies of mounted rifles, enclosed a copy of a letter written to
Commodore Conner, called the Secretary's attention to what
he (Scott) had said about Lobos Island as the place for assembling the troops to take part in the expedition agains
Vera Cruz, and requested that;hips with troops and supplies
(yet to sail) be ordered there rather than to Pensacola, Brazos, or Tampico. Volunteer regiments not likely to be in
time for his descent near Vera Cruz should be excepted, and
the rearmost of these ordered to Brazos.
He also addressed a letter to General Brooke, commanding
department with headquarters at New Orleans, reminding him
of the importance of the position he held in respect to the
war in Mexico, which he felt assured he would fill with his
usual zeal, energy, and judgment. * * *  " As troops and
supplies arrived, he wished them despatched to the Brazos,
subject to his (Scott's) further orders. Each transport should
have on board subsistence for its troops for three months.
Boats for embarkation and debarkation, then under construction on the Atlantic coast, should come out with the troops
expected from that direction." His instructions covered all
points, even to the minutest details.
He also wrote, before sailing for the Brazos, to Commodore
Conner, notifying him of his having been ordered to Mexico,
and the probability of their being associated in joint operations against the enemy; indicated the date when he hoped
to have the fleet of transports assembled at Brazos and Tampico, and of the expected force. The number, he said, would
greatly depend on the force the enemy would have to oppose
his descent from the open sea, meaning a Mexican army in
the field, not the garrisons and guns of any city or fort. Of
the probability of meeting such an army, and of its numbers,
he relied greatly on information he (Conner) might be able
to impart, and on agents which he (Scott) had employed, or
was about to employ. " Those agents on leaving Mexico are
or will be instructed to report in writing or in person to you,
or to some superior officer of your squadron, relying on your
kindness to transmit the information rapidly to me," and he
begged that instructions be given to board all neutral vessels




ï~~Scott Sails for I3razos Santiago.

185

coming out of the enemy's ports, say after the loth of next
month, in order to receive such agents or their written reports, otherwise they may be compelled to return, or report
from Havana.
Upon information just obtained he thought it quite probable he might appoint the roadstead between the Island of
Lobos and the main land some fifty or sixty miles beyond
Tampico as a general rendezvous for transports and other vessels with troops and supplies destined for the expedition in
question. If as good a harbor as reported, it would serve to
mask his views admirably. He desired information on the
subject, although he might be compelled to act to some extent before he could hear from him. Having made most detailed reports, and given instructions, both general and special, covering all points connected with the contemplated expedition, General Scott set sail on the steamship Alabama
December 23d for Brazos Santiago.
Arriving at Brazos on the 29th, he found both there and at
the mouth of the Rio Grande exciting and contradictory
rumors touching General Taylor's army and the dangers
threatening it. He wrote the Secretary, under date of December 3oth, from Matamoros, that an officer had just arrived from General Patterson at San Fernando, and reported
that the latter had on the morning of the 2 7th inst. official
dispatches from Major-General Taylor, saying that he was
about to return with a part of his movable column to Monterey, in order to support Brigadier-General Worth, understood to be menaced at Saltillo by Santa Anna with a powerful army. He continued: " This information has determined
me to proceed up the river to Camargo, in order to meet dispatches from Major-General Taylor, and if his outpost should
be seriously menaced, to join him rapidly." Otherwise, he
would be at Camargo within easy corresponding distance of
Taylor, in respect to his (Scott's) ulterior destination. He
further stated: " If the enemy be acting offensively with a
large force, which I doubt, he must first be repulsed and
crippled before I can proceed to the new and more distant
theatre."
We will now refer to the move made by General Taylor
upon Victoria, with Major-General Patterson from Mata



ï~~183

Taylor Marches to Victoria.

moros, Twiggs with his division of regulars and Quitman
with his brigade of volunteers, from Monterey. The authorities at Washington had determined not to undertake offensive
operations of magnitude on Taylor's front beyond Monterey,
but to occupy the State of Tamaulipas, or the most important places in it, before or soon after the meeting of the Mexican Congress in December.
General Taylor, under date of November 26th, from Monterey, reported that he had been officially notified the day
before of the occupation of Tampico by the naval forces under
Commodore Perry on the 14th, and also that it had been evacnated on the 27th of October by the Mexican garrison. Upon
the request of Commodore Perry General Patterson had
promptly ordered a battalion of artillery, six companies, to
proceed without delay and relieve the marines and sailors
then holding it. General Taylor approved of this order of
his subordinates and increased the force by one regiment of
volunteers. Brigadier-General James Shields was ordered to
Tampico, and upon his arrival to assume command. General
Taylor still proposed to move upon Victoria, reconnoiter the
country, and examine the passes leading from Linares and
other points to the interior.
Before leaving Monterey for Victoria he deemed it proper
to explain to the Secretary the disposition that had been and
would be made for the occupation and defense of that part of
Mexico, and, that it might be well understood, enclosed with
his communication a map showing the line from Parras to
Tampico, which was evidently a strong one and easily defended with competent forces, which need not be great in
numbers. The map made it evident that San Luis was equidistant from important points on the line, that a force there
would have great advantages, and, notwithstanding the country between San Luis and this line was deficient in water and
subsistence, it was the only one practicable for artillery and
wagons between Saltillo and Monterey.
It was of prime importance to hold Parras and Saltillo and
the intermediate town of Patos, the forces of Wool at the
former and those of Worth at the latter making the right
flank secure. Worth would be reinforced particularly with
cavalry, and a reserve held at Monterey to support the




ï~~Twiggs Leads the Advance.

187

advanced positions when threatened. Monterey would be
the headquarters of General Butler, commanding the reserve; his own troops proper, Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky,
would be there in echellon on the road to Camargo and the
mouth of the Rio Grande. Tampico, the extreme left of the
line, was garrisoned by eight companies of artillery and an
Alabama foot regiment of volunteers, in all about 1,000
effectives, ample to hold it, as the harbor was already held
by the navy. Victoria, between Tampico and Monterey, the
capital of Tamaulipas, was an important place, and should be
occupied. Its seaport, Soto la Marina, confronted Tula Pass
leading through the Sierra Madre, and threatened the flank
of an arniy moving from San Luis towards Saltillo. These
considerations, before the evacuation of Tampico, had attracted his attention, and he regarded them as more important now than ever, having reason to believe that General
Urrea with a corps of observation was at Tula sending out detachments as far as Victoria.
General Patterson had, accordingly, been ordered to march
from Matamoros to Victoria with three regiments of volunteers, two pieces of artillery, a detachment of Tennessee horse
serving as cannoneers, commanded by Lieut. C. Roberdeau
Wheat, and the engineer company under Lieut. G. W. Smith.
At Montemorelos the Second Infantry, under Lieut. -Col.
Bennet Riley, would join Twiggs, and with this force Taylor
expected to make a junction with Patterson at Victoria.
Having established a depot, if found practicable, at Soto la
Marina, examined the passes, and made a careful and judicious disposition of the troops, he would return with a portion
of the regulars, unless otherwise ordered, and take up his
headquarters at Saltillo, which he regarded as the most important point. Under this arrangement Patterson would be
left near the coast, and Butler hold the line of communication
from the mouth of the Rio Grande to Saltillo.
The march from Monterey to Victoria began with the regulars under Brigadier-General Twiggs on December 13th, followed on the 14th by Quitman's brigade of volunteers; the
general himself followed on the 15th. After Twiggs was
joined on the i7th at Montemorelos by colonel Riley, the
whole force, 3,500 strong, was to have marched on the 19th




ï~~188

Quilman Occupies Victoria.

for Victoria, but befure reaching Montemorelos General
Taylor received a dispatch from General Worth at Saltillo,
reporting that Santa Anna designed to take advantage of the
detaching of forces to Victoria, by rapid marches reach
and attack him at Saltillo, and, if successful, move on Wool
at Parras. Without means of ascertaining the correctness of
this report, General Taylor returned with the regulars to
Monterey, where he was in position to relieve Saltillo if necessary. Quitman, reinforced with a battery, was ordered to
continue his march from Montemorelos upon Victoria and
effect a junction with Patterson.
These were the moves and rumors of moves in circulation
at Brazos, the mouth of the Rio Grande, and Matamoros upon
General Scott's arrival and which he reported to the Secretary in his first communication from Mexico. In the meantime, Major-General Butler and Brigadier-General Wool, informed of the probable attack upon Worth, had moved forward to Saltillo with all the available forces at Parras* and
Monterey; and Butler, dispatching orders to the troops in
rear to hasten up, assumed command.
General Taylor had, December 22d, gone beyond Monterey
towards Saltillo, when he received a dispatch announcing the
early arrival of Wool's troops, that the expected movement
by Santa Anna did not take place, and that the Mexican advance posts had in fact been withdrawn. Regarding the force
at Saltillo ample, Twiggs halted at Monterey, and after a rest
of one day marched again towards Victoria, Patterson being
well on his way from Matamoros. General Taylor arrived
the second time at Montemorelos December 25th, and resumed the march with Twiggs' division for Victoria. A topographical engineer officer with a cavalry escort was ordered
to examine the Mountain Pass of Lopadores, distant two days'
march, and left Lopadores the morning of the 28th for San
Pedro, situated at the entrance of the Santa Rosa Pass.
Twiggs' command came up the 26th, and on the 29th Quitman without opposition occupied Victoria, which had been
held by General Urrea with a body of cavalry 1,500 strong,
*General Wool marched from Parras with his entire force and trains,
arriving at La Encantada December 21st, and, having made xii miles
in less than four days, encamped at Agua Nudia.




ï~~Taylo" Learnts of Scott's Arrival.

189

having pickets out in the direction of Monterey as far as San
Engracia. They fell back through Victoria, and the whole
Mexican force retired towards the Tula Pass, halting at Jamaure. Valencia was reported to be at Tula with quite a
large force. January 24th General Taylor, with Twiggs' division and General Patterson, reached Victoria. The examination of the Pass of Lopadores determined successfully the
character of the route, but the escort was attacked in the
Santa Rosa Pass, and the baggage with ten men cut off. General Taylor now learned unofficially that General Scott was
in Mexico, and decided to await at Victoria his orders.
Anxious to be in direct communication with General Taylor, General Scott, on arriving on the Rio Grande, proceeded
without loss of time up the river to Camargo, where he hoped
to meet dispatches. While on the river, before arriving at
Camargo, he wrote January 3d to General Butler at Monterey that he learned General Taylor had marched a second
time for Victoria, and that he (Scott) enclosed to him
a copy of the letter of the 20th ult. written to Taylor,
which would explain his mission, and the necessity he
was under of giving him direct instructions. He stated
that his letter to General Taylor of the 20th ult. had been
criminally delayed, and might not yet have been received;
that a previous one of November 25th, a copy of which he enclosed, had met, he learned, with a more tedious transmission.
These details mentioned were given as an indirect apology to
General Taylor for his necessary interference with his command, and the apology would, on the first occasion, be made
direct.
Geneal Scott then referred to the expedition against Vera
Cruz, to the conduct of which he had been assigned, of the
necessity of speedy action to accomplish this object before the
return of the yellow fever, to be looked for by the end of
March, and stated his principal force must be drawn from the
troops then under General Taylor. Those already at Tampico and the most of those at Victoria should be embarked at
the former place and a garrison be left there as also an escort
for General Taylor on his return to Monterey. He would
send instructions for the movement from Victoria to Tampico.
The other troops to be detached from General Taylor's com



ï~~190

Scott Communicates With       Taylor.

mand should march to the mouth of the Rio Grande or Point
Isabel, to embark for the Brazos.
Having no reliable returns, he supposed General Taylor to
have near seventeen thousand men, 7,000 being regulars
and 1o,ooo volunteers. Standing on the defensive he believed 2,000 regulars and 5,000 volunteers would enable
him to hold Monterey and the line of communication back to
the mouth of the Rio Grande; leaving out Victoria and Saltillo, because they may be held or abandoned without material influence, and on this point he gave no opinion, leaving it to
General Taylor or in his absence to himself (General Butler).
Without delay, and without waiting to hear from General
Taylor, General Butler must put in movement for the mouth
of the Rio Grande the following troops: about oo regular
cavalry of the First and Second Dragoons, 500 volunteer cavalry, two field batteries of light artillery, Duncan's and Taylor's, 4,000 regular infantry, which would include artillery
serving as infantry, and 4,000 volunteers, all to be under
Brigadier-General Worth. From these were to be deducted
the troops at Victoria and Tampico (less the garrison at the
latter and the escort General Taylor may require back to
Monterey), one of the volunteer regiments at Matamoros, and
no other deductions, unless pressed by the immediate presence of the enemy, were to be made.
Scott wrote on the same date to General Taylor, acknowledging receipt of his letter of the 26th ult., in reply to
his communication of November 25th. He regretted that
Taylor had not received his letter of the 20th ult., as it
would have caused him to return to Monterey, for he
found his great distance from him embarrassing, circumstances and extreme pressure of time rendering direct instructions of a very important character to Taylor, next in command, absolutely necessary. His attention was then called
to the enclosed letter to General Butler, which Taylor
must regard as addressed to himself, if he had returned to
Monterey. He wrote that his letter to General Butler was
so full it left but little to be said, even if time permitted.
He (Taylor) was continued in the command he had so long
and so honorably held; he would not interfere with him
beyond the necessities of the service. He said further,




ï~~Minor Details of the Expedition.

191

if he succeeded in taking Vera Cruz, and through it the Castle of San Juan de Ulua, a new line of operations would be
opened upon the Mexican capital.
While engaged at Vera Cruz, he regretted no less on
Taylor's account than his own that he would not be strong
enough to manoeuvre offensively upon San Luis Potosi,
for it would greatly favor his siege operations and Taylor's own inclinations; but owing to the near approach
of the vornito, he could not wait for the new troops; hence he
was compelled, by diminishing Taylor's forces, to reduce
him for the time to a strictly defensive course. He repeated
previous instructions and hoped, if the troops arrived in time,
to leave the Brazos Pebruary ist, and Tampico for Vera
Cruz some five days later. He believed his arrangements of
every sort completed, except that everything depended upon
drawing from his command about 5,000 regulars and 4,000
volunteers. With these forces, and adding three to five regiments of new volunteers (foot), he (Scott) expressed the
opinion " that Providence might defeat ham, but he did not believe the Mexicans could."
Having returned to the mouth of the Rio Grande, he wrote
January 8th to General Butler, calling attention to the fact
that in previous letters he had not referred to the officers of
the general staff, who were to accompany the troops drawn
from  the Army of Occupation.   Presuming the requisite
number would accompany them, he would be gratified if
Colonel Whiting and Captain Sibley should be of the number,
but he could not ask for the chief of any branch of the general staff on duty with General Taylor. It was his purpose to
have Major Sumner command the 500 regular cavalry referred to in his previous letter, though he had failed to mention this in either of his previous letters.
He gave personal attention to everything connected with
his expedition. January i 2th he wrote from Brazos to General Brooke in New Orleans that the troops to embark there
as well as at Tampico would probably not reach either place
before late in the month, say 25th, and this would not be regretted if ships with troops, ordnance, etc., coming from the
Mississippi and other more distant points for his army should
arrive equally late. General Brooke was directed to instruct




ï~~192

False Alarms Rife.

all coming within his sphere of command, that troops arriving
from the Mississippi, Mobile or Pensacola, would be too late
if they came after February ioth, and he was cautioned to
have all ships joining or following the expedition to have fuel
and water for sixty days, if practicable, for ninety days, appending many other small but important details.
The same day he wrote to the War Department reporting
his visit to Camargo, the false alarm, causing the marching
and counter-marching between Monterey and Victoria, a subsequent one about the camp of Brigadier-General Wool and
he said others would probably occur at the advanced posts,
notwithstanding the inactivity of the enemy's nearest corps at
San Luis Potosi. Such alarms were provoking and frequently
caused interruptions of the wisest conceptions and plans.
He hoped to hear in four or five days that General Butler
was dispatching troops to the coast, and in a week the arrival
off the Brazos of ships with troops and supplies destined for
Vera Cruz, which, after replenishing water tanks, would be
ordered to Lobos Island. He did not doubt he would be off
Vera Cruz with a respectable force by the 15th, hoped to be
there by the loth of February; if delayed it would be owing
to the difficulty of getting troops down to the coast. He
added: " Should success crown our arms a reinforcement of
ten or twelve thousand regulars (about April) would be indispensable to enable me to make a consecutive advance on
the capital of the enemy." He wished a new assistant adjutant-general, with the rank of major, to be appointed, as he
did not expect to take one from either of the three majorgenerals then in Mexico.
General Butler wrote January 9th, informing General Scott
that his instructions of January 3d, with reference to sending
troops to the coast, were received about 4 p. m. on the 8th,
and orders issued at once for the move to begin the following
morning (9th). The troops ordered from Saltillo and vicinity
embraced all the regular troops with Worth and Wool, except
two companies of the First Dragoons, Captain Washington's
Light Battery, with Wool, and Captain Webster's company
with two 24-pound howitzers in Saltillo. To these Worth was
ordered to add the Fourth Infantry at Monterey and Captains Thornton's and Hunter's companies of cavalry at




ï~~Troops Under Orders for Vera Cruz.

193

Camargo, Blanchard's company of Louisiana Volunteers, acting with the Fifth Infantry and a company of Kentucky foot
with the Sixth Infantry. General Worth reported to General
Scott from Saltillo January 9th that he would march that day
for the mouth of the Rio Grande, would reach Monterey in
three and a half days, Camargo in seven, and five to Matamoros, if the river was too low for steamers.
The excitement was great among the few troops in garrison at Monterey when it was known that Worth's command
had been withdrawn from Saltillo under orders for the mouth
of the Rio Grande. Among the junior officers there was
much speculation as to the object of this counter march, the
prevalent opinion being that the war was over, the troops returning to the States,* and that peace would be announced
upon reaching the coast. The weather being cool the march
to Camargo was made with but slight discomfort, the longest
and most disagreeable day's journey being twenty-eight
miles over a dusty road. The woods had been recently
burned, there was a high wind blowing, and the faces and
uniforms of the troops became disfigured by cinders and
dust. The command encamped on a pretty and rapidly
flowing stream, Chicharon, and before tents were pitched
it was full of officerst and men bathing. The next day's
march brought them to Mier, sixteen miles, the following  to
Camargo, twenty miles, and there the Fourth Infantry, together with General Worth and staff, boarded the steamer
Colonel Cross and descended the Rio Grande.
They remained at the mouth of the river two days, then returned by steamer eighteen or twenty miles up the river and
encamped for the convenience of wood, to await transporta* In Mexico the United States was always referred to by officers
and soldiers as " The States."
+ Lieut. Sid. Smith was the first to leave the bivouac for the purpose of bathing. There was a thick undergrowth along the banks of
the stream and in it a drove of Pecoros, resembling the hog very
much in appearance. They are quite fierce at times, and attacked
Smith. He jumped upon the limb of a small sapling barely strong
enough to bear his weight and about three feet from the ground.
About twenty Pecoros underneath him reared upon their hind feet
and snapped their teeth at only an inch or two from his feet. He
was much alarmed; Beaman, Grant, and others coming to his rescue,
the Pecoros fled, and Smith was released.




ï~~194

Confidence in General Scott.

tion for Lobos Island. It became known here that General
Scott was on the Rio Grande, that Worth's division was en
route to Vera Cruz, that Twiggs' and Patterson's divisons
had marched to Tampico to sail from thence to Lobos Island, and that when all had assembled the fleet of transports
would weigh anchor and sail for Vera Cruz. All were in the
best of spirits, and anticipating with interest, rather pleasure,
the siege of Vera Cruz, had no doubt of its being taken, then
if peace was not made the march to the interior would begin. All had implicit confidence in General Scott, and entertained no fears of the strength or powers of his army.
General Taylor addressed a letter from near Victoria on
January 15th to the adjutant-general at General Scott's headquarters, reporting the junction with General Patterson's
forces at Victoria January 4th, since which date he had been
awaiting advices from General Scott, not doubting he would
hear from him on his first arrival at Matamoros or perhaps
from Tampico, to which place he sent on the 6th inst. a confidential messenger. Owing to a scarcity of supplies, he had
ordered the troops to Tampico. General Twiggs' division
had marched the r4th, Patterson's would march the t5th and
16th, and would reach their destination about the 25th.
Returns of these two commands were enclosed, the aggregate of Twiggs' (regulars), 1,465; of Patterson's (volunteers),
3,268, and of the entire force, 4,733. Colonel May's squadron of the Second Dragoons and the Mississippi Rifles had
been retained as a guard to headquarters, and to escort a
train of supplies, just in from Matamoros, back to Monterey,
it not being necessary to send them on to Tampico. Bragg's
and Sherman's batteries had been retained. Should he, however, have misunderstood instructions, he begged to be corrected, so they might be ordered without delay to join him.
He could not write more fully, not knowing the action of
General Butler, under the instructions of the general-in-chief.
Upon his return to Monterey he might he able to give his
views in regard to the wants of the service on the line proposed to be held.
On the same day, January 15th, he addressed a letter directly to General Scott, from which the following extracts
are made: "In a communication addressed this day to your




ï~~Correspondence of Taylor and Scott.

105

staff officer I have replied to so much of your letter of the 6th
inst. and its enclosures as relates to points of detail, but there
are other and grave topics embraced in those communications to which I deem it my right and duty to reply direct.
The amount of force to be drawn from this frontier and the
manner in which it is proposed to withdraw it had never fully
come to my knowledge until yesterday, though hinted at in
your note of November 25th. Had you, general, relieved
me at once in the whole command and assigned me to duty
under your order or allowed me to retire from the field, be
assured that no complaint would have been heard from me;
but while almost every man of my regular force and half the
volunteers (now in respectable discipline) are withdrawn for
distant service, it seems that I am expected with less than,o00o regulars and a volunteer force partly of new levies to
hold a defensive line, while a large army of more than 20,000
men is in my front. * * * I cannot misunderstand the
object of the arrangements indicated in your letters. I feel
that I have lost the confidence of the Government or it would
not have suffered me to remain up to this time ignorant of its
intentions with regard to so vitally affecting interests committed to my charge. But, however much I may feel personally mortified and outraged by the course pursued, unprecedented at least in our own history, I will carry out in good
faith while I remain in Mexico the views of the Government,
though I may be sacrificed in the effort." There were several points of minor grievances referred to in this letter.
Could these two distinguished officers have met face to
face, and General Scott have had an opportunity to explain
to General Taylor the policy and intentions of the Government, there would have been no such misunderstanding, and
the latter could not reasonably have felt so incensed and indignant at the course of the Government in assigning General Scott to command in Mexico or in withdrawing troops
from his command. The Secretary of War and General
Scott unquestionably believed that General Taylor expected
troops to be taken from him, and, having suggested it, would
approve it.
General Scott replied to the above letter January 26, X847,
from Brazos, as follows: " I have your two letters of the 15th




ï~~196     aorrespondence of Taylor and Scott.
inst. There are some expressions in these letters which, as
I wish to forget them, I will not recall. You intimate a preference for service in my particular expedition to remaining
in your present position with greatly reduced numbers. I
can most truly respond that to take you with me as second in
command would contribute greatly to my personal delight,
and, I confidently believe, to the success of that expedition;
but I could not propose it to you for two reasons, either of
which was conclusive with me at the moment: first, I thought
you would be left in a higher and more responsible position
where you are; and, secondly, I knew it was not contemplated by the Government to supersede you from that immediate command.
" If I had been within easy reach of you, at the time I
called for troops from your line of operation, I should, as I
had previously assured you, have consulted you fully on all
points, and probably might have modified my call both as to
the number and description of forces to be taken from, or to
be left with, you. As it was, I had to act promptly, and to a
considerable extent in the dark. All this, I think, will be
apparent to you when you shall receive my letters. I hope I
have left, or shall leave you, including the new volunteers
who will soon be up, a competent force to defend the head of
your line, Monterey, and its communications with the depots
in the neighborhood. To enable you to do this more certainly, I must ask you to abandon Saltillo and to make no detachments much beyond Monterey, except for reconnoissances and immediate defense.
"I know this to be the wish of the Government, founded on
reasons in which I concur; among them that the enemy intends to operate against small detachments and posts." He
closed by asking: " I would make my official acknowledgements to Major-General Butler for the promptitude and zeal
displayed by him in your temporary absence, in detaching
the troops I called for in my dispatch to him of the 3d inst.
The greater part, if not the whole, of these troops are now
below Matamoros."
On January 26th General Scott believed that Worth's division would embark for Lobos Island within three or four
days, and that by February ioth there would be a sufficient




ï~~Secretary Marcy' s Letter.

197

quantity of ordnance and ordnance stores at Lobos. From
appearances in the offing he expected to learn before night of
the arrival of ships with Pennsylvania and Louisiana Volunteers.
The Secretary wrote General Scott, January 4th: "You are
well acquainted with the present plans of operation. While
engaged in an expedition on the sea coast, it is not proposed
to penetrate the country beyond Monterey, with a view to its
permanent occupation, though it is desirable to keep up a
threatening attitude at that point. * * * Such a force
being provided for that object, the remainder will of course
be at your disposal to maintain the other positipns to operate
on the Gulf Coast, and especially at Vera Cruz. Your position
will enable you to determine, better than can be done here,
what should be the best disposition for the safety of our
troops. * * * No positive directions will, therefore, be
given touching these matters."
And February 15th he wrote: " The bill for raising ten new
regiments for the war has at length become a law." Had
the bill passed the first week in December the war would
have been terminated much earlier, for active operations would
not have been suspended for the want of men, as was the
case after Cerro Gordo, April I7th and i8th, until August following.
The Secretary in conclusion says: "Your expedition is a
matter of deep anxiety to all, and certainly to none more than
to myself. Every possible effort, so far as I know, has been
made in each branch of this department to carry out fully
and promptly all the arrangements which devolve upon it in
the way of preparation and outfit. The difficulties have been
more than anticipated, and have been met with energy. The
time for preparation on so large a scale was short, and the arrangements multifarious. * * * We are expecting daily information from you, and calculate that the next we receive will
apprise us that you are embarked and are on your way to the
point of your destination."
The latter part of January the First Pennsylvania Regiment of Volunteers, the Louisiana, and part of the New York
regiment had passed Brazos for Lobos, and the South Carolina regiment had sailed thither from Mobile. Up to Febrt




ï~~19S         Eztrdctct from Corresponcec&.
ary 4th not a ship had arrived at Brazos or Tampico to take
the troops there encamped to Lobos, nor had any vessel with
ordnance, ordnance stores, or siege material been seen. The
season for operations on the coast was now short, and General
Scott must have been much worried, as he had expected
the fleet of transports off Vera Cruz about the middle of
January.
February 5th the first transport arrived, took on board the
Eighth Infantry and sailed for Lobos; other troops at the
mouth of the river and at Tampico were anxious to move, but
up to February i2th * none but the Eighth Infantry had sailed.
On the r 2th General Scott wrote the Secretary: " In my present cruel uncertainties in respect to the approach of transports, ordnance and ordnance stores, etc., I cannot name a
day for my personal departure to the South." All the transports for the reception of 8,ooo men, regulars and volunteers,
at Brazos and Tampico were to have left New Orleans
the 24th of January, and to reach Brazos by the ist of February, but on the 12th only one had arrived, being detained
for various reasons; some needed water tanks, others seamen, etc.
On February 8th General Scott wrote General Patterson:
"The enemy having capturedt about the I1th ult. my full
despatches to Major-General Taylor with copies of those to
Major-General Butler, somewhere between Monterey and
Victoria, my plans, views, and means, are now as well
known at San Luis Potosi, Mexico, and Vera Cruz as at
these headquarters. Hence my exceeding anxiety to take
with me the largest possible number of troops, and my extreme impatience at the non-arrival of sufficient transports.
Some, it is hoped, may be engaged at Tampico, and instructions to the quartermaster there on that subject have been
given." He instructed General Patterson as to the order in
* February 13th the ship North Carolina sailed from the mouth of
the Rio Grande, having on board the Fourth United States Infantry,
and anchored off Lobos Island February 21, 1847.
t Lieut. Richey, Fifth Infantry, sent with an escort of ten mounted
men by General Butler from Saltillo, with Scott's instructions of the
3d ult. to General Taylor, then marching to Victoria, was assaulted
while buying forage and provisions for his men at Villa Gran January
13th and killed, and the despatches he had were supposed to have
been sent to Santa Anna at San Luis.




ï~~General Scott Sails for Tampico.

199

which he wished the troops at Tampico to be embarked, and
closed by saying: "I cannot leave this place for Tampico
until some of the cruel uncertainties with respect to the arrival of transports shall be removed. Sixty odd surf boats, out
of 140, are already up, and I will make February 9th the descent near Vera Cruz, if not another should arrive." Captain Hetzel, quartermaster, stated to General Scott at that
date, that with the number of vessels then under control of
his department, there was a deficiency of transportation that
would leave i, 8oo men behind.
General Scott sailed from Brazos for Tampico February
I5th, leaving General Worth in charge of the embarkation of
his own and other troops there and at the mouth of the river,
and directed him, on joining the army at Lobos, to be prepared to give the name of each vessel having detachments
of his command on board, together with the strength of the
detachments. Arriving at Tampico, and designating the garrrison* to be left there, he instructed General Patterson as to
the order in which his troops should be embarked for Lobos,
and cautioned him to have on board the transports as many
subsistence casks as possible, to be used as gabions during
the siege of Vera Cruz.
Learning that small-pox had broken out among the volunteers at Lobos Island, he sailed from Tampico February 20th,
and reached that island the next day. The small-pox was
in the Second Pennsylvania Regiment; the patients were retained on the ships, and the regiment landed and encamped
on the island.
February 28th he addressed a communication from Lobos
Island to the Secretary of War, from which the following extracts are made: " But a small part of the transports engaged
at New Orleans under my order of December 28, 1846, to
receive troops at the Brazos and Tampico, had reported at
the two places, and not one of the ten ordered by your memorandum of the 15th of that month; and the whole were due
at the Brazos on January 15th. * * *
Indeed the season has already so far advanced, in reference
* One company of artillery, Baltimore and Washington battalion,
and the Louisiana regiment of volunteers, all under Colonel Gates,
of the Third Artillery.




ï~~X00

transports at Last Signaled.

to the usual return of the yellow fever on this coast, that I
can now only wait a day or two longer for Brevet-BrigadierGeneral Worth, delayed as above, and for part of the regulars yet behind with the greater body of veteran volunters
from Tampico. All the troops from the Brazos are up, except the field batteries and the cavalry; I am very anxious
to have in the descent the whole of Pillow's, Quitman's, and
Shields' volunteer brigades, now reduced to an average of
430 men to the regiment, but efficient from tactical instruction and habits of subordination. But, I repeat, I cannot
wait more than forty-eight hours for anybody or anything
behind, except General Worth, Duncan's and Taylor's batteries. Two-thirds of the ordnance and ordnance stores, and
half of the surf boats, have not been heard from, although
Adjutant-General Jones reported to me on the 23d ult. that
all these objects had been shipped and were under way for
the Brazos, and that I might soon expect the ten transports,
in ballast, from Atlantic ports, ordered by you as arranged
with me.
" Perhaps no expedition was ever so unaccountably delayed, by no want of foresight, arrangement or energy on my
part, as I dare affirm, under circumstances the most critical to
this entire army, for everybody relied upon, knew from the
first as well as I knew, that it would be fatal to us to attempt
military operations on the coast after probably the first week
in April, and here we are at the end of February." He next
wrote, still at Lobos, March ist, and before sunrise: " A
steamer and two other vessels are reported in sight. The
first has no doubt Brigadier-General Worth on board, and if
the field batteries are in the other two, the signal shall be immediately made for the fleet to sail for Anton Lizardo."




ï~~CHAPTER X.

BATTLE OF BUENA VISTA.-RECONNOISSANCES UNDER MAY
AND M'CULLOCH PUSHED FORWARD TO ENCARNACION.TAYLOR FALLS BACK To BUENA VISTA.-POSITIONS OF
TROOPS ON THE FIELD.
Leaving General Scott with the greater portion of his army
aboard transports on the eve of sailing from Lobos Island to
Anton Lizardo, eighteen or twenty miles south of Vera Cruz,
we will return to General Taylor, who, when last referred to,
was at Victoria about to march back to Monterey, having
with him May's squadron of Dragoons, two field batteries of
artillery, and the Mississippi Rifles, to do the double duty of
escort to headquarters and guard to a train of subsistence
stores. He had addressed a vigorous protest to General Scott
against the reduction of forces on the line he was required
to hold when there was a large army in his front at San Luis
Potosi. On January 14th he received Scott's order, reducing
so seriously his command, and on the same day Twiggs'
division marched from Victoria for Tampico, to be followed
in a day or two by Major-General Patterson.
Before reaching Monterey he learned* that Major-General
Butler had executed General Scott's orders, after which
there remained at and near Monterey and bettveen that
city and Camargo, and thence down the Rio Grande to its
mouth, of regulars, two squadrons of dragoons, four light batteries of artillery, sixteen guns, and one company of artillery
in the citadel of Monterey; of volunteers, two regiments of
horse, eight regiments of infantry, and two guns at Saltillo.
Three regiments of infantry held the line to Camargo and
thence down the river to its mouth.




ï~~t12   raylor Compla ns to the War ftepartment.
After his return to Monterey he reported to the adjutantgeneral of the army that he had complied with the instructions of the Government in regard to the despatch of troops
to General Scott, and, after fulfilling his duty in that respect,
begged leave to invite attention to several points of grave interest to himself and not without importance to the public
service. He therefore requested his communication to be
laid before the Secretary of War, and by him submitted to
the President of the United States.
He called attention, first, to what he characterized as extraordinary reserve in the War Department in not communicating to him the intentions of the Government relative to the
withdrawal of so large a proportion of his command. Had he
not been considered a safe repository of its purpose he could
at least have been ordered to hold the troops in readiness for
detachment. This course would have saved the expense, as
well as the labor and fatigue to himself and troops, of a march
of 400 miles, and prevented the murder of a young officer
with important dispatches, now in the hands of the enemy.
Up to the date of his letter, January 27th, he had not received
a syllable from the Department of War on the subject, his
only advice being the semi-official letter of General Scott,
November 25th, from New York, which was received by him
December 24th. He then referred to other communications,
the delayed receipt of which could have been avoided by employing a special messenger, the importance of the matters
certainly justifying that course. He mentioned several communications sent from his headquarters in reply to despatches
brought by three different parties, in which he had expressed
fully and frankly his views on many important points connected with the prosecution of the campaign, and to which
no replies had been made. In conclusion he wrote:
" While exercising a command which it is well known I
never sought, it has been my constant aim to perform my
whole duty without fear and without favor. The best interest of the service and of the country have been my guide and
will continue to be while I remain in command, however limited may be my force or embarrassing my situation, but from
the course the department has pursued in the above particulars I am constrained to believe that I no longer possess the




ï~~ttead qucrlers ad SaUlt o.

W0a

confidence of the Government. I only regret that the President did not think proper, while withdrawing so large a portion of my command in the manner above indicated, to relieve
me from a position where I can no longer serve the country
with that assurance of confidence and support so indispensable
to success. The force with which I am left in this quarter,
though greatly deficient in regular troops, would doubtless
enable me to hold the position now occupied. Major-General
Scott seemed to expect that I would assume offensive operations, say by March, but from what I have heretofore reported on the subject of such operations I am sure they would
not be expected by the department with my present means."
A reconnoitering party under Maj. Solon Borland, of the
Arkansas Cavalry, being ordered by General Wool to go as
far as Encarnacion, on the San Luis road, and return from
that point, left camp at Buena Vista January I8th, reached
Encarnacion the 19tla, found no enemy and did not return as
ordered, but being joined by Maj. John P. Gaines and Capt.
Cassius M. Clay, of Marshall's regiment, continued on thirty
miles further to Salado, where, being surrounded while asleep
and without sentinels or pickets, they were captured January
22d by General Mifion in command of 500 men. General
Wool reported to General Taylor January 29th that there were
nightly alarms of the enemy's approach, that a second reconnoitering party under Capt. William J. Heady, Kentucky
cavalry, had been captured January 27th, and that the enemy
was at Encarnacion, thirty miles beyond Agua Nueva.
These reports caused General Taylor to change his headquarters to Saltillo, where he arrived February 2d and
learned that the recent captures had been made by Mexican
cavalry only, which force had apparently fallen back to
Matehuala. 1oo miles south of Encarnacion. It was also
reported that a large portion of the troops at San Luis had
marched towards Vera Cruz, and to restore confidence among
the volunteers, shaken by the late captures, he moved his
headquarters Pebruary 5th eighteen miles further south to
Agua Nueva, taking with him May's squadron of Second
Dragoons, Sherman's and Bragg's batteries, the Mississippi
Rifles, and other troops from Saltillo, leaving there a garrison
of seven companies.




ï~~204                 Ranta Anna.
General Scott had advised him to give up Saltillo, but he
thought this would have a bad moral effect upon the volunteers, and there were strong military reasons why, in his
opinion, he should hold the southern rather than the northern
end of the Pass. Should he have a battle with the Mexican
Army beyond Saltillo and be successful, the latter would be
thrown back 300 miles upon San Luis Potosi, and be subjected
to the suffering and depletion of a long retreat over an intermediate barren country. On the other hand, if he withdrew
to Monterey and won a battle the Mexicans would have to
fall back only to Saltillo, from which point they could constantly annoy and threaten, if not break up, his communicqtions with the Rio Grande. For these reasons he determined
to remain south of Monterey.
Having contended successfully with both Arista and Ampudia, the former on the Rio Grande, the latter at Monterey,
General Taylor now found himself confronted with Santa
Anna, general-in-chief and president of the Mexican republic.
Born in Mexico in 1795, of honorable lineage, Santa Anna
enlisted in the Spanish army and at an early age gave evidence of the remarkable talents and wonderful characteristics so conspicuously displayed in after years. When
Mexico revolted against Spanish domination, he espoused
the cause of the insurgents, and rendering gallant service in
the war of independence, rose rapidly in rank, became one of
the most popular leaders in Mexican affairs and one of the
most noted men of modern times. Alternately styled the
saviour and destroyer of Mexico, one day crowned with
laurels, the next hooted and execrated, one year his statues
and busts adorned the national palace and parks, the next
were hurled from their pedestals and trampled in the dust.
He was exiled three times and as often recalled and invested
with supreme power. Less egotism and more patriotism, less
brilliancy of talent and more firmness of purpose and honest
integrity, his career might have been a national blessing, but
instead he lived amid revolutions, and dying in obscurity left
a memory that friends could not defend nor foes forgive.
Victoria, the successor of Iturbide, was the only Mexican
president from the separation from Spain to the time of




ï~~D. ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA.
GENERAL IN CHIEF, MEXICAN ARMY.




ï~~


ï~~Mexican Politics.               205
Jaurez allowed to exercise his functions for his legal term
and to retire to the peace and quiet, if not to the enjoyment,
of private life, undisturbed by revolutions.
Manuel Gomez Pedrasa was elected by a small majority
over General Guerrero, but Santa Anna at the head of the
military declared his election void and proclaimed Guerrero
President. Pedrasa fled, and Guerrero was confirmed by
Congress, and invested with the powers of a dictator, but refusing to resign them when required, Bustamente assumed the
Presidency, and Guerrero was shot. Bustamente favored a
consolidated form of government, Santa Anna preferred a
republic, and declaring for the Constitution of Vera Cruz
proclaimed in 1832, deposed both Bustamente and Vice-President Parias, procured the election of Barragan, then became
President himself of the republic, in 1835 repealed the Constitution by military order, and re-established the very system
under new rules which had caused the Revolution of 1823.
It thus appears that Santa Anna was the first to overthrow
the Imperial Government, the first to aid in the establishment of a republic, and finally the first to destroy it after it
was established. He became well known to the people of
the United States during the Texas revolution. His defeat
and capture at San Jacinto were followed by a loss of prestige, that culminated in his overthrow and compelled him to
seek refuge on foreign soil. The National Capital, in which
he had reigned supreme, closed its gates upon him with execrations, and he was still in exile at the commencement of
the war between Mexico and the United States. Before the
opening of hostilities a United States naval officer was despatched to Havana, where he had an interview with Santa
Anna, and on the day that war was declared to exist the
following order was sent to the commander of the American
fleet off Vera Cruz:
UNITED STATEs NAVY DEPARTMENT,
MaLy 13, 1846.
COMMODORE: If Santa Anna endeavors to enter Mexican ports,
you will allow him to pass freely.
Respectfully yours,          GEORGE BANCROPT.
Commodore DAVID CONNER,
Commanding Home Squadron.




ï~~206

Santa Anna Returns to Mexico.

President Herrera, chief of the Moderado party, peaceably
inclined, was averse to war growing out of the Texas question, and for this reason was overthrown by Paredes, at the
head of the Puro party, aided by the monarchists. While
Paredes remained at the head of affairs there was little hope
that peace would be restored, or that the war when commenced could be brought to a speedy end, he being under a
pledge to wage it until the revolted province of Texas was
recovered. It being, therefore, regarded as certain that no
change in the Mexican Government, leading to the overthrow of Paredes, could be prejudicial to the interests of the
United States, his downfall was desired.
Santa Anna was in exile in Havana, having been driven
from power and expelled the country after the revolution of
December, 1844, but he still had a considerable party in
Mexico. He had expressed regrets that he had subverted
the Federal Constitution of 1824, and a desire to restore it;
had openly professed an entire change of policy and unmeasured hostility to the establishment of a monarchy
through European intervention; moreover, it was supposed
that he saw the disastrous consequences to Mexico of a war
with the United States, and that his own interests would induce him to favor peace. It was known that no vigilance on
the part of the American squadron in the Gulf could prevent
his landing at some point of the extended coast if he desired
to return; there was no reason why the United States should
take part with Paredes and aid him by means of the blockade in preventing Santa Anna's return; hence, in view of
these facts and circumstances, the above order to Commodore Conner was issued, and not long after its receipt, the
Commodore reported the landing of Santa Anna in Mexico.
On reaching Vera Cruz he issued an address to the Mexican people in which he announced that disinterested patriotism alone had induced his return to his native land, and that
he intended to seek and fight the invaders. His former errors and inconsistencies were apparently forgotten and forgiven, and as disasters had befallen Mexican arms, his countrymen now turned to him with hopes that he would release
them from the perils threatening them. Upon arrival in the
National Capital he retired to the neighboring village of Ta



ï~~A  Civil Revolt.

207

cubaya, and seeming to ignore politics, applied himself assiduously to the preparation of an expedition which he proposed to lead to the north, using in this movement the troops
retained by Paredes for the support of his administration.
There were many and serious difficulties to be met and
overcome before this body of troops could be put in the field,
the want of requisite funds being the chief. A month before
the overthrow of Paredes, and after the reverses on the Rio
Grande, an expedition, similar to the one now proposed by
Santa Anna, had been planned; a million of dollars had been
borrowed from the church to organize it, and Congress had formally granted permission to the President to leave the capital and take command. The march was unaccountably delayed and various pretexts were urged to excuse it, the real
cause being that Paredes, embarrassed by the presence of
Santa Anna, and conscious of his insecure tenure of office,
feared to absent himself. The money borrowed from the
church was being consumed, public suspicion and curiosity
were aroused, and finally Paredes relinquished his duties as
President, about the last of July took command and prepared
for the march. The troops were paid, but in a day or two
hastened to the citadel and, stimulated by hopes of reward
from the new Government, proclaimed a revolution, thus expending in a useless civil revolt the million advanced by the
clergy to man an expedition for the defense of Monterey.
Only a small amount of the loan was still available, and as
late as September the authorities were still struggling to overcome their financial difficulties. Meanwhile Taylor's advance
upon Monterey was reported, and there was urgent necessity
for concerted and intelligent action.
Santa Anna, not regarding Monterey as strong or defensible, opposed Ampudia's making any resistance there; he,
however, though showing some irritation, hurried forward
preparations and left the capital, accompanied by the troops,
for San Luis. About twelve leagues from the city he heard
of the fall of Monterey, which he had anticipated. This
news caused him to quicken his march, and, entering San
Luis, his first act was to relieve Ampudia, who was, however,
subsequently reinstated and took a prominent part in the battle of Buena Vista.




ï~~208

Santa Anna Leaves San Luis.

Santa Anna joined Ampudia's defeated forces in San Luis
October T4th and remained there three months, actively engaged in recruiting his ranks and imparting much needed
instruction. All concede that he displayed wonderful energy
and ability in organizing, instructing, and disciplining his
troops, accomplished with restricted means and but little
financial credit. Hearing that the Americans had occupied
the country as far as Agua Nueva, he determined to seek
them and give battle.
He moved forward January 28th, and the artillery, trains,
and supplies left San Luis escorted by a battalion of Sappers
and the San Patricio company.* Pacheco's division, known
as the First, followed on the 29th; the Second, Lombardini's,
on the 3oth, and the Third, under General Ortega, on the
31st. The headquarters moved February 2d; and on the 7th
the leading division was more than half way to Saltillo.
The Mexican Congress met December 6th, and on the 24th
Santa Anna, while at San Luis with the army, was declared
ad interim president. The opposition press of the capital
censured him bitterly for apparent inaction, asserting that he
had either no inclination to enter upon a campaign or had
some sinister, ulterior views to serve. These strictures caused
him, always sensitive to criticism, to issue orders for a forward movement when painfully deficient in supplies, both
of provisions and arms, and totally unprepared to advance.
His total force on paper was 19,993; aggregate 21,553.
The winter in Mexico is the dry season, but along this line
of march, even in summer, the water is scarce, and generally
to be found only in wells. It is also the season of northers,
and there would have been much suffering had the army been
well clothed and fed and supplied with abundant transportation, but half starved, half naked, as they were, their hardships were almost unbearable. In Ortega's division three
men died of cold the third night, and many even that early in
the march broke down, but they were in good spirits, and
some enthusiasm was shown when they met two detachments
of American prisoners, the parties captured by Mifion, the
first at Bocas and the second at Venado. A norther beginning
* Composed of deserters, all of whom were Europeans, from the
United States Army.




ï~~Mexican Army at Encarnacion.

209

to blow on the 3d of February, accompanied with cold rain
and sleet, a halt of two days was made, the want of wood for
fuel causing much suffering and rendering progress almost
impossible.
The norther was followed by a bright sun, welcomed by all,
but the heat became as intolerable as the cold had been, and
the discomfort was so extreme that the whole army halted for
a day at Matehuala, the largest town between San Luis and
Saltillo. Parrodi's brigade, numbering i,000, joined Ortega's
division at this place. On the loth a second norther began
and proved more terrible even than the first. It died out on
the xixth, but rain fell with sleet, the cold was intense, wood
scarce, and many soldiers froze to death. Desertions had increased, the numbers dying naturally having this result.
Much of the train had become damaged by the rains, and
subsistence stores at points along the march began to fail,
drinking water becoming even more scarce.
The leading division, Pacheco, reached Encarnacion February I7th, Lombardini the i8th, and Ortega the 19th; the
cavalry brigades of Torrejon and Juvera the 20th and 21st.
Andrade with his small command of Presidial soldiers joined
here and reported that the Americans had been within gunshot during the day.
The whole Mexican army, now concentrated at Encarnacion, was reviewed by Santa Anna, who, while passing along
the front of different commands, was received with enthusiastic vivas. All seemed to realize that the hour of danger
was near, but felt confident of success. There had been a
loss of 4,000 men between San Luis and ncarnacion, where
the estimated strength present was 14,000.k
A small scouting party of Texans under Maj. Ben. McCulloch having reported to General Taylor that a large cavalry
force was at Encarnacion, a strong reconnoissance under
Lieutenant-Colonel May, consisting of two squadrons, his own
and Steen's, of the First Dragoons, two guns and 400 volunteer cavalry, was ordered on February 20th out towards Hedionda (map V) to the East, while Major McCulloch made a
* The strength on paper at San Luis was in the aggregate 21,553,
but the historians gave 18,ooo as the number that marched for Buena
Vista.




ï~~210

Reconnoissances Puskced Forward.

second examination of Encarnacion. May arrived at Hedionda at 3 p. m., and sent out small parties in several directions, one of which, under Lieut. Samuel D. Sturgis, Second
Dragoons, was captured. May remained until io p. m., when
a Mexiaan came in with information that Mifion was quite
near, that Santa Anna with 20,000 men was at Encarnacion,
and would attack General Taylor the next morning. May,
returning, arrived at Agua Nueva before daylight. McCulloch left camp at 4 p. m. with his second lieutenant, Fielding
Alston, four men and Second Lieut. Richard H. Clarke,
of the Kentucky Volunteers. Six miles from camp he discovered a Mexican picket, captured a deserter from Santa
Anna's army and sent him to General Taylor. McCulloch
left the main road, approached within sight of Encarnacion
near midnight, and discovered a large force encamped about
that place. Sending all his men back, he passed inside the
Mexican pickets, by daylight had finished the reconnoissance, made his escape, and reported to General Taylor at
Agua Nueva in the afternoon of the 21st. These two expeditions made known the fact of a large army being bivouacked about Encarnacion with Santa Anna, the recently declared president, in command.
Agua Nueva could be turned by two * roads, one on either
flank, the two intersecting the Saltillo road six miles in rear
at the hamlet of La Encantada, and this defect of the position at Agua Nueva determined in part the selection of the
field of Buena Vista eleven miles in rear. About noon on
the 21st Taylor's army broke camp and marched towards Saltillo; the Second Kentucky, Colonel McKee, and a section
of Washington's battery, Fourth Artillery, halted at Encantada to give support to the rear guard under Colonel Yell
should he be driven in by the enemy. Colonel Hardin, First
Illinois Foot, was halted at Angostura Pass,B but the army
marched to the hacienda of Buena Vista, about a mile beyond.
General Taylor, escorted by May's squadron, Second Dragoons, Sherman's and Bragg's batteries, Third Artillery, and
*To the east by way of Hedionda and Guachuchil and on the west
by way of La Punta de Santa Elena and San Juan de la Vaqueria,
these two roads meeting at Encantada on the main highway leading
to Monterey.




ï~~Taylor Falls Back to Buena Vista.

211

the Mississippi Rifles, Colonel Davis, continued on to Saltillo
to give directions for its defense. Wagons were ordered
from this place back to Agua Nueva to assist in removing
supplies.
General Wool was left in the immediate command of the
troops at Buena Vista, and Colonel Yell (Arkansas Cavalry)
remained with his regiment at Agua Nueva to superintend
the removal of supplies and bring up the rear.
General Taylor ordered Colonel Marshall (Kentucky Cavalry) and Steen's squadron of the First Dragoons to reinforce
Colonel Yell, instructed, in the event of being attacked,
to destroy all stores and public property he could not bring
off and to retire before midnight, the force left at Encantada
to join Yell on his retreat, and the whole then to fall back,
if pursued, to the position in front of Buena Vista.
The Mexican Army marched from Encarnacion at rix a. m.
the 21st, intending to surprise the Americans at Agua Nueva.
Twenty miles of the march were across a sterile, level plain,
Plan de la Guerra, with no water and without verdure, save
cactus and the Spanish bayonet, even these not abundant.
Within ten miles of Agua Nueva, the surface rose into hills
and ridges, enclosing a little valley five miles long, entered
on the south through the Paso de Piniones, and five miles
from Agua Nueva was the Paso de Carnero, the northern outlet. The Light Corps led, commanded by Ampudia; the
battalion of Sappers followed, with a battery of three 16 -pounders; next cane Pacheco's division; then a battery of
five 12-pounders, followed by Lombardini's division; next five
8-pounders and Ortega's division; then the baggage and supplies; the cavalry under Torrejon and Juvera in rear, while
General Andrade's cavalry formed the rear guard.
After a short rest in the little valley just described, Santa
Anna resumed the march, being, with his staff and the
Huzares, at the head of the Light Division under Ampudia,
and much enthusiasm is reported to have prevailed among
his soldiers. He learned through scouts that the Americans,
who it had been believed would make a stand at Agua Nueva,
had set fire to that place and retreated. An unusual amount
of smoke, caused by the burning of wagons, loaded with hard
bread, spoiled pork, and a quantity of corn, confirmed pre



ï~~212

La Angostura.

vious reports that the enemy had decamped. Santa Anna
regarded this destruction of subsistence stores as positive evidence of a precipitate retreat-a regular stampede. " Sc
fiteron, se fueron, "* he exclaimed to those near him. Orders
were at once sent to Miffon's cavalry to make a sweep around
to the east, cross the Sierra Madre mountains through the
Palomas Pass and intercept the retreating Americans before
they could reach the Rio Grande. He did not allow the cavalry time even to water horses or fill canteens.
At daylight of the 22d all the advance parties of Taylor's
forces had reached the Hacienda of Buena Vista, (mapY) except Colonel Hardin's regiment. By 8 a. m. General Wool
had been advised of the Mexicans being at Agua Nueva, and
a section of Washington's battery moved forward to join Colonel Hardin at Angostura Pass, where it had been decided to
give battle. By 9a. m. the pickets at Encantada discovered
the enemy advancing, and the troops at Buena Vista were
ordered forward into position at the Angostura Pass by General Wool.
The battle field of Buena Vista lies in a valley a little
over two miles wide, flanked on the sides by ranges of
the Sierra Madre Mountains, covered with lofty, full-grown
pines. In this valley and west of the road flows from south
to north a stream with a deep bed, to the east is a high
point, connected by an elevated and narrow ridge with a
plateau, which ascending slightly, extends to the base of the
mountains. This gap between the high and rugged point of
land and the stream is called by the Mexicans " La Angostura "-the Narrow Pass. (Map V.)
West of the road the surface rises towards the mountains,
a mile distant, and is furrowed by a number of deep barrancas,
or ravines, so worn by the torrents that rush down them during the rainy season as to render it impracticable for military
manceuvers, especially for artillery and cavalry. East of the
road the mountains are not so distant, and from their base
the surface declines gradually to the road, and is cut by three
* " They have fled, they have fled." Major Genaro Miranda, aidde-camp to Santa Anna, who was by his side when he arrived at
Agua Nueva before sunrise, is authority for this statement.




ï~~Pos'i tion qor Troops.21

213

large ravines* in front of the pass; in rear of which the road
divides, running on both sides of a small ridge in dimensions
sufficient for a regiment to form in line of battle.
Close to and in front of the Pass, east of the road, are two
shorto ravines (not seen on the map); a little beyond is one
much longer, its direction being southeast, extending towards
the mountains; next a plateau cut by a short ravine, then another and longer ravine;P next a plateau, and beyond it a much
wider ravineQ reaching back to near the base of the mountains, and then a much higher ridge, upon which two of the
Mexican columns of attack debouched from the wide ravineG; in rear and under cover of ', the most elevated of the
ridges, Santa Anna first halted and formed his columns. In
rear of the plateau terminating at the pass is a succession of
plateaus and ravines similar to but of greater length than
those in front, all of which terminate at the road. It is
readily seen that the features of the ground were such as to
paralyze to a great extent both field artillery and cavalry,
large bodies of which could not move with the ensemble requisite to insure the advantage resulting from numbers.
Maj. John M. Washington's battery of eight guns, Fourth
Artillery, occupied the road at the pass; the First and Second Illinois Regiments, eight companies each, Colonels
Hardin and Bissell, the crest of a ridge on the left, and
slightly in rear; with the latter regiment was Capt. P. Edward Connor's company of Texas Volunteers, and the Second
Kentucky, Colonel McKee, on the crest of the ridge on the
left and rear. The Arkansas and Kentucky regiments of
cavalry, Colonels Yell and Marshall, held the extreme left,
near the base of the mountains; while the Indiana Brigade,
Second and Third Regiments, Colonels Bowles and Lane,
the Mississippi Rifles, the First and Second Dragoons, Captain Steen's and Bvt.-Lieut.-Col. May's squadrons, the Light
Batteries of Sherman and Bragg, Third Artillery, formed the
reserve in rear on the ridges immediately behind the front
line. Two companies of the First Illinois under Lieut.-Col.
* These and others seen on the map have abrupt precipitous banks,
varying from three to forty feet in height, in width from fifty to 300
feet, and in length from three-fourths to a mile.




ï~~214      Washington' s Birthday 1?emembered.
William Weatherford occupied a short line of breast-works
on the right of the road next to Washington's* battery.
Taylor, having returned from Saltillo, rode along the lines
accompanied by General Wool, and was enthusiastically received, and the latter reminding the soldiers that it was Washington's birthday, an anniversary dear to their countrymen,
the announcement was greeted with patriotic cheering. The
engineers were far out in front watching the advance of
the Mexicans, estimating numbers and observing- their general character and appearance.
Santa Anna having ordered Mifion to intercept with his
cavalry Taylor's retreat, rode forward with an escort of Euzares to the village of Encantada, where they came within
view of the American army, and a few shots ware exchanged.
The infantry, after drinking and refilling canteens, were ordered to accelerate their march, and, though much fatigued,
moved forward at a " double-quick," not halting until confronted by the American forces, at the time being drawn up
and posted in line at the Angostura Pass. The Mexicans had
marched over thirty-five miles; many fell by the roadside
from exhaustion and some died. A slight reconnoissance by
Santa Anna convinced him that instead of retreating, the enemy
was in position and evidently intended to resist his attack.
While examining the position of the Americans with his
field glass, the first gun was fired, and a solid shot, bounding
over the ground, struck and killed his horse, t the fall causing much pain in the stump of his amputated leg. Clouds of
dust seen rising in direction of Encantada had warned the
soldiers of Taylor's army of the approach of the Mexicans,
apparently strong in numbers.
At i i a. n1. Santa Anna sent forward a white flag, borne by
a German, Don Pedro Vander Linden, surgeon-general of the
Mexican army, having a communication addressed to General Taylor as follows:
* This was the position held by the troops as first formed, but on
the map they are represented as posted the morning of the 23d.
f This incident was told to Lieutenant Wilcox by Maj. Genaro Miranda, aid-de-camp to Santa Anna at Buena Vista. Santa Anna, in a
letter to General Vasquez, dated Agua Nueva, February 25, 1847,
says: "I lost my horse by a gun shot in one of the first charges." He
then must have had two horses killed under him.




ï~~Americans Summoned to Surrender.

215

CAMP AT ENCANTADA, February 22, 1847.
You are surrounded by 20,000 men, and cannot in any human probability avoid suffering a rout and being cut to pieces with your troops,
but as you deserve consideration and particular esteem, I wish to
save you from a catastrophe, and for that purpose give you this notice
in order that you may surrender at discretion, under the assurance
that you will be treated with the consideration belonging to the Mexican character, to which end you will be granted an hour's time to
make up your mind, to commence from the moment when my flag of
truce arrives in your camp. With this view, I assure you of my particular consideration.
"God and Liberty! "
ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA
To GENERAL TAYLOR,
Commanding United States Forces.
To which General Taylor promptly replied as follows:
HEADQUARTERS ARMY O' OCCUPATION,
NEAR BUENA VISTA, February 22, 1847.
SIR: In reply to your note of this date, summoning me to surrender
my forces at discretion, I beg leave to say that I decline acceding to
your request.
With high respect, I am, sir, your obedient servant,
Z. TAYLOR,
Major-General United States Army.
Senor General D. ANTONIO LOPEZ DE SANTA ANNA,
Commander-in- Chief, Encantada.
It was several hours after Santa Anna received General
Taylor's reply before he displayed his troops for battle,
doubtless awaiting the arrival of his rear divisions, distinctly
seen by Taylor's lookouts, as they approached the field, closing up before halting. They were brought to a rest just beyond cannon range, and were seen deploying to the right and
left of the road, and the light infantry, J four battalions, under
Ampudia and Colonel Baneneli, without loss of time moved
towards the base of the mountains on the left of the American
line. At the same time a force, Mejia'sN brigade, was sent
to the right (American) of the road, and a detachment still
further, to meet which, a section of Bragg's battery and the
Second Kentucky, Colonel McKee, were sent.
To oppose the Mexican Light Infantry on the left, Colonel*
* Parts of Marshall's regiment armed with rifles were dismounted
for this service. He reports the strength of his regiment engaged to
have been " 235 men, as nearly as can be stated."




ï~~Mexicans Scale the Sierra Madre.

Humphrey Marshall, present on that flank, advanced with the
riflemen of Yell's Arkansas K regiment, under LieutenantColonel Roane, a rifle battalion from the Indiana brigade,
under Brig.-Gen. Joe Lane; the Second and Third regiments,
under Major Gorman, and the dismounted squadrons of Captains Milam and Johnson Price, of the Kentucky cavalry.
About 2 p. m. the Mexican Light Infantry, under Ampudia, were seen moving under cover of a ravine towards
the mountains, and from a heavy battery on the road shells
were thrown among Marshall's troops Between 3 and 4 p.
m. the infantry engagement began at the base, and soon rifles
and muskets were heard by the two armies, the combatants
being in full view.
The Mexicans pushed bravely up the steep, wooded
side of the mountain, endeavoring to gain the flank of the
Americans. Two pieces from Washington's battery, under
Lieut. F. T. Bryan, of the Topographical Engineers, and
Lieut. D. N. Couch, Fourth Artillery, were detached, and
moved up the plateau towards the mountains, followed by a
third piece from the same battery under Lieut. John J. P.
O'Brien, who took command of the whole, and was supported
by the Second Indiana,4 Colonel Bowles. The firing on the
mountain, once begun, continued with animation until dark,
O'Brien aiding the American infantry with an occasional
shrapnel, and the main armies being mere spectators of this
preliminary affair.
Night closed the contest. The American loss was in
wounded only; having superior arms and being better marksmen, they naturally had fewer casualties. During this action
the Mexicans continued to extend to their right until they had
scaled the very summit of the Sierra Madre. Foreseeing
that they would extend to this point, Captains Milam and
Pennington were ordered to dismount their companies, pass
the gorge in the mountains, and, by ascending it from the
rear, command the enemy's right. Darkness prevented complete success, though their object was nearly attained, for
they came within range of the enemy, who had reached the
summit before being recalled to the plain for the night.
When the battle closed, the Mexicans had succeeded in
outflanking the Americans, whose position as yet was, how



ï~~Yight Temporari y Suspends the Condest.   217
ever, not turned, and, from the abruptness of the mountain,
it was thought this apparent success would yield no material
advantage.
Marshall's command bivouacked at the foot of the mountains; the Mexicans retained the position occupied when
darkness closed the combat, and neither army permitted fires
during the night, which was very cold, with high winds and
a slight drizzle.
It having been reported late in the afternoon that the
enemy had been seen in force beyond Saltillo, General Taylor,
taking with him May's Squadron of Dragoons and the Mississippi Rifles (Colonel Davis), returned there after dark. Confronted with a greatly superior force, the contest with which
was to be renewed early the next morning, the intelligence
of a large body of the enemy being in his rear, was well calculated to cause grave apprehensions. Besides, his personal
attention was required to several matters, the possible withdrawal of his army from Santa Anna's front and the necessity
of turning and destroying this force in order to keep open his
communications. Fortunately, a careful examination made
by Second Lieut. William B. Franklin revealed nothing but a
cavalry force, 1,500 strong, commanded by General Mifion,
sent by Santa Anna to intercept Taylor's retreat, and which
had threaded its way through the Palomas Pass and reached,
as has been seen, his main line of communication, with Monterey three miles north of Saltillo. Leaving four companies
of Illinois volunteers-Morgan's and Prentiss', of the First;
Wheeler's and Hacker's, of the Second-under Maj. William
R. Warren to garrison Saltillo, Capt. L. B. Webster's company, First Artillery, with two 24-pound howitzers in a fieldwork near, which commanded all the approaches, and two
companies of Mississippi Rifles, under Capt. William P.
Rogers and Lieut. Daniel R. Russell, with the train and
headquarters camp, General Taylor returned the following
morning (23d) to Buena Vista. During the night of the 22d
Colonel Hardin's regiment, directed by the engineers, dug a
ditch across the road and threw up an epaulement in front of
Washington's guns, having a traverse on its right. A breastwork, with ditch in front, was made, extending from the battery to the stream on the right, behind which two companies




ï~~218     Vivas.heard in Ie 11.exican Lines.
of the regiment, under Lieut.-Col. William Weatherford, were
posted. At io p. m. two companies of dragoons were ordered back to the Hacienda of Buena Vista to strike tents,
park them in wagons, bring them nearer the field, and park
them in a ravine; the labor was completed by i o'clock, and
the train remained prepared to move. It was not known
what might be developed by the visit of the commanding
general to Saltillo, and all felt the gravity of the situation.
The fine display of Mexican cavalry as it approached the
field and formed on the left of the road, extending well up
towards the mountains, the heavy masses of infantry as they
arrived and formed on the two sides of the road, and the
spirit shown by Ampudia's men as they scaled the mountain
side, halting only when its crests were reached, all told but
too plainly what was to be expected the following morning.
Not long after the close of the action of the 22d, loud " vivas "
were heard in the Mexican lines and the words " Viva Santa
Anna!" " Viva La Republica!" "Libertad o Muerte!" distinctly heard by the Americans produced some wonderment.
Santa Anna had issued a ringing address to his army, assuring
them of victory and reminding them that the blood of their
comrades fallen on the fields of Palo Alto, Resaca, and Monterey, appealed to them with irresistible eloquence to avenge
their death.
About 2 a. m. of the 23d a small picket force in advance of
McKee's right, near the foot of the mountain, was attacked
and a few shots were heard near the base of the mountains on
the left. Santa Anna mounted his horse at daylight, and
ordering Mejia from the left (Mexican) to the right of the
road, dispatched the Fourth of the Line to reinforce Ampudia
at the base of the mountains. His troops, not formed, were
promptly arranged on his left. Upon the road was Gen. D.
Santiago Blanco'sx division, composed of the battalions of
Sappers, the Mixed of Tampico, the Fijo de Mexico, his left
supported by the Huzares Regiment; to the right of Blanco
was Pacheco's division3, which formed the center, and on
his right Lombardini's divisions; further to the right and
retired was Ortega's2 reserve. A battery" of 8-pounders,
placed in position at early dawn by General Micheltorena
chief of staff to Santa Anna, near the base of the mountains




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ï~~acttile Penewed at Barly 1)actn.

9141

could sweep with its fire the surface over which the Mexican
right must march to engage the American left, also the lower
portion of the main plateau near the road. The first shots at
early dawn were heard on the wooded mountain slope to the
left, and about sunrise the Mexicans descended into a
ravine separating the combatants, when O' BrienL opened with
his 12-pound howitzer, throwing six or eight spherical case
shot among them, which, exploding at the proper time, effected considerable execution. The musketry up to this time
had been incessant, but now decreased, and the Mexicans,
endeavoring to escape this fire, scaled heights not accessible to artillery. During the firing between the light
troops on the left a slight change was made in the disposition
of the American troops. Captain Bragg's section of artillery
remained in its advanced position on the right, supported by
Colonel McKee's regiment; Washington" continued in the
Angostura, supported by Colonel Hardin'sjregiment, which
had intrenched itself; six companies of the Second Illinois,R Colonel Bissell, were posted on the plateau opposite
the head of the ravine"; on their left and a little retired was
a 12-pound howitzer, under Lieut. S. G. French, Third
Artillery, and in like position a 6-pounder, under Lieut.
George H. Thomas, Third Artillery; the two remaining
pieces, under Capt. Thomas W. Sherman and Lieut. John
F. Reynolds, were in place as posteds the day before. To
the right and rear of Thomas were two companies of
the First Dragoons,T under Capt. Enoch Steen, and to
their right and near the head of the ravineo was McCulloch's company u of mounted Texans. Colonel Bowles,
Second Indiana, and O'Brien with his three guns remained,
where night closed upon them, near the upper end of the
main plateau. There was an interval of several hundred
yards between O'Brien and French on the left of Bissell.
The Third Indiana, Colonel Lane, was on the side of the hill
in the road in rearv of Washington; all the Arkansas and
Kentucky mounted force that had not fought on foot remained in the head of the ravine in rear of the left of the
plateau. (See Map VI.)*
* Two of his companies, Captains Lemen's and Woodard's, were
under Major Trail on the mountain side to the left, and two, Captains
Hacker's and Wheeler's, were at Saltillo.




ï~~9 0         Positon qf )'exican  /roops.
Blanco's division was directed to move against Washington's battery and its supports. Lombardini, placed in position
near Captain Ballarta's 8-pounder battery (located by Santa
Anna's chief-of-staff), was to advance across ridges and small
ravines; Pacheco's division to move up the main ravine0,
upon the plateau, join Lombardini and beat back Taylor's left,
whilst Ampudia's troops near the base of the mountains were
to turn it; all then united, would drive everything before
them, and clear the Angostura Pass, thus completing the victory. With Blanco and Lombardini were cavalry, and to aid
the attack of the former was a 12-pounder battery on a slight
elevation close to the road, within easy range of Angostura;
in rear of this elevation was the Leon Battalion2o. Such was
the disposition of the two hostile forces, for the battle already
joined since dawn of day by the light troops. The Mexicans
exceeded greatly in numbers with a preponderance of regular troops, while the Americans had the advantage of position.
Blanco's columnx was the first to receive the American fire,
having no difficulties of ground to impede its advance, and was
under a severe fire, " while the other divisions were yet distant." The regularity of the march, as well as the order
preserved, impressed the Americans favorably, being, however, in mass, and with a narrow front, the rapid and welldirected fire of spherical case shot, shells, etc., from Washington's guns was very destructive, though they continued
the advance until within grape range, the ravages of which
caused Santa Anna " to order a halt, and shelter them behind a slight undulation which shut out the enemy's fire."*
Major Mansfield, of the engineers, from an advanced
point discovered Pacheco's division z moving under cover of
the ravine, and reporting it, Colonel Churchill, inspectorgeneral, informed Brig. -Gen. Joe Lane, who immediately ordered Lieutenant O'Brien to advance his three pieces and
the Second Indiana to move forward to their support. This
small body of troops advanced to the front, turned to the
right and halted 3; O'Brien came into battery with the Second
Indiana on his left. Pacheco's men, who had just begun to
ascend from the ravine, were forming across the ridge. The
* Mexican history.




ï~~Skillful ilfove Mlade by Perez.

221

two forces opened fire at once, the infantry and O'Brien guns,
against the Mexican 8-pounder battery. The former were
very destructive, whole platoons went down under their
grape and canister, though the fire of the 8-pounder Mexican battery under Ballarta was also destructive. This unequal contest continued about twenty-five minutes, Pacheco's
front being thrown repeatedly into the greatest confusion;
General Lane on the left of the infantry ordered a further advance down the ridge, intending to force Pacheco from it
back into the ravine, and at the same time get out of range
of the Mexican battery to his left and rear; O'Brien limbered
up, moved forward, came into battery and opened with grape
and canister, his infantry support, however, did not follow,
but broke off from the right and left the field.
The Mexicans say: " The troops of General Pacheco (almost entirely raw recruits) were shaken and soon disbanded,
pressed by the unerring fire in front, and, moreover, even
another in flank, which effectually threw them into disorder.
The dispersion was general; they never halted until they
reached the last ranks." With Pacheco was a large number
of new troops, called the " Corps of Guanajuato."
O'Brien, abandoned by the infantry, continued the fire only
a few minutes, each discharge being with double canister,
limbered up and retired with two pieces, leaving the third, a
Mexican 4-pounder, the horses of which had been killed or
wounded.
Of the conflict at this point, the Mexicans say: "The enemy,
desirous of improving their advantage, hastened to complete
the victory and advanced with intrepidity." " But the division of General Perez-Lombardini-delayed in its advance,
reached about this time the line of Pacheco, and he (Lombardini) having been wounded, Perez succeeded to the command, calmly and steadily made a change of front and obliged
the enemy to retire. This skillful movement was seconded
by the eight-gun battery, under Captain Ballarta; * * *
each discharge was effective. * * * The enemy, who
had dreamed for a moment of victory, retired routed, leaving
the field covered with bodies-the dead of both armies fallen
in this bloody conflict-inextricably mixed up."




ï~~222    Timely Service of the Second Illinois.
Bissell's regimentR, Steen's squadronT of Dragoons, and
Thomas and French, each with a gun, had remained in position, the last two firing an occasional shot at Pacheco's troops
while engaged with Lane. This force (Pacheco's) was ordered
to advance, whilst the Second Indiana and O'Brien were engaged, and had barely reached a point from which to fire
with effect, when Lane's men gave way, as previously described, and Perez's command then advanced against them.
The Second Illinois returned a rapid fire, Thomas and French
at close range used grape, and they literally strewed the
ground with the enemy's killed and wounded. The squadron of Dragoons and McCulloch's u company, too weak to attempt to charge such a force, were ordered, the former to the
rear near the ravine, the latter into the ravine in front 0, for
protection. The Mexicans continued their advance, passed
beyond the left of Bissell and his men, and those with Thomas'
and French's guns, received a fire on their left flank, as well
as in front. Colonel Churchill had remained with Bissell's
command, and fearing to be surrounded, ordered it to face
about and march nearer the ravine, where it was halted,
faced to the front and resumed fire, Lieutenant French having in the meantime received a painful wound. In their new
position they had a flank fire both of infantry and artillery
upon the enemy as he moved across the plateau. Four
companies of Arkansass volunteers, dismounted and ordered
upon the plateau before the action began, retired soon after
getting under fire, and, save in individual cases, were reported not to have been in action again.
Captain ShermanS was ordered to the plateau with his remaining section and opened fire, assisted by Lieutenant Reynolds. The Second Kentucky, ordered from the extreme
right, joined in the fight on Sherman's right. Bragg followed
with a section of his battery, and came into action with three
of Sherman's guns on his right. These fractions of batteries
from the ravine" in rear of the main plateau to the head of
ravine in front, supported by the Second Kentucky, six companies of Bissell's regiment and four of Hardin's, the latter
having come from the Angostura, now concentrated upon the
enemy along the foot of the mountains on the left, crossed
the main plateau, and were in easy range, every shot having




ï~~Yell and lMarshall Give Way.

223

effect. Though incessant and terribly destructive, the Mexicans stood firm and returned this charge for a time. Their
cavalry passed around the heads of ravines, and pursued the
routed Indiana and Arkansas troops, Ampudia's command,
stationed near the base of the mountains, joining.
The Arkansas and Kentucky cavalry, posted in the upper
end of the ravine, gave way before this force, and the communication between the riflemen on the mountains and their
friends on the plateau being now broken, they abandoned
precipitately their position, rushed down and retreated around
the head of the enemy's lancers and infantry, momentarily
checked by Yell and Marshall in rear of the ravine from
which they had been forced to retire. Among the riflemen
the loss was very heavy, the Texas company being almost destroyed. Ampudia's men poured down the mountains like
an avalanche, and, joining the cavalry, compelled Yell and
Marshall to give way. The whole American left had been
beaten back; the Mexicans, having crossed alternately ridges
and ravines, had now gained higher ground, and the Americans could no longer rely upon strength of position.
At this time, his left forced back and a large body of Mexican cavalry and infantry over a mile beyond it approaching
the road to Saltillo, General Taylor reappeared upon the
field, and seeing, as he neared the hacienda of Buena Vista,
a force of Mexicans descending from the mountains, dispatched the Mississippi Rifles (eight companies) with one
piece of Bragg's battery under Lieut. Charles L. Kilburn, to
meet it, and taking with him the Second Dragoons under
Colonel May hastened to the main plateau, where he joined
General Wool. The latter reported that Washington had
held Angostura and repulsed Blanco's attack, but that his left
had been beaten back, as he could see the pdrtion of the
plateau on which they were, and that near Washington at the
pass was all that remained of their line as occupied in the
morning. General Wool remarked to General Taylor: " General, we are whipped." General Taylor replied " that is for
me to determine." * General Wool left the plateau, has* Lieut. R. S. Garnett, Fourth Artillery, aid-de-camp to General
Taylor and subsequently commandant of cadets at West Point, is authority for this statement.




ï~~224    Gallant Charge of the Mississippians.
tened to the extreme left where his presence was required,
and rallying the troops that had been broken, directed others
to do the same, and this was a timely service.
The Mississippi Rifles, ordered to advance against the
force, cavalry and infantry, approaching the Hacienda of
Buena Vista from the mountains, halted for a few minutes at
a spring to fill their canteens; then moved on to the left, and
meeting many of the fugitives going to the rear, appealed to
them ineffectually to return to their colors. Colonel Davis is
represented to have said of these skulkers and runaways, addressing his men, " there is a mass. of men behind which
you can take shelter and securely form."  Colonel Davis
and General Wool meeting, the latter promised support and
went in person (Colonel Lane at the time being near Washington's battery) to send the Third Indiana to reinforce him
(Davis).
The Mississippians23 continued to advance up the ascent down
which Ampudia's infantry, flanked by cavalry and followed
by reserves, was moving. The two forces could be seen by
the commanding general as they approached eachother, the
great disparity of numbers naturally causing deep anxiety.
General Wool in his report estimated the force with Ampudia
at 4,000. The Mexicans began to fire first and at long range.
The one gun with Kilburn played upon them within easy range;
the Mississippi Rifles held their fire until within close range,
then directed it with fatal effect upon the head of the column
and pressed on to the edge of the ravine. The Mexican infantry being on the plain beyond, the cavalry had sought
cover on their left in the ravine. The Mississippians gave
a cheer, descended into the ravine, clambered up on the opposite side, confronted the Mexicans and sent leaden balls
into their masses at less than sixty yards, and with such
deadly precision that they were thrown into disorder. The
fire slackened, and losing their organization, they gave way
in confusion, falling back upon the reserves. Their cavalry
crossed the ravine on the right and moved down it to recross
in rear of the Americans; the rifles countermarched rapidly,
overtook them when only a small number had crossed, and
beat them back, their commander having been killed.




ï~~Americans Hold the Plateau.

225

While these collisions were taking place between Colonel
Davis' regiment and the Mexican infantry and cavalry, a
large force of lanccrs24, following close along the foot of the
mountains and crossing many ravines, passed a half mile
beyond Davis and changed direction towards the Saltillo
road, with no intervening forceM save Marshall's andy Yell's
greatly reduced commands. General Taylor observing this
ordered the dragoons with him, four companies, Captains
Pike's and Preston's companies of Arkansas cavalry, all
under Colonel May, to proceed at full speed to the support of
Marshall and Yell. They moved in rear of the Mississippians, formed on the right of Marshall, Yell being on his left,
and forced the Mexican cavalry to halt, when Colonel May
sent a request to the General for artillery. Whilst Taylor's
cavalry was holding the Mexican lancers in check, and
Colonel Davis with Kilburn's gun, reinforced by Colonel
Lane, with the Third Indiana, was in front of Ampudia, General Wool, Inspector-General Churchill, Major Munroe,
Captain Linnard, General Lane, and also Major Dix, paymaster, were hunting up and rallying the troops that had
been broken and left the field. Captain Linnard, of the engineers, and Major Dix collected some two hundred of the
Second Indiana and led them back to Colonels Davis and
Lane, and a second body of like troops were reformed in and
near the hacienda.
Santa Anna had thus far failed to drive the Americans from
the main plateau. Sherman, Bragg, Hardin, McKee, and
Bissell could not be driven, but he did not despair. With
much labor he brought a battery of i6-pounders hauled by
the San Patricio Guard* across ravines and ridges over to the
plateau, and placed it in the position held by O'Brien early in
the morning.
This heavy battery raked the plateau from the mountains
all the way down to the road, but the infantry supporting it
suffered severely under Bragg's and Sherman's fire and retired, some towards Ampudia, the others, except the sappers
and miners, who remained with the guns, to the ravine in front,
* Deserters from the United States Army, subsequently captured at
Churusbusco and tried, convicted, and hung.




ï~~226

2Mexicans Reinforced.

out of which they had debouched in the morning, and were
pursued by Hardin, McKee, and Bissell until within close
musketry range, when many were killed and wounded and
others sought cover in the ravine. These (American) regiments being in turn threatened by the cavalry with Blanco,
retired to the heads of the firsto and secondP ravines, Colonel
Hardin going to support Bragg, who in the meantime had
limbered up, advanced, and gone into battery again in advance of his first position. Lieutenant O'Brien, who early in
the morning had been compelled to retire to Angostura with
the section he had saved, reappeared on the plateau, his section making eight guns there, Lieut. R. S. Garnett, Fourth
Artillery, aid-de-camp to General Taylor, taking the place of
Lieutenant French, who, as previously stated, had been
wounded.
The Mexican right having been largely reinforced by a portion of infantry driven from the upper end of the plateau,
Sherman and Bragg were ordered, each with a section of his
battery, to strengthen the American left, and there remained
after this but four guns on the plateau, O'Brien's two and
Thomas and Garnett with one each. These four guns fired
successively upon the enemy in front, on the heavy guns near
the foot of the mountains, then on the masses still threatening the left and rear.
The reserve under Ortega had not yet advanced; the ravine
in front of the plateau was crowded with Blanco's and Pacheco's
men; the battery in front of the Leon battalion and the 8 -pounder battery played upon Angostura and the plateau, the
heavy guns raking the latter. The First and Second Illinois
and the Second Kentucky supported O'Brien, Thomas, and
Garnett, and at the same time kept by their fire the Mexican
infantry (fragments of Pacheco's and Blanco's commands) confined to the ravine. Beyond and in rear of the plate.au, on
which the left of the American line had rested early in the
morning, stretched long lines of the enemy's cavalry and infantry; in rear were Ampudia and a portion of Perez's division;
most of the infantry and part of the cavalry were on the
left'3 near the plateau, while a small portion of the infantry
and most of the cavalry were on the extreme right'4, all facing the Saltillo road.




ï~~Santa Anna's Lost Opportunity.

227

Confronting this array of Mexican cavalry and infantry
were, on the right's, the guns under Captains Sherman and
Bragg, with Reynolds and Kilburn as lieutenants; scattered
at irregular intervals, Colonels Davis and Lane, on their left,
supporting them with such of the broken and dispersed infantry and cavalry as they had been able to rally. On the left"
were four companies of the First and Second Dragoons, Capts.
Albert Pike's and William G. Preston's companies (Arkansas
cavalry), and Marshall's and Yell's regiments, the latter
holding the extreme left of the line, now over two miles long.
This part of Taylor's line had the Saltillo road in its rear,
with the surface ascending towards the Mexicans.
Santa Anna outnumbered all along the line, his preponderance being greater near Angostura and the plateau, and had
he made a simultaneous advance against the latter from the
front and down upon the Saltillo road, he could hardly have
failed. Attacking as he did, he permitted General Taylor to
shift troops from parts not seriously engaged to points severely pressed. The artillery on the left played without
ceasing on the enemy stretched along the foot of the mountains. May was ordered to return to the plateau, and about
the same time the enemy in considerable numbers, under an
artillery fire they could not return, began a retrograde move
towards the plateau. Observing this, two companies of the
First Dragoons, under Lieut. Daniel H. Rucker, were detached, with orders to move up the ravinez6, in rear of the
plateau, and charge.
As he started to execute this order, a force'7 of hostile
lancers succeeded in crossing the barrancas in front of Yell
and'8 Marshall, and bore down upon them to make an attack
upon the trains below Buena Vista, the Arkansas and Kentucky cavalry giving way before this superior force. Colonel
May, with his two companies (those of Pike and Preston)
and two guns under Reynolds, was ordered to move at full
speed back to the threatened point, and, as he returned,
Rucker's two companies, rising up from the ravine upon the
plateau, came under a close fire of grape and canister from
the Mexican heavy battery, which completely covered the
retreat of the force they had been ordered to charge and disperse. They were recalled and retired along the plateau




ï~~228

Hand to Hand Cok/tict.

under a heavy artillery and infantry fire, inflicting some
loss, and, rejoining May, aided in resisting the attack threatening the wagon train and the Hacienda.
Meanwhile the lancers in column of squadrons made a
dashing charge against Marshall and Yell in position near the
spring. The latter reserved fire until their assailants were
near, then opened with rifles, drew sabres, and met them in
a hand to hand conflict. - The combatants fighting at close
quarters, sabres flashing and lances gleaming, became enveloped and almost concealed by the dust, then very heavy, but
the intermingled mass moved on, near and nearer to the hacienda, and at length came within range of the muskets of
men on the azoteas of buildings near it or behind walls, most
of whom were fugitives gathered by Majors Munroe, Gorman, and Trail. Under this fire many of the Mexican cavalry
fell, killed or wounded, and became divided, one part passing under a heavy fire by the hacienda, to the west, the other
retiring towards the mountains, whence they came. Reynolds approached, opened fire upon the latter,* and continued
with spherical case shot until out of range, then limbered up
and advanced to the hacienda. May and Rucker, however,
reached that part of the field too late to engage the lancers.
In this hand to hand fight at the hacienda the mounted
volunteers and those previously rallied and reformed, who
had been charged by a full brigade, 1,000 strong, led by Torrejon in person, acted nobly. The Mexicans refer in complimentary terms to General Juvera and Gen. D. Angel Guzman. The latter at the head of the Morelia regiment charged
down upon the Americans and drove them to the hacienda of
Buena Vista. Marshall's and Yell's commands united numbered about 450. In this conflict Colonel Yell, Capt. Andrew
R. Porter, of his regiment, and Adjutant Vaughn, of Marshall's regiment, all having received many wounds, fell fighting gallantly in the thickest of the fray. Many of the bravest
and best men of these two regiments were here either killed
or wounded, and thirty-five dead Mexicans were left at and
near the building. Here let us note the heroic sacrifice of a
young private of the Second Indiana Infantry, Giles Chap* This party of lancers made the entire circuit of Taylor's army.




ï~~Array of Mexican Cavary.

229

inan,who, returning to the battle ground to carry off a wounded
comrade, was killed, having received eleven lance thrusts
through his body.
Still, Santa Anna did not despair of reaching and occupping
the Saltillo road, thus intercepting the retreat of the Americans. A second brigade of his cavalry, supported by infantry, was ordered to descend and cut it between the hacienda
and the plateau, and to oppose this fresh force Colonel Davis
with his Mississippi Rifles, the reorganized portion of the Second Indiana, the Third Indiana, Col. James H. Lane, and a 12 -pound howitzer under Captain Sherman formed some 500
yards in rear of the point at which the Mississippians had
early in the day met Ampudia's advance. He formed his men
obliquely across the narrow'9 plain facing southeast, the Indiana men on the right, their line thrown forward, extending
up and resting on the ravine. The Mississippians faced
southeast and the Indianians nearly northeast, thus forming
an obtuse angle, with Sherman's howitzer on the left.
The Mexicans, 1,500 strong, the men in full uniform,
the horses richly and elegantly caparisoned, descended the
slope at a hand gallop, formed in close column of squadrons,
the troopers riding knee to knee, keeping well-dressed flags
and pennons flying, all eyes were turned upon them in admiration as they moved forward with the ease and regularity of well-drilled and disciplined troops. As the cavalry
approached the infantry, the distant spectators became more
and more excited; the strife on other portions of the field
was suspended, all eyes being concentrated for the time upon
this brilliant moving column. At length, to the great disappointment of all, instead of accelerating their pace into a
furious head-long charge, they pulled up to a walk and finally to a halt, when within range of the infantry, who instantly opened with rifles and muskets, having a direct and
cross fire in which the howitzer joined. In an incredibly
short space of time the leading squadrons were torn in pieces
and the whole body retreated hastily towards the mountains,
followed by spherical case from Sherman's howitzer, tearing
through their ranks. Artillery fire was resumed on the plateau,. and from the hacienda; Colonel May with the cavalry,
regular and irregular, a few volunteer infantry under Lieu



ï~~280    Pavorable Turn of the Tide of Battle.
tenant-Colonel Roane and Major Gorman, and Reynolds
with two pieces, advanced and assailed with spirit the Mexican extreme right. As the enemy gave way, Reynolds would
limber up and move forward to near and better positions;
Bragg also moved forward with three guns, between the force
under May and the Indiana and Mississippi troops, and threw
shot and shell in upon their flank. Colonels Davis and Lane
with Sherman also advanced, and the guns even on the plateau were turned upon the now retreating, disorganized
body, cavalry and infantry. The Mexicans turned their
heavy guns upon the plateau, upon Davis and Lane, enfilading their lines, but nine American guns were now firing incessantly upon them, as they moved along over the heads
of ravines and near the foot of mountains, and the destruction was great.
The tide of battle had now turned in favor of the Americans, and without pity shells and shrapnel were thrown into
this body of five or six thousand intermingled cavalry and
infantry, men and horses, muskets and lances, flags and
guidons hopelessly confused; the cavalry under Colonel
May, and Reynolds with two guns pressing them in rear,
Sherman and Bragg, Davis and Lane in flank, while the
guns from the plateau were firing either at the head, or on
the flank; in rear, in front, and on the right flank, they were
torn by cannon shot, while muskets and rifles were pelting
them pitilessly on the left.
At this time Santa Anna sent one of his staff officers under
a white flag with a message to General Taylor requesting to
know " what he wanted."
Orders were promptly sent to the American batteries to
cease firing, and General Wool, after some delay, was directed to bear General Taylor's reply to this message. He
rode up the plateau to the Mexican heavy battery at the foot
of the mountains, expecting to see General Santa Anna, but
not having received notice of any truce, the battery continued its fire upon the American infantry, and General
Wool declaring the parley at an end returned without seeing Santa Annu, or communicating the reply of General Taylor. The retreating Mexicans, during the suspension of fire
by the American batteries, continued their march, reached




ï~~Final Attack of Santa Anna' s Reserve.    231
and crossed the plateau, having upon their flank a rapid fire
from O'Brien's and Thomas' pieces, and finally joined the reserves under Ortega which had entered the ravine a occupied
in the morning by Pacheco, and now advanced prepared for
the final attack. About the time the white flag was displayed the eight-gun battery moved to a point nearer the
plateau.
When the right of the Mexicans, in rear of Taylor's left
flank, had been beaten, and was retreating, as explained,
the infantry, artillery, and cavalry were ordered to return to
the plateau, but before this order could be obeyed Ortega advanced with the reserve increased by the Eleventh Infantry,
the Leon Battalion, and other divisions.
This final attack by Santa Anna's reserve was made 'over
the route followed by Pacheco in the early morning. To
meet this heavy column, were Hardin's, Bissell's, and McKee's infantry regiments, at the time well forward in support of the artillery pursuing the enemy, Hardin's regiment
leading. A large portion of the attacking column had reached
the plateau when Hardin came within musket range, forced
it back after displaying much courage, and made it seek
shelter in the ravine". Bissell's and McKee's regiments
followed in column, the former deploying into line received
a heavy fire from the Mexican infantry; the latter deployed
from column while advancing. Bissell's men pressed forward to the head of the ravine", threw themselves into it
and continued a " ceaseless and most destructive fire. "
McKee continued on under a tremendous infantry charge,
and finding no other infantry on the plateau and being nearly
surrounded arrived at and entered the ravine, joining the
forces already in it.
When Ortega rose up from the ravine on the plateau, the
head of his column inclined to the left to meet the three advancing regiments of volunteers, and "moved forward in a
perfect blaze of fire." O'Brien's and Thomas' guns opened
upon it with grape, directed first upon the head of the
column, and when this changed to the left upon both its
head and right flank. It, however, continued the advance,
and forced the Illinois and Kentucky volunteers into the ravine". Arriving opposite the head of this ravine, one por



ï~~232

The Crisis.

tion of the column covered it, and moving down the sides
delivered a close cross fire upon Hardin's, Bissell's, and
McKee's men, while the remaining part pressed on across
the plateau towards the road in rear of Washington's guns.
There was no obstacle at this time to the advance of this
last column but the three guns under O' Brien and Thomas,
Fourth and Third Artillery. The volunteers in the ravine
moved down it towards the road, under a close infantry fire
from the sides, and when near the road the enemy's cavalry
came over the spur dividing the second' and thirdQ ravines,
to close this only way of exit. The volunteers were in despair, as those leading were arrested in their course by the
lancers, who greatly outnumbered them. Fortunately, at
this 'critical moment the guns of Washington, directed by
Lieut. Darius N. Couch, opened upon the cavalry, which,
under the rapid explosions of spherical case shot, broke and
fell back in disorder, to cover in rear, and thus the remnants
of these three regiments were rescued, moved down the road
rapidly, and were soon in rear of Washington's battery. The
fight in the ravine lasted twenty minutes and the American
killed lay along its bed to the road; among their dead were
Colonels Hardin and McKee, Lieut.-Col. Henry Clay, jr.,
and many brave and valuable officers and men. During this
unequal contest in the ravine, the other Mexican column, as
explained, was bearing down towards the road, confronted by
three field pieces.
This was the crisis, the issue to be decided in a few
minutes, and the chances were strongly in favor of the Mexicans. General Taylor, who had been absent from the plateau
a few minutes, returned at this critical moment, and there was
nothing between this bravest of army commanders and the
strong infantry column of the enemy, now confident of victory and making the air ring with loud and exultant " vivas,"
but O'Brien and Thomas, the one with two, the other with
one gun. The troops ordered from the left to the plateau
were making every effort to reach it; the artillery and cavalry, the horses of the former much jaded, had to retrace
their steps to the road to cross an almost impracticable ravine,
while the infantry, Mississippians and Indianians, moved
across ridges and deep ravines with steep, rugged peaks as




ï~~The rave 0' Brien.

2'8

expeditiously as possible, conscious that the safety of their
comrades on the plateau and their own fate hung upon the
ability of three guns to hold it a few moments. O'Brien,
Thomas, and the commanding general were all that were on
the plateau; reinforcements were approaching, and so were
the heavy Mexican columns, already victorious, as they believed. O'Brien, with his two guns, was about oo yards to
the right and front of Thomas; and so stubbornly did these
two artillery lieutenants contend, that they are represented
to have fallen back only with the recoil of their guns. Grape
and canister were the cartridges used, and with such astonishing rapidity, no time being lost in aiming, that the enemy
could not fail to receive the -full effects of each discharge, the
distance being short and their columns covering so much of
the plateau. The Mexicans bravely continued to advance,
though the ground was strewn with their dead and wounded.
O'Brien's little squad was also falling; two horses had been
killed under him and his third bleeding, he himself wounded,
and nearly every horse of his two pieces killed or wounded;
the horses of Thomas had been equally unfortunate. It never
occurred to O'Brien to save his pieces; there was too much at
stake. To delay the enemy, hold him in check, was his determination, even if he lost his guns and life, for the plateau
held, the battle was won.
The reinforcing artillery, infantry, and cavalry could be
seen approaching and were quite near, as were also the Mexicans, despite the canister with its fearful ravages. Bragg in
the lead had reached the plateau and was coming into battery,
Sherman but a short distance in rear, and the infantry had
descended into the ravine next in rear of the plateau, and
then O'Brien fired his last round, having no horses left for his
guns and the enemy being only a few yards from their muzzles.
Bragg, anticipating orders, had limbered up and started off
for the plateau. but his horses, greatly fatigued, moved
slowly, and to make greater speed he abandoned some of his
heavy carriages and caissons. * Of the arrival and service
* At this point General Taylor, anxious for success, sent his famous
message to Bragg-" A little more grape, Captain Bragg; a great deal
of grape, Captain Bragg."




ï~~284         Rragg Comes to the Fescue.
of Bragg in this final struggle on the plateau, General Taylor
in his report says: " The moment was most critical; O'Brien
with two pieces had sustained this heavy charge to the very
last and was finally obliged to leave his guns on the field, his
infantry supports being entirely routed. Captain Bragg, who
had just arrived from the left, was ordered at bnce into battery.
Without infantry to support him and at the imminent risk of
losing his guns, he came rapidly into action, the Mexican
line being but a few yards from the muzzle of his pieces.
The first discharge of canister caused the enemy to hesitate,
the second and third drove him back in disorder and saved
the day. * * * In the meantime the remainder of the artillery had taken position on the plateau covered by the Mississippi and Indiana regiments, the former of which had reached
the plateau in time to pour a fire into the right flank of the
enemy, and thus contribute to his repulse. In this last conflict
we had the misfortune to sustain a very heavy loss."
Bragg followed the retreating Mexicans up the plateau,
supported by the Mississippians, and shelled them until beyond range or sheltered from fire by the ravines. He also
fired a few shots into the battery of heavy guns near the foot
of the mountains, but regarding this as useless withdrew and
took position in the ravine in rear, all hostile demonstrations being over. Colonel Davis retired to a tent on the field
for surgical aid, he having received a painful wound by a
musket ball in the foot early in the engagement.
Whilst the battle was being fought as described, the Mexican cavalry, under General Mifion, which had reached the
valley through the Palomas Pass, swept down it, dashed by
Saltillo and occupied the road between it and Buena Vista,
intercepting a few stragglers from Taylor's army. As it approached Saltillo it came under artillery fire from the redoubt
occupied by Capt. L. B. Webster, First Artillery, and was
forced off obliquely to the east near the mountains. Capt.
Wm. H. Shover, Third Artillery, then moved forward, supported by a miscellaneous command of mounted volunteers,
joined by Lieutenant Donaldson of Webster's battery, with
one gun, and by Captain Wheeler's company of Illinois
volunteers.  They delivered several effective shots and
forced this hostile troop to seek shelter in the ravine. Miflon
made one or two efforts to return this charge, but failed.




ï~~r3

--I
-
m
0
m
z
Cl)




ï~~0




ï~~h he Battle Ended.

235

After the repulse of his reserves under Ortega no further
attempt was made by Santa Anna to force the position held
by Taylor, and the battle of Buena Vista, called by the Mexicans " La Angostura," was ended, adding another to the list
of brilliant victories won by General Taylor and his brave
soldiers. Their historian says: " Our columns, masters of the
field of action, received the unexpected order to stop fighting
and retire at sunset to Agua Nueva. There they met with
provisions and supplies so much needed and which were wanting on the field where they had fought."
After dark General Taylor made every disposition and
comfort for his troops, whose endurance he had seen subjected
to the severest test, owing in part to the natural difficulties of
the ground. A skirmish line was deployed well to the front,
and the flanks guarded by select commands specially designated. The wounded were removed to Saltillo, where they
were well attended, and rations were brought up and issued
to the soldiers on the field. The four Illinois companies and
the two of the Mississippi Rifles that had held Saltillo repaired to the battle-field and relieved Colonel Davis' regiment.
General Taylor, fully impressed with the perils of the situation during the night of the 22d, despatched whilst at Saltillo two orders, one to Brig. -Gen. Thomas Marshall, twenty
miles beyond Saltillo, at the Rinconada Pass, and the other
to Col. George W. Morgan, Second Ohio, at Cerralvo, seventy-five miles beyond Monterey. The first was ordered to
march with the battalion of Kentucky cavalry and Prentiss'
battery, consisting of two 24-pounders and two 8-inch howitzers, and report to him at Buena Vista as expeditiously as
possible; the second to concentrate his regiment at Cerralvo
and march to Monterey forthwith.
General Marshall, notwithstanding the enemy was * to the
right and left of the road over which he had to move, succeeded in reaching Buena Vista the night of the 23d. With
these two detachments of troops from the Rinconada and Saltillo, General Taylor was numerically as strong as before the
* Generals Blanco and Arguelles' rancheros, i,ooo strong, were on
the right of the road at Cappellaria, and Minon's brigade on his left,
near Palomas Pass.




ï~~S rengti of the Two Armies.

battle and had one more gun. The four brought by Marshall
were of heavier calibre than those used on the 22d and 23d.
Colonel Morgan had more difficulties and dangers to contend
with in the execution of his orders received after dark of the
23d, but withdrew his detachment safely and marched for
Monterey.
Santa Anna availed himself of all the means at his disposal
to capture or destroy Taylor's army. In addition to the large
and well organized army commanded by himself, the regular
cavalry under Miion, and a considerable irregular force under
Generals Blanco and Arguelles, all in the vicinity of Saltillo,
he ordered General Urrea to move forward rapidly through
the Tula Pass by way of Victoria, and occupy the American
line of communication. His (Urrea's) force cut the line between Cerralvo and Punta Aguda, sixteen miles beyond, held
the road between Cerralvo and Marin, twenty-eight miles
from Monterey, attacked the garrison at this place, and captured on the road a train loaded with supplies, burnt the
wagons and killed the teamsters, many of whose bodies were
cruelly mutilated and some burned. Morgan arrived at Monterey without serious fighting, having frequent and annoying
collisions that vexed, harassed, and compelled him to make
several long night marches. Urrea remained on Taylor's
line of communication several days, but without capturing
either Camargo or Monterey, and returned to Victoria.
Exclusive of the small garrison at Saltillo, the entire
strength of the American army engaged at Buena Vista
was 4,757 men and 16 guns. The loss during the two days'
battle was 756, of which number 267 were killed, 456 wounded, and 23 missing.
In his summons to General Taylor to surrender, Santa
Anna represented his army to be 20,000 strong; Mexican
history gave it at San Luis Potosi, in the aggregate as
21,553, but Santa Anna ordered "all new recruits, the sick,
the weak, and unarmed, to be left in San Luis Potosi, leaving i8,ooo to march against the Americans." At Encarnacion, including all arms, the army was estimated at 14,000;
4,000 had straggled, died, were sick, or had deserted.
Among the killed in the Mexican army were Col. D. Francisco Berra, Lieut. -Col. D. Felix Azofios, commanders of




ï~~1Mexican Killed and Wounded.

237

battalions and squadrons, D. Juliano de los Rios, D. Ignacio
Pefia, D. Juan Lullando, and Santayo; wounded, forty officers, among whom were General Lombardini, Colonel Brito,
Colonel Rocha, General Angel Guzman, Lieutenant-Colonel
Gallozo, Monterdesoca, Andrade, Jicotercal, Quijano, Basave, Onate, and other officers.
Mexican authorities do not give the casualties, nor does
the report of General Santa Anna, but General Taylor estimated their loss at 1,500, probably 2,000; 294 prisoners were
captured, of which 16o were not wounded.
Neither General Scott nor General Taylor had believed
that General Santa Anna would make any serious move from
San Luis Potosi in the direction of the Rio Grande, and undoubtedly this action was taken by him in consequence of the
intercepted despatches borne by Lieutenant Richey from
General Butler* to General Taylor, and promptly transmitted, as they supposed, to Santa Anna, who became thereby
informed of the heavy draft made by General Scott upon the
Army of Occupation, to enable him to operate successfully
against Vera Cruz. They believed that this information determined Santa Anna to march upon Taylor and endeavor to
crush him while thus reduced.
It has been asserted, and doubtless credited by many, that
both Scott and Taylor were outgeneraled by Santa Anna,
and that Taylor was surprised that Santa Anna could concentrate his army at Encarnacion, thirty miles from Agua Nueva,
without his knowledge. It is true that Santa Anna made a
move which they did not anticipate, but they had, nevertheless, provided for such a contingency. They regarded his
action as ill-advised, in a military point of view, and had he
been victorious at Buena Vista, would probably still have adhered to that opinion.
The battle of Buena Vista, in view of the character of the
troops engaged on the side of the Americans, was very remarkable and most creditable. All the infantry with General Taylor were volunteers; of these but one regiment, the
* The orders for the withdrawal of troops from Taylor's line had
been sent by General Scott to Maj.-Gen. Wm. 0. Butler, at Saltillo,
to save time, and he sent them by Lieutenant Richey to General Taylor, at the time en route to Victoria.




ï~~238

Praise for the Volunteers.

Mississippi Rifles, had been under fire, and that on only one
occasion, the battle of Monterey. Four-fifths of the cavalry
were volunteers and had never been in battle; all the batteries were of the regular army, and the service they rendered could hardly be overestimated.
The magnificent courage displayed, with some few exceptions, by these new troops, the alacrity as well as vigor with
which they assailed, or the steadiness with which they resisted greatly superior numbers, from daylight until 5 o'clock
p. m., has rarely been surpassed, if equalled, by the disciplined veterans of modern armies. It is a battle in which
the people of the United States have ever felt a just pride,
first, from the fact that it was fought mainly by volunteers,
and secondly, from the triumphant vindication it gave of the
skill, judgment, indomitable and persistent courage of the
distinguished general fortunately in command.
It should be borne in mind that General Scott, after withdrawing a large portion of Taylor's forces, advised him to
concentrate the remainder in Monterey and act on the defensive. He addressed him a communication, as follows: " I
must ask you again to abandon Saltillo and make no detachments, except for reconnoissances and immediate defense,
much beyond Monterey. I know this to be the wish of the
Government, founded on reasons in which I concur; among
them, the enemy intends to operate against small detachments and posts."  Taylor did not yield to the request of
General Scott, although advised that it was the wish of the
Government. Instead of withdrawing to Monterey, he established his headquarters at Saltillo, seventy miles beyond, and
after remaining there a few days, repaired to Agua Nueva,
twenty miles still further south, where the greater part of the
forces still under his immediate command were concentrated.
Rumors of the advance of Santa Anna had reached Washington, and the effect upon the War Department may be inferred from a letter of March 27, 1847, addressed by the
Secretary to General Scott, engaged at the time in the siege
of Vera Cruz, as follows: " The information which has just
reached us in the shape of rumors as to the situation of General Taylor and the forces under his command, has excited
the most painful apprehension for their safety. It is almost




ï~~ZACHARY TAYLOR,
COMMANDER ARMY OF OCCUPATION.
BORN IN VIRGINIA. ~-APPOINTED FROM KENTUCKY.




ï~~w




ï~~Letter from  the War Department.

239

certain that Santa Anna has precipitated the large army he
had collected at San Luis Potosi upon General Taylor; and it
may be that the general has not been able to maintain the
advanced position he had seen fit to take at Agua Nueva, but
has been obliged to fall back on Monterey. * * * It is
equally certain that a Mexican force has been interposed between Monterey and the Rio Grande, and that it has interrupted the line of communication between the two places and
seized large supplies which were on the way to General Taylor's army.
" If the hostile force between the Rio Grande and General
Taylor's army is as large as reports represent it, our troops
now on that river may not be able to re-establish the line,
nor will it, perhaps, be possible to place a force there sufficient for the purpose in time to prevent disastrous consequences to our army, unless aid can be afforded from troops
under your immediate command.
" From one to two thousand of the new recruits for the
regiments from this quarter will be on the way to the Brazos
in the course of three or four days. All the other forces will
be directed to that point and every effort made to relieve
General Taylor from his critical situation. You may have
been fully apprised, before this can reach you, of the condition of things in the valley of the Rio Grande and at the
headquarters of General Taylor, and have taken, I trust,
such measures as the importance of the subject requires. I
need not urge upon you the fatal consequences* which
would result from any serious disaster which might befall the
army under General Taylor, nor do I doubt that you will do
what is in your power to avert such a calamity.
"A state of things may exist on the Rio Grande and at
Monterey which will require that a part of your forces, after
the capture of Vera Cruz and the reduction of the castle of
San Juan de Ulua, should return to Tampico or the Brazos to
carry on operations from these points."
Had Santa Anna been successful at Buena Vista there is
hardly a doubt, under the excitement that would have pre*It would have been impossible for General Scott to have rendered
any assistance to General Taylor, for the battle of Buena Vista had
been fought while he lay at anchor at Lobos Island.




ï~~240  Fitting Close to Taylor's Career in Mexico.
vailed in Washington, that a garrison would have been left at
Vera Cruz to run the gauntlet of the vomito, General Scott
with his remaining forces ordered to the Rio Grande, and
the war prolonged another year.  Santa Anna has been
justly extolled a good deal for the energy and ability displayed in organizing so large an army at San Luis and moving
it forward over three hundred miles to attack and destroy
Taylor. Victorious over him, he had intended to invade Texas
and Louisiana, not halting in his triumphant career until he
had taken and sacked New Orleans, that " pirate's nest," as he
had previously styled it in one of his numerous proclamations, but his schemes had a different denouement. His expedition against Taylor was ably planned, gallantly led, and
manfully contested, but it was an error, fraught with fatal results.
He should not have moved north from San Luis Potosi, but
south towards Vera Cruz, and halting a part of his forces at
the National Bridge or at Cerro Gordo, should have employed
the remainder in resisting Scott's landing and co-operating
with the garrisons of Vera Cruz and the castle, to detain him
in the tierra caliente until the season of yellow fever.
The long and painful march from San Luis to Buena
Vista and the return march, far more destructive than the
two days' battle with Taylor's army, weakened the resistance
not only at Vera Cruz, but on the entire route to the City of
Mexico. A large force confronting General Scott at Vera
Cruz and in his advance to the interior, would have materially
changed the aspect of affairs on that line.
Buena Vista, the first battle in which Santa Anna confronted his country's invaders and the last one in which General Taylor led the Army of Occupation to victory, fought by
him with less than five thousand men, most of them raw recruits, against an army 20,000 strong, a large proportion of
which were tried veterans, familiar with danger and expert
in the manual of arms, was a fitting close to a series of military triumphs in which the resolute daring and dauntless
energy of the American soldiers and the skill and nerve of
their commander were eminently displayed.
Not having sufficient cavalry and the requisite transportation to advance and pursue after the battle, General Taylor




ï~~Taylor's Election as President Foreshadowed. 241
fell back to Monterey, where he remained for some months,
keeping open communications with the Rio Grande, superintending the forwarding of troops to reinforce Scott, and gaining the enconiums of the Mexican authorities by his wise and
conciliatory civil administration. In all the towns garrisoned
by him business was resumed, order restored and civil affairs
regulated even more judiciously and satisfactorily than when
under their own rulers.
In the summer of 1847 the party conventions in several
States nailed his name to the mast-head as their choice for
Presidential candidate, and when he returned to the United
States in November the warm reception accorded forshadowed his nomination and election as Chief Magistrate. His
party rivals, Webster and Clay, characterized him as " an
ignorant frontier colonel, a mushroom celebrity," but the
people to whom the suspicion of his having been unjustly
treated by Mr. Polk's administration was an additional incentive for enthusiasm, recounted untiringly the -glories of
Palo Alto, Rdsaca, Monterey, Buena Vista, and shouting for
" Old Rough and Ready," crowned him with the highest
honors in the gift of a free people.




ï~~CHAPTER XI.
SIEGE OF VERA CRUZ.-LANDING OF THE TROOPS.-TAKING
UP THE   LINE OF INVESTMENT.-WORKS PUSHED           FORWARD.-VERA CRUZ SUMMONED TO SURRENDER.-THE DEFENSES OF THE CITY.-SKIRMISH       ON TWIGGS' LINE.-A
SECOND COMMUNICATION FROM POREIGN CONSULS.-THE
APPAIR AT MEDELIN.-VERA CRUZ IN FLAMES.-GENERAL
LANDERO ASKS A SUSPENSION OF HOSTILITIES WITH THE
VIEW   TO  SURRENDER.-CAPITULATION       OF VERA    CRUZ
AND CASTLE OF SAN JUAN DE ULUA.
Before leaving New York General Scott, as before stated,
wrote to Commodore Conner,* commanding the blockading
squadron in the Gulf, requesting information as to the anchorage near Vera Cruz, and the most favorable point for debarkation of troops, and in reply was advised to direct transports
by all means to rendezvous at Anton Lizardo, not at Sacrificios
where the anchorage was not safe at that season owing to the
prevalence of northers, and besides, was already occupied by
foreign vessels of war. The commodore said these points
could be readily determined after his arrival and examination
of the shore in the vicinity of Vera Cruz, though he believed
there were only two points eligible, one due west of Sacrificios,
the other on the shores of the Anton Lizardo anchorage.
March 2 General Scott directed the signal to be made for
weighing anchor at Lobos and setting sail for Anton Lizardo,
18 miles below Vera Cruz, and the order was executed so
* Commodore Conner was considered the best dressed man in the Navy,
and cotemporaries describe with evident gusto his interview with General
Taylor at Point Isabel. The general, aware of the commodore's respect
for buttons and epaulets, and anxious to show him due respect, concluded
to receive him in full uniform-an apparition never witnessed by the
oldest of his aids-and on being informed of the commodore's landing,
dropped some heavy work on which he was engaged, and delving to the
bottcm of his camp chest resurrected a shabby old uniform and slipped
hastily into it, fastening one side of the standing collar three button holes
above the other. Conner meanwhile, cognizant of " old Rough and
Ready's " dislike to pomp and disregard of etiquette, donned, in compliment to him, a loose suit of drilling, and presented himself unattended at
the general's tent. Barring some amused surprise at the singular appearance of each, these Major Domos of sea and land had an agreeable interview, after which Taylor's uniform resumed its never-to-be-again interrupted Rip Van Winkle slumber, and the commodore steered forever
clear of linen rigs and stuck to full regimentals.
242




ï~~Landing of the Troops.

243

speedily that the anchorage was soon deserted, and the few
steamers with the fleet reached their destination the next day;
the sail vessels, however, were several days en route, while
others from Tampico and Brazos, though loaded with valuable
freight indispensable for the seige, did not arrive until the army
had landed and completed the investment of Vera Cruz.
After a careful joint reconnoissance of the coast on the
steamer Petrita for several miles above and below, by General
Scott and Commodore Conner, accompanied by engineers and
naval officers, it was decided to disembark on the beach * due
west from Sacrificios, one of the points indicated in the
commodore's letter of March 9. The Fourth Infantry and
a battalion of artillery were transferred from transports to
the Raritan, Commodore Conner's flag-ship, the contracted anchorage near Sacrificios making this necessary to avoid crowding. Other like changes to vessels of war were made, and the
squadron and such of the transports selected for the purpose
weighed anchor a few minutes after i i a. m., and sailed with a
favorable southeast breeze over quiet waters to Sacrificios and
anchored between that island and the shore. As the propeller,
Massachusetts, with General Scott on board, ploughed through
the transports, he was greeted with shouts and cheers from
every deck.
Five gun-boats and two steamers, the Spiftre and Vixen,
were anchored in nearer the shore, above and below the place
of landing, called by the Mexicans the beach of Collado, and
shelled the sand hills in rear; during this firing the soldiers
were transferred from the vessels to the surf-boats, sixty-five in
number, each boat rowed by sailors from the fleet under the direction of a naval officer. As each of the small boats received
its complement of soldiers, it took its place in line, formed between the fleet and the gun-boats. The uncertainty as tothe
presence of the enemy under cover of the sand hills prepared to
resist the landing, caused some anxiety and excitement among
the troops. The weather was propitious, and as it was late in
* As the Petrita steamed past the castle it was found to be within range,
and a number of shots from the heaviest guns passed over, in front,
and rear, some of them very near. The explosion of a shell on the
Pe/rita might have added greatly to the difficulties of the coming siege,
for with General Scott were his most skilled engineers and with Commodore Conner a number of his best officers, all of whom could have been
disabled or killed by the explosion of a single shell.




ï~~244.National Colors Planted on Shore.

the afternoon and the sun below Orizaba, its white summit was
plainly visible; and off to the right and near the gray walls of
the castle of San Juan de Ulfia, with its frowning batteries, rose
ominously above the waters of the gulf.
The great Corsican is represented as pointing to the pyramids
of Egypt to restore the hope and courage of his jaded followers
on the eve of a great battle, and to have reminded them that
forty centuries were looking down on them from those hoary
shafts. As the line of boats, freighted with the advance of
Scott's army, neared the shores there was no need of appeal or
invocation to stimulate enthusiasm, for every breast glowed
with patriotic ardor; but could some master hand have raised,
not the curtain shrouding dead centuries, but the veil concealing futurity, and revealed the onward and upward course of
the American Union through the nineteenth century, with the
States added by their prowess to its field of blue and its starry
banner, representing a power and commanding a respect that
the mighty arms of Caesar and Augustus never won for the
Imperial Eagles, what an impetus to heroism would the vision
have given! Few words were spoken as the little fleet glided
toward the beach and passed the war vessels with the English,
French, Spanish, German, and other national colors waving
over masts and yard-arms hung with living masses eager to
witness the debarkation. It could hardly be supposed that the
landing would not be resisted, consequently all were on the
lookout for an attack from the city or castle or sand hills in
rear; but none came.
At length when within fifty yards of the shore the keels of
the boats struck a sandy bottom, naturally the speed slackened,
and instantly the men leaped overboard into the surf and were
soon safe on dry land. In a few minutes more the crests of the
sand hills were reached, and no enemy being seen, all felt that
the battle was more than half woa. Our national colors were
planted triumphantly ashore in full view of the city and
its castle, under a distant fire from the latter, and saluted
by the foreign fleets in the harbor and our own blockading
squadron.
The surf-boats returned to the transports, the division of
volunteers under Major-General Patterson then landed; Twiggs'
division followed, and the whole army of thirteen thousand
(13,ooo) was safely landed by 10 p. in., no accident of any




ï~~.leginning the line of Investment.           245
kind, not a man drowned nor a boat injured,* for which the
Army officers and soldiers felt grateful to the officers and sailors
of the Navy, by whose hearty good will and skill the landing
was so successfully effected.
At General Scott's request Commodore Conner permitted the
marines of the squadron, under Capt. Alvin Edson, to join the
Army; they were attached to serve with the Third Artillery.
Worth being on shore and the sand hills occupied, his troops
formed in line facing the city, the right near the beach and
bivouacked under arms.t   The morning of the ioth was clear,
and about sunrise the enemy's guns from the Castle San Juan
de UGla opened fire upon the troops displayed on the sand hills
and beach. A few shots passed beyond, some shells burst over
and near the line, but the greater number fell short.
By 8 a. m. of the Toth General Patterson with his volunteers
moved out beyond Worth's left and began extending the line
of investment northwest over a succession of sandy ridges and
hills with intervening depressions filled with chapparal. From
one of these ridges could be seen in a valley beyond an old stone
building $ near the head of a lagoon, anq about it and in the
chapparal near small parties of Mexicans. Brigadier-General
Pillow, in command of Colonel Haskell's and Campbell's Tennessee regiments, Colonel Wynkoop's and Roberts' Pennsylvania regiments, advanced; a 6-pounder, under Lieut. W. H.
French, First Artillery, was with much difficulty brought to
the summit of the hill and opened fire upon said building (the
magazine).
A few shots drove the enemy near it off and Pillow entered
the chapparal, where he encountered, near the old building, a
* When it is remembered the landing was made on an open beach, not
against wharves or in a quiet land-locked bay, it will appear the more
creditable. The French, in their expedition against Algiers in i88o,
sailed with a complete armament in every respect, prepared with great
attention, leaving nothing unprovided that would insure success. Nine
thousand men were disembarked in a bay the first day, and 30 or 4o were
lost. Thirteen thousand Americans landed in a part of one day without
accident of any kind to man or boat. In neither case was the landing
opposed by a hostile force.
t About i o'clock a. m. a party of the enemy's cavalry, National Guards,
under Colonel Cenovio, came near the American camp and opened fire
with escopets; the balls reached us, but did little damage. One Penn.
sylvania volunteer was wounded.
$ Called by the Americans the Magazine,




ï~~246

The Punta de For os Seized.

small force which retired at once, leaving one officer and three
men killed. Pillow then advanced the First Tennessee, Colonel
Campbell, to the magazine, in which he found a quantity of
signal rockets and twenty boxes of shrapnel, and halted the
regiment there.
Colonels Haskell's and Wynkoop's regiments moved on a
small cavalry and infantry force at the intersection of the rail
and wagon road to Medelin, which retired through the chapparal and over a rugged country to the crests of ridges west of
the city, and from these to the protection of its guns; the two
regiments bivouacked on the sand hills beyond range of the
artillery of Vera Cruz.
After dark, on the ioth, two companies-one of the Third
Artillery, under Capt. John R. Vinton, with Lients. Stewart
Van Vliet and Joseph F. Farry; the other, of the Fourth Infantry, under 2d Lieut. A. P. Rodgers, with Bvt. 2d Lieut.
C. M. Wilcox-moved along the beach toward the city and
halted at a point known as the Punta de Hornos (lime kiln),
within eight or nine hundred yards of Fort Santiago, the southern end of the line of fortifications. The lime kiln was in the
side of a high sand ridge, well covered from the fire of both the
city batteries and castle; was a good place fcr a battery and was
seized with that view.
On the morning of the iith General Twiggs moved out to
extend the line of investment beyond the volunteers. Gen.
James Shields was ordered by General Patterson to go forward
with the New York regiment of volunteers, Col. Ward Burnett,
and three companies of the Fourth Illinois regiment, Col.
Edward D. Baker, and take position on the line as soon as it
could be reconnoitered. This line of investment, through the
chapparal and over the sand hills, was located by Lieut. G. W.
Smith, of the engineers, assisted by Lieut. Geo. B. McClellan,
and a roadway along the line was made under the supervision
of these two lieutenants with the engineer company and a party
of several hundred soldiers, detailed for that work. Lieut.-Col.
James P. Dickenson, of the South Carolina regiment, ordered,
with five hundred men, to cover the working party, received a
slight wound. The Mexicans made some hostile demonstrations and there was sharp firing, in which several regiments
were engaged; but the enemy gave way, and the horses and
arms of three lancers were captured. During the day a small




ï~~Circuit from  Sea to Sand Hills.

247

detachment of New York volunteers had a collision with a
Mexican force, the latter being forced back into the city.
As General Twiggs' command passed beyond Pillow's position, Capt. William Alburtis, Second Infantry, and a private of
the Mounted Rifles, were killed by a cannon ball from one of
the city batteries, and two wounded. Maj. E. V. Sumner, Second Dragoons, commanding the advance with Twiggs, had
passed some distance beyond the left of the volunteers when he
met the enemy's light troops and drove them back. Sumner
then halted near a small ranch until joined by the main body
of the command.
The Mexican skirmishers retired under fire before Sumner
until they reached the Orizaba road, where they joined a cavalry
force seen to the left. Capt. Winslow P. Sanderson's company,
Mounted Rifles, supported by Capt. John S. Simonson's company, attacked this party and drove it off, killing two captains,
one of Lancers, the other, Capt. Juan Plata, of the Auxiliary
Guards of Jalapa; one private of Sanderson's company was
severely wounded.
Twiggs' command having driven these small parties off, took
position in the line of investment, extending it as far towards
the Jalapa road as his strength would permit, and bivouacked,
remaining there until the i3th, when his line was again extended.
A considerable detour was made to the left owing to ponds of
stagnant water. The head of Twiggs' column arrived about
noon at Vergara, two and a half miles from Vera Cruz, where
the main road to the city of Mexico leaves the coast, thus completing the line of investment, extending from the sea below
* around over the sand hills to the sea above Vera Cruz.* It had
required three days and a half to establish it, entailing a loss of
one captain and one private killed, and one lieutenant-colonel,
one lieutenant, and sixteen non-commissioned officers and privates wounded, an aggregate of twenty.
Ingress and egress to and from Vera Cruz now ceased; the
different divisions were permanently located on the investing
line,  and the engineers pushed their reconnoissances by day and
night towards the town and its defenses to select the front of
attack. The heaviest labor had been in crossing the sand hills

* See Map VIL




ï~~248

Ordnance Stores Pel ayed.

and cutting through intervening forests and chapparal. A vio.
lent norther set in on the night of the ioth and raged during the
following day and night; died out for an hour or two on the
13th, then began to blow with increased violence, cutting off all
communication with the store-ships and transports, and continued until the 14th. No wagons or pack-mules could be landed,
consequently rations had to be carried by the men over the sand
hills along the entire investing line. No horses shipped from
Brazos, either for officers or for the cavalry, had as yet arrived.
The batteries around the city as well as the guns of the castle
fired at all parties coming within range, especially upon the engineers pushing reconnoissances close up to the Mexican works.
On the 15th General Scott issued orders announcing the victory of Buena Vista. Though taken by surprise, the troops
rejoiced greatly, understanding now how the landing without
resistance and the investment of Vera Cruz with so little loss
had been accomplished. Santa Anna had marched in direction
of the Rio Grande, not towards Vera Cruz, and the opinion prevailed that the seige would be raised and the Army safely out of
the "ltierra caliente " (hot lands of the coast) before his defeated
troops could be brought to oppose it.
The Spanish consul requested General Scott on the Toth to
respect, in his military operations against Vera Cruz, the persons and property of Spanish subjects. A safeguard was sent
him on the 14th, and one inclosed at the same time for the
British consul.
Communication was re-established with the store-ships on the
17th, and great activity prevailed, every effort being made to
bring ashore as expeditiously as possible the needful supplies.
On the i8th a transport, the " Yazo, " with a part of the Second
Dragoons, Colonel Harney, and Captain Ker's company, stranded
on an island near Anton Lizardo; the men were saved, but most
of the horses lost. Duncan's battery had arrived from the Brazos,
having lost many horses in the northers. All of the Second
Dragoons, together with Capt. Phil Kearny's company of the
First Dragoons, arrived by the i8th.
Vessels arrived in the offing on the 17th, supposed to be
freighted with ordnance and ordnance stores, but instead of
having cargoes of guns, mortars, ammunition, etc., estimated
for and much needed, they had only a portion of such stores.
With the small siege train on hand, General Scott believed




ï~~Work on the Trenches Commenced.

249

it possible to reduce Vera Cruz, but useless to make any attempt upon the castle of San Juan de Ulta. If the fact be recalled that it was agreed upon in November, before General
Scott left Washington, that his entire requisition upon the
ordnance department should be filled, and that transports
freighted with them should be at Brazos by the middle of
January, his disappointment and " harassing vexations " may
be imagined. On the i8th a few heavy guns, mortars, and
some draft animals were landed. By midnight, the front of the
attack having been determined, work on the trenches was
commenced and batteries were prepared to open fire* in 36 hours,
at which time the city would be summoned to surrender. The
American troops, though working within goo yards of the walls
of the city, being screened from view by intervening chapparal,
were not fired upon. A norther began blowing the night of
the 20th, and continued all the next day, but work on the
trenches was pushed forward, and they were prepared to receive both guns and mortars. The light, dry sand blown by
the northers imposed additional labor upon the men by filling
up the trenches nearly as fast as made. The enemy having
discovered the working parties near the cemetery, opened with
an active fire from numerous heavy guns.
It was proposed to have by the 23d a battery of 24-pounders
ready to open fire upon the city, also a battery of six or eight
heavy guns from the fleet, with a detail of officers and seamen
in charge of it. General Scott had made requisition for forty
to-inch mortars, to be used in the reduction of the city and
castle, but thirty of that number had not been heard of tip to
the 21st. The Second Dragoons were all landed by the 21st,
but without effective horses for more than one full companymany having been lost at sea and others made unfit for immediate service; the want of cavalry to make reconnoissance at a
distance, especially in rear towards the interior, was seriously
felt. The line of investment being complete and the batteries
ready to open fire, the following communication was sent to
the Mexican commander:
* The work began with the batteries sketched out by Capt. R. E. Lee,
Lients. Peter G. T. Beauregard, Z. B. Tower, and officers of the Sappers
and Miners Company.




ï~~2O

Vera Cruz Summoned to Surrender.

HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY OP THE
UNITED STATES or AMERICA.
CAMP WASHINGTON, BEFORE VERA CRUZ, March 22, 1847.
The undersigned, Major-General Scott, General-in-Chief of the Armies
of the United States of America, in addition to the close blockade of the
coast and port of Vera Cruz, previously established by the squadrons under
Commodore Conner, of the Navy of said States, having more fully invested
the said city with an overwhelming army, so as to render it impossible
th it its garrison should receive from without succor or reinforcements of
any kind; and having caused to be established batteries competent to the
speedy reduction of the said city; he, the undersigned, deems it due to
the courtesies of war in like cases, as well as to the rights of humanity,
to summon his Excellency, the Governor or Commander-in-Chief of the
city of Vera Cruz, to surrender the same to the Army of the United States
of America, present before the place.
The undersigned, anxious to spare the beautiful city of Vera Cruz from
the imminent hazard of demolition, its gallant defenders from a useless
effusion of blood, and its peaceful inhabitants--women and children
inclusive-from the inevitable horrors of a triumphant assault, addresses
this summons to the intelligence, the gallantry, and patriotism, no less
than the humanity of his Excellency, the Governor and Commander-inChief of Vera Cruz.
The undersigned is not accurately informed whether both the city and
the castle of San Juan de Ulia be under the command of his Excellency,
or whether each place has its own independent commander; but the
undersigned, moved by the considerations adverted to above, may be willing
to stipulate that, if the city should, by capitulation, be garrisoned by a
part of his troops, no missile shall be fired from within the city, or from
its bastions or walls, upon the castle unless the castle should previously
fire upon the city.
The undersigned has the honor to tender his distinguished opponent,
his Excellency, the General and Commander-in-Chief of Vera Cruz, the
assurance of the high respect and consideration of the undersigned.
WINFIELD SCOTT.
[Reply.]
"God and Liberty!1"
VEnA CRUZ, March 22, 1847.
To Major-General Scott:
The undersigned, Commanding General of the free and sovereign State
of Vera Cruz, has informed himself of the contents of the note which
Major-General Scott, General-in-Chief of the forces of the United States,
has addressed to him under date of to-day, demanding the surrender of
this place, and castle of San Juan de Ulfia, and in answer has to say that
the above-named fortress, as well as this city, depend on his authority; and
it being his principal duty, in order to prove worthy of the confidence
placed in him by the government of the nation, to defend both points at
all costs, to which he counts upon the necessary elements and will make




ï~~.Defenses of the ily.               961
it good to the last; therefore his Excellency can commence his operations
of war in the manner which he may consider most advantageous.
The undersigned has the honor to return to the General-in-Chief of the
forces of the United States the demonstrations of esteem he may be
pleased to honor him with.
JUAN MORALES.
Vera Cruz, with a population of twelve thousand, is an old
Spanish walled town, situated on a low and nearly level sandy
plain, with a gradual rise from the sea. Beginning at the water's
edge on the south, and extending to near the same on the north
side of the city, are a series of sandy ridges with intervening
valleys abounding in chapparal, or other low, dense tropical
growth. These ridges rise in some instances to the height of
a hundred feet, possibly more, and during the prevalence of
northers, their forms and size undergo considerable modifications, the sand being blown away and deposited at other points,
thus reducing and changing their appearance, and in some cases
obliterating them entirely.
At the southern end of the surrounding wall and on the water's
edge is a bastion of considerable extent known as Fort Santiago,
with a cavalier mounting a few heavy guns. At the northern
end of the wall there is a similar bastion known as Fort Conception. Between these two strong works the intermediate wall
was broken into lunettes and redans, well and solidly built, and
designed for eight or ten guns each. The curtains, or connecting walls, were not intended to resist breaching batteries, having
little thickness, but were excellent for defense against infantry,
being arranged with loop-holes and banquettes for three tiers of
musketry fire. The walls were without a ditch, or if there had
ever been one, it had been filled up with sand during northers
in years long gone by; and there were neither out-works, detached, nor advanced works.
In front of the bastions and redans there was a quantity of
cactus which may have been planted as a defense and which, in
case of assault by infantry, would have proved both an annoying and a serious obstacle. In these various batteries around
the city, at the time of the siege, were mounted eighty-six guns
of various calibre; some very heavy, so regarded at the time,
and of this kind were eight heavy mortars, and six 8-inch seacoast howitzers.
The castle of San Juan de Ula is a regular four-sided bastion




ï~~252      Solemn Aspect of a fesieged ZoPw.
work on a coral island, near one thousand yards from the city,
armed with one hundred and twenty-eight guns, most of them
of heavy calibre, and with a cavalier of high command in its
southern bastion. Opposite the sea-front is the reef of Gallega,
on this a demi-lune and re-entering place of arms, and in front
or beyond these were water-batteries covering all that front.
The entrance to the harbor was through channels from the
north and south, both of which were covered by guns from the
body of the work, many of which were cast at the West Point
foundry and were 8-inch sea-coast howitzers and io-inch Paixhans guns. When the American transports began to arrive off
Anton Lizardo, the Mexican capital was, and had been for some
weeks, in the throes of revolution, and continued in that wretched
state until March 21. Engrossed with the revolution, no supplies of either men or money were sent to Vera Cruz from the
capital, but the city of Puebla, not under such pressure from
civil dissentions, remitted the small sum of $20,000, contributed
by a few merchants. It will thus be seen that Vera Cruz at a
most critical time was virtually left to its own resources.
In the city was a garrison of 3,360 officers and men, near onehalf being National Guards-volunteers-and in the castle
1,030, making in all, 4,390. With this small force Vera Cruz
resolved to fall fighting sooner than " stain with an eternal
censure her title to heroism."
The city gradually assumed the severe and solemn aspect of
a place of arms, and that dull and indescribable agitation which
precedes a battle began to be felt. Work on the fortifications
was unceasing, and the skilled engineer, D. Manuel Robles,
was active and energetic in directing it. The Ayuntamiento,*
earnest and patriotic, endeavored to counteract the scarcity of
munitions. Medical and surgical supplies being deficient, the
ladies, by theatrical amateur performances, contributed means
to obtain them, and garrison and citizens united in preparing
for a resistance worthy of its defenders.
The national board of engineers had long since reported that
Vera Cruz could not be defended in case of attack without a
large force to manceuvre outside. With such knowledge the
resolution of the defenders of Vera Cruz to sacrifice themselves,
* Body of magistrates governing cities, composed of an Alcalde and
Kegidores, corresponding to our Mayor and Aldermen.




ï~~oe

*..

THE SIEGE OF VERA CRUZ.
MARCH, 1847.




ï~~


ï~~Batteries Open Fire.

253

to be buried under their own walls, beneath their own roofs,
appears the more heroic.
The Mexicans having refused to surrender, the American
mortar batteries, known as Nos. z, 2, and 3, were ordered to
open fire, and the Chief of Artillery, Col. James Bankhead,
reported that the first mortar was fired at 4.15 p. m., March
22d. From that moment, night and day, the firing continued
without intermission. The first day No. i was in charge of
Capt. Horace Brooks, Scond Artillery; No. 2, of Lieut. Muscoe
L. Shackelford, Second Artillery; and No. 3, of Capt. John R.
Vinton, Third Artillery. Two of the batteries had two io-inch
mortars each and the third three io-inch mortars. Without an
entire suspension at any time the fire would slacken occasionally, owing to the scarcity of shells, caused by the northers; in
such cases, in the night, there would be one shell every five
minutes, the greatest activity being three shells per minute.
The batteries had been firing but a few minutes when seven of
the smaller vessels of the fleet, two steamers, the Spi fire, under
Commander Josiah Tatnall, and the Vixen, with Commander
J. R. -Sands, and five gunboats, the Bonita, Lieut. T. G. Benham; Reefer, Lieut. I. S. Sterrett; Petrel, Lieut. T. D. Shaw;
Falcon, Lieut. J. J. Glasson, and the Tampico, Lieut. William P.
Griffin, ran up within one and an eighth mile of the city, opened
with a brisk fire upon it and continued until late in the evening,
the two steamers having nearly exhausted their ammunition.
A fresh supply was received during the night, and at sunrise
they moved up to an advanced and more favorable point,
resumed fire and continued it until recalled by signal.
The Mexicans represent the firing as commencing at 4 p. M.,
and at that time a shell burst on the Plaza de Armas, and
another in the Correo (post office).  They say: " From that
moment the fire continued without intermission-mortars, howitzers, cannon-the broadsides of the small vessels which had
been brought up near to the Collado all played upon the town.
Their gunners aimed especially at San Augustin, at the powder
magazine,* at the whole city and at the quarters. This horrible
fire was suspended at dawn on the 23d, but when full daylight
* The fire was directed upon the city generally. No one kew where
the powder magazine was located, nor was anything known of the interior
of the city.




ï~~254 Captain Vinton' s Death in the Trenches.
shone it was resumed with greater vigor. The batteries Santiago, San Jose, San Fernando, and Santa Barbara returned the
fire. Uida also battered the enemy, who kept continually from
four to six shells in the air. Their vessels, which had been
brought up to Collado by the steamship Mississifpi, opened
upon the city, but were driven back by D. Blas Godinez in
Santiago."
An hour or two before the firing began Captain Vinton, Third
Artillery, was ordered to withdraw from the lime kiln, proceed
with his company to the trenches near the cemetery and take
charge of the mortar batteries to open fire. The enemy had
fired but a few rounds when he fell in one of the batteries; several of his men were also slightly wounded.*  These batteries
were within nine hundred yards of the city, and double that
distance from the castle of San Juan de Ultia. The guns of
Santiago and those of two or three other works along the wall
of the city were directed upon the mortars when the firing
began, and continued with the greatest activity during the
night.
In his official report, General Scott referred to Captain Vinton
as C one of the most talented, accomplished, and effective members of the Army, and who was highly distinguished in the
brilliant operations at Monterey. He fell in the trenches,
where he was on duty as field and commanding officer, universally regretted."
Three additional io-inch mortars were placed in battery
No. 4 by noon on the 23d. The landing of heavy guns had
just commenced when a norther came on with such violence as
to suspend operations.
From the morning of the 23d to that of the 24tht the mortar
batteries were in charge of Captain Mackenzie, Second Artillery,
Capt. Robert Anderson, and Bvt.-Capt. George Taylor, of the
Third Artillery. The norther subsided during the night (23d)
* The company of the Fourth Infantry was withdrawn from the lime
kiln after dark and ordered into the trenches, and was on duty at the
battery in which Vinton was killed. Of the officers who were at the
lime kiln, Vinton was killed at Vera Cruz, March 22; Farry at Molino
del Rey, September 8, and Rogers at Chapultepec, September 13, 1847.
t At 10 a. m., whilst all the Mexican batteries were firing, one man,
Second Artillery, in battery No. I, was killed, and three severely wounded.
In battery No. 3 a shell just missed the muzzle of a mortar, burst, and
threw the mortar thirty feet out of the trench.




ï~~Mortars and Guns Increased.

255

sufficiently to permit the further landing of guns, mortars, and
ordnance stores.
Six heavy guns and a detachment from the.Navy were landed
from the vessels of war, and with much labor the former were
pulled by hand over the sand hills by the sailors, aided by the
infantry, and placed in battery No. 5, which opened fire at io
a. m. of the 24th, under Captain Aulick, of the Navy, and
continued firing until 2 p. m., when the ammunition was
exhausted.
At the earnest request of Commodore Perry and his officers,
General Scott assigned a place to the Navy in the trenches, and
battery No. 5, constructed under the direction of Lieut. G. W.
Smith, of the Engineer Corps, was, when finished, turned over
to the Navy by Capt. R. E. Lee, acting under General Scott's
orders, Lieutenant Smith, Engineers, and Lieut. Thomas Williams, Fourth Artillery, aid-de-camp to General Scott, being
present at the time.
That all might have a chance to serve in the trenches, Commodore Perry ordered detachments from each ship under a
lieutenant, the whole detail to be commanded by a captain or
commander, and these were to serve for twenty-four hours.
Five seamen were killed, and Lieutenant Baldwin, of the Navy,
and four seamen wounded. In the afternoon Captain Aulick's
command was relieved by another detachment from the fleet,
under Capt. J. I. Mayo, with a fresh supply of ammunition.
On the 24th, it being reported that in rear of the extreme left
of the Army, on the Jalapa road and about two and a half miles
from Vergara, was a small cavalry force of the enemy, Lieut.
B. S. Roberts was despatched with a company of Mounted
Rifles to that point; but finding quite a large force, supposed
to be several hundred, he sent back to camp for aid, and Col.
Persifor F. Smith was sent to his support with two hundred
men. The enemy was beyond a small stream (the San Pedro),
crossed by a large and well-known bridge, the Puente del
Media, and on approaching to reconnoiter it a fire was delivered
by a force concealed in the chapparal. Two parties, one under
Lieutenant Roberts, the other composed of two companies under
Capt. Henry C. Pope, Mounted Rifles, crossed the stream, one
above and the other below the bridge, to strike the hostile body
on its flank, while a third party moved down the road directly
upon the bridge. The enemy gave way and was pursued until




ï~~256

Awful Activity of Shot and Shell.

sunset; three of his dead were seen on the road and four riflemen were severely wounded. In his official report of this
affair, Colonel Smith referred in complimentary terms to Lieutenants Roberts and A. J. Lindsay and Bvt. 2d Lieuts. D. H.
Maury and John P. Hatch, Mounted Rifles.
During the night of the 24th General Scott received a communication signed by the British, French, Spanish, and Prussian consuls in Vera Cruz, asking time to permit the neutrals,
together with the Mexican women and children, to withdraw
from the scenes of distress about them. To this he replied that
he deeply regretted the lateness of their application, for up to
the 23d instant the communication between the neutrals in
Vera Cruz and the neutral ships of war lying off Sacrificios,
was left open mainly to allow them an opportunity to escape
from the horrors of the impending siege, of which he gave to
the consuls every admonition in his power. In respect to a
truce, it must, on reflection, be evident that he could not grant
one, except on the application of the Governor and Commanderin-chief of Vera Cruz, accompanied by a distinct proposition to
surrender. In the meantime, the siege must go on with increased means and rigor.
On the 25th the army battery, of six heavy guns, on the left
of the mortar batteries, was ready to open fire. This battery,
the naval battery, and all the mortar batteries opened that
morning with what General Scott truthfully styled " awful activity."  The naval battery completed the breach near the
Santa Barbara battery and destroyed many houses in rear;
the fire from the army battery was very effective, while the
io-inch shells were seen all the time ascending high in the air,
often above the thick, overhanging clouds, to descend with
crushing force through roofs and floors of the different stories,
often not bursting until the cellars were reached. Even in our
distant camps the explosions heard indicated, unerringly,
whether the shells had burst in the open streets or within
houses; the dull, heavy shock of the latter was much more
frequent, and that suppressed sound could not be heard by the
most callous, without a shudder, lest it might be among
mothers and innocent children, among the sick in hospitals,
or in the midst of the wounded with their attending surgeons.
Early on the 25th the firing was increased to 18o shot and
shell per hour. Additional mortars were to be in battery that




ï~~t




ï~~ROBERT PATTERSON,
MAJOR GENERAL, U    S. VOLUNTEERS
BORN [N IRELAND ---APPOINTED FROM PENNSYLVANIA




ï~~Afair at Medelin.

257

night, and it was General Scott's intention to carry the works,of the city by assault on the night of the 26th if no proposition
for surrender came.
It being known, March 25, that a mounted force of the enemy
was a few miles in rear of the Army, Colonel Harney, with Captain Thornton's squadron,and fifty dismounted men with Captain
Ker, all under Major Sumner of the Second Dragoons, marched
towards the Medelin river. No enemy was seen until Colone
Harney arrived near the stone bridge over the Morena, skirted
by a dense chapparal, in which small parties of lancers were
observed, the bridge being held by them and reported to be
fortified. A reconnoitering party approached, received a volley,
and fell back, one corporal being killed and two men wounded.
They found the bridge fortified with a large force holding it.
Sumner's command retired a short distance and sent a message
back to camp, asking for two pieces of artillery, which came
promptly under Lieut. H. B. Judd, Third Artillery.
Capt. W. J." Hardee, Second Dragoons, engaged at the time
in disembarking his company, collected some forty or fifty cavalry men without horses, obtained permission, and hastened to
the support of Sumner, also soon joined by a company of the
First Tennessee under Capt. B. ' F. Cheatham and four companies of the Second Tennessee under Colonel Haskell. Harney attacked at once, Lieutenant Judd advanced near the
bridge and came into battery, Ker's men moved forward in line
on the left of the road, the volunteers. on the right, Hardee in
rear and near the guns, and Sumner with the mounted cavalry
a short distance in rear. The artillery had fired but a few minutes when all advanced, charged over the bridge, leaping the
barricade, Colonel Haskell being the first over; the enemy gave
way, but reformed a short distance in rear. Obstructions at the
bridge being removed, Sumner advanced at a charge upon the
lancers in rear, broke and pursued them six miles to the town
of Medelin; there a second party of lancers was encountered
and driven off, pursued by Lieut. and Adjt. Lewis Neill, Second
Dragoons, who received two lance wounds, one in the body, the
other in the arm.
The pursuit was pressed two miles beyond the town; the cavalry then halted, fell back to Medelin, and after a rest returned,
arriving in camp 3 o'clock in the morning. General Patterson
joined the troops bringing with him Colonel Campbell's regi



ï~~258

Destructire Work of the Shells.

mient, the First Tennessee, but permitted Colonel Harney to
direct operations. The latter referred in complimentary terms
to the command in general, especially mentioning his Adjutant, Lieutenant Neill, Lieut. James Oaks, Captains Albert
Lowry and Hardee, Surgeon J. K. Barnes,' and Lieutenant
Judd. There were but two Americans killed and nine wounded.
The firing from the various batteries was incessant during
the 25th and throughout the following night, and proved fearfully destructive to Vera Cruz. Fires were raging in several
places; the redoubt of Santa Barbara, against which the naval
battery had directed its shots, was greatly damaged and many
of its defenders killed.
A shell fell in the powder words of Santiago and the building
was blown to pieces, over three hundred pounds of powder and
twenty loaded shells exploding at the same instant; here many
artillerymen were at work, and all except one sergeant instantly
killed. Nineteen persons were destroyed in the imfirmary by
the bursting of one shell, and in the female hospital seventeen
were killed in like manner. While an operation was being performed on a wounded man, the explosion of a shell extinguished
the lights, and when others were brought it was discovered that
both patient and doctor had been blown to pieces, and many
others killed or wounded. Scenes of blood and misery were
seen in all directions. Deaths among citizens were numerous,
and no place was safe; children were crying for bread which
could not be given; women wandered about the streets asking
asylums for children left orphans, their parents having been
killed by shells. Many of them sought refuge in the chapel of
the Divina Pastora, where only one ball had penetrated. Such
were a few of the horrors of the bombardment, as told by Mexican witnesses.
The night of the 25th four additional mortars were placed in
position, and early in the morning of the 26th, while the batteries were still playing, overtures came from General Landero,
to whom the command had been turned over by General Morales.
Firing was suspended at all the batteries by order from headquarters. A terrible storm of wind and sand prevailing, the
troops remained inactive during the day, unable even to repair
damages made by the high wind. The severity of the northers
* Subsequently Surgeon General of the Army.




ï~~Landero Asks a Suspension of Hostilities. 259
can not be properly appreciated unless witnessed. While at the
lime kiln one saw high waves driven by northers against the
sea-wall of the city with such force as to throw the spray above
the roofs of the highest houses. The men of a picket on duty
one stormy night found it impossible to face the wind, and the
drifting sand would have blinded them, had their eyes not been
protected; they wrapped the capes of their overcoats about their
heads, lay down on their faces, and when the weight of sand
became uncomfortable, raised up, threw it off, and lay down
again.
The British, French, Spanish, and Prussian consuls in Vera
Cruz begged the commanding general to forward to the commander of the besieging armies a second request to permit neutrals and Mexican women and children to leave Vera Cruz.
General Landero, who was then in command, forwarded under
a flag of truce their application, and at the same time the following communication from himself:
" I have the honor of transmitting to your Excellency the exposition which has this moment been made to me by the seniores,
consuls of England, France, Spain, and Prussia, in which they
solicit that hostilities may be suspended while the innocent families in this place, who are suffering the ravages of war, be enabled to leave the city, which solicitude claims my support; and
considering it in accordance with the rights of afflicted humanity, I have not hesitated to invite your Excellency to enter into
an honorable accommodation with the garrison, in which case
you will please name three commissioners who may meet at some
intermediate point to treat with those of this place upon the
terms of the accommodation.
" With this motive I renew to your Excellency my attentive
consideration.
" God reward your Excellency, &c., &c., &c. On account of
the sickness of the commanding general.
"JoSE JUAN DE LANDZRO.
"Major-General Scott," etc.
General Scott appointed Brevet Major-General Worth, of the
Regular Army, Major-General Pillow, of the volunteers, and
Colonel Totten, Chief of the Engineer Corps of the Army,
commissoners on his part to meet a like number to be appointed
by the Mexican General, Landero.
Upon receipt of the notification of the appointments of commissioners by General Scott, General Landero, commanding at




ï~~260

The Gapitulation.

Vera Cruz, returned the names of Colonels Herrera, Gutierrez
de Villa Nueva, and Lieutenant-Colonel Robles, commissioners
on his part.
These commissioners met outside the city of Vera Cruz at
the Punta de Hornos, held a conference, and then separated to
meet the next day (27th) at the same place. During the second
meeting terms were agreed upon, accepted, and ratified by the
two commanding generals.
By the terms of the capitulation the Mexican forces were to
march out of Vera Cruz and its works with all the honors of
war, stack arms and be paroled, their colors when lowered to
be saluted. The last article of the terms of capitulation reads
as follows: " Absolute protection is solemnly guaranteed to persons in the city and to property, and it is clearly understood
that no private building or property is to be taken or used by
the forces of the United States without previous arrangement
with the owners and for a fair equivalent."
Capt. J. H. Aulick, of the Navy, commissioner appointed by
Commodore Perry, by whom Commodore Conner had been relieved the day before, was prevented by stress of weather from
attending the meeting of the commissioners, but concurred in
the results approved thereof, signed them separately, and they
were ratified on the 28th of March, just one year from the date
of the first appearance of the United States flag on the Rio
Grande, opposite Matamoros.
A council of war had assembled in Vera Cruz about midnight
of the 26th, at which General Morales resigned and General
Landero assumed command.    In a second council, held in the
morning of the 27th, General Landero announced there was
ammunition for only three hours' firing, and no provisions,
except those given out by the Ayuntamiento, in which the
citizens shared; hence it was necessary to terminate the contest.
In the words of their historian-" All was over in Vera
Cruz. In vain had four or five hundred of her inhabitants
perished; in vain had 6oo soldiers shed their blood, and 400 of
them been killed; in vain had the city suffered the ravages of
6,700 projectiles of the weight of 463,000 pounds, thrown by
the enemy; in vain had the place expended $8,486 in her defense.  *    * The city had fallen into the power of the invaders, and cruel fortune had given this mournful and painful
blow to the unfortunate Mexican republic."




ï~~Victory Due Alike to the Army and Navy.       261
The Mexican troops that had garrisoned the city and the
castle marched out of Vera Cruz through the Gate of Mercy at
10 a. m., on the 29th of March; were halted near a half mile
from. the town in a green little valley called the Plain of
Cocos, and there stacked arms, Worth's division, or much of
it, being present. Of this last act the Mexican historian says:
" The sacrifice was consummated, but the soldiers of Vera
Cruz received the honor due to their valor and misfortunesthe respect of the conqueror. Not even a look was given them
by the enemy's soldiers which could be interpreted into an
insult." It is true, every consideration was shown and much
sympathy felt; many seemed to be mere youths; one young
lieutenant, who had been educated in Philadelphia and spoke
English well, conversed for a short time with a lieutenant of
the U. S. Infantry, on guard at the Gate of Mercy.
The capture of Vera Cruz was an affair, in the main, of the
staff and artillery. The engineers located and constructed the
batteries with such good judgment and care, that there were
few casualties; the fixed ammunition used by the artillery was
prepared under the direction of ordnance officers with a skill
insured by their education and their experiments and labors in
the laboratory. The infantry worked upon the trenches and
batteries, and as guards gave protection and security, day and
night, while the latter were used, and in addition did picket
duty in front and in rear of the lines.
Whilst the Army encircled Vera Cruz by land, the Navy
blockaded it on the sea, and no one of the four batteries under
direction of the frtillery did more effective service than the
battery armed and equipped from the squadron, served by
sailors and officers of the Navy, and commanded successively
by Captains Aulick and Mayo.
General Scott announced in orders that 5,000 prisoners and
400 guns were captured, and his official report shows this to
have been accomplished with a loss of only sixty-seven killed
and wounded. His army numbered 13,000 men; the Mexican
history gives their own strength at 4,390. That Vera Cruz,
armed and defended as it was, should have been captured and
with a total loss of only sixty-seven, is creditable alike to the
science and skill of the engineers and artillery, and to the ability and judgment of the commanding general, under whose
personal supervision and orders it was accomplished.




ï~~262      Extract from   Scott' s Autobiography.
It is remembered that there were in the besieging army some
who did not conceal their discontent, who thought the commanding general was too slow and cautious; and among the
volunteers were officers of high rank (Maj. -Gen. Robert Patterson of the number) who expressed their desire and readiness to
lead storming parties, thus intimating that a more energetic
course was necessary. Even among the regulars it was said:
" Monterey, a stronger place, was taken in three days, and we
have confronted Vera Cruz for two weeks and not a gun has
been fired."  It was fortunate for the Army that its commander
was not to be diverted from the plan he had adopted.
After reconnoisances had been made, General Scott said to
his chief engineer: " Vera Cruz must be taken with a loss not
to exceed one hundred men; for every one over that number I
shall regard myself as his murderer."
In his autobiography, volume II, page 423, he says: " The
applicants to lead storming parties were thanked and applauded,
but I forbore saying to them more. In my little cabinet, however, consisting of Colonel Totten, chief engineer; Lieut. -Col.
Hitchcock, acting inspector general; Capt. R. E. Lee, engineer, and ist Lieut. H. L. Scott,* acting adjutant general,
I entered fully into the question of storming parties and
regular siege approaches. * * *   I opened the subject substantially as follows: 'We, of course, gentlemen, must take
the city and castle before the return of the vomilo-if not by
head work, the slow, scientific process, by storming-and then
escape by pushing the conquest into the healthy interior. I
am strongly inclined to attempt the forme, unless you can
convince me that the other is preferable. Since our thorough
reconnoissance I think the suggestion practicable, with a very
moderate loss on our part.
" ' The second method would no doubt be equally successful,
but at the cost of an immense slaughter to both sides, including
non-combatants-Mexican men, women, and children-because
assaults must be made in the dark, and the assailants dare not
lose time in taking and guarding prisoners without incurring
the certainty of becoming captives themselves, till all the
strongholds of the place are occupied. The horrors of such
slaughter, with the usual terrible accompaniments, are most
revolting.' "
*Author of Scott's Military Dictionary.




ï~~CHAPTER XII.
VERA CRUZ OCCUPIED.-GENERAL WORTH COMMANDANT AND
GOVERNOR. -MARITAL LAW ORDER, NO. 40.-THE ADVANCE
INTO THE INTERIOR.-ALVARADO AND ANTIGUA.-SANTA
ANNA AFTER BUENA VISTA.-CERRO GORDO.-NUMBERS
ENGAGED AND LOSSES SUSTAINED.
General Worth, whose troops were the first to disembark and
who witnessed the surrender of the Mexican forces, was made
commandant and Governor of Vera Cruz, and instructed to
establish strict police regulations, insuring good morals and
order, not disturbing, however, the ordinary functions of civil
magistrates, as between Mexicans. He was directed to establish temporarily a moderate tariff of duties, subject to the
approval of the general-in-chief and of Commodore Perry, on
all articles imported from countries other than the United
States, the duties collected to be applied to the benefit of the
sick and wounded of the army, the squadron, and the indzgent
inhabitants of Vera Cruz, and this tariff to continue in force
until instructions of the Government at home were received.
March 29th he announced in orders that he was the commanding officer and Governor of Vera Cruz and of the castle
of San Juan de Ulua, and on the following day issued instructions to the Alcalde as follows:
"Arms in possession of citizens to be given into his (the
Alcalde) custody, and to be reported to headquarters. Drinking saloons to be closed, and not to be reopened hereafter except under special permission. Mexican laws, as between
Mexicans, to be enforced and justice administered by regular
Mexican tribunals. Cases arising between American citizens
-263




ï~~264

Martial Law Order.

of the army or authorized followers of the same, will be investigated by military commissions."
Soldiers commit many grave offenses, not cognizable by the
rules and articles of war, for which in their own country they
would be tried by the civil courts, but if committed in a foreign
land there is no tribunal before which they can be brought,
neither can citizens of a foreign country committing outrages
upon the soldiers of the United States be tried under any existing law. For such reasons General Scott issued at Tampico,
in February, what has been styled his " Martial Law Order,"
No. 40, and republished it after the landing of the army near
Vera Cruz, viz:
[General orders No. 287.]
HEADQUARTZRS OF TH    ARMY.
x. It is still to be apprehended that many grave offenses, not provided for in the act of Congress " establishing rules and articles for
the government of the armies of the United States," approved April
1o, i8o6, may again be committed by or upon individuals of these
armies, in Mexico, pending the existing war between the two republics. Allusion is here made to offenses, any one of which, if committed within the United States or their organized Territories, would
of course, be tried and severely punished by the ordinary or civil
courts of the land.
2. Assassination, murder, poisoning, rape, or the attempt to commit
either; malicious stabbing or maiming, malicious assault and battery,
robbery, theft; the wanton desecration of churches, cemeteries, or
other religious edifices and fixtures; the interruption of religious
ceremonies, and the destruction, except by order of a superior officer,
of public or private property, are such offenses.
3. The good of the service, the honor of the United States, and the
interests of humanity imperiously demand that every crime enumerated above should be severely punished.
4. But the written code, as above, commonly called the rules and
articles of war, does not provide for the punishment of any one of
those crimes, even when committed by individuals of the army upon
the persons or property of other individuals of the same, except in
the very restricted case in the 9th of those articles; nor for like outrages committed by the same class of individuals upon the persons
or property of a hostile country, except very partially, in the 51st,
52d, and 55th articles; and the same code is absolutely silent as to
all injuries which may be inflicted upon individuals of the army, or
their property, against the laws of war by individuals of a hostile
country.




ï~~Martial Law Order.                    265
5. It is evident that the 99th article, independent of any reference
to the restriction in the 87th, is wholly nugatory in reaching any of
those high crimes.
6. For all the offenses, therefore, enumerated in the second paragraph above, which may be committed abroad, in, by, or upon the
army, a supplemental code is absolutely needed.
7. That unwritten code is Martial Law, as an addition to the written
military code prescribed by Congress in the rules and articles of war,
and which unwritten code all armies in hostile countries are forced
to adopt not only for their own safety, but for the protection of the
unoffending inhabitants and their property, about the theatres of
military operations, against injuries on the part of the army, contrary
to the laws of war.
8. From the same supreme necessity martial law is hereby declared
as a supplemental code, and about all cities, towns, camps, posts,
hospitals, and other places which may be occupied by any part of the
forces of the United States in Mexico, and in and about all columns,
escorts, convoys, guards, and detachments of the said forces, while
engaged in prosecuting the existing war in and against the said republics, and while remaining in the same
9. Accordingly, every crime enumerated in paragraph No. 2 above,
whether committed-first, by any inhabitant of Mexico, sojourner
or traveler therein, upon the person or property of any individual of
the United States forces, retainer or follower of the same; second,
by any individual of the said forces, retainer or follower of the same,
upon the person or property of any inhabitant of Mexico, sojourner
or traveler therein; or third, by any individual of the said forces, retainer or follower of the same, shall be duly tried and punished under
the said supplemental code.
10. For this purpose it is ordered that all offenders, in the matters
aforesaid, shall be promptly seized, confined, and reported for trial
before military commissions to be duly appointed as follows:
ii. Every military commission under this order will be appointed,
governed, and limited, as nearly as practicable, as prescribed by the
65th, 66th, 67th, and 97th of the said rules and articles of war, and the
proceedings of such commissions will be duly recorded, in writing, reviewed, revised, disapproved or approved, and the sentences executed, all as near as may be, as in the cases of the proceedings and
sentences of courts martial: Provided, also that no sentence of a military commission shall be put in execution against any individual belonging to this army which may not be, according to the nature and
degree of the offense, as established by evidence, in some one of the
States of the United States of America.
12. The sale, waste, or loss of ammunition, horses, arms, clothing,
or accoutrements by soldiers is punishable under the 37th and 38th
articles of war. Any Mexican or resident or traveler in Mexico who
shall purchase of any American soldier either horse, horse equipments, arms, ammunition, accoutrements, or clothing shall be tried
and severely punished by a military commission, as above.




ï~~266

iMartial Law Order.

13. The administration of justice, both in civil and criminal matters, through the ordinary courts of the country, shall nowhere and
in no degree be interrupted by any officer or soldier of the American
forces except, first, in cases to which an officer, soldier, agent, servant, or follower of the American army may be a party; and, second,
in political cases-that is, prosecutions against other individuals on
the allegations that they have given friendly information, aid, or assistance to the American forces.
14. For the ease and safety of both parties, in all cities and towns
occupied by the American army a Mexican police shall be established
and duly harmonized with the military police of the said forces.
15. This splendid capital, its churches and religious worship, its
convents and monasteries, its inhabitants and property are moreover
placed under the special safeguard of the faith and honor of the
American army.
16. In consideration of the foregoing protection, a contribution of
$150,000 is imposed on this capital, to be paid in four weekly instafments of $37,500each, beginning on Monday next, the 20th inst., and
terminating on Monday, the IIth of October.
17. The Ayuntamiento, or corporate authority of the city, is specially charged with the collections and payment of the several instalments.
18. Of the whole contribution to be paid over to this army, $20,000
shall be appropriated to the purchase of extra comforts for the
wounded and sick in hospital, $9o,ooo to the purchase of blankets and
shoes for gratuitous distribution among the rank and file of the army,
and $40,000 reserved for other necessary military purposes.
19. This order will be read at the head of every company of the
United States forces serving in Mexico, and translated into Spanish
for the information of Mexicans.
By command of Major-General Scott.
H. L. SCOTT,
Acting Adjutant General.
Under General Worth's instructions to the Alcalde, all
Mexicans were permitted to leave or enter the city freely between daylight and sunset. A collector of customs was appointed, but no duties were imposed on necessaries for officers
and soldiers.
April ist the Alcalde, Senor Don Ramon P. Vela tendered
his resignation, which was accepted, and Lieutenant-Colonel
Holzinger, an officer much distinguished in the defense of
Vera Cruz, was offered and accepted the position.
On the same day General Scott issued an order again calling
the attention of the army to his general order No. 40, and he
appealed to all good soldiers, regulars and volunteers, to aid in




ï~~Alvarado and Antigua.

267

enforcing its provision and to denounce every infraction of it.
Vera Cruz having been captured, it was feared that the
want of transportation, which had delayed the army six
weeks at the Brazos and at Tampico and which, though
ample requisitions therefor had been duly made, was still a
serious embarrassment, would impede progress to the iterior.
Hence vigorous efforts were made and several expeditions
planned to gather from the adjacent country whatever might
be made available for land transportation.
March 3oth a combined naval and military force, Commodore Perry commanding the naval contingent and BrigadierGeneral Quitman, accompanied by Capt. J. R. Irwin, chief
quartermaster, the army detachment, consisting of the
Georgia, Alalama, and South Carolina infantry regiments, a
squadron of the Second Dragoons, under Major Beall, and a
section of the Third Artillery, under Lieut. H. B. Judd,
marched out of camp about 3 p. m. to Alvarado, moved south
along the beach to the Medelin River, and bivouacked for the
night.
The object of the expedition was, by assuring safety to
property, to conciliate the inhabitants and open up a market
for horses, mules, and cattle. The plan agreed upon was that
the two forces should enter the town about the same time.
The Commodore landed on April ist; General Quitman arrived a few hours later, and many citizens leaving at the first
alarm, the town surrendered. Twenty-two cannon and a
small amount of ammunition were found in batteries, and the
people, seemingly gratified at the courteous kindness of the
American commanders, agreed to supply 500 horses at low
rates. The troops left Alvarado on the 4th and reached camp,
near Vera Cruz, on the 6th.
Colonel Harney having two squadrons of dragoons under
Major Sumner, one section of artillery under Capt. George
Taylor, and seven companies of the Seventh Infantry under
Maj. Henry Bainbridge, left Vera Cruz April 2d for Antigua,
having in view the same object as the Alvarado expedition.
The dragoons forded the Antigua River, which was 150 yards
wide and three and a half feet deep at the town, and seeing
the enemy beat a hasty retreat down the main street of the
village, pursued and captured one lieutenant, eight soldiers,




ï~~268    Orders for the March into the Interior.
with their horses and equipments, twenty-five horses and
many cattle, but no mules.
It was announced in orders,,pril 3d, that the First United
States Infantry, Bvt.-Col. Henry Wilson, would remain, and
with two companies of volunteers attached to the first division of regulars, garrison Vera Cruz and the Castle of San
Juan de Ulua, Colonel Wilson assigned to duty according to
his brevet rank, becoming the governor and commanding officer upon the departure of the army for the interior.
It was ordered that requisitions be made at once upon the
chief-quartermaster for transportation, wagons, pack and
draught animals, subject to the severest revision; all excess
of baggage, public or private, to be rejected and thrown
aside by the quartermaster at the time of loading up, or on
the march when discovered. Three common tents, mainly
for arms and the sick, were allowed the officers and men of a
company.
All horses and mules held under pretense of purchase, or
captured since the landing of the army, were to be turned
over immediately to tie quartermaster, captured property always to be held for the benefit of the service generally, and
the order to be complied with before the following night, or
such property in possession of individuals would be seized.
The greatest activity prevailed in the quartermaster and commissary departments. Besides armed expeditions, any number of agents were sent out to ransack the country far and
near for horses and mules, many having been lost at sea, or
injured during the rough voyage.
April 6th, a limited amount of transportation being in readiness, orders were issued for the advance upon Jalapa, the
second division of regulars, Twiggs to lead on the 8th; the
division of volunteers, two brigades only, twenty-four hours
later; Major-General Patterson, for want of transportation,
to leave one brigade and the Tennessee dismounted cavalry
in camp until the arrival of their horses. The chiefs of
the general staff were to assign to the headquarters of each
division an engineer officer, topographical engineer, ordnance officer, assistant quartermaster, assistant commissary,
and a medical officer.  Forty-five wagons were assigned
the second division, fifty-five to the volunteer division for




ï~~Twiggs' Division Advances Upon Jalapa. 269
the baggage of officers of every grade, and for that of regiments and companies, the interior disposition of wagons to
be made at division headquarters. Two batteries, Taylor's
and Talcott's, the latter Racket and mountain howitzers, to
march with the second, and Steptoe's battery with the volunteer division, each soldier to carry forty rounds of ammunition, hard bread for four days, bacon and pork, cooked,
for two days; forage for four days to be carried in extra wagons,
and each baggage wagon to take four days' forage for its own
team; ten extra wagons to be allowed the chief of ordnance,
and oo to the chief commissary. The quartermaster's and
commissary's departments were to take prompt measures for
the purchase, and issue on the march, of such forage and
subsistence as could be obtained from the country. Each
general of division was to receive from general headquarters
a route of march and instructions.
The day Twigg's division marched for Jalapa a second expedition, Col. Martin Scott,* Fifth Infantry, commanding,
with 300 men, was sent fifty miles up the river to Alvarado in,
search of draught and pack mules.
On April ioth an execution took place at Vera Cruz in compliance with the findings and sentence of a military commission. The offense committed was theft and rape upon a
Mexican woman near Vera Cruz. The culprit, a free man
of color, a citizen of the United States, and a camp follower
of the army, was found guilty and sentenced to be hanged by
the neck until dead. The proceedings of the commission in
the case were printed in Spanish for circulation among Mexican citizens. The crime committed would have gone unpunished but for General Scott's Martial Law Order No. 40.
General Taylor, October II, 1846, reported a case of
homicide that occurred in his army. A Texan volunteer
deliberately shot and killed a young Mexican who was walking peacefully along the streets of Monterey. The murderer
fired upon his unsuspecting victim from an open window of a
house, killing him instantly. In making his report of this case,
* When this division left the coast on April 8th there was but little
known of the hostile force that might be confronted. It was believed
one would be encountered in advance of Jalapa, but its strength or by
whom commanded was not known.




ï~~270 Patterson' s Volunteers March from Vera Cruz.
General Taylor says: " It will be perceived at once that there
is no American tribunal here competent to meet the case, and
I respectfully ask for instructions as to the proper disposition
to be made of the culprit." General Scott had called the attention of the War Department to the deficiency of the law
on this point and urged the President to call the attention of
Congress to it, which was done, but that body failed to
remedy the evil. General Scott then drew up his Martial
Law Order and sent it to General Taylor for his adoption, if
he saw fit to do so, but he did not accept it.
The Secretary in reply to General Taylor wrote, November
25, 1846: "The competence of a military tribunal to take
cognizance of such a case as you have presented in your communication of the i th ultimo, viz., the murder of a Mexican
soldier, and other offenses not embraced in the express
provisions of the articles of war, was deemed so questionable
that an appplication was made to Congress at the last session
to bring them expressly within the jurisdiction of such a
tribunal, but it was not acted on. I am not prepared to say
that under the peculiar circumstances of the case, and particularly by the non-existence of any civil authority to which
the offender could be turned over, a military court cannot
rightfully act thereon, yet very serious doubts are entertained
upon that point, and the Government does not advise that
course. It seriously regrets that such a flagrant offender
cannot be dealt with in the manner he deserves. I see no
other course for you to pursue than to release him from confinement and send him away from the army, and this is
recommended." Under this ruling a discharge from the
army would be offered to an enlisted man as a reward for committing murder.
On April 9th Patterson's division moved forward towards
Jalapa, leaving Quitman's brigade, Thomas' Tennessee
horse, Worth's division, the siege train, the engineer company, and the engineer train of the army at Vera Cruz for
want of transportation. General Scott, on the 9th, sent a
note to General Twiggs in the advance, advising him that
Santa Anna had arrived at Jalapa with a force reported to be
6,ooo strong, though he did not think it was half that number.
Transportation having arrived from the Brazos and Tampico,




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ï~~Gen. Scott Sets Out for the Valley.

271

and there being a prospect of a further increase from Alvarado, an order was issued on the Tiith for three heavy siege
pieces to move on the 12th.
General Twiggs, leading the advance, acknowledged receipt of General Scott's note of the 9th, and stated that the
pass * between the National Bridge-Puente Nacional-and
Jalapa would probably be disputed; that accounts as to the enemy's force were all through Mexican sources and contradictory, t variously reported from two to thirteen thousand, but
he had no doubt of reaching Jalapa, and would arrive that
evening (i ith) at Plan-del-Rio, where the Mexican advance
was posted.
He reported the weather very hot, and that it was difficult
to get the men along. Seventy-five were absent the evening
of the ioth at roll-call, but all came up during the night; also
that all Mexicans had left their houses, which he interpreted
to mean " a fight expected," and that Captain Johnston, topographical engineer, who had been in the advance and had
questioned many Mexicans, believed Santa Anna had 4,000
men.
On receiving reports representing Generals Patterson and
Twiggs confronted by the enemy in strong force at Plan-delIio, General Scott set out from Vera Cruz on the 12th, escorted by a small cavalry force under Capt. Phil. Kearny,
First Dragoons, and on April 13th Worth's-division marched
from Vera Cruz, following the route of the preceding columns,
Quitman's brigade and the engineer company and train remaining for want of transportation, though they expected to
follow in twenty-four hours.
Worth had camped, after the surrender of Vera Cruz, in the
green meadow (Plain of Cocos) on which the Mexicans had
stacked arms on March 29th, about a mile south of Vera Cruz.
At 7 a. m. on the 13th the division left camp, marched
through the Gate of Mercy into the city of Vera Cruz, and
passed out of it through the City of Mexico Gate, then along
the beach to the hamlet of Vergara, where the road left the
sea by a sharp turn to the west, and for six or seven miles
crossed a succession of steep, but not very high, sand hills.
*Cerro Gordo.
f See map No. VIII.




ï~~272

Santa Anna at San Luis Potosi.

The morning was warm, with little or no breeze, the road
shut in by a small but dense tropical growth, and at each
step. the men would sink over their ankles in the fine, white
sand, the sun's rays falling vertically upon their heads, and
the heat steaming up into their faces from the hot sand below. Near Vergara a barrel of hard bread was seen by the
road side, soon another, and then a barrel of pork, next a sack
of coffee, then a barrel of sugar, showing that a large quantity of subsistence stores had been thrown out of the wagons
of the preceding division. The heat was stifling for six or
seven miles, and most trying to the soldiers, many of whom
fell from exhaustion, the ranks becoming thinned and greatly
lengthened. The San Pablo, a large, rapid stream, spanned
by a heavy stone bridge, was at length reached and crossed,
and beyond it the road became slightly ascending. Within
a mile or two, a few houses, known as the village of Santa
Fe, were seen, and five or six miles beyond the division
halted on the San Juan, smaller than the San Pablo, but like
it flowing through a forest of large trees with little undergrowth. The troops bivouacked here, having marched fourteen miles from Vera Cruz.
Having seen the American forces on the march from Vera
Cruz to the interior of the enemy's country, we will return
to the Mexicans and detail the preparations made by them to
resist this advance, the number and character of the troops
hastily brought together, and by whom commanded, and also
the points selected for resistance.
At the close of the battle of Buena Vista the Mexican commander retired to Agua Nueva, leaving a brigade to bring up
the rear. Encumbered with 8oo wounded, the march was
slow; having little transportation, scant subsistence and
medical stores, the suffering was intense, harrowing with
the sick and wounded, and severe even with the well. Santa
Anna reviewed his army the following day, congratulated the
soldiers in orders for their heroism, cited captured artillery as
evidence of victory-trophies to be displayed with pride
among their countrymen-and styled his troops " an army of
heroes."
A 7unta of officers was called, at which it was decided to
retire upon San Luis Potosi, though General Minion, of the




ï~~The Mexican Commander Proceeds to the Capital.    273
cavalry, and a few of his officers protested against any retrograde move. The next day the army fell back to Encarnacion,
a distance of thirty miles, without water. The historian
paints the hardships of the march, with all its cruel sufferings, in vivid colors. At Matehuala there was a rest for two
days, and here General Milion was brought before a courtmartial for alleged failure of duty in the operations around
Buena Vista; and Santa Anna received information of a revolution in the capital against Gomez Parias, Vice-President
and Acting President of the republic.
He arrived with his army in San Luis Potosi March 29th,
the day General Scott's army landed near Vera Cruz, and was
much gratified at his reception, the municipal authorities and
citizens uniting in demonstrations of respect and honor both
to him and the army. The latter on its return to San Luis,
according to their own estimate, was 10,000; 500 less than
when it marched north the latter part of January. This sad
depletion was due more to the march to Buena Vista and the
countermarch to San Luis, than to its collision with Taylor's
forces, destructive as the latter had been. After a rest of four
days Mora y Villamil was left in command, and Santa Anna
with a portion of the army proceeded towards the City of
Mexico. These troops, making double marches and taking
the road by Santa Maria del Rio, were but five days to Queretaro, one of the quickest infantry marches on record.
Before moving north he had sent Gen. D. Ignacio '3asadre
to the City of Mexico, bearing various messages, but principally charged with effecting an understanding with Pedrasa
as to a future course of policy, and in this mission his envoy
was successful. Santa Anna espoused the Moderado party,
pledged himself to work in concert with their leaders, and to
relinquish power in order to devote all his energies to opposing the Americans.
He marched for the capital with two brigades, intending,
first, to fight the Polkas * and then reinforce Vera Cruz, but
between San Luis and Queretaro was met at San Miguel el
Grande by Deputy Othon, sent by the Puro party (Farias) to engage him against the revolution, which was apparently accom*A political faction of recent origin.




ï~~274

Vacillation of Santa Anna.

plished, as he seemed disposed to receive their overtures and
to interpose with an armed force. He dispatched his adjutant, Lieutenant-Colonel Cadena, to herald his coming and
ascertain the real opinions of the contending parties; then, not
wishing to command the two brigades, turned them over to
General Vasquez.
Four leagues from Queretaro he was met at Santa Rosa by
deputies from the Moderado party, headed by Pacheco and
Aguirre, their object being to persuade him to favor the revolution. He now began to vacillate, and his bearing towards
Othon, to whom he had before been very attentive, changed.
Leaving his carriage, he mounted his horse, rode into Queretaro, and was received with an ovation. At this place, as
he had anticipated, another deputation of Polkas, with General Salas at their head, and the brothers Guadalupe and Jose
Covarrubias presented themselves, and the interview with
them brought Santa Anna to their side, though he prudently
asserted that he would do nothing against the revolution, and
that he trusted the question would be settled before he was
recognized as chief magistrate of the republic. He was now
evidently in full sympathy with the scheme of the Pronunciamiento, and treated its messengers with great distinction.
He left Queretaro for the capital, and, being without troops
and advised that as the question at issue was discussed in the
City of Mexico, arms in hand, he had better take with him a
military force. He adopted the suggestion, sent an order to
the rear for the Huzares, and on their arrival hastened on
without stopping until he reached Guadalupe, three miles
from the capital.
Committees from the several factions, whose armed battalions under hostile leaders filled the National Capital, were
hurriedly despatched to meet and confer with him as he drew
near the city, unfolding their schemes or policy and endeavoring to enlist him on their side. When he dismounted from
his horse in the town of Guadalupe two lines of armed partisans, extending through the city, confronted each other.
Angry passions, however, soon subsided, the Polkas and
Puros stacked arms, and the state of alarm that had existed
so many days ceased. The day after his arrival the Te Deum
was sung in the Guadalupe Church in thanks to the Almighty




ï~~DAVID E. TWIGGS
BRIGADIER GENERAL, U. S. A.
BORN IN AND APPOINTED FROM GEORGIA.




ï~~


ï~~The Spot Chosen to Check the Americans' Advance. 275
for the victory won at Buena Vista, at night a Congressional
committee waited upon him to administer the oath of office
that he might again exercise the functions of President, and
the following m6rning, accompanied by a brilliant staff and
escorted by the Huzares, he entered the National Capital.
Internal dissensions being composed, and public opinion
once more unanimous, all eyes were turned eastward; Vera
Cruz had succumbed to the enemy, who must be met and defeated or the capital itself would be lost. The troops from
the north, as they descended into the valley, bore off to the
east and marched towards Vera Cruz, without passing through
the city, and Santa Anna did not tarry in the capital, but,
with an energy exciting the surprise and admiration of his
countrymen, hurried the troops garrisoning the city (the
National Guards) from Puebla and from other parts of the
republic down towards the coast, to be halted at Cerro Gordo.
Of the troops from the north, the brigade of General Vasquez
was composed of four light corps and the flying artillery;
General Ampudia's, of the Third, Fourth, Fifth, and Eleventh
of the Line; the cavalry under General Juvera, of the Fifth
and Ninth, Morelia and Coraceros. Of infantry there were
4,000; cavalry, 1,500; artillery, 150; in all, 5,650. Active
preparations for the campaign continued; troops marching
from the capital and Puebla to reinforce those on the road to
Vera Cruz moved by brigades, and expeditiously, for it was
important to seize points of natural strength, capable of good
defense, and there was but little time to utilize the skill of
engineers.
On April 2d Santa Anna, President of Mexico, set out from
the capital with his headquarters, the executive power ad
interim having been confided to General Anaya by the National Congress. He had chosen Cerro Gordo, on the Vera
Cruz road, twenty or twenty-five miles in advance of Jalapafamous during the war of Independence-as the spot to meet
and turn back the advance of Scott.  "
Hle reached and established provisionally his headquarters
at the Hacienda of Encero April 5th, six miles below Jalapa,
on the road to Vera Cruz. At Perote he learned that General
Canalizo had fallen back from the National Bridge, leaving
there four cannon of large calibre; and, annoyed at this, he




ï~~276

Activity of Engineers.

ordered him to return and save the artillery, which, having
been dismounted, had to be drawn off by oxen. Mexican
history relates that " Many of the dispersed soldiers who had
taken the oath at Vera Cruz (paroled at the surrender) were
compelled by Santa Anna to re-enter the service, and were
assigned to different corps, the officers being sent to San
Andres Chalchicomula."
Lieutenant-Colonel Robles, a paroled prisoner; being ordered by Canalizo to make a reconnoissance of Cerro Gordo
and report upon its fitness for defense, found it, in his opinion,
advantageous for harassing an invading army on its march to
Jalapa, but not the best point to dispute its passage or to attempt a decisive battle. His opinion was based upon the fact
that the road could be reached in rear of the position; in
other words, the position could be turned, and the best that
could be expected would be, if the enemy should attack in
front, to repulse him, without being able to prevent his reforming his forces on the heights of Palo Gacho. The want
of water was another objection to its selection. Robles advised that the main resistance should be made at Corral Falso
(six or eight miles in rear); but notwithstanding this unfavorable report, Canalizo, by Santa Anna's express order, directed
Robles to commence fortifying Cerro Gordo.
April 9th Santa Anna arrived at Cerro Gordo, made a reconnoissance of the Plan del Rio, found Colonel Robles engaged with working parties at the foot of the Cerro Telegrafo,
and ordered him to fortify, in addition, certain hills on the
right of the road, Lieutenant-Colonel Cano to have charge of
the works on its left. He passed the night of the 9th at
Plan-del-Rio, and Twiggs' division, on the march from Vera
Cruz, bivouacked some twenty-five or thirty miles from that
place.
Santa Anna returned to Encero (map 8), but came back to
Cerro Gordo on the x uth and established his headquarters
there. Twiggs' Division reached Plan del Rio on the same
day, the advance guard under Colonel Harney, Second Dragoons, having first driven off a small party of the enemy's
lancers. By the 12th the brigades of Generals Rangel and
Pinzon, the Nationals of Jalapa and Coatepec, and the Angostura (or Buena Vista) troops had all arrived at Cerro




ï~~Reconnoissances Under Johnson and Brooks. 277
Gordo, and field works were being hurried forward with the
greatest activity by the engineers. Patterson's division
joined Twiggs at Plan del Rio, and the latter, aware of the
presence of the enemy in his immediate front, sent out, early
on the 12th, reconnoitering parties, who ascertained that the
main Mexican army was in position about three miles from
the Plan del Rio; that there was a battery intrenched in the
road, commanding with its fire a distance of six or seven hundred yards, and that the hostile line at this battery crossed
the road. Captain Joseph E. Johnston, topographical engineers, leaving the National road and following a blind footpath to the left, discovered the position and direction of the
line, also batteries in position along it, and while engaged in
a close reconnoissance, received two severe wounds from
musket balls.
Lieut. T. H. Brooks, aid to General Twiggs, followed a
path to the right of the road, about 1,000 yards in front of the
Mexican battery, and which, owing to a dense tropical undergrowth, was indistinct and difficult to trace, yet he made his
way over it for nearly a mile. It was thought that the
enemy's position, if found too strong to be attacked in front,
might be turned by this route. The result of these reconnoissances was reported to General Twiggs.
Lieutenant Beauregard, of the engineers, who had arrived
with General Patterson on the z2th, left camp at the Plan
del Rio the following morning, having an escort of several
foot companies, followed the National road until he reached
the path discovered by Brooks and posted all but one company here under cover of the dense undergrowth. Then, accompanied by Captain Ayres, Second Artillery, and Lieutenant Brooks, with the remaining company as escort, he continued on the path beyond where Brooks' explorations had
ceased, until he reached the base of an elevated and rocky
ridge. With six or eight of the escort they ascended this
ridge, called by the Mexicans Atalaya, and found it unoccupied. Eight or nine hundred yards in front and separated
from it by a deep valley was a higher conical-shaped mound,
the Cerro Telegrafo, from the summit of which the enemy
could be seen, estimated by Beauregard to be four or five infantry companies with three field pieces behind a low parapet.




ï~~278 1Reconnoissances by Lee, Beauregard and Tower.
He reported to General Twiggs that he believed Cerro Telegrafo could be easily taken.
The reconnoissance began by Captain Johnston on the 12th,
was continued by Lieut. Z. B. Tower, of the engineers, who
had been with General Twiggs on the march from Vera Cruz,
and with whom were Generals Pillow and Shields during the
reconnoissance of the 13th. He reported to General Twiggs
that the Mexican batteries were in position on the left
(American) of the road and that their line extended to the
extreme right, and he (Twiggs) ordered an attack to be made
early the next morning, the Mexican right to be assaulted by
the brigades of Brigadier-Generals Pillow and Shields, while
he would assail with his own division Cerro Telegrafo, the
left of the hostile line. General Patterson, however, who on account of indisposition did not assume command when he first
joined Twiggs, returned to duty on the 13th, assumed command and issued orders suspending active operations until the
arrival of General Scott, expected the next day.
General Scott, as anticipated, arrived at the head of his
columns and was informed of the enemy's position, supposed
strength, and the developments up to date. He directed reconnoissances to be resumed early in the morning (15th) towards the Mexican left, Captain Lee, who had accompanied
him from Vera Cruz, being in charge. Upon arrival at
Atalaya, Lee and the other engineers ascended it, and from
its crest had an extended field of view, embracing the deep
ravine separating it from the Telegrafo, and also one still
deeper to the right, apparently encircling the Telegrafo, and
whilst so engaged Beauregard passed around the right of
Atalaya and advanced more than half way to the Telegrafo.
Reconnoissances were resumed on the i6th towards the
Mexican left, and Lee in person explored the ravine to the
right of Atalaya, which swept around the west of Telegrafo
and approached quite close to the National road. An elevated
rocky ridge  tof the Plan del Rio was examined with the
view of locating a battery there, to enfilade those of the
enemy to the left (American left) of the road. The information derived from these protracted and thorough reconnoissances determined the order of attack, which was to make a
demonstration with two brigades, Pillow's and Shields', on the




ï~~.Mexican Field Works Pushed Forward.        279
Mexican right, and to throw the mass of the army around
their left, thus cut their communications with the interior and
capture or destroy their army.
While reconnoissances were being made by the American
engineers the Mexican field works were pushed forward with
energy and despatch, the stony character of the soil rendering their construction difficult. Lieutenant-Colonel Robles
had charge of the works on the right of the road, and although
from the want of soil the parapets were not of the best, yet
with the use of logs they were serviceable against grape,
fragments of shell and musketry. Colonel Cano located and
constructed the heavy battery in the road, and also a covered
way extending from it to the right of the line. General Alcorta made a circular barricade of stone and logs around the
top of Telegrafo, and placed in it a battery.
The Mexican troops were placed (April z 3th) on a carefully
selected line of battle; viz., at the extreme right was General
Pinzon with seven guns, the Fifth Infantry, and the battalion of Atlixco, in all over 500 men; in the right centre was
Buenaventura Aranjo, a navy captain, with eight guns, the
battalion of Libertad, 400 men, and the battalion of Zacapoastla, 300 men; on his left Colonel Badillo with 250 men, companies of the Nationals of Jalapa, Coatepec, and Teusitlan,
with nine guns of various calibres. The camp of Matamoros
was in rear of Badillo and Aranjo, and was held by the battalions of Matamoros and Tepeaca, 450 men, with one 8 -pounder. At the road battery of seven guns was the Sixth
Infantry, 900 men, under General La Vega; also the battalion of grenadiers, 460 men, to be the reserve for the right.
These figures make 3,260 men, not including the cannoneers
with thirty-two guns.
On the Telegrafo, in charge of General Vasquez, with General Uraga second in command, was Colonel Palacios, chief
of artillery, and the Third Infantry, under Colonel Azpeitia.
Neither the number of guns nor of men on this, the Key-point,
is stated. The remainder of the army was encamped on either
side of the road at the Rancheria of Cerro Gordo. The cavalry remained at Corral Falso, several miles in rear, until the
15th. Of the force encamped on both sides of the road were
the First, Second, Third, and Fourth Light Battalions, 1,700




ï~~280

2anta Anna' s ]econnoissance.

men, and the Fourth and Eleventh of the Line, 780 (map IX),
guns not in battery, the hospital, and trains.
Santa Anna was aware of the reconnoissance of the 12th,
and anticipating an attack the next day, mounted his horse
at daylight and accompanied by his Staff rode along the lines,
not returning to headquarters until noon. Later in the day
he was again on horseback until sunset, and then to dine,
having with him his Staff and a few of the higher officers. At
intervals during the dinner choice airs were performed by a
splendid band, and, elated and confident, he is represented
to have expressed the belief that yellow fever appearing in
their camp would paralyze the invading army and prove his
best ally.
He determined to make a reconnoissance, and the night of
the 14th ordered the cavalry under Canalizo down from Corral
Falso. At daylight the Fifth and Ninth Regiments, Morelia
and Coraceros, and the squadrons of Jalapa, Huzares, Chalchicomula and Orizaba, arrived, and were ordered to pass
along in rear of his camp to the right, descend a narrow and
rugged path leading to the Plan-del-Rio, mount the opposite
height, cross it, and surprise Scott's left. Having seen them
on the march, Santa Anna repaired to the right of Pinzon,
the only point of his line from which he could see the American camp and where he was to await the result of the movement.
A few of the enemy's guerrillas, as he called them, being
seen along the ridge, his cavalry was ordered to swoop down
upon and gather them up, not permitting a single one to
escape. He became a little impatient, ordered a few shots
from a battery, which fell short, the American guerrillas
having disappeared, then returned to his headquarters. and
soon one of his Staff, Colonel Codallos, who had been despatched to hasten the movement of Canalizo, returned and
reported that every effort had been made to execute the order, but the difficulties were too great; several of the men
with their horses had fallen over precipices, killing both
men and horses. The order was then countermanded, and
the cavalry, after a fatiguing expedition, returned to Corral
Falso early in the night of the i5th.




ï~~Americans Encamped at Plan del Rio.       281

Though General Scott had, as stated, determined the order in which his attack upon the enemy in his intrenched
position should be made, he was not prepared to make it in
consequence of the absence of a large portion of his army.
Worth's division, Quitman's brigade and the engineer train
of the army had not yet arrived; the former camped the
night of the 13th fourteen miles from Vera Cruz, and the
next morning was on the road at an early hour. The heat
was oppressive, but no dust, the march being through a dense
forest, the monotony of which was varied by a flock of parrots flying overhead and perching in the trees. After a
march of eight or nine miles over an excellent road, the division halted for the day and bivouacked near Paso de Ovejas. On the i5th the march was over by I1i a. m., and the
division halted at the Puente Nacional, where there was a
large stream of good water, both for drinking and bathing,
and where the troops remained till near sundown of the i6th,
then began a night march to Plan del Rio.
Orders were given to arrest all stragglers, and to see that
no soldier who had fallen asleep by the wayside was left behind; that the wagons were all up and none abandoned on
the road, which was broad and smooth, with an easy but very
perceptible grade. After 12 o'clock the guard was kept busy,
there being many asleep by the wayside, all of whom had to
be aroused, and the number was quite large by 2:30 and 3 a.
m. Those awakened, refreshed by the rest and sleep, proved
useful in finding their comrades in the chapparal near the
road. There was no want of discipline in the army, but on
a long march there will always be some with sore feet, others
who are not well, many will be overcome and exhausted, and
in this instance there were many, no doubt, still suffering
from the first day's tramp, but the orders were rigid and
strictly enforced, for it was feared that should any be left in
rear they would be murdered by the guerrillas.
Camp was reached a little before daylight. The guard
halted by the road side and was soon asleep, its duty having
been very laborious, and it was 7 a. m. when the officer of
the guard was awakened by the sun shining in his face.
The Plan del Rio, in which Twiggs' division encamped to
await the arrival of the rear troops, was a level valley a few




ï~~282

Santa Anna's intrenched Position.

hundred yards wide, through which in its longest direction,
in nearly an east and west line, flows the Rio del Plan, affording an abundant supply of good drinking and bathing water.
This camp was in the tierra caliente, and so was Santa Anna's
army, though on a higher and cooler plane.
The position selected by him in which to resist Scott's further
advance was a very strong one; his line crossed the National
road over which the latter must march some three or four
miles from the Plan del Rio. Its right rested on an almost
precipitous rocky bank over Io feet high, rendering it secure
from a flank attack by infantry. To the left, and between
his right and the National road, were three ridges with intervening depressions, the former terminating in rather elevated
knobs, from which the surface declined to the front. On
these several elevations were batteries with infantry supports,
each covered by defensive works. A dense chapparal in
front of the batteries and infantry had been cut down for the
space of two or three hundred yards and formed an excellent
abatis. In the road was a battery of six heavy guns, with
epaulement, having a raking fire of seven or eight hundred
yards. On either side was a rocky bank, nearly perpendicular, twenty feet or more in height, and on the north side
it rose up into a high rocky ridge (Atalaya) covered with
timber. In rear of the road battery some 300 yards was
a conical hill over 200 feet high, along the base of which ran the
Jalapa road. This height, known as the Cerro Telegrafo, was
crowned with artillery and strengthened with palisading and
breastworks on the north and east sides, less than a hundred
yards from its summit. Three hundred yards beyond the
Telegrafo were several huts, known by the Mexicans as the
Rancheria de Cerro Gordo. Near these huts and between
them and the Telegrafo a depression ran up to the road from
the north, and was regarded (so reported) by Santa Anna as
impracticable for infantry. Northeast of the Telegrafo, separated from it by a valley, was the Atalaya, and to the north
of these two high elevations was a deep and rugged ravine,
sweeping around the Telegrafo and, as stated, reaching the
road west of it.
Leaving the Plan del Rio the road ascends with a heavier
grade, and after several sharp turns to the right and left runs




ï~~Twiggs' Division Ordered Forward.

283

westerly, having on the left three ridges in echelon; between the second and third of these, a trail passes to the Plan
del Rio, and as the road turns the third, it is exposed to the
guns of the left battery on the right (Mexican) of the road,
which, coming within close range of this battery, makes a
slight bend south, and is then under fire of the beavy gun
battery in the road. The guns on the top of Telegrafo had a
reverse and plunging fire upon the line on the right of the
road. Such was the position in which Santa Anna had intrenched himself to arrest Scott's further advance.
General Scott did not intend to risk a battle in the absence
of Worth's division, but about 8 a. m. of the 17th Twiggs'
division was ordered forward on the National road, Capt.
Frank Taylor's battery, First Artillery, and the mountain
howitzers and Racket battery under Major Talcott moving
with it. A mile from the intersection of the enemy's line
with the road Twiggs filed to the right, descended to the bottom of a deep ravine, rose up on the far side, and, marching
a mile and a half over a rough road made by the engineers,
halted about ii a. m. seven or eight hundred yards from the
Cerro Telegrafo, on which, from a stone building, waved the
Mexican colors. Twiggs' division was near the base of the
Atalaya, and he determined to occupy it, as from it the Telegrafo and its defensive works, as well as a considerable extent of the field, could be better reconnoitered and brought
under artillery fire.
Lieut. Frank Gardner (G), Seventh Infantry, commanding
a company, was promptly detached to occupy it and observe
the enemy from its crest, but a considerable force of lancers
was seen moving from the Telegrafo in the same direction, followed by a second body of troops. The latter were
commanded by General Alcorta, who had advanced also to
make a reconnoissance of and to occupy Atalaya, and was
followed by the Third Regiment of Infantry. Lieutenant
Gardner's muskets were soon heard, as he had engaged Alcorta and held his ground until reinforced by the regiment of
Mounted Rifles (R), under Major Sumner, of the Second Dragoons, and the battalion of the First Regiment of Artillery
(A E) under Lieutenant-Colonel Childs, when a sharp conflict ensued, in which the enemy was driven back.




ï~~284    Scott and Santa Anna Measure Arms.
There are two ridges on the crest of the Atalya, with an
intervening depression. The Mexicans were driven from the
first to the second, and from this down its slope and up the
steep side of the Telegrafo to within 200 yards of the summit.
Colonel Childs with but three companies of this regiment
had made this dashing charge under a misapprehension of
orders.
During the conflict on the Atalaya the Seventh Infantry
moved by the left flank up the slope of the hill to report to
Colonel Harney, and formed a line below the crest, within
8oo yards of the enemy's battery on the Telegrafo, and remained there with the Rifle regiment during the night. This
action was the first passage of arms between Scott and Santa
Anna, and enabled the American engineers to reconnoitre
the Mexican left more closely, and to decide that the Cerro
Telegrafo could be carried by assault, and the Jalapa road
reached in rear of the enemy's line.
Santa Anna being at the front with his troops, ordered up
the reserves and posted them along the declivity of the Telegrafo, the Fourth of the Line opposite Childs, the Third and
the Eleventh held the summit, and the Sixth Infantry on the
Road was moved by La Vega's order to the left. The Mexicans represent the attack on the Telegrafo to have been repulsed. Childs had advanced under a misapprehension, and
when he withdrew they very naturally believed they had
driven him back.
In this spirited collision the American loss was 97 killed
and wounded. Of the latter were Major Sumner, commanding the Rifle regiment, being disabled for a few days; Second
Lieut. D. H. Maury, Rifle regiment, severely wounded; Second Lieuts. Alfred Gibbs and George H. Gordon, same regiment, and Second Lieut. Chas. E. Jarvis, Second Infantry,
slightly wounded.
After this affair Santa Anna despatched a courier to his
Government announcing that it had terminated favorably to
his army, and on the same afternoon General Arteaga's brigade arrived at Jalapa, and continued on to Cerro Gordo.
General Scott returned to Plan-del-Rio after the above-described action, and issued the following order:




ï~~The Plan of Battle.                  285
[General Orders No. III.j
HEADQUARTERS of THE ARMY,
PLAN-DEL-RIo, April 17, 1847.
The enemy's whole line of entrenchments and batteries will be attacked in front and at the same time turned early in the day tomorrow, probably before io a. m.
The second division (Twiggs') of regulars is already advanced
within easy turning distance towards the enemy's left. That division
has instructions to move forward before daylight to-morrow morning
and take up position across the National road in the enemy's rear,
so as to cut off a retreat towards Jalapa. It may be reinforced to-day,
if unexpectedly attacked in force, by one or two regiments taken
from Shields' Brigade of Volunteers. If not, the two volunteer regiments will march for that purpose at daylight to-morrow morning
under Brigadier-General Shields, who will report to Brigadier-General Twiggs on getting up with him, or to the general-in-chief if he be
in advance. The remaining regiment, South Carolina, of that volunteer brigade, will receive instructions in the course of the day.
The first division of regulars (Worth's) will follow the movement
against the enemy's left at sunrise to-morrow morning. As already
arranged, Brigadier-General Pillow's brigade will march at 6 o'clock
to-morrow morning along the route he has carefully reconnoitered
and stand ready as soon as he hears the report of arms on our right,
or sooner, if circumstances should favor him, to pierce the enemy's
line of batteries at such point-the nearer the river the better-as he
may select. Once in the rear of that line he will turn to the right or
left, or both, and attack the batteries in reserve, or if abandoned, he
will pursue the enemy with vigor until further orders.
Wall's field battery and the cavalry will be held in reserve on the
National road, a little out of view and range of the enemy's batteries.
They will take up that position at 9 o'clock in the morning. The ene
my's batteries being carried or abandoned, all our divisions and corps
will pursue with vigor.
This pursuit may be continued many miles, until stopped by darkness or fortified positions, towards Jalapa. Consequently the body
of the army will not return to this encampment, but be followed tomorrow afternoon or early the next morning by the baggage trains of
the several corps. For this purpose the feebler officers and men of
each corps will be left to guard its camp and effects, and to load up
the latter in the wagons of the several corps. A commander of the
present encampment will be designated in the course of this day.
As soon as it shall be known that the enemy's works have been
carried, or that the general pursuit has been commenced, one wagon for
each regiment and battery and one for the cavalry will follow the
movement to receive, under the direction of the medical officers, the
wounded and the disabled, who will be brought back to this place for
treatment in general hospital.




ï~~286

Batteries in Position.

The surgeon general will organize this important service, and designate the hospital, as well as medical officers to be left at it.
Every man who marches out to attack or pursue the enemy will take
the usual allowance of ammunition and subsistence for at least two
days.
By order of Major-General Scott.
H. L. SCOTT,
Assistant Acting-Adjutant General.
On the arrival of the engineer company and train at Plan
del Rio, Lieut. G. B. McClellan with a party of ten men reported to General Pillow, and Lieut. G. W. Smith with his men
and a portion of the train to General Twiggs, who was also
joined by the greater part of Shields' brigade. That night (I 7th)
one 24-pounder and two 24-pound howitzers were placed in
position on the Atalaya, the battery being constructed under
the supervision of Lieut. G. W. Smith, assisted by Lieut.
John G. Poster, of the engineers, the location of the battery
having been determined by Capt. R. E. Lee. An 8-inch
howitzer was put with great toil in position, designated by
Lieut. Z. B. Tower, of the engineers, in rear of the right of
the Mexican line on the crest of a rocky ridge south of the
Rio del Plan, and under the supervision of Lieut. T. T. S.
Laidley, of the ordnance. This was hauled by the assistance
of four companies of the New York Volunteers, under Major
Burnham, and was a creditable service, for the heavy howitzer had to be moved by hand over extremely steep, rough
ground. Lieut. R. S. Ripley, Third Artillery, took charge of
it the next day.
The Mexican commander still believing that his right
would be attacked, ordered two 12 and one i6-pounder to be
placed during the night in position on the Telegrafo, but the
i6-pounder was left on the roadside about midway to the
top. The cavalry was ordered forward from Corral Falso,
and the engineers, Robles and Cano, to strengthen the defensive works on and around the hill. In the morning before dawn Santa Anna himself placed a battery (F) in position
near his headquarters to command the ravine on the west side
of the Telegrafo. General Vasquez commanding on the
Telegrafo, ordered an occasional shot to be fired at Atalaya
during the night, believing it to be occupied by the Ameri



ï~~Santa Anna Sanguine of Success.

287

cans. The Fourth of the Line remained on the hill side
during the night. A portion of the Third of the Line and the
Eleventh held the summit, and before daylight was reinforced by the Fourth Infantry, the Third and Second
Light. With this force Santa Anna was sanguine of success,
should the Telegrafo be attacked, and much enthusiasm prevailed among the troops, the fact being recalled that during
the war of Independence the brave and patriotic insurgents
had fought and poured out their blood freely upon this very
hill, defeating the Spaniards. Now among the rank and file,
including the commander, confidence reigned and success was
regarded as certain.
Before sunrise Santa Anna had his engineers engaged on
the works on the declivity of the hill confronting Atalaya, the
American Artillery on that elevation playing at the time upon
the Telegrafo, and leaving the road he proceeded beyond the
right centre, where, hearing artillery and observing the activity of the fire, he sent orders to General Vasquez on the
Telegrafo to economize ammunition and shelter his men from
the enemy's projectiles.
The American artillery, i8-pounders, 24-pound howitzer,
mountain howitzer, and Racket battery, fired with the greatest
activity, the latter with rockets, directed upon the enemy's
left, at and near the base of Telegrafo and next with shells
among his infantry near the heavy battery in the road. The
United States forces on the Atalaya were commanded by
Colonel Harney, Second Dragoons.
The artillery on Atalaya proved very effective, solid shot,
shells, and rockets falling among the enemy on the top and
along the slopes of the Telegrafo, down into the valleys and
deep ravines adjacent, in the camp, about Santa Anna's
headquarters, and often far out among his reserves. General
Twiggs had been ordered " to move forward before daylight
(to-morrow) and to take up position across the National road
in the enemy's rear, so as to cut off a retreat towards Jalapa."
After the artillery had been engaged some time he (Twiggs)
ordered Riley's brigade " to move forward through the valley,
passing to the right of Telegrafo, turn the left of the Mexican
line and seize the Jalapa road in rear." Riley's brigade was
guided by Captain Lee, assisted by Lieut. John G. Poster




ï~~288   Artillery Duel on Atalaya and Telegrafo.
with ten men of the engineer company, and Lieut. Calvin
Benjamin, Fourth Artillery, in command of a company, was
escort to Lee and party.
Brig.-Gen. James Shields with three regiments of his
brigade, the Third and Fourth Illinois, Colonels Ferris
Foreman and E. D. Baker, and the Second New York, Col.
Ward H. Burnett, was ordered by General Twiggs to support
Riley's brigade, and the Mexicans being seen extending to
their left, Shields was ordered to cross the ravine on the right
and keep up the left bank, previously reconnoitered by Captain Lee. Riley, to reach the Jalapa road, advanced under a
heavy fire of artillery from the Telegrafo, during which Capt.
George W. Patten, Second Infantry, was shot through the
hand by a grape shot. The enemy appeared in force on the
sides of the mountain, along the base of which the brigade must
pass, and opened with an annoying fire upon its left flank. Riley
detached two companies of the Second Infantry, one under
Capt. James W. Penrose and one under Second Lieut. N. H.
Davis, who engaging the enemy in greatly superior numbers,
were joined by two companies of the Fourth Artillery, and
Riley was compelled to turn his entire brigade to the left
to oppose the enemy under General Uraga, moving down the
side of the mountain opposite Atalaya.
The artillery duel between the American battery on Atalaya and that of the Mexicans on the Telegrafo continued
without intermission. Riley actively engaged and Shields
well advanced, now led by Lee towards the Jalapa road,
General Twiggs ordered Colonel Harney to assault the Telegrafo vigorously and carry it at all hazard. Harney knowing
there was an infantry force on his left, near the battery on the
road, ordered one company of the Rifle regiment under Lieut.
D. M. Frost to move in that direction, engage it, and hold it
in check, " and when the rifles were heard the advance would
be sounded." Loring and his lieutenants rose above the crest
of Atalaya, and as they (R.) descended to the left were exposed to a severe artillery fire, inflicting losses, and an infantry force being seen moving along the road up towards Telegrafo, Harney, without waiting to hear the fire of the Rifles,
gave the order to advance.




ï~~i




ï~~JAMES SHIELDS,
BRIGADIER GENERAL, U. S. VOLUNTEERS.
BORN IN IRELAN.-APPOINTED FROM ILLINOIS.




ï~~The Stormers Under Harney.

289

It was obeyed promptly. The stormers rose, passed over
to the crest of Atalaya, the Seventh Infantry on the right,
the Third on the left, with the First Artillery in rear to support, and under a heavy artillery fire dashed down the slope
of Atalaya and up the steep, rocky sides of Telegrafo, not
halting until within sixty or seventy yards of the works on
the summit. Here, being below the plane of the enemy's
fire, they reformed, and the men being much blown, remained
a few minutes lying down, when Lieut. G. W. Smith, of the
engineers, approached the hill top, reconnoitred the hostile
line within pistol shot, and reported to Colonel Harney that
there was no obstacle that could not be overcome without a
halt.
Harney, in clarion tones and with a rough energy of expression that proved as effective as " up guards and at them,"
gave the order for assault. His men rose, dashed forward
over the short intervening space, were at the palisading and
breastwork in an instant, a sharp, bloody struggle with swords,
bayonets, and butts of muskets for a few minutes, and Harney
and his soldiers were in possession of the works crowning
Telegrafo, the key point of the Mexican position,
General Twiggs' order to Harney to charge was welltimed.
Santa Anna had directed a part of his forces on the Telegraf6
to oppose lRiley, who (hard fighter that he was) met and drove
them back just as Harney's men carried the works on the,
crest. Harney's left had been made secure by Loring, and
Riley now freed his right of danger.
The Mexican guns captured on the Telegrafo were turned
upon their camp and battery on the road, also on the main
line beyond, upon which there was both a plunging and reverse fire. General Shields in the meantime reached the Jalapa
road, and halted to reform his lines preparatory to charging the
battery in his front. A discharge of grape while advaticing
disabled many of his men and gave him a grievous wound,
supposed at the time to be mortal. The brigade under Colonel Baker moved forward and captured a part of the battery,
and Riley's brigade, under Lieut. Nathaniel Lyon, Second Infantry, the other guns (three).
The Telegrafo being captured, there was but a feeble and
brief resistance offered at other points.




ï~~290    Surrender Inevitable to the.Mexicans.
General Pillow marched his brigade by a flank through the
chapparal towards the center of the enemy's right. At this
point, which was fortified, were 700 men and eight guns
under Aranjo, a naval captain; on his right were seven guns
and an infantry force; on his left also an infantry force and
nine guns, and all of these twenty-three guns in position could
bear more or less upon Pillow's men. It had been predetermined by the Mexicans to allow the latter to approach
to a certain point, then to open fire with all the guns, loaded
mostly with grape, followed by the infantry with volleys.
The brigade had marched by the right flank, and was in that
order at a halt when it received the Mexican fire. A Kentucky company at the head of the brigade under Capt. John
S. Williams came into line, and advanced towards the enemy's works. Colonel Haskell's regiment, the Second Tennessee, endeavored to charge, but the abatis, tangled undergrowth, and the heavy fire in front and flanks forced him
back with serious losses. The 8-inch howitzer on the south
side of Rio-del-Plan had in the meantime been enfilading the
Mexican line, and with a reverse fire had no doubt aided in
demoralizing them.
The Telegrafo, which dominated the entire field, being
held by the Americans, Riley and Shields on the Jalapa
road, Worth's division at hand fresh and compact, and it being impossible to escape, surrender was inevitable to the entire right of the Mexican army, which they conceded, and
throwing down their arms, marched back to the Plan del Rio.
In the attack on the Telegrafo the chief of the artillery,
Colonel Palacios, was seriously wounded, and General Vasquez, commanding at that point, and admired for his courage, having even the sympathy of his enemies, shot down in
the midst of the guns of the battery. General Baneneli took
command when Vasquez fell, Uraga, his senior, being at the
time on the declivity engaged with Riley. Baneneli brought
up the Third Light Infantry from the reserves, and ordered
them to charge. They dashed up into the smoke, "were
surprised to find themselves hand to hand with an enemy so
superior in numbers, and surrounded on all sides, were panic
stricken in an instant, fell into disorder, and their commander
in vain endeavored to keep them in ranks." General Ban



ï~~Disorder of JMexican Troops.

291

eneli himself became " involved in the crowd with chiefs, engineers, and other officers who, endeavoring, sword in hand,
to keep back the men, were actually rolled together down
the declivity, borne along by the multitude, which poured
onward like a torrent from the height."
General Arteaga's brigade arrived in the midst of the conflict, became infected by the disorder of the other troops, and
fell into confusion near headquarters without becoming engaged. The Eleventh Infantry marched and countermarched
under repeated orders from the general-in-chief; the scattered remains of the Second, Third and Fourth Light Battalions, with the Third and Fourth of the Line, became disorganized, and the entire mass without discipline, without
morale, panic stricken, moved about in that small piece of
road in the most frightful state of confusion. One enthusiastic officer harangued the troops, while a second, with sword
drawn, hurled horrid imprecations and threats at the soldiers.
Santa Anna even vented his rage upon officers who had lost
their positions, and the agitation of the multitude, the difficulties of the ground, the general panic and desperation,
rendered the scene indescribable.
"In the meantime the enemy, commanded by General
Worth,* passing the barrancas and crags on our left, which
had been deemed inacessible, approached the battery on the
road, t that had been thrown up that day, the only one remaing in our possession."
" Santa Anna ordered General Canalizo to charge with the
cavalry, but the thick woods close to the road rendered the
execution of the order impossible. The enemy advanced in
the direction of the road, to the left of our battery, to cut off
our retreat; their skirmishers drove away the men at the guns,
a party of Cuirassiers dismounted to reinforce the battery.
The first adjutant, Velasco, chief of the Cuirassiers, had the
glory of falling at the foot of the Telegrafo. The head of the
enemy's column was near the road when our cavalry seeing
they were about to be cut off retreated rapidly by the Jalapa
road. The last effort was made then by Robles and the brave
* It was not Worth's but Shields' brigade.
+ Santa Anna is reported to have said: " No army could pass them;
not even a goat could pick his way over them."




ï~~292

Extract from 7fexican History.

artillery officers, Malagon, Arguelles, and Olzinger, who, surrounded on all sides, turned their pieces towards the left, directed them against the head of the column a few moments
before the skirmishers rushing upon them with the bayonet,
got possession, and turned them against us.
" General Santa Anna, accompanied by some of his adjutants, was passing along the road to the left of the battery
when the enemy's column, now out of the woods, appeared
on his line of retreat, and fired upon him, forcing him back.
The carriage in which he had left Jalapa was riddled with
shot, the mules killed and taken by the enemy, as well as a
wagon containing $16,ooo, received the day before for the pay
of the soldiers. Every tie of command and obedience now
being broken among our troops, safety alone being the object, and all being involved in a frightful whirl, they rushed
desperately to the narrow pass of the defile that descended
to the Plan del Rio, where the general-in-chief had preceded,
with the chiefs and officers accompanying him. Horrible indeed was the descent by that narrow and rocky path, where
thousands rushed, disputing the passage with desperation,
and leaving a track of blood upon the road. All classes being confounded, military distinction and respect were lost;
the badges of rank became marks of sarcasm, that were only
meted out according to their grade and humiliation. The
enemy, now masters of our camp, turned their guns upon the
fugitives, thus augmenting the terror of the multitude that
crowded through the defile, and pressed forward every instant by a new impulse, which increased the confusion and
disgrace of the ill-fated day."
It is believed the description of the disorders, disorganization, and demoralization of the Mexican army, as given
above by their historian, are not exaggerated.
As soon as the right and centre of the Mexican army had
surrendered, General Scott ordered the cavalry, Taylor's and
Wall's field batteries to press forward on the Jalapa road and
lead the advance of the pursuing columns-Twiggs' division
and Riley's brigade. But the fleeing and dispersed Mexicans were practically beyond reach and the pursuing forces
being much fatigued were halted near Encero* for the night
* Hacienda belonging to Santa Anna.




ï~~Strength of Scott' s Army.

293

without inflicting further damage to the fleeing Mexicans
other than that caused by accelerating their flight and increasing their demoralization.
General Scott reports the strength of his army at Cerro
Gordo as 8,500; killed and wounded, 431, of which 33 were
officers and 398 enlisted men. He estimated the Mexican
force as about 12,000, more or less. It is not possible to determine the numbers present from their own history, from
which we learn, however, that there were 3,260 men on the
right of the National road, exclusive of the cannoneers for
thirty-two guns and the reserves of infantry along the road in
rear of the Telegrafo, 2,580 or 5,840 in reserve and on their
tight; the force under Vasquez on Telegrafo and the number
of cavalry are not given, and this latter arm was always relatively very strong. Estimating it at 4,000, and with the force
on Telegrafo, General Scott's estimate is not far from the
truth. He estimated the prisoners taken as about 3,000, all
of the 3,260 infantry and the cannoneers of thirty-two guns
on the right were captured and a few were also taken on the
Telegrafo and more on the road beyond near the battery.
The number could not have been much under 4,000. The
killed and wounded he estimated at 1,000 or 1,200. The
Mexicans give their loss on the 17th " as more than 200, who
had fallen dead or wounded that afternoon," but do not give
the loss of the 18th. We accept the statement of the American general as to the killed and wounded of the Mexicans as
correct, or nearly so.
Forty-three cannon were taken and some 3,500 small arms.
The inspector-general of the army, Lieut.-Col. A. HitcHcock, in his report says: " Of those in the batteries, viz.,
batteries on the right (Mexican) of the National road, who
laid down their arms, more than 1,000 contrived to escape on
their march from the field of battle to Plan del Rio, some five
miles or more along a circuitous road, bounded by woods and
ravines; hence the number of prisoners on parole is diminished to about,3,ooo, exclusive of officers, and these numbered
304, five of whom were generals."
Worth moved out from Plan del Rio early in the morning
of the 18th and after a march of a mile or two halted to allow Pillow's brigade to pass to the front, file to the left of




ï~~294    Order of Battle Based on Lee's Report.

the road, and move against Santa Anna's right. When Pillow had cleared the road, Worth resumed the march and
filed to the right on the road over which Twiggs' and Shields'
brigades marched on the r 7th. Rapid artillery firing was
heard in Pillow's direction, followed by heavy musketry,
and firing, artillery and infantry was raging also about the
Telegrafo. Worth marching rapidly at a double quick, turned
Atalaya and came within full view of the Telegrafo, as it
was about being captured by Harney and Riley.
All of Santa Anna's army, except one brigade of National
Guards, had reached Cerro Gordo by April 12th, while onehalf of the American regular force did not leave Vera Cruz
until the 13th, and Quitman's brigade of volunteers not until
the i5th. It cannot be supposed that the Mexican commander was ignorant of the condition of the hostile army in his
immediate front. He should, therefore, have attacked it
within a day or two after he reached Cerro Gordo; his,failure to do so can be explained only upon one of two suppositions: First, the position held by him could not be forced,
and his enemy with inferior numbers must fight, in order to
escape from the tierra caliente; second, that if the enemy delayed his advance, waiting reinforcements, he would certainly be scourged by the yellow fever, and, with his thinned
ranks, be easily captured or dispersed.
- A want of adequate transportation, and the desire to get
his army away from the seacoast before the fever appeared,
compelled General Scott to march with his various detachments on separate days, at the risk of being attacked in detail. Whilst awaiting the arrival and concentration of his
troops, active reconnoissances were made daily and pushed
forward with courage, led by intelligent engineers who appreciated fully the difficulties of the situation. He had ordered an examination of the whole Mexican front, even
around his left, if practicable, to the Jalapa road, and upon
reports made by Capt. R. E. Lee of explorations to that road,
he based his order of battle. The collision on the following
morning (18th) demonstrated his sound judgment, and the
skill and courage of the subordinates, to whom he confided
the execution of the order.




ï~~


ï~~BATTLE OF CERRO GORDO.
AFRIL 18-TH, 1847.




ï~~Gallantry Displayed at Uerro Gordo.

295

While it is clear that General Scott's battle order was not
carried out in all its details, its main feature-that of seizing
the Jalapa road and cutting off the enemy's retreat towards
that city-was fully effected. Twiggs ordered Riley to move
around the Telegrafo to the road, and in executing the order
his flank became exposed to the enemy descending the slopes
of that hill, and he was directed to engage them. Seeing
them extending to their left, Twiggs ordered Shields to cross
the ravine and move up towards the road, and observing the
garrison of Telegrafo weakened by detaching to oppose Riley,
directed Harney to advance promptly from Atalaya and storm
Telegrafo, which he did in the most gallant manner, every
man and officer nobly doing his duty. General Twiggs did
not confine himself to a literal obedience of General Scott's
order, but the spirit of it was carried out with the intelligence of a professional soldier, and the obj ect fully accomplished. General Scott in his official report said: "General
Twiggs, who was in the immediate command of all the advanced forces, has earned high credit by his judgment, spirit,
and energy."
There was much gallantry displayed by men and officers
in the battle of Cerro Gordo, and from the nature of the field
their physique was subjected to a severe test. On the
17th Colonel Childs, under a misapprehension of orders, advanced with a small force of some sixty men over the crest of
the Atalaya, down its slope, and up the opposite rocky cliffs
of the Telegrafo within 200 yards of its crest, and before he
heard the recall nine of his small force were killed and twentythree wounded. Capt. John B. Magruder, of the regiment,
advanced to Childs' support with nine men of his company,
and Lieut. Alfred Gibbs, of the Mounted Rifles, who with
twelve men of his company had become separated from his
regiment, killed one of the enemy with his pistol.
Bvt. First Lieut. Frank Gardner, Seventh Infantry, led off
in the attack on the Atalaya; detached, he began the action,
maintained it until reinforced, and was complimented in the
report of his regimental brigade and division,commanders;
also in the commanding general's.
Lieut. G. W. Smith, engineer corps, is referred to in the
report of General Twiggs as having "killed two of the enemy




ï~~296

Losses Al<7tcined.

with his own hand," and Lieut. Earl Van Dorn, of the Seventh Infantry, aid to Gen. Persifor F. Smith, but acting on
Colonel Harney's staff, is mentioned in the latter's report
as having "killed two Mexican soldiers at the breastworks
with his own hand." Lieut. Thomas Ewell, of the Mounted
Rifles, joined in the assault of the Telegrafo by the Seventh
Infantry, and was killed as he leaped the breastwork on its
summit; Lieut. George H. Derby, of the Topographical Engineers, was severely wounded after the top was carried, and
Lieuts. N. J. T. Dana, Seventh Infantry, and J. N. Ward, of
the Third, the former severely and the latter slightly, before
the crest was reached.
On the side of the Telegrafo, opposite the National road,
the ascent was more than double that on the roadside, and
attended with greater difficulty, and even with no enemy to
oppose, ascending it was a laborious physical effort.
In Shields' brigade Lieutenant Cowardan was killed, Lieutenant Murphy mortally and Lieutenants Scott and Johnson,
all of the Fourth Illinois, severely wounded; Captain Pearson, New York Volunteers, Lieutenants Maltby and Froman, of the Fourth Illinois, and Lieutenant Rose, Third Illinois, slightly wounded. In Pillow's brigade Lieuts. F. B.
Nelson and C. G. Gill, of the Second Tennessee, were killed,
and W. P. Hale, adjutant, and Lieutenant W. Yearwood,
Second Tennessee, mortally wounded; Brigadier-General
Pillow, Maj. R. Farquharson, First Tennessee, Capt. H. F.
Murray, Second Tennessee, and Lieut. G. S. Sutherland,
independent company Kentucky volunteers, slightly wounded.
The Mexican historian extols Colonel Palacios, chief of artillery, severely wounded on the Telegrafo, "and there,"
he says, " a warrior's fame crowned the career of General
Vasquez in the fullness of his energies, with a glorious death
amidst the tumult of battle." General Baneneli, who was
with Ampudia in the attack made on Taylor's left at Buena
Vista, Velasco first adjutant and chief of Cuirassiers, who fell
on the road at the foot of Telegrafo, Robles, the skilled engineer, and the artillery officers, Malagon, Arguelles, and
Olzinger, are all highly extolled.
On the z9th General Twiggs moved forward with his




ï~~Picturesque Surroundings of Jalapa.

297

division* and Shields' brigade, under Col. E. D. Baker, while
General Patterson with the cavalry rode in advance and was
met by a deputation from the city of Jalapa, asking protection for the persons and property of its inhabitants.
Worth's division at 7 a. m. moved out from its bivouac at
the base of the Telegrafo towards Jalapa, the change of
temperature became perceptible, and in a few hours the
sultry heat of the tierra caliente was left entirely behind.
The view in all directions was superb, the foliage fresh and
green; far to the left and front rose the well-known Orizaba,
whose white crest had greeted the army while at anchor
off Anton Lizardo. The atmosphere was so clear that
this huge mountain seemed but a few miles distant, as
though it might be reached in an hour. Presently clouds
gathered over it, soon to descend concealing it from view, and
a few drops of rain fell. All along the road paroled Mexican
officers passed us on their ambling ponies. The troops halted
for the night near Encero and reached Jalapa early the next
day.
Situated upon a declivity of the mountain, Jalapa has
rather narrow streets, broken by ravines and ridges, with
pretty streams flowing through them, shrubbery, fruit trees,
and flowers in profusion. After a short respite the march
continued until the column, Duncan's battery leading, halted
to allow a squadron of cavalry to pass to the front.
It was rumored among the infantry that Santa Anna was at
a factory, or hacienda, near, and that he would soon be captured by the cavalry. Some believed the report, others
* Early in the morning of the 19th a detail of twenty-five or thirty
men from the Seventh Infantry was ordered to assist in burying the
dead, a number of whom had been interred the evening before. The
soil was shallow and burial often imperfect. Santa Anna's hosts had
disappeared, leaving only the helpless, the wounded and dead,
among whom were several headless bodies, bodies cut in twain and
horribly mangled, arms and legs lying about detached from bodies.
On the very top of Telegrafo several soldiers digging with their picks
near a body stretched at full length, were approached and asked
what they were doing; the reply was: " Going to bury him," pointing
to a man lying with a broad felt hat over his face and the rain beating down upon him. The lieutenant of the detail leaned over the
fallen comrade, saw that he was still breathing, lifted the hat and
recognized Lieutenant Dana, Seventh Infantry, who had been
wounded through the hip and had remained twenty-four hours on
the field, but now revived.




ï~~298

The Soldiers Enjoy a Joke.

were skeptical, but all wished the cavalry good luck. The
infantry had not stacked arms, but were sitting about without
much regard to order, some even lying down dozing. About
an hour after the cavalry passed, the clatter of horses' hoofs
was heard upon the hard turnpike, rapidly approaching. A
moment later they came in sight around a bend in the road,
just ahead of the battery; the horses of the latter became
frightened, and those of the traveling forge turned, started
full speed down the pike to the rear, scattering the infantry
to the right and left, helter-skelter over the stone walls into
the adjacent meadows. The commander of the leading brigade, a little advanced in years and somewhat stout, had
fallen asleep. Awakened by the noise of the forge as it
dashed by him and by the yelling and laughing of the men as
they tumbled over the stone fences, and somewhat dazed, he
rubbed his eyes and at the top of his voice gave the command, " Form square." Hundreds of voices were heard
along the road, " Never mind the square, over the wall,
every one of you."
The forge cleared the road of Worth's division before it
was arrested in its flight. The commander of the leading
brigade, becoming fully awake and seeing but little damage
done, enjoyed the absurdity of " form square " as much as
any of the soldiers.*
The march was resumed, and after a mile or two the troops
bivouacked where there was abundant wood and water.
Worth's division had now passed to the front. After sunrise
on the 21st the march was resumed, the roadside abounding
in shade trees and flowering shrubs intermingled near an occasional house, with fruit trees of several varieties, indicating a more temperate region. The atmosphere was cool and
remarkably transparent. As the road wound around mountain spurs, through dark glens, or up long, laborious ascents,
the artillery, infantry, and white covered wagons, now hidden from view and again reappearing, gave life and animation to the beautiful scene. Now and then an open extended view was obtained, often the rumbling of falling
* One artillery soldier, if remembered correctly, had his leg broken,
and the pole of a caisson was shattered.




ï~~The Town and Castle of Perot' Occupied. 299
waters was heard, and prismatic colors from ascending spray
dimly seen. As the road ascends the character of the vegetation changes; the rich growth seen near the base gradually
disappears, and is replaced by that of a cooler climate.
A little over half way to the summit, or table land, the
road passes through a strong defile, La Hoya, where several
pieces of abandoned artillery were seen. Trees had been
felled, undergrowth cleared, and breastworks constructed.
Rocky heights, broken by chasms, present themselves on
the one or other side, often enfilading the ascent. Gen. D.
Gregorio Gomez had recommended to reorganize the Cerro
Gordo army at this Pass, and make a second stand against
the invaders, but the defeat had been too disastrous, and the
demoralization too great for any resistance to be even attempted. Beyond La Hoya were seen evergreens, pines,
mosses, and lichens, with scoria, or volcanic rock, in hills
rising out from the mountain side rugged and fantastic in
outline. La Hoya is about two leagues distant from Las
Vegas on the table land, and here the division encamped for
the night, on a small stream running from the mountain,
Cofre de Perote, called not improperly Rio Frio. The night
was cold, and overcoats and blankets were required. The
ascent of the mountain was easily made, and the road was
excellent, having been made by the Spaniards under the
viceroys.
The troops were on the march early the 22d; the morning
was bright and cold-Orizaba and Cofre de Perote off to the
left, the latter always covered with snow. From Las Vegas
to Perote, four leagues, the country was level and sterile.
The town and Castle of Perote were occupied without resistance; the Mexican forces-3,ooo cavalry.and 2,000 disorganized infantry, generally without arms, fugitives from Cerro
Gordo-had retired, leaving Colonel Velasquez to turn over
the armament of the castle, consisting of fifty-four guns and
mortars-iron and bronze-in good condition and of various
calibres, 1,165 cannon balls, 14,300 bombs and hand grenades,
and 500 muskets. The Castle of Perote is a four-sided bastion work, situated on a plain a mile from town, with ample
quarters for 2,000 men and officers and a supply of good water
within the walls. The whole work was of the most massive




ï~~300   The Town and Castle of Perot Occupied.
and substantial masonry, with a deep and wide ditch, having
regular scarp and coundter-scarp walls. The Pass of La Hoya,
with its artillery abandoned, and the Castle of Perote, with its
heavy guns and mortars, were the legitimate fruits of Cerro
Gordo, and naturally fell into the invader's hands. By the
same victory the road to the Mexican capital was open to
them, and had General Scott been provided with the requisite force and transportation, the war might have been speedily terminated.




ï~~CHAPTER XIII.

AFTER CERRO GORDO SANTA ANNA RETIRES TO ORIZABA.GENERAL, SCOTT AT JALAPA.-VOLUNTEERS DISCHARGED.WORTH ADVANCES UPON PUEBLA.
After his crushing defeat on the i8th of April Santa Anna,
apparently bewildered, left the National road at the foot of Cerro
Telegrafo, and, letting his horse go at random, descended the
barranca by a narrow, tortuous path, crossed the stream, and
with difficulty gained the opposite height, when he reined up
and ordered Generals Ampudia and Rangel and Colonel Ramiro
to collect the dispersed troops and march them to the rear.
Accompanied by a small party of officers he then proceeded to
the Hacienda Encero, owned by himself, and six miles from
Jalapa, by a path almost parallel to the National road. When
near the hacienda his party was fired upon by Scott's cavalry
and light artillery, pressing eagerly up the Jalapa road in pursuit of Mexican lancers, and was forced to leave the path, hesitating which direction to take, but finally concluding to take
the road leading. to the Hacienda of Tuzamapan. The party
was gloomy and silent, and Santa Anna, lately erect and
haughty, buoyant with hope, and wielding unlimited power,
was now downcast and humbled, uncertain where to go or whom
to trust.
Several halts were made to give him the rest that his lameness rendered imperative. Asking a curate on the road for a
fresh horse to replace his own jaded one, the request was pertly
refused, and this, insignificant in itself, wounded him deeply,
he considering it indicative of his fallen state. At 5 a. m. he
-301




ï~~302

Santa Anna's Journey to Orizaba.

reached the Hacienda of Tuzamapan, and was joined by two
soldiers of the Eleventh, who brought with them the moneychest of their corps, intending to deliver it to their commander,
General Perez-an act the more commendable as there was no
officer with them and they had been left to shift for themselves.
He remained all day at the hacienda, but at ii p. m. the Major
Domo informed him that a party of Americans was in close pursuit, and the litter ordered for him not being completed, he
mounted his horse and, preceded by a servant carrying a lamp,
took the path leading from Tuzamapan to Orizaba, and reached
the ranch of Volador the next morning, where he obtained mitchneeded rest. Here he seemed to rally from the depression weighting him, and expressed a determination to appeal to the last
resource-the system of guerrillas-and continue the war.
Leaving Volador in a litter early the next morning (20th),
and traversing mountain spurs and deep ravines, often over
rocky by-ways and down slippery precipices compelling him to
leave the litter and proceed on foot, he reached, at 1o a. m.
(21st), the pretty and flourishing town of Huatusco, where he
feared an unfavorable reception, but was agreeably disappointed, the Ayuntamiento coming out on foot to receive in due
form the President of the Republic, and escort him to the SubPrefect's residence where a sumptuous breakfast awaited him.
The citizens crowded around him expressing sympathy and respect, and he, evidently hopeful of recovering the power lost at
Cerro Gordo, encouraged them to persist in their patriotic struggle. Recalling the example of General Valencia, who, when misfortunes threatened them on all sides and the friends of independence almost despaired, took refuge when pursued in a cave
near Huatusco, even then not wavering in fidelity and devotion
to their cause, he promised by like virtues a similar result-the
triumph of the right. He dispatched by express to the Supreme
Government a vague and unsatisfactory report of the battle of
Cerro Gordo, and threw himself again into the political arena
from which he had apparently been excluded forever.
Early on the 22nd, with grateful recollections of his warmhearted reception, he left Huatusco, to which many of his dispersed soldiers had repaired, for Orizaba, where he arrived that
night and was met by Seflores D. Jose Joaquim Pasado and
D. Manuel Tornel, Generals Leon and Garcia Terdn, and a
large number of citizens.




ï~~Reassuring Letter to General Anaya.

803

Leaving his litter and taking a landau, he entered the city,
drove rapidly through the principal streets, and stopped at the
house of Senor Tornel. The officers of the little brigade commanded by General Leon, called in a body to pay their respects
to him and from this time he occupied himself industriously in
collecting and reorganizing his army. Four days after the battle of Cerro Gordo, he addressed the following letter to the adinterim President, General Anaya:
ORIZABA, April 22, 1847.
MV ESTEEMED FRIEND: The despatch which I have forwarded to the
Minister of War will already have informed you of the events which
occurred on the i8th inst. The enemy made an extraordinary effort to
force the pass, and exasperated by the repulse he had experienced the
day before, and because he knew his ruin was inevitable unless he succeeded, attacked me with his entire army, which was not less than 12,ooo
men. He put everything on the hazard of the die, and the cast was
favorable to him. I do not regard the cause of the nation as hopeless if it
will defend its honor and independence as circumstances require. I presume you have taken all proper measures for the public safety, and first
of all for that of the capital. I shall be able to aid it very soon if it will
defend itself. At present I have with me 500 men and four guns, and there
is no doubt but I shall collect in a few days a force equal to that I rallied
at Cerro Gordo. I only require that you send me some money through the
medium of bills of exchange, as I find it impossible to raise a dollar. We
must, my friend, not give ourselves up as lost, and, before God, you shall
see that I will make no treaty with the enemy which will dishonor us or
put us in a worse condition.
Write to me when convenient, and reckon always upon the poor services
of your most affectionate friend, who wishes you every happiness.
A. L. DII SANTA ANNA.
Due regard for the health of his troops, threatened by that
most dreaded of scourges, yellow fever, hastened the departure
of General Scott from the coast, and caused him to march to
the interior with a limited amount of transportation. Had
there been no enemy between Vera Cruz and Perote he would
still have been compelled to halt at Jalapa and send his teams
back for additional medical and subsistence stores. His leading
division reached Plan del Rio April i i, the third division, owing
to delays in getting transportation, not until daybreak of the
17th, and a brigade of volunteers (Quitman's) not until the 21st.
The battle of the 18th opened the pass of Cerro Gordo and
enabled the United States forces to escape from the sultry tierra




ï~~304

 Dangers and Annoyances in Rear.

caliente to the more temperate region of Jalapa. The large
number of prisoners would have proved a serious inconvenience
to the subsistence department had they not been paroled.
Within a few days after the battle the sick and wounded were
transferred from the camp at Plan del Rio to ample and comfortable quarters in Jalapa.
General Scott regarded his difficulties and dangers as being
mostly in the rear, between Jalapa and Vera Cruz-the hot
sand and disease, the impossibility of establishing intermediate
posts at Plan del Rio, Puente National, and other points, except
for a month or two during the winter, the danger of having
trains captured or destroyed, unless strongly guarded, as was
subsequently the case, and escorting them seventy miles back
and forth, to do which would soon exhaust his small cavalry
force. With an increase of this arm of the service, that duty
could be performed and his communications kept open. He
had reason to believe the additional force authorized by Congress would be despatched without delay to his line.
The twelve months' volunteers in the beginning of April raised
the point that they should be discharged in time to reach their
homes by the time of the expiration of their service, in order to
enable them to pass out of Vera Cruz and through New Orleans
before the sickly season. While General Scott did not concede
their claim to be discharged before the expiration of twelve
months, he sympathized with them, and was willing, if they
would not re-enlist, to have them mustered out in time to leave
the coast before the prevalence of the vomito.
Upon arrival at Jalapa, April 27, he learned through a communication from the War Department that from one to two
thousand of the new recruits for the ten regiments had been
ordered to Brazos; that all the other forces would be directed
to that point, and every effort made to relieve General Taylor
from his critical situation.
The secretary * had, without any application from General
Taylor, ordered to the Rio Grande line troops originally deemed
absolutely necessary for the success of operations against the
Mexican capital from Vera Cruz. In this state of affairs, Gen* The secretary, excited by newspaper reports, had become, it will be remembered, very much alarmed for the safety of the Army at Corpus
Christi.




ï~~Twelve Months' Vol unlteers Discharged.     305
eral Scott did not consider it prudent to hazard an advance, as
the term of enlistment of a large portion of the volunteers would
expire before these operations could be completed, and the remainder of his forces was inadequate for his purpose.
As it was not intended to attempt a movement on the capital
until reinforcements arrived, there seemed no good reason for
taking these troops further into the hostile country to discharge
them later from service, and send them through Vera Cruz at a
time when the vornito would be raging. They were requested
to volunteer for further service but declined and were promptly
passed through Vera Cruz and discharged. Lieut. C. Roberdeau
Wheat, of Tennessee, by great exertions, induced a sufficient
number to remain to form a company, which was mustered into
service, elected Wheat captain, and served to the end of the
war. All idea of marching upon the capital for the present
being abandoned, there was nothing to be done but to attend
to the health and instruction of the men and await reinforcements.
In order No. 135, Jalapa, May 4, 1847, discharging the seven
regiments of twelve months' volunteers, General Scott said:
" The general-in-chief regrets to learn, through a great number of undoubted channels, that in all probability not one man in
ten of these regiments will be inclined to re-enlist for the war.
This predetermination offers, in his opinion, no ground for
reproach, considering the long, arduous, faithful, and gallant
services of those corps, however deeply all regret the consequent and unavoidable delay in the prosecution of this war to
an early and honorable peace, for the general-in-chief can not,
in humanity and good faith, cause regiments entitled in a few
weeks to an honorable discharge to advance further from the
coast in the pursuit of the enemy, and thereby throw them upon
the necessity of returning to embark at Vera Cruz at the season
known to be, at that place, the most fatal to life."
Two days after issuing the above order General Scott addressed a communication to the War Department, from which
the following is quoted: " To part with so large and so respectable a portion of the Army in the middle of a country which,
though broken in its power, is not yet disposed to sue for peace,
to provide for the return home of seven regiments from this interior position at a time when I find it quite difficult to provide
transportation and supplies for the operating forces which re



ï~~306    Orders Issued for the March to Perote.
main; and all this without any prospect of succor or reinforcements, in perhaps the next seven months, beyond some three
hundred Army recruits, presents novelties utterly unknown to
any invading army before.
" With the addition of ten or twelve thousand new levies in
April and May, asked for, and until very recently expected, or
even with the addition of two or three thousand new troops
destined for this army, but suddenly, by the orders of the War
Department, directed to the Rio Grande frontier, I might, notwithstanding the unavoidable discharge of the old volunteersseven regiments and two independent companies-advance with
confidence upon the enemy's capital. I shall nevertheless advance, but whether beyond Puebla will depend upon intervening information and reflection."
Having received medical supplies, ammunition, salt, clothing,
etc., and designating the garrison for Jalapa, consisting of five
companies of the First Artillery serving as infantry, one troop
of horse, the whole of the Second Pennsylvania, and three companies of the First, all under Brevet-Colonel Childs, appointed
Governor of Jalapa and commanding officer, General Scott issued
orders for Twiggs' division to march to Perote, Brigadier-General Quitman's brigade, consisting of three regiments and accompanied by a train of wagons with supplies for the Army
having marched there the 7th of May. Worth had occupied
Perote April 22, and on the 24th Garland's brigade advanced
by easy marches to Tepeyahualco, nineteen miles beyond, arriving there the second afternoon, having encamped the night
before at the Hacienda of San Antonio. The road was level,
the country sterile with slight exceptions, the air crisp, and the
snow mountain visible. The elevation being io,ooo feet, the
quickest marching did not bring out the slighest perspiration.
Tepeyahualco was a wretched little hamlet of a dozen houses
at the toot of Mount Pizzaro, conical in shape, and rising up
from the level plain 2,000 feet. On its top was a large cross,
visible at a great distance. From Perote on to Ojo de Agua,
forty miles, was a dry, level plain, so impregnated with alkali as
to chap the lips. The air was remarkably transparent, making
it difficult to estimate distances. As evidence of this the troops
(Worth's division) had occupied the Castle of Perot6 only a few
minutes, when, walking on the terre lein, one officer said to
another that it was fortunate the enemy had evacuated it, for,




ï~~Uncomfortable False Alarm.

307

" being a regular bastioned work on a horizontal site, it would
have required forty days to take it."  He replied no; he was
sure "we could plant our batteries on that hill," pointing to
Mount Pizzaro, " and soon drive the garrison out with solid
shot and shell; our i8-pound howitzers and io-inch mortars
could easily do the work." He little reckoned how great the
range was, for it was nineteen miles to Mount Pizzaro, upon
which he proposed to place the batteries. At Tepeyahualco
several of our soldiers died, and many were made sick by the
drinking water, which was bad and had a coppery taste.
The remainder of the division under General Worth arrived
on the 9th, and on the following morning the forward march
was resumed. Far off to the left, over the alkali plain, appeared mirage, perfect and to the eye most deceptive. Not only
was water seen, but apparently shades and shadows of clouds
moving upon its smooth surface; smoke ascending from the
chimney of ajacal (cabin) made the impression of a steamboat
at rest upon a lake. After a march of ten or twelve miles it
encamped for the night near Vireyes, a hacienda picturesquely
situated at the base of a rugged but not very high mountain.
The following day the same dreary plain, bright sun, cold
air, alkali, and mirage; this continued on to Ojo de Agua,
where the division arrived in the afternoon and encamped, finding an abundance of clear water. The next morning (12th),
after a tramp of several hours, it made a short halt at Nopalfican, which was surrounded by fields of maguey; then resumed
the march and encamped for the night at El Pinal, the entrance
to a wild, rugged, mountain pass. About 2 a. m. the pickets
out on the road towards Puebla were heard to fire; instantly
the long roll was beaten, the regiments fell into line and remained standing in that order until daylight. A number of
pack-mules from a merchant train came along the road towards
the pickets in a fast trot, followed by the muleteers who, not
halting and giving the countersign when challenged by the
pickets, were fired upon and the whole command in consequence
lost a night of much needed rest.
After a march of several hours over a rough road, the town
of Acajete was passed, with its fountains, plaza, and pretty
buildings, and a few miles beyond the volcano of Popocatepetl
came in view, filling all with wonder and admiration, its height
being 17,700 feet, a truncated cone crowned with snow, below




ï~~308

Superb and Awe-Inspiring Scenery.

the snow level a black belt without vegetation, and below this
the hardy pine. In the same general range of mountains and
to the north is Ixtacihuati, 15,700 feet high, its crest stretching along in an undulating line, and Malinche, an isolated peak,
rising from the plain,.all three during the rainy season covered
with snow.
With these three mountains in front and Orizaba behind, the
soldiers marched often in silence, awed by the grandeur of their
surroundings. The road lay for several miles in the bed of what
was supposed to have been a running stream, with banks so high
that wagon tops could not be seen in portions of it. Two or three
miles beyond this, the troops were halted at Amasoque, where
an order was published at evening parade announcing that
there would be a rest the next day (14th), the march resumed
the following night, and reveille would be beaten under the
walls of Puebla on the 15th.
Santa Anna, when last referred to, was at Orizaba without
money, yet busily occupied in reorganizing and augmenting his
forces, under a self-imposed promise to Anaya to gather a force
as large as the one he had commanded at Cerro Gordo and a
pledge never to make a peace discreditable to Mexico.
He marched from Orizaba by way of Aculcingo and Amasoque to Puebla, arriving at the latter place on the 12th, there
being but one day's interval between the troops of Worth and
the brigades of Leon, Perez, and the cavalry under General Alcorta, personally commanded by Santa Anna, when he passed
Amasoque.
It having been found impossible to make resistance at Puebla,
the infantry was ordered to withdraw on the 14th towards San
Martin, whilst he (Santa Anna) moved with two thousand horse
towards Amasoque. He had been deceived by a spy, who represented it easy to surprise a party of Americans marching in
great disorder from Nopalican. Arriving at the heights of
Chachapa, overlooking Amasoque, he discovered he had been
misled, and that he was really in the presence of a strong division of infantry-the American vanguard-and the party in
rear reported to be marching in disorder was Quitman's brigade,
close upon the advance column, and not to be surprised.
At an early hour (the 14th) Worth's division, in Amasoque,
began to clean equipments, bathe, comb, shave, black boots,
some to wash their clothes, having been ordered to make a good




ï~~Affair of Amasoque.

309

appearance and favorable impression the following morning,
marching, as was designed, into Puebla with music and unfurled
banners. Some of the soldiers, ambitious to have everything in
prime condition, had taken the barrels out of the gun-stocks
and were even polishing them, as was the custom in those days.
Officers were in groups strolling about the town, famous throughout Mexico for its manufacture of spurs, bridle bits, and saddles
of superior quality and unique in design and workmanship.
Some officers purchased spurs with enormously large rowels,
made by hand, and ingeniously and skillfully inlaid with gold
and silver.
Several of the junior officers visited the principal church in
the little town; the yard was neat and well kept, and in it were
several fine trees covered with a mass of hanging creepers dotted
with scarlet flowers. The interior was enriched with paintings,
many of which were pretty and of artistic merit, and ornaments
of gold and silver were in greater profusion than usual in a town
of its size. While in the church, much interested in what they
were seeing, and the recipients of kindly attention from a padre,
they heard the long roll from every drum of the division, continuous and incessant, creating not merely surprise, but alarm;
and instantly they were seen crossing the plaza in all directions
as fast as they could run to join their commands.
The Fourth Infantry had bivouacked in a large corral in the
suburbs, and while the men were putting on cartridge boxes
preparatory to forming in ranks several lieutenants mounted
the roof to ascertain, if possible, from observation the cause of
the alarm, and looking toward the city of Puebla they saw a
beautiful display of Mexican cavalry advancing from that place
and moving in column as though intending to pass around to
the rear. With two miles of cavalry visible, and a proper proportion of artillery and infantry, Santa Anna must have a large
force was the thought uppermost in all minds. The Fourth
Infantry fell speedily into ranks, marched out beyond the town,
and formed in line near Duncan's battery, other regiments being
already in line to the left. The artillery opened, range rather
long, but accessible, and caused the enemy to incline a little to
the left (Mexican); the fire was rapid, and a few skirmishers
were thrown out. One 8-inch howitzer was placed in battery
and threw a few shells, the heavy firing being designed in
part a; a warning to Quitman, known to be a few miles in rear.




ï~~310

Santa Anna Leaves Puebla.

The Mexican lancers kept to the left of the road, passed beyond
the town, and then turned off squarely to the left (north), and
were soon lost to sight in the distance. Quitman's dust was
seen rising in the rear, and the Mexicans had scarcely disappeared when his troops arrived, having made a rapid and long
march.
The Mexican cavalry retired toward Malinche, halted for a
rest in a wood full of barrancas and thickets, and after a fatiguing expedition of nine leagues arrived at 5 p. m. in Puebla,
weary and dispirited, having failed to surprise the Americans,
and having lost a few of its own men.
A large gathering awaited at the Garita of Puebla the result
of this operation, conducted by Santa Anna in person. The
return of the troops, the presence of their President, the sight
of a few wounded, produced a patriotic glow, which found
relief and gratification in cries of viva Puebla! viva G6neral
Santa Anna! death to the Yankees! Santa Anna addressed
them a few hopeful words, then moved off in the twilight, and
was soon on the road to the City of Mexico, the infantry having
preceded him.
The affair of Amasoqu6 created much excitement, being entirely unexpected. The troops had heard of the deplorable
plight, and the handful of men with which the " recreant
Ampudia " retreated precipitately through Perote; that Santa
Anna was a " wandering fugitive," and naturally were not prepared for a display, evincing a good organization and much
strength in one arm at least of the enemy's service.
The hostile cavalry had all disappeared when Garland's
brigade formed in line, a little over a mile from Amasoque, in
a newly-ploughed cornfield, and was ordered to remain there
until night, when the march would begin, and the reveille be
heard under the walls of Puebla. In the early afternoon, with
a clear, bright sun and blue sky, thin, white, fleecy clouds,
converging upon the peak of Popocatepetl, overshadowed its
snowy crest, then descended along its slopes to the region of
pines, and sweeping eastward shrouded Malinche; and becoming surcharged down came " sheets of shiny rain," the black
heavens illumined by vivid, blinding flashes of lightning and
sharp peals of deafening thunder being heard in all directions.
This was the first experience of the storms and showers that
occur during the rainy season of five months on the table




ï~~Americans Occupy Puebla.

311

lands of Mexico. Whilst it rained it came literally in torrents,
" d canldros, d chuzos," in the language of the country-" pitchforks, bucketsful."
Garland's brigade was ankle-deep in mud and water when an
aid came from division headquarters, announcing the march
suspended until 12 o'clock at night; at that hour he reappeared
to order the march at about 2 a. m., but said he would return
again at the exact hour. He was seen no more during the
night. The brigade being in the advance, led the march,
which began after sunrise, the officers and men having eaten
nothing since breakfast the day before, and having had no rest
all night.
On an eminence (Chichapa) two or three miles from Puebla,
a commission of the Ayuntamiento met General Worth to treat
for terms. The troops halted about three hours, then resumed
the march to the city, not halting again until the grand plaza,
in front of and between the governor's palace and cathedral,
was reached. Puebla had no scattered or straggling suburbs;
the city was entered at once on well-paved streets, the houses
were compactly built in contact on and throughout every block.
On either side the broad road, at the entrance to the city, were
great crowds of people not of the better class, and among them
were many workwomen with fruit, poultry, etc., for sale, and
numbers of priests with wide-brimmed hats turned up on the
side, which attracted much attention, being the first seen.
Arms were stacked, and many, especially in Garland's brigade,
lay down and slept for several hours, while quarters were being
assigned. The Fourth Infantry was quartered east of the plaza
on the corridors of the Church of San Augustin. Similar quarters were assigned to other commands. Allwere impressed with
the beauty and cleanliness of Puebla, the surface being well
adapted to draining and the daily rains keeping it free of dust.
With reference to the first appearance and occupation of Puebla
by the American troops, the Mexican historian says: " The singular appearance of some of the soldiers, their trains, their
artillery, their large horses, all attracted the curiosity of the
multitude, and at the corners and squares an immense crowd
surrounded the new conquerors. The latter, extremely fatigued,
confiding in the mutual guarantees stipulated by the Ayuntamiento and General Worth, or perhaps despising a people who
easily permitted the occupation of their territory, stacked arms




ï~~312 Citizens Undisturbed and Business Resumed.
in the plaza while waiting for quarters, while some wandered
into neighboring streets to drink ulque and embrace the le.5eros,*
with whom they seemed old acquaintances. There is no doubt
that more than ten thousand persons occupied the plazas and
corners. One cry, one effort, the spirit of one determined man,
would have sufficed, and if once this multitude had pressed in
upon the enemy, they would have inevitably perished. Nothing
was done."   General Worth took quarters in the governor's
palace, east of the Grand Plaza, and upon its flagstaff hoisted
the stars and stripes.
From the day (May 15) his division entered Puebla it was
evident to the citizens that they would not be disturbed either
in person or property, and could attend to all matters of business or pleasure. The daily markets were open to all, and no
officer or soldier presumed to take except at the market price,
which was an affair of buyer and seller. With a strange and
hostile army in their midst, some restraint must have been felt
by the people, but it was the wish and aim of the military that
such feelings should not arise from any act or word on their
part. The civil administration was not interfered with, the
city police was continued, and at all hours of the night could
be heard calling the time and weather, according to custom:
" Son las doce de la noche, y sereno-Its 12 o'clock and clear."
"Ave Maria! Son las dos, y ventoro-Hail Mary! it's 2 o'clock
and stormy." After the first few days the churches had their
usual throngs of worshippers, there being more of such buildings in Puebla than in any city in the United States, though it
had hardly 70,000 inhabitants, and daily the church bells
chimed forth solemn or merry peals, and the streets were filled
with people in gala dresses attending festivals or going to or
returning from mass.
American officers appeared on the streets with swords, the men
with side arms, each neatly attired. All were enraptured with
the delightful climate, clear, blue sky, never overcast except
during the daily showers, and awed by the solemn grandeur of
the lofty volcanoes that bar the great highway north. No other
Mexican city has a view, at the same time, of Orizaba, Popocatapetl, and Ixtacihuatl, the last two separating the valley of
Puebla from that of Mexico, and of a fourth mountain, Malinche,
all covered with snow in the winter months.
* Badly clad, idle, vagabond population.




ï~~CHAPTER XIV.
ARRIVAL OF GENERAL SCOTT IN PUEBLA.-ADDRESS TO THE
MEXICAN PEOPLE.-ASKS TO BE RELIEVED FROM COMMAND.-PERSONAL     REMARKS.-OPERATIONS    OF   THE
NAVY AFTER THE ARMY MARCHED FROM VERA CRUZ.COMMODORE PERRY CAPTURES TABASCO.-NUMBER        OF
SCOTT'S ARMY WHEN HE ADVANCED FROM PUEBLA.
General Scott remained a month at Jalapa, and having relinquished the hope of a speedy general advance, set out with an
escort of four cavalry companies, on May 23, for Puebla,
Twiggs' Division having marched the preceding day. It being known that he would probably arrive in Puebla on the
28th, a number of officers rode out to meet him, and his coming
was the subject of conversation, not only on the streets, but
behind the heavily-barred doors of private dwellings. Along
the thoroughfare on which it was known he would pass, the
balconies were filled with ladies, the desire to see him being irresistible. "Mira! Mira! look! look! " was heard in subdued tones. "El Gereralisimo! El Generalisimo! the Generalin-Chief! the General-in-Chief! " The people in the streets
escorted him up to the torte coch Â~re of the palace and cheered
him. The soldiers, volunteers as well as regulars, were delighted to welcome him to their midst, and there can be no
question of his having had the entire confidence of his army.
The regulars of course knew him, had unbounded trust and
admiration for him, and it was impossible for the more intelligent officers of the volunteer service, many of whom were
distinguished in the learned professions, and had held high political positions, to be thrown with him without being impressed
-313




ï~~314 Scott's Eloquent Address to the Mexicans.
with his general intelligence and vast fund of information,
gleaned from extensive reading and held by a wonderfully retentive memory.
The capture of Vera Cruz and castle of San Juan de Ulna,
armed with hundreds of guns and mortars, many of them of
the heaviest calibres in use at that time, and all directed by
educated and skilled artillerists, with a loss of less than oo
killed and wounded, was a military feat without parallel. Of
a different order was the assault upon the Mexican Army intrenched in the pass and upon the heights of Cerro Gordo, in
which five general officers with their commands, together with
batteries in position numbering over 42 guns, were taken.
This was an achievement requiring the display of qualities
equally essential and more brilliant in an army commander.
Vera Cruz was an affair of the staff, engineers, ordnance, and
artillery, while Cerro Gordo was won mainly by the infantry.
It was fortunate for the Army and the country that there was a
general in command who knew the use of each arm of service
and of the different staff corps, as well as their relative value,
and how to employ them, whether separately or conjointly, as was
subsequently shown according to the necessities of the particular case. That his great abilities and learning were not limited
to the strictly military, is shown by his martial law order, his
several addresses to the Mexican people, and many orders bearing upon civil administration, and showing great executive
ability. The sentiments contained in the following address,
issued after the battle of Cerro Gordo, and while in Jalapa,
illustrate alike his head and heart, and throw much light on
the policy of the war:
MEXICANS: The late events of the war, and the measures adopted in
consequence by your government, make it my duty to address you in
order to lay before you truths of which you are ignorant because they
have been criminally concealed from you. I do not ask you to believe me
simply on my word-though he who has not been found false has a claim
to be believed-but to judge for yourselves of these truths from facts within
the view and scrutiny of you all.
Whatever may have been the origin of this war, which the United States
were forced to undertake by insurmountable causes, we regard it as an
evil. War is ever such to both belligerents, and the reason and justice of
the case, if not known on both sides, are in dispute and claimed by each.
You have proof of this truth as well as we, for in Mexico, as in the United




ï~~The Address.

315

States, there have existed, and do exist, two opposite parties, onedesiring
peace and the other war.
Governments, however, have sacred duties to perform, from which they
can not swerve; and these duties frequently impose, from national considertions, a silence and reserve that displease at times the majority of those
who, from views purely personal or private, are formed in opposition, to
which governments can pay little attention, expecting the nation to repose
in them the confidence due to a magistracy of its own selection. Considerations of high policy and of continental American interests precipitated
events in spite of the circumspection of the Cabinet at Washington. This
Cabinet, ardently desiring to terminate all differences with Mexico, spared
no efforts compatible with honor and dignity. It cherished the most flatrering hopes of attaining this end by frank explanations and reasonings, addressed to the judgment and prudence of the virtuous and
patriotic government of General Herrera. An unexpected misfortune
dispelled these hopes and closed every avenue to an honorable adjustment.
Your new government disregarded your national interests as well as those
of continental America and yielded, moreover, to foreign influences the
most opposed to these interests-the most fatal to the future of Mexican
liberty and of that republican system which the United States hold it a
duty to preserve and to protect.
Duty, honor, and dignity placed us under the necesity of not losing a
season of which the monarchical party was fast taking advantage. As not
a moment was to be lost, we acted with a promptness and decision suited
to the urgency of the case in order to avoid a complication of interests
which might render our relations more difficult and involved. Again, in
the course of civil war, the government of General Paredes was overthrown.
We could not but look upon this as a fortunate event, believing that any
other administration representing Mexico would be less deluded, more
patriotic, and more prudent, looking to the common good, weighing probabilities, strength, resources, and above all, the general opinion as to the
inevitable results of a national war. We were deceived, and perhaps you
Mexicans were also deceived, in judging of the real intentions of General
Santa Anna when you recalled and when our Government permitted frim
to return.
Under this state of things, the Mexican nation has seen the results lamented by all, and by us most sincerely, for we appreciate, as is due, the
valor and noble decision of those unfortunate men who go to battle ill
conducted, worse cared for, and almost always enforced by violence, deceit, or perfidy.
We are witnesses, and we shall not be taxed with partiality, as a party
interested, when we lament with surprise that the heroic behaviour of the
garrison at Vera Cruz in its valiant defense has been aspersed by the general who had just been routed and put to shameful flight at Buena Vista
by a force far inferior to his own. The same general rewarded the insurgents of the capital-promoters of civil war-and heaped outrage upon
those who had just acquired for themselves singular distinction by a resistance beyond expectation and of admirable decision.




ï~~316                      The Address.
Finally, the bloody event of Cerro Gordo has plainly shown the Mexican
nation what it may reasonably expect if it is no longer blind to its real
situation-a situation to which it has been brought by some of its generals
whom it has most distinguished and in whom it has most confided. The
hardest heart would have been moved to grief in contemplating any battlefield in Mexico a moment after the last struggle. Those generals whom
the nation has paid without service rendered for so many years have in
the day of need, with some honorable exceptions, but served to injure her
by their bad example or unskillfulness. The dead and wounded on those
fields received no marks of military distinction, sharing alike the sad fate
which has been the same from Palo Alto to Cerro Gordo; the dead remained
unburied, and the wounded abandoned to the clemency and charity of the
victor. Soldiers who go to battle, knowing they have such reward to look
for, deserve to be classed with the most heroic, for they are stimulated by
no hope of glory, nor remembrance, nor a sigh-not even a grave.
Again, contemplate honorable Mexicans, the lot of peaceful and industrious citizens in all classes of your country. The possessions of the church
menaced and presented as an allurement to revolution and anarchy; the
fortunes of rich proprietors pointed out for the plunder of armed ruffians;
the merchant and the mechanic, the husbandman and the manufacturer,
burdened with contributions, excises, monopolies, duties on consumption,
surrounded by officers and collectors of these odious internal customs; the
man of letters and the legislator; the freeman of knowledge who dares to
speak, persecuted, without trial, by some faction, or by the very rulers who
abuse their power; and criminals, unpunished, are set at liberty, as were
those at Perot6. What then, Mexicans, is the liberty of which you boast?
I will not believe that Mexicans of the present day want the courage to
confess errors which do not dishonor them, or to adopt a system of true
liberty-one of peace and union with their brethren and neighbors of the
north.
Neither can I believe the Mexicans ignorant of the infamy, of the calumnies put forth by the press in order to excite hostility against us. No,
public spirit can not be created or animated by falsehood. We have not
profaned your temples, nor abused your women, nor seized your property,
as they would have you believe. We say it with pride, and we confirm it
by an appeal to your bishops and the curates of Tampico, Tuzpan, Matamoros, Monterey, Vera Cruz, and Jalapa, to all the clergy, civil authorities,
and inhabitants of all the places we have occupied.
We adore the same God, and a large portion of our Army, as well as of
the people of the United States, is Catholic, like yourselves. We punish
crime wherever we find it, and reward merit and virtue.
The Army of the United States respects, and will ever respect, private
property of every class, and the property of the Mexican church. Woe to
him who does not, where we are. Mexicans, the past is beyond remedy,
but the future may yet be controlled. I have repeatedly declared to you
that the Government and the people of the United States desire peace, desire your sincere friendship. Abandon, then, State prejudices, cease to be
the sport of private ambition, and conduct yourselves like a great American




ï~~Comnunication with Vera Cruz Abandoned. 317
nation. Abandon at once those old colonial habits and learn to be truly
free, truly republican. You may then soon attain prosperity and happiness, of which you possess all the elements; but remember that you are
Americans, and that your happiness is not to come from Europe.
I desire, in conclusion, to say to you, with equal frankness, that were it
necessary, an army of one hundred thousand Americans would soon be
among you, and that the United States, if forced to terminate by arms
their differences with you, would not do it in an uncertain or precarious, or
still less in a dishonorable manner. It would be an insult to the intelligent people of their country to doubt their knowledge of your power.
The system of forming guerrilla parties to annoy us will, I assure you,
produce only evils to this country and none to our Army, which knows
how to protect itself, and how to proceed against such cut-throats; and if,
so far from calming resentments and passions, you try to irritate, you will
but force upon us the hard necessity of retaliation. In that event, you
can not blame us for the consequences which will fall upon yourselves.
I shall march with this Army upon Puebla and Mexico. I do not conceal
this from you. From those capitals I may again address you. We desire
peace, friendship, and union; it is for you to choose whether you prefer
continued hostilities. In either case, be assured, I will keep my word.
WINFIELD SCOTT.*
HEAD-QUARTERS or THE ARMY,
JAIIAPA, May II, 1847.
Not having heard of the approach of reinforcements, nor even
the recruits-nine hundred for the regular Army-that were
to have embarked months before from Newport, Ky., and New
York city, General Scott, within a week after his arrival in
Puebla, ordered Colonel Childs, commanding at Jalapa, to take
silent preparatory measures for its prompt abandonment, removing all ordnance stores and the sick and wounded. In the
event of further offensive operations, the presence of the Jalapa
garrison with the main army at Puebla was deemed indispensable, and this involved the necessity of abandoning communications with Vera Cruz.
Sick and wounded not in condition to bear removal were to
be left under the safeguard of the civil authorities and of the
church, with solemn declarations to each that if any injury was
* In General Scott's Autobiography, Vol. II, page 549, we find Brevet
Major-General Worth wrote from the advanced position, Puebla: " It was
fortunate that I got hold of a copy of your proclamation. I had a third
edition struck off, and am now with hardly a copy on hand. It takes admirably, and my doors are crowded for it.  * * It has produced more
decided effect than all the blows from Palo Alto to Cerro Gordo."
(Ex. Doc. No. 6o, House of Representatives, 30th Congress, Ist Session.)




ï~~318 Gen. Scott asks to be Relieved from Command.
inflicted upon any soldier, or any surgeon in charge, troops
would return and hold the entire city responsible; nor must
any soldier be carried off under any pretense whatever, for, if
spirited away, it would be to be murdered by lawless banditti.
The honor of the United States was pledged to pay liberally for
any attention or kindness shown or supplies furnished.
The sick and wounded at Perote unable to bear transportation were to be left there and the garrison to be reduced to a minimum, as the castle would enable a small force to hold out for a
long time. Should Colonel Childs hear of any detachments being
at or en route from Vera Cruz he was to delay his departure from
Jalapa until they could join him, and empty wagons escorted
by cavalry would be despatched him at once. His arrival at
Puebla would be waited for. If active operations were resumed
it would be necessary to strengthen the main army in front by
the Jalapa garrison and a portion of that from Perot&.
One thousand sick had been left at Vera Cruz, about the
same number of sick and wounded at Jalapa, and two hundred
at Perot&. On June 4 the sick in Puebla numbered seventeen
hundred, leaving but five thousand eight hundred and twenty
enlisted men for duty. Puebla could not be held and the advance upon Mexico be made with such a force. The sickness
was attributed mainly to an insufficient supply of clothing and
the want of salt meat, due to inadequate transportation. Not
a dollar in money had arrived at Vera Cruz since its occupation,
and the inconvenience was seriously felt, as but little money
could be obtained on drafts. An attempt to subsist the Army
by living at free quarters, or on forced contributions, would
have ended military operations.
In a letter to the Secretary of War, dated Puebla, June 4,
1847, General Scott says: " Considering the many cruel disappointments and mortifications I have been made to feel since I
left Washington, or the total want of support and sympathy on
the part of the War Department which I have so long experienced, I beg to be recalled from this army the moment that it
may be safe for any person to embark at Vera Cruz, which I
suppose will be early in November. Probably all field operations will be over long before that time."
It will be remembered that General Taylor also felt aggrieved
at the action of the War Department, and wrote letters, respectful but decided in tone, calling attention to acts of the Secretary




ï~~The Secretary's JReply.

319

derogatory to his rights as an Army commander, also repelling
an indignity attempted, as he believed, to be practiced upon
him.
In reply to the request made by General Scott to be recalled,
Secretary Marcy, in letter dated July 12, 1847, says: " Considering that you had claimed as a matter of right due your superior rank, to be placed at the head of our armies in the field, in
a state of actual war, and had earnestly besought that position
as a matter of favor, the President was not a little surprised
that, after so brief a period of service, you should ask to be
recalled." His application to be relieved should not have
caused surprise, as he had been informed that an effort had
been made to supersede him by a lieutenant general * to be
appointed from civil life. He must, from this, have regarded
his being in command of the most important army in Mexico
as due only to his rank, and that he was distasteful to or did
not have the confidence of the President. He felt he had not
been the recipient of civilities which, in the organization of his
staff, he had a right to expect. While General Scott could,
did in fact, submit to this, he may yet have believed it better
for the service for the President to place some one in command
whose suggestions would be more readily accepted. Reinforcements and supplies came so slowly that he believed his recommendations had but little weight.
The Secretary continued: " The grounds put forth for this
change of purpose have not probably had with him (the President) the influence you expected. They are of such an extraordinary character as to claim a passing notice. Of 'the many
cruel disappointments and mortifications I have been made to
feel since I left Washington' you have omitted to specify a
single one, and whether they are real or imaginary is left in
great uncertainty."  The disappointments and mortifications
were not specified, because General Scott did not deem it necessary to repeat what he had previously written in regard to the
vexatious and inexcusable delays in furnishing troops, ordnance
stores, and transportation, which prevented the landing at Vera
Cruz six weeks beyond the time agreed on in Washington
before his departure for Mexico. The fact that operations at
* It was rumored that Senator Benton of Missouri had been selected for
the position.




ï~~320

Scott's Letter from Jalapa.

Vera Cruz, even at that late date, were embarrassed, because a
large portion of the supplies deemed essential had not arrived
when the place surrendered, was not again dwelt upon, nor did
he refer again to the fact that land transportation for a movement
to the interior was utterly inadequate, and that troops intended
for the Vera Cruz line had been directed to the Rio Grande
when they had not been applied for by General Taylor.
All these vexations had been previously called to the attention of the War Department and the President, and he did not
consider it necessary to repeat them nor to discuss the President's action in the effort to send a lieutenant general appointed
from civil life to Mexico to supersede him, who had been Generalin-Chief of the Army of the United States for more that six
years.
The Secretary says further: " The sending of Mr. Trist to
Mexico as a commissioner of peace, and the suspicion you cherished that you had been degraded by his being clothed with
military authority to interfere with your rightful command are
probably prominent among these 'cruel disappointments and
mortifications.' " The sending of Mr. Trist * or any other person
or persons as commissioner or commissioners of peace to attend
the Army was not regarded unfavorably by General Scott, who
had invited such action on the part of the Government, having
in a letter from Vera Cruz of April 5 said: 'With American
commissioners at the headquarters of this army I think it quite
probable that by our arrival at Puebla, if not before, we should
be met by Mexican commissioners empowered to treat,'" etc.
It was not the presence of Commissioner Trist with the Army
that General Scott complained of; in his letter of May 20
from Jalapa he states: " You tell me that 'should he (Mr.
Trist) make known to you (Scott) in writing that the contingency has occurred in consequence of which the President is
willing that further military operations should cease, you will
regard such notice as a direction from the President to suspend
them until further orders from the Department.' " That is,
says General Scott, " I am required to respect the judgment of
* Mr. Nicholas P. Trist, Assistant Secretary of State, and who had filled
many responsible positions, having studied law with Thomas Jefferson,
whose granddaughter he married, was sent to Mexico in the spring of
47 as peace commissioner.




ï~~.Mexican Co'ngress Deftant.

321

Mr. Trist here on passing events purely military as the judgment of the President, who is some two thousand miles off."
In this same letter he says: " It will be remembered also that
in my letter to Major-General Taylor, dated June 12, 1846,
written at your (Marcy's) instance, and, as I understood at the
time, approved by the Cabinet, his power to agree to an armistice was merely adverted to in order to place upon it certain
limitations. I understand your letter to me of the 14th ultimo
as not only taking from me, the commander of an Army under
the most critical circumstances, all voice or advice in agreeing
to a truce with the enemy, but as an attempt to place me under
the military command of Mr. Trist," which the quotation previously made shows.
A number of letters passed between General Scott and Mr.
Trist, which bore evidence of a good deal of irritation; also
between the latter and Mr. Buchanan, Secretary of State, and
between Secretary Marcy and General Scott. These last-mentioned letters were read with much interest at the time, and
were supposed to have been the cause of much ill-feeling subsequently between those two distinguished men. It would require too much space to refer to them in detail here; hence a
brief notice only will be given, which will show, however, that
there was no real cause of disagreement between the Government and General Scott so far as regarded the peace commissioner. Mr. Trist upon his arrival in Vera Cruz forwarded to
General Scott, then at Jalapa, two letters from the Secretary of
War and a sealed communication to the Mexican Minister.
The Mexican Congress upon hearing of the defeat at Cerro
Gordo, passed many violent decrees, breathing war to the bitter end against the United States, declaring that the Executive
has no power, and shall have none, to conclude a treaty or
even an armistice with the United States, and denouncing as a
traitor any Mexican functionary who shall entertain either
proposition. These decrees had been reported by General Scott
to the War Department, and until further orders or until a
change of circumstances, he doubted whether he could so far
commit the honor of his Government as to take any direct
agency in forwarding the sealed dispatch sent him by Mr. Trist
from the Secretary of State. He wrote to Mr. Trist: " On this
delicate point, you will do as you please, and when if able, I
shall have advanced near the Capital, I may at your instance,




ï~~822

Irritation Between Scott and Trist.

lend an escort to your flag of truce, and it may require a large
fighting detachment to protect even a flag of truce against the
rancheros and banditti who now infest the National road all
the way up to the Capital."
He did not as an army commander like to receive a sealed
dispatch with directions from Mr. Trist to forward it to the
Mexican Minister, nor did he acknowledge the right of the
commissioner to grant an armistice, as quoted from the Secretary of War's communication of April 14. Had Mr. Trist
presented himself at General Scott's headquarters, showed him
a copy of the sealed dispatch to the Mexican Minister, and
called attention to the care with which it was framed; also
showed his instructions to deliver it to him (General Scott), to
forward with such escort as he might deem necessary, there
would have been no misunderstanding. His (Trist's) instructions were: " The General-in-Chief shall not for the sake of
carrying out this order, do aught to jeopardize the existence of
the Army, or interfere with any movements or operations whatever, which he may deem necessary or expedient for the most
vigorous possible prosecution of the war. The transmision of
the communication above referred to is at all times to be deemed
a secondary consideration to any of those just mentioned; but
it is also to be deemed at all times paramount to everything else,
and so far as may be compatible with them the utmost attention is demanded to it." General Scott could not have drawn
up instructions covering his own views in the case better than
those confided to Mr. Trist.
The Secretary of State, July 13, 1847, wrote to iVir. Trist: " The
documents" (Trist's letters to General Scott and the replies of
the general) " have produced feelings of deep mortification and
disappointment in the President's mind. It is lamentable to
reflect that the restoration of peace may have been defeated or
delayed by a violent and embittered personal quarrel between
two functionaries of the Government in the enemy's country,
and whilst the war is raging; * the greatest pains were taken in
framing your instructions to prevent all possible interference on
your part with the appropriate military duties of General Scott.
It was partly to convince him of this fact that you were
authorized to exhibit these instructions to him, together with
* Page 830, Ex. Doc. No. 6o, H. R., 30th Congress, 1st Session.




ï~~Extracts from Buchanan's Letter.

323

the trojet of the treaty. Your authority, so far as he was
concerned, was limited to the single point of giving him notice
that the contingency had occurred, to wit, the ratification of the
treaty by the Mexican Government," on the happening o
which, as provided by the third article, hostilities are required
to be suspended.
The ratification of such a treaty by Mexico, according to the
spirit of the act of Congress of the 3d of March, 1847, " making further appropriation to bring the existing war with Mexico
to a speedy and honorable conclusion, was to be the signal for
the termination of hostilities." * * * " Under these circumstances, it was with deep regret that the President learned, from
your letter to the General of May 20, that you had undertaken
in his name to become the medium of giving to that officer an
order in advance, to be executed when you should think proper;
again to deliver into his hands my communication to the Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs; and, to enforce obedience to
this order, you declare that, for this special purpose, you stand
in precisely the same relations to the President that one of his
aids bears to himself when entrusted with a verbal order from
him to his subordinate officer. It is a most disagreeable task
thus to criticise your conduct."  * * *  " It was, therefore,
unfortunate that you had not in person delivered to him the
despatches with which you were entrusted, and at the same
time made him fully acquainted with the character and objects
of your mission, as well as with the nature of my communication to the Mexican Minister of Foreign Relations. The President trusts that ere this, in obedience to my instructions of the
14th-of which I now transmit you a duplicate-you have
called upon General Scott and communicated to him the instructions and projet of a treaty with which you have been
entrusted, and that, even if friendly relations have not been
restored, neither you nor he will suffer your personal feud to
defeat or delay the conclusion of a treaty of peace with Mexico."
Before receipt of the above letter Mr. Trist wrote from Puebla,
July 23, 1847, to the State Department: " In my No. 8,* under
date of the 7th instant, I transmitted a copy of a letter addressed
by me to General Scott, under date of June 25, and his reply to
* This dispatch was never received at the State Department. See Ex.
Doc. No. 6o, H. R., 30th Congress, p. 830.




ï~~324     Trist' 8 Letter to the State Department.
the same. This constituted the commencement of our official
intercourse with reference to the duties with which I am charged.
Justice-to say nothing of my own feelings toward a gentleman
and a public servant whose character I now believe that I had
entirely misconceived - demands that I should embrace this
early opportunity to say that his whole conduct in this regard
has been characterized by the purest public spirit and a fidelity
and devotion which could not be surpassed to the views of the
Government in regard to the restoration of peace. This spirit
on his part, as will clearly appear when the details are communicated, has manifested itself, not in a passive way merely-as
might be supposed from the nature of our relative positions and
duties-but in a disposition to assume responsibility, and responsibility of the gravest kind, in utter disregard of consequences to himself. And this disposition, or rather this readiness and fixed determination on his part, although the occasion
which called it forth did not relate to the discharge of his military duties, strictly speaking, has not required any appeal from
me to elicit it, but has manifested itself in the most spontaneous
and patriotic manner. Under these circumstances, it could not
but be a cause of the most serious regret on my part if the correspondence between us that took place shortly after my arrival
in this country should in any way be brought to the notice of
the public; and consequently, if in your judgment consistent
with propriety, it would be highly gratifying to me to be permitted to withdraw it from the files of the Department."
General Scott wrote to the War Department from Puebla,
July 25, 1847: "Although daily in expectation of something of
special interest to communicate, nothing has occurred of that
character save a happy change in my relations, both official and
private, with Mr. Trist since about the 26th ult.; our intercourse
has been frequent and cordial, and I have found him able, discreet, courteous, and amiable. At home it so chanced that we
had but the slightest possible acquaintance with each other.
Hence, more or less reciprocal prejudice, and of the existence of
his feelings toward me I knew by private letters before we met
that at least a part of the Cabinet had full intimation.
" The pronounced misunderstanding between Mr. Trist and
myself would not have occurred but for other circumstances,
his being obliged to send forward your letter of April 14, instead
of delivering it in person, with the explanatory papers which




ï~~Personal Remarks.              2

325

he desired to communicate,' his bad health in May and June,
which, I am happy to say, has now become good,* and the
extreme mystification into which your letter, and particularly
an interlineation, unavoidably threw me. So far as I am concerned I am perfectly willing that all that I have heretofore
written to the Department about Mr. Trist should be suppressed.
I make this declaration as due to my present esteem for that
gentleman, but I ask no favor and desire none at the hands of
the Department."
Notwithstanding the mutual explanations made by General
Scott and Mr. Trist, and willingness on their part that this correspondence, which was mainly personal, and written on the
part of the former under misconceptions for which he was not
responsible, might be withdrawn, it was retained on file in the
department and published.
There was also a private note of General Scott's-known as the
" hasty-plate-of-soup letter "-that appeared in the newspapers
at the time it was written, and caused the party press to vent
much ridicule upon i* author. At the beginning of the war
General Scott spent from fifteen to eighteen hours a day in his
office, and one day when the Secretary called he was reported
absent, but was at the time in his back office taking a plate of
soup brought to him, as he would not take time to go to his
luncheon. On returning to his desk and learning of the Secretary's call, he sent him hurriedly the note in which the above
expression was used, giving the information required and
making suggestions, which were wise and to the point.
Before the Army marched from Vera Cruz a general order
from the Adjutant General's Office reached camp, announcing
promotions and of the numbers, myself to the grade of second
lieutenant in the Seventh U. S. Infantry. I had been assigned,
on leaving the academy, to the Fourth U. S. Infantry as a
brevet second lieutenant.
Although this order was received while the Army was near
Vera Cruz, I was retained with the Fourth Infantry, Garland's
Brigade, Worth's Division, until Puebla was occupied. A few
days after the arrival of Twiggs' Division I was on my written
request relieved from duty with the Fourth Infantry and ordered
to report to Lieut.-Col. Joseph Plympton, commanding the
* Ex. Doc., 6o.




ï~~826

Personal Remarks.

Seventh Infantry, of Riley's Brigade, Twiggs' Division. My
service with the Fourth had been in every respect agreeable, and
I had become much attached to the officers with whom I was
associated, especially those with whom I messed. I had been
made the acting adjutant of the regiment by Colonel Garland
within two or three weeks after joining. Being subsequently
made Governor of Monterey, when General Taylor marched for
Victoria, he was relieved from command of the regiment, and
under a new commander I asked to be relieved from the duty.
After serving with the Seventh Infantry two or three weeks the
adjutant, Lieut. F. N. Page, a graduate of the academy of 1841,
was promoted to the rank of captain in the Adjutant General's
Department. This promotion gave great satisfaction, as all of
his brother officers knew that he deserved it, and that he would
prove efficient, his intelligence, industry, and a conscientious
devotion to duty were an ample guarantee. He was subsequently the author of " Review of General Staff Organizations
of European and American Armies." I was appointed adjutant
of the Seventh Infantry by Colonel Plymaption in Page's place
and accepted, and regarded it as a great good fortune to be associated with Colonel Plympton, who, during my short service as
adjutant, was always kind and considerate, and during the many
years that he subsequently commanded the regiment I learned
to appreciate him more fully, and in common with other officers
to entertain for him sincere respect and affection. Brig. -Gen.
John A. Quitman, U. S. Volunteers, was promoted to major
general April 14, 1847, and the order announcing it reached
Puebla the latter part of June. Being entitled to an additional
aide-de-camp, he offered me the position and requested me to
join his Staff; I was disposed to remain with my regiment, believing that to be the proper place, especially while engaged in
war. I showed General Quitman's note, however, to Colonel
Plympton and requested his advice, and he, urging me to accept,
as the new position would give me a wider field of observation,
I did so. General Quitman was a lawyer by profession; had
been Chancellor of his State (Mississippi); was a scholarly, cultivated man, being an easy, graceful writer; was of high social
position, and had great political influence; had distinguished
himself at the battle of Monterey, in the storming and capture
of the Teneria, and received therefor a sword presented by act
of Congress. He was also a planter, owning cotton and sugar




ï~~lNinty Days' Sojourn in Puebla.

327

plantations, the former in Mississippi, the latter in Louisiana,
from which he derived good incomes. He was charming in his
intercourse with those near him, and not only made friends, but
attached them strongly. He bore the expenses of his headquarters in the matter of servants, horses, and the mess, and
being a second lieuienant of infantry at that time, with nine of
that grade above me, and receiving only $65 per month pay,
these latter points are gratefully remembered.
During the period of inactivity of his army, enforced by deficiency in numbers, General Scott could not have been more
fortunate in its location. Puebla and the surrounding country
were famous for beauty of scenery, for incomparable climate,
and for great social advantages. There was much sickness
among the troops, due to causes independent of locality and
climate. There were daily military exercises in all branches
of the service, including evolutions of the line for the infantry.
Just beyond the limits of the city, on the Tlascala road, was a
broad, level plain, upon which an army of a hundred thousand
men could have manceuvered, and on which there were daily
drills. Rising up from this plain were Malinche, Popocatepetl,
and Ixtacihuatl. Off in the direction of the last two Snow
Mountains, and looming up over the same plain, could be seen
the dome and spire of the church upon the summit of the pyramid of Cholula, near whose base is a miserable hamlet, all that
remains of what was once the largeqt, most famous, and prosperous city of the Aztec empire. Their Rome or Mecca, it was
the annual resort of priests and pilgrims from all parts of the
empire, who came hundreds of leagues, and, being on foot, consumed a large portion of the year in the journey. During this
concourse there was a grand feast at which the priests ate and
blessed bread regarded as sacred, being the body, as they
affirmed, of the incorporeal God.* There were also theatrical
representations, amusing farces, etc., the festivities closing with
a grand masquerade ball. History tells us with what savage
ferocity the. inhabitants of this interesting city were treated
by Cortez while accepting their hospitality, and how, without
cause, he fell upon them suddenly, butchered thousands of men,
women, and children, and destroyed the sacred city. Many
* Pjmentel. Memoria sobre las causas que han originado la situacion
actual de la raza indigena de Mexico y 11edios de remediarla.




ï~~328

avata    Operations.

excursions, often entire regiments (men and officers), visited
Cholula during the three months the Army remained in Puebla
and examined the scene hallowed by such interesting associations.
When not on duty there was much to amuse and interest
while strolling about the city-the picturesque costumes seen
on the streets, the rebosos of the women, serapes of the men, the
hats and antiquated garments worn by the priests, the horse
equipments and riding habits, the blankets of the leperos and
aguadores.
Most of the army being Protestants, and never in a distinctly
Roman Catholic country before, and Puebla being pre-eminently
the city of churches, they were naturally much interested in the
religious ceremonies and processions daily seen in them, especially in witnessing the celebration of high mass in the cathedral, a superb building, whose massive walls covered nearly a
square, and whose high domes and steeples, towering above all
other buildings, were seen for miles over the plain in every
direction. Enormous bells, whose deep, sonorous notes were
heard far away, were suspended in its cupolas, and during the
hours of the silent night marked with solemn tones the flight
of time.
While the Army was en route from Vera Cruz to the interior of
Mexico, Commodore Perry ordered the Albany, the John Adams,
and the Germantown, the bomb vessels Vesuvius, Etna, and
Hecla, to Lobos Island preparatory to an attack upon Tuspan,
and sailed, April 12, from Sacrificios on the ilississippi, having
in tow the steamers Spitfire, Vixen, Scourge, and the gunboats
Bonito, Petrel, Reefer, with a detachment of three hundred officers, seamen, and marines, from the line of battleship Ohio; also
the Raritan, with one hundred and eighty seamen and marines
from the Potomac, added to her own complement. These
various vessels anchored near Lobos, found the other vessels
previously ordered already in position, and were joined by the
Decatur.
The fleet sailed for the anchorage under the reef at Tuspan,
the 15th, but was blown asunder by a norther during the night to
be united again on the morning of the 17th, spent in sounding
and buoying the channel of the bar, lightening the small vessels, and in other preparations for ascending the river.
The bar at the mouth of the Tuspan river was crossed early
on the i8th by the steamers, gunboats, and some thirty barges




ï~~The Capture of Tuspan.

filled with detachments from the different vessels anchored
outside, having with them four guns. After crossing the bar
Commodore Perry hoisted his flag on the steamer Spiftire and
advanced up the river, the gunboats and barges being in tow
until within range of the Mexican batteries. The guns on the
Spiftire drove the enemy from his defensive works while tile
other vessels landed at points favorable for assaulting the forts,
or attacking the town.
On the right bank, one or two miles below Tuspan, upon a
commanding bluff sixty feet high, was a battery known as La
Pefia, which the men, led by their officers, charged boldly.
After several discharges from the 32-pounder carronades and one
9-pounder, the enemy abandoned the battery, the 32-pounders
were captured and brought off, and the 9-pounder disabled.
A water battery, known as La Palmasola, in which in embrasure
were two long 18-pounder iron guns, was next attacked and
captured. The boats then crossed over the left bank and drove
the enemy from a fort called the Hospital, situated upon a
steep eminence near the centre of the town and in which was
one 32-pounder. * The Mexicans were pursued through the
town into the chapparal and the forts destroyed. The captured 32-pounders were the guns of the Truxton, run aground
on the coast, and taken by the Mexicans when in this helpless
condition.
The dispositions by the enemy for the defense of Tuspan
were judicious. General Cos commanded and had, as shown
by his order book, about six hundred and fifty men. Loss
sustained by Perry was fourteen, two killed and twelve
wounded; of the latter were Commander Tatnall, of the Spitfire; Flag-Lieutenant James L. Parker, of the Mississifi, severely; Lieutenant Whittle, of the Ohio, slightly. The Albany
and Reefer were left off Tuspan, the Hecla ordered to Soto de
la Marina, the Etna to Tabasco, the Vesuvius and Porfoise to
Laguna, the Germantown to cruise along the coast north of
Lobos. The commodore with the remaining vessels returned
and anchored at Anton Lizardo.
After the battle of Cerro Gordo the advance division of the
Army continued the march as far as Puebla, and was there
joined by the remaining forces under Scott. Active operations
* Tuspan was captured the day Santa Anna was defeated at Cerro Gordo.




ï~~330

Laguna and 2Wanatitlan.

were then suspended until reinforcements arrived from the
United States, but it was different with the naval forces.
The next expedition undertaken by Commodore Perry was
to the east, along the coast to the mouth of the Goazacoalcos.
Sailing for Laguna, he touched off the bar at the mouth of the
river May 12, and was there joined by the John Adams, Decatur,
and Stromboli. At this point he discovered a well-constructed
but abandoned fort, with twelve guns; disabled the pieces,
burned their carriages, and blew up the fort. The Scorfion
and Vixen, under Commander Bigelow, with Commanders
Adams and Mackenzie, sailed up the river twenty-four miles
the next day and made a reconnoisance as far as Manatitlan.
Commander Walker was left with the Stromboli in the river and
the commodore sailed in command of 'the John Adams, Decatur,
Scorpion, and Vixen for the Tabasco river, off the bar of which
he anchored on the 14th; remained there a few hours, and leaving the Vixen to aid in towing the launches up the river to
fresh water, sailed on eastward to Laguna, where he arrived and
landed with a small force on the 15th, to be joined by the
Vesuvius, Porfoise, and Washington. Having taken possession of the town and island of Carmen, he remained there two
days, sailed on the z8th on his return voyage, and anchored
that evening off Tabasco, where he found the Raritan, Albany,
John Adams, Decatur, Germantown, and Bonito, and anchored
inside the bar were the Etna, Vixen, and the revenge steamer
McLane. He landed here, occupied Frontera, and made Captain Brunt civil and military governor, opened the port, and
assigned to Brunt's command the Bonito and an armed barge
to watch the mouth of the San Pedro and Chiltepec rivers, and
of other small streams emptying into the Tabasco.
Having no authentic information from Yucatan, he directed
Capt. S. L. Breese and Commander A. S. Mackenzie to sail in
the Albany for Campeachy to be joined at Laguna by the Washington. Giving orders for the Raritan, John Adams, Decatur,
and Germantown to complete their supply of water and then
return to Anton Lizardo, he sailed by way of Goazacoalcos, and
up it on the 2ist as far as Manatitlan, of which he took formal
possession and received the surrender of the neighboring and
more inland towns of Cosaleaque and San Cristobal of Ishautlan. He descended, passed out of the river, and sailed, for Vera
Cruz, intending to return and attack Tabasco.




ï~~Ztke Town of Tabasco.

331

Commodore Perry sailed from Anton Lizardo and anchored
off the bar of the Tabasco river the 13th of June, having with
him the following vessels: The Mississipi, Albany, Raritan,
John Adams, Decatur, Germantown, Stromboli, Vesuvius,
Washington, and the steamers Scorpion, Spitfre, Scourge, and
Vixen; the Etna and Bonito were to remain in the river near its
mouth. He crossed the bar with the flotilla on the 14th; the
barges and surf-boats had seven pieces of artillery and heavy
details of officers, seamen, and marines from the vessels at
anchor outside, and a strong detachment from the Potomac of
seamen and marines; all were then towed by the steamers across
the bar, and taking the vessels at Frontera the entire force
formed in line and sailed up the river. The Scorpion, with the
broad pennant of the commodore flying, led, and had in tow the
Vesuvius and Washington, the boats of the Mississippi and the
John Adams; the Spitfire was second, with the Stromboli and
Bonito in tow, and the boats of the Albany; next the Scourge,
with the American merchant schooner Spitfire, having on board
Capt. G. W. Taylor, with his sub-marine apparatus; in rear
was the Vixen, with the Etna in tow, and the boats of the
Raritan, Decatur, and Germantown.
The town of Tabasco, situated upon the river of the same
name, was about one hundred miles from the sea. The river
was narrow, tortuous, with a rapid current, was known to have
artificial obstructions, and at different points along its banks
were earth-works believed to be held by comparatively heavy
forces. The expedition was regarded as one of extreme peril.
The following morning, when within thirty miles of Tabasco,
and while the vessels were ascending the river slowly, knowing
the enemy to be in several fortified positions concealed from
view by the dense chapparal, the leading vessel was fired upon.
This fire was instantly returned by the marines and artillery,
heavy guns, and was soon silenced. The boats continuing the
ascent were again under fire from a second intrenched position
known as Colmina, and held by one hundred and fifty men under
Col. Miguel Bruns; the hostile fire was returned as in the first
case, and with like results. One seaman of the Vesuvius was
severely wounded; Lieut. William May, of the Mississippi, severely, and two seamen slightly. It was believed the Mexicans
had quite a number killed and wounded at this place.




ï~~882            Colmina and Acackapan.
Over a mile above Colmina was the main work of the enemy,
Acachapan, commanding the approach by land for a considers
ble distance and that by the river for near two miles. It was
reported that three hundred infantry and a like number of
irregular '.valry, all commanded by Col. Claro Hidalgo, held
this place. The two positions occupied below, and from which
the Mexicans dad been driven, were held by troops detached
from Acachapan. In October, 1846, the river had been ascended
to within range of this work, in which at the time were three
heavy guns; considerable firing ensued, and the boats withdrew.
The commodore, not knowing if the steamers could pass, without detention, the obstructions known to be in the river near
this point, and anxious to reach and attack this main position,
ordered the different commanders to make every effort to push
up the river, and determined to disembark and take command
in person of the infantry and artillery. A place known as
the " Seven Palm Trees " was selected as the most favorable for
landing. The barges and the surf-boats, filled with men, were
formed in line opposite this point, the shore in the meantime
being raked by the guns of the flotilla. The needful preparations having been made, the commodore in his own, accompanied by his adjutant, Captain Mayo, in a second boat, gave the
order to " forward, " and taking the lead, the whole command
giving three cheers, pulled for the shore, landed and formed in
column under the orders of Captain Mayo. In ten minutes this
force, consisting of ten guns and eleven hundred men, were on
shore, formed in good order, and had pulled by hand the artillery up the bank, twenty-five feet high and almost perpendicular.
As the command moved forward it was fired upon by infantry
in Acachapan; the artillery responded and the enemy was forced
to retire, but carried off two guns, posted subsequently in Fort
Iturbide, near the town of Tabasco. A few killed and wounded
were found in the abandoned works. The advance beyond this
was retarded by the high grass and occasional chapparal; the
men suffered much from the heat, which was excessive, and
especially severe on the men hauling the guns by hand. Outposts of the enemy were driven in by artillery fire and found
shelter in Fort Independencia. The vessels had in the meantime
passed the obstructions, and steaming up, this work which had
been held by Colonel Nicholas Oropesa with one hundred and
fifty men was abandoned. Four or five hundred yards above,




ï~~Perry' s Loss.

333

across the road, was a deep ditch covered by abatis, and a quarter
of a mile beyond this and one mile below the town was Fort
Iturbide, surrounded by a ditch six feet deep. In this work
were two 26-pounders in embrasure and 28-pounders also in embrasure. One I8 and one 9-pounder were found dismounted.
Fort Iturbide was evacuated under the fire of the steamers, being
commanded at the time by General Domingo Echegaray, under
whom were Colonels Alexander Garcia and Miguel Bruns with
four hundred artillerymen and infantry.
Perry's loss was nine wounded; of the number was Passed
Midshipman W. H. Hudson, of the Scorfion.    Three 28 -pounders, two brass 6-pounders, and one iron 9-pounder were
brought off; five hundred and fifty-four muskets and musketbarrels and a good deal of infantry and other military stores
and equipments were captured and destroyed.
About 4 p. m. Commodore Perry took possession of Tabasco
and occupied the public quarters with his troops. It had been
a laborious and fatiguing march of nine miles, much of it through
high grass, the heat severe, and under it some of the men, mostly
among the artillery who had to drag the guns by hand, had
fallen from exhaustion.
Penetrating the interior of a hostile country by means of narrow and crooked streams with strong currents, and water the
depth of which only permits the use of light draft boats, is an
operation known to all to be difficult and dangerous.
The expedition was crowned with success, being skillfully
ordered and judiciously conducted. There was much enthusiasm
among the officers and men, and a brilliant display of courage
when under fire, whether on the steamers, the launches, while
landing, or on the march to the assault of fortified places believed to be well manned.
All contraband of war having been secured and destroyed, a
few of the captured guns transferred to the flotilla, the fortifications about the town razed and the powder magazine blown
up, the commodore on the 22d retired down the river to its
mouth, leaving the city to be held by the Scorpion, sixty men,
the Etna, sixty-five men, the Spi/fre, sixty, the Scourge, sixty,
and one hundred and fifteen marines with sixty additional seamen as artillerists, an aggregate of four hundred and twenty




ï~~334

Capture of Tabasco.

officers and men, both well armed and well drilled.* The citizens en masse left the town, few, save foreigners, remaining.
The men were sent on shore daily to be drilled, the town
during the night being held by a weak force in the plaza.
Lieut. D. D. Porter, with a small party from the Spitfire, drilled
as usual on the 25th, and the exercises being over, marched
through several streets of the city and discovered that in several
directions there were facilities for approaching the plaza, and
for firing under cover upon those occupying it; the sentry had
been fired upon the preceding night. He continued to the
suburbs and sent several of his men a short distance beyond,
who, being fired upon by a picket force of the enemy, rejoined
Porter; while countermarching, his rear being attacked, he
halted, faced about, and engaged the Mexicans; was soon reinforced by a small party and succeeded in driving them off. The
town, as the Mexicans knew, was at the mercy of the boats anchored in the river near by, and could be battered down and
burnt easily.
Perry ordered the Scorpion, Commander Bigelow, from Frontera to Tabasco, where it arrived in nine hours, at i a. m. of
the 27th. Captain Van Brunt reported the slight affairs that had
occurred, and the rumor that General Echagary was at Tamulza, within three miles of the town. The Scourge was
ordered to move up the river, to cut off the enemy's retreat,
whilst he (Bigelow) proceeded by land with one hundred and
fifty men and one gun. The arrival of the steamer Vixen with
reinforcements enabled Bigelow to increase his land force to
two hundred and forty men and two guns The Vixen then
joined the Scourge.
Arrangements being promptly made, the expedition set out
at 7 a. in., the 3oth, and when within a quarter of a mile of the
village, the land forces were fired upon from thickets on the
right and left of the road and returned the fire, several shots being discharged by the two guns. The Mexicans disappeared,
leaving two of their number dead in the edge of the bushes,
and a few arms were found in the town church.
The steamers for the want of good pilots got aground several
times, and arrived at Tamulza after the land forces had marched
* The reports of Commodore Perry have been consulted, as well as those
of subaltern officers.




ï~~Army and Navy Occupy the Gulf Coast.         335
on their return to Tabasco. In this affair two American swere
killed and two wounded. With the capture of Tabasco, the
Gulf coast of Mexico became entirely closed to commerce, save
as authorized by the United States; no port remained occupied,
not closely guarded by vessels of war, and with the occupation
of Mazatlan, November i i, there remained to Mexico only the
seaport of Acapulco on the Pacific. On the Gulf, Tampico and
Vera Cruz were held by land troops; Tuspan, Anton Lizardo,
Alvarado, Goazacoalcos, Frontera, and Laguna by the naval
forces.
There was much sickness in the fleet during July and August. Commodore Perry was ordered July 20th (received August 16th), to send a vessel to assist in the defense of Tampico.
To this he replied, after citing the activity and number of the
guerrillas: " So far from its being advisable to detach any part
of my small force to assist the garrisons of the Army, I have not
enough to hold, without extraordinary efforts, all the places at
which custom-houses have been established, and where there
are no garrisons, and no other means of defense against the
enemy than two or three poorly-armed and half-manned small
vessels." He continues: " Nothing can exceed the zeal and spirit
which animates the officers and men of the vessels, but it will be
impossible that the health and strength of those who have escaped sickness can hold out against this extraordinary wear
and tear, unless they are occasionally relieved. Most of the
vessels of the squadron are short of their complement of men
and officers. In taking possession of these places, and establishing custom-houses under the regulation of the war tariff, I
took it for granted that I should be furnished with the means
of permanently holding them, and of protecting those int-rests
which have been compromised by our acts. The withdrawal of
this protection for want of adequate means would reflect great
discredit on the United States, and throw many worthy persons
depending upon our good faith into imminent peril of life and
fortune."
July 8th.-General Pillow, with one thousand men of the
new ten regiments, seven hundred volunteers under General
Cadwalader, eight hundred recruits for the old regular Army,
under Colonel McIntosh, and the garrison from Jalapa and part
of that from Perote, arrived in Puebla. Colonel McIntosh had
started from Vera Cruz with his recruits, escorting a large




ï~~336

Lack of Funds Seriously Felt.

train of supplies, before the other troops named had arrived.
He was much annoyed and delayed on the march by repeated attacks * of the enemy, who captured some of his
wagons and killed and wounded forty or fifty of his men. Soon
after this Colonel McIntosh was joined by forces that had arrived
in Vera Cruz after his departure, and these and the whole command reached Puebla together.
Learning that Brigadier-General Pierce had arrived June 28
in Vera Cruz, and would probably leave July the 3d, General
Scott resolved to await his arrival, confidently expected about
the 17th. Preparations for the advance upon the city of Mexico
were actively pressed to completion, but General Scott on the
16th heard with great disappointment that General Pierce had
been delayed in Vera Cruz for want of transportation, and
could not leave that place before the 16th.
Scott needed the men and also the money Pierce was to bring.
The chief commissary of the Army had not received a dollar from
the United States since the landing of the Army near Vera Cruz,
March 9, he had been compelled to purchase on credit under
great disadvantages, and owed then, July 25, a considerable
sum. The chief quartermaster labored under like inconveniences. He had received only about $6o,ooo. These two
chiefs of the staff had sold drafts to small amounts and had borrowed from the pay department, which had received only
half of what had been estimated for. Four months' pay was
then overdue to the troops. Under these circumstances General Scott determined to await the arrival of the forces and
supplies from Vera Cruz, under command of Brigadier-General
Franklin Pierce.
Over one thousand Mexican men and women were employed
at the time in making shoes and pantaloons for the Army.
Overcoats and blankets were much needed. The new troops
had been told they would find clothing in New Orleans; next
that it would be issued at Vera Cruz, and finally that they
would find it at Puebla. Thus they reached the front as destitute as those that had been in the field from the beginning of
hostilities.
* The chiefs of guerrillas, mostly infesting the hot woods near the coast,
were Manuel Garcia, Jose Maria Garcia, Aburto, Mendoza, Salcedo, and
Robolledo; the latter, according to Mexican history. excelled in valor,
moderation, and for his humane and generous character.




ï~~Number of Scott's Army.

337

As far back as the 28th of February General Scott had written
to General Brooke in New Orleans to direct the quartermaster
at that place to send large supplies of clothing to his Army in
Mexico. The latter replied, March 16: "The quarter-master
at New Orleans had neither clothing nor shoes, and he was
fearful, unless they had been sent out direct to his army, he
would be much disappointed."
Before the arrival of General Pillow the army at Puebla
numbered for duty 5,820. The number of sick was 1,017,
aggregating 6,837. With the addition of General Pillow's
command the total for duty was 8,o6i, the sick, 2,215; aggregate, 10,276. General Pierce arrived August 6 with his brigade
of 2,500. This increased the aggregate to 12,776, of which
number 2,500 were sick and 600 were convalescent, too feeble
for an ordinary day's duty. These convalescents, with an
equal number of effectives, remained under Colonel Childs to
garrison Puebla, leaving 10,300 for the movement on the capital.
The Mexican army organized to resist the American approach
was supposed by General Scott to number-good, bad, and indifferent-near 30,000. In advancing upon the City of Mexico
Scott had to sever temporarily connection with Vera Cruz, and,
to use his own words, " the scabbard was thrown away, and
we advanced with the naked blade."




ï~~CHAPTER XV.
THE MARCH   ROM PUEBILA TO THE VALLEY OF MEXICO.SANTA ANNA IN THE NATIONAL CAPITAL.
All doubts and suspense were terminated on August 6th by
orders announcing the advance from Puebla upon the City of
Mexico, Twiggs'* division, preceded by Harney's cavalry,
leading on the 7th, followed by Quitman on the 8th, then
Worth, while Pillow brought up the rear on the roth.
Before dawn on the 7th the rumbling of wagons and artillery on the cobble stone pavements, the heavy, measured
tramp of infantry, and the sharp clattering of iron-hoofed
cavalry indicated that Twiggs' command, which had become
known as the " Cerro Gordo division," was in motion. The
various detachments were converging upon the Grand Plaza,
the point of rendezvous, at daylight staff officers and mounted
orderlies were seen galloping about in many directions, and
soon the troops entered the plaza and formed in the order of
march.
The balconies fronting the Grand Plaza were even at that
early hour thronged with citizens, many ladies, bright and beautiful, being of the number. About sunrise General Twiggs,
attended by his Staff, rode into the plaza. All seemed to see
him at the same instant, and a simultaneous loud huzza from
every man in the division greeted him. Raising his hat in
*Twiggs' division, two brigades-first, Bvt.-Brig.-Gen. P. F. Smith,
Rifle Regiment, First Artillery, serving as infantry, Third Infantry,
and Taylor's battery; second brigade, Col. Bennet Riley's brigade,
Fourth Artillery, serving as infantry, First and Seventh Regiments
of Infantry.




ï~~"Forward'" to the City of Mexico.

339

recognition of the greeting, he in a deep, strong voice called
out, " Now a regular Cerro Gordo shout," and it came with
an earnest enthusiasm, shared by the outside troops, and all
assembled to witness the commencement of a movement which
the whole army believed was destined to conquer peace.
Pointing down the street leading out of the Garita towards
the City of Mexico, Twiggs gave the command " Forward;"
his division, with drums beating and banners flying, left the
pl za, and in a little time had passed the city limits. It was
a thrilling spectacle, of serious and intense interest, being regarded as the beginning of an enterprise that admitted of no
failure, either victory or a soldier's grave; in success, safety;
in defeat, annihilation.
The advance having begun, all eyes and thoughts were
turned towards the enemy's capital. No one looked back
towards Orizaba, but forward upon Popocatepetl and Ixtacihuatl. Three days' march, and Popocatepetl, seen daily for
five months, since the army came sailing south along the
coast to Vera Cruz, was lost to view as the leading division
descended the mountain slope towards the valley.
Worth's division was the first to land at Vera Cruz; Twiggs
led off from that place to Jalapa; Worth from the latter to
Puebla, and Twiggs was now again in the advance. It was
the rule with General Scott that one of the only two regular
divisions should always be in front. The engineer company
headed the column.*
Quitman's, known as the volunteer division, and composed
of Shields' brigade of two regiments-the New York and
South Carolina volunteers-and Lieut.-Col. S. E. Watson's
brigade, t in which were the Second Pennsylvania volunteers,
and a detachment of United States marines, moved on the
morning of the 8th. The battery of Colonel Steptoe and the
heavy or siege battery, under Captain Huger, of the ordnance, accompanied this division, and a company of the Third
Dragoons (Captain Gaither) escorted division headquarters.
Worth, whose division consisted of Garland's brigade, composed of the Second and Third Artillery regiments serving as
* There was but one company of engineer soldiers in the United
States army.
f This officer was of the United States Marine Corps.




ï~~340

The.March of Quitman' s Division.

infantry, the Fourth Infantry, Duncan's battery, and Clarke's
brigade, made up of the Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth regiments
(infantry), moved from Puebla about sunrise on the 9th.
Pillow'st division, the last to leave Puebla, marched on the
ioth. Colonel Childs, with a small, effective garrison and
the invalids, remained in command. General Scott left on
the 8th, overtook Twigg's division at San Martin that night,
and remained with it until the whole army reached the Valley
of Mexico.
The divisions in succession made the same distances and
encamped at the same places; first night at Rio Prieto; second,
at San Martin; third at Rio Frio; fourth, descended into the
valley, halting at different points-Twiggs' at Ayotla, Quitman at the hacienda of Buena Vista (five miles in rear),
Worth at Chalco (two or three miles to the left of the road),
and Pillow at Chimalpa (a mile or two beyond Chalco).
The march of Quitman's division will be referred to in detail, it being the same as that of the leading and two following
divisions. The first day's march terminated at Rio Prieto
(map 8), nine miles from Puebla, and so called from its blackish and indifferent water. A pretty and fertile valley extended far to the front, having Malinche off to the right and
the two well-known, lofty, and often-referred-to snow mountains on the left. Halting the second night at San Martin,
after a march of twelve or fourteen miles, the troops were
early on the road, which was more ascending; five or six
miles beyond San Martin, cultivated fields disappeared and
chapparal bordered the sides. After several miles, the road
crossed a stream having a deep bed, with a rapid current and
spanned by a massive stone bridge, called Puente Tesmolucan.
The head of the column had passed a mile beyond the
bridge when the sound of musketry was heard in rear. A
halt was ordered, and in a few minutes a soldier galloping to
the front reported that the rear guard had been fired upon.
An aid, Lieutenant Lovell, was sent back, and returning ret Consisting of the brigades of Generals Pierce and Cadwalader; in
the former were the Ninth, Twelfth, and Fifteenth regiments of infantry; in the latter the Voltigeur regiment, the Eleventh and Fourteenth Infantry, and Magruder's battery.




ï~~The Descent Into the Valley.

341

ported that two of the small mounted rear guard had been
wounded, one mortally, by a hostile party concealed in the
chapparal. The march was resumed, and continued to Rio
Frio, where the division bivouacked near 5 p. m. Before
sundown it began to rain, and the troops suffered much from
the cold, although there was an abundance of good wood.
This camp was the highest in elevation between the coast
and the Mexican capital, and the march, probably twenty
miles, the longest. Quitman was on the march early on the
i ith, and a mile beyond the Rio Frio (a small mountain
stream) there was a steep rise in the road, made slippery by
the rain of the previous night. There was some little delay
here, it being necessary to double teams and make details of
men to aid the siege train up the hill.
Beyond this point the road wound to the right and left
with an ascending grade, the air was cool and bracing, the
men in excellent spirits and much excited, knowing they
would soon cross the highest point, be on the western or
Pacific slope, and in view of the far-famed valley. The
pines were neither so large nor so tall as those passed on
lower elevations; the fleecy clouds were not far above our
heads; through them the valley was seen but dimly, and the
mountains rising up beyond inclosed what for the moment
seemed to be a vast lake.
As the march continued, the clouds broke and the mists
and fogs lifted, revealing to full view the portion of the valley in our immediate front. Being in the rainy season all
was fresh and green; far in front and down below could be
seen haciendas with picturesque enclosures and cosy hamlets,
the steeples and domes of churches of Chalco, on Lake Chalco,
whose smooth waters stretching far beyond, were hemmed in
on the left by the mountains, and skirted by olive groves concealing straggling villages.
On arriving on the loth at the hacienda of Buena Vista,
near the base of the western slope of the mountains, the
enemy was first seen, appearing in considerable force about
a mile in front. Major Sumner was ordered by Colonel Harney to charge them with one squadron, and moved at a rapid
pace, the remainder of the cavalry following as a support.
The enemy retreating hurriedly, were not overtaken, though
Sumner pursued them a mile and a half.




ï~~342 The Guns ofE91 Pefion Confront Scott's Army.
The army having, without serious resistance, descended
into the valley, and halted within a few days' march of the
National Capital, a brief reference will be made to the former and to the latter.
The valley, surrounded by mountains, is over 7,500 feet
above sea level, elliptical in outline, the longest diameter being eighteen, the shortest twelve and a half Spanish leagues
in length; its surface nearly level, with a slight declivity
toward Lake Texcoco, northeast of the capital. In this
valley, remarkable for fertility and abounding in fine corn,
wheat, and other cereals and fruits, are five lakes; San
Christobal and Zumpango being the smallest, and lying in
the northern direction, Texcoco, the largest, in the eastern,
Chalco in the southeast, and Xochimilco in the south, a little
east of south. It has occurred at long intervals that these
lakes filled during the rainy season, and swollen by floods
shed from the surrounding mountains, have overflowed, their
waters inundating even the capital itself; and even when this
does not happen, there is always, during the winter months,
a large portion of the valley submerged, rendering high
causeways, bordered by deep ditches, indispensable to approach the city.
The capital is solidly and compactly built, with streets at
right angles. Without. the engineer's aid, it is susceptible of
a good defense, as the force acting on the offensive is compelled to enter it over these causeways, seven in number;
but when strengthened by the engineer's art, it becomes a
formidable place, requiring both skill and courage as well as
force to operate against it successfully.
As Scott's army approached from the east, it was confronted
by Penion, an immense hill of volcanic lava (map io), seven
miles from the Garita* de Lazaro. Over 300 feet high, well
fortified, and with thirty guns in position, it commanded all
the approaches to the causeway directly at its base; there was
a battery some six or eight hundred yards in front of it on
the road, and one similarly situated a like distance beyond on
the side next the city. The waters of Texcoco reached the
* A Garita is a covered post at the entrance to the city by the
causeway, where duties are collected, passports examined, and it is
always occupied by one or more sentries.




ï~~o,
It U 9k.
_;A'  (r
1I pr a I




ï~~I




ï~~The Causeways Leading to the City.

343

causeway on the north side, and on the south the surface was
inundated. To the north were rugged hills, lying between
the main highway leading to the capital and Texcoco; near
the latter, between it and the town of Guadalupe, were fortifications from which a causeway three miles long led to the
Peralvillo Garita. The approaches in this direction were not
reconnoitered, the route being regarded with little favor.
South and west of Pefion was Mexicalcingo, a village on the
canal, running through the city and connecting lakes Xochimilco and Texcoco.
The road to Mexicalcingo, which was well fortified, runs
on a levee made by the Aztecs, leaves the main highway
several miles east of Penion, and a mile beyond, passing
through the San Antonio Garita, intersects the main southern
road from the capital to Acapulco, on the Pacific Ocean.
About two miles in rear or east of Ayotla, a road leaves the
main highway, passing through Chalco and other smaller
places on the lake of that name, and skirting the southern
shore of Lake Xochimilco, continues on west until it intersects the Acapulco road at San Augustin, twelve miles from
the capital. The road from San Augustin to the City of
Mexico was high and broad, bordered by deep ditches, filled
with water, and three miles in advance was fortified at San
Antonio. At the Rio Churubusco and beyond, as the citythree miles distant-is approached, ditches and marshy flats
alternate.
West of the San Augustin road, which enters the city
through the San Antonio Garita, are two roads parallel with
it, one entering the city through the Ninio Perdido Garita,
the other by way of Piedad, at the Belen Gate; crossing these
roads were ditches, and a line of works extended from the
San Antonio to the Niflo Perdido on the west and to the
Candelaria Gate on the east. West of Piedad is Tacubaya,
three miles from the city, and eight hundred or a thousand
yards in front or east of this is Chapultepec, which, rising up
over oo feet above the plain, was well fortified, and regarded
by the Mexicans as the key to the capital. It commands access to two causeways leading into the city, one (and the
shorter) through the Belen Gate, near which is the Citadel, a
four-sided bastion work, with flooded ditches; the other




ï~~344      Energy Displayed by Sanac Anna.
through the San Cosme Garita; both gates were fortified, as
were also the roads connecting them with Chapultepec. The
Mexican capital, founded, as supposed by the Aztecs, August
I8, 1327, had at the time of the conquest by Cortez a population of 300,000, but in 1847 it was estimated to be 200,000,
considerably augmented by the dwellers in the neighboring
towns, villages, and haciendas.
We have previously mentioned the fact that the energetic,
and in some respects, able commander of the Mexican army,
on the fourth day after his defeat at Cerro Gordo wrote from
Orizaba to General Anaya, the ad interim President, announcing his determination and ability to organize an army equal
to the one with which he had confronted Scott on April x8th,
and urged him to take proper measures for the public safety,
first of all for the defense of the National Capital.
Upon receipt of this letter General Anaya inaugurated immediately strenuous efforts to recruit more troops and to raise
means to obtain supplies, there being little or no money under his control, and he was thus engaged when Santa Anna
arrived. On his entrance in the city with the debris of the
Cerro Gordo army, the whole aspect of affairs changed;
symptoms of a revolution then brewing were dispelled, followed by an immediate display of great zeal and activity.
The fact was painfully evident that a proper defense of the
capital called for a large force, many positions and long lines
were to be fortified and strengthened, to accomplish which required not only meti and guns, but time and money; of the
former there was none to spare, of the latter still less, and
that to be obtained only by forced contributions.
Gen. Nicholas Bravo, a division commander, was appointed
General-in-Chief of the Army of the East, with Gen. Manuel
Rincon second in command; Gen. Don Gabriel Valencia to
command the Army of the North, with Gen. Don Gabriel
Salas as second.
The Mexican Government, confident that it was impossible for General Taylor to penetrate the interior of the country by the San Luis Potosi route, directed the Division of the
North, as it was called, to march to the capital, leaving San
Luis the 9th, ioth, and Ixith of July. By rapid marching
it reached the valley, was reunited on the 26th, at Cuauh



ï~~Valencia Calls Upon Santa Anna.         845
titian within twenty-eight miles of the city, and was subdivided
into three commands, the First under General Mejia, composed
of the Fijo of Mexico, the Actives of San Luis Potosi, the Seventh Cavalry, and the Cavalry of San Luis Potosi; the Second under General Parrodi, consisting of the Actives, Tenth
and Eleventh Infantry, the Guarda Costa of Tampico, Queretaro, Celaya, Guanajuato, and the Auxiliaries of Celaya; the
Third under General Salas, who, although second in rank,
had requested this command, which was composed of the engineer regiment, the mixed battalion of Santa Anna, the Actives of Aguas Calientes, the Second, Third, Eighth, and
Guanajuato cavalry regiments, and seven pieces of light artillery. Most of the artillery remained at San Luis Potosi,
for want of draft mules, several days after the infantry and
cavalry, but rejoined at Cuauhtitlan.
On the 27th General Valencia, accompanied by his Staff,
called upon President Santa Anna, in the National Palace,
was courteously and cordially received,* and they discussed
freely the dangers threatening the country and their obliga
tions to save it at any price.
Valencia called attention to the extreme destitution of his
troops, their great need of clothing, etc., and gave freely his
views on the plan of campaign, which differed widely from
the President's, who, instructed possibly by experience, was
for a defensive resistance, and to this end had ordered intrenchments to' be made north of the capital, at that time the
weakest point, while Valencia, confident and relying upon
the valor of his troops, advocated the offensive and wished to
attack the Americans on the march from Puebla. There were
several conferences resulting in the adoption of Santa Anna's
views.
Valencia's command was marched to Guadalupe, and orders
given for Zacualco, a short distance from that place, to be
fortified. Reconnoissances were made on the roads leading
to Texcoco, San Christobal, and the mountains of the Chiquihuiti, to Zumpango, Tepozatlan, and in many other direc* Santa Anna had relieved Valencia the winter before, while he
commanded at the Tula Pass in the State of Tamaulipas, for fear he
might by some rash act compromise the coming campaign which terminated at Buena Vista.




ï~~846

Patriotic Address by Sata Anna.

tions, to obtain information required to enable them to adopt
the best plan possible to resist and defeat the Americans in
case they advanced on the capital by the Piedras Negras
route.
August 8th Santa Anna reviewed the Army of the North,
and Valencia, attended by his Staff, rode forward on the
causeway to the Garita Peralvillo to receive him as he advanced, attended by a brilliant Staff and a numerous escort,
whose richness and splendor were in marked contrast with
the plain and much worn attire of the veterans of the North.
After Mass was celebrated in the Church of Nuestra Sefora
de Guadalupe both generals rode along the lines, military
bands and salvos of artillery sounded through the air, enthusiasm inspired by confidence was visible in every face and
was still further aroused by the reading of the following patriotic and stirring address: " Friends and companions in
arms, great is the pleasure which pervades my heart to see
once more the great men of the Angostura. The enemy, intent upon sustaining the vilest aggressions, menace the lovely
capital of the republic, and we return to reunite ourselves to
defend and save it, and to terminate with glory the contest.
The same noble pride is perceived in your countenance
which you presented on that memorable day, and it is observed that you retain the strict discipline which you acquired
in the long school of the frontier of the north, where your
prowess and your names will never be forgotten.
" Soldiers, here as well as there, fight the advancing invader, and if the decrees of Providence shall finally be propitious, we will achieve a triumph that will give life to the
country, confer additional luster on its high and well-merited fame, and be the admiration of the world. The day of
the great combat is at hand. The worthy and gallant General Valencia and the same valiant chiefs who pointed to you,
in the north, the road to honor amid dangers and privations,
will now lead you on to battle and to victory. In exchange
for your sacrifices, a name awaits you that will never die, the
applause and benediction of your countrymen and the eternal
gratitude of your general."
New forces were raised hurriedly, to whom arms and
equipments were issued and such instruction given as the lim



ï~~Alarm Guns Announce the American Approach. 347
ited time would permit; powder was manufactured, cannon,
cannon balls, bombs, grenades, grape-shot and musket-balls
cast at the foundry under the skilled and careful direction of
Lieut.-Col. D. Bruno Aguilar, and paid for with funds col
lected through a committee by private contribution. Many
pieces of artillery were brought to the capital from distant
cities and nothing was neglected to place it in the best state
of defense. The spirit of the people revived, they no longer
despaired, but confidently expected their arms to triumph
and their honor to be vindicated.
At 2 p. m. August 9th., alarm guns were fired, giving warning of the American approach, known positively the day before. The guns brought to their various rendezvous the National Guards, composed of the Corps Victoria, Hidalgo, Independencia, and the Bravos; the first consisted of business
men of the city, representing large fortunes, and arrayed in
rich uniforms; the second of exempts, ardent youths, and old
men who had passed their time in sedentary occupations,
fathers of families with high social position and distinction;
the last two corps, of the laboring classes, artisans, mechanics,
all alike earnest in desire to serve their country in its pending
extremity.
For the defense of the capital, there were, in addition to
the Army of the North, commanded by Valencia and the National Guards just enumerated under General Anaya, other
forces, regulars and irregulars; among them the cavalry of
General Alvarez, composed in part of regular troops and of
National Guards, organized as follows: (r) The brigade of
General Terres, formed of the First Active Batallion of Mexico,
of that of the Lakes and of the Second LightInfantry; (2)
that of General Martinez of the Actives of Morelia, and the
corps of invalids; (3) that of General Rangel, the Grenadiers
of the Guard, the Mixto de Santa Anna, the San Blas, the
Nationals of Morelia, and the Company of San Patricio; (4) that
of General Perez, of the First, Third, and Fourth Light, and
the Eleventh Infantry; (5) that of General Leon, of the Active Battalion of Oajaca, the Tenth of the Line, the Actives
and Nationals of Queretaro, and the Mina of the District; (6)
that of Colonel Zerecero, of various pickets of Aldama, Galeano, and Matamoros, the battalion of Acapulco, and parts




ï~~848

The Works Guarding the Capital.

of the battalions of Tiapa and Libertad. Other corps of the
South were in San Angel and Coyoacan under General Andrade, reporting directly to General Bravo, who commanded
the whole line. Chiefs of artillery were General Carrera,
director of arms, and Colonel Partearroyo, commandante-general of same in the army; Colonel Aguado commanded a battalion of foot, and Colonel Iglesias of horse artillery. Of
serviceable pieces of artillery, there were 104; the disposable troops were about twenty thousand. Gen. Mora y Villamil was director of engineers, and the chiefs with corps who
became directors and had charge of works, were Generals
Liceaga and Monterde, D. Miguel Blanco, Liutenant-Colonel
Cano and the two brothers, Robles.
Of the many defensive works, some unfinished, most of
them hastily constructed, those at El Perion, laid out and constructed under supervision of Lieutenant-Colonel Robles,were
regarded as the best and most important, for the reason that
they would probably be the first encountered by the enemy,
guarding, as they did, the entrance to the city over the main
or eastern highway. To the South were the works at Mexicalcingo, San Antonio, the Convent and Tete-de-Pont at
Churubusco, the latter still unfinished. On the southwest
was Chapultepec, which, naturally strong, had been rendered
almost impregnable by the labors of the engineer, and commanded with its artillery the road to the West, and that leading through the Garita de San Cosme. Both the San Cosme
and Santo Tomas Garitas were well fortified. There were
no advanced works on the north except those at the Garitas
Nonalco, Vallejo, and Peralvillo.
The hopes inspired by the army, whose mission was the
defense of the Mexican Capital, were not based on numbers,
but on tried valor and admitted excellence. The Army of
the North which composed a part of this force had been on
active and prolonged service on the Rio Grande frontier, beginning in 1836, had been inured to camp life, to the fatigues
and dangers of active campaigns, had encountered the Americans and were anxious to avenge past reverses. With the
Army of the East were brigades entitled to consideration and
from which much could be expected, although many of the
rank and file came from the people without selection and had




ï~~Hopes Inspired for the Defense.

349

had no experience. The National Guards were for the first
time to face the dangers of the battle-field, but full of honor
and pride, and meeting the enemy in front of the National
Capital, as well as fighting for their homes, no one could question their valor or doubt their intention to endear themselves
to their countrymen by a successful defense. In the ranks
were the rich and the poor, the intelligent and the ignorant,
the honored artisan, the commercial speculator, every phase
and type of society, men of every opinion, of all parties, of all
ages and classes, a band of united Mexicans, every family
having sent a father, brother, husband, or lover.*
When the Americans approached the capital Santa Anna
assumed command and all respected and obeyed his orders;
the presence of the invaders at the Garitas silencing personal
and political elamities and concentrating all minds on the one
absorbing question-national defense.
On the evening of the 9th Twiggs encamped at Rio Frio,
and the same day the brigade of General Leon, formed of the
Active Battalion of Oajaca, the Tenth of the Line, the Actives
and Nationals of Queretaro, and the Mina of the National
Guard of the District, marched for El Pefion. The people
crowded the way, the troops, whose soldierly appearance inspired all with pride and confidence, marched with martial
music, the greatest enthusiasm prevailed, and the air resounded with loud cheers to the army, to Santa Anna, and to
the republic. The harmony prevailing encouraged the best
hopes for the nation, its independence, its regeneration, its
achievement and maintenance of a place worthy of itself on
the continent * of Columbus.
The brigade of General Anaya, in which were the Independencia, Bravos,Victoria, and Hidalgo, marched for E1Pefion on
the i oth (the day Twiggs' division reached Ayotla) and in these
corps of citizens (we may call them volunteers) were found
elegant young men, venerable sires, representatives of the
people in the tribune, illustrious scholars and modest artisans.
To this brigade and to General Leon's was assigned the post
of honor, for it was supposed they would be the first to meet
the American army. To witness their departure from the
*Mexican history.




ï~~350.fexican Generals Assigned to their Posts.
capital the Grand Plaza was crowded with people, and the
balconies and azoteas of the palace and neighboring buildings
were filled with the relatives and friends of the gallant band,
and as it marched from the plaza, bearing the benedictions of
all, the martial strains of national airs mingled with thousands
of vivas.
The troops causing such a demonstration knew nothing of
war, were on their first march, and arriving at their destination in a drenching rain with limited camp equipage, were in
the greatest discomfort. It is readily inferred that they were
not equal to a contest with the rank and file of Scott's army,
however much personal courage they may have possessed.
On the zith Santa Anna rode out from the capital attended
by a numerous escort and a brilliant Staff and reviewed the
troops. His presence in camp naturally attracted crowds
from the city, and there were hundreds of carriages filled
with ladies-mothers, wives, sisters and arnantes of the
soldiers. The day was enchanting, a festival air pervaded
the encampment; all was animation, and hopeful and confident they believed success was certain and cheerfully accepted hardships and discomforts.
The reported advance of the enemy having been confirmed,
the Army of the North-Valencia's command-was ordered
to move north and east of the capital to the town of Texcoco,
from which the right flank and rear of the American army
could be harassed or attacked. To General Bravo was assigned the line of Mexicalcingo, Churubusco, and San Antonio; Gen. Don Juan Alvarez with his division of cavalry to
take post at Nanacamilla, to gain the rear of the enemy and
intercept his communication with Puebla as soon as he should
cross the San Martin Tesmelucan. Don Manuel Rincon was
placed in command of El Petion, believed to be the first point
of attack; Alvarez, with his cavalry division, to fight the
enemy on the march. Should Valencia be attacked at Texcoco he was to fall back to the intrenchment at Guadalupe.
The march to Texcoco was begun early on the ioth; Valencia's forces carried with them twenty-two guns and numbered 4,000 exclusive of the artillery. He ordered Chief
Engineer General Blanco to continue the works at Zacualco
and finish them as quickly as possible. His troops passed the




ï~~Scott's Readquarters at Ayotla.

351

night of the ioth at Tepespa and the Hacienda Grande. On
the iith, at 2 p. m., the cavalry was at Texcoco, the infantry
reniaining in the Hacienda Grande and Chica until the
morning of the I2th, and then marched to that town. The
three advanced divisions of Scott's army had reached the valley by this day. A large Mexican picket force occupied the
Hacienda of Chapingo, with smaller detachments posted on
all paths and roads connecting with the Puebla road. Mules
were harnessed, horses tied, and the troops remained compact, everything being ready to move at a moment's notice.
Reconnoissances were made to the mountains of Chimalhuacan
and from thence to the Mill of Flores; the pickets were on the
alert, and the moment the Americans began the attack upon
Peflon, they were to be attacked in turn on their right flank
and rear.
General Scott, having with him the engineer officers, accompanied the leading division of the army on its descent
into the valley and halted it at Ayotla, where he established
his headquarters. Many roads leading to the city diverging
from it made it a central and convenient point from which to
make reconnoissances. An inspection of the map shows that
the direct road from Ayotla runs by way of Perion into the
city; at Los Reyes, a short distance from Ayotla, a second
road bears off to the left and leads there by way of Mexicalcingo (near the same place, Los Reyes); a third road leads to
the right, east of Lake Texcoco, to the town of that name,
thence by way of Guadalupe to the city, and immediately at
Ayotla a fourth road skirts the west shore of Chalco and intersects the road (on which the army marched) east of that
lake, about midway between the towns of Chalco and San
Augustin. General Scott knew of these advantages of Ayotla,
and took proper measures to secure speedily all needed information.
Before sunrise of the z2th the engineers, Captains Lee and
James L. Mason, with Lieut. I. I. Stevens, went' out to reconnoiter El Pefion, while Maj. John L. Smith, the senior
engineer with the army, and Lieutenants Beauregard and
Tower, took the road to the right towards Texcoco. In the
afternoon Lee and Beauregard rode along the north and west
shore of Lake Chalco as far as the village of San Francisco,




ï~~352     Bold Reconnoissance of   lexicalcingo.
situated on the main road between Lakes Chalco and Xochimilco, and ascertained that the road on the east and south
shore of the former was practicable, thus corroborating reports received before leaving Puebla.
" On the i 2th* a heavy dust being seen in the direction of
the American camp, they were reported to be advancing;
the alarm was given, the different battalions were soon under
arms, and an attack was expected, but it proved to be only
a reconnoissance, the first made by Scott's engineers with
strong supporting force." On the 13th Captain Mason,
with Lieutenants Beauregard, Stevens and George B. McClellan, was sent towards Mexicalcingo, Stevens to continue
his observations on the Pefion, while the other three examined the former. Captain Lee and Lieutenant Tower reexamined the vicinity of Chalco, going over the same road
as on the previous afternoon, and then joined their comrades
in front of Mexicalcingo. t On the 12th General Scott sent
verbal instructions to General Worth, whose headquarters
were at Chalco, to push reconnoissances around the southern
shore of Chalco and Xochimilco, and written orders were
sent to him on the 13th to the same effect; the reconnoissance was made on the i4th, and the road reported practicable.
The opinion of the American engineers, based upon their
reconoissance of the 12th, was " El Perion could be taken,
but at a great and disproportionate loss." In the second reconnoissance, made the 1 3th, the engineers advanced with a
strong supporting force towards Peion, and at the hamlet of
Los Reyes bore off to the left following the road to Mexicalcingo, five miles south and a little west of Perion. Mexicalcingo is at the intersection of the canal, from Xochimilco by
way of the city to Lake Texcoco, with the road on which the
engineers were moving, and this road crosses nearly at right
angle beyond Mexicalcingo, the highway from San Augustin
by way of San Antonio and Churubusco to the city.
A company of dragoons and the rifle regiment escorted the
engineers, and the remainder of Smith's brigade remained in
* Mexican history.
f This reconnoissance of Mexicalcingo was characterized by General
Scott as the boldest made during the whole war.




ï~~The March Around Lake U halco.

353

observation near Perion, while Lieutenant Stevens continued
his examination of it. General Scott was with his engineers
this day as on the 12th, and of this reconnoissance,.he says:
" It would have been easy (masking Pefion) to force this
passage, but on the other side of the bridge we should have
found ourselves four miles from this (San Augustin) road on
a narrow causeway, flanked on the right and left by water or
boggy ground.
" Those difficulties closely viewed threw me back upon the
project long entertained of turning the strong eastern defenses
of the city by passing around south of Lakes Chalco and
Xochimilco, at the foot of the hills and mountains, so as to
reach this point, and hence to manoeuvre on hard ground,
though much broken, to the south and southwest of the capital, which has been more or less under our view since the
ioth inst.
"Accordingly, by sudden inversion, Worth's division with
Harney's cavalry brigade leading, we marched on the 15th
inst. Pillow's and Quitman's divisions followed closely, and
then Twiggs' division, which was left until the next day at
Ayotla, in order to threaten the Person and Mexicalcingo and
to deceive the enemy as long as practicable."
In the march around Lake Chalco on the 15th Worth's division (map X) bivouacked at a small village, Tetelco; Pillow's a short distance in rear, at Chimalpa; Quitman's at
Chalco, while Twiggs' remained still at Ayotla.
On the same day (15th) General Santa Anna addressed the
following communication to General Valencia at Texcoco:
" By repeated dispatches which have reached these headquarters (Peflon) it is positively known that the enemy has
concentrated all his forces at Chalco and its vicinity, leaving
but,ooo men with six pieces of artillery at Ayotla, who are
very soon to follow the movement of the rest of the army, and
that the theatre of the war will undoubtedly be the line of
San Antonio, since the enemy is about to commence his march
to Tlalpam (San Augustin it is also called). His Excellency
the President ad interim and general-in-chief deems it necessary therefore to strengthen that point by concentrating
thither the most select portions of the army with a view to a
general battle. He therefore desires me to direct Your Ex



ï~~354

The Cavalry Under Torrejon.

cellency to countermarch the army under your command tomorrow to Guadalupe Hidalgo, whence you will proceed to
Coyoacan to await further orders. General Alvarez has been
directed to occupy Ayotla as soon as the enemy vacates it
and to follow in his rear to Chalco, which he will occupy in
like manner, in order that we may have a respectable force
in that quarter with which to annoy him and to intercept his
communications with Puebla."
Early in the morning of the 16th, General Twiggs having
seen his trains drawn out and in motion on the road to Chalco,
thence to follow in rear of Quitman's division, formed his
troops and began the march. As the head of his column approached the point where the road to Chalco turned off to the
right, a division (Alvarez's troops) of the enemy was seen at
the hacienda of Oka Laka, a half mile to the left.
Santa Anna, quickly apprised of the march of the Americans around Chalco, and as he conjectured upon San Augustin, and that Ayotla was still held, ordered up the cavalry
of Alvarez under General Torrejon, and by dawn of the 16th
they were near the rear of Twiggs, then following the other
divisions of the army.
Owing to a heavy rainfall Valencia did not arrive at Guadalupe until 3 a. m., then resting a few hours resumed the march,
and by i I a. m. the head of the column was at San Angel;
Torrejon had been recalled and reached Guadalupe an hour
in advance of the infantry. When the cavalry under Torrejon
threatened the left flank of Twiggs, the light battery of Captain
Taylor was advanced to meet them, unlimbered, opened fire
and continued it some fifteen or twenty minutes when the
enemy retired, leaving upon the field one officer and six men
killed.
Quitman, whose command bivouacked the night of the 15th
near Chalco, resumed the march early on the 16th, and soon
had his attention called to the sound of artillery in his rear,
which proved to be the affair at Oka Laka. The long, welldressed lines, gleaming lances, and rippling banners of the
Mexican Lancers were seen by him and Staff as they moved
down the declivity of the mountain towards Twiggs' flank.
Worth at the head of the column was under march at an
early hour the z 6th, and passed through the small villages of




ï~~San Augustin the Depot qfJ  the Amuerican Army.  355
San Juan and Tulancingo, abounding in olive groves. A short
distance beyond the latter, from the crest of a mound, the
City of Mexico with its multitude of church domes and steepies could be seen, the Mexican flag still waving over the
Perion; the march was continued to the town of San Gregorio, where Worth bivouacked. Pillow's division halted at
Tulancingo, Quitman's at Tetalco, and Twiggs' a short distance in rear of the latter.
Early on the x7th Worth was again on the march. Beyond
San Gregorio the border of Xochimilco was skirted, and here
obstructions in the road were first encountered, a ditch having been dug across it, and large stones rolled down from the
hillside; but these obstacles were soon overcome by the engineer company with a detail from the leading brigade, while
the Mexicans, who were firing from the heights above, were
driven off by Col. C. F. Smith's light battalion. The head of
the column was halted some two miles from San Augustin,
and during the rest, Capt. George A. H. Blake, Second Dragoons, in command of the advance guard, moved forward, entered and took possession of the town after a skirmish with
the enemy. The column then moved on and Worth bivouacked that night (I 7tb) in San Augustin, Pillow at Xochimilco, four miles in rear, Quitman at Tuliahualco, and Twiggs
close in his rear.
San Augustin, known at the time of the Spanish Conquest
by the name of Tialpam, became the depot, and may be regarded as the base for the time of the American army. Situated at the foot of the mountains, twelve miles south of the
city, on the highway leading to Acapulco on the Pacific, it is sufficiently elevated above the level of the valley to be above
inundation, and is a healthy and pleasant residence. A
fashionable resort, often the scene of social gaieties, it was
crowded to excess the afternoon of the I7th of August, many
wealthy and fashionable families from the city being of the
number. They had gone there not for recreation only, but
to escape from the scene of strife; and unfortunately, suddenly found themselves in the midst of the invaders.
General Scott, having reversed his columns and commenced
the turning movement around the lakes on the z5th, Santa
Anna ordered Valencia to retire on the i6th from the vicinity




ï~~356

Santa Anna Disappointed.

of Texcoco and march via Guadalupe and the capital to San
Angel; General Anaya to march the night of the 17th to
Churubusco; General Bravo (in command of the line extending from Mexicalcingo, via Churubusco), to San Antonio,
and General Rincon to follow Anaya.
Santa Anna in person changed his headquarters to Churubusco, and the brigade of Perez, 3,000 strong, was ordered to
Coyoacan.
Mexican authorities admit that Santa Anna and his generals were greatly disappointed in not being attacked at the
Perion, where they were well prepared, and where the skill of
the engineer, Robles, exerted in vain, was expected to accomplish great results. They were prompt, however, to
change the position of their troops so as to confront those of
Scott, now threatening the capital from the south. Mexicalcingo, under General Garcia, became the* left of the new
line; San Angel, under Valencia, the right; Coyoacan was
held by Perez, and the Convent of San Pablo and tete-de-pont
of Churubusco by Anaya. San Antonio, well fortified, was
in front of the tete-de-Pont and guarded the left of Coyoacan.
The several points now held by Santa Anna lay contiguous,
and were connected with good roads, by means of which his
troops could act both promptly and advantageously.
General Valencia's troops, he preceding them in a coach,
arrived from Texcoco on the 17th at San Angel, where he
mounted his horse and sallied out on a reconnoissance, following the road to Padierna, thence across the pedrigal
towards San Augustin. He examined carefully and made
inquiries as to the practicability of the. pedrgal for artillery,
determined to place batteries on the open ridge or hill called
Pelon Cuauhtitlan, and ordered the engineers, Cadena and
Segura, with Gen. Gonzalez de Mendoza and Don Jose
Mario (a person of known skill) to make a detailed and thorough reconnoissance.
His soldiers were received with the greatest hospitality by
the citizens of San Angel, all houses being thrown open to
the veterans from the north, as they were called. While en* Mexicalcingo, the Tete-de-pont, the convent, and San Antonio
were fortified.




ï~~Santa Anna Disappointed.            357
gaged in reconnoitering between Padierna and San Augustin,
D. Antonio del Rio, prefect of San Angustin, joined him and
reported that the Americans had entered the town and that a
small party had moved out a short distance towards Peia
Pobre. This was Captain Blake's company, Second Dragoons, accompanied by Captain Mason, of the engineers.




ï~~CHAPTER XVI.
THE BATTLE OF CONTRERAS, CALLED BY MEXICANS THE
BATTLE OF PADIERNA.
In the morning of the i8th Worth's division, preceded by
Harney's cavalry, moved from San Augustin, on the main
highway leading north to the Mexican capital, twelve miles
distant, with orders to reconnoiter, " mask or carry" San Antonio, three miles in advance, and halted about one mile in
front of it near the Hacienda of Coapa.
The other divisions of the army moved up, Pillow's to San
Augustin, Quitman's to within three-fourths of a mile of it,
and Twiggs' a short distance in Quitman's rear. A reconnoissance in the direction of Padierna, four miles due west of
San Augustin, and situated on one of the principal roads to
the city, was ordered to be made by Capt. R. E. Lee, assisted by Lieutenant Beauregard, and supported by two companies of the Eleventh Infantry under Lieut.-Col. Wm. M.
Graham, and Capt. Phil. Kearny's company of the First
Dragoons. The reconnoissance of San Antonio was made by
Capt. Mason, assisted by Lieutenants Stevens, Tower, G. W.
Smith, McClellan, and Foster, and accompanied by Capt.
Seth B. Thornton, of the Second Dragoons.
On turning a bend in the road this party came within full
view of a battery of heavy guns, about 8oo yards in front,
were fired upon, Thornton* killed, and the guide, Fitzwater, wounded. This was the first cannon fired in the Val* The fate of Captain Thornton was peculiarly touching. The capture of his small party on the Rio Grande was the first reverse to
American arms, and his death, August 18, 1847, was the first loss sustained by the American troops in the Valley.
-358




ï~~The Peduigal Reconnoitered.

359l

ley by the Mexicans, the cavalry company retired several
hundred yards, and closer reconnoissances were commenced
at once.
The battery on the road, found to be strongly intrenched,
swept it with its fire, also the marshy ground to the right,
and the pedrgal to the left. The term pedrigal is applied to
a field of lava or volcanic rock, of uneven surface, over which
there were a few foot paths; it lay between the roads running from San Augustin and Padierna to the capital; in a
north and south direction was five or six miles long; not
quite as great in length east and west.
Right of the road at San Antonio, on both sides of which
were ditches filled with water, the enemy had strengthened
his line, which extended only to the pedrzgal, by works consisting of redans and lunettes connected by parapets, extending northeast over half a mile towards Mexicalcingo. The
pedrzgal was entirely impracticable for artillery and cavalry,
and could be crossed by infantry only in open order; to the
right the ground was boggy, and much of it under water.
Such was the report of the engineers, Mason having examined the left and Stevens the right of the road.
Lee and Beauregard reported that the pedrigal intervening
between San Augustin and Padierna could be crossed for a
little over a mile by wagons, but the remainder of the distance was practicable for infantry only, each man picking
his way, for well-formed and in compact order they could
not cross it. They further reported the enemy in position
beyond the pedrzgal, with artillery commanding its surface to
the extent of the range of their guns, many of which were of
large calibre, but that a road over the pedrigal could be made,
the one leading by the enemy's intrenched position into the
city reached, his left turned, his rear attacked, and his communications with the capital thus intercepted.
Lee and Beauregard had gone over half the distance between San Augustin and Padierna before they were met by
the enemy's pickets-guerrillas under Reynosa-between
whom and the escort there was a slight collision. After hearing the reports of the engineers made in San Augustin, General Scott determined the night of the x8th to move in the direction of Padierna; ordered Worth to mask San Antonio,




ï~~360

The fexicans.

Quitman to hold San Augustin, the depot, hospital, etc., while
Pillow was to make the road over the pedrigal, and Twiggs
to cover the operation with his division. General Scott issued these orders after listening attentively to the reports of
his engineers and duly weighing the discussions that followed
between himself and the general officers at his headquarters.
In the early morning of the 18th Valencia ordered General
Blanco with the Sappers to construct batteries and General
Mejia to take post with his brigade on the Pelon Cuauhtitlan.
Santa Anna, through the Minister of War, wrote from San
Antonio to General Valencia at San Angel: " The general-inchief directs me to say to Your Excellency that the enemy
having now (18th at 3 p. m.) taken up a position on our left,
in front of San Antonio, with a part of his forces, it is clear
that to-morrow, at the latest, he will undertake the attack of
this fortification, although it appears there is a movement
going on at the same time on our right. His Excellency
therefore directs you at daylight to-morrow morning to fall
back with your forces to Coyoacan and send forward your artillery to the Fort and the tete-de-pont at Churubusco."
Yalencia disobeyed this order, writing to his commanding
general as follows: " I should like much to be able to obey
this order, but in view of present circumstances my conscience
as a military man and my patriotism will not permit me. I
believe the national cause will be lost if I should abandon
these positions and the road leading from San Augustin through
Padierna to these points. To me it is as clear as the light of
day that the enemy will undertake his attack if not to-morrow the day after, and that he desires to make two attacks
at the same time, the one true and the other false, and that
should he find at the commencement of his movements one
of the points of attack abandoned, as this, for instance, he
will pass by this route with all his forces, and thus be enabled
to assail our flank and turn our rear, or, if he prefer it, he
may pass on without obstruction to the City of Mexico."
It is stated that General Valencia, although writing as above
to his commanding officer, was disposed to obey the order if
reiterated, and after his own cursory reconnoissance on the
17th ordered two skilled engineers, Cadena and Segura, accomn panied by General Mendoza and Jose Mario, to make a




ï~~


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ï~~Valencia' s Forces in Position.

361

thorough examination. General Mendoza reported "That
Padierna was absolutely indefensible, and that it was believed
best to retire for reasons expressed in his note."
Having declined to obey his chief's order, Valencia
promptly made such disposition of his forces as would
best meet, in his opinion, the impending danger. At the
earliest dawn of the I9th, the streets of San Angel were
thronged with soldiers and with crowds of citizens, friends and
kindred; inspiring music and noisy vivas were heard, until
with the sound of trumpets the main body of his army in all
the pomp of triumph was in line of march for the field of
Padierna. Valencia is represented to have been a man of
martial bearing and captivating manners, who inspired his
subordinates with confidence and admiration. Leaving San
Angel, he despatched Colonel Barreiro to Zacatepetl to observe and report the movements of the Americans, and on arrival at the batteries ordered the following disposition of his
forces: In the Rancho of Padierna, at the edge of the rugged
pedrzgal, the First Regiment (map XI) of the Line, under D.
Nicholas Mendoza; covering the front of this force, at some
distance, a detachment of infantry' under Captain Solis, and
still further forward a detachment2 of the Seventh Cavalry;
to the left of Padierna, the corps of San Luis Potosi; to the
right, the Auxiliaries and Actives of Celaya, Guanajuato,
and Queretaro, in the orders named, comprising the brigade of
Lieutenant-Colonel Cabrera; on the ridge in rear of Pelon
Cuauhtitlan were the batteries and the brigade of General
Mejia.
In the second line, in rear of Mejia, were the Tenth and
Twelfth Battalions, Fijo of Mexico and the Guarda Costa of
Tampico. The reserve, posted in Auzaldo, consisted of the
Sappers, the Mixto de Santa Anna and Aguas Calientes, with
part of the cavalry, the Second, Third, and Eighth of the
Line, and the Actives of Guanajuato, all under General
Salas; supporting the right of his line were two regiments,
the Seventh and the San Luis.
Between 12 and i o'clock, Colonel Barreiro reported the
Americans to be moving over the mountain of Zacatepetl and
the pedrigal. These were Twiggs' and Pillow's divisions; a
part of the former crossed over Zacatepetl, and the latter
moved on the pedrigal.




ï~~362  Numerous Villages Surroundi g Padierna.
Padierna, the extreme right of the Mexican army, is four
miles west of San Angustin; and for a mile and a half there
was a wagon road practicable only as far as a Rancho, known
on the Mexican maps as Penia Pobre, near the southern end
of the high, rocky mound, Zacatepeti, which rises from the
pedrzgal over zoo feet, and is a half mile long. A bridlepath from Penia Pobre winds around the southern end of
Zacatepetl, then leads north several hundred yards, turns due
west and crosses with many sharp turns, to the right and left,
the pedrgal, on which is Padierna with its humble dwellings
of adobe, and just beyond it a small stream flowing from the
mountains on the south. A mile below Padierna this stream
unites with a similar one, north of which and several hundred yards from its junction is Auzaldo. Northwest of this,
six or eight hundred yards, is San Geronimo; less than a half
mile southwest of Padierna is Magdalena, and a like distance
above the latter is Contreras. Following the path through
Padierna, and crossing the little stream, we strike the road
leading from Contreras, by way of Magdalena, Auzaldo, San
Angel, Coyoacan and Churubusco, to the city. In rear of the
road the surface rises up into an open ridge (Pelon Cuauhtitlan), ascending towards the mountains, and on this Valencia
posted the guns that swept with their fire the whole surface
of the pedrigal towards San Augustin.
Early in the morning of the 19th Santa Anna ordered the
battalions of Hidalgo and Victoria forward from Churubusco
to San Antonio, believing that point to be the most seriously
threatened, and Pillow's division was moved out from San
Augustin on the road to Padierna, to be covered by Twiggs'*
division as soon as it could reach the front. The engineer
company was recalled from Worth, and with a working party
of 500 men detailed from Pillow's division was ordered to
make the road to Padierna practicable for artillery. The
work thereon was under the supervision of engineer officers,
and while it was being opened General Scott notified Pillow
that Valencia was placing heavy guns in position, and he
* When Twiggs moved, following Quitman, and passed on beyond
San Augustin, Alvarez closed upon the rear, his pickets being less
than a mile from San Augustin; he held the road over which Scott
had marched around the lakes




ï~~The Engineer Company at Work.

363

might anticipate interruption of his work, but to push it forward and finish the road as far as practicable without engaging the enemy. General Twiggs was to move to the front
and keep the enemy back, and in the event of the action becoming serious Pillow was to support Twiggs with his whole
division.
Before the road was made practicable half the distance beyond Peia Pobre, at a turn to the left, Twiggs' division passed
Pillow's and approached the advanced posts of the enemy.
Capt. John McClellan, of the Topographical Engineers, and
Lieut. George B. McClellan, Engineer Company, rode to the
front to reconnoiter, and were fired upon by the Mexican advanced pickets, the Seventh Cavalry, wounding Lieutenant
McClellan's horse.  Gen. Persifor F. Smith ordered the
Mounted Rifle Regiment under Maj. W. W. Loring to drive
in the Mexican pickets, and a section of Magruder's battery
under Lieut. Preston Johnstone to co-operate. These two
guns were conducted into position by Lieutenant McClellan,
and had hardly unlimbered when they received a fire from
the enemy's guns in position on the elevated ridge beyond
Padierna. The remainder of Smith's brigade and the other
section of Magruder's battery moved forward, and the Mexican advanced force, Seventh Cavalry, and an infantry force
under Solis, supported by the First of the Line, was driven
back close to their main works, near which General Parrodi
was wounded, and left the field. Lieut. J. G. Foster, of the
Engineer Company, conducted the mountain howitzer battery
into a sheltered position, from which it fired with effect.
When Smith's brigade advanced as described, the Engineer
company, under Lieut. G. W. Smith, went into action with
the Third Infantry of that brigade.
Riley was ordered to the right and front over the pedrigal
to the village of San Geronimo, to take a position, if possible,
in the enemy's rear. Lieut. Z. B. Tower accompanied Riley's
brigade in its forward movement and remained with it until
after the battle the morning (map XI) of the 2oth. From
the crest of Zacatepetl Riley's movement could be seen, and
as it demonstrated the practicability of the pedrigal, Cadwalader's brigade was ordered as a support to him. Shortly
after, General Scott, seeing reinforcements approaching Val



ï~~364

Ransom' s Diversion.

encia from the capital, ordered one regiment of Pierce's brigade (the Fifteenth Infantry, Colonel Morgan), conducted
by Lieutenant Beauregard, to move forward and occupy San
Geronimo; and a little later General Shields, with the New
York and Palmetto regiments, just arrived on the field from
Quitman's command, was ordered to follow and sustain
Morgan.
General Smith, as no further advantage could be gained in
his front, moved to his right and front across the pedrigal,
leaving detachments from the Mounted Rifles and Third Infantry to guard the guns of Magruder and Callender, which
were ordered to open fire as he moved off by the right flank,
the Rifles, with the engineer company at their head, leading.
The march was directed towards a church in San Geronimo,
the steeples of which were plainly visible, Lieut. G. W.
Smith conducting the brigade, and as it reached the village
of San Geronimo a large Mexican force was seen on the crest
of a high ridge, off to the right some six or eight hundred
yards. Pierce's brigade (less Morgan's regiment) was ordered directly to the front, to the position vacated by Smith's
brigade, and advanced under a heavy fire from the enemy's
artillery. General Pierce being temporarily disabled by the
fall of his horse, Colonel Ransom, Ninth Infantry, led the
regiments forward, conducted by Lieutenant I. I. Stevens, to
the right and front of Magruder's battery. Uniting with the
detachment left by General Smith, Ransom pressed forward,
seized Padierna, and, driving General Mendoza from it, remained at Padierna. This advance of Ransom was to divert
the attention of Valencia from the brigades already over the
pedrngal and near San Geronimo.
As the brigade of General Smith approached the village,
Lieut. G. W. Smith was ordered forward to reconnoitre it and
to ascertain the position of Riley's brigade. He found the
village to be a strong defensive position, but Riley had gone
beyond and was not seen. General Smith contemplated attacking the Mexican force seen while crossing the pedrigal,
and was now on the hill of Toro off to the right, but a deep
and wide barranca intervened, and this, with the near approach of night, caused him to abandon his purpose. This
menacing force used their artillery for a short time without
effect.




ï~~Skill and Courage of Riley's Brigade.

305

Riley's brigade was the first to pass the pedrigal, and as it
escaped from it, crossed a small stream and occupied the
road beyond, with Captain Drum's company, Fourth Artillery,
deployed as skirmishers. A detachment of lancers, escorting
a small mule train, was encountered, the train captured, a
few of the escort killed, and the survivors dispersed. The
brigade moved on until the advance regiment reached a
ravine on the right of San Geronimo, which was crossed by
Drum to meet and drive back a second body of lancers.
Riley now passed through the village, and Captain Wessells'
company was detached to cover a reconnoissance made by
Captain Canby, A. A. G., and Lieutenant Towef in direction
of Valencia's camp. Further to the right, Capt. Silas Casey's
company engaged a body of lancers, supposed to be the
Guanajuato regiment, and repulsed them with a loss of both
men and horses. Several of Casey's men were wounded. A
Mexican cavalry force threatening Wessells, he attacked,
drove it off, and was then ordered to hold his position and
observe and report any movement of the enemy from his intrenchments.
Riley seeing a large force of lancers on his right, ordered
the Second Infantry, under Capt. T. Morris, and the greater
portion of the Seventh Infantry, under Lieut.-Col. Joseph
Plympton, to advance against it. A brisk fire of artillery
opened upon them from Valencia's position, and aided by this
the lancers made several charges, but were repulsed with
considerable loss. This cavalry force, two regiments, was
commanded by Brigadier-General Frontera, who was killed
leading the charge, and fell close to the Americans. Valencia
had ordered Frontera to attack with these regiments, and
with Torrejon to repulse the Americans. Riley apprehending
no further trouble in that direction, moved the brigade into a
ravine that protected it from Valencia's artillery and remained there some time, expecting an attack to be made
upon the enemy's position, but none, however, was made,
and finding his right flank and rear threatened by an overwhelming force he withdrew to the village of San Geronimo
to re-establish communication with the troops in rear. This
retrograde movement began with the right of the brigade and
was skillfully and gallantly covered by a battalion of the




ï~~366

Mexicans Checked by   adwalader.

Seventh Infantry, under Capt. Charles Hanson. The battalion was comprised of his own, Captain Henshaw's company, and one under Second Lieut. S. B. Maxey. On reaching the village it was found to be occupied by Cadwalader's
and Smith's brigades and the Fifteenth Regiment of Pierce's
brigade, under Colonel Morgan.
The movement of Riley's brigade, after crossing the
pedrigal, displayed much skill and courage, being in the
presence of a large hostile force and without support. The
Second Infantry formed square to repel the charge of Mexican
cavalry. Among the wounded (fifteen or twenty) were Capt.
J. W. Anderson and First Lieut. C. S. Lovell, of the Second,
and First Lieut. Charles Humber, of the Seventh Infantry,
the latter by a fragment of shell in the face.
As Cadwalader's brigade drew near San Geronimo, a heavy
Mexican reinforcement was seen coming up the road from the
city and he made immediate dispositions for defense, being
joined by the Fifteenth Infantry. The Eleventh, thrown
forward down the road towards the enemy, delivered a volley
from three of its companies and drove back a body of cavalry
supporting a reconnoitering party. Riley's brigade, Cadwalader's, and Smith's just arriving, caused the Mexican reinforcement to halt.
When Twiggs' division displayed on the ped gal and
drove in the Mexican advanced forces, Valencia despatched
(about 2 p. m.) one of his aides to General Santa Anna at San
Antonio, reported the enemy approaching Padierna, the artillery to be firing, and that the battle had commenced. This
report inspired Santa Anna with anxious forebodings, and,
sending an aide at once to Coyoacan with orders to General
Perez to march his brigade immediately to Padierna, he set
out at a gallop to join him, having with him the regiments of
Hussars and the Second Regiment of Vera Cruz, together
with five pieces of artillery. He arrived at Coyoacan as
Perez's command was filing out towards Padierna, and directed that they march at an accelerated pace. This was the
force seen about 5 p. m. approaching from the city, which
halted on the hill of Toro, and having cavalry on its flank,
displayed in line with music and vivas, and threatened the
Americans, but made no attack, only fired a few shots from
the battery.




ï~~t




ï~~ROBERT E. LEE,
CAPTAIN. U. S. ENGINEERS.
BORN IN AND APPOINTED FROM VIRGINIA.




ï~~The Cold, Cheerless Night of the 19th.

367

About dusk of the z 9th General Smith found himself in the
village of San Geronimo with three brigades, his own, General
Cadwalader's, and Bvt.-Col. Bennet Riley with the Fifteenth
Infantry of Pierce's brigade, having Valencia on one flank,
and a large Mexican force on the other, reinforcements now
known to have been sent Valencia by Santa Anna. General
Smith had neither artillery -nor cavalry, nor did any officer
with him have a horse, although among them were several
brigade and regimental commanders, who having served in
the war of 1812 were well advanced in years. Besides there
was no communication with other portions of the army, save
over the pedrigal, tedious and difficult by daylight, and well
nigh impossible at night, and this night was unusually dark
and dismal, a cold rain falling.
Learning from Colonel Riley that the rear of Valencia
could be reached without difficulty, he determined to attack
him as soon after daylight as possible, carry his works and
the batteries commanding the path across the pedrigal, and
thus restore communications with the main army. The
troops were disposed in the following order for the night:
Cadwalader in the outer edge of the village, Riley's brigade
parallel to it in line inside, the Rifles on his right, and the
Third Infantry in the church-yard. The troops were without shelter or fire, and it rained most of the night. Lieut.
Z. B. Tower (engineers) reported at this time that he had
been in the ravine to the rear of the enemy's position, and
that though difficult, it was practicable.  "
After dark Capt. R. E. Lee* arrived at the headquarters of
General Smith, in the church of the village, bearing a request from General Scott, sent about sundown from Zacatepetl, to be informed as to the exact condition of affairs beyond the pedrigal. The position of the enemy, as well as
that of the three brigades, was explained to Captain Lee,
who was requested to inform General Scott of his (Smith's)
intention to assail the rear of Valencia's line at daylight,
* Subsequently superintendent of the Military Academy at West
Point, commander of the Confederate Army, at his death president
of Washington and Lee University, the idol of the Southern people
and acknowledged by impartial minds all the world over to be one of
the greatest and purest men of modern times.




ï~~368

Rescue of the Detachment.

commencing the movement from the village at 3 a. m., and
his wish for a strong diversion to be made on Valencia's front.
General Smith now informed the brigade commanders of the
plan and order 'f attack, and directed them to have their several commands formed with the heads of columns resting on
the path by which they were to march by 2:30 a. m. Shields
who had reported about midnight was directed to hold the
village and cut off the retreat of the enemy, when defeated,
or to take in flank the reserves (seen before night) if they
advanced to attack him (Smith) before or while engaging
Valencia.
During the 19th Worth masked San Antonio, and Captain
Mason made a detailed reconnoissance of the pedrigal on the
left (American) of the road, reported it practicable for infantry, though rough, and that there was a path by which they
could move and turn the intrenched position at San Antonio.
After dark Colonel Ransom fell back from Padierna to Magruder's battery, leaving there a few men of this brigade.
Valencia was on the alert, and, learning that Padierna was
abandoned, ordered Cabrera's brigade forward to reoccupy
it. A spirited engagement took place between Commandant
Zimavilla with his battalion and Ransom's men, the former
being aided by a fire of artillery. Two companies of the
Third Infantry, under Captain Craig, rushed forward from
Magruder's battery, drove the Mexicans back, and rescued
the detachment, which with Craig's command returned to
Magruder's battery, and left Padierna to be again occupied
by the Mexicans.
When night veiled the field Santa.Anna fell back to San
Angel, but neglected to inform Valencia of this fact, who was
in good spirits. His losses had been insignificant, and the
courage displayed by his men had inspired hopes of victory.
In Padierna with pickets in front was the brigade of Cabrera;
in front of San Geronimo, the regiments of Aguas Calientes;
at the bridge near Auzaldo, the brigade of Torrejon, and at
the Fabriquita that of General Romero. Valencia was near
the batteries, and the inconveniences and discomforts of the
dark and rainy night were the same for both armies.
At 9 p. m. Ramiro and del Rio arrived at Valencia's headquarters. The former states that he delivered an order from




ï~~Troops at 3 A. Al. Begin the Move.

369

Santa Anna to Valencia to withdraw. General Salas, present
at the interview, denies this, but says the order was brought
to Valencia to retire, first spiking his guns, destroying the
ammunition, and saving only what was possible. The order
was disobeyed.
At 2:30 a. m. of the 20th the troops under General Smith
began to form and take their places preparatory to the march
which would bring them on Valencia's rear. At 3 a. m.
Riley's brigade began to move, conducted by Lieutenant
Tower and Lieut. W. H. T. Brooks, aid-de-camp to General
Twiggs, but now acting on General Smith's Staff. Cadwalader's brigade, composed of the Eleventh Infantry, under Lieut. -
Col. Wm. M. Graham, the Voltigeur regiment, under Colonel
Andrews, and the Fifteenth Infantry, under Colonel Morgan,
followed Riley, and General Smith's brigade followed Cadwalader, the general and Staff and Lieutenant Beauregard
being at the head. The Mounted Rifles was commanded
by Major Loring, the Third Infantry by Capt. E. B. Alexander, and the First Artillery by Bvt.-Maj. Justin Dimick.
Leading the Rifles in front of the brigade was the engineer
company. Brigadier-General Shields, with the New York
and South Carolina regiments, Col. Ward B. Burnett and
Pierce M. Butler, occupied the village to intercept Valencia's
retreat, prevent reinforcements reaching him, etc.
The streets of the village were narrow, cut into gullies,
muddy and slippery, and could schtrcely be seen, so dense was
the darkness of the night. The troops were ordered to keep
closed up, the march was by the right flank, and, owing to
the difficulties enumerated, was slow, and the line became
extended. A portion of Cadwalader's brigade having sought
shelter from the pouring rain, the men had to be hunted up,
aroused and brought out from under hedges and trees, and
this caused some delay. Smith's brigade, under Major Dimick, waiting more than one hour for them to move on, and
fearing they had lost the path and were waiting for a guide,
Lieut. G. W. Smith, who had explored the route over which
the troops were to march with Lieutenant Brooks, of Twiggs'
Staff, took charge of those thus delayed, first turning over the
command of the engineer company to Lieutenant McClellan,*
* Subsequently commander United States Army, Democratic candidate for the Presidency in 1864, and later Governor of New Jersey.




ï~~370

Valencia' s Rear Gained.

followed closely by Major Dimick, commanding Smith's brigade. There being a dense fog in the early morning, no disadvantage resulted from the delay mentioned, and the whole
command had passed out of the village and were well in rear
of Valencia unperceived before the fog lifted.
General Smith took position' on an eminence'in full view
of the Mexican works, down the declivity about i, ooo yards
distant, and gave orders for the attack, the troops at the
time being in rear of his position; Riley was "to continue his
march up the ravine several hundred yards to a slope leading to a high point of the ridge; then facing by the left
flank, ascend it, and be in sight of the enemy's works about
8oo yards distant and lower down towards the road and
stream, that intervened between them and the pedrigal.
Cadwalader was to follow Riley, pass on when the latter faced
to the left, and guard his right flank during the assault, or if
necessary aid him. The Mounted Rifles and the engineer
company, accompanied by Lieutenant Beauregard, were directed to file to the left, before reaching the point where
Riley had ascended the slope, and having marched about
300 yards, face by the right flank and ascend the steep slope,
which would bring themR on the ridge in rear of a Mexican
forceA confronting Riley.
General Smith held the Third Infantry and First Artillery
in rear to be used in case of contingency during the battle.
When RileyA rose up from the ravine he was in rear of Valencia, but still screened from view by a slight acclivity parallel to his front, and when the top of this was reached he
was within full view of the enemy, who opened fire upon his
right flank from the forceA previously referred to, posted in
rear of the Mexican line. Throwing out the first two columns
of divisions as skirmishers, he moved down hill towards Valencia's works, the engineer company and the Rifles being already
in position in rear of the Mexican detachment, then rose and
fired a volley upon it, and Riley continuing on upon them,
they faced about, broke, and fled in the utmost precipitation
to the main line in rear, pursued by Riley, the Rifles, and engineer company.
The Third Infantry and First Artillery drove off a large
cavalry forcec, and were then advanced against the portion




ï~~Valencia Routed.

371

of the MexicanN line to the left of the batteries and near
the bridge towards Auzaldo. A portion of the Eleventh Infantry" drove off a cavalryM force that threatened Riley's
right, whilst the remainder of Cadwalder's brigade moved
forward to Riley's support; but the latter had advanced so
rapidly that the main works of the enemy were carried before they came up.
When Valencia was routed General Shields, who had held
the village after being vacated by Smith's command, ordered
his regiment to seize the main road by which the enemy must
retire, intercept and cut off his retreat, and the order was
executed as speedily as practicable. The South Carolina
regiment crossed a deep ravine and, deploying across the
road, opened fire upon mingled masses of cavalry and infantry; the New York regiment reached the road lower down
and delivered an effective fire; many of the enemy were
killed and wounded, 365 prisoners captured, twenty-five being
officers. These regiments had been threatened by the Mexican cavalry before getting into position on the road, and h'ad
also been under the fire of Valencia's guns. In seventeen
minutes from the time the action began it was over, and Va
lencia's command, " Veterans of the North," existed as an
organization no more.
General Smith's operations were assisted very materially
by the diversion made on the fedrigal in front of Valencia's
position. Early in the morning the Ninth Infantry, Colonel
Ransom; four companies of the Twelfth Infantry, Major Wood; three companies of the Third Infantry, Captain Craig; a detachment of the Mounted Rifles, under
Captain Sanderson, advanced and two batteries on that part
of the field opened fire, one under Captain Magruder, First
Artillery, and the Mountain Howitzers, under Lieutenant
Reno, of the ordnance, the commander, Lieutenant Callender, having been wounded the afternoon of the I9th.
All, directed by Captain Lee and Lieutenant Foster, displayed on the pedrigal, and were the first to attract Valencia's attention while General Smith's troops were getting into position, and when he advanced Ransom moved
forward, became warmly engaged, and, not being restricted
to making a mere diversion, contributed greatly to Valencia's
defeat.




ï~~372 Reinforcing Brigades Resume Their Positions.
General Scott had determined, cost what it may, to open
the route via Padierna to the City of Mexico, and to that
end ordered General Worth to move from San Antonio early
in the morning of the 20th with one of his brigades, Garland's,
by way of San Augustin to Padierna, and to give like orders
to Quitman, who was to move with the remainder of his division, leaving only the cavalry to hold San Antonio. The
battle being over before these reirnf< rcing brigades reached
the field, they were ordered to rc  me their positions, Quitman to reoccupy and hold San Au-;ustin and Worth to attack San Antonio in front when approached from the rear by
the troops of the other divisions.
At 4 a. m. Valencia mounted his horse, called around him
his generals and other high officers and asked their advice;
the majority concurred in his decision, that all should go to
their posts and acquit themselves the best they could under
the circumstances. The following is the account of the battle in the Mexican history: " The forces of the enemy adv.nced at daybreak in three columns; one directed its course
to a height in rear of the ridge of Pelon Cuauhtitlan, upon
our right flank, another attacked by San GeroniAio, the third
remained on the mal/pais (pedrgal) beyond the road, and advanced upon the ranch of Padierna. The first column, throwing itself upon our position with the utmost celerity, overcame all opposition under the orders of Gonzales de Mendoza,
and overran our camp." This was Riley's brigade, and the
Mexican statements confirm his reports.
" Valencia endeavored to oppose this attack with other
troops, but overwhelmed on all sides and reduced to a small
circle, the rout became general, and the pack mules, the
women * and the wagon trains, were all hopelessly pressed together. It was a series of useless and heroic efforts, which
it would be ungrateful to conceal. Lieutenant-Colonel Zires
retired, fighting with the enemy, Generals Blanco and Garero
tried to maintain themselves until disabled with-wounds. The
small remnant of the brigade of Cabrera made an honorable
retreat from Padierna to Auzaldo.
* Wives of soldiers, who carried rations and cooking implements or
foraged the country for something to eat.




ï~~Extract From AMexican History.

373

" General Valencia led up some of his infantry against the
enemy, but the circle of American fire coiled like a serpent
around our forces and stifled them in disorder. Two roads
remained, one by the inaccessible hills of San Geronimo, the
other by that of Auzaldo, both cut by the Americans. Those
who took the former rolled like a torrent from heights, overwhelming in haste the soldiers, the mules, the loose horses,
the wounded-who filled the air with their groans-and the
women, who, shrieking, ran everywhere like furies. All
this heterogeneous mass was trampled by the Americans, and
these barbarous invaders aimed their shots at it.
" Those retiring in confusion, who took the road of Auzaldo, also encountered an American columnt that had advanced and opened fire, murdering our people. Then some
of the chiefs made courageous attempts to reform ranks, and
at this place many distinguished military men were wounded.
" Before reaching the bridge, which the road at San Angel
crosses, General Valencia was informed that Santa Anna had
left San Angel at 6:30 by taking the road of Olviar, where
he was apprised of the defeat, and then, turning to the left of
the bridge, Valencia took for the hills towards San Angel;
but his friends told him that Santa Anna was furious, and in
one of his bursts of passion had given orders for him to be
shot, on hearing which he took another road.
" At the bridge, Senor General Salas, who merits an honorable and special notice, in the midst of the fire, sword in
hand, placed himself at the head of the cavalry of Torrejon,
stopped the dispersion, and so intent was he upon charging
the enemy that he was taken prisoner."
In his official report of the battle on the morning of the
20th, General Scott says: " I doubt whether a more brilliant or
decisive victory-taking into view ground, artificial defenses,
batteries, and the extreme disparity of numbers, without cavalry or artillery on our side-is to be found on record. Including all our corps directed against the intrenched camp,
with Shields' brigade at the hamlet, we positively did not
have over 4,500 rank and file; and we know by sight, and
more certainly by many captured documents and letters, that

Shields' brigade.




ï~~374     Extract From   Scott's Official Report.
the enemy had actually engaged on the spot 7,000, with at
least 12,000 more hovering within sight and striking distance,
both on the 19th and the 20th.
" All not killed or captured now fled with precipitation.
Tius was the great victory of Contreras achieved; our road
to the capital opened; 700 of the enemy killed; 813 prisoners,
including eighty-eight officers, four generals, besides various
colors and standards, twenty-two pieces of brass ordnance,
half of large calibre, thousands of small arms and accoutrements, an immense quantity of shot and shell, powder and
cartridges, 700 pack mules, and many horses-all in our
hands." Having given orders for the prisoners and public
property to be collected, General Smith ordered the pursuit
of the enemy, and was forming the various columns when
General Twiggs arrived, and reiterating the instructions already given for a vigorous pursuit, all save a small guard
moved forward.
A brief reference will be made to a few of the details of this
remarkable battle. Riley having reached the designated position in rear of the enemy's right, closed ranks, faced by the
left flank preparatory to the advance, believing the ravines
known to be in front, could be more readily passed in that
formation. A moment before the advance was to begin, he
received an order from General Smith to form his brigade in
two columns of attack; the one on the right commanded by
Major Gardner, Fourth Artillery, was composed of his regiment and three divisions of the Second Infantry, that on the
left commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Plympton, was composed of two divisions of the Second Infantry and the whole
of the Seventh Infantry. The column formed was " double
column, at half distance," the Fourth Artillery at the head of
the right and the Second Infantry at the head of the left column.
The two columns moved forward under Colonel Riley, and
continued to advance until met by the enemy's infantry under
General Mendoza, thrown forward to oppose; the columns
were halted and deployed into line, under fire from the enemy"s
infantry and discharges of grape from his battery. As soon
as the deployment was completed the advance was resumed,
continued in face of this infantry and artillery fire, and drove




ï~~Courage of the Enlisted Men.

375

the enemy back into and out of his works. The regiments of
Riley's brigade entered the batteries nearly simultaneously;
Captain Casey, who commanded the leading division of
the left column, Second Infantry, and who was among the
first to enter them, captured two pieces of artillery, and pushing forward with Captain Wessells and Lieutenant Lyon
in pursuit, a number of white flags were raised, and 200 men
surrendered.
Captain Drum, Fourth Artillery, was the first of his regiment to'enter the batteries and place his hand upon two guns,
which proved to be the two lost at Buena Vista. The color
bearers of the Fourth Artillery and Second Infantry, Sergeants Goodwin and Daily, were both killed within less
than one hundred yards of the enemy's works, each bearing
his colors to the front with the courage of true soldiers.
Lieutenant Benjamin, Fourth Artillery, seized the colors of
his regiment, and bore them forward into the batteries
under a heavy fire. Captain Wessells of the Second Infantry took the colors of*his regiment from the hands of
the dead sergeant, and although wounded, pushed to the front
into the hostile batteries and planted them upon the crest of
the works.
The Seventh Infantry, on the left of the line, after deployment, moved with the other two regiments* exposed alike to
artillery and infantry fire; its colors, borne bravely by Sergeant Bradley, were planted upon the works before those, as
claimed, of the Second Infantry and Fourth Artillery; the
three regiments rushed together into the works, capturing the
cannon, pursuing the enemy on the road beyond, and delivering a terrible and destructive fire on his rear. Captain Paul,
Lieutenants Gantt, and E. K. Smith, all of the Seventh Infantry, with their companies, pursued the enemy some distance and captured a number of prisoners.
The loss in Riley's brigade in the assault was eighty-three
killed and wounded; among the former was Captain Hanson,
Seventh Infantry, whose death was lamented by all who knew
* Second Lieut. W. H. Tyler, who was detached from his company
when the regiment took its place in line to move into position preparatory to the attack, gallantly brought his detachment in action with
the Third Infantry.




ï~~376

The Wounded.

him; the regimental, brigade, and division commanders referred to him in their reports in the most befitting and complimentary terms, and of him the general-in-chief says: " He was
not more distinguished for gallantry than for modesty, morals, and piety." Of the wounded were Captain Ross, Seventh
Infantry, severely; Lieutenant Collins, Fourth Artillery; Captain Wessells, Second Infantry; Lieutenants Lovell and Tilden, of the same regiment, slightly.
Two companies of the Eleventh Infantry (of Cadwalader's
brigade), under Major Hunter, were thrown to the right of
the attacking column to oppose a cavalry force under General
Blanco, and the remainder of that regiment was ordered to
follow and support Riley's brigade. The adjutant of the
regiment, Lieut. D. S. Lee, was wounded in the charge.
The Voltigeur regiment, ordered to follow Riley's brigade
and support his attack, after crossing the ravine intervening
between his troops and the enemy's, was directed to move so
as to come up on the right of Riley's brigade, join in the attack, and prevent the enemy's escape on that side; and in
reaching that position it was subjected to artillery fire, but by
the time it had gained it the enemy had been driven from
their works, and the Eleventh and Fifteenth of this brigade,
being in rear, made every exertion to get up, but were too
late to participate in the main battle.
The First brigade (Smith's) followed Cadwalader's; its
march took it obliquely past the enemy's left and some 8oo
yards from it, being but partially screened; as it was now
daylight, its approach was discovered, and as the brigade
filed past, a large cavalryc force drew up on the left of their
line. As the Third Infantry arrived opposite this point, the
leading brigade became engaged, the cavalry changed position, and the Third Infantry and First Artillery were ordered
to face to the right and attack the enemy's left flank. The
order was obeyed with spirit and the whole battle was successful, the enemy being thoroughly routed.
The New York and South Carolina regiments, under
Shields, remained at San Geronimo, and at daylight a hostile force opened fire upon the village from a battery in Valencia's camp, which the Mexican commander supposed to
be still occupied by the force seen in it at nightfall of the




ï~~General Mendoza a Prisoner.

377

19th. A like fire was directed across the pedrigal, the
enemy being unconscious, apparently, of his rear being
reached and of the attack about to be made from that direction. This last mentioned fire was upon the troops ordered
to display upon the pedrzgal to attract the enemy's attention
and divert it from the concentration and formation then going
on in his rear.
Valencia's artillery fire continued in the direction of San
Geronimo and across the pedrigal until Riley had formed,
and, rising up from the ravine, advanced upon his rear and
opened fire, moving forward rapidly at the same time. The
enemy was soon routed and driven from his position, with
the loss of every gun, camp equipage, and all public supplies,
leaving many dead and over 1,000 prisoners.
General Shields threw the Palmetto regiment over a deep
ravine, down to and across the main highway leading to the
Mexican capital, and the New York regiment further to the
left; the former poured in upon the confused masses as they
hurried down the road, a rapid and well directed fire, and the
New York regiment became engaged, also firing with effect.
Many prisoners were captured at this point; among them
Gen. D. Nicholas Mendoza. In the meantime a large cavalry force moved along the road from the city as if to attack,
and dispositions were made to meet it, but it faced about and
retired.




ï~~CHAPTER XVII.
BATTLE OF CHURUBUSCO. - CONVENT OF SAN PABLO. -
THE TETE DE PONT.-PORTALES.-NUVBERS ENGAGED
AND THE CASUALTIES AT CONTRERAS AND CHURUBUSCO.ARMISTICE.
Leaving details to guard prisoners and captured property,
pursuit of the panic-stricken enemy was ordered,. Smith's
brigade leading, with the Mounted Rifles and Engineer Company at its head. Near a large building between the battlefield and San Angel, the Rifles and Mexicans exchanged a
few shots, and as the head of Smith's brigade approached,
the former were thrown forward and entered it upon the
heels of the retreating lancers, with but little firing, the town
being quickly abandoned.
Major-General Pillow reached the head of the column as
the troops approached San Angel, and assumed command.
At Coyoacan General Scott joined, having previously ordered his columns to halt there, and as he rode along, passing
the different regiments and brigades, was cheered enthusiastically by tht soldiers.
Churubusco was over a mile in front of Coyoacan (map
XII), two miles southeast was San Antonio, the former on the
road from San Angel, the latter on that from San Augustin,
e.ch leading by Churubusco to the city, and a good wagon
road connected Coyoacan and San Antonio. Immediately
upon arrival at Coyoacan General Scott despatched Captain
Lee, with Capt. Phil Kearny's company of First Dragoons,
supported by one company of the Mounted Rifles under Lieut.
Alfred Gibbs, mounted on horses captured from Valencia, to
-378




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ï~~Reconnoissances Under Lee and Stevens.     379
reconnoiter, while Pillow followed with Cadwalader, under
orders to attack San Antonio in rear, in concert with General Worth, who was to assail it in front.
Lieut. I. I. Stevens, ordered about the same time to advance on the direct road and reconnoitre, was supported by
the engineer company, under Lieut. G. W. Smith. This reconnoissance covered the Convent of San Pablo in the village
of Churubusco, but a thorough and satisfactory examination
and report had not been made when one of Twiggs' brigades,
Smith's, less the Rifle regiment, and Taylor's battery moved
forward to the attack, and- Riley's brigade, of the same
division, followed and joined in battle.
When Valencia's rout was known Worth returned with
Garland's brigade to his position in front of San Antonio with
orders " to attack that place in front with his whole force as
soon as approached in rear by Pillow's and Twiggs' divisions,
moving from Contreras through San Angel and Coyoacan."
On returning to his position, Worth directed Clarke's brigade,
composed of the Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Regiments of Infantry, and the Light Battalion of Brevt. Col. C. F. Smith,
conducted by Capt. James L. Mason, engineers, and Lieut.
E. L. F. Hardcastle, topographical engineers, to move, ii
a. m., over the pedrigal (map XII) to the left of the road,
turn the right flank of the fortified position at San Antonio,
and strike the road in rear, cutting the enemy's line
of communication. Garland's brigade, composed of the
Second and Third Artillery, the Fourth Infantry and Duncan's battery, was held ready to attack in front when Clarke's
brigade became engaged.
The latter, after a laborious and tedious march, was subjected near the road to Coyoacan to a fire of Mexican skirmishers, which, however, caused no detention in the march,
as the enemy in the meantime retired from San Antonio and
towards Churubusco and the brigade, continuing its march,
struck the enemy in flank. There was lively firing for a few
minutes, but the Mexicans broke and fled in several directions, some towards Mexicalcingo, some to Churubusco, others
back towards San Antonio. A number of killed and wounded
were left on the road and one general, a few men and several
officers were captured.




ï~~380

Outline of Main Movements.

When Clarke's brigade encountered the rear of those returning from San Antonio and became engaged, Garland's
marched on the causeway against the front of the Mexican
works, preceded by a company of the Third Artillery, under
Lieut. R. W. Johnston, thrown forward to draw the fire of the
hostile batteries, and having passed through San Antonio
followed closely the road in pursuit of Bravo's retreating
command. On entering the works, in which were several
pieces of artillery, they were found to be abandoned.
Captain Lee, ordered to reconnoitre San Antonio, proceeding along the road from Coyoacan, fell in with Clarke's brigade, moving by a flank across his road and learned that the
Mexicans attacked by them had withdrawn from San Antonio. The Rifle Regiment was countermarched, and with
Captain Lee and Kearny's company had begun to retrace
their steps to Coyoacan, when firing, heard in front of Coyoacan, proved to be the beginning of the attack by Smith's brigade on the Convent of San Pablo.
General Pillow, with Cadwalader's brigade, did not return
to Coyoacan, but, seeing General Worth's troops in pursuit of
the Mexicans on the causeway, bore off to the left and united
his brigade with Worth's, and then these two generals, hearing firing to the left, attacked the tete-de-pont in their front.
Riley's brigade had also been ordered forward, and the
battle being now joined by Twiggs, Worth, and Pillow, General Scott ordered General Pierce's brigade, conducted by
Captain Lee, to move by the road leading north from Coyoacan, cross the Churubusco river by a bridge on that road,
then turn to the right and seize the causeway in rear of the
tete-de-pont. In a few minutes General Shields was ordered
to the same point with his two regiments, and was directed
to take command of all the troops on that part of the field.
Captain Lee returned to Coyoacan, and, reporting to General Scott that Shields, engaged in rear of the Mexican lines,
was hard pressed and in danger of being out-flanked, if not
overwhelmed, by superior numbers, Major Sumner was ordered to move with the Mounted Rifles, under Major Loring,
and Captain Sibley's company, Second Dragoons, conducted
by Captain Lee, to support Shields. Meanwhile the attack
was persistently pressed at all points along the whole front,




ï~~Mexican Forces Withdrawn from Exterior Lines. 381
and now very seriously in danger of having their retreat cut
off by increasing forces in their rear, the Mexican lines gave
way and fell back, pursued by the victorious Americans.
Having briefly sketched the main movements in the battle
of Churubusco, we will now give a more detailed account of
the operations and incidents of the attack, followed by extracts from Mexican history and our own official reports, first
referring briefly to the Mexican commander, and giving the
disposition of his forces to meet the pressing emergency reresulting from the defeat, capture, or dispersion of Valencia's forces.
During the night of the 19th Santa Anna ordered Rangel's
brigade to move at once from the citadel in the city to San
Angel, thus bringing that body of troops in position, from
which it could march to Valencia's assistance at Padierna
early next morning or, in the event of his defeat, aid in covering his retreat. Within a few minutes after the first gun
was heard in Valencia's direction the troops displayed on the
ridge of Toro the previous afternoon moved out of San Angel
back towards Padierna, and the Bravos and Independencias
were ordered up from Churubusco.
The forces from San Angel had marched but a short distance
when rapid and heavy discharges of artillery were heard, followed by volleys of musketry, indicating plainly that a battle
was raging, and the march was quickened by Santa Anna,
but the heavy artillery and musketry fire continued only a
few minutes. The battle of Padierna had been fought, and
in a little while their cavalry was seen coming down the road
from that ill-fated field in full flight, followed by a confused
and disorganized body of infantry, who reported the Americans in hot pursuit. The evidence was convincing that Valencia had been overwhelmingly defeated.
Santa Anna at once determined to withdraw all his troops
from the exterior lines and concentrate them at the garitas
for the defense of the capital. General Bravo at San Antonio and General Gaona at Mexicalcingo were ordered to fall
back at once to the Candelaria Garita, General Lombardini
to countermarch the brigade of General Rangel and proceed
through the Ninio Perdido Gate to the citadel, the light brigade of General Perez to retire by way of Coyoacan and Churubusco to the Candelaria Garita.




ï~~382 Embarrassment of the Mexican Commander.
Having seen the infantry countermarch, Santa Anna and
Staff followed, having with them the regiments of Huzares,
the light battalion of Vera Cruz, and the remainder of the
cavalry of the "Division of the North" under Generals Jauregui and Torrejon. He remained in rear to ascertain if
the Americans were pursuing, and halted at Coyoacan until
the last soldier had passed. Continuing on, he passed the
Convent at Churubusco, and seeing Generals Rincon and
Anaya occupying it with the Independencia and Bravo Battalions of the National Guards, ordered the former to hold it
at all
In the -      e Pillow's and Twiggs' forces, as before
stated, were pursuing the debris of Valencia's command towards Churubusco, and Worth had turned San Antonio, struck
near Zotepingo, between San Antonio and Churubusco, the
rear of Bravo's retreating columns, captured General Perdigon
and much war material, Colonel Zerecero, second in comnmand, narrowly escaping.
The musketry at Zotepingo quickened the march of the advance, many wagons were abandoned on the road, two being
stalled near Rio Churubusco bridge; and to still more embarrass the Mexican commander, his troops retreating by
way of Coyoacan, encountered at this bridge the battalions of
Nacionacles de Largos, and Acapulco falling back from San
Antonio, and the pickets that had been out on the right of the
works at San Antonio. Santa Anna, present at the time, ordered five guns to be placed in the tete-de-pont of the Churubusco bridge, and to guard them, the San Patricio companies
and the battalion of Tlapa. Seeing Worth advancing on the
causeway, he ordered the brigade of Perez to countermarch,
and posted at the tete-de-pont the First Light to the left of the
Third, Fourth, and Eleventh, in the order named, all on the
north bank of the Rio Churubusco, the bed of the stream itself serving as a ditch.
The battle of Churubusco began with the attack by Twiggs
before the engineers had finished their reconnoissance, and
Captain Mason, the engineer with General Worth, states in his
report: "The division (Worth's) now concentrated, fell upon
the Churubusco fort, which had not been reconnoitered, and of
which our information was very partial."




ï~~McClellan and Stevens Reconnoitering.

383

The following explanation of these hurried attacks, and
the order in which they were made, is given after a careful
reading of the official reports, which indicate, as will be seen,
that the battle of Churubusco began with the attack upon the
Convent of San Pablo.
On reaching Coyoacan an engineer officer sent out to the
southeast to reconnoiter San Antonio, was followed by a brigade of Pillow's division, while Twiggs with one of his brigades moved forward on the road to Churubusco and halted
near the fork of two roads, one bearing almost due east, the
other in the direction they were marching. The engineer
company under Lieut. G. W. Smith, followed and passed to
the front, and Smith being ordered by General Twiggs to have
a battery, reported to be in front, reconnoitered, Lieut. McClellan moved forward on one road and examined the battery,
while Lieutenant Stevens followed the other road. Returning, they reported a battery masked by intervening corn-fields
and bushes in front of a convent, the steeples of which could
be distinctly seen several hundred yards in front of the column,
and the roof of which was crowded with Mexican infantry.
They were ordered to make a close reconnQissance, accompanied by the engineer company as escort.
Returning to the front, the enemy was seen to the right,
left, and in front. A Mexican lancer was captured by Lieutenant McClellan within 300 yards of the convent, and Lieutenant Stevens directed Lieutenant Smith to take him back to
General Twiggs and to request two more companies to be
sent as escort. Lieutenant Stevens rejoined General Twiggs,
and Lieutenant Smith returned to his company.
The three engineers-Smith, Stevens, and McClellan-and
Lieutenant Brooks, of Twiggs' Staff, believing the Rifles to be
engaged with greatly superior forces, and hearing no artillery
firing, recommended that the first Artillery be advanced to
their support. The firing heard to the right was not, however, the Rifles engaged, but Clarke's brigade or that part of
it which attacked the retreating Mexicans in flank on the
San Antonio causeway. Worth, pressing upon the rear of the
retreating forces, and hearing the firing to the left near the
convent, joined without loss of time and without reconnoissance, in the attack, directing his first efforts against the tete-de.




ï~~884 The Battle Begins at the Convent of San Pablo.
Pont. About 12 m. the First Artillery, under Maj. Justin
Dimick, became engaged in front of the Convent of San
Pablo, masked by a field of full-grown corn. As it moved
forward in line, artillery from the field works about the
building opened with round shot and grape, and being within
range of musketry, the infantry from the parapet between the
guns, from the roof and windows of the building as well as
from a wall in part surrounding it, blazed away. The advance continued through the corn field, and at a lane beyond
the regiment halted; in front of its right, within oo yards,
was a regular bastion work, in the curtain of which were four
heavy guns in embrasure; the left was within seventy yards
of the works, exposed to the fire of two guns in barbette, the
whole regiment being at the same time under infantry fire.
The men were ordered to seek such protection as they could
find, and under partial cover directed their fire upon the cannoneers of the guns when exposed as well as upon the infantry.
The Third Infantry and Taylor's battery were ordered forward, and the latter, placed in position to the right of the
Churubusco road, in an open field within 400 yards of the
convent, became engaged immediately. In reply to this fire
came round shot, shell, grape, canister, and musket balls.
The Third Infantry advanced on the left of the battery, and,
seizing an irregular line of adobe buildings running obliquely
to the road and within sixty yards of the convent, opened fire
under this cover. The courage displayed by the officers and
men of Taylor's battery was the admiration of all spectators,
and official reports refer to them loading and firing "as
though on drill."
Riley's brigade followed Smith's and moved to the left of
the road. The Second Infantry, Captain Morris, attacked
the right of the Mexicans on the west side of the convent,
the Seventh Infantry being ordered to its support. The
Second Infantry advanced through a corn-field, and as it
passed out of this into an open space in front of the convent
a volley of musketry killed Lieut. Thomas Easley, a company
commander, and killed or wounded twelve men with him.
A second company commander, Capt. E. K. Smith, received
two wounds, and fourteen men immediately with him were
shot down.




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ï~~The Tete-de-Pont Attacked.

386

Worth's division having been re-united, and Pillow with
Cadwalader's brigade of his division joining near the same
time, the attack upon the tete-de-Pont was ordered. Garland's
brigade, having Col. C. F. Smith's Light Battalion on the
right, was directed to the right of the road, in line of columns
obliquely to it, which order in its advance and deployment
was designed to strike the enemy's line at right angles.
Clarke's brigade, except the Sixth Infantry, was also ordered to move to the right of the road, but by the flank, while
the Sixth was to charge down the causeway upon the tete-depont and take it.
The Eleventh and Fourteenth Infantry, Cadwalader's brigade, Lieutenant-Colonel Graham and Col. William Trousdale, were to advance on the left of the road. The Voltigeur regiment, same brigade, under Lieut.-Col. Joseph E.
Johnston, to remain near the causeway as a guard to Duncan's battery.
The Sixth Infantry charged down the causeway as ordered,
Lieut. Lewis A. Armistead at the head of the leading platoon,
and coming upon wagons abandoned by Mexicans and blocking the road, Capt. William Hoffman, commanding, discovered that a part only of the regiment was following him,
and from the severe fire in front and from the left was being
annihilated. Believing nothing could be accomplished under
the circumstances by a further advance he ordered the troops
to leave the road, cross the ditch into the corn-field on the
right and then move forward against the enemy's infantry to
the left (Mexican) of the tete-de-Pont. The order was obeyed
and the men advanced with spirit, but it was apparent that
they were not strong enough to assail the enemy in the position occupied, and Lieut. S. B. Buckner being sent to the
commander of the regiment, requesting to be recalled or reinforced, the order was revoked.
On falling back to a bridge in rear, portions of several companies were collected and were being reformed when Captain
Hoffman was ordered by General Worth to form the battalion
in column and charge the tete-de-Pont a second time. The
artillery fire, round shot and grape, together with musketry, however, proved too severe, and the men being
- under. fire for. the first time, despite all efforts made by officess,




ï~~386 The Tete-de-Pont Charged a Second Time.
crossed again into the field on the right, where order was restored. Being rejoined by Capt. W. H. T. Walker and Lieutenant Armistead with a few men who had not fallen back
after the first charge, the colors of the regiment advanced a
third time, but against the enemy's left with a force strengthened by Capt. Horace Brooks, Lieuts. John Sedgwick and
Charles B. Daniels, of the Second Artillery, aided by the
simultaneous advance of the Third Artillery, Lieut.-Col. F.
S. Belton, Second Artillery, Maj. P. H. Galt, and the Fourth
Infantry, Maj. Francis Lee, in the order named, from the
left.
The Fifth and Eighth Regiments of Infantry were halted
on the causeway by order of General Worth, to support Duncan's battery, and after leaving with the battery two companies, Captains Screven and Gates, of the Eighth, were ordered to advance. The two regiments moved to the right
and near the road, when the first mentioned troops became
engaged, and as the latter also came under fire, Colonel
Clarke, commanding the brigade, was wounded, leaving Colonel McIntosh, of the Fifth Infantry, in command. The forward movement being over ditches filled with water, and
through fields of full-grown corn, regiments and companies
became intermingled and much scattered; a slight reforming
was made near the tete-de-pont, when with a dash it was carried. The men entered it through the embrasures, or over
the parapet, crossed the Rio Churubusco, and occupied the
causeway in rear leading to the city.
Bvt. -Maj. George Wright, Captains Bomford and Larkin
Smith, First Lieut. and Adj. James Longstreet, Second
Lieuts. James G. S. Snelling and George E. Pickett, of the
Eighth Infantry, were all distinguished at this point. Bornford and Longstreet entered the tete-de-pont at the same time,
the latter bearing the colors of his regiment. As soon as the
bridge head was entered Capt. Larkin Smith turned one of
the captured guns upon the convent, and the fire was kept
up by Bomford, Longstreet, and Snelling. A portion of the
Eighth (four companies) under Bvt.-Maj. Wm. R. Montgomery, became separated from this part of the regiment, and
pursued the.enemy towards the capital. Among the first in
the tete-de-Pont were a few of the Third Artillery, who en



ï~~Offcers Distinguished at this Point.

387

tered over the left face. Lieut. Shields of that regiment directed the fire of one of the captured guns upon the convent,
an 8-pounder supplied with ammunition, in charge of Lieut.
Ayers, Third Artillery, and pursued the retreating Mexicans
along the highway.
The Fourth Infantry, the last to become engaged, advanced
on the extreme right of the line like the other regiments under a heavy artillery and infantry fire, over corn fields obstructed by draining and irrigating ditches, by maguey,
hedges, etc., rendering order impossible. Maj. R. C. Buchanan and Lieut. and Adj. Henry Prince were among the
first to cross the breastworks. Lieut. Arnold, part of whose
regiment, Second Artillery, pressed on in the pursuit and
kept up with the infantry, was severely wounded near the
tete-de-pont. Lient. -Col. Martin Scott, commanding the Fifth
Infantry after Colonel McIntosh assumed command of the
brigade, greatly distinguished himself. In his report he
credits Brevet-Major Wright, Eighth Infantry, with having
preceded him in the tete-de-pont, and among their mutual acquaintances this was considered the highest compliment Scott
could pay or Wright receive.
Captain Merrill and Lieutenant Rosecrants, both of the Fifth
Infantry, were separated from the regiment in the advance
and passed further to the right, where they became hotly engaged. A part of the regiment was in the assault of the tetede-pont, while another crossed the Rio Churubusco to the
right and reached the road in rear, all commands being broken
up and intermingled, but each and every part fighting well.
Every regimental commander in Worth's and Pillow's divisions refers to ditches, hedges, cornfields, all the former
being full of water, and to the impossibility of moving in compact order.
Bvt. -Lieut. -Col. Charles F. Smith, Second Artillery, recognized as one of the best and most efficient officers in the
army, had four companies under his command, and in his report says: " From the mode of advance and the nature of
the ground the men became so much scattered that after
passing an open field in the rear of some jacales (shanties) on the road, I found myself with not exceeding twenty
men of my command, and knew not where the others were.




ï~~388            Killed and Wounded.
Soon after this by signal I succeeded in getting together probably one-half of them, and at the same time was joined by
several officers and perhaps zoo men of the Fifth, Sixth, and
Eighth Regiments of Infantry, with which force I moved
towards the tete-de-pont and afterwards in pursuit of the
enemy."
The Yoltigeur regiment remained in reserve until Duncan's
battery was ordered into action, then moved forward to its
support. The other two regiments, Eleventh and Fourteenth
Infantry, of this brigade (Cadwalader's) in line on the left of
the causeway, moved forward through cornfields, and even
filled many ditches with cornstalks to render them passable,
but only succeeded in arriving at the tete-de-pont as it was
being carried, joined in the pursuit under General Pillow's
directions, and continued with the advance until ordered to
halt within two miles of the city.
The tete-de-pont being carried, there remained the Convent
of San Pablo to the right of the Mexican line. This building with its thick walls, too heavy to be penetrated by fieldpieces, covered with a well-constructed bastion, having flooded
ditches and guns in embrasure, proved to be a far more serious
undertaking than had been anticipated. Nevertheless the
First Artillery, which began the attack, the Third Infantry,
that followed, and Riley's men never ceased firing after gaining their advanced position until the contest ended. Lieut.
Satterlee Hoffman, commanding company, and Capt. Erastus
A. Capron, both of the First Artillery, and Capt. Martin J.
Burke and his first sergeant, of the Third Artillery, were
killed; in the Third Infantry Capt. Lewis Craig and Lieut.
and Adj. Don Carlos Buell wounded, the latter severely, in
front of the works surrounding the convent; in the Second
Infantry Lieut. Thomas Easley was killed, Capt. J. W. Anderson mortally, and Capt. J. R. Smith and Lieut. Wm. M.
Gardner severely wounded. The approach to the convent
on the side attacked by Twiggs' division was such that the
men were under close musketry fire as they emerged from
the wet corn fields with ranks dislocated and broken into
more or less scattered groups.
The tete-de-pont captured and the infantry and artillery fire
*t. the convent abating, the Third Infantry, with the First




ï~~Sorties from the Convent Driven l3acc.

389

Artillery on its right and the Second Infantry on its left,
made a simultaneous advance, though much intermingled,
and entered it. The first officer to enter the works was Capt.
James Madison Smith, of the Third Infantry, who displayed
the flag of his regiment from the convent walls. He was followed by First Lieut. and Adj. John M. Brannan and Second
Lieut. Truman Seymour, of the First Artillery, and Second
Lieut. J. D. Wilkins, Third Infantry.
Col. Bennet Riley, commanding brigade, reports having repulsed sallies from the convent, in which the enemy contended with obstinacy, but was finally driven from the inclosing wall, and the colors of the Second Infantry planted in the
road in rear of the convent, at the same moment that cheering from the front announced its capture. Capt. Thompson
Morris, commanding the Second Infantry, states (referring to
the sorties made by the Mexicans) that a column of several
hundred passed out of the front gate of the convent and, under cover of the standing corn, advanced towards the left of
his regiment, but was driven back; that a second effort was
made and checked, and that subsequent sallies met the same
fate.
In Taylor's battery, under fire of guns in embrasure and of
infantry under cover, Lients. J. G. Martin and E. C. Boynton
and twenty cannoneers were wounded, who, with fifteen
mangled horses lying around, bore evidence of the severe
struggle. No gun, however, had been dismounted, though
Captain Taylor and Lieut. Wm. H. French continued the
action several hours and drove the infantry from the convent
roof.
Brig.-Gen. Franklin Pierce*, with a battalion of the
Twelfth Infantry, under Capt. Allen Wood, and the Fifteenth Infantry, led by Colonel Morgan, ordered to turn
the Mexican right and cut their communications, was followed by Brigad*r-General Shields, Quitman's division, with
the New York and South Carolina regiments, Cols. Ward B.
Burnett and Pierce M. Butler. Shields was directed to assume command of the two brigades, with the same orders given
to Pierce. The Ninth 'Infantry (Colonel Ransom), Pierce's
*President of United States from March 4, 1853, to March 4, 1857.




ï~~390 Advance Upon tke Hacienda Portace8.
brigade, and the mountain howitzer battery, under Lieut.
Reno, followed Shields' regiments, which moved on the road
for a mile, then crossed several ditches (the ground being low
and wet), next inclined to the right, passing over some
marshy ground and through fields of full-grown corn, beyond
which long lines of the enemy were formed on the turnpike
leading from San Augustin, via Churubusco, to the city. On
the turnpike was the Hacienda Portales, about 1,200 yards in
rear of the Rio Churubusco, along which the battle was then
raging. To the left was a church; directly in front of it a littie hamlet known as Ladvillera, and along each side of the
road was a deep ditch of water.
General Shields attacked the Mexicans by regiments; first
with the battalion of the Twelfth Infantry under Bvt.-Maj.
Allen Wood, who advanced upon Portales, a hamlet surrounded by a stone wall, and when in the act of taking possession of it, received a heavy fire of musketry. As Colonel
Morgan's regiment approached it came under a brisk fire,
and was ordered to form in line parallel to the road and to
the right of the hacienda, but before the order was executed
the gallant colonel fell with a wound that disabled him, and
Lieutenant-Colonel Howard, who succeeded him, ordered
the regiment to occupy the thrashing floor near the building.
A portion of the battalion was under cover; the other, not
so fortunate, continued to fight until the arrival of expected
troops.
As Shields' two regiments approached the field, the line,
owing to the difficulties of the march, had become much extended; time was consumed by the New York regiment in
forming, and when it advanced, the enemy was seen endeavoring to turn its flank, the regiment being at the time under
a distant fire; but it marched directly to the front, and when
within Ioo yards of the hostile line Colonel Burnett received
a severe wound through the leg, and was c npelled to leave
the field, Lieut.-Col. Charles Baxter succeeding to the command.
Owing to a number of horsemen and the mountain howitzer battery entering the column, there was an interval of 300
yards between these two regiments, and the Ninth Infantry
of Pierce's brigade was about the same distance in rear of the




ï~~GEORGE W. MORGAN,
MT. VERNON, OHIO.
1892.
As the above officer is the ONLY ONE living of the portraits in this history, it has been thought
proper to represent him as he is NOW.




ï~~


ï~~PNew York and South Carolina 'Volunteers. 391
Palmetto regiment. When the latter, ordered into action on
the left of the New York, moved forward only two of its companies had formed, but as it advanced other companies came
up into line. The New York retiring to cover of the hacienda
on its right, the South Carolina regiment became exposed
to fire in front and from the houses of Ladvillera on its
left. The great eagerness to reach the road, and thus cut off
the retreat of the main Mexican force fighting at Churubusco,
precipitated the attack by regiments, and a new and more
united formation being evidently indispensable, the South
Carolina moved by the right flank and rear, until it joined
the left of the New York regiment.
General Shields and Staff having marked out a line on
which the regiments were to reform, the companies of the left
wing of the Palmetto formed on this line in good order, those
of the right wing, becoming mixed up with men of other regiments, were in some confusion, but this was remedied when
the advance was ordered. A part of the New York regiment
formed on the right of the Palmettos, when the order " to
charge " was given, Major Gladden leading the latter, and
not halting until the road was reached and occupied. The
Ninth Infantry and mountain howitzer battery joined in battle;
the latter in position on the right of the Hacienda, threw
spherical case shot and canister into the Mexican ranks formed
on the road, the Ninth Infantry on the left and the Twelfth and
Fifteenth on the right of the volunteers.
The above mentioned regiments, the South Carolina, New
York, Twelfth and Fifteenth Infantry on the right and the
Ninth Infantry on the left joined in the pursuit on the turnpike towards the city, then in full view and less than three
miles distant. The tete-de-pont and convent had been carried,
and the enemy was in flight from the points along the main
highway before Shields' command gained the road.
Worth's division, Shields' and Pierce's brigades of Quitman's, Pillow's division, and the Eleventh Infantry, Lieutenant-Colonel Graham, of Cadwalader's brigade, followed the
retreating enemy, as he fell back in tolerable order until Lieutenant Ayers, Third Artillery, with one gun captured at the
tete-de-pont, joined the column, and turning it upon the fleeing Mexicans caused them to rush on in great disorder. The




ï~~S92     Casualties at the San Antonio Garitac.
pursuit was arrested by General Worth being ignorant, as he
stated, " first of the magnitude of the defenses at the garita,
secondly of the ulterior views of the General-in-Chief; " and a
halt was ordered after consulting with Major General Pillow and
Brigadier General Shields,within two miles of the city. Colonel
larney, Second Dragoons, coming up at this instant with two
squadrons of cavalry, passed rapidly to the front, charged the
enemy's rear, using the sabre freely, and in the excitement of
the chase, the leading squadron, composed of Phil. Kearny's
company of the First, and Capt. Andrew T. McReynolds' company, Third Dragoons, failing to hear the recall when sounded,
continued on to the immediate vicinity of the San Antonio
Garita where Captain Kearny, in the advance, lost an arm
from a discharge of grape and canister. Lieut. L. Graham and
Captain McReynolds were wounded, Lieut. Richard S. Ewell
had two horses killed under him, and Maj. F. D. Mills, of
the Fifteenth Infantry, a volunteer, fell mortally wounded.
Santa Anna, being with several of his general officers at
the Gate at this critical moment, ordered a discharge of grape
from the guns of the Garita battery, and the Mexican infantry, encouraged by his presence, opened a brisk fire, under
which the American cavalry retired.
From Mexican history we learn " that five guns, the First
Light Infantry, the battalion of Tlapa, and the San Patricio
companies were placed in the tete-de-pont. Colonel Gavoso,
commanding the First Light, was seriously wounded, and
when the Americans were discovered moving round the Mexican right threatening communications with the capital, Santa
Anna despatched the Fourth Light and part of the Eleventh
of the Line, from the banks of the Rio Churubusco on the
left of the tete-de-pont, to the Portales, a few men to be posted
on the roof, the remainder under cover around the building.
General Quijano returned from the city with the Huzares,
the Vera Cruz cavalry, and what remained of the cavalry of the
North, and General Bravo, who commanded at San Antonio,
was driven from the causeway on his retreat towards Churubusco, and retired in direction of Mexicalcingo, from which
place he hastened to the tete-de-pont. General Perez represented to him " that they were without ammunition, in consequence of which his soldiers disbanded in every direction, a




ï~~Valiant 11exican Officers.

part going towards the Pe ion." * * * The Americans " approached the bridge without more resistance and cannonaded
the fugitives with the very artillery they had abandoned in
desperation, having no draught horses."
The defenders of the convent regarded their position as
critical from the time Worth's division began the attack upon
the tete-de-pont, which was the only way of escape in the
event of defeat; and those of the bridge head were similarly
alarmed when the Americans turned the convent on their
right and directed their march upon the causeway in rear.
When ammunition began to fail in the convent, which was
not long after the battle began, General Rincon sent a staff
officer to Santa Anna, informing him of this fact and asking
to be reinforced, and was told " that all had been given that
could be, and he must defend himself to the last extremity."
Santa Anna did, nevertheless, send the San Patricio company
and some pickets of Tlapa and Largos and one wagon of ammunition; the cartridges for the artillery, however, were too
large, and of the infantry ammunition only the San Patricio
soldiers could use it, the other muskets being of a different
and smaller calibre.
Both Rincon and Anaya are credited in Mexican history
with exhibiting great courage, sharing all dangers with their
-men; the latter had ordered a piece to be loaded with grape
and was aiming it himself when, by some carelessness, a
quantity of ammunition near by exploded, disabling four soldiers and Captain O'Leary, in charge of the battery, and injuring him, though he remained with his command. A young
officer of the Bravos, Don Eligio Vollamer, was throughout
the battle conspicuous for reckless daring. Colonel Mendez
requested and obtained for himself and son the " post of extreme danger," but amid the storm of bullets remained unscathed. Lieut. D. Juan Maria Resilla and D. Juan Aguilar
y Lopez were also highly distinguished.
Mexicans report that " The battle raged for three and a
half hours* before the Americans gained any decided ad* An American timed the fight, he being in reserve at San Augustin, nearly five miles from Churubusco, and made it two and threequarters hours. He had become quite despondent, thinking it should
not have lasted half that time.




ï~~894

4  Extracts from 2ttexican 1istory.

vantage. The Mexicans, firm and resolute, had so far maintained their position bravely, but unfortunately the ammunition became scarce, and naturally the firing slackened. Generals Rincon and Anaya, seeing no possibility of prolonging
the contest, ordered the whole force to retire within the convent. A few men determined to make a last desperate effort,
and led by Pefiuliuri charged with the bayonet without success, their brave leader falling severely wounded. D. Luis
Martinez de Castro, captain of Sharp-Shooters, in an effort to
cut his way out was mortally wounded and died in the convent, kindly cared for by the Americans."
" The first to present himself upon the parapet was the
valiant Capt. James M. Smith, of the Third Infantry, who
gave an exemple of valor to many following him; and, no
less magnanimous than daring, scarcely had he ascertained
that now, on our part, no resistance was made than he showed
a white flag." *
General Scott, it will be remembered, organized while
lying at Puebla a company of Mexicans who were regularly
mustered into the United States service under Dominguez
as captain. Mexican history thus refers to them: " Patriotism and society were horrified in meeting among the conquerors, who made their triumphant entry into Churubusco,
a little squadron of bandits who, under the name of Contra
Guerrillas, led by the famous Dominguez as captain, and as
auxiliaries of the American Army, made war on their own
countrymen more sanguinary than the enemy himself. General Anaya, now a prisoner, impelled by a feeling of execration and horror, apostrophized the insolent chief, calling him
traitor. * * * A general shout announced the arrival of
Twiggs, who, saluting courteously and like a soldier the
Mexican generals and officers, harangued his own people,
commending their valor and recommending the prisoners to
kindly consideration. He held in his hand a flag which had
twenty shots through it, and gave it to one of his men. * * *
A scene of grief, desolation, and death prevailed in the convent, so calm and tranquil at other times."
In the battle of Churubusco among the many prisoners captured was the San Patricio battalion. They were tried by a

* Mexican history.




ï~~Z'he Deserters from   Both Sides.        895
general court-martial and sentenced to death, all but sixteen
being executed; some were pardoned on account of youth
when they deserted, two were pardoned because their sons
or brothers had remained true to the flag of their country,
and O' Riley having deserted before declaration of war, was
not condemed to death, but was branded with the letter "D"
on his cheek.*
Of these deserters, Mexican history says: " Their deportment deserves the greatest eulogies, for throughout all the
battles they maintained the fire with extraordinary courage.
A great number of them fell in the action, while those who
survived, more unfortunate than their companions, suffered
soon after a cruel death, or horrible torments, improper in a
civilized age, and from a people who aspire to the title of illustrious and humane."
Pupils of Vauban and Cormontaigne recognized in the tetede-pont a work constructed in accordance with the rules they
prescribed and the principles they taught. The exterior side
of the south front was seventy-five yards; in the curtain of
this front were three embrasures, the fire from which swept
the causeway towards San Antonio, and this was blocked for
several hundred yards by a number of large, heavily loaded
wagons, abandoned under the hot pursuit by Worth. On the
east front the exterior side was ioo yards; the curtain had
embrasures for four guns; to the right and left of the causeway were salients arranged for guns in barbette. The relief
was fifteen feet; depth of water in the ditch, four feet.
The Convent of San Pablo, in solidity and strength all that
could be desired, was fortified on the east and south front,
having a parapet made of adobe, eight and a half feet thick
and twenty steps in front of the gate of the convent; the
ditch was broad and filled with water. For want of time the
north and east sides had not been fortified; the curtain (only
* The companies of Dominquez, deserters from the Mexican army
and regularly enlisted in the United States service, and of San Patricio, deserters from the American army on the Rio Grande, mostly of
European nativity, and enrolled in the Mexican service with O'Riley
as captain, first met in battle in the Convent of Churubusco, and the
scorn with which they regarded and the ferocity with which they attacked each other, was a forcible illustration of the odium attached
to treachery, even among traitors. Both companies fought bravely
and neither seeking nor asking quarter, many were killed.




ï~~30    Great!.ortaZity Among tke Volunteers.
Qne) on the south front had embrasures for four guns, and in
the salients to the right and left were guns in barbette. On
the azotea and in the works below infantry were posted, and
also occupied a banquette against the inside wall of the corral. *
The loss in General Shields' command was serious in the
higher grades of officers. Brigadier-General Pierce when ordered to turn the Mexican right was sick. General Scott referred to him in his report as " just able to keep the saddle."
Colonel Burnett, of the New York regiment, fell painfully
wounded early in the battle; Colonel Morgan, of the Fifteenth Infantry, was also disabled by a serious wound after
being in battle a short time; Colonel Butler, of the South
Carolina regiment, had his horse killed, then advanced on
foot, a few minutes subsequently was wounded in the leg,
and turned over his regiment to Lieutenant-Colonel Dickenson, but resumed command, reformed his regiment under a
heavy fire on the line indicated by the brigade commander,
and was gallantly leading his men in the thickest of the fray
when he fell dead shot through the head. t Lieutenant-Colonel Dickenson was mortally wounded about the same time,
and Adjt. James Cantey shot through the jaw. These great
losses, three regimental commanders being disabled, naturally had a depressing effect, but General Shields I and his
Staff exerted themselves to encourage the men, reform the
ranks and lead them against the enemy; in no part of the
field, and at no time during the memorable day, was more
gallantry displayed or more dangers confronted than at Portales by Shields and Staff. When Lieutenant-Colonel Dickenson fell he was bearing aloft the Palmetto flag; Lieutenants Abney and Sumter were wounded early, but continued
with their companies until the last shots were fired. Capt.
J. D. Blanding, regimental commissary, joined a company
and shared its dangers until wounded. Captain Hammond,
quartermaster, aided the several regimental commanders by
*A walled enclosure for horses or cattle.
tColonel Butler made a personal application to General Shields for
a prominent position on the battle-field, for, said he, "South Carolina
wants a place in the picture near the flashing of the guns."
$ Subsequently United States Senator from Illinois, Minnesota, and
Missouri.




ï~~PIERCE M. BUTLER,
COLONEL PALMETTO REGI MENT, S. C. VOL,.
KILLED AUG. 20 1847) AT THE BATTLE OF CHURUBUSCO, MEXr




ï~~


ï~~Valor of the Infantry Regiments.

397

bearing orders to subordinates. Lieutenant Shubrick, of the
United States Navy, a volunteer aid to General Shields, having lost his horse, joined company " F " from his native city
and fought as a private soldier with musket. Private Earle,
of the quartermaster department, and not required to be in
battle, joined his company and fought throughout the battle.
In the New York regiment Lieut.-Col. Charles Baxter displayed great coolness and courage, and had two horses shot
under him. The sergeant-major, L. O'Reilly, fell in front of
the colors of his regiment while advancing upon the enemy.
Color-Sergeant Romaine, having the national colors, after
being disabled in his right arm, carried them with his left
hand until shot dead. Corporal Lake, of the color-guard,
then seized them and, falling immediately, Orderly Sergeant
Doremus, of company " A," took charge of them until the
contest closed.
Captains Holden and Denver, of the Twelfth Infantry battalion, and Lieutenants Steen, Perrin, and Simkins (the latter
dangerously wounded) are referred to in reports as having
acted with coolness and daring, and other officers of the
Twelfth were also complimented.
Of the Ninth Infantry, Maj. Thomas H. Seymour* was
commended for great activity, skill, and valor by Col. T. B.
Ransom, who also complimented the adjutant, Lieut. C. J.
Sprague and Captains Bodfish, Kimball, Thompson, and
Wood, the latter commanding the battalion of the Twelfth
Infantry, and Lieuts. W. A. Newman and A. T. Palmer, both of
whom were wounded. Lieutenant-Colonel Howard, of the
Fifteenth Infantry, who succeeded to the command of his
regiment when Colonel Morgan was forced to retire by reason
of a severe wound, was much distinguished, and his regiment
fought well.
When in the forenoon of the 19th, Twiggs' division moved
forward through San Augustin to take the lead of Pillow and
cover him while engaged in making the road over the pedrigal,
the cavalry corps of Alverez followed and halted in full view
of the village, where Quitman remained to guard the trains,
sick, reserved ordnance, etc., of the army. About 2 im. the. ' Later Goveriior of Connecticut and Ministerto Rssi& -  A




ï~~398    Anxiety with the Reserve at San Augustin.
rear of Twiggs' command filed out of San Augustin, and near
2 p. m. artillery was heard in the direction of Padierna, and
from the reports of cannon and the bursting of shells, was
known to be Mexican artillery of heavier calibre than any of
our own, moved forward with the troops. The artillery had
been playing over an hour, and at times quite briskly, when a
number of Mexican citizens of the town were seen on the roof
of the hotel, the highest building in the place, looking anxiously towards Padierna.
General Quitman and other officers also mounted the roof of
the hotel. The Mexican batteries, the flash of the guns, and occasionally the smoke of bursting shells could be seen, but the
American artillery (Magruder's and Callender's batteries on
lower ground) and the infantry, screened more or less by depressions in the lava beds or by weeds and bushes, could not
be distinguished.
Before 3 p. m. General Scott leaving San Augustin rode out
to the field and all eyes were turned towards Padierna to see,
if possible, what effect his presence would produce. Ere long
Quitman was ordered to send him two regiments and did so
at once. The New York and South Carolina volunteer regiments under Brigadier-General Shields, were detailed, and
soon on the march. Field glasses were used by officers on
the hotel roof, and searching sweeps made in all directions
near the field. Much excitement was created when a body
of Mexican troops were seen approaching the field from the
city, making the impression of great strength in numbers,
some estimating them at 10,000. After General Shields left
San Augustin, the Second Pennsylvania, Colonel Wni. B.
Roberts, the battalion of the United States Marines, Lieut.Col. Sam. E. Watson, and most of the cavalry remained to
hold the depot.
All knew that a corps of 10,000 men in the heart of the
enemy's country, in the immediate vicinity of the hostile
capital, when compact and united, was not a large force, but
it was now divided, one division (Worth's) confronting a
strong force of the enemy intrenched at San Antonio, Pillow
and Twiggs engaging a force believed to be larger than our
whole army, and close upon Quitman's rear on the route over
which the army had marched was the enemy's cavalry. The




ï~~The Commanding General at San Augustin. 399
feeling with the little reserve at San Augustin, late in the afternoon of August 19, 1847, was of intense and serious interest, and all believed one reverse would cause a failure of the
campaign, and compromise even the safety of the army.
The large Mexican reinforcements approached Padierna,
halted upon a high ridge and a few shots fired by a battery
were regarded as indicating that this body of troops would
not take an active part in the engagement. Our speculations were very unsatisfactory, for we could not see our own
troops, nor had we heard much musketry, but we could see
the batteries of Valencia, and the reinforcements arriving
from the capital-nothing more.
Near sundown clouds gathered, it began to rain, and after
dark General Scott returned to San Augustin. The rain increased in severity, the night was unusually dark and uncomfortably cold, and such reports as came from the front at
that early hour were discouraging and embraced only operations in the pedrgal. The brigade that had reached the village beyond the mal pais hAd maintained its position apparently without difficulty; this much was certain, for it
could be seen from headquarters on Zacatepetl, but what the
enemy would do during the night none could tell; his communications were cut, less than two brigades of American infantry were between Valencia and the force displayed on the
Hill of Toro before sunset, and other troops of the enemy
were known to be not far in rear.
The commanding-general was calm, and, full of confidence,
inspired all who came into his presence with like feelings.
Anxious for detailed information from beyond the pedrgal,
he knew of the difficulties and delays attending the crossing
of it in the day, naturally greater at night, especially when
the moon and stars were hidden by dark threatening clouds,
as was then the case.
The difficulties presented by the ground increased and aggravated by night and a cold rain, cannot be properly estimated
without a detailed and personal knowledge, and called for a
display of great fortitude and endurance by troops never fully
appreciated by their compatriots.
General Twiggs and Pillow arrived at headquarters about
9 p. m., their overcoats and the long white beard of the for.




ï~~400 Taking Observations from the Hotel Roof.
mer dripping with water; they gave no information not already known to the commanding-general, and referred briefly
to their efforts to cross the pedrigal and to the discomforts of
the night. After the report made by Captain Lee, who had
returned from the 'far side of the pedrigal with a message
from Brigadier-General Smith to General Scott, it was known
that a battle would be fought at an early hour the following
morning; and although the reserve was not exposed to the
wet and cold bivouac like their comrades confronting Valencia, it was to many nevertheless a sleepless night, all being
intensely interested in the contest so soon to be waged.
The battle of Padierna (Contreras) was fought and won a
little after sunrise of the 20th of August, 1847, before the reinforcements from Quitman and Worth, ordered during the
night, reached the field, and they had barely arrived when
they were ordered to return to their former positions. When
Quitman's troops reached San Augustin an order was received directing most of the cavalry to the front, leaving for
the garrison the Second Pennsylvania, the battalion of United
States Marines, three companies of Dragoons, one of Riftes,
and Steptoe's battery.
The roof of the hotel was again occupied as on the 19th,
and all eyes were turned north towards the Mexican capital,
a few of the officers having field glasses. About I2 m. artillery and musketry were heard, and to those who had been to
the front as far as Worth's division, it was known to be beyond San Antonio, and between it and the city, but no one
knew the exact point, and it is doubtful if any one of the
little group had ever heard of such a place as Churubusco.
The firing was rapid, in volume exceeding any previously
heard in battle, and to increase the excitement with the reserve, there was a collision between a portion of Alvarez's and
our own cavalry, under Captain W. J. Hardee, resulting in
the former's repulse, though the main body of his force remained in full view. The volume of musketry, its long duration, and apparently stationary position gave rise to much
anxiety, as the fight had continued then over two hours; a
thin smoke could be seen over the tree tops in direction of
the battle field, six miles distant, but no tidings came from
_the front. It is,the experience of many that the reserve




ï~~Casualties on the American Side.

401

with a battle-audible, but not visible-is not a desirable position to be in, especially if, as at San Augustin August 20th,
the opinion prevailed that a defeat in front rendered. your own
destruction imminent, if not inevitable. Near 4 p. in. the
quantity of musketry diminished; the artillery became indistinct and finally terminated. At dusk the little garrison
learned that the enemy, after a stubborn fight, had been defeated, with the loss of many prisoners and all of his artillery.
The report that our own loss had been serious caused much
anxiety.
The numbers engaged and casualties on the American side
are easily determined, but it is different with the Mexicans.
General Scott's report shows that 4,500 of his army were engaged on the 19th and 20th of August at Contreras. The
wounded officers on the 19th were Capt. J. W. Anderson, Second Infantry, and Lieut. J. P. Johnston, First Artillery, mortally; Lieut. F. D. Callender, of the ordnance, severely, and
Lients. C. S. Lovell, Second Infantry, and Charles H. Humber, Seventh Infantry, slightly. On the 20th: Capt. Charles
Hanson, Seventh Infantry, killed, and Captain Ross, same
regiment, severely wounded; Lieut. Francis Collins, Fourth
Artillery; Capt. Henry W. Wessells and Lieut. B. F. Tilden,
Second Infantry, and Lieut. D. S. Lee, adjutant of the
Eleventh Infantry, slightly wounded. The loss at Contreras
cannot be given accurately, for the reason that the official reports do not in most cases give them separately from those
sustained at Churubusco, but it is known that the loss on the
i 9th and 20th at Contreras was small, probably less than oo
killed and wounded.
Valencia's command fought at Contreras, and when it arrived in the Valley of Mexico from San Luis Potosi was composed of three brigades, commanded respectively by Generals Mejia, Parrodi, and Salas, and numbered four or five
thousand. At San Angel, on the I8th, arms were distributed
to some national guards-numbers not stated. With Valencia were two generals (Nicholas and Gonzales Mendoza)
whose names, however, do not appear among those mentioned with him previous to the battle of Contreras, and
whether they joined him with troops or not is not stated.




ï~~402,

Numbers Engaged.

The casualties in Valencia's division on the 19th are not
known. General Frontera was killed on the i 9th in a charge
upon Riley's brigade; General Parrodi wounded while among
the guns on the hill. There were casualties when driven
from the fedrigal and from Padierna on the i9th and in collisions with Riley-numbers, however, not known.
In the assault of the 20th, which lasted seventeen minutes,
there were killed 700; wounded not reported; captured, 813,
four of whom were generals, one an ex-President; twentytwo cannon of various calibre, in good order and with a large
supply of ammunition, many small arms, including muskets,
escopets, and 700 pack mules.
General Pillow's division present at Churubusco numbered i,8oo; General Twiggs', 2,400; and General Worth's,
2,600, total, 7,040. From this number the Fourth Artillery,
of Riley's brigade, Twiggs' division, and one company of the
Fourth Infantry, Garland's brigade, Worth's division, should
be deducted, the former detailed to guard prisoners and captured property at Contreras, the latter the trains near Cuapa,
leaving a little over 6,500 infantry and artillery of the regular
army-Pillow's, known as new regulars. Shields' two regiments, after the sick and details left at San Augustin and
Contreras are deducted, numbered 626. The entire infantry
and artillery force engaged was a little over 7,300, and the
loss for the 19th and 20th at Contreras and for the latter day
at Churubusco was an aggregate of 1,053.
In the Convent of San Pablo were the Independencia and
Bravo battalions, 650 each; total, 1,300, to which must be added
the cannoneers for six guns; in the tete-de-pont cannoneers for
five guns, the San Patricio companies and the battalion of
Tlapa, numbers not given. Along the Rio Churubusco, left
of the bridge, north side, was the brigade of Perez-2,500,
one regiment of which, the First Light, Colonel Gayoso, was
at the bridge. General Bravo, driven from the causeway on
his retreat from San Antonio by Worth, retired by Mexicalcingo and joined Perez at the tete-de-pozit, with what force is
not known. The number in the long lines of Mexican troops
seen on the causeway, many of whom took part in the engagement known as Portales, is not stated.




ï~~Scott's Official Report.

403

General Scott estimated the number of Mexicans engaged
on the 20th, including Contreras, Churubusco, on the road
between San Antonio and Churubusco, the Portales, and on the
road between this and the city, at 32,000, which is probably an
over estimate. He does not include the affair at San Augustine, in which several hundred of the Mexican cavalry were
engaged. Prisoners captured on the 19th and 20th were reported by the inspector-general, Colonel Hitchcock, as 2,637.
He does not state the number captured at different points of
collision. Mexican authorities do not give causalties at
Churubusco, but they were known to have been heavy. At
San Antonio and Churubusco fifteen cannon and many muskets were captured. The serious loss in Scott's army was at
Churubusco.
General Scott in his official report, after having described
the battle of Contreras, the pursuit of the enemy via San
Angel and towards Churubusco, the turning of San Antonio,
the capture of the tete-de-pont and Convent of San Pablo, the
contest near the Hacienda de los Portales, and charge upon
the flying enemy up to the Garita of San Antonio, says:
" So terminated the series of events, which I have but feebly
presented. My thanks were freely poured out on the different fields to the abilities and services of generals and other
officers, to the zeal and prowess of all, the rank and file included. But a reward infinitely higher, the applause of a
grateful country and Government will, I cannot doubt, be accorded in due time to such merit of every sort displayed by
this glorious army, which has now overcome all difficulties,
distance, climate, ground, fortifications and numbers.
" It has in a single day in many battles as often defeated
32,000 men, made about 3,000 prisoners, including eight generals, two of them ex-Presidents,* and 205 other officers
killed and wounded, 4,000 of all ranks, besides entire corps
dispersed and dissolved; captured thirty-seven pieces of ord*The exact number of prisoners was, according to the inspector-general's report, 2,637; of this number Generals Garay and Anaya were
released unconditionally, being members of Congress; Generals
Blanco and Garcia, being wounded and requesting it, were paroled
"to enable them to receive the attention of their friends and families." In like manner Colonel Rodriquez and Ferro were also paroled, and permission given to remove into the city about forty-five
w unded soldiers, to be designated by the Mexican surgeon-general.




ï~~404    Victorious Corps Halt at the City's Gates.
nance, more than trebling our siege train and field batteries,
with a large number of small arms, a full supply of ammunition of every kind. These great results have overwhelmed
the enemy. Our loss amounts to 1,053; 139, including sixteen officers, were killed; 876, with sixty officers, were
wounded. The greater number of dead and disabled men
were of the highest worth. Those under treatment, thanks
to our able medical corps, are generally doing well.
"After so many victories we might with but little additional loss have occupied the capital the same evening, 5ut
Mr. Trist, commissioner, as well as myself, had been admonished by the best friends of peace-intelligent neutrals
and some American residents-against precipitation, lest by
wantonly driving away the Government and others dishonored we might scatter the elements of peace, excite a spirit
of desperation, and thus indefinitely postpone the hope of accommodation.
" Deeply impressed with the danger, and remembering our
mission to conquer a peace, the army very cheerfully sacrificed
to patriotism, to the great wish and want of our country, the
cclat that would have followed an entrance, sword in hand,
into a great capital.
"Willing to leave something to this republic of no immediate value to us on which to rest her pride and recover temper,
I halted our victorious corps at the gates of the city, at least
for a time, and have them now cantoned in the neighboring
village, where they are well sheltered and supplied with all
necessaries."
That an armistice was predetermined by General Scott before marching from Puebla, upon the happening of certain
contingencies, the following extract from a letter written by
Lieutenant-Colonel Hitchcock (on General Scott's Staff), inspector-general, and published in the autumn of 1847, will
clearly prove:
" A few words on the subject of the armistice may not be
amiss. It is very generally believed that before the army
left Puebla intercourse of some kind, looking towards a peace,
had been partially established between the Americans and
Mexicans, but it was said the Mexican authorities were restrained by public opinion, which was unable to conceive it




ï~~The In spector General' s Letter.

405

possible that the immense preparations in Mexico could fail
to secure the city; but as General Scott's object in the whole
of his operations in this country has been to bring about an
honorable peace, he intimated before leaving Puebla precisely what he would do before he would, by force of arms,
enter the capital.
" The Mexican army being so large and its appointments
so complete, while the fortifications, which astonish all who
see them, were constructed with scientific skill-all these
facts made it necessary for General Scott to move from
Puebla and strike a severe blow near the capital as the only
means of convincing the Mexicans that, notwithstanding all
their preparations, they could not resist the American army,
small as it was. There was some hope that, by thus opening
the eyes of the Mexican people in the capital, negotiations
might be entered upon and a peace secured, to accomplish
which important object General Scott was willing to forego
all eclat of a forcible entrance into the capital. We know
that all this was distinctly within the contemplation of General Scott before he put foot in the stirrup to leave the city
of Puebla. His foresight and deliberate plan in this respect
is one of the most remarkable incidents, all things considered, that has ever occurred in the history of wars. Let his
position be considered; his distance from home; the extent of
his march to Puebla; the distance yet to be overcome; the
smallness of his force; the character of the city to be assailed;
the great capital of a country, defended by an army fully
three times his numbers and known to be so; that capital,
surrounded by lakes or swamps and only to be approached
by narrow causeways, with deep ditches on either side and
swept by artillery in front and flank. In view of all this,
General Scott said, before he left Puebla, in so many words,
that he would march to the neighborhood of the capital and
either defeat the Mexican army in the open field, if they
would give him battle, or he would take a strong position
from the enemy, and then, if he could restrain the enthusiasm
of his army, he would pause without the city and summon it
to surrender, in order to give the authorities within the city
an opportunity and a motive-the safety of the capital-for
making peace. He did precisely what he designed; he




ï~~406

White Flag Sent by Pacheco.

marched from Puebla in four columns, with the interval of a
day's march between each two columns, and arrived himself,
being with the leading column at Ayotla, before Perion, on
the iith of August."
After a brief summary of operations in the Valley, including those of August 20th, he says: " The American army,
about 4 p. in., was in entire possession of all the outer defenses of the city on the San Antonio causeway, and could
have entered the city that evening without serious difficulty.
But the general had accomplished exactly what he had designed before he left Puebla. He therefore halted the troops
and, after giving necessary instructions, returned by the San
Antonio road to San Augustin, having been the whole day in
the saddle directing the important operations briefly recited.
" In the evening he was visited by some Englishmen from
the city, for what purpose is not precisely known, but the
next morning the General started on the San Antonio road,
turned to the left, and was met at Coyoacan, near Churubusco, by a deputation from the Mexican Government, under a flag,* proposing some terms which, whatever they
were, were instantly rejected; and the General sent by the
deputationf a paper he had prepared, offering to grant an
armistice on certain conditions, the first being that the Mexican Government should appoint commissioners to receive and
consider the propositions of the American Government, to be
presented by an American commissioner, then at the headquarters of the army."
The following is the communication addressed by General
Scott to the Mexican Government:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
UNITED STATES OF AMERICA,  -
COYOACAN, August 21, 1847.
To His Excellency the President and General-in-Chief of the Republic
of Mexico.
SIR: Too much blood has already been shed in this unnatural war
between the two great republics of this continent. It is time the dif* The white flag met by General Scott at Coyoacan the forenoon
of the 21st was accompanied by Senores Basadre, Vlora y Villamil, and
Aranjos, sent by Pacheco, Minister of Foreign Relations, instructed to
ask for an armistice of thirty hours to collect the wounded and bury
the dead. Santa Anna was displeased at this, and remarked that it
compromised him; this being repeated to Pacheco, he resigned.
f His letter of August 21st, inserted below.




ï~~Scott's Letter to the Mexican Government.      407
ferences between them should be amicably and honorably settled, and
it is known to Your Excellency that a commissioner on the part of the
United States, clothed with full powers to that end, is with this army.
To enable the two republics to enter on negotiations, I am willing to
sign on reasonabjle terms a short armistice. I shall await with impatience until to-morrow morning for a direct answer to this communication, but shall in the meantime seize and occupy such positions outside of the capital as I may deem necessary to the shelter and comfort
of this army.
I have the honor to remain with high consideration, etc.,
Your Excellency's most obedient servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
The Mexican authorities replied promptly as follows:
WAR AND NAvY DEPARTMENT,
SE=CION o OPIRATIoNs.
SIR: The undersigned, Secretary of War and the Navy of the
Government of the United States of Mexico, has received orders from
the Most Excellent President, General-in Chief, to answer the communication of Your Excellency, in which you propose to him to enter
into an armistice, with a view to prevent the further effusion of blood
between the two great republics of this continent and to hear the
propositions which may be made to that end by the commissioner of
the Most Excellent President of the United States of America, who is
at present at the headquarters of your army.
It is certainly lamentable that inconsiderate regard to the rights of
the Mexican republic has led to the shedding of blood by the two first
republics of this American continent, and with great exactness Your
Excellency has characterized this war as unnatural-not alone for its
motives, but likewise on account of its being produced by two
nations whose interests and relations are identified with each other.
The proposition of an armistice to terminate this scandal has been
accepted with pleasure by His Excellency the President, General-inChief, because it will open the way through the propositions of the
commissioner of the President of the United States of America for
the decorous termination of this war.
In consequence, His Excellency the President, General-in-Chief,
has ordered me to announce to Your Excellency that he admits your
proposition to make an armistice, to effect which he has nominated
the Brigadier-Generals Mora y Villamil and Benito Quijano, who
will meet at the hour and place you may appoint.
His Excellency the President, General in-Chief, has instructed me
to communicate to Your Excellency his willingness that the army of
the United States shall take commodious and furnished quarters.
hoping that they will be found without the range of shot from the
Mexican fortifications.




ï~~408

The Armistice.

I have the honor to be with high consideration and respect, Your
Excellency's most obedient servant,
ALCORTA.
To His Excellency WINFI ELD Scor,
General-in-Chief of the Army of the United States.
The commissioners appointed by General Scott were
Major-General Quitman, Brigadier-General Franklin Pierce,
and Brevet-Brigadier-General Smith; the convention was concluded on the 23d and ratified on the 24th.
By the terms of the convention hostilities were to cease instantly and absolutely between the two armies within thirty
leagues of the Mexican capital. No military work or ne w
fortifications were to be made, enlarged or strengthened
within these limits. Any reinforcements or munitions of
war, other than subsistence now approaching either army,
shall be stopped at a distance of twenty-eight leagues from
the capital.
The American army was not to obstruct the passage from
the country into the City of Mexico of the ordinary supplies of
food necessary for the inhabitants or the Mexican army within
the city, nor were the Mexican authorities, civil or military,
to do any act to obstruct the passage of supplies from the
city or the country needed by the American army. The
armistice was to continue as long as the commissioners of the
two Governments may be engaged in negotiations, or until
the commander of either army shall give formal notice to the
other of its cessation and for forty-eight hours after such
notice.
On the 21st General Worth's division, that had bivouacked
at Ladvillera the night of the 20th, marched to Tacubaya,
whither General Scott had preceded it and established his
headquarters in the Bishop's Palace. Quitman's troops remained at San Augustin, and Shields' brigade returned there.
Twiggs' division was quartered at San Angel and Pillow's at
Mixcoac.
When the little army under General Taylor marched from
Corpus Christi in March, 1846, towards the Rio Grande the
vexed questions at issue between the United States and Mexico were transferred from the peaceful domain of diplomacy
to the bloody arbitrament of arms. Battles had been fought,




ï~~A Truce Sounded.                409
and, though the Americans were always victorious, the Mexicans had contended in some instances stubbornly, and suffered defeat without loss of honor, as was the case at Monterey, Buena Vista, and Churubusco. Within cannon range
of the capital, at the head of an army flushed with triumph,
his opponents believed to be incapable of further resistance,
General Scott halted his forces. Bloody swords were returned
to their scabbards, a truce was sounded, and to diplomacy
with hopes of success was again assigned the duty of assuaging the bitter feeling engendered by strife and of terminating
the war.




ï~~CHAPTER XVIII.
MAJOR LALLY'S MARCH FROM VERA CRUZ TO JALAPA.-GUERRILLAS ATTACK TRAINS IN THE TIERRA CALIENTE,
PASO OVEJAS, NATIONAL BRIDGE, AND CERRO GORDO.STONING OF AMERICAN TEAMSTERS IN THE CITY OF
MEXICO.-MEETING OF PEACE COMMISSIONERS.-PROJET
SUBMITTED BY MR. TRIST.- COUNTER PROJET ON THE
PART OF MEXICAN COMMISSIONERS.-A MEETING OF GENERAL OFFICERS AT SCOTT'S HEADQUARTERS, SEPTEMBER
6.-ARMISTICE DISSOLVED.
The armistice having brought about a temporary suspension
of active operations, we will refer briefly to the annoyances and
dangers attending the route between Vera Cruz and Jalapa, due
to the natural features of the country and to the numerous armed
guerrilla bands infesting the high and byways. Before General Scott marched from Puebla he knew that considerable
reinforcements from Vera Cruz would soon join his command,
but though much needed he did not await their arrival, apprehending some detention and being anxious to begin without
further delay the forward movement into the Valley of Mexico.
On August 6 Major Lally, Ninth Infantry, marched from Vera
Cruz with a force estimated to be a little over one thousand
men, composed of companies " H " and " K " of the Fourth
"C" and "'D" of the Fifth, "G," "I," and "K"
of the Twelfth, " K " of the Eleventh, and " G " of the Fifteenth Infantry; " D " and " K " of the Voltigeurs; Captain
Loyall's company Georgia Mounted Volunteers; Captain Bc



ï~~Attack at Paso Ovejas.

411,an ions company Louisiana Mounted Volunteers, and two
6-pounders under 2d Lieut. H. B. Sears, Second Artillery.
Thirteen men of Captain Fairchild's company of Louisiana
Mounted Volunteers joined it on the march, with a train of
sixty-four wagons.
A report current among the Mexicans that a large amount of
specie was being transported into the interior for the payment
of the American troops stimulated the guerrillas of the fierra
caliente to vigorous action. The Governor of the State of Vera
Cruz, General Don Juan Soto, organized and took command of a
force supposed to be between one and two thousand strong,
among them being portions of the Vera Cruz paroled prisoners.
The fourth day out from Vera Cruz Lally, much annoyed
throughout the morning by a distant fire of escopets, was attacked at the Pass of Ovejas on the head, center, and rear of
his column. The guerrillas, in position on a ridge in front and
to the right, on which were the ruins of an old stone building,
opened fire and at the same time attacked the center and rear.
Lieutenant Sears with his two 6-pounders fired, using solid shot
against the stone building, and grape among those of the enemy
exposed to view near it. The companies of Capt. Wm. J. Clark
and Lieut. Charles R. Jones, both of the Twelfth Infantry, remained at the head of the train, while the left wing, under Capt.
F. M. Winans, Fifteenth Infantry, was ordered forward to drive
the enemy from the ridge and house on the right and front; the
men were raw recruits, unskilled in the use of the musket, and
much of their firing was at random. Capt. Benjamin Alvord,
of the Fourth Infantry, acting as Assistant Adjutant-General,
with Major Lally, distinguished himself greatly in rallying and
leading them forward; Lieut. John W. Leigh, of the Voltigeurs,
acted with conspicuous gallantry, led his men against the stone
building, and with Alvord drove the guerrillas off. The attack
on the head of the train was repulsed by Captain Winans, Fifteenth; that on the rear by Captain Hutter, of the Sixth,
while 2d Lieut. Clinton W. Lear, Fifth Infantry, drove
back that directed upon the center.  Early in the attack
in front, Capt. J. N. Caldwell, of the Voltigeurs, and Capt.
Arthur C. Cummings, Eleventh Infantry, fell at the head of
their companies, severely wounded; nine men were wounded,
one mortally. The fight continued one and a half hours; loss
sustained by the enemy not known.




ï~~412    Guerillas Intrenched at Puente ]ANacional.
Approaching the Puente Aacional, August 12, Major Lally's
command found it held by the enemy in considerable force; a
strong barricade had been constructed on the bridge, and upon
the heights beyond the guerrillas were intrenched in houses
right and left of the road, and the banks of the Rio Antigua were
such as to prevent its being crossed, except by the bridge.
At 1.30 p. m., Lieut. Wm. D. Wilkins, Fifteenth Infantry,
with his company formed in one rank, advanced upon the bridge
towards the barricade near, followed by the two six-pounders;
in rear were the companies of Captain Clark, Twelfth,
and 4ieutenant Alonzo Loring, Eleventh Infantry. When near
the barricade, they were exposed to a heavy infantry fire from it
and from the houses and heights beyond. A few rounds of
canister were fired, and the six-pounders withdrawn, one but a
short distance under Lieut. D. A. Russell, Fourth Infantry,
the other, under Lieutenant Sears, to a commanding position
near the head of the train in rear. These two guns opened fire
upon the guerrillas on the heights beyond the bridge, alternating with solid and grape shot, and in the meantime Lieutenants
Wilkins and Michael P. Doyle, Fifteenth Infantry, and Lieutenant Loring with a small party rushed forward and removed the
barricade, and a second party of infantry, preceded by a mounted
detachment, advanced and drove the guerrillas back.
Lieut. James M. Winder, Voltigeurs, was mortally wounded
while aiding in withdrawing the artillery; one of flis men was
killed, and seven wounded. In Lieutenant Wilkins' company
twelve men were wounded, two mortally; 2d Lieut. Chas.
M. Creanor, Twelfth Infantry, acting qaurtermaster, and Captain Clark, of the same regiment, were seriously wounded; also
Lieut. Geo. Adams, of the Marine Corps, temporarily attached
to Company H, Fourth Infantry, and aiding at the time Lieut.
Stanford W. Waters in withdrawing one of the guns from the
bridge. Mr. Geo. D. Twiggs, expecting a commission, and
en route to join his uncle, General Twiggs, on whose Staff he
was to serve as aid, was killed while acting as Major Lally's
aid, deeply lamented by all who knew him. The loss in this
affair was one officer killed, four wounded, twelve men killed and
forty-three wounded, seven mortally; aggregate, sixty.
Major Lally sent back to Vera Cruz on the 12th inst. for reinforcements, and remained at the bridge until the 14th, when
receiving no reply, he resumed the march and halted near dark
in the Plan del Rio.




ï~~Lally' s Adcunce Upon the Cerro Gordo Pass. 413
The train guarded by one company of infantry, and the sick
increased by the severe and oppresively hot march of the day
before, were left at Plan del Rio. It being reported that the
guerrillas in considerable force were holding the Cerro Gordo
pass and neighboring heights, Lally, early on the i5th, advanced
his infantry force, organized in two battalions, one under Captain Hutter, Sixth, the other under Lieutenant Ridgely,
of the Fourth Infantry. As they approached the battle-field of
Cerro Gordo they discovered that the several batteries left of
the main highway, held by Santa Anna in April, were now
occupied by the guerrillas; that beyond where the road followed by Twiggs and Worth bore off abruptly to the right, the
heights and chapparal swarmed with them; and that where
the battery of heavy guns had been placed in the road a strong
barricade now stood.
The first shots fired came from the chapparal and heights beyond the point where the Twiggs path left the main road. The
two 6-pounders fired grape and canister for some minutes into
the chapparal along the slopes of the ridges; then Capt. C. C.
Hornsby's and Lieutenant Jones' company, Twelfth and
Lieutenant Wilkins' Fifteenth Infantry were thrown forward, followed by Lieutenant Leigh's Voltigeur company. The
dense woods impeded the movement, but the guerrillas were
driven off. To operate on the left of the road and to drive the
bands from Santa Anna's old line three companies, two of the
Fourth and one of the Fifth Infantry, the former commanded
by Lieut. Henderson Ridgely and Sergeant H. L. Carter, the
latter by 2d Lieut. Clinton W. Lear, of the Fifteenth Infantry,
all under Ridgely, were ordered to advance. This battalion
was guided by Lieutenant Klotz, Second Pennsylvania Infantry,
who had been in the attack made by General Pillow. The
different batteries on this side of the road were filled with
guerrillas, and as Ridgely approached battery No. 2 discharges
of canister came from two 9-pounders, but passed over the heads
of his men, inflicting no casualties. Having made a close reconnoissance, he ordered his men to charge No. 2; they moved
forward, without a halt crossed the line, and the enemy retired,
leaving the two 9-pounders, not mounted, and nine thousand
musket cartridges. This battery was taken about 4 p. m., with
the loss of one man killed and eight wounded; enemy's loss
not known. Ridgely's musketry being heard, Captain Hutter




ï~~414

Bivouac at Jalapa.

was ordered to his support, but the line had been carried when
he arrived. The companies were disposed along the line and
bivouacked for the night. After dark Lieutenant Leigh of the
Voltigeurs moved up the road and removed the barricade, and
the next morning the troops advanced and occupied the Cerro
Tel6grafo. Lally's entire loss was two men killed and eleven
wounded.
On the 15th Assistant Surgeon George E. Cooper, escorted
by thirteen Louisiana Mounted Volunteers, joined and informed
Major Lally that reinforcements had been ordered forward from
Vera Cruz, and the latter at once directed Captain Besancon,
Briscoe's Louisiana battalion, Mounted Volunteers, to return
with fifty men to the National Bridge to meet these troops.
Besan9on proceeded as far as the bridge, found it again held by
the guerrillas in force, and naturally inferred that the reinforcements, unable to force the passage, had returned to Vera Cruz.
On his return Major Lally resumed the march for Jalapa. The
train and sick had rested three nights at the Plan del Rio, two
miles from Jalapa. At Las Animas he was again assailed late
on the 9th by guerrillas posted behind a stone fence. The cavalry retired from the front; the artillery came into battery and
fired several rounds of canister; the infantry then charged and
dispersed their assailants, the detention lasting only an hour.
Lally lost two killed and six wounded, he being one of the
latter, and other ranking officers being sick, Captain Alvord of
the Fourth Infantry assumed command. In addition to the
actions described the command was fired upon at various points
along the road, suffering a loss of five killed and four wounded.
It halted in the suburbs of the town and bivouacked. Lieut.
D. A. Russell, who was sent with a communication to the Alcalde, being fired upon in the streets, returned. At daylight on
the 20th, Lally being assured by citizens that the town was
friendly, occupied it without opposition; the sick left there by
order of General Scott had not been molested.
Thus a train of sixty-four wagons, with an escort of over one
thousand men, had been forced by the guerrillas to spend thirteen days on the road between Vera Cruz and Jalapa, a trip
ordinarily requiring but five; one hundred and five men had been
put hors de com;bal, while over two hundred had been made sick
by exposure to the sun of the ierra calienfe. With Major
Lally were Mr. H. B. Johnson, of Pittsburg, and Baron Von




ï~~Peace Commissioners Appointed.

415

Grom, a Prussian, who as scouts rendered valuable service; the
first, reconnnoitering the guerrillas at Cerro Gordo, approached
too near and was killed; the latter, well recommended from his
own country, was kindly received on his arrival in the city of
Mexico, and while in that capital was announced in orders as
aide-de-camp to General Scott.
The armistice granted by General Scott was intended to
facilitate the conclusion of peace, and many believed (in which
opinion he concurred) that the Mexican Government would
infinitely prefer an amicable settlement of differences to the occupation of the capital by a conquering army.
August 25, the Mexican Minister of Foreign Affairs received
a note from Mr. Nicholas P. Trist, informing him that he had
been appointed commissioner by the President of the United
States, with powers to negotiate with a commissioner or commissioners on the part of the Mexican Government, and to conclude a durable peace, etc., and requesting that a day and
place of meeting be designated. On the 26th he was advised
that persons would be appointed " to hear propositions looking
to peace," and that he would be met by them at 4 p. m. the
27th, at the town of Azapotzalco, intermediate to the two armies,
and he replied that he would repair to that point at the hour
designated.
On the 27th2, at a junta of ministers, Santa Anna appointed
as commissioners Sefior Gen. D. Jose Joaquin de Herrera, Senor
Don Antonio Fernandez Monjardin, and Sefnor Don Antonio
Garay; the first named asked to be excused, but his request was
denied; the other two also asked to be relieved, and their request
was granted. The commission was finally composed of Gereral Herrera, Sefior Couto, Gen. Mora y Villamil, Senor Atrislain, and Secretary Miguel Arroyo.
All diplomatic history shows that the task assigned the Mexican commissioners, representing as they did the weaker and
defeated party, was both ungracious and difficult. General
Herrera, head of the commission, had been driven from the
presidency by Paredes, because he was disposed to acknowledge
the independence of Texas. Chief of a party known at the time
to be favorable to peace, respected for his integrity and his many
virtues, his appointment imparted to the negotiations about to
be attempted on the part of Mexico a certain respectability; but
he was admitted by Mexican authorities to be not well versed
in international rights or law.




ï~~416

Estimate of their Talents.

Couto was a good lawyer and accomplished scholar, had figured prominently in the political arena and in deliberative assemblies, though he had never ruled in the tribune or been chief of
any parliamentary clique. Deemed suitable for the duties of the
commission, and acknowledged to be a learned man, well versed
in civil and constitutional law, it was nevertheless admitted that
he was absolutely deficient in diplomatic tact, most essential on
that occasion. It was said of hini that he fulfilled his duty, and
that the notes and documents drawn by him bore indisputable
evidence of learning and patriotism. It has since become known
that he was for peace.
Senor Mora y Villamil, who was of military antecedents and
of much political prominence, was an active partisan of Santa
Anna; for this reason was selected as one of the commissioners
to negotiate the armistice, and did not deny he was for peace at
any price. Skilled as an engineer, able to discuss limits and
boundaries, he had, however, no experience in diplomacy and
was not fit to handle questions affecting so vitally the interest
of Mexico.
Senor Atristain, the last of the commissioners, was implicated
as an agent of an English house in grave affairs with the Government, and according to public report had been placed by
that influence on this commission, the issue of which was an
affair almost of life or death to the republic. Injustice may
have been done him, but he was conspicuous on a former occasion advocating and voting for in Congress an arrangement of
the foreign debt, from which this house derived great benefits;
hence, whatever his talents and diplomatic skill, he would be
regarded as a mere agent of this foreign house, interested probably in obtaining a peace that would secure to it the collection
of large sums of money at little cost and opening up new and
remunerative business. Such was the estimate held by Mexicans of the commissioners appointed by Santa Anna to negotiate
peace with the United States under circumstances most unfavorable to Mexico.
On the 27th, and before the peace commissioners had held
their first meeting, a disagreeable as well as most disgraceful
affair for Mexico and an exceedingly irritating one to the
American Army, occurred in the city of Mexico-one that might
have provoked a renewal of hostilities without the notice stipulated in the armistice.




ï~~First Meeting of the Commissioners.

417

More than one hundred wagons of the American Army that
had gone into the city, by virtue of the seventh article of the
truce, to obtain certain supplies and money from foreign houses,*
were surrounded by a mob, among which were many infuriated
women, and volleys of stones were thrown at the teamsters, inflicting painful wounds and bruises. The Government called
out troops to disperse the rioters, but this only increased their
fury. Neither appeals nor threats of force had any effect, and
it was not until General Herrera appeared on the streets and
harangued them, telling them that on the field of battle they
should be valiant and fight, but never assault unarmed men,
that quiet was restored. The wagons left the city without
obtaining what they came for, but returned and received their
loads. An apology was offered for this infraction of the armistike and accepted.
In the afternoon of the same day, August 27, 1847, the commissioners met and exchanged evidence of their respective
powers; those of Mr. Trist were full and ample in all respects,
while those of the Mexicans were confined to receiving propositions from the United States commission if drawn up, or to
make memoranda of them if made verbally. Mr. Trist at once
called their attention to this limitation, and in reply it was
stated that when the time for treating arrived they would present their full powers. This proving satisfactory to Mr. Trist,
he presented the projet of a treaty, given afterwards to the President of the Republic. In this first interview it was agreed that
their subsequent meetings should be at Senor Alfaro's house,
on the road between the city and Tacubaya.
In the projel submitted by Mr. Trist, the most important
feature was that relating to the line separating Mexico from
the United States, which-and the treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo
did not vary it materially-was to begin "three leagues from
land in front of the mouth of the Rio Grande, thence along the
middle of that river to where it touches the southern limit of
New Mexico, thence along the southern limit of the same to
the southwest angle of the same, thence northward along its
westward line to where the same is cut by the first branch of
the Gila, and downward by the middle of said branch and of
* The chief quartermaster and commissary of the Army, it was reported,
had but $75,ooo between them when the Army advanced from Puebla.




ï~~418

All Asked by Mr. Trist.Refused.

said river Gila, until it empties into the Colorado, and on
through the middle of the Gulf of California to the Pacific
Ocean."
In consideration of the vast extension of the limits of the
United States they were to abandon forever all reclamation
against Mexico on account of the costs of the war, to agree
to pay to Mexico, etc., to assume and pay certain debts
due by Mexico to citizens of the United States. Mexico also
was to concede forever to the citizens of the United States the
right of transport across the Isthmus of Tehauntepec, free from
all tolls and charges, etc. When these terms became known to
the Mexican Government, a profound sensation was observed.
New instructions were given to their commissioners, and the demand insisted on that the American commissioner should declare the motives of the war, the ends proposed, whether the
pretensions of the United States were not founded solely on
force, whether Texas came into possession of the United States
by annexation or by purchase, the Mexican Government not
being willing to recognize any other title than that from negotiations; that it could not recognize greater limits than the
province of Texas, etc. In fine, all asked by Mr. Trist was
refused.
Full instructions were given to the Mexican commissioners,
August the 13th, which they should neither exceed nor disregard without previous authority from the Government. These
conditions rendered the position of the Mexican commissioners
exceedingly embarrassing, limiting their power, no matter how
great their skill or favorable their chances. They requested
to be relieved of their onerous duties, and had a long conference
with the President, resulting in a resolution of the council of
ministers " amplifying the instructions in this sense," viz.:
" That you approximate to them as much as possible, agreeing
to some modifications, which the circumstances of the country
may exact as well as to things of minor importancewhich may
arise during the discussion."  *  *  *  "In a word, the
supreme government has chosen you as the nation has frequently
done, aware of your distinction and patriotism, and has confided to your hands the honor and interests of the country."
September i, at the third meeting, the Mexican commissioners exhibited plenary powers; the result of this and the
following conference was the belief that Mr. Trist was disposed




ï~~Variouq Juntas.

419

to abandon his pretensions to Lower and a part of Upper California, enabling them (the Mexicans), to communicate by land
with Sonora, and offered, if there remained no other obstacle to
adjusting a peace, to consult his Government as to the territory
between the Brazos and Nueces, such a step only necessitating
a delay of forty days.
With respect to New Mexico Mr. Trist stated that its retention was a sine qua non of peace. After much discussion the
Mexican commissioners returned to the capital and reported to
the Government the state of the negotiations. Numerousjuntas
were convened, many various opinions and suggestions were
expressed and discussed, maps were spread before them, the loss
of territory was pointed out; some rejected with indignation the
terms proposed, others spoke of the resources on which the Government could still rely for the prosecution of the war and of
the positive injury it would bring.
Senor Couto designated with calmness the dividing line proposed by Mr. Trist, who proposed to prolong the armistice for
forty-five days so that he might consult with his Government.
The idea of extending the armistice was characterized by the
Minister of Foreign Relations as a snare to collect more troops
during this interval, those already with General Scott being insufficient, and he declared it necessary to rebuke the pride of
the Americans, whom with a decided and patriotic effort they
could easily overcome and win a brilliant place in history, and
he advised them to spurn the terms offered.
Others weighed more calmly the means at their disposal to
prosecute the war, and disagreed with the minister as to the
prolongation of the armistice which would give time for their
own forces to recover morale, etc. Finally, mindful of the gravity
of the situation a junta of learned and influential persons was
proposed, and the names of Alaman, Gomez, Pedraza, and
Rodriguez, of Puebla, suggested; this scheme was supported by
General Herrera, and agreed to, but defeated by Santa Anna.*
September 5 the Mexican commissioners were informed that the
* During the armistice a report was circulated that Santa Anna had intimated to General Scott that if the United States Government would guarantee the payment to him of a million of dollars he would induce the
Mexican commissioners to accept Mr. Trist's proposed treaty, and that
when General Scott informed him he had no authority to promise the said
amount he (Santa Anna) declared the negotiations at an end.




ï~~420

Counter Profet of a Treaty.

government would not consent to a prol9ngation of the armistice,
and would not agree to the cession of New Mexico.
The note to the commissioners concludes thus: "In New
Mexico and in the few leagues which intervene between the
right of the Nueces and the left of the Rio Grande, is peace or
war. If the commissioner of the United States will not leave
to the Mexican Government more to choose than this cession
and death, in vain his Government rules it; henceforth he can
be assured what will be the answer. If, likewise, the United
States have made their election and prefer violence or our humiliation, it shall be they who will answer to God and to the
world."
The Mexican commissioners accordingly submitted a counter
projet of a treaty, only a few features of which will be referred
to; the third article required all forts, places, possessions taken
or occupied during the war to be restored; arms, artillery, munitions in castles or forts fallen into the power of the United
States to be restored; also, artillery taken outside of castles,
forts, etc., now in the possession of the United States troops to
be restored to Mexico.
In the matter of boundary, article fourth prescribed the dividing line as follows: Commencing in the Gulf of Mexico, three
leagues from land, opposite the southern* mouth of the bay
of Corpus Christi, shall run in a straight line from within the
said bay to the mouth of the Nueces river, thence through the
middle of that river in all its course to its source, from this point
in a straight line until it meets the present frontier of New Mexico on the east-southeast side until it touches the thirty-seventh
degree, which will serve as a limit to both republics, from the
point in which it touches the said frontier of the west of New
Mexico to the Pacific Ocean.
The Government of Mexico promises to found no new settlements or establish colonies between the Nueces and Rio Grande.
5th article. As a just compensation for this extension of their
old limits which the United States acquired by this treaty, they
shall pay over to Mexico the sum of, etc., etc., etc.
This counter-frojet was delivered to Mr. Trist on September
6 with a note from the Mexican commissioners which is inserted
as it is believed to be important and interesting:
* This means the Pass of Corpus Christi, 16 miles south of Aransas
Pass.




ï~~Dote from    the Mexican Commissioners.            421
To his Excellency, Seizor D. Nicholas P. Trist, Commissioner, with full
powers of the Government of the United States, near the Government of Mexico:
HOUSE or AI FARO, AT CHAPTJLTEPEC, Sept. 6, 1847.
The undersigned, commissioners of the Mexican Republic, to form with
you an agreement of peace, placing in your hand the counter proet
which they formed in accordance with the last instructions of their Government, deem it opportune to accompany it with the observations which
this note contains, which will serve to show more clearly the pacific disposition of Mexico in the contest which unfortunately divides both
countries.
Article 4 of the projet which you were pleased to deliver to us on the
evening of the 27th ultimo, and which was discussed at our previous conferences, imports the cession of part of Mexico: Ist. The State of Texas.
2d. Of the territory without the limits of the said State, which extends to
the left bank of the Bravo and to the southern boundary of New Mexico.
3d. All New Mexico. 4th. Of the two Californias.
The war which now exists has been caused solely on account of the
territory of the State of Texas, to which the Republic of North America
presents as a title the act of the same State by which it annexed itself to
the North American Confederacy, after having proclaimed its independence of Mexico. The Mexican Republic agreeing (as we have manifested to you that it does) on account of the owing indemnity to the pretensions of the Government at Washington to the Territory of Texas the
cause of the war has disappeared, and it should cease, since all the reasons
for continuing it have ceased to exist. In regard to the other territories
comprehended in the fourth article of your projet, until now the Republic
of North America has urged no claim, nor did we believe it possible that
any could be alleged. It then could not acquire them by right of conquest, or by that which would result from sale or cession, to which it
would now force Mexico. But as we are persuaded that the Republic at
Washington would not only absolutely repel but would hold in odium the
first of these titles, and as, on the other hand, it would be a new thing
that war should be made upon a people for the simple reason that it refuses to sell a territory which its neighbor wishes to purchase, we hope,
from the justice of the Government and people of North America, that
the great modification which we have to propose of the cession of territory
(without the State of Texas), which is claimed in the said article 4, will
not be considered a motive for continuing a war which the worthy General
of the North American forces has justly characterized as uncommondesnaturalizada.
In our conferences we have declared to you that Mexico can not cede
the belt of land comprehended between the left bank of the Bravo and the
right of the Nueces. The reason of this is not only the full certainty that
the stated territory never has belonged to the State of Texas, nor that it
is of great value considered in itself. It is that this zone with the Bravo
at its back forms the natural frontier of Mexico as much in a military as




ï~~422    1Note from     the Ilexican Commissioners.
in a commercial point of view; and of no people should it be claimed, nor
should any people consent to abandon such a frontier. But, in order to
remove all cause of dissension for the future the Government of Mexico
binds itself not to found new settlements or establish colonies in the space
between the two rivers; in this manner preserving it in the depopulated
state in which it now exists, presenting equal security to both Republics.
The preservation of this territory is, according to our instructions, a condition sine qua non of peace. Sentiments of honor and delicacy (which
your noble character will cause you to estimate properly), more than a
calculation of interest, prevent our Government from consenting to the
dismemberment of New Mexico. On this point we believe it to be superfluous to add anything to what we have already stated to you in our
conferences.
The cessiou of Lower California, little profitable to North America,
offers great embarrassments, considering the position of that peninsula
opposite our coasts of Sonora, from which it is separated by the Gulf of
Cortez.
You have given to our observations on this subject their true value, and
we have learned with satisfaction that you have been convinced by them.
Besides the preservation of Lower California, it would be necessary for
Mexico to retain a portion of the Upper; otherwise that peninsula would
remain without land communication with the remainder of the Republic,
which would always be a great embarrassment, especially for a nonmaritime power such as Mexico. The cession of the part of Upper
California offered by our Government (for the compensation) will not
bring to the United States merely fertile lands and intact mineral wealth,
but presents the advantage of an uninterrupted communication with its
territory of Oregon. The wisdom of the Government of Washington and
the energy of the American people will know how to draw abundant fruits
from the acquisition which we now offer them.
In article 8 of your frojet the concession of a free passage by the
Isthmus of Tehauntepec to the Southern Sea is claimed in favor of the
North Americans. We have verbally stated to you that some years have
elapsed since the Government gave a privilege of this kind to a particular
individual, who afterwards transferred it, with the authority of the same
Government, to English subjects, of whose rights Mexico can not dispose.
You will not complain, therefore, that in this point we can not accede to
the desire of your Government.
We have entered into this ingenuous explanation of the motives of the
republic for not ceding all the territory beyond the boundaries of Texas
which is required of it, because we desire that the Government and North
American people should be convinced that our partial negative does not
proceed from sentiments of aversion generated by the events of this war,
or by what it has caused Mexico to suffer, but only from considerations
dictated by reason and justice, and which would equally influence at any
time with the most friendly people, and in the midst of relations of the
strictest amity. The other alterations which you will find in our counter-.Orojet are of less importance, and we believe that to them you will fnd




ï~~General Officers M#feet at Headquarters.

423

no important objection. The contents of article 12 have been already
spoken of in your country; we flatter ourselves that your Government
will not refuse to contract an obligation so conformable to honor and to
the harmony in which two neighboring people should live.
Peace between the two countries will be most solemnly established if a
foreign power (England), which has in the present contest so nobly interposed its good offices, would now consent to guarantee the faithful observance of the treaty which may be entered into. The Government of
Mexico understands that it would be convenie it to solicit this guarantee.
Our Government has commanded us to recommend to you that your
decision upon the counter projet which we have the honor to submit
to you should be communicated within three days.
The salutary work of peace can not, in our opinion, come to a happy
termination if each one of the contending parties should not resolve to
abandon some of its original pretensions. This has in all cases happened
and all nations have not hesitated in such cases to make great sacrifices
to extinguish the desolating flame of war. Mexico and the United States
have special reasons for acting in this manner. Not without sorrow ought
we to confess that we are giving to humanity the scandalous example of
two christian people of two republics in the view of all the monarchies,
who, for a dispute concerning boundaries, mutually do themselves all the
injury that is possible, when we have more land than is sufficient to populate and cultivate in the beautiful hemisphere in which Providence has
cast our lot. We venture to recommend these considerations to your Excellency before you may take any definitive resolution on our propositions. We do ourselves the honor to offer to you our attention and respect.
Josi JOAQUIN Da HERRERA.
BERNARDO COUTo.
IGNACIO MORAY VIIIAMII,.
MicuEl, ATRIsTAIN.
The above note was delivered without discussion to Mr. Trist,
who agreed to answer it on the following day (seventh), but
did not do so as the diplomatic conferences terminated with it.
In obedience to General Scott's summons a number of general
officers met at his headquarters in Tacubaya on September 6.
Worth and two brigadier generals were absent, and when Quitman, the last to arrive, had dismounted, all were invited into a
room, in which the General-in-Chief, several of his Staff, two or
three engineers and an ordnance officer were assembled. In the
center of the room, which was not large, was a small table, at
which General Scott was seated, with his conferees grouped
around. When all were seated he said: " I am most fortunate
to command an Army of great intelligence; among its officers




ï~~424     Scott' s Letter Dissolving the Armistice.
are many that are ever watchful of the public interests, and of
the skill, courage, and patriotism of all I have abundant evidence.
Within a few days after the armistice had been granted it was
reported to me that the enemy were violating its terms; this information was volunteered, given by those watchful subordinates,
who may have believed that the commander of the Army, preoccupied with other cares, was not as alert in this direction as
themselves. These reports of bad faith on the part of the enemy
were repeated several times. I had not thought so badly of
General Santa Anna as to believe he would willingly violate
any of the terms of our armistice. It is of public notoriety that
our teamsters, with their wagons in the city by virtue of the
armistice, were maltreated in broad daylight in the Grand Plaza;
but this was the act of a mob, and an explanation and an apology
were made and accepted by me. But there has been other violation of the armistice, and I have positive information of the
fact; the enemy began to work on fortifications near the Alameda the night of September 3; of this I am positive. I have
therefore called you to headquarters to advise upon the propriety of dissolving the armistice, or-after a pause-to inform
you that I have dissolved it and to read to you my letter to
General Sancta Anna notifying him of the fact."
Looking over the table before him and on the floor beneath,
he exclaimed: " I have torn it up."   Whilst talking he had
torn it into very small pieces, seen lying on the table and floor.
He then asked his secretary, Lieutenant Lay, to have paper
brought and wrote and dispatched the following letter to President Santa Anna:
HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY oF THE U. S. oF AMERICA,
TACUBAYA, September 6, 1847.
To His Excellency the President and General-in-Chief of the Mexican
Republic.
SIR: The seventh article, as also the twelfth, that stipulates that trade
shall remain unmolested-of the armistice or military convention, which
I had the honor to ratify and to exchange with your Excellency the 24th
ultimo-have been repeatedly violated, beginning soon after date, on the
part of Mexico; and I now have good reasons to believe that within the
last forty-eight hours, if not earlier, the third article of that convention
has been equally violated by the same party. These direct breaches of
fait i give to this Army the most perfect right to resume hostilities against
Mexico without any notice whatever; but to allow time for possible explanation, apology, or reparation, I now give formal notice that unless full




ï~~Santa Anna's Reply.

425

satisfaction on these allegations should be received by me by 12 o'clock
meridian to-morrow I shall consider the said armis~ice at an end from and
after that hour.*
I have the honor to be your Excellency's most obedient servant,
WINFIELD SCOTT.
Having read the above letter to them he remarked that he
had required the terms of the armistice to be honorably observed,
and had not even permitted his engineers to reconnoitre in their
immediate vicinity. He then directed them to hold their commands ready for action, and stated that reconnoissance would
be made and a battle fought probably in the next forty-eight
hours. General Santa Anna replied promptly to Scott's communication, and the following extracts from it are given:
" The civil and military authorities of Mexico have not obstructed the passage of provisions for the American Army, and
if at any times their transmission has been retarded it has been
owing to the imprudence of the American agents, who, without
having a previous understanding with the proper authorities,
gave occasion for popular outbreaks which it has cost the Mexican Government much trouble to repress. In return for this
conduct your Excellency has prevented the owners or managers
of the grain mills in the vicinity of the city from furnishing any
flour to the city. *  *  *  It is false that any new works or
fortifications have been undertaken, because one or two repairs
have only served to place them in the same condition they were
in on the day the armistice was entered into."
We then accused General Scott of constructing batteries and
violating all rules of civilized warfare during the occupation of
Mexican towns, which accusations were notoriously untrue, as
thousands of Mexican citizens could attest. Santa Anna
closed his communication by saying that the true cause of General Scott's purpose to renew hostilities was that he, Santa Anna,
had refused or was unwilling to sign a treaty which would deprive Mexico of a considerable portion of her territory, and
that the integrity of territory was defended by all nations to
the last extremity, which assertion was doubtless true.
* General Scott had received informal petitions from the city, through
neutrals, to allow time for the departure of the unarmed inhabitants; he allowed until 12 m. the next day for that purpose, but in his note
to Santa Anna it was stated that this time was to allow him to explain,
apologize, or make reparation.




ï~~426          ".27anifesto to the Nation."
The Democratic portion of the American party press denounced in unmeasured terms the armistice and the peace negotiations that followed it, characterizing each as a ruse of the
Mexican President to gain time in which to reorganize his demoralized army, and to still further fortify his capital, already
regarded as well-nigh impregnable. Both General Scott in
granting the armistice and Commissioner Trist in entering into
negotiations looking to the termination of the war were ridiculed and represented to have been duped by Santa Anna, and
the armistice, which they stated had been agreed to without
authority and contrary to the wishes of the Government, was
bitterly opposed. Such was the purport of editorials in the
Union, the Administration organ, notwithstanding it had been
repeatedly informed that the armies of the United States
were in Mexico " to conquer peace," and that General
Scott, with his communications severed, near two thousand miles from Washington, and with a peace commissioner
at his headquarters sent there by the President and his Cabinet
to bring the war to an end, would advocate no measure adverse
to his own safety and the honor of the ccuntry. That the armistice was entered into in good faith by Santa Anna and from his
earnest desire to secure a speedy peace there is abundant evidence. Immediately upon the suspension of hostilities he issued
his " Manifesto to the Nation, " in which he asserted and demonstrated the international obligation to listen to peace proposals, and expressed the hope that they might be utilized to
the public advantage. "A perpetual war," he stated, "is an
absurdity, because war is a calamity, and the instincts of selfpreservation, stronger and more powerful in nations than in
individuals, recommend that no means whatever be omitted
leading to an advantageous arrangement, and to adopt this
course the Constitution gives me competent authority. Consecrated to interests so noble and highly privileged, it is my duty
to maintain at all costs the respect and reverence to the supreme
authority with which I am invested. * * * I will be yet
more explicit. Sedition and attempts at subverting the Government shall be exemplarily punished."  This strong language
was in bold defiance of the decree passed by the Mexican Congress April 20, 1847, after receipt of the news of Santa Anna's
defeat at Cerro Gordo, which declared "that the Executive
has no power and shall have none to conclude a treaty or




ï~~.Pxtracts from  Trist' s lDespatch.     421
even an armistice with the United States, and any Mexican
functionary who shall entertain either proposition shall be denounced as a traitor." The Puro party in Mexico also opposed
the armistice, " alleging it to be a trick of the American commander to gain time in which to increase by reinforcements his
depleted ranks, unable with his present force to accomplish his
purpose-the capture of the nation's capital."  Had the armistice been a trick to gain time a man well known to be favorable
to peace would hardly have been appointed commissioner.
Mr. Trist, referring to President Santa Anna at this critical
juncture, says: " I must not omit to say, in justice to Santa
Anna, that I am perfectly convinced that no man was ever more
sincere in anything than he was in his wish to make peace, or
more firmly resolved than he was to go all practicable lengths to
effect the object. But the thing was an impossibility upon the
basis on which alone we would have it. * * * He could not
have been more single-minded, nor striven with more energy
and efficiency against the numberless difficulties of all sorts
which surrounded him. Having, after several days hesitation,
made up his mind that he could not agree to our proposed
boundary, he then gave to the whole affair the complexion best
calculated to protect himself against the denunciations which
he knew would be poured forth from all quarters."
* * *    " Besides appointing commissioners,known in select
political circles of the capital to be for peace, it was well understood that so late as the night of September 4th, Santa Anna
was still undecided whether he would not give to these very
commissioners, whose opinions had thus been declared in full
cabinet a carte blanche to negotiate with me such a treaty as they
might deem proper. * * * Santa Anna's state of hesitancy
ended in the determination to give the carte blanche, and a letter
to that effect was drafted by the Secretary of State after 3 p. m.
Sunday, September 5th. This was the condition of affairs when
Santa Anna was again made to waver by the interference of a
person already mentioned in former despatches as one who had
been chiefly instrumental in alarming him at the treaty." * * *
" At the last meeting at the house of Senor Alfaro, the Mexican commissioners appeared two hours after the appointed time
and when they came it was in great haste, bringing only the
rough draft of the counter projet, and communications accompanying it, which papers had just been prepared. The question




ï~~428             Aanta Anna for Peace.
whether a projet was to prevail had remained in suspense until
that moment."
" Thus near had we come to the attainment of our object;
thus nearly had the restoration of peace to our country come to
pass, as the consequence of that armistice and negotiation, in
which through the atmosphere of Washington, nothing could
be seen save a trick of Santa Anna to gain time, and on the part
of General Scott and myself most egregious."*
That Santa Anna was anxious to terminate the war, and appointed men similarly disposed to treat with Mr. Trist, we have
good Mexican authority. Don Vicente Romero, a distinguished
ultra puro and Minister of Justice in Santa Anna's cabinet at
the time of the negotiations, in an attack upon the administration of Pefia y Pefia, made in a letter read in the Mexican Congress, says: " And in fine, Gen. Mora y Villamil, appointed to
the post of Minister of War, has been the avowed afostle of feace
and so decided in this character that in a meeting of the cabinet,
of which I was a member, he said (he being at the time one of
the commissioners appointed to receive proposals from the enemy
of the north) he had been for many years in favor of peace which
ought to be made by adopting Mr. Trists' propositions," in which
let it be known " the other commissioners, Couto and Atristain,
concurred."
* Commissioner Trist's despatch from city of Mexico, December 6, 1847.




ï~~0




ï~~a

a
04




ï~~CHAPTER XIX.

MOLINOS DAL REY.-CAPTURE OP THE CASA MATA.-LOSSES.
Indignant at what he considered an attempt by the United
States Government to rob and humiliate Mexico by the proposed treaty, Santa Anna assembled a Yunta in the palace,
at which it was determined to continue the defense, and not
restricting it to the city, to order a large force out beyond the
suburbs to strengthen the position already occupied, a short
distance west of and under cover of the guns of Chapultepec.
At this designated point there was a huge pile of buildings,
over 6oo feet in length, in a north and south direction, known
as Molinos-del-Rey (map XIII), the Mills of the King, the
-greater portion of which had formerly been used for the manufacture of powder and the casting of cannon, and the northern end, San Salvador, separated from the other buildings by
a stone aqueduct, as a flour mill. The whole structure was of
porous red sandstone, heavy, thick walls extended three or
four feet above tie roofs, and the various yards between the
detached buildings were closed by thick, strong doors, barred
by heavy wooden beams and guarded by stone or earthen
barricades.
About 500 yards west was a four-sided, regular bastioned
fort, with a wide, deep ditch, having scarp and counter-scarp
walls, inside of which was the Casa Mata, a large building
designed for storing powder, and which formed the right of
the Mexican fortified line, the left being at Molinos del Rey,
in front of which was a deep ditch extending beyond and
south of the Casa Mata. South and in front of this position
the ground ascended in a gentle slope towards Tacubaya, and
"-429




ï~~430  Close.Reconnoissance of the.Molinos delJey.
a short distance west was a deep, hazardous barranca*. The
well-fortified Castle of Chapultepec, on a height in rear, commanded these buildings and the ground beyond towards
Tacubaya.
General Leon's brigade, composed of National Guards, hav
ing four battalions, the Liberty, Union, Queretaro, and Mina
had for some time occupied the Molinos del Rey, and on the
morning of the 7th was reinforced by General Rangel's brigade. The brigade of General Perez, composed of two battalions, the Fourth and Eleventh of the Line, occupied the
Casa Mata, and on the intermediate ground, along the dry
ditch, near the centre of the two positions just named, General
Ramirez's brigade, formed of the Second Light, Fijode Mexico,
the First and Second of the Line, and six pieces of artillery,
was placed. The reserves (the First and Third Light) were
posted in rear of Molinos del Rey, in the woods between
them and the Castle of Chapultepec.
Santa Anna's cavalry, 4,000 strong, under General Alvarez,
were at the hacienda of Morales, two miles west from Chapultepec, in position to guard the right of his line.
American engineer officers were active in pushing reconnoissances; on the 7th Captain Lee was directed to watch a
movement of the enemy, reported to be on the San Augustin
road, but he discovered no Mexicans outside the San Antonio
Garita, and returning by way of Piedad found all quiet on
that part of the line. In the forenoon Captain Mason, the
engineer with Worth's division, made a close reconnoissance
of Molinos-del-Rey and its approaches, and reported a large
Mexican infantry force drawn up in line, its flanks resting on
large stone buildings, and its centre supported by a six-gun
battery. During the afternoon Captain Mason, accompanied
by Brevet-Lieutenant-Colonel Duncan, artillery, and Lieutenant Hardcastle, topographical engineers, made a second
reconnoissance, the object being to discover positions favorable for artillery.
Lieutenant Beauregard was directed to reconnoitre on the
right, in the night of the 7th, and in the morning of the 8th,
to examine and report the works the enemy might have on
*Ravine.




ï~~The Several Corps Concentrating.

431

the Nifno Perdido and San Antonio roads, also at the Garitas,
through which those roads entered the city. Shortly after
midnight, whilst moving with a strong escort along the Nin o
Perdido road towards the city, his party was hailed and fired
upon by hostile pickets; and the alarm thus given, and the
disappearance of the guide (a Mexican) prevented a further
prosecution of the reconnoissance at that time.
In the afternoon of the 7th General Scott issued orders for
bringing the corps of the army nearer together, Quitman to
leave San Augustin on the 8th and move forward to Coyoacan; one brigade of Twiggs' division (Riley's, under Colonel
Plympton) to move at 6 p. m. on the Niino Perdido road, to
threaten the city in that direction, Pillow to advance to the
Hacienda of San Borja with one brigade, and take command of
the advanced posts occupied at the time by a part of his own
and Twiggs' division, his (Pillow's) second brigade (Cadwalader's) to join Worth, and Mixcoac to be the general depot.
General Scott had received a credible report that there was
a cannon foundry in the Molinos-del-Rey, that a large quantity of powder was stored in the Casa Mata, and that many
church bells had been sent out to the foundry to be cast into
guns. With the display of the Mexican troops at the Mills,
and the increase of force there on the 7th he was impressed
with the great importance of the Molinos-del-Rey to the
enemy, and determinded to attack and destroy them.
General Worth was accordingly ordered with his own
division, reinforced with three squadrons of dragoons and one
company of Mounted Rifles, in all 220 men, under Maj. E. V.
Sumner, Second dragoons, three pieces of field artillery,
under Captain Drum, Fourth Artillery, two battering guns,
24-pounders, under Captain Huger, of the ordnance, and
Cadwalader's brigade, of Pillow's division, 784 strong, consisting of the Voltiguer regiment and the Eleventh and Fourteenth
Infantry, to attack and carry the enemy's lines, destroy the machinery and material in the foundry and munitions in the Casa
Mata. Having accomplished these objects, Worth was to
withdraw and return the various commands to their former
positions. The troops for the attack were to be placed in
position under cover of the night of the 7th and the assault
made early in the morning.




ï~~432 Worth and Santa Anna Placing Their Troops.
General Worth ordered the following (Map XIII) disposition of his forces for the attack: Colonel Garland's brigade
to take position on the right, having with it two pieces of
Drum's battery, to look to Molinos-del-Rey, guard the right
of the attacking forces against reinforcements from Chapultepec and be within supporting distance of the assaulting
party; the battering guns, under Captain Huger, to be placed
on the ridge to Garland's left and rear, five or six hundred
yards from Molinos-del Rey; a storming party of 500 picked
men and officers, under Brevt-Maj. George Wright, Eighth
Infantry, to be posted to the left of the battering guns, to
assault and carry the battery in the centre of the Mexican
lines; Clarke's brigade, under Colonel McIntosh, with Duncan's battery, to take position opposite the enemy's right to
look to Worth's left flank, to sustain the assaulting column, if
necessary, or attack, as circumstances might require; Cadwlader's brigade to be held.in reserve between the battering
guns and McIntosh's right, in easy support of either, and the
cavalry, under Major Sumner, to be on the extreme left and
to be governed also by circumstances.
Late in the afternoon of the 7th Santa Anna ordered his
cavalry to take post within musket shot of the Casa Mata and
to operate with vigor against the enemy's left flank. He in
person placed the troops in position, with the confidence of
assured victory, and gave minute and specified orders to Alvarez, even to marking the point where he would diminish
front, in order to cross the ravine to reach the left flank of the
American forces. The best of feelings prevailed between
the National Guards and the regulars, and both believed they
were in excellent position. Santa Anila with his Staff rode
along the line, visiting different points, and was cheered by
his soldiers.
After dark on the 7th the six pieces of artillery were moved
from the Mexican centre and posted along a line of maguey
in front of the Mills, where they remained during the night
without even a guard. Rangel's brigade was withdrawn from
the Mills; one portion of it halted at Alfaro's house on the
causeway, between Chapultepec and the Garita-de-Belen,
and the other entered the city. The Third Light was taken
from the reserve and posted in Chapultepec. The Mexican




ï~~Wright' s Assaulting Column Badly Shaken. 433
forces, still remaining in line, believed their positions had
been greatly weakened, Santa Anna returned to the city
and passed the night in the National Palace.
Worth's troops were moving at 3 o'clock in the morning of
the 8th towards their designated positions, all of which were
occupied before daylight, at which time the attack was to begin with a discharge by the two 24-pounders, under Huger,
upon the Molinos-del-Rey. Only a few rounds had been
fired-ten rounds per gun-when the assaulting column, under
Major Wright, advanced, and as it approached the hostile
line was greeted with round and grape shot from the Mexican battery, changed in the night from the center of the line
to the left in front of the Mills. The double quick-step was
ordered; the men, coming immediately under a cross-fire of
musketry, within close range, rushed forward undismayed,
took the battery and turned it upon the enemy, who fell back
in confusion, but, being reinforced, rallied in rear, and
concentrated a close and destructive fire upon Wright's men
from the aqueduct, house tops, and stone walls, under which
fire ten of the twelve officers in the storming party were shot
down within five minutes, the loss among the enlisted men being
nearly in the same proportion. Shaken by this unlooked for
shock, the remnant of the storming party was driven back,
but, Duncan's battery opening fire, checked the Mexican
pursuit; the Light Battalion * was thrown forward, followed by
one regiment and four companies of Cadwalader's brigade, and
at the same time Garland's brigade, accompanied by Drum's
guns, moved forward into close action, attacked, drove back
the Mexican forces outside, and forced their way into the
buildings, where the contest was close, deadly, and prolonged,
the Mexicans contesting obstinately every building and every
court yard.
When the attack was made by the storming party of 500
men, under Major Wright, Duncan's battery opened fire on
the enemy's line to the right (American) of the Casa Mata,
upon which Clarke's brigade, under Colonel McIntosh, was ordered to move, and one section of the battery, under Lieu* This was known as Col. C. F. Smith's battalion, but on this occasion he was sick, and it was commanded by Capt. E. K. Smith, Fifth
Infantry.




ï~~434

4 McIntosh Attacks the Casa lfata.

tenant Hunt, to play on the Mexican infantry between the
Casa Mata and the Molinos-del-Rey.
When McIntosh came within musketry range of the enemy
his men were exposed to close fire from the line in front of
and from the works surrounding the Casa Mata, and also from
the roof of the buildings within the work. Delivering their
fire, they charged and drove the Mexican infantry from the
advanced line into the stronger defenses in rear and stood
for a time within thirty yards of the works, firing and picking
off such of the enemy as were exposed. The brigade commander, Colonel McIntosh, fell, disabled by three wounds,
one of which proved mortal. Lieut. -Col. Martin Scott, commanding the rifth Infantry, was shot dead and Major Waite,
commanding the Eighth Infantry, was severely wounded.
Two of the three regimental commanders and the brigade
commander being disabled, and one-third of the command
killed or wounded, the troops retired slowly to the left of
Duncan's battery.
When McIntosh moved forward to assault the Casa Mata,
the enemy's cavalry, under General Alvarez, in large force,
being observed advancing at a gallop towards Worth's left
flank, the sections of Duncan's battery, under Lieutenants
Hays and Hunt, moved rapidly to the threatened point and
opened a rapid destructive fire. The Voltigeur regiment,
detached by General Cadwalader's order, moved promptly,
occupied the margin of the ravine a little beyond Duncan's
guns, and as it moved to the left Major Sumner advanced
and crossed the ravine with his cavalry, consisting of six
companies of the Second Dragoons, one of the First, a part of
one of the Third, and Captain Ruff's company of Mounted
Rifles, in all 270 men. He formed his command within pistol
shot of the Casa Mata, and an occasional shot from Duncan's
battery kept Alvarez in check.
While exposed to the guns in Chapultepec before advancing and to the infantry fire near Casa Mata at the only point*
of the ravine where it could be crossed, Sumner had six men
The point where Sumner crossed was the one indicated to Alvarez
by Santa Anna the evening before (the 7th) at which to pass and assail the left flank of the Americans. "He did not destroy, as he
should have done, this feeble force (Sumner) which offered them battie. "-Mexican History.




ï~~Drum's Guns and Smith's Light Battalion. 435
killed, five officers and thirty-three men wounded. He remained beyond the ravine until the battle closed, changing
his position from time to time, in order to confront the Mexican cavalry as they shifted their ground.
From the description of the Molinos-del-Rey it will be seen
that Garland's brigade, assisted by the Eleventh Infantry,
four companies of the Fourteenth Infantry of Cadwalader's
brigade, and two field pieces of Drum's battery had a serious
and difficult work assigned them. The reports of the * three
regimental commanders of this brigade refer to the discharges
of grape and canister assailing them as they approached the
Mills and of musketry from the roofs, thinning their ranks
fearfully. They refer also to breaking through barricaded
gates and doorways, while exposed to a close fire, to finding
themselves in the midst of an armed enemy on the inside, of
climbing to roofs, and making their way through iron-barred
windows. The Mexicans when driven from     one portion
would retire to another, contesting every inch of ground, roof,
floor, and walls. Inside the buildings Capt. E. K. Smith's
Light Battalion and parts of the Eleventh and Fourteenth Infantry joined portions of Garland's brigade.
When the order was given for Garland to attack, Captain
Drum advanced rapidly his pieces into action, 200 yards from
the enemy. Whilst umlimbering a discharge of grape disabled several of his horses, which were cut from the traces,
and the guns then moved by hand until the action closed.
He fired one round of solid shot, ran the guns forward under
a heavy fire to within ioo yards of the enemy's works, opened
with canister, enfilading the line of maguey, in which were the
Mexican guns, also against the mills, and with such effect that
the charge made by the Light Battalion on the enemy's battery was successful, though its commander, Capt. E. K.
Smith, Fifth Infantry, fell mortally wounded.
After a stubborn fight on roofs, in court-yards, and from
room to room the main building was taken, together with a
* Captain Mackenzie, Second Artillery; Capt. Martin Burke, Third
Artillery, and Maj. Francis Lee, Fourth Infantry; Lieut.-Col. F. S.
Belton, Third Artillery, had been detached, and joined his regiment
on the field, and relieved Captain Burke, then in command.-Ex.
Doc. No. r.




ï~~486   Worth in Possession of the Entire Line.
numinber of prisoners. A mixed command (portions of the
Fourth Infantry) under Major Lee, advanced against the flour
mill, north of the aqueduct, which, after a sharp fight, was
also occupied and a few prisoners captured.
The brigade (Clarke's) under Colonel McIntosh, which
attacked the Casa Mata, having reformed near and on the left
of Duncan's battery, the Sixth and Eighth regiments of infantry, were ordered (map XIII) by General Worth over to
the right, and reached the intersection of the roads, at the
north end of the Molinos del Rey, as the flour mill was being
taken. The enemy was then driven a short distance towards
Chapultepec, but rallied under General Pefia y Barragan,
on the road in considerable force, and, having secured an i8 -pounder, again advanced. Captain Drum was ordered by
Lieutenant-Colonel Belton, Third Artillery, who had a few
minutes before joined his regiment, to move forward, and
aided by Lieut. J. J. Peck, Second Artillery, with one of the
enemy's captured 6-pounders, after a rapid and effective fire,
cleared the road, the enemy abandoning the i8-pounder, imperfectly spiked.
The Sixth and Eighth Infantry, supported by the Fourth,
formed at the junction of the two roads, and as the enemy
again advanced opened an artillery and infantry fire, and repulsed and followed him in the direction of Chapultepec.
Lieutenant-Colonel Graham, Eleventh Infantry, whose regiment had participated actively in capturing Molinos del Rey,
received two wounds, either of which was mortal, and fell at
the head of his command while leading a charge against the
northern angle of the buildings. A portion of his regiment,
under Lients. Thomas F. McCoy and Benjamin F. Harley,
was active in pursuit of the Mexicans after the attack on the
Casa Mata.
The battle of Molinos-del-Rey continued for two hours, and
was well contested by the Mexican forces at the Molinos and
at the Casa Mata. Those who did not fall on the field, or
who escaped capture, sought shelter under the guns of Chapultepec, leaving Worth in possession of the entire line, on
which they had the day before been posted, in full expectation of victory.




ï~~A

MOLINO DEL REY.
SEPTEMBER 8TH 1847.




ï~~U




ï~~American Losses.

437

During the engagement at the Mills a portion of Pierce's
brigade, Pillow's division, and of Riley's brigade, Twiggs'
division, were ordered to Tacubaya, so as to be in position to
support Worth if necessary, and as the latter brigade approached the town, it was met by orders from General Scott,
to form line in rear of the Mills. The Second Infantry, Capt.
T. Morris, temporarily under General Pierce's orders, was divided; five companies of it being thrown forward, became engaged in an active skirmish in the woods beyond the Mills,
and the remaining companies sought cover under the wall; of
the building.
General Worth in his official report of this battle says:
'  My command, reinforced as before stated, only reached
3, 100 men of all arms. The contest continued two hours, and
its severity is painfully attested by our heavy loss of officers,
non-commissioned officers, and privates, including in the first
two classes some of the brightest ornaments of the service."
The loss in the command was 787; i 16 were killed, 9 of
whom were officers, and 671 were wounded, 49 being officers.
The storming party was divided into five companies, each of
ioo men; the details from the Second and Third Artillery
united formed one company, commanded by Lieut. M. L.
Shackleford, with Lieut. C. B. Daniels, both mortally wounded;
the First Infantry, under Capt. W. H. T. Walker, Sixth Infantry, with Lieut. G. 0. Haller, Fourth Infantry, one company,
the former severely wounded; the Fifth Infantry, under
Capt. M. E. Merrill, with Lieut. J. F. Farry, Third Artillery,
one company, both killed; the Sixth Infantry under Capt. A.
Cady, with Second Lieut. M. Maloney, of the Fourth Infantry, one company, the former wounded; the Eighth Infantry
under Capt. J. V. Bomford, with Lieut. J. G. S. Snelling,
one company, the latter severely wounded. With the storming party were Captain Mason and Lieutenant Foster, engineer corps, both of whom were severely wounded, and including engineer officers there were fourteen officers with
the storming party, twelve of whom were killed or wounded.
It is not possible to give the Mexican numbers engaged,
even their own history being silent on this point. We
learn from it, however, that the brigade of Perez held the
Casa Mata; that Ramirez's brigade occupied the line be



ï~~438              Mexican Numbers.
tween the Casa Mata and Molinos del Rey; that Leon's brigade held the Mills, being stationed on the roofs and in the
aqueduct; that the Third Light, posted in Chapultepec, was
early in the action; that six pieces of artillery were posted
in front of the Mills, and that Alvarez, with 2,000 cavalry,
was on the right. The guns from Chapultepec responded to
the 24-pounders early in the morning, and swept with their
fire the field throughout the battle.
General Worth estimated the Mexican forces at Molinos
del Rey at 14,000, commanded by General Santa Anna in person, though this number is probably an over-estimate. Rangel's brigade had been ordered from the field after dark of
the 7th. The firing began at daylight, and Santa Anna,
aroused by the sound of artillery, repaired at once to the
Garita of the Candelaria, where he believed the assault would
be made. At this point he heard heavy firing in the direction of Chapultepec and Molinos del Rey, and hastened with
the First Light regiment to the scene of action, but the rout
of his army, already consummated before he arrived, could
not be retrieved had he even made the attempt; but if he
did so, the fact has never been recorded. On the causeway
of Auzures he met Colonel Echagaray, Third Light, who, failing to resist the American advance, abandoned the guns of
the battery in front of the Mills and withdrew to Chapultepec.
Mexican history, referring to the attack made by the storming party, states that at the time their line was broken the
Third Light, Col. D. Miguel Echagaray, appeared in the Mills
and attacked the Americans with spirit, drove them out, and
followed them some distance; that Duncan's guns, playing
upon the right of their lines, prevented reinforcements from
reaching him, and being threatened with superior forces, he
retired with the loss of a few men, some being killed by the
fire of their own infantry from the roofs of the buildings in
rear. The same history refers, in complimentary terms, to the
unfaltering courage and reckless daring which he displayed
during the entire engagement.
Col. D. Lucas Balderas, of the National Guards, Mina Battalion, was wounded early in the battle through the foot, but
remained with his men and resisting the Americans in their
third formidable effort to take the Mills, fell dead at the head
of his command, pierced by a musket ball.




ï~~Heroic Deaths of.Mexican Officers.

439

General Leon, who commanded the four battalions of the
National Guard, stationed in the Molinos del Rey, was extolled for the courage and tenacity with which he held his
position until, like his colonel, he fell, killed by a musket
ball. They also extol Colombres, an engineer officer, and
Cols. D. Matias Pefia and Cano. Captain Mendez, Third
Light, who aided Lieutenant Martinez's artillery, defended
with one gun the artillerymen until he fell under a discharge
of canister from Drum's guns, in battery near the southern
end of the Mills. They compliment the Mina battalion, led
by the brave Captains Alaman, Diaz and others. Colonel
Tenorio fought gallantly until seriously wounded, and was
then taken prisoner. Suazo, a lieutenant of the Minas, when
almost dead, saved the colors of the battalion by wrapping
them around his body, and, dying, gave them saturated with
his life's blood to a comrade. They justly blamed General
Alvarez, who commanded 4,000 cavalry, for not attacking the
American left, and they assert that positive orders were sent
to him and to Colonel Ramiro, Captain Schiafino, and Lieut.
D. Juan Jose Baz, to charge. The general excused his disobedience of this order by saying that some of his chiefs did
not wish to obey and that others doubted the practicability of
the ground and the ravine for crossing. Santa Anna had, as
has been stated, indicated the afternoon of the 7th where to
cross,,and Major Sumner crossed at that place under a heavy
musketry fire the morning of the 8th.
In the Mexican history we find the following: "The force
in reserve did not appear on the field of battle and the
numerous cavalry, cold spectators of the conflict, threatened,
but made no movement upon the enemy. Gen. D. Simeon
Ramirez, who commanded in the centre, and should have
aided either the right or left of the line, he not being attacked, appeared for a moment at the Molinos, but abandoned the field and was seen no more in this important
battle, which should have been decided in favor of the republic. D. Carlos Brito, another chief, whose position and
command in the battle were important, retired to Guadalupe
and there remained, his motive for this being unknown to us.
"At the Casa Mata the distinguished Col. D. Gregorio Gelaty
died discharging his duties valiantly. The reserve not coming




ï~~440 M1/olinos-del-Rey Fought Under a Miisconception.
up and the cavalry inert, in spite of the general clamor of the
spectators afar off urging them to charge, the troops of the
centre dispersed, the left wing of the line absolutely forced,
attacked in front and flanks, the Casa Mata fell into the
enemy's hands and General Perez, who had defended it as
long as possible, effected his retreat by lanes in rear and
reached the Veronica causeway. "
General Scott's report shows that the battle of Molinos-delRey was fought under a misconception. When he ordered
Worth to attack he believed there was a large quantity of
powder deposited in the Casa Mata, and at a foundry in the
Molinos, at which the Mexicans were supposed to be casting
cannon. General Worth's report also shows that the battle
was not fought as first contemplated by himself and as prescribed in his own orders of the night of the 7th.
The attack, "to force the enemy's centre," was to be
made by a command of 500 picked men and officers, under
Brevt. -Maj. George Wright, Eighth Infantry. The First
Brigade, under Colonel Garland, was posted on the right to
watch Molinos-del-Rey, as well as any support they might receive from Chapultepec, and to be in sustaining distance of
the assaulting force. The Second Brigade, Clarke's, under
Colonel McIntosh, was on the left to sustain the assaulting
column, if necessary, or discomfort the enemy, as circumstances might require.
All reports show that the attack was not made upon the
centre, but upon the enemy's left-Molinos-del-Rey-and at
almost the same time upon the right-the Casa Mata. The
details of the battle as given prove it to have been a contest
lasting two hours, in which much courage was displayed by
the American soldiers, and in which the defense of the two
flanks by the Mexican infantry was very creditable.
There has been seldom witnessed a more brilliant display
of courage than was shown by Major Sumner and his small
command of 270 men when, in the presence of the two armies,
they dashed by the Casa Mata within musket range, crossed
at the ravine, and displayed in front of General Alvarez with
his 4,000 lancers. The courage of Drum, his officers and
men, who, unlimbered within grape range, fired one round of
solid shot, then ran the pieces forward by hand under a close




ï~~


ï~~WILLIAM J. WORTH,
BRIGADIER GENERAL, U. S. A.
BORN IN AND APPOINTED PROM NEW YORE.




ï~~Prowess of American Officers.

441

fire of canister and musketry, and gained a position from
which they enfiladed the enemy's guns and their support
within 200 yards, thus facilitating the successful assault of
Smith's battalion, is not often equalled. The loss of twelve
out of fourteen officers, with Major Wright's assaulting column of 500, with a nearly corresponding loss of enlisted men,
and all within five minutes, is evidence both of the danger
they were required to confront and of the fidelity and courage
with which they met it. Garland's brigade on the right and
Clarke's, under Colonel McIntosh, on the left accomplished
all that could have been expected, and the efficiency and
judgment with which Duncan's guns were managed added to
the distinguished character and increased the brilliant reputation already won by that officer and his)subalterns. Huger
and his lieutenants, with their heavy guns, were complimented in General Worth's report, in which General Scott
&,ncurred.
The battle of the Molinos-del-Rey was a briliant but costly
victory to the American army. Over 8oo prisoners were captured. The Casa Mata was blown up and with it such captured ammunition as was useless. Lieut. Wm. Armstrong,
Second Artillery, while in the discharge of his duty, was
killed by the explosion of the magazine. A large number of
small arms, with gun and musket ammunition, was secured,
three guns captured and brought off, and a fourth spiked.
The dead having been buried and the wounded removed, the
troops returned to the quarters previously occupied.
The loss in Worth's division caused great sadness in the
army, many members of which had friends among the killed
and wounded, and, apart from personal grief, all felt that so
many officers and soldiers of merit and promise could illy be
spared at any time, least of all when the Mexican capital
was still defiant. The heavy loss was felt by no one mhore
deeply and sincerely than by the highly gifted and spirited
commander, under whose immediate directions the battle was
fought.
But while the loss in Worth's division had been heavy,
beyond precedent, and sorrow for dead and wounded comrades prevailed, the morale of the American army remained
unshaken. With the Mexicans, however, there was a de



ï~~442 Santa Anna Falsely Claims the Victory.
pression of spirit and foreboding of evil, which is freely admitted by their writers. One of the best and bravest corps
of their National Guards had been almost entirely destroyed.
Leon, Balderas, and other excellent officers had been either
killed, wounded, or captured. They had lost a field battery,
one of their heaviest guns in Chapultepec had burst, and Molinos-del-Rey although abandoned by the Americans, had
been rendered unfit for a second defense. The field, strong
of itself, its front commanded by the guns in Chapultepec,
had been regarded favorably by the Mexicans, who felt assured of the defeat of the Americans.
Santa Anna, to counteract the probable effect produced in
the capital and throughout the republic, on news of this defeat becoming known, issued a proclamation claiming that a
victory had been won, and that he in person had led the
Mexican soldiers against their ruthless invaders. This, with
a similar announcement by the minister of war, was despatched by means of extraordinary couriers in all directions,
even to the remotest confines of the republic, and by this
means all the authorities of the nation were made to believeand some do so even to this day-that Santa Anna had triumphed at Molinos del Rey. To celebrate this reported success, the bells of the churches were rung and salvos fired in
the soldiers' quarters.
It was necessary to revive the waning spirits of the Mexican army and people and thus insure vigorous and, if possible, united exertions to defeat the enemy and save the fair
capital, and to accomplish this purpose he proclaimed that a
great victory had been won by his troops, though no one knew
better than he how complete had been the Mexican rout.
General Scott himself could not have been free from anxieties,
for his small army could not well stand many more such costly
victories as those of Churubusco and the Molinos del Rey,
and with him there was no alternative now-either success or
total destruction.




ï~~CHAPTER XX.

STORVING OF CHAPULTEPEC.
Quitman, hearing artillery in the direction of Tacubaya,
marched early on September 8th from San Augustin to San
Antonio, where, seeing the Mexican flag still waving defiantly from the Castle of Chapultepec, he continued on to
Coyoacan. In the afternoon Captain Lee and Lieutenants
Tower and Beauregard, accompanied by General Pillow, reconnoitered as far as the village of Piedad, and recommended
that it be occupied; then examined the Piedad and Nino Perdido roads, the former of which enters the city through the
Belen Gate and the latter through a gate of the same name.
For two miles before entering the city these roads are parallel and about 1,300 yards apart, and the San Antonio is a
like distance east of the Piedad road.
On the 9th Captain Lee and General Scott examined the
works at the San Antonio Gate and saw Mexicans busily at
work there and along the line connecting it with the Nifno
Perdido Gate.
Riley, by order of General Pillow, occupied on the 9th a
position to the right of Piedad, to have an eye upon the
enemy's works on the Ninlo Perdido and San Antonio roads,
and remained there until the afternoon of the x ith, when he
was joined by Smith's brigade, composed of the Rifle regiment, the First Artillery, the Third and Seventh Infantry,
and Taylor's and Steptoe's batteries.
The main street of Piedad lies in an east and west direction; its western continuation is the road to Tacubaya, its
eastern crosses the Niflo Perdido causeway about a mile
-443




ï~~444   The Hermitage the Point of Observation.
from the city, and at this intersection is an enclosure and
building, known as the " Hermitage," where the enemy had
a picket on the 8th, but which retired on the approach of the
American infantry, who occupied it as the advanced post,
and from it General Scott and Captain Lee made their reconnoissance on the 9th.
From the " Hermitage," in an air line to the Garita of San
Antonio, was about 1,300 yards. Between this cross-road and
the city gates the level ground was intersected by irrigating
ditches; one of these, and much the largest, nearly parallel
with the cross-road, and intersecting the Perdido and San Antonio causeways, had high banks, was thirty feet wide, and
spanned on the Perdido causeway by a bridge which had been
destroyed by the Mexicans, and was not, with much water and a
sticky bottom, easy crossing for infantry. Along either side
of the causeway were ditches of considerable width and depth,
and these were some of the difficulties intervening between
the point of observation (" Hermitage ") and the enemy's lines
of defense, on which they were so busily occupied during the
9th. The fortified line extending from the San Antonio to
the Niio Perdido Garita was over a mile in length, and consisted of a parapet with ditch; midway between these points
was a lunette, between which and the Garitas was a redan,
and east of the San Antonio Garita were two batteries sweeping the wet surface between it and the Garita (Candelaria)
farther to the east. Guns on the line between the Perdido and
San Antonio Gates could sweep with their fire the surface between the two roads running into the city, as well as the Perdido road itself, on which there was a battery, and guns at the
Perdido Gate could have a flank fire upon troops approaching
the city over this road. During the night of the 9th the small
force at the " Hermitage " was strengthened by additional
infantry and artillery, and a bridge was built over the ditch,
capable of passing the heaviest guns. On the ioth Colonel
Harney was ordered to repair to Mixcoac with a battalion of
the Second Dragoons, take command of the troops there, and
make such dispositions as would enable him to protect the
hospitals, ordnance, and commissary stores there collected,
against the large forces of the enemy known to be outside
the city, and Capt. R. E. Lee was sent to advise with him as




ï~~Harney Commands at Mixcoac.

445

to the mode and means best adapted to its defense. On assuming command Harney found the village occupied by
Lieutenant-Colonel Bonham with four weak companies of
his (Twelfth) regiment, one company of Mounted Rifles, one
of the Third, and one of the Seventh Infantry, in all less
than 300 effective men, 'which, added to those brought by
himself, made a force of near 500, with which a large number of prisoners was to be guarded, and the hospitals, subsistence, and ordnance stores to be protected. He had recourse to every possible means to increase the strength of
the place, artillery men were made of such soldiers and teamsters as had any knowledge of that practice, and all camp
followers not already in Government employ were enrolled.
The energy he displayed and the wise precautions he adopted
probably prevented the enemy from making a movement
against the general depot of the army.
Lieutenants Beauregard, Stevens, and Tower were ordered
also on the ioth to the right, to examine in detail the state of
the defensive works at the San Antonio Garita, and were
especially charged with ascertaining the practicability of turning them by the right, (i) by passing between them and the
Garita of the Paseo de las Vegas, equi-distant from the city, the
two gates being connected by a road practicable for artillery;
(2), by obtaining possession of the De las Vegas Garita by
a direct movemenf or indirectly by a movement to the canal
at Mexicalcingo, or some point intermediate to it and the
Garita. Lieutenants Beauregard and Stevens, approaching
together the San Antonio Garita, could readily perceive that
the work had been greatly enlarged, that heavy forces were
engaged on the Las Vegas works, and on the works on the
road connecting them with the San Antonio Garita. The
works were then armed with eleven guns, but were capable
of receiving many more.
No satisfactory information was elicited in regard to obtaining possession of the De las Vegas Garita by a direct
movement, or by one by way of the canal, there being a
heavy force of the enemy at and between the two gates, and
also at Istacualco* on the canal about two miles in advance
*White House; it is an Aztec village, the inhabitants being about
the same in appearance and occupation as at the time of the conquest
by Cortez




ï~~446

Council of General Officers.

of the Garita de las Vegas. Their guide, whom they were
inclined to believe, informed them that artillery could not
possibly share in these movements, and that the ground in
portions of the intervening space being wet and marshy, it
was doubtfut if infantry and cavalry could be employed on it.
On the rzth, a. m., Captain Lee and Lieutenant Tower examined the defenses at the San Antonio Garita from the Ninlo
Perdido road, and advanced to a point on the causeway, which
proved an admirable position for a battery, as from it there
would be an enfilade fire upon the works at the San Antonio
Garita, and on those along the road from it to the Garita de
las Vegas. A report of this reconnoissance was made to General Scott at the Church in Piedad, whither he had gone to
meet his general officers, and also to state the result of his
own observations upon the enemy's lines.
The meeting of general officers, above referred to, was
held at General Pillows's headquarters, and there were in
attendance, besides the general commanding, Major-Generals
Pillow and Quitman, the latter of the volunteer service; Brevet
Major-General Twiggs, of the regular army; Brigadier-Generals Pierce and Cadwalader, volunteers, and Colonel Bennet
Riley of the regular army. Brevet Major-General Worth
and Brevet Brigadier-General P. F. Smith, of the regular
army, were absent, the former engaged in selecting sites for
batteries against Chapultepec, and the latter was at San Angel. Engineer officers present were Captain R. E. Lee, Lieutenants Beauregard, I. I. Stevens, and Z. B. Tower.
The officers present were informed by General Scott that
his plan of attack was to be determined at that meeting; that
he had concluded to operate either against the San Antonio
Garita and adjacent works, or to attack Chapultepec and the
western Garitas, Belen and San Cosme; that if operations were
directed against Chapultepec, Twiggs' division would be kept
near Piedad to make a demonstration in that direction. He
then gave such information as he possessed touching the various routes and approaches to the city, including the Garitas
with their defensive works, and referring to the heavy casualties sustained by the army in engagements in the Valley, emphasized the necessity of giving a decided blow at that point,
where their judgment would lead them to believe the chances




ï~~CJhapultepec Chose for the Point of Attack. 447
of success the greatest and losses least. He expressed his
preference for the attack by way of Chapultepec and the western gates, but wished their opinions unbiased by his own impressions.
General Pillow favored the attack by the southern gate,
San Antonio, but Quitman, not having been near * the city,
not being well informed, and claiming slight knowledge of
the art of war, would express no opinion until he had heard
the reports and opinions of the engineers.
Of the engineers, Major Smith, Captain Lee, Lieutenants
Tower and Stevens reported their observations, and preferred
the San Antonio or southern gate as the point of attack, and
their opinion was adopted by Quitman, Shields, Pierce, and
Cadwalader. General Twiggs, concurring with General Scott,,
favored the Chapultepec route.
Col. Bennet Riley, Second Infantry, asked which front
would require less time and labor in preparation for the attack, and one of the engineer officers replying " the western,"
he answered: " I go for attacking the western gate. We will
have more fighting and less work."
Lieutenant Beauregard was the only engineer who favored
the Chapultepec route. He had examined the San Antonio
Gate frequently, commencing on the night of the 7th, had
seen the works strengthened by night and by day, knew that
the attacking columns would be exposed to full view, and that
the ground over which they would have to advance was intersected by many irrigating ditches, some of them deep,
and much of the ground under water. He gave reasons why
Chapultepec should be assaulted, and General Pierce, after
hearing them, changed his opinion. General Scott, having
heard the opinions of all, said: " We will attack Chapultepec, then the western gate," and the meeting was over.
On the morning of the i rth he ordered Captain Huger, assisted by Captain Drum, Fourth Artillery, to make a reconnoissance of the Castle of Chapultepec with the view of locating heavy batteries with which it could be cannonaded and
bombarded. Huger selected four positions: No. r, on the
road leading from Tacubaya to Chapultepec, to batter the
* He had been at San Augustin and Coyoacan, and General Twiggy
at San Angel.




ï~~448    Orders Issued by the General-in-Chief.
south side of the Castle; No. 2, on the ridge south of Molinos
del Rey, fronting the southwest angle of the Castle; No. 3,
hear the Molinos, 300 yards to the north and east of No. 2,
and the io-inch mortar, or No. 4, at the Molinos under cover
of the high wall formed by' the aqueduct and opposite the
west end of the Castle. These positions for the batteries were
approved by the engineers and adopted by General Scott, and
Huger in the afternoon received orders to have everything
ready to move the guns during the night from Mixcoac and
place them in batteries to be constructed by the engineers before morning.
Quitman's division was ordered to move from Coyoacan, so
as to join Pillow at or near Piedad before dark, and after dusk
these two major generals to move their commands to Tacubaya.
Twiggs, with Riley's brigade, Taylor's and Steptoe's batteries-the latter T2 and 24-pound howitzers-to remain in
front of the southern gates to manoeuvre, threaten, make
false attacks-in other words, to occupy the enemy's attention; Smith's brigade, of Twiggs' division, to remain at supporting distance in rear until the 13th, also to aid Harney at
the general depot at Mixcoac.
Steptoe's battery was placed in position the night of the
r ith at the Hermitage, when Major Sumner was also ordered
to hold his command of six companies, increased by Company F, First Dragoons, in readiness for immediate service,
and later to march at daybreak to cover the left of Pillow's
line, ordered to make a demonstration on the field of Molinos
del Rey during the bombardment of Chapultepec.
Such were the orders issued by the general-in-chief on the
i ith and following night. The army was in the best of
spirits, both ready and willing to respond to any demand,
whether for labor or battle.
The daily reports of the engineer officers showed that Santa
Anna had not been idle since the 7th. Large details were
seen at work wherever observations were directed. A decree
of July 29th required the mayor and aldermen of the city to
be prepared upon signal of alarm being given to furnish such
requisitions as the military authorities might make, and
through their influence a great multitude of peasants was




ï~~The Fortress of CIhoapultepec.

449

employed, who hurried forward indefatigably the defensive
works at the various gates of the city. Mexican histories
praise the Alcalde for the unflinching energy displayed from
the cessation of the armistice to the time of the assault and
capture of the capital.
Chapultepec,* fortified by nature and art, is an isolated
mound, rising 150 feet above the valley; nearly precipitous on
the northern, eastern and part of the southern side, it declines
gradually to the west to a cypress grove separating it from Molinos-del-Rey. On the top of this mound or rock was a large
building, known as the military school, where many cadets
were quartered at the time. The grounds were inclosed by
a wall. The Molinos-del-Rey building bounded it on the
west, and from these Mills south to the main road from
Tacubaya to the city the wall was three-fourths of a mile
long, twelve or fifteen feet high, though only of ordinary thickness, as it was not intended to be proof against cannon shot.
It had no artillery, but on this (south) side were several projections, salients, one a redan, made to cover a cut in the wall
eight or nine hundred yards from the Mils. Near its southeastern angle were two batteries, one on either side of and
near the Tacubaya road. Sixty or seventy yards in front of
these works the road had been obstructed by a deep, wide
ditch that could not be crossed by infantry without the aid of
the engineers. The fire of these batteries swept the road and
marshy ground south of it, and there was a banquette against
the aqueduct in rear from which infantry could fire under
cover and over the batteries against an advancing enemy.
On the inside of the surrounding wall were also wooden
banquettes, from which infantry could fire upon a force moving upon the batteries. On the eastern side, which was
nearly vertical and of great height, there was only an enclosing wall; on the northern side the aqueduct of San Cosme
served as the enclosing wall, its arches being filled with
heavy masonry. Running parallel with the aqueduct on its
north side was a turnpike on which were two, breastworks or
barricades, one close to the northeastern angle, the other
west of it 700 yards, and these works gave lines of fire upon
any force approaching from the Mills or west.
* The hill of the grasshopper.




ï~~450

The Fortress of Chapuelepec.

East of the Molinos-del-Rey, within the enclosure, were
open, cultivated fields, bounded on the east by a deep irrigating ditch with embankments running north and south. Close
to the aqueduct on the north was a redan for infantry, and
the approaches from the Molinos could be swept by the fire
from the embankment of the ditch, as well as from the redan.
East of the ditch the ground was level, marshy, and covered
with a grove of large cypress trees, * venerable from age,
whose reminiscences and traditions rendered them sacred to
the Mexicans. In this grove Montezuma had his pleasure
grounds, bowers, grottos, baths, fish ponds, and aviary.
Chapultepec was his country seat, and in its defense the last
descendant of his line was killed on the morning of the r3th
fighting with the usurpers of his ancestral power against a
new invader. Through this grove led two paths, the wider
inside of and along the wall on the southern side, the smaller
through the centre of the grove to the foot of the hill. The
Castle, as called by Americans (at the time the National Military School, formerly the residence of Viceroy Galvez), was
like most Mexican buildings strongly and -solidly built, and
conformed in shape very nearly to the outline of the rock
upon which it stood. On the northern and southern fronts,
between the parapets and the building, there was some space,
and still more between it and the parapet to the west. The
walls of the azotea (roofs) were strengthened by sand bags,
and from their cover, and from the upper windows. there was
a good fire upon the defensive wall below. West of the main
building were several detached houses, strengthened with
sand-bag parapets on the azoteas.
On the northern side of the Castle, about the centre, were
semi-circular projections for guns, whose field of fire was toward Molinos-del-Rey, and north of the aqueduct of San
Cosme; on the eastern front was a terrace on the highest
point of the rock. At the eastern extremity of the southern
wall was a place for a gun, a little space intervening here between it and the terrace, and for thirty or forty yards west
from this gun the parapet was straight, but then came a
semi-circular projection, with space for several guns. The
* Planted by the kings of Tenochtitlan and Texcoco in the days of
their grandeur, power, and glory.




ï~~Thirteen Guns 1Mounted on C hapultepee. 451
only gate way into the Castle was west of the semi-circle;
beyond this gate (west) the parapet was broken (cremaillere
line) giving a fire from two guns, upon the southwest approach
and upon the ramp leading to the Castle. The west front
was narrow, with a re-entrant and two salient (priest cap)
angles, having the only ditch on the hill with a depth of ten
and a width of twelve feet.
The western declivity in front of the priest-cap was mined
about half way up the slope, the saucissons were laid over
the ground and extended only to the ditch of the works below; west of the mines a short distance was a small redan,
whose fire would sweep the path running through the centre
of the grove.
The roadway from the base of the mound ran west from
the southeastern angle along the southern slope, to a round
battery about half way up the hill, and opposite the western
end of the fortifications surrounding the Castle; there the
road turns with a sharp angle north, and ascends into the
Castle. Near this battery was a sand bag breast-work for infantry, with a fire south and west. There were no exterior
works immediately around the north or east side, or the eastern portion of the southern front. Between the base of the
mound and the outer walls, the inclosure was covered with
a grove of large cypress, and cut up by walls and aqueducts.
Eleven guns were mounted upon the walls of Chapultepec,
two 24-pounders in the semi-circle on the northern front, one
8-pounder at the southeastern angle, two i6-pounders and an
8-inch howitzer in the semi-circle on the south front, three
pieces of small calibre on the creraillere line, and two 32 -pounders in the priest cap. Besides these guns there were
two small 4-pound howitzers on the terre-plein of the south
front.
Gen. D. Nicholas Bravo, who distinguished himself in the
struggle for independence, and was universally respected,
was the commander, with General D. Mariano Monterde, second in command; chief of engineers, D. Juan Cano; commandant of artillery, D. Manual Gamboa; Generals Norriega, Dosamentes, and Perez were sent subsequently to the
fortress. Chapultepec was near two miles from the Belen
gate, and was regarded by both Mexicans and Americans as
the key of the city.




ï~~452

American Engineers Indefatigable.

General Scott, having selected the point against which he
would direct his efforts, ordered a concentration of forces
there, but Santa Anna, ignorant of Scott's intentions, was
forced to divide his army to guard the many garitas of the
city.
In the afternoon of the xxth he reviewed a portion of his
infantry at a point between the Candelaria and San Antonio
causeways, in commemoration of the victory obtained by himself over the Spaniards at Tampico; and the Secretary of War,
having issued orders which aroused the enthusiasm of the
soldiers, their loud vivas were heard by the American pickets.
Santa Anna, believing that the Americans were about to attack the Niflo Perdido Garita, sallied out in person, at the
head of a band of cavalry and some twenty-five guerillas, under
Colonel Martinez, made a reconnoissance up to the immediate vicinity of the Hermitage, at which point Magruder's
battery was in position,which, opening a fire of shot and shell,
forced him to retire.
Hostile armies confronting each other are very sensitive,
the slightest move made by the one produces corresponding
changes in the other, with perturbations more or less serious
and extended, according to the information, skill, or judgment of the opposing commanders.
Agreeably to the order issued on the i th a. m., Quitman
moved forward from Coyoacan with his division and reached
Piedad before dark; Smith's brigade of Twiggs' division, with
Taylor's and Steptoe's batteries, came up from San Angel,
and about 9 p. m. Pillow, relieved by Riley's brigade, withdrew his division and marched to Tacubaya, while Quitman
resumed his march for the same place, where they reported
to and received orders from the general-in-chief.
Battery No. i (Map 14) was constructed under Lieut. G.
W. Smith's supervision and Battery No. 2 under Lieut. G. B.
McClellan's, both of the engineer corps. Details were made
from Quitman's division to assist the engineer company in
the construction of these works, but although directed to report immediately after dark they did not arrive until near
4 o'clock a. m. of the 12th, hence these works, which were to
have been finished before daylight, were hardly commenced
at that time. The engineers, however, were indefatigable,




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ï~~Batteries Open Fire on the 12th.

458

and the batteries were completed rapidly. Two i6-pounders
and one 8-inch howitzer captured from the enemy were
placed in Battery No. i, on the Tacubaya road, and served
by Captain Drum's light company, Fourth Artillery, asssisted
by Lients. Calvin Benjamin and Fitz-John Porter. One 24 -pounder and one 8-inch howitzer (United States) were placed
in Battery No. 2 and served by a detachment of the ordnance
company, under Lieutenant Hagner; one 24-pounder, intended for this battery, being upset on the night march from
Mixcoac, could not be brought up for service. The positions
of these two batteries being concealed from view by bushes
and maguey and Twiggs' division opening fire at daylight,
with Steptoe's battery at the Hermitage against the enemy's
works on the south side of the city making a diversion, the
work proceeded at batteries i and 2 without molestation until
after sunrise.
When the batteries were sufficiently advanced Drum and
Hagner opened upon the Castle a fire which proved to be well
directed, nearly every shot striking. Huger brought up one
16-pound siege gun (captured) and one 8-inch howitzer
(United States), in charge of Captain Brooks, Second Artillery, but owing to the very brisk fire from Chapultepec these
guns could not be placed in the position chosen for them, nor
the battery be prepared for their reception and they were
taken to the north side of the Molinos-del-Rey, where they
commanded the approach of the enemy's forces on that side
of the Castle. More than once during the day hostile parties
either showed themselves or attempted to advance in that
direction, but were forced to retire by a few well-directed
shots from these guns.
The steady fire of batteries i and 2 caused the enemy's to
slacken. The io-inch mortar, in charge of Lieut. Charles P.
Stone of the ordnance, and served by a detachment of the
company of that corps, was placed in position and shelled the
Castle.
Captain Lee, engineers, availing himself during the day of
the diminished fire from Chapultepec, and using the wall of
the aqueduct as a parapet, prepared the ground and laid platforms, and the two pieces under Captain Brooks were placed
in Battery No. 3, and opened fire. Lieut. S. S. Anderson,




ï~~454

Steptoel s Guns at the Itermitage.

Second Artillery, and Lieut. E. Russell, Fourth Infantry, relieved Captain Brooks' company in the evening. The stock
of the 16-pounder broke, leaving Lieutenant Anderson with
only the 8-inch howitzer, which, however, continued to fire
until dusk.
The firing from Chapultepec diminished when these batteries were in full play, and was apparently silenced. The
cannonading by Steptoe's battery, placed in position at the
" Hermitage " the night of the 1ith, continued, and being
well covered suffered but little loss from the Mexican reply.
Opposed to Steptoe were six pieces of ordnance of large calibre in position near the San Antonio Garita, four smaller
guns in the battery on the causeway under General Mariano
Martinez, and two field pieces at the Nifno Perdido Garita
supported by a corps of the National Guards.
The fire upon Chapultepec produced at first slight impression, but the walls pierced by balls in many directions, the
roof seriously damaged by bombs thrown by the io-inch
mortar from the Molinos-del-Rey, and the American projectiles causing great havoc among the men behind the parapets, their engineers were kept busy repairing damages. The
more intelligent officers urged that the troops be placed at
the foot of the hill, retaining in Chapultepec only the artillery men and requisite engineers, but this not being done, a
number of infantry were soon hors de combat.
The sound of Steptoe's guns caused Santa Anna to repair
to the Candelaria and San Antonio Garitas, which he still expected the Americans to attack, knowing that these places
once taken the city was lost to the Mexicans. Chapultepec,
however, captured, there yet remained the Garitas of San
Cosme and de Belen, and near the latter the Citadel, impervious to any assault. *
Whilst Santa Anna was a spectator to the exchange of shots
between Steptoe's and his own batteries, between the San
Antonio and Candelaria Gates, the American guns opened
upon Chapultepec. He here received and spoke to an adjutant of General Bravo, commanding the Castle, then pro*It was a regular four-sided bastion fort, surrounded by a wide and
deep ditch filled with water.




ï~~Brato Asks for Reinforcements.

455

ceeded to Vegas by way of Candelaria and posted there his
reserve, made up of Lombardini's and Rangel's brigades.
At noon he entered Chapultepec, the firing from the American batteries being then very active, watched for some
minutes the effect of the shots; then walked through the
woods at the west foot of the mound, taking with him a battalion to reinforce a work against which the American artillery was being directed.
When this battalion was seen, the Americans redoubled
their fire, and, one shell bursting, killed the valiant Mendez,
commandant of battalion, and killed or wounded thirty soldiers. Santa Anna ordered the troops to withdraw, retired
with his Staff to the gate and ordered a work to be thrown up
to defend that side of the garden. At 9 p. m. he returned to
the National Palace with his reserves.
The American batteries ceased firing at 7 p. m., Steptoe's
having begun at 5 a. m. The Mexicans, referring to this fire,
state: " For fourteen hours the American batteries, perfectly
served, had maintained a projectile in the air, the greater
number of their shots taking effect." General Bravo, knowing that he would be attacked, asked to be reinforced, and
Santa Anna replied through Generals Rangel and Peia that
he would send more troops when the assault was made. During the night Monterde worked to repair ravages caused by
the American artillery during the day.
The Governor of the State of Mexico, who had come up
from Toluca with 700 men, reached Santa Fe (within a few
miles of Tacubaya) on the i ith, and the Mexicans hoped that
this small force, in conjunction with the cavalry, might be
useful in at least dividing the enemy's attention and making
him detach a force to meet it, but this not being done, it
remained inactive during the i ith, z2th, and 13th.
During the cannonading of the 12th there were no casualties among the United States officers in charge of batteries,
nor were there any of the cannoneers disabled. In the afternoon Captain Drum's company was relieved at No. i battery
by Lieut. G. P. Andrews, of the Third Artillery, and the firing continued until near dark; the men serving the pieces near
the Mills were withdrawn at night, the Mills having been occupied since sunrise by Pillow's division (Cadwalader's bri



ï~~456

Tke  Pwo Storming Partie8.

gade), the other brigade (Pierce's) of this division, with
Magruder's battery, being held in rear, and at night Pillow's
whole force was concentrated at the Mills.
Quitman's division during the 12th remained in rear near
Batteries i and 2, extending from the Tacubaya road over to
the left, near No. 2, at which was a detachment of United
States Marines and a company of New York Volunteers,
under Lieut. Mayne Reid.* In the afternoon Generat Quitman in person, attended by one of his aids-de-camp, Lieut.
Mansfield Lovell, made a bold reconnoissance of the ground
and works near the southeast end of Chapultepec, and discovered the position of two batteries that swept with their
fire the road leading from Tacubaya to the gate of the
Castle and the ground south of and between the road and surrounding enclosure. Maj. Levi Twiggs, with a detachment
of Marines, supported this reconnoissance, and, aided by a
few shots from Drum's guns, a lively fire was exchanged with
the Mexican infantry, that advanced from the batteries.
During this reconnoissance seven of Major Twiggs' men were
wounded.
General Scott determined to resume the cannonading and
bombardment of Chapultepec early the following morning,
then to launch forth two columns of attack, one led by Quitman, against the southern face of the Castle, advancing along
the road leading from Tacubaya; the other, under General
Pillow, to move from the Molinos-del-Rey towards and then
through the low grounds, covered with cypress, between
those Mills and the western end of the rocky mound, and ascend the hill on its most accessible side.
To aid the contemplated attack a storming party of ten
officers and 260 men was detailed from Worth's division,
under the command of Capt. Samuel Mackenzie, Second
Artillery, ordered to report early in the morning of the
13th to General Pillow and a like detail from Twiggs' division, consisting of thirteen officers and 250 men, under
Capt. Silas Casey, Second Infantry, to report at the same hour
to General Quitman, Worth's division (formed in rear of the
Molinos-del-Rey) to take such position as would best support
*Subsequently a writer of novels that were much read; took part
in the Hungarian Revolution, and afterwards lived in London.




ï~~GIDEON J. PILLOW,
MAJOR GENERAL, U. S. VOLUNTEERS.
BORN IN AND APPOINTED FROM TENNESSEE.




ï~~


ï~~Cannonading at Dawn.

457

General Pillow's operations, and General Smith's brigade,
of Twiggs' division, to support Quitman's attack.
General Quitman having been instructed to prevent, if possible, reinforcenents being passed into Chapultepec from the
city, ordered Captain Paul with a detachment of fifty men
to advance along the Tacubaya road to a point from which
a movement of troops along the turnpike from the city
might be heard if not seen. A brisk fire occurred during the
night between the enemy and this advance force, but the
latter held its ground. Lieutenant Andrews was ordered to
run forward one of his pieces and rake the Tacubaya road
with an occasional discharge of canister. It was believed
that no reinforcements entered Chapultepec in the night and
there was no appearance of any movements in the enemy's
lines. Repairs were made during the night in Battery No. I,
under Lieutenant Tower's direction, and a new battery for
one gun under the supervision of Lieutenant Hammond,
Third Artillery, aid-de-camp to Brigadier-General Shields,
was established a short distance in advance of it.
At an early hour on the 13th the batteries opened fire all
along the lines, the one on the extreme right (Steptoe's) being directed upon those of the enemy near the San Antonio
Garita and between it and the Ninio Perdido road, and was
continued with such spirit and effect that the enemy was
compelled to withdraw his guns from the Garita to the protection of the city walls. Drum relieved Andrews, and the
guns of No. i were directed against the batteries and the
troops near the base of the hill. After two rounds the 8-inch
howitzer was disabled by its own fire, and one of the enemy's
shots broke a wheel of the 16-pounder, killing at the same
time one of the cannoneers and wounding a corporal; the wheel
was soon replaced.
During this cannonade Generals Pillow and Quitman were
busy making preparations for the assault; the former placed
two pieces (map XIV) of Magruder's battery inside the Molinos building, to clear a sand-bag work, constructed outside
the main wall, surrounding Chapultepec, and to command an
opening in the wall. The mountain howitzer under Lieutenant Reno, of the ordnance, was passed through the houses
and walls of the Mills, and placed in batteryR, so as to aid in




ï~~458

458            oh I?.?fors' $slFcirmisk erg.

driving the enemy from an intrenchment, extending nearly
across the forest, and commanding the approach to the Castle. Four companies of the Voltigeur regiment under Lieut.Col. J. E. Johnston were placed in position with instructions,
upon the cessation of fire, to advance rapidly on the outside,
under cover of the wall, and enter the enclosure at the openingG; the remaining four companies, under Col. T. P. Andrews, were posted at a narrow gate, in rear of the Mills, with
orders to advance and unite with Johnston's command, then
to deploy as skirmishers, and, by a simultageous move upon
the enemy's flank and fron~it, drive him from his intrenchments
and from the large trees behind which he was sheltered. The
Ninth and Fifteenth regiments of infantry were placed in position to move forward, as supports to the storming party,
and if necessary to form a part of it.
Colonel Andrews was ordered, as soon as the regiment of
Voltigeurs had cleared the intrenchments and woods, to form
in rear of Mackenzie's command as a supporting or assaulting
force, according to the exigencies of the movoment. Mackenzie's command was placed immediately in rear of Colonel
Johnston's skirmishers, and ordered to move under cover of
the same wall, to enter the breach close after Johnston, and
as he would brush away the enemy, to advance steadily, assault and carry the main work of Chapultepec. He placed
his scaling ladders in charge of this command, and furnished
a strong detail of men to carry them forward to the parapet.
He directed Lieutenant Reno to move with the advancing
column, and to use his battery whenever he could do so with
effect, and placed Colonel Trousdale with the Eleventh and
Fourteenth Regiments T, and one section of Magruder's
battery, under command of Lieut. T. J. Jackson,* in the road
leading on the left, or north, of Chapultepec to the city, with
instructions to advance so as to hold in observation the enemy
stationed at the battery B, and to attack if he attempted to
advance or to succor the forces within the walls of Chapultepec. Having completed these dispositions for the assault
while a heavy cannonade was going on, General Pillow di* Became well known to the country in the war between the States
as "Stonewall Jackson."




ï~~UI)
0
-
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m
0




ï~~


ï~~Signal Given for the Assault.

459

rected Brigadier-General Cadwalader to see to their proper
execution.
General Quitman gave fewer orders, and attended personally to the movement of his troops. His preparations for the
assault, as in the case of General Pillow, were made during
the active cannonade that began at daylight. Ladders, pickaxes, and crows were given to a pioneer storming party of
forty select men from the volunteer division, under Capt. E.
McDonald Reynolds, of the Marine Corps, to accompany the
storming party of 120 men, selected from the different regiments of the division, and placed under Major Twiggs' command.
Captain Drum retained Sergeant Davidson and eight cannoneers of Lieutenant Andrews' company to man an 8-pounder,
which was to advance with the troops, and to guard in part
the right flank against any force that might come from the
city. General Smith's brigade, in column near Battery No.
i of Twiggs' division, was ordered to move on the right
of the column of attack, if practicable, cross the aqueduct,
and cut off the retreat of the enemy along that route through
the Belen Gate into the city. The storming party of regular
troops, under Captain Casey, Second Infantry, was placed in
the ditchs left of the road and in rear of Battery No. i,
which protected them from the plunging fire from Chapultepec. The whole division was held in readiness, and, concealed
from view of the enemy as much as possible, awaited the
preconcerted signal to advance, which was a momentary cessation of fire on the part of the heavy batteries.
About 8 a. m. General Scott, judging from the apparent effect of shot and shell that had been thrown against the Castle
and into the surrounding works that the time had arrived,
dispatched two aids, one to General Pillow, the other to General Quitman, to inform them that the signal was about to be
given, and soon there was a suspension of artillery fire.
Lieut. C. M. Wilcox, ordered by General Quitman to go at
once to Captain Casey and give the order to advance, met on
the way Lieut. Tower, who hearing that the signal was about
to be given retraced his steps. On reaching the storming
party the order was given to Captain Casey, who formed his
men in a few seconds, and gave the order " forward." They




ï~~460

Casey's Stormers.

moved down the road towards Chapultepec at a " double
quick," Lieutenant Tower leading off, and for 6oo yards were
exposed to a raking fire from the Castle, but were partially
concealed from view, and protected from the fire of the batteries near the road by several adobe houses on the left of it,
and by rows of maguey growing along the edge of the ditch.
Beyond the houses showers of grape came from the guns of
the batteries on the left of the road, passing anmong and over
the men, causing a few casualties, and the hostile musketry
opened, knocking over a few men, Lieutenant Tower being
of the number. Two hundred yards beyond the adobe houses
the road made a slight bend to the left; 200 yards beyond
this were the two Mexican batteries; and in advance of the
bend a short distance was a ditchD, eight or ten feet deep
and nine or twelve feet wide. Here the stormers were
brought to a halt, as the ditch could not be passed. Between the road and the wall surrounding Chapultepec the
ground was intersected by ditches and covered with water,
and on the right of the road there was a ditch, but beyond it
the surface was dry, though it might have been unsafe for
the stormers, weak in numbers, to have made a sweep
around in that direction.
Hurrying back, General Quitman was met at the adobe
houses, and near him was Brigadier-General Shields, bleeding freely from a.wound in the arm; the difficulties of the
storming party were explained, and the troops then approaching were ordered to turn off to the left at right angles to the
road and move against the Castle through an opening visible
in the surrounding wall.
Lieutenant Wilcox, ordered to return to the stormingDparty,
met the commander, Captain Casey, coming to the rear,
wounded. Lieut. Levi Gantt, of the Seventh Infantry, while
in the act of receiving an order from Captain Casey, was shot
dead; the order was then given to Lients. Fred Steele, of the
Second, and Barnard E. Bee, of the Third Infantry. The
commander of the volunteer storming party, Major Twiggs,
of the Marine Corps, was killed, and succeeded in command
by Capt. James Miller, Second Pennsylvania Volunteers.
In crossing the low, wet ground, intersected with ditches,
between the road and the wall surrounding Chapultepec,




ï~~


ï~~U
w
0 -w
-J
U
0
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0

CO
Zw




ï~~1'he Valiant Dead and Wounded.

461

the regiments were under a severe fire, inflicting many
casualties; among the number were Lieut. -Col. Charles Baxter, commanding the New York volunteers, mortally wounded,
and Capt. Abram Van O'Linda, of the same regiment, killed.
Lieut.-Col. J. W. Geary, commanding Second P'ennsylvania,
was for a time disabled by contusion from a spent ball.
When Lieutenant Wilcox returned the second time from
the storming party General Quitman was still near the small
houses by the roadside, the point where his regiments filed to
the left to take part in the assault upon Chapultepec. A section of Duncan's battery, under Lieutenant Hunt, met at
these houses, had been pushed forward close upon the stormng party, and was under a heavy fire; but finding it impossible to use his guns in this advanced position, Hunt fell back
to a point some 250 yards in front of Battery No. i and unlimbered. The Castle of Chapultepec being within easy
range, he opened fire on the enemy in front of the stormers,
elevating the pieces as the slope was ascended by the infantry. When Chapultepec was captured he limbered up and
advanced until the ditch was reached in front of the Mexican
batteries. When this was filled so that the pieces could pass,
Quitman's command had begun the move towards Belen, and
Lieutenant Hunt, being directed to the other road, joined the
remainder of the battery under Colonel Duncan. Lieut H.
F. Clark served one of the guns of the section with Lieutenant
Hunt. Lieutenant Benjamin, Fourth Artillery, ran a 9 -pounder forward from Battery No. i and fired several shrapnel into the enemy as they retired up the hill into the Castle,
and advanced an 8-inch howitzer from that battery and fired
three shells into the Castle.
The mountain howitzers, under Lieutenant Reno, opened
with a fire of shells upon the enemy posted behind fieldworks, north of the woods west of Chapultepec, and threw a
few shells into the corn-field and cypress grove. The Voltigeurs then advanced, the right wing, under Colonel Andrews,
through the corn-field and meadow in front, next through the
woods between the meadow and Castle; the left wing, under
Lieut.-Col. J. E. Johnston, moved by the flank beyond
Molinos-del-Rey under cover of the Guth wall, and was subjected to a brisk fire from the lunette, covering the opening




ï~~462

Mackenzie' s Stormers.

by which they were to pass the wall. The men were deployed at a run, each company opening fire as soon as deployed. The enemy was driven from the parapet, followed
through the gorge and driven from the woods and into the intrenchments on Pillow's right, which were attacked and
carried.
The storming party, under Mackenzie, moved forward, the
ground having been cleared by the Voltigeurs, formed in line at
the foot of the hill with ladders, crow-bars, etc., close in rear,
and advanced in as good order as the broken ground would permit, followed by the Ninth and Fifteenth Infantry; half way up
the ascent the stormers, under Mackenzie, came upon the
troops that were to clear the way, where the latter under cover
afforded by the slope were delivering their fire. Mackenzie
experienced some difficulty in getting his command beyond
them, the men showing a disposition to take cover and to use
their arms, but he, however, urged them and many of the
Voltigeurs on. The ditch was at length reached, Lieut.
Lewis Armistead, Sixth Infantry, being the first to leap into
it under the artillery and musketry fire and hand-grenades of
the enemy. Ladders were applied and one of the salients of
the main work carried. The mines of the enemy were not
sprung, as the assaulting party in ascending the hill passed
over them near the ditch. Lieut. Joseph Selden, Eighth Infantry, was the first to mount a ladder and was shot down,
severely wounded. Lieut. A. P. Rodgers, Fourth Infantry,
had received a mortal wound before reaching this point and
fell near the ditch, where Lieut. Joseph P. Smith, Fifth Infantry, was also killed.
General Smith's brigade, Twiggs' division, was formed
under instructions from General Quitman, in rear and extending to the right of the division, to cover his right and
rear from the enemy near the aqueduct leading from Chapultepec to the city, and to better secure the movement General
Smith detached two companies of riflemen, under Capt. John
S. Simonson and Lieut. I. N. Palmer, and subsequently a third,
under Lieut. R. M. Morris, still further to his right. His
brigade extending five or six hundred yards to the right of
the road, he advanced a like distance, and changing to the
left, his right regiment, the Mounted Rifles, came opposite the




ï~~3S




ï~~JOHN A. QUJTMAN,
MAJOR GENERAL U. S. VOLUNTEERS.
BORN IN NSW YORK.- APPOINTED FROM MISSISSIPPI.




ï~~Tihe   oZ unteers.

463

battery on the right of the road and captured the Second Battery with several guns and many prisoners. The enemy was
also behind the aqueduct, at and near the gate leading
into Chapultepec, in houses and on the azoteas, strengthened
with sand-bags, but the Castle had been taken before the firing
ceased at the foot of the hill near the gate.
Of Quitman's troops, the South Carolina regiment on reaching the wall broke through it. The New York and Pennsylvania regiments, inclining to the left, passed through at the
redan, where Johnston had crossed. The South Carolinians
having broken through the wall, ascended the hill and joined
the foremost, as did the New York regiment, notably the company commanded by Lieut. Mayne Reid, who had been guarding Battery No. 2. When this battery ceased firing he moved
forward at a run, joined the advanced troops in the ascent,
and fell wounded near the ditch. General Pillow was wounded
at the foot of the hill, and Col. T. B. Ransom, of the Ninth
Infantry, was killed, shot through the head, while leading his
regiment near the storming party.
General Worth had been ordered by the general-in-chief
to take position with his division so as to be ready to render
assistance to General Pillow if called upon. Having placed
it as ordered, he despatched Lieut. Raphael Semmes, of the
navy, one of his aids, to inform the general, soon after the
attack began, of his position. General Pillow was at the foot
of the hill, wounded, and requested the aid to return and beg
General Worth to bring up his division, and make haste, or
he feared he would be too late.
Clarke's brigade, ordered to advance instantly, moved unchecked, though exposed to artillery fire, and united with
the advanced troops. At the crossing of the ditch and scaling of the walls there was much breaking up and intermingling of commands, but after the works were once crossed,
and the troops inside in force, they encountered but little resistance.
Lieut. James Longstreet, adjutant of the Eighth Infantry,
was disabled by a severe wound while ascending the hill to
the Castle; Lieut. Geo. E. Pickett then took charge of the
regimental flag of the regiment and had it carried over the
works into and to the top of the Castle.




ï~~464

Jackson' s Advance.

Colonel Trousdale, placed on the road north of Chapultepec
in observation, as already stated, and seeing a movement in
the enemy's ranks, indicating, as he believed, a purpose to
enter and succor the forces in Chapultepec, ordered the section of artillery under Lieut. T. J. Jackson to advance, and
followed with the Fourteenth Infantry. The artillery moved
further than was intended, carne within point blank range of
and received a destructive fire from the enemy's batteries, intrenched across the road almost immediately under the guns
of Chapultepec, which inflicted much loss among the men,
besides killing most of the artillery horses. Colonel Trousdale held his position and drove the enemy from the battery,
then advanced, took possession of the guns, and turned them
upon the retiring enemy; but having received two severe
wounds in the arm, yielded the command to Lieut.-Col. Paul
0. Hebert.
Capt. J. B. Magruder, who had operated a section of his
battery on the enemy around Chapultepec before the advance
of the infantry as long as practicable and after the attack began, when forced to suspend firing, was ordered to join the
advanced section of his battery, but on arriving at the position where Jackson should have been found he saw only a
detachment of the Eleventh Infantry, then threatened by the
approach of a large cavalry force, and was in the act of going
with one piece to join Jackson, when he received a message
from him asking to be reinforced. This request being made
known to General Worth, he ordered Magruder to withdraw
Jackson to his original position, and on going forward Magruder was dismounted by a grape shot, and, finding the section
so situated as to make it more unsafe to retire, then to let it
remain, hastened back to Worth, who ordered Garland's brigade forward, followed by Magruder with his guns. On
reaching the enemy's works that had been captured he found
them unoccupied, eight of Jackson's horses killed at one
spot, one gun disabled for want of horses, and the infantry
filling up the ditch to allow artillery and ammunition wagons
to pass. Lieutenant Jackson was still in the advance, having
caused one piece to be lifted by hand over the ditch, and
when joined by Magruder with three guns was firing upon
the enemy on the road at the northeast angle of Chapultepec.




ï~~A New York Volunteer Receives the Surrender. 465
Magruder moved up with the three pieces, brought two, then
the third into battery, within good range, but found the last
files of the enemy entering a work which barred for a time
further progress towards the city. The Mexicans appeared
to be in considerable strength behind and on the right and
left of this work, having infantry and cavalry, but no artillery. There was but a feeble fire of escopets from down the
road.
A large force of cavalry and infantry formed on the road in
front of this work to charge Magruder's guns, considerably in
advance, there being with him some twenty men, under Lieut.
D. H. Hill, Fourth Artillery, and possibly double that number
under other officers who were separated from their commands.
The enemy moved forward threatening Magruder's guns,
which opened with a rapid discharge of shells and shrapnel,
and arrested and drove him back. It being discovered
at this time that the enemy were bringing up some heavy
guns, Colonel Garland directed Magruder to retire his guns
and replenish his ammunition.
Before the ditch on the side attacked by Pillow had been
crossed Lieutenant-Colonel Johnston, with a part of the Voltigeur regiment, had passed around to the right to the main
entrance-the gate-to prevent the escape of the garrison,
and here encountered a close fire from the east terrace. Lieutenant Reno, with his mountain howitzer, joined him at the
gate and was disabled while bravely using his piece.
Lieutenant Brower, of the New York regiment, is credited
with the honor of receiving personally the surrender of General Bravo, and escorting his prisoner to General Cadwalader, who states in his report that "The Mexican flag which
floated over the fortress, and which had been three times
shot down by our artillery, was lowered and handed to me by
Maj. Thomas H. Seymour, of the Ninth Infantry. A train
leading to the mines, intended to blow up our forces in case
we should succeed in the capture of the work, was discovered
and destroyed. Private W. A. Gray, of Captain Blair's company of Yoltigeurs, first discovered and assisted in destroying it." Bvt. Maj. Wm. R. Montgomery, commanding the
Eighth Infantry, states that Lieut. George E. Pickett took
charge of the colors of the Eighth Infantry, had them borne




ï~~466

Casualties Among the.llfexicans.

the first, to the top of the palace, lowered the enemy's standard, and replaced it with that of the Eighth Infantry and the national flag, while the battle was yet raging beneath, meaning
probably the engagement at the foot of the hill. The apparent conflict in the reports may be reconciled, if it be believed,
as was probably the case, that Major Seymour, the ranking
officer present at the lowering of the Mexican and running
up of the United States flag, gave the order which was executed by Pickett.
When the American batteries opened fire upon Chapultepec a little after daylight on the 13th, General Bravo, in command, reported to Santa Anna, at the palace in the city, that
the Castle would certainly be attacked, and asked that reinforcements and extra ammunition be sent without delay;'but
Santa Anna, not believing Chapultepec would be assaulted,
failed to increase the garrison* as requested, and posted
Rangel's brigade in the batteries on each side of the Tacubaya
road near the southeast angle of Chapultepec, in and about
the house near the gate, and against the aqueduct. General
Pefia's brigade was held in rear of the breastworks near the
northeast angle, and at points along the road north of the
aqueduct.
There were but 8oo men in Chapultepec, and to oppose the
advance of Pillow through the cypress grove, was the San Blast
battalion, under Lieut.-Col. D. Santiago Xicotencal, which
was flanked and pushed back, the brave commander and the
greater part of his officers being killed. As the American
infantry approached the foot of the hill, they came under fire
of the garrison of the Castle, but continued to advance, and
had ascended above the mines, when Lieutenant Alaman, attempting to apply the slow match, was shot down.
General Perez was killed at the beginning of the attack;
Lieutenant-Colonel Cano, mortally wounded, died during the
night; though quite young, he was distinguished for literary
ability and scientific learning. General Dosamentes was captured with his commander, General Bravo. General Monterde, superintendent of the school, Generals Norriega and
*There were as many men in Chapultepec as could well use their
arms: more would have only increased casualities and swelled the
number of prisoners.




ï~~Mexican Numbers.

467

Saldana were also captured, and, of the prisoners, about
forty were pupils (cadets)* of the school.
All of the American army except Riley's brigade, Steptoe's
battery, and the garrison at Mixcoac, were engaged in the
operations against Chapultepec and adjacent works. Deducting the sick and the necessary details, would leave about
7,500 men employed by Scott in the assault and capture of
this stronghold, which guarded so effectually all approaches
to the capital from the west.
Of the strength of the Mexican force that defended Chapultepec there is uncertainty; Mexican history states 8oo to have
been in Chapultepec, Rangel's and Pefia's brigades to have been
at the foot of the hill, on the north, northeast, east and south
sides. Rangel's and Lomardini's brigades were estimated previously at about twenty-five hundred, but the strength of
Pefia's brigade is nowhere given. Lombardini's brigade is
not referred to as being engaged at Chapultepec, but reference is made to " many who shamefully deserted Chapultepec,
who were seen at 6 in the morning of the I3th on the Belen
causeway, with Lombard.ini's brigade and the Hidalgo battalion of National Guards; and these two commands, being in
the immediate vicinity at 6 a. m., it is almost certain that
they took part in the action.t
If Lombardini was engaged, his and Rangel's brigades, as
given in their history, amounted to about twenty-five hundred; allowing Pefia's brigade to be half of that, and the Boo
in Chapultepec, would make 4,550; the battalion of San
Blas, under Xicotencal may or may not have been included
in the 8oo defenders of Chapultepec, but the Hidalgo battalion could not have been so included. It is very probable
*The conduct of these young heroes deserves some special mention.
Laying aside their slates and books for the musket and sabre, they
were conspicuous in posts of danger. Their mothers, like the women
of Sparta, encouraged and stimulated them. One brave boy, whose
mother had said to him that death was preferable to dishoner, stood
by his gun when all around had retreated, and this impressed so favorably the victors that they allowed him to pass out unmolested.
Adopted by an Amierican officer, he was brought to the United States
and educated.
*The garrison in Chapultepec could not have been very strong; those
not killed must have been captured, and the entire number of prison.
ers taken on the 13th and 14th was 823, and some of these were captured before reaching the gate, along the aqueducts and at the
garitas.




ï~~408              Mexican Jumbers.
there were about five thousand Mexican soldiers, infantry
and artillery, at Chapultepec; their cavalry present was between four and five thousand, giving an aggregate of at least
nine thousand in the engagement.
The Mexicans compliment the San Bias company of sharp
shooters (whose captain, Traconie, was wounded) and the
Matamoros battalion of Morelia (whose brigade commander,
Major D. Jose Barreiro, was also wounded) which, with other
troops, gallantly aided in the defense of the batteries on the
Tacubaya road.




ï~~CHAPTER XXI.

TH CITY O MEXICO.-THE BEILEN AND SAN COSME GATES..PERSONAL INCIDENTS.-SANTA ANNA.-THE SIEGE OF
PUEBLA. - HUAMANTLA. - A RESUME OF THE MARCH
THROUGH THE VALLEY OF MEXICO.
After the capture of Chapultepec General Quitman ordered
his Staff to refill cartridge boxes preparatory to an advance
along the aqueduct towards the Garita-de-Belen, and rode up
to the Castle to have a more extended view of the Valley and
approaches to the city. Meanwhile Gen. Persifor Smith ordered the ditch across the Tacubaya road to be filled and the
parapet leveled to permit the passage of artillery.
The pursuit, with a short pause at Chapultepec, was pressed
vigorously on the two roads (map XIV) into the city. The
more direct of these, the one followed by Quitman, led to the
Garita-de-Belen, about two miles distant. Worth advanced
over the other and longer, which entered the city through
the San Cosme Garita. These roads were broad, level avenues. In the centre of each was an aqueduct consisting of
an open stone trough, resting on arches springing from stone
piers, and right and left of the causeway were ditches filled
with water.
The Mounted Rifles, under Maj. W. W. Loring, followed
by Captain Drum's guns, the remainder of Quitman's command, Smith's brigade of Twiggs' division, and a portion of
the Sixth Infantry from Clarke's brigade, Worth's division,
under Major Bonneville, led Quitman's advance along the
Belen causeway, on which, a mile from Chapultepec, was a
--469




ï~~470     Quitman's Advance on the Reten Gale.
a bridge, called the " Bridge of the Insurgents," near and
beyond which was a battery" with guns, and on its right a
parapet several hundred yards long for infantry. At this
battery and along the parapet was posted the battalion of
Morelia. The resistance here for a short time was spirited,
but the fire of the Mounted Rifles, of Drum's 8-inch howitzer,
and a fraction of the infantry, drove the Mexicans from this
position. A section of Duncan's battery, supported by Col.
C. V. Smith's light battalion, advanced to the south side of
the San Cosme aqueduct and fired upon it and towards the
Paseo. Lieut. Pitz-John Porter, Pourth Artillery, was temporarily disabled near this work by a severe contusion from
a spent ball.
Passing this battery and intrenched position, Quitman's
command continued to advance on the causeway, the Mounted
Rifles leading, followed by Drum's guns, moved by hand.
The spaces between the piers, under the arches of the aqueduct, afforded good shelter for the troops from the fire of the
works at the Belen Gate, now sweeping the level and straight
causeway, but for the artillery, or for the men by whom the
guns were moved forward, there was no cover, and they had
to face the fire from the fortified gate.
As the riflemen in front, intermingled with infantry, advanced from arch to arch and approached the Garita they
were exposed to a body of Mexican infantry under cover of
houses on the right of the road. The advance was checked,
but Drum's guns and the rifle fire drove off the Mexican infantry. As the gate was approached still nearer the South
Carolina regiment was placed in front with the rifles; " three
rifles and three bayonets under each arch," supported by the
residue of Smith's and Shields' brigades and the Second
Pennsylvania, with a part of the Sixth Infantry, under Major
Bonneville. The advance from arch to arch was made under
a close artillery fire and from numerous infantry at the Garita
batteries, at the breastworks on the Paseo, and on the Piedad
road, extending from the right of the gate. One of Drum's
guns, a 6-pounder, under Lieutenant Benjamin, was directed
upon the Garita with effect, and when the enfilade fire from
the Piedad road obstructed the advance of the column, Drum,
with the 16-pounder and an eight-inch howitzer threw rounds




ï~~Personal Incidents.

471

of grape and canister and cleared the way for the column.
The Rifles, well sustained by the South Carolinians, rushed
on in the face of a quick infantry fire from the gate and
roofs of houses near the breastworks on the Paseo, amid the
sheeted fire and roar of thundering guns and captured the
Garita de Belen, at which point the Mexican capital was entered at 1:20 p. m., September 13th. The division commander, General Quitman, was among the first to mount and
cross the breastwork on the side of the aqueduct fronting the
citadel.
Sent to the rear by General Quitman to have fuzes and ammunition for the artillery brought up to the head of the advancing column, I was compelled to go as far as Chapultepec.
The troops had advanced considerably when I returned, and
hastening to overtake those in front near the city gate, I met
going to the rear with a shattered arm Maj. W. W. Loring,
the gallant commander of the Rifle regiment, who had been
wounded at the head of the column by a grape shot. Next I
saw General Quitman standing on the parapet at the gate,
facing the rear and waving his handkerchief. When I rejoined him, being much fatigued by my long tramp, I sat
down on the parapet on which he was standing. No horses
were used; the road, on both sides of the aqueduct being
swept by artillery, all orders had to be carried on foot.
The general immediately directed that a flag be displayed
from the aqueduct, in order that those of his command not
yet up might see where we were. Gen. P. F. Smith arrived
at this time, and with watch in hand remarked, " General, it
is twenty minutes after i." As soon as ordered I ran back
from the gate thirty or forty yards to the South Carolina
regiment, and requested Lieut. Frederick W. Selleck, of that
regiment, to bring his flag forward, to be waved as a signal from
the aqueduct. Inside the Garita on the south side was a plank
scaffold resting against the aqueduct; using this as a banq ette, the Mexicans could fire over it, having their bodies
we 1protected. Selleck soon appeared with the Palmetto
flag, accompanied by several men of the regiment, and
mounted the scaffold by the aid of the men; he then gave me
his hand, and with his assistance I was soon by his side.




ï~~Personal Incidents.

The flag was handed to us, but it was inconvenient for two
to hold; it was then waved alternately, first by Selleck, then
by myself.* Upon the display of the flag, there was cheering among the men near the gate; the firing had been lively
all the time, but the waving of the flag and cheering of the
men caused a concentration of both artillery and musketry
upon the Garita. After the flag had been thus displayed
several minutes, General Quitman remarked, "that will do,
get down." I jumped from the scaffold instantly, and as I
reached the ground was considerably shocked, almost turned
around by a musket ball striking a pistol at my left side, worn
under the sash and sword belt. The ball flattened itself, fell
to the ground, and was picked up. Selleck did not leap
down when told, but replied, " once more," meaning one
more wave of the flag; but before it was finished fell upon
the scaffold shot through the leg below the knee by a musket ball, breaking both bones; one of the men helping him
down was killed, and two were wounded. There were not
many men inside of the gate at the time, General Quitman
being one of the few.
The troops, Rifles and Palmettos, advanced into the city
along the aqueduct several hundred yards; two companies of
the Second Pennsylvania, Capts. Charles Naylor and Thos.
S. Loeser, who advanced to the left along the Paseo, and occupied a sand-bag papapet from which the Mexicans had
been driven, were under a severe fire of artillery and musketry front the Citadel, from house tops, and points along the
Paseo, while moving to this battery. Two hours after the
capture of the Belen Gate, I was directed by the general to
have the men withdrawn from the inside of the gate, and to
order them to shelter themselves near it as well as they could.
About seventy yards within the gate I found Major Gladden, commanding the South Carolina regiment, standing
with the colors of his regiment in his hands and leaning
against the aqueduct, a stream of blood over a yard long run* This account of the raising of the Palmetto flag on the Garita de
Belen is verified by the report of the United States Senate committee
in December, 1855, on an investigation as to the first American flag
hoisted in the city of Mexico, after the entrance of the American
troops.




ï~~Personal Incidents.

473

ping from his feet. He had been shot through the leg near
the body, but did not leave his regiment until ordered to the
rear; I continued on, recalled his men and the Rifles, and advanced to a point opposite the centre of the curtain on the
front of the citadel facing the aqueduct. There were a few
men beyond this point, who were recalled by the order being passed along from man to man, and all were withdrawn
and placed under such cover as could be found. A few minutes later Mexican infantry came charging down on both
sides of the aqueduct, cheering and at the same time displaying much courage. They came within sixty yards of the
Garita, when the Rifles and infantry opening a brisk fire,
they broke and retired, not to approach so close again.
The fire of two Mexican guns, posted at the College of the
Belen de los Mochas, was very effective, and, together with
other pieces in the Citadel, battered the gate fearfully. An
effective infantry fire was also delivered from the roof of the
college. Captain Drum and Lieutenant Benjamin were mortally wounded, the first inside, the latter outside the gate.
Lieutenant Mansfield Lovell, of Quitman's Staff, and Lieutenant Earl Van Dorn, Seventh Infantry, painfully wounded by
spent balls. The losses, killed and wounded, were large.
It is still'well remembered that both sides of the aqueduct
were raked by artillery, and that shots came also obliquely
from the Paseo on the left, one of which killed three South
Carolinians under the same arch, with Major Bonneville.
Quitman's force, however, could not be driven from the
Garita, and remained there under an annoying and effective
fire of artillery and musketry, which continued until dark.
During the night a battery and other intrenchments were
constructed inside the gate under the supervision of Lieut.
Beatregard, assisted by Lieut. Henry Coppee, Third Artillery,
The former had accompanied Quitman's command in its advance upon and capture of the Belen Gate, and was struck
several times during the day by musket balls and grape, but
remained at the front. The battery was completed a little
before day, and in it were placed one 24-pounder, one 18 -pounder, and one eight-inch howitzer, under Captain Edward
Steptoe, Second Artillery.
Riley's brigade and Steptoe's battery held a threatening
position at Piedad, and during the 13th kept up an artillery




ï~~474

Worth's Attack on the San Cosme.

fire and made demonstrations against the city on that side.
The Fourth Artillery regiment, ordered forward on the Piedad road to disperse a body of the enemy engaged in that
quarter, advanced as far as the earthworks in the suburbs,
south of the Belen Gate, and remained there for some time,
exposed to both musketry and artillery fire. Later this
brigade marched through Tacubaya, passed by Chapultepec,
and bivouacked on the San Cosme road not far from the
Garita.
In retreating from Chapultepec, a large portion of the Mexican forces not in the main work on the top of the hill, retired by the San Cosme road, making several stands at fortified points, but were pressed back by Garland's brigade and
Magruder's guns. During a short halt, Clarke's brigade and
Duncan's battery came up and passed to the front, and in a
few minutes the Mexicans were driven with slight resistance
from their positionF near the English cemeteryE.C. Their
works at this point were constructed to guard approaches from
the north and not from Chapultepec, but were spiritedly defended by General Rangel, who thus delayed temporarily
Worth's advance. The Mexican cavalry made here an unsuccessful effort to charge, and Colonel Romero was complimented by Mexican authorities for both skill and courage
on this occasion.
The San Cosme causeway here turns almost at right angles
and leads to the Garita of that name, distant about 1,300 yards.
A connected row of houses on the north side of the road, or
street, extended all the way from the square in the road to
the Garita, with an aqueduct, similar to that already described, running through the centre of the street, south of
which was a deep ditch separating it from the marshy ground
with walled enclosures and isolated houses near the gate.
General Scott, who with his Staff had joined General Worth,
ordered him to press on against the Garita and, if possible,
penetrate into the city as far as the Alameda. General Cadwalader, who had reported to Worth, was ordered to hold the
English cemetery and look to the left and rear, where the
enemy's forces were now assuming a threatening attitude,
and at the same time two brigades of Worth's divisions, Garland on the right and Clarke on the left of the aqueduct, were
ordered to advance and attack the San Cosine Garita.




ï~~Dauntless Captain Biddle.

475

In his official report General Worth says: "After these two
brigades had reached their position it became necessary at
all hazards to advance a piece of artillery to the abandoned
batteryB of tLe enemy between us and the Garita G.Lieut.
Henry Hunt was directed to execute this duty, and did so
with great gallantry, losing only one killed and four wounded
out of nine men, although the piece moved at full speed over
a distance of 150 yards. It has never been my fortune to
witness a more brilliant exhibition of courage and conduct."
The fire from the Mexican battery at the gate and from infantry posted in the intrenchments and on the houses left and
rear of the gate was very severe, sweeping the causeway on
both sides of the aqueduct and the open ground south of it.
Whilst this movement was being made against the Garita,
General Cadwalader ordered the Voltigeur regiment and a
mountain howitzer to move out towards the enemy, north of
the English cemetery, and a few discharges from the howitzer, supported by, the Voltigeur company, under Capt.
Charles J. Biddle, who had left a sick bed to take part,* drove
him back. Lieut. I. I. Stevens, of the engineers, whilst reconnoitering the enemy's position in front of the Voltigeurs,
was severely wounded.
After the capture of Chapultepec Captain Huger was ordered by the general-in-chief to follow Worth's advance and
report to him with the siege pieces. The guns being in fixed
batteries and the horses at Mixcoac, where they had been
sent the day before, there was some delay in preparing for
the movement, but as soon as the horses arrived Lieutenant
* On the morning of the 13th Captain Biddle lay on a rude pallet in
camp apparently in the last stages of deadly illness. Unable to move,
he saw with despair his comrades leave one by one for the scene of
action, and was left alone with his pain and misery. Suddenly
aroused by an ominous sound, "the cannon's opening roar," he tried
to rise, but could not; called; no answer. "Oh, God," he moaned,
"must I stay chained here by fever and disease while my brave Voltigeurs charge the enemy? ' With that superhuman strength often
begotten by desperation he crawled to the door, near which stood a
gaunt crippled horse, and, after many pitiful efforts, climbed upon
his back, and, undressed, hatless, bootless, weaponles, save an old
ramrod found at the door, managed to reach his regiment-a skeleton
captain on a skeleton steed The apparition, startling and unexpected, was greeted with shouts heard above the thunder of the field,
and gathering around him, his men were foremost in the charge, and
he one of the first to reach the'vantage point.




ï~~476   Courdge and S    Zill of Lieut. G. TV. Smitk.
Hagner moved forward with one 24-pounder and one 8-inch
howitzer, escorted by Captain Gallagher's company of New
York Volunteers and a detachment of United States Marines,
followed by the other section, one 24-pounder and one 8-inch
howitzer, manned by a detachment from Worth's division
and commanded by Lieut. S. S. Anderson, Second Artillery,
with which was one io-inch mortar, in charge of Lieut. Chas.
P. Stone, of the ordnance. The Fourteenth Infantry, under
Lieut.-Col. P. 0. Hebert, came up and remained with the
siege train, and the Fifteenth Infantry, Lient. -Col. Joshua
Howard commanding, garrisoned Chapultepec.
Shortly after the arrival of the siege train Lieut. G. WSmith, with the company and train under his command, re
ported to General Worth on the causeway, was informed that
the wounding of Lieutenant Stevens made him (Smith) the
senior engineer of the attack then going on, and was instructed
to go to the front, closely and carefully examine the state o
affairs, return as soon as practicable, and report the best
method of conducting the attack, especially in regard to the
use of siege guns.
Lieutenant Smith proceeded at once to the extreme front,
halting at the position occupied by Hunt's section of artillery, in front of Worth, to learn the condition of affairs near
him, and concluded from his reports, confirmed by his own
observations of the enemy's works at the gate, that infantry
alone on the left of the road could capture the gate, without
artillery and with little loss, by making its way through the
houses, from house to house, until near the enemy's works,
then mounting the roof of a two-story house, fire down upon
the cannoneers and infantry in the works at the Garita. On
making his report to General Worth, he was ordered to take
the engineer company and tools, return to the front, and
carry out the plan proposed, officers of the line in front being
ordered to give the needed assistance. In the execution of
the order he was assisted by Lieutenant McClellan, engineers;
Lieutenants Haller and Judah, Fourth Infantry, and Lieutenant Pickett, Eighth Infantry.
Meanwhile the artillery at the San Cosme and the infantry
behind the intrenchments, and from the roofs of houses in
rear of the batteries, swept the causeway and open ground




ï~~Mackenzie' s Stornmers Again at Work.

477

south of it; and a howitzer placed in position on the roof of
a building, under the direction of Lieut. U. S. Grant,* quartermaster of the Fourth Infantry, and Lieut. John H. Lendrum,
Third Artillery, was used effectively. The Voltigeur regiment and several mountain howitzers had also been ordered
by General Worth to this part of the field; and the howitzers
were used from the roofs of houses. The Eleventh Infantry
and a detachment of U. S. Marines remained at the works
near the English cemetery.
Captain Mackenzie, Second Artillery, after the capture of
Chapultepec, advanced with forty-seven files of the storming
party, joined Garland's brigade, operating south of the causeway, and continued with it until halted in front of the San
Cosme Garita. He here asked for and obtained permission
to make an attempt upon the flank of the Mexican battery,
and was joined by Capt. Thos. Glenn, Lieuts. A. J. Isaacks
and Sam B. Davis, of the Fourteenth Infantry, with about
fifty men. A wide ditch of water which confronted him at
the start was avoided by picking through a wall. Tools were
used frequently; at one place a bridge was constructed, and
after going through several walls, Captain Mackenzie halted
a few minutes, and having secured a good position within
zoo yards of the enemy, opened fire, then crossed another
street, and again picking holes through a wall, gained cover
and a closer fire, which he continued for some time.
Whilst Mackenzie was thus engaged on the right, Clarke's
brigade on the left advanced under perfect cover from house
to house, directed by the engineers, until it reached a point
about forty yards from the Mexican heavy guns, when picking through walls was suspended. Lieutenant Smith ascending to the roof of a one-story house found steps leading to the
roof of a building one story higher near the enemy's battery,
and from which the interior of his works was exposed to view.
About twenty infantry men and some from the engineers,
mounting the steps one at a time, ascended the roof of the
two-story house; the position of the enemy below was
pointed out to them, and concealing themselves behind roof
walls until their numbers had been increased sufficiently to
* President of the United States from March 4, 1869, to March 4,
1877.




ï~~478

4xicans Demoralized.

make their fire effective, the enemy meanwhile unconscious
of what was going on above and so near, they were then ordered to fire, and the Mexicans being within forty yards, the
charge was most deadly. Those in the battery, astonished
and demoralized, began to run, but Mexican infantry appeared on the roof of a house in rear of their battery, and returned the fire which had poured such a murderous volley
into their works. The Americans were disposed to answer
the charge, but were checked in part by their officer, who,
seeing the Mexicans desert the battery and endeavor to haul
off the guns, ordered a part of them to descend from the roof
to the streets, and seize the guns. In the meantime some of
Clarke's brigade, hearing the firing on the house tops, began
to crowd up the steps, thus causing some delay and confusion
among the party descending, and enabling the Mexicans to
drag off one of their guns, which was abandoned, however,
within zoo yards of the gate.
Passing the battery at the Garita a lodgment was effected
in houses on the left, and placing the main portion of the
force under shelter, Lieutenant Smith moved on with the
engineer company and a detachment of the Fourth Infantry, under Lients. Sidney Smith and Henry M. Judah,
and found strong covered positions right and left of the road
for the troops. General Worth being informed that a large
convent N, 150 yards in front, on the left of the road, was
strongly occupied, and that the next cross street, the Paseo,
had batteries upon it, moved a brigade into the position selected and directed Lieutenant Smith, after placing the troops
and picket guards, to suspend operations until daylight.
Lieutenant Smith, whilst utilizing the technical knowledge
of the engineer, had displayed both courage and good judgment in directing the above movement. After the order to
suspend operations for the night he requested permission to
move forward with a detachment of 500 men, believing he
might reach the National Palace before day, or at least pass
the fortified convent and seize and hold some strong buildings
beyond it, but the request was refused, General Worth considering it best to attempt nothing further during the night
with fatigued and exhausted troops.
Three shots were fired from the siege guns and five shells
thrown from a io-inch mortar into the city as a warning of




ï~~Santa Anna's Movements After Clhapultepeo. 479
what might be expected in the morning, and quiet then
reigned in the vicinity of the San Cosme Garita, inside of
which was Worth's division with two 24-pounders and one ioinch mortar.
Santa Anna, after the fall of Chapultepec, withdrew the
artillery and General Martinez's brigade from the Candelaria
Garita, ordered the former to take position in the Citadel, the
latter to hold the line of the Paseo Nuevo, Acordada, and San
Diego, to remain there until ii p. in., and then retire to the
Citadel. He had been deceived as to Scott's point of attack,
as he had been previously on the 8th of September, when he
failed to respond to Bravo's request to be reinforced.
When Quitman halted his columns in front of the Belen
Gate and ordered Drum to open fire with his 8-inch howitzer
and 16-pounder on Mexican infantry south of the causeway
near the Garita, Santa Anna, then in the vicinity of that gate,
believing artillery only would be used, and no further advance
made with infantry, repaired in haste to the San Cosme Gate,
in front of which, at Santo Tomas, General Rangel was holding Worth in check; but the position being flanked, Santa
Anna ordered him to fall back to the Garita and post his men
in houses near and on both sides of it. Rangel, requesting
artillery, Santa Anna sent Colonel Acebedo to him with four
pieces.
Having made the above disposition of troops at the San
Cosme Gate, which he was quite sanguine would insure its
safety, and being just then informed that the Belen Gate had
been abandoned-even the Citadel itself threatened-he repaired to the latter with the forces at the time near him,
and occupied it. He found General Terres, to whom had
been intrusted the defense of the Belen Gate, standing in the
doorway of the citadel, and addressed him in severe terms,
threatening him and finally striking him in the face. Santa
Anna then ordered Colonel Carrasco to take the gun at the
fountain of Victoria, place it in position near the causeway,
and drive the Americans from the Belen Gate, even if he
should reduce it to a pile of rubbish. D. Antonio Haro y
Tamariz, taking one of the guns from the Citadel, posted it
beside the arches of the College of the Belen-de-los-Mochas,
and directed its fire (served by a lieutenant of artillery) upon




ï~~480    A Council of War Held by the Mexicans.
the American infantry and riflemen, then under cover of the
aqueduct, firing upon the Citadel.
At this time and place Mexican history compliments D.
Isadoro Beistegui for the courage and energy he displayed
until shot dead.
Colonel Castro annoyed the Americans seriously at Belen
by placing a number of infantrymen on the roof of the Belen
College and directing them to keep up an unceasing fire upon
the gate and along the aqueduct. With only two artillerymen and a few peasants, Colonel Carrasco moved his piece in
many directions and kept up a constant fire upon the gate and
points near it.
Santa Anna, apprehending no assault upnn the Citadel, returned to the San Cosme Gate, which, after the restoration of
order at that point and the distribution of forces near it, he
deemed perfectly secure; but when he approached the Garita
he had the misfortune to witness its capture and the consequent disorder among the troops. Energetic in his efforts to
arrest confusion, restore order, revive morale, he ordered the
retreating commands to halt and occupy the Convent of San
Fernando, the houses of Pinillos and other edifices at hand,
and the troops to open fire and continue it without ceasing.
In front of this convent and of buildings near it, the head of
Worth's columns halted for the night.
The Mexicans did not remain long in front of Worth; after
dark the signal for retreat of one command was given, and
being heard by all, they left the buildings and scattered in all
directions, their officers being unable to restrain them. In a
little while, however, they repaired to the Citadel, where the
troops from Toluca were already posted, and where there was
much confusion and dismay. In one of the pavilions a council was held, General Alcorta, war minister; General Carrera,
commandant of artillery; the generals, chiefs of brigades,
Lombardini and Perez, and Adjutants Betancourt and
Romero, of Santa Anna's Staff, being present. Santa Anna
presided, explained the untoward incidents of the day, and
asked the opinions of those present as to whether or not the
defense of the capital should be prolonged.
*There must have been two Mexican generals of that name, as one
General Perez was killed at Chapultepec.




ï~~The Giy Evacuated.

481

General Carrera declared the demoralization complete,
and that the quantity of arms and artillery that had been
lost would render a continuation of the struggle inadvisable.
Lombardini, Alcorta and Perez believed that the capital should
be evacuated. There was some discussion and opposition,
but Santa Anna announced his decision in these emphatic
words: " I resolve that this night the city must be evacuated,
and I name Sr. Lombardini general-in-chief and General
Perez second." Between 8 and 9 o' clock Don Trigueros
called at the Citadel and took General Santa Anna in his carriage to the villa of Guadalupe, where the troops were directed
to rendezvous.
The cavalry was ordered to leave the city at once, and the
infantry about 2 a. m. General Lombardini directed his
Staff to withdraw the troops from the positions they were
holding and move them to the Peralvillo Garita to be halted
there until the artillery had passed out. After the cavalry
had marched out, the artillery trains began to leave the
Peralvillo Gate at II p. m. The chiefs labored earnestly
to arrange everything for the retreat as ordered, but a deficiency in transportation prevented a large amount of war
material from being removed. At z o'clock a. m. of the I4th
commissioners from the municipal government of the city approached the advanced post of Worth's command, were passed
to his headquarters, and by him sent, accompanied by his
assistant adjutant-general, Maj. W. W. Mackall, to General Scott's headquarters in Tacubaya. They informed General Scott that Santa Anna had evacuated the city and turned
it over to the civil authorities, and that they presented themselves in behalf of the civil Government to demand terms of
capitulation, favorable to the Church, the citizens and
municipal authorities. General Scott replied that no capitulation would be signed; that the city had been in possession
of the American Army from the time it had entered it the
day before; that he would levy upon the city a moderate contribution for special purpose, and that the United States Army
would be governed by no terms not self-imposed, such only as
its honor, the dignity of the United States, and the spririt of
the age demand and impose.
General Worth after passing the Mexican commissioners
from his own headquarters to General Scott's, directed the two




ï~~482     Quitman in Possession of the Citadel.
engineer officers, then serving with his command, to proceed
to the front, and with a detachment of infantry, under Lieutenant Lugenbeel, and the engineer company, move forward
cautiously, closely examine all strong buildings, and direct
operations toward the Main Plaza and National Palace. The
senior engineer being directed to make known promptly any
indication that the rumored evacuation was incorrect, reported that everything indicaed that the Mexican army had
abandoned the city, that the Citadel was nearly deserted, and
that the head of Quitman's troops was approaching the
palace. A portion of the reconnoitering party under Lieutenant McClellan, which had passed the Alameda on its
north side, informed them that General Scott had ordered
General Worth to move his command forward into the city
as far as the Alameda.
At dawn of the 14th a white flag was sent from the Citadel
to the Garita-de-Belen, the bearers of which requested General Quitman to take possession, reporting that the city had
been evacuated by Santa Anna and his army. Lieutenants
Beauregard and Lovell moved forward to ascertain the truth
of this report, and at a signal given by them from the parapet
of the Citadel Quitman, leaving the South Carolina regiment
as a guard to the Belen Gate, marched his command, Smith's
brigade leading, and took possession of the Citadel, finding
there fifteen guns mounted and as many not in position, with
an extensive variety of military stores. The Second Pennsylvania Regiment was left there as a garrison. General
Quitman, learning that great depredations were being committed in the National Palace and other public buildings,
marched his command, followed by Steptoe's battery, to
the Grand Plaza, and halted it there, the troops being on the
west and south sides of the plaza, and having the National
Palace and cathedral in front.
The Marine battalion was placed in the National Palace to
expel the native born thieves who were mercilessly plundering it. After considerable efforts a cafe was opened in which
General Quitman and a few other officers were served with
breakfast. Soon after the arrival of the troops in the plaza,
the stars and stripes were displayed from the flag staff of the
National Palace, and were greeted enthusiastically by the




ï~~


ï~~SCOTT'S ENTRANCE INTO THE CITY OF MEXICO.
SEPT 14TH, 1847.




ï~~Scott' s Entrance Into the Capital.

483

troops, although much exhausted by the labor and excitement of the preceding day and by the fatigue of the cold
cheerless night, passed without fires and within range of the
enemy's guns.
As soon as the Grand Plaza was occupied, General Quitman despatched Lieutenant Beauregard to report the fact to
the general-in-chief. Not one of the little force present at
this early hour in the central square of the Mexican capital
had ever been in it before, and all were looking with admiring wonder upon the cathedral with its broad front and towering steeples. The American Army had fought its way to
the halls of the Montezumas, and after long, toilsome marches,
perils by land and sea, and many bloody battles, bivouacked
in the National Capital of Mexico,' then one of the largest,
best built, and most noted cities on the continent, and surpassed in architectural beauty and social attractiveness by
few, even at the present time.
About 8 a. m. General Scott, accompanied by his Staff and
escorted by the cavalry, all in full dress, entered the Grand
Plaza at the northwest angle, filed to the right along the west
side, and when on a line with the front of the cathedral turned
to the left; arms were then presented, colors lowered, and
drums beaten. General Scott dismounted, uncovered his head,
then passed through the porte-cochere of the National Palace,
followed by Generals Quitman and Smith and Staff officers.
In the patio he turned to them and said: " Gentlemen, we
must not be too elated at our success;" then after a slight
pause, " let me present to you the civil and military Governor of the City of Mexico, Maj.-Gen. John A. Quitman. I
appoint him at this instant. He has earned the distnction
and shall have it."
The party then ascended a broad stairway, entered a handsomely furnished apartment facing the Grand Plaza, and General Scott wrote the following order, which was read aloud
to those about him:
[General Order No. 284.]
HIIADQUARERS OF  H E ARMY,
Mi xxco, September 14, 1847.
I. Under the favor of God, the valor of this army after many glorious victories has hoisted the colors of our country in the capital of
Mexico and on the Palace of its Government.




ï~~484      Quitman Civil and Military Governor.
2. But the war is not ended. The Mexican army and Government
have fled, only to watch an opportunity to return upon us with vengeance. We must then be upon our guard.
3. Companies and regiments will be kept together and all stand on
the alert. Our safety is in military discipline.
4. Let there be no drunkenness, no disorders, no straggling. Stragglers will be in great danger of assassination, and marauders shall be
punished by courts-martial.
5. Allthe rules so honorably observed by this glorious army in Puebla
must be observed here. The honor of the army and the honor of our
country call for the best behavior on the part of all. To win the ap.
probation of their country, the valiant must be sober, orderly, and
merciful. His noble brethren in arms will not be deaf to this hearty
appeal from their commander and friend.
6. Major-General Quitman is appointed civil and military Governor
of Mexico.
By command of Major-General Scott.
H. L. SCOTT,
Assistant Acting Adjutant General.
Immediately after General Scott finished reading his order
the report of a musket was heard, and it was instantly followed
by a second and third fire. Turning to the junior officer present, he said: "Will you have the kindness to go and say to
our volunteer friends that it is unsoldier like, bad manners,
and dangerous to discharge arms in a city, and say to their
officers that it must not occur again. None of us desire, I am
sure, to hear more musketry."
The young officer hastened down stairs and out of the patio,
crossed quickly the plaza to Plateros street, heard the reports
of several muskets down in the vicinity of the Alameda,
then went to the southwest angle of the plaza, and looking
down towards the Paseo, saw armed Mexicans run across the
street four or five blocks off, and still hearing the reports of
muskets, returned and reported to General Scott that it was
not the volunteers but Mexicans firing from the roofs of
houses.
Orders were given to Generals Quitman and Smith to occupy the steeples of churches and roofs of houses with sharpshooters, for the artillery to sweep the streets with shells and
grape, and to break open all houses from the roofs of which
our troops were fired upon. Under these instructions many
houses were entered, and armed bands killed or captured.
Musketry and artillery were heard in many directions, and




ï~~Mexican Countermarching.

485

quite heavily at times during that and the next day, but finally
ceased, order being entirely restored on the 16th.
The Mexican infantry, on arriving at Guadalupe, was ordered by Santa Anna to continue on to Tlalnepantla. At daylight the Matamoros battalion-without discipline-under
Deputy Othon, discharged their guns, and hearing this firing
in rear, Santa Anna believed it to be the Americans endeavoring to interrupt his retreat, and gave orders for the infantry
to countermarch. Learning, however, the true state of affairs, he countermanded the order, and the march was resumed. He then conferred with General Herrera upon the
plan formed-to wit: That Herrera, with the greater part of
the artillery, the infantry, and trains, should march to Queretaro, while he (Santa Anna), with the cavalry and four light
pieces, should move upon Puebla, where, aided by General
Rea, he hoped to surprise the small garrison left by Scott and
force it to surrender.
General Herrera marched as ordered, but before leaving
Guadalupe Santa Anna was advised of the street firing in the
city.
Prospero Terez, one of the leaders in the disturbance,
sought him and urged him to countermarch the troops and
to give support. He lent a willing ear, countermarched the
forces with him, and despatched a staff officer to Herrera,
with orders to return to the city. Three hundred of Alvarez's
men, " Sons of the South," were placed in the works at the
Peralvillo Garita, and detachments from the Fifth, Ninth, and
the Guanajuato regiments were ordered into the city, penetrated as far as Santa Catarina and Conception, had a collision
with the Americans, and withdrew. Santa Anna, finding the
resistance feeble, ordered General Herrera to resume the
march to Queretaro, but in less than an hour he ordered him
to countermarch the second time to the capital, he (Santa
Anna) being again informed that serious resistance to the
American army would be made.
The firing heard was so desultory, however, that he remained there, receiving occasional reports, only until 7 p. In.,
when he returned to Guadalupe, ordered Herrera again to retire upon Queretaro, and called a junta to meet on the 16th.
The operations of the 13th of September were successful in
every detail, the assult upon Chapultepec and its surrounding




ï~~486

Numbers Engaged on Both Sides.

works being well planned and executed with a skill that baffled and again misled Santa Anna as to the real point of attack. The American commander did not, on this occasion,
permit his adversary to recover from the shock experienced
by the loss of Chapultepec, but by a prompt pursuit and good
fighting entered the capital through two of its gates and held
them, despite the determined efforts of Santa Anna, especially at the Garita-de-Belen, to dislodge him. The fall of Chapultepec, speedily followed by the capture of the Belen and
San Cosme Gates, was the finishing stroke to the campaign in
the Valley of Mexico, and forced Santa Anna, with his dispirited, demoralized, and greatly depleted army to abandon
the capital during the night. Reduced as it was in numbers,
it was equal to the American army when it first appeared in
front of the city, for we learn from Mexican authorities that
soon after nightfall of the 13th there were about 5,000 infantry and 4,000 cavalry at the Citadel, the troops holding
the Nifno Perdido, La Profesa, and San Fernando not being
included in these estimates.
The loss in the American army in its various collisions with
the Mexican, including the street fighting of the i 4th and
15th, was 2,703; of this number 383 were officers. Deducting
this number from the force (z 0,300) that marched from Puebla,
would leave 7,697; and if from this we take the garrison of
Mixcoac-the general depot-that of Tacubaya, and the force
left to guard prisoners and captured property at Chapultepec,
there would remain less than 6,ooo who took possession of
the City of Mexico.*
In his official report General Scott writes: "On the other
hand, this small force (his army) has beaten, in view of their
capital, the whole Mexican army of (at the beginning) 30,000
men, posted always in chosen positions, behind intrenchments or more formidable defenses of nature and art; killed
or wounded of that number more than 7,000 officers and men;
taken 3,730 prisoners, one-seventh officers, including thirteen
generals, of whom three had been Presidents of this republic;
captured more than twenty colors and standards, seventy-five
pieces of ordnance, besides fifty-seven wall pieces, 20,000
small arms, an immense quantity of shot, shell, powder, etc."
*General Scott's Report, Jx. Doc. N9. t, 3oth Congress, 1st Session.




ï~~Official Orders.

487

According to Mexican history "their army, for the defense
of the capital, was about 20,000 strong, having 104 guns of
various calibres; this did not include the guerrillas organized
by Valencia at San Angel, nor did it embrace the force, about
700 men, brought up from Toluca by Olaguibel." It is not
possible to ascertain from their own reports with what numbers the Mexicans fought any of the battles that we have described, unless it be, probably, that of Vera Cruz.
It was the general opinion of the officers of Scott's army
that they were always greatly outnumbered in the battles
fought; but that under such circumstances they may have
over-estimated, is quite probable, for it must be admitted
that, even without design, we often over-estimate the numbers against whom we fight, and are equally prone to underestimate the distance separating us from the enemy, if in
view, both before and during the battle. The true number
may have been, and we believe it was, above the Mexican
estimate, and below that made by General Scott; but if the
Mexican numbers have been correctly given by themselves,
the loss in their army, as inferred from the numbers reported
to have withdrawn from the capital the night of the 13th,
and the estimate made -of it by General Scott, differ very
little; each makes it to have been about 1o,ooo.
On the 16th, quiet being restored, the following order was
issued:
1General Orders No. 286.]
HEADQUARTERS OF TH  ARMY,
NATIONAL PALACE OF MExIco, Seplenber 16, 1847.
The general in-chief calls upon his brethren in arms to return, both
in public and private worship, thanks and gratitude to God for the
signal triumph which they have recently achieved for their country.
Beginning with the 19th of August, and ending the 14th inst., this
army has gallantly fought its way through the fields and forts of Contreras, San Antonio, Churubusco, Molinos-del-Rey, Chapultepec, and
the Gates of San Cosme and Tacubaya, into the capital of Mexico.
When the very limited numbers who have performed these brilliant
deeds shall have become known, the world will be astonished and
our own ccntrymen filled with joy and admiration.
But all is not yet done. The enemy, though scattered and dismayed,
has still many fragments of his late army hovering about us, and
aided by an exasperated population, he may again reunite in treble




ï~~488

Official Orders.

our numbers and fall upon us to advantage, if we rest inactive in the
security of past victories.
Compactness, vigilance, and discipline are, therefore, our only securities. Let every good officer and man look to these cautions, and
enjoin them on all others.
By command of Major-General Scott.
H. L. SCOTT,
Acting Assistant Adjutant General.
As an indication on his part that the high moral tone and
discipline of the army so admirably exhibited and maintained
up to the occupation of the Mexican capital was to be contirued, and that private property, as well as that of the
church, was to be respected, and that in no case were noncombatant citizens to be interfered with or annoyed, he republished with slight modifications his martial law order as
follows:
[General Orders, No. 287.]
HEADQUARTERS O1 THE ARMY,
NATIONAL PALACE or Mzxico, September 17, 1847.
The general-in-chief republishes with important additions his general order, No. 20, of February 19, 1847, declaring martial law to govern all who may be concerned. There are nineteen paragraphs in the
order (See Ex. Doc. No I, 3oth Congress, first session, Senate). The
last seven will be copied.
13. The administration of justice, both in civil and;criminal matters,
through the ordinary courts of the country, shall nowhere, and in no
degree, be interrupted by any officer or soldier of the American forces,
except-first, in case where an officer, soldier, agent, servant or follower of the army may be a party; and second, in political cases; that
is, prosecutions against other individuals on the allegations that they
have given friendly information, aid or assistance to the American
forces.
14. For the care and safety of both parties, in all cities and towns
occupied by the American Army, a Mexican police shall be established and duly harmonized with the military police of said forces.
15. This splendid capital, its churches and religious worship, its
convents and monasteries, its inhabitants and property are, moreover,
placed under the special safeguard of the faith and honor of the American Army.
i6. In consideration of the foregoing protection, a contribution of
$150,ooo is imposed on this capital, to be paid in four weekly installments of $37,5oo each, beginning on Monday next, the 20th inst., and
terminating on Monday, October iith.




ï~~Official Orders.                  489
17. The Ayuntamiento, or corporate authority of the city, is specially charged with the collection and payment of the several installments.
18. Of the whole contribution to be paid over to this army, $20,ooo
shall be approptiated to the purchase of extra comforts for the
wounded and sick in hospital; $9o,ooo to the purchase of blankets and
shoes for gratuitous distribution among the rank and file of the
army, and $40,ooo reserved for other necessary military purposes.
19. This order shall be read at the head of every company of the
United States forces serving in Mexico, and translated into Spanish
for the information of the Mexicans.
On September i8th the following order was issued:
[General Orders No. 289.]
HEADQUAREZRS O THE ARMY,
NATIONAL PALACE Or MExIco, September 18, 1847.
I. The army, by degrees and beginning as soon as practicable, will
be distributed and quartered over the city as follows:
2. The first division (Worth's) on or near the direct route from the
San Cosme toward the Cathedral, and extending a little beyond the
east end of the Alameda. This division will keep a competent guard,
with two guns of medium calibre, at that gate.
3. The second division (Twiggs') about the Grand Plaza and extending towards the gate of San Lazaro, or the Penon, at which it will
keep a guard and two pieces of artillery, as above.
4. The third division (Pillow's) on or near the direct route from the
gate of Peralvillo, or Guadalupe, towards the Cathedral, but not
south of the Convent of San Domingo, and will keep a guard of two
pieces of artillery, as above, at that gate.
5. The volunteer division (Quitman's) on or near the direct route
from the gate of San Antonio toward the Cathedral, but not north
of the hospital of Jesus, and will keep a guard with two pieces of artillery, as above, at the gate.
6. The brigade of cavalry, Colonel Harney, will be quartered in the
cavalry barracks near the National Palace (marked on the plan
of the city small m). This brigade will furnish daily a detachment
of a corporal and six men to the respective gates of divisions, to serve
as couriers between the gates and the commanders of the respective
divisions, and for other purposes.
7. No private house shall be occupied by any corps or officers until
all suitable public buildings within the above ranges shall be first
fully occupied; and all officers attached to troops shall be quartered
with or near their troops.
8. No rent shall be paid by the United States for any buildings occupied by troops or officers without a special direction from general
headquarters; nor shall any private house be occupied or quartered




ï~~490 Army Headquarters Moved from the Palace.
without the free consent of the owner or orders from general headquarters. No deviations from these injunctions will be tolerated.
9. The collection of customs or duties at the several gates of the
city by the civil authorities of the same will be continued, as heretofore, until modified by the civil or military governor, Major-General
Quitman, according to the views of the general-in-chief. But supplies
belonging to the quartermaster and commissary departments will at
once be exempted from all duties.
By command of Major-General Scott.
H. L. SCOTT,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
The above was the last order issued from the National
Palace by General Scott, who with his Staff had occupied it
from the 14th to the i8th, inclusive. From  this date army
headquarters were in a house on the second street west of the
Grand Plaza and south of the Second Plateros. The civil
and military Governor with his Staff remained in the National
Palace, and from this time on until the evacuation of the
Mexican capital in June, 1848.
Lieuts. Mansfield Lovell, Fourth Artillery, and C. M.
Wilcox, Seventh Infantry, were the aides to General Quitman. The former had been acting assistant adjutant-general
from the i Tth of August until the 18th of September. Capt.
F. N. Page, acting adjutant-general, and Lieut. R. P. Hammond, Third Artillery, the first on duty with General Shields
as adjutant-general, the latter as aid, were ordered, September
15th, to report to General Quitman, General Shields being
disabled by a painful wound, which made it probable that he
would not return to duty for several months.
For several days after the 15th a number of soldiers were
assassinated during the night and their bodies brought to the
Ayuntamiento building. At one time nine dead bodies were
exposed, all of whom had been killed the night before, and
in general the knife had been the instrument of death. A
guard of 500 men, with a due proportion of officers, was detailed
as a police force, under Brevt.-Col. C. F. Smith, Second Artillery, which, with the regular city police, restored and
maintained order during the American occupation.
In ten or twelve days after the city had been in possession
of the army it resumed its normal condition, many Mexicans
who had retired with their families to neighboring villages or




ï~~WI NFI ELD SCOTT,
GENERAL-IN-CHIEF U. S. ARMY
BORN IN AND APPOINTED FROM VIRGINIA,




ï~~


ï~~Herrera in Command.

491

to their more distanthaciendas returned, and before the expiration of the first month business revived, all stores and banks
were opened, the churches were thronged with worshipers,
there was much gaiety and social festivity, and the Paseo, the
favorite drive, was brilliant with equipages, the occupants of
which seemed happy and contented. In his autobiography,
page 540, General Scott having quoted the extravagant compliment paid him by Sir Henry Bulwer, minister at the time
to the United States from England, at the celebration of St.
Andrew's day, New York, November 30, i850, says: ' No
doubt the conquest so splendidly alluded to by the orator was
mainly due to the science and prowess of the army. But
valor and professional science could not alone have dictated
a treaty of peace with double our numbers in double the time
and with double the loss of life, without the measures of
conciliation perseveringly adhered to, the perfect discipline
and order maintained in the army." This opinion is now concurred in by the civilized world.
The Junta, called by President Santa Anna to meet on the
16th, adjourned after a short session, he having in the meantime tendered his resignation of the Presidency and of the
supreme command of the army, whereupon Manuel de la Pefia
y Pefla, the senior of the Supreme Court judges, assumed the
vacated office, and Gen. Santa Anna set out for Puebla in the
execution of his previously conceived project.* Before describing this expedition and giving the details of military
operations at or near Puebla, and which terminated with the
affair at Huamantla October 9th, we will refer briefly to the
main Mexican army, now commanded by General and exPresident Herrera, which marched from the Valley under orders for Queretaro, about 140 miles north of the Mexican
capital. These troops had marched and countermarched so
much between Cuauhtitlan and the capital that they were not
only much fatigued, but greatly unnerved, and their morale
at the time being not of the best, desertions increased to the
extent that corps hitherto of unquestioned loyalty and courage became infected. Deficient in transportations, scant in
funds, and with a badly organized commissariat, there was
much straggling, and pillaging could not be restrained.
* To capture Puebla and occupy the main highway to the seacoast.




ï~~492

Santa Anna Welcomed at Puebla.

The prestige of the ex-President availed little, though he
exerted himself to obtain subsistence for his destitute soldiers
in the manner least burthensome to citizens, who gave reluctantly and only under the fear of more serious and onerous
exactions.
Along the entire route from the Goleta to Arroyozarco, San
Juan del Rio, and on to Queretaro, the country had been
stripped and was almost destitute, and the suffering of the
soldiers did not cease even upon their arrival at Queretaro.
Santa Anna remained the night of the 16th at Guadalupe,
and as he wished none to follow him but those who did so
voluntarily, he permitted all who desired to withdraw, and
many availed themselves of this privilege.  He tarried
the 1 7th at Teotihuacan to enable distant pickets to join,
marched nine leagues the next day with the brigades of
Quijano and Andrade, reached the Hacienda of Guadalupe
(ten miles further) on the 19th, arrived at Tiaxcala on the
20th, and halted there until the 24th, when he continued on
to the factory of Anturiano, entered Puebla September 25th,
and joined General Rea, who had been for some time fighting
the American garrison with his guerrillas and such inhabitants
of the town as had taken up arms.
Santa Anna was welcomed as the saviour of Mexico by the
people, who greeted his soldiers approvingly and volunteered
to aid them against the garrison. He retired at night to the
neighboring mill of San Domingo, much consoled by the evidence given of the revival of public spirit, and again hopeful
of expelling the invader and regaining his lost power.
When General Scott advanced from Puebla his army was
encumbered with many sick, who, with much public property,
had to be left behind. He was compelled to leave a garrison
capable of holding the city against any force that might be
brought against it, but lie could only spare the minimum
number requisite to accomplish that purpose, as his entire
army was too small to warrant a heavy detachment. The
danger he apprehended was the probable rising of the citizens
of the city itself, aided possibly by neighboring guerrilla
bands, though he scarcely contemplated the possibility of a
considerable body leaving the Valley of Mexico to march
against Puebla, least of all one commanded by Santa Anna.




ï~~Uprising of Rea' s Guerrilla Bands.

493

The city of Puebla, with a population from sixty to eighty
thousand, is situated upon an elevated plain. Flowing along
its northeastern suburbs is a small stream, from which rises
a ridge of considerable elevation. Midway on this is a stone
work-Fort Loreto, commanding the city; further up on the
top of this ridge, a half mile beyond Loreto, is the Church of
Guadalupe. In the northeastern portion of the city is the
Plaza of San Jose, northeast of which is the Cuartel de San.lose, which served as the storehouse for all supplies of the
garrison, as barracks for the soldiers, and stables for the
horses, and was midway between the main Plaza and the
Loreto.
The sick during the occupation of Puebla by the army were
in isolated buildings scattered over the city, but were subsequently brought to buildings in the immediate vicinity of San
Jose. At this point Lieut.-Col. S. W. Black, First Pennsylvania, commanded, having under him six companies of his
regiment, 247 men; Capt. Lemuel Ford's company, Third
Dragoons, forty-six men, and the company of Capt. John H.
Miller, Fourth Artillery, serving as infantry. Captain Theodore F. Rowe, Ninth Infantry, commanded at the hospital.
Maj. Thomas P. Gwynne, Sixth Infantry, commanded the
Loreto, having under him men belonging to regiments with
the army in the Valley, the majority of them being convalescents, the company of Capt. H. L. Kendrick, Second Artillery, serving both as infantry and artillery, and two field
pieces, 12-pounders, one io-inch mortar, and several mountain howitzers.
Captain Morehead, First Pennsylvania, commanded at
Guadalupe, with two companies of his regiment and the convalescents. The entire garrison, exclusive of convalescents,
was 393, all under Col. Thomas Childs, Third Artillery, civil
and military Governor of Puebla.
After the march of the army to the Valley, August 7th and
ioth, there were no open acts of hostility until the night of
September 13th, when the reported victory of Santa Anna at
Molinos-del-Rey, on the 8th, reviving the hopes of Rea's
guerrilla bands, induced him to occupy Puebla, and incite the
partial uprising of its inhabitants.
Before Rea's arrival Ford's cavalry company had been




ï~~494

4hilds Declines to Surrender.

actively engaged in supplying the troops with fresh meat,
beef, and mutton, but was now compelled to remain in the
cuartel, and at this time the commissary of subsistence had
only twenty head of cattle and 400 sheep. On the night of
September x3th General Rea, with his mixed command of
citizens and guerrillas, opened an infantry fire upon the
cuartel of San Jose and the hospital near by, his men occupying the streets leading to the Main Plaza, the roofs of houses
near and along the Tivoli Gardens. They renewed their fire
the night of the 14th upon the hospital and cuartel from
every direction, and continued it with more or less energy
and with but slight interruptions for twenty-eight days.
When Santa Anna's arrival in the vicinity of Puebla became
known there was much rejoicing; the bells of the various
churches pealed forth joyous chimes, loud vivas were heard
both from citizens and soldiers, but were silenced by a few
shot and shell thrown from the Loreto into the heart of the
city. When Santa Anna entered he had with him, according to Mexican history, 1,500 cavalry and four field pieces.
He at once declared it to be in a state of siege, and transmitted to Colonel Childs a summons to surrender upon the
score of humanity; notified him that he would be permitted
to march out of the city with the honors of war, and could
either join General Scott in the Valley or march to Perote, as
he might elect. He represented his command to be 8,ooo,
and said if his terms were rejected he would assault him in
all his positions and inevitably destroy him.
Colonel Childs declined to surrender; said he would defend his positions to the last, and believed he had the means
to maintain them. This reply, once made known to the garrison, was greeted with enthusiasm, and preparations were
made to resist the assault, which it was thought would soon
be made; barricades were strengthened, sentinels posted, and
each soldier assigned to the post to which he was to repair
at the signal of alarm. A z2-pound mountain howitzer, in
charge of Lieut. Theo. T. S. Laidley, of the ordnance, with a
detachment from that corps, was placed at the barricades in
the street leading to the main plaza, and night after night
they remained at the piece ready for action; but the summons
to surrender was not followed by assault or by any persistent




ï~~The Siege of Pueblt.

495

effort to drive them from their positions. Desultory firing from
streets and house tops of little importance occurred daily until
the 28th, when it became evident that the Mexicans were
preparing a battery at Santa Rosa to fire upon the Tivoli
Gardens, about 300 yards from San Jose; and a 12-pounder
field piece was brought down from the Loreto to be used
against this battery. On the 30th the Mexicans opened fire
with grape from a 4-pounder under cover of a parapet made
of bales of cotton; this was answered by Lieutenant Laidley
with a 12-pounder, and before night the enemy's gun was'
dismounted and his fire silenced. The Mexican gun was
withdrawn the following morning and no further use made of
their artillery.
On the ist of October Santa Anna raised the siege of Puebla
and marched towards El Pinal, being informed of the approach
of a train of wagons with supplies, provisions, and reinforcements, destined for Puebla and the Valley and commanded
by Brig.-Gen. Joe Lane. He left in Puebla under General
Rea a sufficient force to continue operations against the
Americans, and took with him 2,500 infantry, as many more
cavalry, and six light field pieces, as estimated by their own
authorities on his arrival at Amazoque, and marched thence to
Nopalucan.
The Mexicans erected, about 500 yards from the San Jose
Plaza, a barricade across the street, running west from its
southern side, and from it and the roofs of neighboring houses
kept up an annoying fire. Captain Small, First Pennsylvania,
was directed to dig through walls of houses until he had
gained a point from which a fire could be directed upon the
rear of the barricade, and succeeded in doing so. The enemy
was driven off, leaving seventeen dead on the ground; the
barricade was then burned, and a high building near it, from
the roof of which the enemy had kept up a fire upon the
howitzer battery and the cuartel of San Jose, was blown up by
Lieutenant Laidley, and no further annoyance experienced
from that quarter.
Hostile parties constantly annoying the garrison with their
fire, two companies were sent out against them on the 29th of
September, one commanded by Lieut. Edward C. Lewis, and
the other by Second Lieut. William Bryan, both of the First




ï~~496    Americans Advancing Upon Hnamcnlla.
Pennsylvania; the former attacked a force which had been
for some time firing actively upon San Jose, and dispersed it
with a loss of eight killed and a large number wounded.
October 6th a party, under Second Lieut. George Edwards,
Second Artillery, accompanied by Lieutenant Lewis, First
Pennsylvania, attacked a body of infantry near the Tivoli,
killed five and wounded many more. On the 8th Capt. John
W. Johnston, Second Pennsylvania, drove off and nearly destroyed a party of the enemy without loss to himself.
Santa Anna reviewed his troops at Nopalucan on the 3d of
October and finding that over 1,000 infantry of the National
Guards of Puebla and other troops of the Line had deserted
during the two preceding days, determined to order the infantry back to Puebla, the six guns to Oajaca, escorted by
the squadron from that State, and to move himself with 2,000
cavalry to Huamantla. The troops had marched as directed
and the artillery was near San Andres Chalchicomula when
he dispatched an order for it to return, together with the
squadron, to Nopalucan. Not more than,ooo cavalry now
remained. Not only had soldiers deserted, but officers also,
and principally of the Huzares, hitherto the most devoted of
his corps. He reviewed the troops at Huamantla on October
8th, and leaving there the artillery and trains marched on the
9th for El Pinal, having heard that the American train had
changed its course, but within two hours after his departure a
peasant came in and reported that the Americans, under Brigadier-General Lane, were hastily advancing upon the town.
Brig. -Gen. Joe Lane's command marched from Vera Cruz
September 20th and had several small affairs with the guerrillas, who did not make the determined efforts as in the case
of Major Lally, for the reason that he was not supposed to be
guarding a large amount of money. Near San Juan, fourteen
miles from Vera Cruz, a guerrilla force was seen, and Captain
Lewis' company, Louisiana Mounted Volunteers, was ordered
forward to drive them off. Lieutenant Lilly with a few men
of the company had a smart tilt with them, in which he and
his party acted with extreme gallantry and drove them back
into the dense tropical undergrowth, punishing them so severely that they were not seen again during the day. On resuming the march, September 23d, the rear guard was fired




ï~~Gormail and Walker Charge the Enemy.

497

into at Paso de Ovejas, and Second-Lient. John Kline (Lewis'
company), a most energetic and efficient young officer, was
killed. This was the last shot fired in the tierta calientc,
but after reaching Jalapa and on the subsequent march General Lane heard through different sources that he would encounter a considerable Mexican force before reaching Puebla.
At Perote he was further informed that Santa Anna was in
command of the troops (4,000), with six field pieces, and on
arriving at the Hacienda of San Antonio Tamaris he learned
through a spy that the Mexican force was at Huamantla.
Leaving the train parked at Tamaris, guarded by Colonel
Brough's Fourth Ohio Infantry, Captain Simmons, Seventh
Infantry, with a battalion of three companies, Lieutenant
Pratt's battery, Second Artillery, he marched with Colonel
Gorman's Fourth Indiana, Colonel Wyncoop's First Pennsylvania, Captain Heintzelman's battalion, Second United
States Infantry, six companies, Major Lally's battalion, four
mounted companies, under Capt. S. H. Walker, Mounted
Rifles, and five field pieces under Capt. George Taylor, Third
Artillery, having with him Lieut. Horace B. Field.
Arriving near Huamantla about i p. m., Captain Walker,
commanding the advance guard, moved forward ahead of
the column, and seeing a few mounted men making their
way through fields towards the town he ordered a gallop, and
ere long firing being heard, General Lane moved his infantry
forward. Colonel Gorman with his regiment advanced under orders to enter Huamantla from the west, whilst Wyncoop's battalion and the artillery approached it on the east,
Captain Heintzelman moving on his right, and Majer Lally
holding his command as a reserve.
When Walker reached the town he ordered a charge at
once, and a hand to hand collision was the result. The Mexicans were driven back with the loss of two guns, and were
pursued by Walker for some distance, but the arrival of Mexican reinforcements checked the pursuit. Gorman's regiment reached Huamantla about the same time with these reinforcements, and opening a well directed fire upon them,
dispersed and routed them. He then moved with the left
wing of his regiment towards the upper portion of the town,
where the enemy still held out, and succeeded in dispersing




ï~~498    Death of the Chivalric Captain Walker.
them. Wyncoop with his battalion, the artillery, and Heintzelman's command, moved to their positions, but before getting within range the enemy gave way. Walker had captured two guns when the infantry arrived, but he could not
use them for the want of priming tubes. Lieut. Thomas Claiborne, Mounted Rifles, captured the 6-pounder gun in the
most gallant manner. Lieut. George T. Anderson, of Capt.
John Loyall's Independent Georgia company, captured Colonel La Vega, and Major Augustin Iturbide narrowly escaped
with his life.
The loss in Lane's command was thirteen killed and eleven
wounded; among the former was Capt. Samuel H. Walker,
Mounted Rifles. Referring to his death, General Lane in his
report says: " This victory is saddened by the death of one
of the most chivalric, noble-hearted men that ever graced the
profession of arms, Capt. S. H. Walker. Foremost in the
advance, he had routed the enemy, when he fell mortally
wounded."  General Lane estimated the loss of the enemy at
about 50*.
The Mexican history represents that when the peasant reported the Americans advancing it was determined to resist
them as far as practicable and save all the artillery and trains
that could be saved. The alarm was given and Capt. Febronio Quijano placed a gun with ten men in the street by
which the enemy was advancing and ordered the other guns
and trains to withdraw in the opposite direction towards
Nopalucan. Quijano fired the first shot, checking the advance of the enemy, but after a few shots and the wounding
of several of his men abandoned the gun and retired to join
the other sections. When the last gun had passed out of the
city, Captain Sanchez Travieso came up in great haste, ordered a halt, and directed the five guns to fire upon the Americans moving towards other trains en route to the Hacienda of
San Diego. Arms were given to citizens to defend the place
as the enemy was about to enter it; and after the artillery was
withdrawn and the Americans had occupied all the high points
of the town, Santa Ana's cavalry arrived in the suburbs.
*Gen. Joe Lane's report, ]x. Doc., Senate, No. r, 3oth Congress, Ist
Session$




ï~~Lane Resumes the March for Puebla.

49 9

He had determined to attack the American train at El
Pinal, and had posted his troops with that view, then learning that they were moving upon Huamantla followed with
the main force, but when he arrived the Americans were in
full possession of the town, and he believed it impossible to
dislodge them.
The Mexicans report that when Villasefior reached Huamantla he found the enemy sacking and robbing stores and
private dwellings and assassinating citizens, and that he
charged upon them, killing and wounding more than fifty,
with a loss of three of his own men killed and others wounded.
He claims that Walker was killed fighting, while engaged
with his command. The citizens of Huamantla were extravagant in their praise of Villasefior's gallantry, and the legislature of the State of Puebla " voted him a gold lance in testimony of their admiration and acknowledgment for this brilliant action." Lane's forces withdrew from Huamantla before
sundown, taking with them the two captured guns, one a
howitzer, and returning to the trains parked at Tamaris resutned the march for Puebla to relieve Colonel Childs, whose
position had been reported as very critical. As Lane's command approached the city on the 12th, firing was distinctly
heard, and upon arriving near the suburbs, he directed Colonel Brough, Fourth Ohio, and Captain Heintzelman's battalion to continue the march on the main road into the city,
and Colonel Gorman, Fourth Indiana, to enter on a street
further to the left. The Ohio, Heintzelman's, and the Indiana troops advanced, converging upon the Grand Plaza,
and drove the enemy's scattered forces before them, clearing
the streets and city completely and killing a few. Quiet
and order were gradually restored. Lane found twelve or
thirteen of Childs' men dead in the streets, killed that morning a short time before he took possession of the city.
The Mexicans, apprised of the near approach of Lane, began to withdraw the remainder of their forces from Puebla.
Lieutenant-Colonel Black, First Pennsylvania, with two companies of his regiment, advanced towards the Main Plaza to
silence some firing kept up fr onm the roofs of adjacent houses.
A body of lancers took to flu;ht on his approach, and Capt.
John Herron, ordered down another street to cut off their




ï~~500     Jfexican Troops Retire to San Diego.
retreat, found his company surrounded by a large body of
lancers, who charged it from many directions, but Colonel
Black, coming promptly to his assistance, saved his party
probably from entire destruction, though thirteen had already
been killed and four wounded, the former being the bodies
found in the streets by Lane.
The Mexican troops that had retired from Huamantla upon
the approach of the Americans rejoined those driven from it,
and marched for the hacienda of San Diego, where they
united with General Reyes' brigade, which had reached there
that morning. No attack upon the American train in the
Pass of El Pinal was made, nor was Puebla captured, nor any
protracted efforts made with that view.
The little garrison left in that city by General Scott, together with the convalescents, had resisted successfully all
efforts to capture or drive them out. Deprived by the Mexicans of outside supplies, many of the sick had died from exhaustion and from the repeated and threatened attacks. With
Colonel Childs' mixed command were two companies of regular artillery, Capt. H. L. Kendrick and John H. Miller, who
manned the batteries and served as infantry.
The officers of the regular army directed the location and
construction of barricades, the loop-holing of houses for infantry fire, the digging through the walls of houses, the blowing
up of such as were annoying and dangerous, when occupied
by the enemy; commanded the artillery, and proved their
efficiency by the accuracy with which they directed solid
shot and shell, and under their skillful direction the volunteers acted gallantly in all their encounters with numbers
known to be greatly superior. The total loss in killed and
wounded during the siege of Puebla was seventy-two. Two
of this number, being reported missing, were no doubt killed
by the enemy. The skill, watchful care, intelligence, and
courage displayed by Colonel Childs during the twenty-eight
days' siege justified the selection made of him to command
this importont and greatly exposed position.
Santa Anna reoccupied Huamantla after it was abandoned
by General Lane and was joined by General Reyes, but received the following day an order directing him to turn over
the command to General Rincor or, in his absence, to Gen



ï~~Santa Anna Believed of Command.

501

eral Alvarez, and to notify the Government where he would
reside pending the convening of a court for his trial.
This was a mortifying and unexpected blow to Santa Anna,
who, being greatly irritated, was inclined to pronounce against
the Government, and would have disobeyed the order had the
troops near him espoused his cause. He even named Seniores
Ibarra and Ortega as members of his revolutionary cabinet,
but on the former's advice desisted and turned over the command to General Reyes, neither Rincon nor Alvarez being
with him when the order to relieve him was received, and
retired to Tehuacan. His relief was a virtual admission that
the war had terminated.
We learn from Roman annals that after the defeat at Cannae
of the legions by Hannibal with frightful slaughter, the consul ]Emilius Paulus being among the fallen, the surviving
consul, Terentius Varro wrote to the Senate from Canusium,
to which place he had retired with the remnant of his army,
and, reporting the disaster, assured that august body " He did
not despair of the republic." For this courage under defeat
he received the thanks of the Roman Senate, a reward
treasured by him and his descendants with patriotic gratitude.
Santa Anna, after the defeat at Cerro Gordo, blighting as it
did so many bright hopes and unbarritig the gate of the capital to the invader, wrote from Orizaba, to which place he
had fled, without an army, without friends or money: " I do
not regard our cause as lost. In a few days I will collect as
large a force as the one just defeated, and still hope for success." Under a defeat equally crushing and appalling, he
was even more resolute and hopeful than Varro.
This was no idle threat, made in a fit of maddening despair,
for a force, double his command at Cerro Gordo, was speedily
organized, and with it he gallantly defended the capital until
all hopes of success had vanished, then evacuated the city,
resigned the presidency, placed himself at the head of a
small force and moved upon Puebla, anxious to continue the
struggle, and encouraged his comrades to hope that it might
be captured, the enemy's line of communication with the coast
permanantly occupied, their supplies cut off, and they compelled to surrender, or to withdraw from the country. That
his troops, demoralized and discouraged by their many de



ï~~502  Resume of the March Through the Valley.
feats and disasters, failed to respond to his call, was certainly
a great national misfortune, but he could scarcely be held altogether responsible therefor, nor should the Mexican soldiers
themselves be censured too severely, for they had suffered
great hardships and privations, were now deficient in all kinds
of supplies, had no means of procuring them, and had lost all
faith and confidence in their leaders.
With the loss of power there is a desertion of friends, but
that Santa Anna should have been relieved from command
and threatened with a court martial, could hardly have been
expected. He was not brought before a court, but was in
Tehuacan on the 29th of November when he made a report
of his defense of the capital and its evacuation, called for by
"His Excellency in charge of the supreme executive power,"
in order that it might be brought to the knowledge of the
supreme Government. The report was well written, as were
in fact all of his published battle reports.
Before marching from Puebla, General Scott had pre\Riously called to the front the force that had been holding
Jalapa and had severed his communications with Vera Cruz,
but even when thus reinforced his entire army numbered
only 10,300 men. Had his line of communications been securely held, giving uninterrupted intercourse with his base,
these numbers would have been regarded among military
men as inadequate to insure the success of the expedition, but
the simple recital of events will demonstrate that the defeat
of Santa Anna and the capture of the Mexican capital were
due to Scott's skill and good judgment, aided by an able,
educated and scientific Staff, and by an infantry, artillery and
cavalry force whose fighting qualities, rarely equaled, enabled
them to compete so successfully with such vastly superior
numbers. With Twiggs' division in the advance, he descended into the Valley of Mexico August ioth and occupied
the village of Ayotla, fifteen miles from the City of Mexico.
The same day Quitman's division encamped at the hacienda
of Buena Vista, four or five miles in rear, and the two following divisions halted on consecutive days near the town of
Chalco. The activity of the engineer officers during the z1th,
12th and 13th is well known, the commanding general being
present while the most important reconnoissances were made.




ï~~Resume Continued.      *O

503

Before leaving Puebla General Scott believed he would
have to make a circuit of the Valley, passing around Lakes
Chalco and Xochimilco and approach the city from the west,
by way of Tacubaya, but a careful reconnoissance of the
Perion, which was strongly fortified and guarded well the main
highway, the best and shortest road to the capital, dispelled
all hopes of approaching the city in that direction. Between
Ayotla and the Peflon a road bore off to the left and led to the
city through Mexicalcingo, which being examined carefully
for several miles was found practicable, and the natives represented it equally good throughout the entire distance. Well,
informed of the difficulties of the Chalco route, its greater
length, and the danger to be incurred with his army and
wagon trains strung along the narrow road between the foot
of the mountains and the waters of the lakes, he deliberated
whether or not he should attempt to force the passage of
Mexicalcingo, strongly fortified, as it was shown to be by reconnoissances. An attack upon this place was discussed at
his headquarters, and it was proposed to mask the Perion with
one division, attack in front with two divisions, while the
Fourth Divison (Worth's) moved rapidly around the lakes
without baggage and assailed it in flank and rear simultaneously with the front attack.
This combined effort upon Mexicalcingo depended upon
Worth being able during his march around the lakes to keep
up communication by boats with the main force, designed for
the front attack. Captain H. C. Wayne, assistant quartermaster, and Lieut. Z. B. Tower (engineers) were ordered to
examine the lakes to ascertain if this communication could
be maintained. Anticipating a favorable report, preparatory
orders were issued looking to the combined move, but these
officers reported the impossibility of using the lakes as a
means of communication, and the combined move on Mexicalcingo being contingent on this, and a direct attack alone
not having been entertained, it was abandoned.
Colonel Duncan, being sent by General Worth to examine
the road around Lake Chalco, returned with a favorable report, confirming those made to General Scott both before
leaving Puebla and after his arrival in the Valley. Without
loss of time the columns were reversed and Worth, with




ï~~i04

Resume Continued.

Harney's cavalry leading, began the famous turning move
around the lakes August 15th, followed by the other divisions,
that of Twiggs covering the rear. Had General Scott been
in command of twenty-five or thirty thousand men, he might
have decided upon one of the other routes-probably that of
Mexicalcingo-and that he acted wisely under the circumstances has never been questioned, as by this move he completely turned the strongest of the enemy's fortified positions,
disappointing and greatly discouraging him. Worth, on
August 17th. occupied San Augustin, twelve miles south of
the capital, on the road to Acapulco, the most important
Mexican seaport on the Pacific Ocean. Santa Anna was
forced to make corresponding changes, and ordered Valencia
from his extreme left (north of Texcoco) to San Angel, the
extreme right of the new line, of which Mexicalcingo became
the left; intermediate was the village of Churubusco, with its
tete-de-pont and convent; about two miles in front of the former
was San Antonio, fortified and held by a strong force, with a
good road from it leading to Coyoacan, by means of which
the rear of the troops at San Angel could be reached and the
position turned.
When General Scott rode into San Augustin on the i8th
he said to the engineer officers serving on his Staff: " To-day
the enemy may feel us, to-morrow we must feel him." With
no secure base from which provisions could be drawn,4the
question of subsistence occupied much of his time and
thoughts, and forced him to adopt prompt measures. San
Augustin was an unfavorable point from which the quartermasters and commissaries could operate to obtain supplies.
To the right was the road over which the army had marched,
followed by a large cavalry force; to the rear the rugged and
lofty mountains separating the Cuernavaca Valley from that
of Mexico; three miles in front was the enemy, to his left
the lava beds, and beyond these the enemy; again Scott's
position was beset with dangers and difficulties, though he
still persisted in his purpose to reach Tacubaya or its vicinity, for in that quarter the Valley was more elevated, with
a wider range and greater facilities for gathering forage for
animals and subsistence for men.
Worth was ordered to move towards San Antonio, three




ï~~Resume Continued.

miles north, on the road to Mexico, reconnoitre, and " take
or mask it." Due west of San Antonio and four miles distant was the hamlet of Padierna, on an excellent road leading to both Tacubaya and the capital. The rear divisions
were to move up to and near San Augustin, while reconnoissances were being made of Padierna and San Antonio, both
held by the enemy in force. The orders for the i9th were
that Worth should threaten San Antonio, Quitman hold San
Augustin, the depot and general hospital, etc., of the army,
while Pillow and Twiggs were to move on towards Padierna,
the latter taking the lead as the position of the enemy was
approached. The preliminary operations of the z9th against
Padierna consisted in skirmishing on the pedrigal, using artillery while reconnoissances were being made. These extended to the rear of the enemy's intrenched position, and
involved a sharp infantry skirmish and several cavalry collisions, which terminated about sunset, when all, except a
small fraction of Twiggs' division, one regiment and one
brigade of Pillow's division, crossed the pedrigal, seized a
village near the road to the city, and intercepted Valencia's
communications with Santa Anna's main army. One brigade
of Quitman's division bivouacked near this village about midnight.
The presence of this large American force and its operations being reported by Valencia to Santa Anna, then with
General Bravo at San Antonio, reinforcements were promptly
ordered to Valencia; and Santa Anna, with a large cavalry
force and five guns, marched to join him. As he approached
Valencia's position he had, from the elevated ridge upon
which the troops displayed, a good view of the pedrg al, of
Valencia's intrenched position, and of the Americans in and
near the village of San Geronimo, between Valencia and himself; and several shots were fired from the battery into San
Geronimo, held by the Americans. Late in the afternoon of
the 19th Santa Anna appeared on the field, but made no effort
to drive the Americans out of San Geronimo or to restore
communications with Valencia.
Padierna, far in advance of the right of the Mexican army,
was isolated by the occupation of San Geronimo by the Americans. The dangers to which Valencia had exposed himself




ï~~506

0esum Continued.

by holding Padierna were fully appreciated by General Scott,
who ordered it to be attacked as soon after daylight of the
20th as practicable, the assault to be made by Pillow and
Twiggs upon the enemy's rear. Impressed also with the importance and necessity of controlling the road by Padierna
into the capital, to enable him to abandon San Augustin, he
ordered both Worth and Quitman to aid in the attack, the
former to send one of his brigades, the latter all the infantry
he still had at San Augustin. The attack on Valencia was
successful as planned and the battle over before Worth's and
Quitman's troops arrived upon the field.
Valencia's rout not only secured a good road to the capital
and to Tacubava, but opened a shorter and better one to both
places, rendered San Antonio untenable and the capture of
the Mexican troops holding it probable. The latter contingency was evidently contemplated by General Scott when he
ordered Worth to return to San Antonio and attack it with
his whole force in front as soon as approached by Twiggs and
Pillow in rear, Quitman then to reoccupy San Augustin. The
divisions of Pillow and Twiggs and a brigade of Quitman's
division were advanced rapidly towards the capital, passed
through San Angel, and halted at Coyoacan, two miles beyond.
From this place a reconnoitering party, followed promptly
by one of Pillow's brigades, was ordered to attack San Antonio in rear when assailed by Worth in front. A second reconnoitering party, ordered directly to the front, was followed
by one of Twiggs' brigades. As the first party approached
the road from San Antonio to the city, it discovered that the
former had been flanked by one of Worth's brigades and that
the Mexicans evacuating it in haste and retreating towards
the city had been struck in flank by one of Worth's brigades,
creating much confusion and inflicting heavy loss in killed,
wounded and prisoners. This musketry of Worth's brigade
being heard, Twiggs' advance brigade began the attack on
the convent at Churubusco, and Worth hearing this and seeing the confusion on the road, the fleeing Mexicansthe stalled,
broken-down and abandoned wagons, attacked promptly the
tcte-de-pont.
General Scott judging that the volume of musketry and artillery heard in front indicated the presence of a large hostile force,




ï~~Resume Continued.

507

threw promptly a force around the right flank of Santa Anna
to threaten or seize his line of communication. The move
was well-timed, and perceiving it Santa Anna detached a portion of Perez's brigade from the Rio Churubusco, near the
tete-de-pont, to the Portales to meet it. The tetc-de-pont being
the weakest was the first to fall. The capture of the Convent
of San Pablo then followed, and when the troops engaged at
the Portdles saw the main line in front carried, and those
escaping capture in retreat they joined their fleeing comrades,
and the whole in a disorganized body fell back. The cavalry
then passed to the front in hot chase and pursued them to the
very gates of the city, now at the mercy of Scott's conquering
legions.
The miseries of the cheerless bivouac during the cold,
rainy night of the 19th were forgotten in the blaze of the
splendid victories of the 20th. Scott's orders for both days
were well conceived and his operations were more successful
and the objects sought accomplished more speedily than the
most sanguine could have anticipated. His initial blow in the
Valley of Mexico had been well directed when it fell upon
Padierna, and not upon San Antonio, as some had suggested
and tirged.
A halt was sounded, there was a pause in the operations
inaugurated twelve or fourteen miles from the enemy's capital and continued on successfully to its suburbs. An armistice
followed and hopes were indulged that Mexican officials would
agree to terms of peace rather than see their fair capital occupied by the invader. It adds greatly to the interest of the
incidents thus briefly narrated to know that General Scott
had said before leaving Puebla he would " defeat the Mexican army in the open field if they would give him battle, and
then if he could restrain the enthusiasm of his army would
pause without the city and summon it to surrender in order
to give the authorities within the city an opportunity and a
motive-the safety of the capital-for making a peace."
The armistice continued near two weeks and was dissolved,
it having become evident that its object would not be accomplished.
On September 7th orders were issued bringing the several
divisions of Scott's army nearer together, and Worth rein



ï~~508

Besume Continued.

forced, was ordered to attack the Molinos-del-Rey, destroy
the foundry supposed to be actively employed in casting cannon, and capture or destroy a large quantity of powder stored
in the Casa Mata. To aid this attack Riley's brigade, with a
few guns, was advanced upon the Nifno Perdido road, to
threaten the city from that direction. The movement of
troops on that road and near Piedad misled and deceived
Santa Anna, for after dark of the 7th the six guns near the
centre of the line were withdrawn and posted in front of the
Mills, remained there all night without a guard, and Rangel's
brigade was retired. A part of it marched back into the city,
the remaining portion halted at Alfaro's house, between Chapultepec and the Belen Gate, and the Third Light was taken
from the reserve and posted in Chapultepec.
After the change in position and withdrawal of the abovementioned troops on and from the line of the Molinos-del-Rey,
there remained for its defense the brigades of Perez, Ramirez, Leon, 4,000 cavalry in close supporting distance on the
right, and the guns in Chapultepec, which with their fire
could sweep the ground over which the Americans must advance to the assault. Although the Molinos-del-Rey were
closely reconnoitered by competent engineers, their great
strength, especially as against attacks to be made by infantry, had not been ascertained. In fact, this could be developed, as subsequently shown, only by battle.
Worth's troops marched to the assault, displaying a gal.
lantry worthy of commemoration, and drove the enemy from
his position, which was defended with obstinate valor, as
shown by the loss inflicted upon the Americans. The Mexicans were so stunned and demoralized by the loss of the Molinos-del-Rey that Santa Anna, to revive morale and restore
confidence, caused the church bells of the city to be rung and
congratulatory orders to be read to the troops stationed at
different points along his line, and in the midst of rejoicings
extraordinary couriers were despatched to many and distant
parts of the republic announcing a great victory; but, despite
this ruse so skillfully manipulated by Santa Anna, Mexican
history admits that a very great depression prevailed both in
the army and among citizens as a result of this collision on
the 8th of September.




ï~~Resume Continued.

509

Chapultepec, crowned with its Castle, towered over the
surrounding plain and valley; guarded securely all approaches
to the city from the west and northwest, and with the Mexican national colors waving defiantly from its turrets, was still
clung to with confidence, being regarded as well nigh impregnable.
The loss entailed upon Scott's army by the engagement
at Molinos del Rey was very serious, and, as his communication with Yera Cruz was broken, no reinforcements could be
expected in time to take part in the capture of the Mexican
capital, or to cover retreat in the event of a reverse. Compelled, therefore, to act with the greatest precaution, being
in no condition to suffer a defeat, he ordered his engineer officers to make the most detailed and thorough reconnoissance,
to the end that the most vulnerable point of the enemy's
lines might be discovered. These examinations extended
from a point beyond the Candelaria Garita, all the way round
to the Belen Garita, and were pushed forward night and day, in
some of them the general-in-chief taking part. The engineers,
conscious of their responsibility and impressed with the importance of their labors, were active, earnest and courageous,
confronting all dangers cheerfully, and shrinking from no
hardship or exposure. General Scott called a meeting of his
general officers at Piedad on the Tith of September, to compare opinions and elicit suggestions. After they had assembled, two of the engineers returned and reported the results
of observations directed from the Ninlo Perdido road upon the
Garita of San Antonio. The general-in-chief then gave the
results of his own observations, and announced his purpose
" of attacking either the Garita of San Antonio and adjacent
works, or Chapultepec and the Western gates of Belen and
San Cosme," his preference being for the latter. As the point
of attack was to be determined at this meeting he asked their
opinions, irrespective of his own, already expressed, only insisting that the attack be made " where the loss would be least,
as thus far it had been heavy." All of the five engineers
present, with one exception (Beauregard), recommepded the
attack to be made upon the San Antonio Garita, and in this
opinion every general officer present except Twiggs concurred.
General Scott listened attentively to those who wished to




ï~~510

1esuue Continued.

express opinions, then thanked them and said: "We will attack Chapultepec, then the western gates;" the meeting was
over, and orders issued for the construction of batteries to be
opened the next day upon Chapultepec. To favor the real
attack by misleading the enemy, Riley's brigade and Steptoe's and Taylor's batteries were to remain in front of the
southern gates, manceuvre and threaten. Quitman and Pillow were to move from Coyoacan, meet at or near Piedad before dusk, exposed to the enemy's view, after dark march to
Tacubaya, and remain under cover or out of view of the enemy
during the 12th.
Batteries were constructed and Chapultepec cannonaded
the 12th, and, until 8 a. m. of the 13th, the assault by infantry
was then made, and upon the fall of the Castle the troops
moved on rapidly upon the Belen and San Cosme Gates, both
of which were captured, the first at 1:20 p. m., the second
about sunset. Under cover of the night, Santa Anna withdrew his army from the capital, leaving it to be entered and occupied by the American forces early in the morning of the 14th.
When the batteries of Scott resumed fire upon Chapultepec
before sunrise of the 13th, Santa Anna was seen hurrying
from the National Palace to the Candelaria Gate, believing
that to be the real point of attack, the first hostile guns having been heard in that direction, and when undeceived, it was
too late to aid in the defense of Chapultepec and adjacent
works. In these last collisions, as in the first blow struck in
the Valley, the weak numbers of the American army were
counterbalanced by their nerve and courage, and the latter,
ably and admirably supplemented by the tact, skill and unswerving judgment of the commanding general.




ï~~CHAPTER XXII.
OCCUPATION OF THE CITY.-COLLISIONS WITH SMALL DETACHMENTS.-ATLIXCO.-MATAMORAS AND THE PASS OF GUADALAJARA. - MEXICAN FINANCES. - STRENGTH OF THE
UNITED STATES ARMY. - TEHUACAN. - ORIZABA. - CORDOVA. - TEOTIHUACAN. - TULANCINGO. - SEQUALTEPLAN.-RESUMPTION OF PEACE NEGOTIATIONS.-A TREATY
SIGNED FEBRUARY 2, 1848.- GENERAL SCOTT RELIEVED
FROM COMMAND AND SUCCEEDED BY GEN. WM. 0. BUTLER.-THE CHIHUAHUA EXPEDITION.-SANTA CRUZ DE ROSALIES.-OFFICIAL CORRESPONDENCE OF POLK, BUCHANAN
AND TRIST.-THE TREATY OF PEACE RATIFIED BY THE
UNITED STATES SENATE AND BY THE MEXICAN CONGRESS.
The Mexican capital, with its peerless climate and picturesque
surroundings, its alamedas, faseos, theatres, bull fights, its darkeyed sefloritas and voluptuous sefioras, had many alluring attractions, though it did not prove a Capua for the American soldiers;
nor did they, like Hannibal's braves, exchange amid its Circean
fascinations the role of sturdy warriors for that of listless Sybarites. Strong and vigilant guards were detailed daily, onethird of each regiment remained in its quarters as an in-lying
picket ready for duty at a moment's notice, and every precaution was taken to insure efficient discipline; daily drills, inspections, and parades were the rule, and all officers and men,
whether on or off duty, wore side arms when away from their
quarters. It was not only important, but absolutely necessary,
to restore connection with Vera Cruz, broken before the advance
upon Puebla, but the Army, reduced in ranks and encumbered
-5"l




ï~~512

Attack Upon Atlixco.

with a large number of sick and wounded, was hardly adequate
to garrison Chapultepec and the capital, and had to depend on
the reinforcements known to be en route to the Army to clear
the road of the numerous guerrilla bands infesting or occupying it.
The siege of Puebla, the largest city between the capital and
seacoast, was raised October I2 after a most gallant defense by
Brig. Gen. Lane, who occupied it and liberated the weak little
garrison there under Colonel Childs. General Lane's report,
received by General Scott on the i8th, gave the latest reliable
information from Vera Cruz, though many conflicting and sensational rumors regarding Major Lally's command had reached
him through Mexican sources.
Frequent collisions with small hostile detachments had followed the occupation of the capital, a brief reference to several
of which will now be made.
General Lane being informed that General Rea held Atlixco
with a large partisan body ordered a force to move, October 19,
against it, consisting of the Fourth Ohio, Colonel Brough;
Fourth Indiana, Colonel Gorman; the infantry battalions of
Major Lally, Ninth, and Captain Heintzelman, Second Infantry; Capt. George Taylor and Lieutenant Pratt's Light Batteries, Third and Second Artillery, with a company of the
Third Dragoons, Capt. Lemuel Ford. The enemy's advanced
guard being discovered at 4 p. m. near Santa Isabella, eighteen
miles from Puebla, the above-named troops halted until the
cavalry, detached to examine a neighboring hacienda, rejoined,
and then resumed the march.
The Fourth Ohio, under Lieut. Col. A. Moore, and Major
Lally's battalion advanced, but evidence of confusion in the
hostile ranks, content till then to fire escopets at long range
and brandish lances defiantly, being observed, Captain Ford,
followed by Lieutenant Pratt with his guns, was ordered to
engage and hold them until the infantry could come up. The
conflict was bloody and fatal to the enemy, who retired precipitately, followed by the cavalry; the artillery fired a few shots at
long range, but without effect. A running fight of four miles
ensued, when the enemy being seen on a hillside near Atlixco,
behind which they halted and reformed, Lane's cavalry dashed
among them and, though compelled by the thick undergrowth
to dismount and fight on foot, did fearful havoc.




ï~~The Ayuntamiento and Lane.

513

When the infantry, which had marched over twenty-five miles
since i i a. m. over a road cut by gullies, appeared, the enemy
again retreated to the city closely pressed by both infantry and
cavalry. As Lane approached Atlixco,. shots from the town
were fired at him, but unwilling to risk a fight at night in a
place the streets of which were unfamiliar to him, he halted
his troops, placed the artillery in position on an eminence overlooking the town, and opened fire. After a short cannonading,
firing from the town ceased, and Colonel Brough and Major
Lally advanced cautiously with their commands and occupied it.
General Lane, on entering, was waited upon by the Ayunlamiento and requested to spare the town. The next morning,
after a thorough search for arms and munitions, and a proper
disposition of those found, he resumed the march to Puebla.
Learning at Chulula that two pieces of artillery had just been
finished at Guexocingo, he moved with portions of Brough's
and Wyncoop's regiments, a part of Heintzelman's battalion,
and Taylor's battery against it, thoroughly searched it, though
the guns, having been removed, were not found, and he then continued on to Puebla. The Mexican loss as given by themselves
was 219 killed and 300 wounded. Atlixco had been the headquarters and temporary capital of the guerrillas, who had fitted
out there many expeditions to attack American trains.
General Scott, still uncertain whether his report of the operations of the 19th and 20th of August had even reached Vera
Cruz, or if his later report had been more fortunate, although
duplicates and in some cases triplicates had been forwarded,
wrote to the War Department and referred to Colonel Childs
and General Lane as follows: " I enclose two very interesting
reports made from below, (i) from Colonel Childs, Governor and
Commander of Puebla, dated the 13th inst., detailing the defenses of that place, which, though highly arduous, gallant,
and triumphant, has not exceeded what was expected at the
hands of that excellent commander, his officers, and men. (2)
From Brigadier-General Lane, dated at Puebla the i8th, giving
a brief account of a brilliant and successful affair between his
command and a body of the enemy at Huamantla."
He learned through Colonel Wilson at Vera Cruz that MajorGeneral Patterson with Brigadier-Generals Marshall and Cushing had arrived at that place fifteen or eighteen days before, and
was expected to march at an early date towards the capital with




ï~~514 Military Posts Between Vera Cruz and Jalapa.
five thousand reinforcements. On the mere rumor of such arrivals, he issued a circular on October 13, and enclosed a copy
to the unknown commander below. He stated that as General
Patterson had made no official report, his information as to the
character and description of the reinforcements that had arrived
in Vera Cruz since July was limited, though he presumed they
were mainly volunteers, with probably some companies and detachments of recruits for the regular Army, which would be ordered up to join their regiments. After the new posts were
established below, as required in the circular of October 13, he
hoped to have the means of occupying Atlixco, twenty-five
miles from Puebla, Toluca, capital of the State of Mexico, forty
miles from the city, and possibly Orizaba; but without further
addition to his command, or until he had been informed of the
view of the Department on the plans submitted in his report
No. 34 of the i8th ultimo, he could not undertake more distant
expeditions. He mentions the fact that he had slight hopes of
the renewal of peace negotiations, and also, that since the month
of May he had received but three communications from the War
Department, one of which was on October I3th.
It was his intention to establish two or three military posts
between Vera Cruz and Jalapa, where there would be from
seven to twelve hundred men; at the other posts, from five to
seven hundred and fifty, each with one troop of horse, though
there should be two at each post, particularly at Jalapa; and
at Puebla, twelve hundred or two thousand. Should there be
a surplus of troops after these posts were established, they
would be halted at Puebla, where a general officer would be in
command.
Six weeks after the capture of the City of Mexico a large
train with a strong escort was sent to Vera Cruz, under Colonel
Harney's command, Second Dragoons, to bring up much-needed
supplies and aid in transporting the reinforcing detachments so
long expected. Being the first down train it carried with it a
number of wounded officers and men and many on the ordinary
sick leave; among the former was Brig. Gen. James Shields,
whose wound received at Chapultepec had proved to be very
serious and had endangered his life. Major General Quitman,
the first military governor of the City of Mexico, was ordered
to the United States under special order of October 26, 1847,
viz.: " Maj. Gen. John A. Quitman, much distinguished for




ï~~QuitmcnL Ordered to the Uited States
gallant and efficient services, will proceed to the United States
and report in person or by letter to the Department of War."
General Quitman, having received his promotion as major
general after reaching Puebla, was relieved from the duties
of civil and military governor by Gen. P. F. Smith, though
he continued with the Army, with a command inferior to that
to which his rank entitled him. There not being a sufficient
number of the new regular regiments to form two divisions,
General Pillow, ranking Quitman, was assigned to the command of all that class of troops. There was a correspondence
between Generals Quitman and Scott with reference to the
former's command, known to be inferior to his rank, but Quitman submitted rather than leave the Army pending an active
campaign. General Patterson established two posts, one at the
San Juan, the other at the Puente Nafional, where the Thirteenth Infantry had been stationed since October 20, the Maryand and District of Columbia battalion having held it previously
for a week or two. Patterson arrived at Jalapa with 2,6oo men
for duty, reported November io that his wagons had been sent
back to Vera Cruz, and on their return he would resume the
march to the capital.
Mr. Trist's letter of recall was received in October. On November 27 General Scott wrote to the War Department that he
had received information of the appointment of Mexican cominissioners, and if there was a commissioner with the Army to
meet them he was sanguine of peace. The new commissioners
had not called on him, nor had they submitted any propositions,
but when Mr. Trist was recalled he notified the Mexican Government that it must submit propositions for peace, if desired,
through him (Scott), to be forwarded to the United States.
General Butler was expected at Vera Cruz, and upon his, or
General Patterson's arrival in the capital with four thousand
reinforcements in excess of the garrisonss, he would order the
surplus force, if strong enough, to occupy Zacatecas and San
Luis Potosi, unless propositions for peace were made. He reported that an indirect proposition for an armistice had been
made, but had been declined.
In anticipation of garrisoning the different mining districts,
the General-in-Chief had been collecting statistics of the finances
of the country, and had concluded if these districts could be held
and the roads made secure the percentage on the precious metals,




ï~~516

The Capture of Matamoras.

coinage, and exports, and the duties on increased imports of
foreign goods, might amount to ten or twelve millions. By the
time reinforcements should arrive at headquarters he would
have devised a general system under which to collect in the
interior part of the means, at least, necessary to support the
occupation.
General Lane, ever on the alert, being informed that the
town of Matamoras, fifty-four miles from Puebla, having in it
a large amount of public property, including munitions of war,
and also a few American soldiers (prisoners), was held by a large
Mexican force, determined to surprise and capture it.  He
marched from Puebla at 7 p. m., November 22, having one
piece of artillery and twenty-five men, under ist Lieut. H. B.
Field, Third Artillery, and one hundred and thirty-five men
taken from Col. Jack Hays' Texans, and the Louisiana Dragoons, under Captain Lewis. A heavy rain-fall, beginning at
1o p. m. and continuing until 5 a. m., naturally increased the
discomforts and annoyances of a night march, but despite it
all, he reached Matamoras at sunrise. Approaching the town,
the enemy's out-post was discovered, instantly charged, and
followed to the main body, when the whole broke and fled precipitately through the streets, not halting until it gained a forest beyond. Giving way so rapidly, and leaving the town
through many streets, General Lane could form no very correct
estimate of its number, but reported it to be between four and
six hundred, with from sixty to eighty killed and wounded,
and not a casualty to his own command. Among the killed
were Colonel Piedras, commanding at Matamoras, two artillery
captains, and other officers of various grades.
Three bronze guns were captured, twelve tons of shot of all
calibres, twenty boxes of fixed ammunition, twenty-seven bales
of escopet and musket balls, seven bales of slow and quick
match, five hundred muskets, five hundred sabres, one hundred
horses, and a considerable quantity of medical stores and other
public property. All of this was destroyed except the muskets,
sabres, fixed ammunition and the three guns. Twenty-one
American soldiers (prisoners) were released, armed with muskets and mounted on captured horses. The Louisiana Dragoons
led the advance on the march, and charged the out-post which
broke and fled into the town.




ï~~Pass of Guadadajara.

General Lane referred in complimentary terms to the entire
command, and by name to ist Lieutenant Ridgely, Fourth Infantry, Acting Assistant Adjutant General; 2d Lieut. B. F. McDonald, Third Artillery, acting quartermaster; ist Lieut.
S. Douglass, Brough's Ohio Regiment, and 2d Lieut. Edward
Blake, of the Second U. S. Infantry, aides-de-camp, all charging by his side. Three soldiers, artillerymen, Foss, Gorman,
and Friedman, were injured temporarily by an accidental explosion, while the captured property was being destroyed.
The command remained in Matamoras the balance of the day,
and early on the 24th, with twenty-five or thirty of Captain
Roberts' Company, Hays' Regiment, in the advance, and Captain Lewis' Company, Louisiaha Dragoons, in the rear, began
the return march to Puebla. While moving with difficulty
through a narrow mountain pass near Matamoras, the line became extended, and the artillery and wagon train fell back,
General Lane being at the time with them, when the reappearance of the enemy was reported, and Colonel Hays was ordered
forward to engage him. A small advance party was at the
time being driven in by a force of lancers, estimated at near two
hundred, but the latter were met and driven back by Roberts'
Company, with which were Lieutenants Ridgely, Waters, McDonald, Blake, and Mr. Phelps, General Lane's secretary.
The enemy, pursued across an extended plain towards the
mountains, halted midway the slope for a rally, and wheeled
to the front, but was broken, gave way again, and was followed
over the mountain summit by Hays; below and beyond the
crest was joined by General Rea, with several hundred lancers.
Hays called a halt, and withdrew in good order, though followed by this force, and after returning to the road repulsed it
and held the field until the artillery under Lieutenants Field
and Lewis with the Louisiana horse arrived, when, after a few
rounds of grape, Rea's lancers were scattered, though for several hours they, continued to reappear, hovering around in
groups, too distant to be pursued by Lane with his jaded
horses.
In this affair two of Lane's command were killed and two
slightly wounded. One of the former was Lieutenant Ridgely,
Fourth Infantry, while gallantly charging by Colonel Hays'
side, and Lieut. Stanford W. Waters, Louisiana dragoons,




ï~~Arrival qf Reinforcements.

slightly wounded. The Mexican loss was not accurately ascertained, but could not have been less than fifty killed and
wounded. Among the former were two captains and one
lieutenant.
During the engagement the Mexican teamsters unharnessed
the mules and made their escape; and this rendered it necessary
to destroy all captured property except the guns and sabres,
most of which were distributed to the men, and the remainder
destroyed. General Lane in his report speaks well of the endurance and courage of his men and officers, all of the latter
being mentioned by name. Assistant Surgeon Brower, Fourth
Indiana, displayed much courage, being foremost in the charge
of the 24th. Atlixco was reached io a. m. of the 25th; the
march resumed after a short halt, and Puebla entered 2 p. M.,
after an absence of sixty hours.
Colonel Hays, with five companies of Texas Rangers, and
Major Lally, Ninth Infantry, with a detachment of regulars,
arrived in the City of Mexico December 7th, Major General
Patterson on the 8th, followed by Cushing's brigade, in all
about thirty-five hundred men. Hays and Lally were the first
to arrive from the United States in the Mexican Capital after its
occupation. General Patterson had posted a regiment-Ohio
volunteers-at the Rio Frio.
The second train left the City of Mexico December 9th under
Brigadier General Twiggs, assigned to the command of the
Department of Vera Cruz, with orders to inspect the intermediate garrisons of Rio Frio, Puebla, Perot6, Jalapa, National
Bridge, and San Juan. He had been relieved in command of
his division by Brig. Gen. P. F. Smith, Civil and Military
Governor.
December 2 General Scott acknowledged receipt of a letter
from Commodore Shubrick, announcing the capture of Mazatlan
and Guaymas, and in reply states: " I have been waiting here
two and a half months to learn the views of the Government at
home, or, at least for reinforcements, before undertaking any
new and distant operations. The forces that I have under my
orders in the whole of this Republic, except the troops immediately under Major General Taylor, only give me means of
holding Tampico, Vera Cruz, Puebla, Chapultepec, and this
Capital."
General Scott, after a careful study of the statistics of Mexican finances, and previous to ordering the occupation of several




ï~~General Orders Issued.

519

important districts near the capital, to be followed by a like
disposition in more remote departments, issued general orders,
No. 376, December 15, 1847, viz.:
(i) This army is about to spread itself over and to occupy the Republic
of Mexico until the latter shall sue for peace on terms acceptable to the
Government of the United States. (2) On the occupation of the prin -
cipal point or points in any State the payment to the Federal Government
of this Republic of all taxes or dues of whatever manner or kind heretofore, say in 1844, payable or collected by that Government, is absolately
prohibited, as all such taxes, dues, etc., will be demanded of the proper
civil authorities for the support of the Army of Occupation (3) The State
and Federal district being already so occupied, as well as the States of
Vera Cruz, Puebla, and Tamaulipas, the usual taxes or dues heretofore
contributed by the same to the Federal Government will be considered as
due and payable to this army from the beginning of the present month,
and will early be demanded of the civil authorities of the said States and
districts under rules and penalties which shall be duly announced and
enforced. (4) Other States of this Republic, as the Cahfornias, New
Mexico, Chihuahua, Coahuila, New Leon, etc., already occupied by the
forces of the United States, though not under the immediate orders of the
General-in-Chief, will conform to the prescriptions of this order, except
in such State or States where a different system has been adopted with the
sanction of the Government at Washington. (5) The internal taxes or
dues referred to are: r, District taxes; 2, dues on the production of gold
and silver; 3, melting and assaying duties; 4, the tobacco rent; 5, the
rent of stamped paper; 6, the rent on the manufacture of playing cards;
and 7, the rent of post-offices. (6) The rent of national lotteries is abolished,
lotteries being hereby prohibited. (7) Import and export duties at the
ports of the Republic will remain as fixed by the Government of the
United States, except that the exportation of gold and silver in bars or
ingots--Plata y oro en pasta-is prohibited until the further instructions
of that Government on the subject. (8) All imported articles, goods or
commodities, which have once paid or given sufficient security for the
payment of duties to the United States at any port of entry of the Republic, shall not again be burthened with any tax or duty in any part of this
Republic occupied by the forces of the United States. (9) The levying of
duties on the transit of animals, goods or commodities, whether of foreign
or domestic growth, from one State of this Republic to another, or on
entering or leaving the gate of any city within the Republic, will, fron
and after the beginning of the ensuing year, be prohibited, as far as the
United States forces may have the power to enforce the prohibition. Other
and equitable means, to a moderate extent, must be resorted to by the
several State and city authorities for the necessary support of their respective governments. (io) The tobacco, playing cards, and stamped
paper rents will be placed for three, six, or twelve months under the contract with the highest bidders, respectively, for the several States, the




ï~~520

Mexican Finances.

State and Federal District of Mexico being considered as one. Accordingly, offers or bids for those rents within each State, or any of them, are
invited. They will be sent in as early as possible, sealed, to the headquarters of departments, except for the Federal District and State of
Mexico. For this latter, the offers or bids will be addiessed to the Generalin-Chief. (ii) Further details for the execution of the foregoing system
of government and revenue will soon be given in general orders.
This order was forwarded to Washington, accompanied by a
memoir on the exportation of the precious metals, giving evidence of careful study and thorough knowledge of the subject,
with recommendations and suggestions, the equity and wisdom
of which could not be questioned. A few extracts from the
memoir will be made: " The Government of the United States
proposes that their forces shall occupy the Mexican Republic,
and raise in said country the means to meet the expenses of
occupation. To obtain this object it appears convenient that
said resources should be raised so as to interfere as little as possible with the existing interests of foreign as well as of native
residents; for if any measure calculated to involve the ruin of
part or the whole of said interests was taken, there is little or
no doubt that the results would be as injurious to the interest
of the United States as to those of this country, for the destiny
of both interests in the case of occupation is linked together. It
appears that this recommendation, besides being fully justified
by a sound policy, will also be the means of facilitating the organization of a financial system and ultimately lead to increase
of revenue. * * *
" The tariff given by the United States for the Mexican ports
occupied allows the free exportation of gold and silver, either
in bars or coined. Although it has been done, perhaps, with a
liberal view, it would seem that the measure was taken to hostilize the Mexican Government, preventing thus any advance
from being made to said Government on future export duties
on silver or gold, and depriving it of that resource. However,
who would benefit by the free exportation of gold and silver?
It is well known that nothing finds its level, respecting prices,
as soon as the precious metals, and, therefore, as soon as the
exportation should have been carried into effect there would
have been in the exchange on England, France, and the United
States, a difference equivalent to the duties taken off on the
precious metals. The free exportation would apparently have
been advantageous to none but the miners; apparently is the




ï~~Mexican Finances.

521

word, for it is evident that the higher prices obtained by them at
first would have gradually come down until they were on a level
with those obtained in Europe, and ultimately would have become lower than they are to-day, for it is not to be doubted that
the free exportation of bars partially or totally occasioning the
ruin of the mints, coined specie would have disappeared from
circulation, and that miners would have been for the sale of
their produce entirely at the mercy of the speculators, whilst
the exportation being prohibited, the mints are obliged to pay
them at any time a fixed price for their gold and silver which
can not be altered. * * *
" The exportation of gold and silver in bars has been prohibited in this country by all the tariffs that have existed either
under the Spanish or Mexican Government, and though licenses
of exportation to a small amount have every now and then been
granted, the prohibition has been the rule, and the exportation
the exception, until the Mexican Government having rented all
their mines but two to foreign companies, has taken the solemn
engagement not to give any more licenses of exportation. As
it may easily be supposed the engagement of giving no more
licenses of exportation has been the principal basis on which
the companies have relied to make their contracts and the principal inducement for them to advance the rent as they have
done. It is not known what policy will be adopted by the
United States respecting neutral interests in Mexico, in case the
country should be occupied by their armies, but too high an
opinion is entertained of the justice of their Government to admit for a moment tie possibility of such interests being sacrificed or ruined when no direct benefit could be derived from
such a measure for the United States and when, on the contrary,
it might be injurious to them as may be explained."
He addressed the Secretary again December 17, inviting his
attention to General Orders, No. 376, the seventh paragraph of
which continues the duties on exported bars of gold and silver,
which had been made free by orders of the United States Government. He wrote that since its publication he had seen a
slip cut from a Vera Cruz newspaper, dated the 17th, from the
Department to him on the same subject. He continued: " I
have taken great pains to obtain correct information in respect
to the production and exportation of the precious metals in and
from this country. The Mexican policy has been uniform




ï~~522

Scott's Official Communications.

against the exportation of bars and ingots, though from want
or cupidity sp&cial licenses have been given in violation of that
sound policy, and in gross violation of the rights purchased by
the renters of the mints. This Army is also interested in the
same prohibition, for if we permit the exportation of bars and
ingots there will be but little domestic coinage, our drafts would
soon be under par, and the Mexicans from the want of sufficient
circulating medium beless able to pay the contributions which
w. propose to levy upon them through their civil authorities."
Knowing the President's great desire to have the war terininate, General Scott embraced every opportunity to keep him
advised as to the prospects, more or less remote, of peace, and
wrote December 14 that he " had received no coummunications
from the Mexican Government, and did not expect any before
the Congress and President are installed, about the oth of
March. It is believed that both will be favorably inclined to
peace.*"
In the matter of reinforcements, so vitally interesting to himself and Army, he states that he had heard from Gen. W. 0.
Butler at Jalapa with 3,600 men, which, we learn from a subsequent letter, arrived in the capital on December 18. The train
despatched November i, under Colonel Harney, returned, commanded by Lieut. Col. Joe E. Johnston, of the Voltigeurs, with
1,300 men, in addition to the escort accompanying it on the
downward trip. These reinforcements, with those arriving previously, the 17th, made a total of eight or nine thousand for
duty.
He needed two columns of 5,000 men efh, to occupy the
mining districts of San Luis and Zacatecas, maintain communications with the capital, and open one with Tampico, and to
garrison State capitals within reach of the two columns. The
two should march at the same time for mutual support and
moral effect upon the enemy, though it might be best to await
the detachments behind with Gen. Thomas Marshall. One of the
columns having to march through Quer6taro to reach Zacatecas
that necessity would prove a serious embarrassment, as every
one assured him it would cause the instant dispersion of the
Mexican Government and render its reassembling at any other
*The Congress did not meet until May.




ï~~Discipline and Morals Enforced.

523

point extremely doubtful. Under instructions, however, from
the Department the double move would be made when the reinforcements, known to have left Vera Cruz, would have arrived,
unless in the meantime otherwise instructed.
Again,on December 25, he wrote of his great disappointment at
learning on the return of the first train up from Vera Cruz that
not a jacket, blanket, or a pair of shoes had been brought to
the Army. The small depot at Vera Cruz had been exhausted
by the troops under Patterson, Butler, and Marshall, all fresh
from their homes, or the Brazos, and as in the case of other arrivals since June without clothing.  *  *  *  This want
might delay distant expeditions for many weeks, as some of the
new volunteers were also in want of essential articles of wear
and he called attention to requisitions for clothing made by the
regular regiments over a year ago, which had never been sent,
or, if it had, had been issued as above. * * *
He next, on the matter of assessments, says: "You perceive
I do not propose to seize the ordinary State or city revenue, as
that in my judgment would be to make war on civilization, as
no community can escape absolute anarchy without civil government. I shall take care, however, to see that the means collected within any particular State or city for that purpose are
moderate and reasonable."
On December 31, order No. 395 was issued, which specified
the States by name and the several sums they would be annually assessed. It abolished duties paid at the gates of the cities
and in passing from one State to another, the tobacco monopoly
and lotteries, and required the governors and members of legislatures in the different States, and all collecting officers now in
commission, and heretofore charged with the collection of the
federal dues of any kind to be individually held responsible in
their persons and property for the collection and full payment
of this assessment. The order was long, carefully prepared, and
gave many details.
The last two paragraphs read as follows: "The American
troops in speading themselves over this republic, will take care
to observe the strictest discipline and morals in respect to the
persons and property of the country, purchasing and paying
for all necessaries and comforts they may require, and treating
the unoffending inhabitants with forbearance and kindness. The
higher honor of the country, as well as the particular honor of




ï~~t$24

Strength of the Army.

the Army, must and shall be maintained against the few miscreants in our ranks. The laws of war will also be strictly observed towards all Mexicans who respect those laws. For the
treatment of those atrocious bands of guerrillas and armed
rancheros, General Order No. 392, of the 12th instant, will be
rigidly enforced."
General Orders No. 8, of January 9, were designed to prevent
frauds in the payment of dues as assessed in the previous
orders. The several orders referred to and quoted in part reflect great credit upon General Scott, and indicate ability and
fitness for the proper discharge of the very important and delicate duties devolving upon him as a military commander.
These orders were laws for the Mexicans, and are both interesting and instructive, leaving but little room to doubt that
their author was as competent for civil as military administration. They were written and published before the receipt of
the communication of December 14, 1847, from the War Department, in which he (Scott) was advised that a copy of the
President's message enclosed would give him the latter's views
in regard to the future prosecution of the war, and in which he
was urged to endeavor to lessen expenses by compelling Mexico
to contribute, as in this way she might be forced to see the necessity of making peace honorable alike to both countries, " our
object being to obtain acceptable terms which it is apprehended
can not be speedily obtained without making the enemy feel he
is to bear a considerable part of the burthen of the war."
" Should there not be at this time a government in Mexico
of sufficient stability to make peace, or should the authority
which there exists be adverse to it, and yet a large and influential portion of the people be really disposed to put an end to
hostilities, it is desirable to know what prospect there is that the
latter could, with the countenance and protection of our arms,
organize a government willing to make peace and sustain relations of peace with us. It is presumed that your opportunities
of knowing the disposition of the people of Mexico will enable
you to furnish your Government with correct information on
the subject, and the President desires to be furnished with your
views."
General Scott replied, January 6, 1848, that his total force in
th Valley of Mexico was 14,964, and of this force only i i,162
were fit for duty, measles prevailing, mainly among the volun



ï~~Delay in Letters Between the Government and Scott. 525
eers. General Marshall reported from Jalapa, December 22,
that half his force-number not given-was sick, and his
wagons had been sent back to Vera Cruz for medicines and
other supplies, but he did not mention on what day he would
resume the march for the capital. Pachuca was quietly occupied by Col. J. M. Withers, Ninth Infantry, and General Cadwalader marched, December 22, for Lerma and Toluca, the
latter the State capital, and thirty-eight miles from the City of
Mexico.
One of the most serious inconveniences to both the Government and General Scott, was the great delay in receiving letters sent from one to the other. January 13, General Scott informed the War Department that he had not received a line from
any public officer in Washington since October 26.
He referred in this report in complimentary terms to Col. F
Wynkoop, First Pennsylvania Volunteers, ordered out on an
expedition to capture the guerilla chief, Padre Jarauta, and in
which he failed; but being informed of General Valencia's
whereabouts, he made a night march, surprised and captured
him and a colonel of his Staff. Col. Jack Hays had also been
detailed to bring in the padre, but failed, though he had a sharp
collision with his band, killing and wounding many of them.
General Scott also reported that the second train up from
Vera Cruz was attacked by a large hostile body, inflicting serious losses. This train having an escort of 1, 300 men, the
largest that had left Vera Cruz, was commanded by Brevet
Lieutenant-Colonel Miles, Fifth Infantry, who wrote from Paso
de Ovejas, January 6, to General Marshall at Jalapa, that his
rear was attacked on the 4th, at Santa F6, two hundred and
eight pack mules captured, one company of Mounted Rifles cut
up, and that the enemy, strong in numbers, was at Plan del
Rio, and intended to attack him (Miles). He asked to be reinforced with a section of artillery and five hundred men, and
General Marshall despatched immediately two hundred and
fifty cavalry, a section of artillery, and a portion of Lieut. Colonel Hughes' command, to operate in conjunction with him at
Cerro Gordo.
If the guerilla chief, Zenobio, really intended to attack Miles
at Cerro Gordo, he changed his mind on hearing of the reinforcements sent there from Jalapa.




ï~~526 Guerrillas Infe8ling the Public Highways.
On the day before this letter from General Scott was written,
one had been despatched to him from the Secretary of War
announcing that he had been relieved from command of the
Army by order of the President of the United States, to be
brought before a court of inquiry which would be convened in
the Castle of Perot6 on the i8th of February. This grave incident will be referred to in detail in the appendix.
A command, consisting of four companies of Texas Rangers
under Colonel Jack Hays, two companies of the Third Dragoons,
and one company of Mounted Rifles under Major Polk, Third
Dragoons, a total of three hundred and fifty men, was especially
assigned to General Lane's command to scour the country and
drive the guerrillas from the public highways, rendered impassable unless with strong escorts. On January i8, a. m., General
Lane moved out of the City of Mexico towards Puebla, and
five miles from the Rio Frio met General Marshall's train, and
learned that his rear guard had been threatened by the enemy,
then passing over the mountains towards his right. Leaving
two Texas companies to guard Marshall's wagons, he moved
with the remainder of his command on the flank indicated, but
after a search of several hours found no hostile force.
Lane arrived at Puebla about noon of the 20th, and after dark
on the 21st, in a cold rain, marched towards Vera Cruz, and
arriving at Amazoque, filed off to the left. with the view of
deceiving the inhabitants. Having marched about three miles
in this direction, he turned abruptly to the right through a
ravine leading towards the mountains, and marched during the
night forty-five miles over a route almost impassable, frequently
requiring the men to move in single file, and several times to
dismount and lead their horses.
His command was halted in a dreary region of country near
two large haciendas a little before day, men and horses concealed, and the people of the haciendas and travelers on the
road were held as prisoners until dark of the 22d, when he resumed the march towards Tehuacan. In a narrow pass, five
miles from the haciendas just passed, a stage coach with an
armed escort of ten or twelve men was met; the latter disarmed,
and the whole held as prisoners. A passenger stepped from
the coach, and, striking a light, showed a written safeguard,
with permission for an armed escort, signed by Gen. P. F.
Smith, when the arms were returned to the escort, and the
stage permitted to proceed.




ï~~Collision at Tehuacan.

Lane continued his march over a rocky, narrow road for forty
miles, until the column arrived near Tehuacan, when he learned
that General Santa Anna was there with one hundred regular cavalry and a large guerrilla force, his guide even pointing
out to him the sentinel posts in the town. About 4 a. m. he
reached Tehuacan. Lights flashed to and fro in several houses,
and a solitary gun was fired at his advancing column. With
Colonel Hays by his side he charged down upon the main plaza,
while Major Polk surrounded the town with his command. The
place had evidently been held by troops, who had departed in
haste; the house occupied by Santa Anna had been deserted
abruptly, leaving furnitlire and clothing, which, with Senfora
Santa Anna's wardrobe, consisting of one hundred and twentytwo valuable pieces, was captured, packed in trunks, and
delivered to the Alcalde, who gave therefor his written receipt.
General Lane's first feat of arms, after his arrival upon the
southern line of operations, was the action at Huamantla, at
which, after the enemy had been expelled, several of the stores
were sacked by a portion of his troops. This was not only the
first act of the kind, but the only one that occurred on the southern line, and was harshly commented upon by the Army generally. General Lane, plain in appearance and manner, but
full of energy and courage, of unquestioned integrity, and kindhearted, generous, and chivalric, was sensitive to these criticisms, and, if the stores in Huamantla were plundered, he neither
knew nor approved of the act, and in subsequent operations,
always full of dash and spirit, and invariably crowned with success, he was particular to mention in his reports that citizens
and their property had been protected, and in the matter of
Sefiora Santa Anna's apparel he was determined there should be
no occasion for criticism, not even from the enemy himself.
General Lane learned from the Alcalde and several priests
that 'a courier who arrived at Tehuacan at 2 o'clock in the night
informed Santa Anna of his (Lane's) approach, and that said
courier was one of the escort to the stage that had been disarmed when the safeguard with permission to bear arms was
exhibited, and that the courier admitted he had been sent by a
shorter route to warn Santa Anna of the intended attack. Lane
endeavored to procure one hundred fresh horses from the Alcalde, but did not succeed.
Santa Anna having fresh horses, Lane abandoned further pursuit; on the 24th marched towards Orizaba; halted in the after



ï~~528

Orizaba and Cordova.

noon at Aculcingo, and on the 25th met three miles from Orizaba
a deputation of citizens, municipal authorities, and priests, who
had advanced to arrange terms for the capitulation of the city,
and were informed by him that private and church property
would be respected, but that the robberies lately committed by
guerrillas upon merchant trains would be investigated. The
efforts to recover goods stolen from these trains were unsucces3 -ful, and learning that Colonel Bankhead was on the march from
Vera Cruz to garrison Orizaba, he (Lane) concluded to let him
investigate the matter. Some government tobacco was seized,
sold, and the proceeds turned over to the assistant quartermaster
of the command to be used for the soldiers' benefit.
On the 26th he received a letter of submission from the
Ayuntamiento of Cordova, twenty miles below Orizaba, and
on the 28th marched for that place, taking three companies of
Texas Rangers, under Colonel Hays, and Lieutenant Martin's
company of dragoons, and on occupying the town released six
American prisoners, captured at various places.
After returning to and remaining in Orizaba one week, General Lane marched on the 31st for Puebla with the Texas Rangers, and was joined at Aculcingo by Major Polk with his
command, with whom they crossed the mountains unmolested,
encamped at San Augustin de Palmas, and occupied a small
village, where they learned that a number of horses and mules,
captured from American trains, were at a hacienda two leagues
distant. Permission having been given Major Polk to move
with two companies and recapture them, he returned bringing
twenty-six mules and one American horse, all United States
property.  On February 3, after an absence of two weeks,
General Lane returned to Puebla.  The trip to Tehuacan,
thence to Cordova and the return to Puebla, most of the route
never before traversed by United States troops, was made by
350 mounted men without artillery, and also without opposition.
On February 5 General Lane ordered a portion of his command, Texans and dragoons, under Major Truit, of the Rangers, to escort a wagon train from Puebla to the city of Mexico,
and about midnight, with the remainder of his command, h,
set out from Puebla to Tlaxcala; passed through that place io
a. m. of the 6th; crossed the mountains by a rugged path rarely
traveled, and after a long day's march reached a hacienda,
well known as a resort of robbers. During this march strag



ï~~Totihuacan Seized.

529

gling bandits were occasionally seen and pursued, but no force
of consequence was encountered until the afternoon of the 8th.
When about to enter the town of T6otihuacan, twenty-three
or four miles from the city, it being reported that a force under
Col. Manuel Falcon was in his front, Major Polk was ordered
with two companies, one of Mounted Rifles, under Lieutenant
Claiborne, the other of the Third Dragoons, under Lieut. J.
Adde, to make pursuit, while Colonel Hays with the Texans
seized the town. The order was promptly executed. Seventeen of the enemy were killed, and one lieutenant and two privates captured. The remainder of the hostile force took to the
mountains and was chased only seven miles-Lane's exhausted
horses allowing no further pursuit. In the town Colonal Hays
captured 250 muskets, a few escopets, 250 lances, and a large
supply of ammunition and clothing, all of which was destroyed,
not having transportation. Lane arrived in the City of Mexico
4 p. m. on the 9th, having been absent two weeks and two
days.
General Scott informed the Secretary on February 2, 1848,
that his letters dated November 8, 17, and December 14, had
been received, and he would observe that the export duties on
coins and the prohibition of the export on bars, in accordance
with the system of finance he had established for the parts of
Mexico occupied by the United States forces, differed materially
from the instructions in his letter of November 17. He hoped,
for the reasons suggested in his own communication of December 17, that the President would consent to adopt his (Scott's)
views in respect to the precious metals. He reported that the
Ayuntamiento of the capital had charged itself with the payment, on account of the Federal district of $4oo,ooo of the
$668,332, imposed per year on the State of Mexico; that General Cadwalader would soon begin to collect through the Ayuntamiento of Toluca a large part of the remainder, and that
Colonel Clarke, Sixth Infantry, had been ordered into the
Cuernavaca Valley, forty-three miles south, with a small force
also to complete a collection.
" The war of masses," says General Scott, " ended with the
capture of the enemy's capital; the war of deail, including the
occupation of the country and the collection of revenue, requires
a large additional force, as before suggested." He refers to the
fact that he had learned it was thought in Washington that " he




ï~~530    Scott Coinmuaicates with the Secretary.
had 30,000 men under his command, while in truth, including
the forces at Tampico, Vera Cruz, on the line from that port,
and in the Valley and vicinity, he had a total of 24,816; the
sick, necessary, and indispensable garrisons deducted, would
leave an available force for distant service of only 4,500, and he
did not know of the approach of any considerable reinforcements.
Seven thousand he deemed a minimum number with which the
important line from Durango, through Zacatecas and San Luis,
to Tampico, could be opened and maintained. Many of the
volunteers were sick with measles, mumps, and erysipelas,
common among all classes of soldiers."
Reporting the fact of a treaty of peace being at that moment
signed and to be forwarded at once, he says: " In about forty
days I may receive an acknowledgment of this report, and by
that time if the treaty of peace be not accepted, I hope to be
sufficiently reinforced to open the commercial line between Zacatecas and Tampico. The occupation of Quer6taro, Guanajuato,
and Guadalajara, would be the next in importance, and some
of the ports on the Pacific the third. Meanwhile, the collection
of internal revenue dues on the precious metals and the direct
assessments shall be continued." Forty days would bring it to
near the middle of March, and the city of Mexico was occupied
the middle of September, six months before reinforcements arrived in numbers sufficient for the occupation of the country.
General Scott, as an Army commander, had occasion to use
money for which ordinary receipts could not be taken; the nature of the service could not be specified-" secret disbursements," as styled by himself. He wrote to the War Department on the 6th of February, 1848, that he had made no report
of such disbursements since leaving Jalapa, (i) because of the
uncertainty of our communications with Vera Cruz, and (2) the
necessity of certain explanations which, on account of others,
ought not to be reduced to writing. He added: " I have never
tempted the honor, conscience, or patriotism of any man, but
have held it as lawful in morals as in war to purchase valuable
information or services voluntarily tendered me."
Charging himself with the money he received in Washington
for "secret service disbursements," the $150,000 levied upon
the City of Mexico for the immediate benefit of the Army, and
the proceeds of captured tobacco taken from the Mexican Gov



ï~~Purchase of the Soldiers' Home.

531

ernment, with some other small sums, all of which were strictly
accounted for; then after crediting himself with $63,745-57, expended for blankets and shoes gratuitously distributed to enlisted men, for $io,ooo extra supplies for the hospitals, $io each
to every crippled man discharged or furloughed, some $6o,ooo
for secret services, including a native spy company-Dominguez'
company-whose pay commenced in July and which he did not
wish to bring into account with the Treasury, there remained
a balance of $ioo,ooo, a draft for which he enclosed saying: " I
hope you will allow the draft to go to the credit of the Army
asylum and make the subject known in the way you may deem
best to the military committees of Congress. That sum is, in
small part, the price of the American blood so gallantly shed
in this vicinity; and considering that the Army receives no prize
money, I repeat the hope that its proposed destination may be
approved and carried into effect." * * * " The remainder
of the money in my hands, as well as that expended, I shall be
ready to account for at the proper time and in the proper manner,
merely offering this imperfect report to explain, in the meantime,
the character of the $ioo,ooo draft."
February 9, 1848, General Scott addressed the War Department a short note, which seems to have been the last official
communication he made to Washington as Commander-in-Chief
of the Army in Mexico. After adverting to the fact of his receiving no communication from the War Department or AdjutantGeneral's office, says: " But slips from newspapers and letters
from Washington have come to interested parties here, representing, I learn, that the President has determined to place me
before a court for daring to enforce necessary discipline in this
Army against certain of its high officers. I make only a passing comment upon these unofficial announcements, leatning
with pleasure, through the same sources, that I am to be superseded by Major-General Wm. 0. Butler."
The recommendation of General Scott was adopted and carried into effect. A portion of the land now belonging to the
Soldiers' Home near the National Capital and the buildings
observed and admired by daily visitors were bought and erected
by the $ioo,ooo sent from Mexico. A small monthly contribution of twelve and one-half cents by the enlisted men of the
Regular Army, and stoppages of pay by sentences of courts




ï~~532

Padre Jarauta.

martial, have proved ample to keep it in order and to purchase
more land and erect additional buildings.*
The commissioners and governors, officers of the Army, who
have charge of it, have displayed good taste in beautifying the
grounds with broad roads convenient for driving, adorned with
flowers, shrubbery, and well-kept lawns, which greet the eye as
the Home is entered through any of its several gates. Near
one of the roads, and on an elevated point, stands, and very
appropriately, a tall bronze statue of General Scott facing to
the south and overlooking Washington City and the Potomac
river, the latter until it fades away in the distance.t
The guerrilla bands became so annoying north and northeast
of the city that a command consisting of two hundred and fifty
Texas Rangers, under Col. Jack C. Hays, one hundred and
thirty of the Third Dragoons and Rifles, under Major Polk, and
the Contra Guerrillas, under Dominguez, was organized and
placed under the brave, energetic, and never-tiring Gen. Joe
Lane, with orders to scour the country thus infested. Padre
Jarauta, at the time the most daring and influential of the guerrilla chiefs, was from Orizaba, but seemed to be ubiquitous. If
a train was attacked in the woods of the tierra calienle; if
troops were fired on from a chapparal; if depredations were committed north, south, east, or west, Padre Jarauta was held responsible for the offense, and if a gathering of guerrillas was
reported at a hacienda or village far or near, Padre Jarauta was
known to be the leading spirit. If a church or family festival,
a wedding, baptism, or funeral was to be solemnized; if a fandango or bull fight took place either in a village or hacienda,
Padre Jarauta was sure to be on hand, recruiting guerrillas from
both mourners and revelers, and mingling with his benedictions
and benefactions anathemas of the Americans. The main purpose of this expedition was to head off this saintly fatriot, and
the best troops, commanded by brave and hardy leaders determined upon his destruction, were detailed and sallied forth from
the capital on February 17, intending to scour first the mountainous country north of the Rio Frio. The road to Vera Cruz
* Any sums of money or property left by soldiers dying intestate and
without heirs go to this home.
t The present Governor of this Home is General 0. B. Willcox, Uftited
States Army.




ï~~Tulancingo and Sequalteplan.

11300

was followed as far as the Hacienda of San F61ipe; then countermarching a few miles, Lane turned to the right towards Tulancingo, where he was informed that Generals Paredes, Almonte,
and the redoubtable Jarauta would be found, the latter with a
considerable force, and he sincerely hoped to kill or capture the
priest. He arrived near Tulancingo on the 22d, and with a
small portion of his command endeavored to surprise the town,
but intelligence of his advance having preceeded him, the hostile
force left three days before with Jarauta at their head. General
Paredes alone remained, but owing to the ignorance of the
Americans of localities, escaped. To his family, however, and
to other residents every civility was extended and protection
given. Major Polk with a small party made on the 23d a dash
upon a hacienda near, certain of capturing Paredes, but he could
not be found.
General Lane now received reliable information that Padre
Jarauta had retired with his entire band to Sequalteplan, seventyfive miles north of Tulancingo. Sending his sick in charge of
Dominguez to the city, he set out from Tulancingo, and after
a severe forced march arrived about daylight on the 25th at
Sequalteplan, and, with the Texas Rangers leading, charged
the town, he and Hays being at the head of the column. As
they dashed through the street towards the plaza an unexpected
volley of musketry was poured in upon them from a cuarlel occupied by some fifty or sixty of Jarauta's men. Major Truit,.with Adjutant Ford, entered the barracks in the face of
the fire, killed ten or twelve of the enemy, wounded
about the same number, and captured twenty, including Colonel
Montengo. The plaza was occupied, and Hays with the larger
portion of his force attacked a strong detachment of lancers
and infantry observed sallying from a cuartel on a street to the
left, while General Lane with the remainder charged straight
forward upon a second body seen on another strect. Hays received a street fire and one from behind walls, and Ihen a running fight ensued, in which the Padre lost about thirty men
killed. Hays after this returned to the plaza; there met 2d
Lieut. Alexander Hays, Eighth Infantry, A. A. Adjutant Gen
eral to General Lane, who informed him that the General was,
with a small force, hotly engaged with superior numbers, and
Colonel Hays ordered Captain Daggett's company of Rangers
to his assistance. The Mexicans fought bravely, taking ad



ï~~534 General Lane Returns to the City of Mexico.
vantage of their position, and firing under cover of every object
that gave protection, but were overcome with a loss of thirty
killed.
While Hays was in pursuit of the scattered fugitives, he met
Major Polk with two companies of the Third Dragoons, " E"
and " G," commanded by Lieutenants Divver and Adde, and
firing being heard when they arrived in the suburbs of the
town, the Major dismounted Walker's Rifles, and directing
them upon the cuartel from which the firing had proceeded, they
silenced it, then moved on to the church from which an occasional volley was fired. Lieut. George E. Maney, Third Dragoons, Acting Adjutant, was sent back to order up the two
companies of dragoons, with which Polk advanced beyond the
plaza, ascended a hill to the left, and dispersed the enemy losing, himself, only one horse.
Polk ordered Lieutenant Adde to remain in the plaza, and
Lieutenant Divver' s company, divided into small squads, to
pursue. Walker in the meantime had taken the church, killed
some of the enemy, and captured others. General Lane extolled the endurance and courage of his entire command, and
called special attention to Lieut. Alexander Hays, Eighth Infantry, A. A. Adjutant General, referred to his former gallantry,
and says: " His behavior in every emergency added, if possible, new honors; he entered one of the cuartels first, under my
own eye, gallantly calling upon the men to follow him, and
killed several of the enemy with his own hands. I beg leavre
to recommend him in the strongest manner to the commanding
general's notice."
General Lane reported his loss to be only one killed and six
wounded, and estimated the enemy's loss at one hundred and
fifty killed, including Padre Martinez, second in command;
fifty prisoners were captured, among them three Americans,
supposed to be deserters. Leaving Sequalteplan on the 26th,
General Lane arrived in the City of Mexico on March i. Jarauta had received a heavy blow, but escaped, and returned to
the town a few hours after the Americans left it; visited his
wounded, gave orders looking to their ease and comfort, and
followed in the rear of his enemy, to cut off stragglers, or to
attack if occasion offered. The Texans with their six-shooters
were an over-match for Padre Jarauta's men, comparatively
badly armed; but in courage, skill, and power to hold his gue



ï~~Renewal qf Peace Negotiations.

535

rillas together, the Padre was probably without a rival among
his countrymen or a superior among his enemies. This was
the last expedition sent against guerillas, as the armistice of
March 5 soon followed. The padre was on several occasions
reported killed, or wounded mortally, but managed to escape
capture, and it is believed, was unscathed in all of his many
collisions with his country's invaders. He was quick in perception, wonderfully daring and energetic, and fond of dangerous adventure, though always kind and prompt in administering the consolations of the church to the seriously wounded,
whether friend or foe.
Peace negotiations inaugurated and continued for two weeks
during the armistice, terminated abruptly and unsatisfactorily,
leaving hostilities to be resumed and waged with unrelenting
vigor until the capture and occupation of the Mexican Capital
by the victorious Americans. The events following the resumption of active operations weakened Mexico and left her no
alternative but to make " peace, such as her powerful and sticcessful enemy might dictate." By her constitution the office
of President devolves under certain contingences, provisionally,
upon the President of the Supreme Court; these several contingencies had all occurred, but there was no President of the
Supreme Court in September, 1847, when Santa Anna resigned
the Presidency of the Republic, hence that office was vacant,
the last incumbent having died and his successor not having
been elected.
It was the duty of Congress to elect this officer, but it was
not in session, and as a further complication, could not be convened except under a call or proclamation by the President.
Under this wretched condition of affairs, Mexico-without a
government of any kind-the best and most influential of the
Moderado party hoping to prevent anarchy already rampant
and then conclude a peace, prevailed upon the able jurist and
enlightened statesman and patriot, Pefia y Pefia, Senior Judge
of the Supreme Court, to assume the Provisional Presidency.
His consent being gained, they endeavored and succeeded in
securing his recognition by the State authorities, who pledged
themselves to uphold and defend it against the senseless intrigues and assaults of those intent upon compassing destruction, by rendering peace impossible through the non-existence
of a government competent to make it.




ï~~536          A  Treaty Made and Signed.
As the correspondence of Pefia y Pei'ia while Minister of
Foreign Relations had evinced a disposition not averse to peace,
it was believed that under his administration it would be consummated. To smooth the way to this end, so earnestly desired
by President Polk and his Cabinet, propositions were made by
Mr. Trist to the new government for a reopening of negotiations,
and met with a favorable reception. They could not, however,
be at once entertained as the Mexican Congress had to be called
together to elect a President ad interim, to serve until January
8, 1848, when the new President chosen at an election soon to
take place would be inaugurated. The Puro party by combinations with the Santanistas and other factions came near defeating the Moderados, who were, however, successful and elected
General Don Pedro Maria Anaya ad interim President, and
Pefia y Pefia and General Mora y Villamil, both known to be in
favor of a speedy peace with the United States, became respectively Minister of Foreign Relations and Minister of War.
% Negotiations were therefore again formally undertaken, the
Mexican Government being represented by Sefiores Couto,
Atristain, and Cuevas-the first two being of the commission
that met during the armistice - in the village of Guadalupe
Hidalgo, three miles from the City of Mexico, and after repeated meetings, many long conferences, various earnest discussions, and with rumors of bronunciamientos in distant States,
a treaty of peace, friendship, and limits between Mexico and
the United States was made and signed February 2, 1848.
Maj.-Gen. Win. 0. Butler, commanding United States forces
in Mexico, in fulfillment of one of the articles of the treaty,
agreed March 5 to a general suspension of hostilities to continue for two months, and it was agreed subsequently that four
months should be allowed in which to ratify the different stipulations.
General Scott having been notified, the treaty was given to
a trusty messenger, despatched at once to Vera Cruz, and the
commanding general in that department ordered to forward it
at once by the fastest steamer present in the harbor. Every
precaution was taken to insure its prompt transmission and
delivery in Washington, and the general requested in the event
of its being accepted and ratified that he might be instructed
as early as practicable respecting the evacuation of Mexico,
the disposition to be made of the wagons, artillery, and cavalry




ï~~Scott Believed by Wm. 0. Butler.

537

horses, and the points in the United States to which the troops
were to be ordered. He hoped to be permitted to leave Mexico and return to the United States as soon as the public service
would allow, and that some other general officer might be
charged with completing the evacuation, which ought, if practicable, to be finished before the return of the vomito.
General Scott's service terminated in Mexico with the following order. Rumors that he was to be relieved had been current
in the Army for several weeks.
[General Orders No. 59.]
HEADQUARTERS O THE ARMY,
MExico, February 18, 1848.
By instructions from the President of the United States just received,
Major-General Scott turns over the command of this Army to Major-General Butler, who will immediately enter upon duty accordingly. In taking
official leave of the troops he has so long had the command of in an arduous campaign, a small part of whose glory has been from position reflected
on the senior officer, Major-General Scott is happy to be relieved by a general of established merit and distinction in the service of his country.
By command of General Scott.
H. L. SCOTT,
Acting Assistant Adjutant General.
Referring to this order Mexican history states " the Government of the United States ordered a court of inquiry, and the
conqueror of Mexico (as General Scott was called) found himself brought like a criminal before a military tribunal and deprived of command, which devolved upon General Butler who
had a short time before arrived in the Mexican capital."
A treaty of peace having been made and signed before General Scott was relieved from command, there was nothing for
his successor to do but to await the action of the United States
Senate, then to order the evacuation of the Mexican territory by
the American tryops.
We will now refer to and give a brief account of the expedition to Chihuahua conducted by Gen. Sterling Price subsequent
to the suspension of hostilities.
Col. A. W. Doniphan marched in April, 1847, to Saltillo,
and reported to General Wool that he had left the State of
Chihuahua entirely free of United States troops. It had been
found difficult to obtain supplies; and inasmuch as there was
no organized enemy within hundreds of miles, and as the term




ï~~538

Expedition to Chihuahua.

for which the men volunteered had well nigh expired, they
were ordered to join the Army of Occupation, that being the
nearest and most expeditious route by which to return to their
homes in Missouri. Colonel Doniphan marched from Fort
Leavenworth to Santa F6 (eight hundred miles), explored the
Navajo country, this expedition continuing into the winter, and
the line of march being often over wide, arid plains or rugged
mountains covered with snow, causing much discomfort, and
often positive suffering, to all of which these hardy Missourians
submitted without a murmur. They marched in the Navajo
country at least six hundred miles, and on returning to the Rio
Grande enjoyed a brief respite, while preparations for the march
to El Paso and thence to Chihuahua were being perfected.
Before arriving at El Paso the lornado de los Muerlos, a
stretch of ninety miles without water, was crossed, and also
other long ranges between El Paso and Chiliuahua, in which
water was scarce. They fought at Sacramento, and occupied
Chihuahua,where they remained until ordered as stated above,
having received no pay or supplies of clothing from teie Government. Colonel Doniphan on March 20, 1847, wrote from
Chihuahua to General Wool as follows: " My position here is
extremely embarrassing. In the first place, most of the men
under my command have been in service since June I, 1846, and
have never received one cent of pay. Their marches have been
hard, especially in the Navajo country, and without forage; so
that they are literally without horses, clothes, or moneynothing but arms, and a disposition to use them. They are all
volunteers, men and officers, and although ready for any. hardships or dangers, are wholly unfit to garrison a town or city.
' It is confusion worse confounded.' Having made a march of
more than two thousand miles, and their term of service rapidly
expiring, they are restless to join the army under your command." In reply to this they were ordered to join the Army
of Occupation.
In the latter part of 1847 General Price, commanding in New
Mexico, learned that the few American citizens residing in the
city of Chihuahua were treated with marked severity by the
Mexicans, and that General Urrea was moving upon El Paso
with a considerable force, estimated to be between two and
three thousand, his purpose being to invade New Mexico.
To meet and check Urrea's advance and repress hostile feeling




ï~~STERLING PRICE,
BRIGADIER GENERAL. U. S. VOLUNTEERS,
BORN IN AND APPOINTED PROM MISSOURI.




ï~~


ï~~Price' s Arrival at El Paso.

539

in Chihuahua General Price, after providing for the security
and tranquillity of New Mexico, left Santa F6 February 8, 1848,
escorted by a company of Missouri horse, for El Paso, whither
he had previously ordered the following commands: three companies of U. S. First Dragoons, under Major B. L. Beall, one of
which companies, " B," served as light artillery with six guns,
under Lieut. John Love; two companies of Missouri infantry,
under Lieut.-Col. A. R. Easton; six companies of Missouri
horse, under Col. John Ralls; Maj. Robert Walker's battalion
of Santa F6 troops, three companies of horse, and one of light
artillery.
General Price arrived at El Paso February 23, and promptly
made preparations for the advance upon Chihuahua, first sending Major Walker forward ninety miles to Carrizal, which commanded the passes through which all roads lead to Chihuahua,
and ordering him to hold them with pickets, so as to cut off
communications south, which order was promptly and successfully executed. General Price left El Paso March i, taking
with him Colonel Ralls, with four of his companies, and two of
Major Beall's command, to be followed by Rall's remaining
companies, under Lieut.-Col. R. H. Lane, Easton's battalion,
and Love's battery. The general displayed much energy, in
his advance; within sixty miles of Chihuahua encountered
and forced back a Mexican picket by which, however, his
movements, until then unknown to the Mexicans, were reported.
He continued the march to the Laguna, six miles north of
Sacramento, where he was met by a white flag, with a protest
from the Mexican commander against his further advance, for
the reason that (as informed by his Government) hostilities had
been suspended, and a treaty of peace made and signed by
commissioners appointed by the two governments. A treaty
had been made and signed February 2, 1848. General Price,
however, having no evidence or knowledge of these facts, continued to advance. Urged to send forward two of his Staff
Officers to arrange preliminaries of a capitulation, Capt. Wm.
D. McKissack, A. Q. M., of the regular Army, at that time
A. A. Adjutant General, and Lieut. W. E. Prince, First Infantry, were chosen for that mission. Mistrusting the Mexican
representations, General Price continued to march during the
night, and met an hour after the departure of his Staff Officers




ï~~540

Santa Cruz de -Rosales.

a few American citizens of Chihuahua, who reported that the
Mexicans had retreated the previous morning. At 9 p. m. of
the 7th he occupied Chihuahua, and the following morning,
with Rall's, Beall's, and Walker's commands, two hundred and
fifty strong, the majority being re-mounted, he dashed on to
Santa Cruz de Rosales, sixty miles south of Chihuahua, where
he arrived by sunrise of the 9th.
After a careful reconnoissance he decided to attack at once,
placed his small command in position, and sent forward by
Lieutenant Prince a white flag with demand for an unconditional surrender of the town and public property. General
Trias, the Mexican commander, who requested and was granted
an interview with General Price, assured him there was no doubt
as to the treaty, confirmation of which would surely be received
by him from his Government in three days.
Price suspended active operations until the 16th, when the
troops in rear, consisting of three companies of Missouri horse
under Lieutenant-Colonel Lane, Love's battery of six guns, and
Captain Hassendeubel with two 12-pounders, would come up.
Love marched two hundred and ten miles in four nights and
three and a half days.
General Price determined to attack on the 16th, broke camp
and moved all his forces except Beall's companies and McNair's
Missouri horse around to the south of the town. Ralls' remaining companies occupied a central position convenient for either
Love's or Hassendeubel's support, the latter with his two 12 -pounders being on the west side.
The artillery was directed to fire on the Mexicans seen on the
roofs of houses, and also upon the church, which with its heavy
thick walls was the enemy's stronghold. The firing began 10.30
a. m., and was promptly replied to by the Mexican guns, but
without damage to Price. Lieut. A. B. Dyer, of the ordnance,
volunteered to serve with Love's battery, and with one 6-pounder
and a 24-pound howitzer, joined Hassendeubel. The Mexicans
placed in position additional pieces to confront these guns. A
brisk fire continued for over an hour, and Love with a 6-pounder
and one 24-pound howitzer moved to Dyer's support, intending
with the combined fire to silence the Mexican guns.
General Price, being informed that his rear was threatened
by a cavalry force estimated to be one thousand strong, and believed to be Mexican reinforcements, withdrew the artillery




ï~~General Trias and Others Prisoners.

541

three-fourths of a mile and placed it with the infantry in position on a commanding ridge, this change being made to attack
the supposed reinforcements. The withdrawing of Price's troops
creating the impression that they had been compelled to withdraw by Mexican artilley, the air resounded with vivas, their
soldiers reoccupied the roofs of houses, and briskly opened fire
from their heaviest guns. Lane, discovering that the force in
Price's rear was inconsiderable, attacked and dispersed it; the
troops then re-occupied their former positions and Price renewed
the attack which continued until sunset when the enemy surrendered. General Trias and forty-two of his principal officers
were made prisoners; eleven guns (nine of which General Price
styled wall-pieces) and five hundred and seventy-seven stands
of arms were taken; the number of soldiers captured not given.
The American loss was one lieutenant, G. 0. Hepburn, of the
Missouri horse, while leading the assault, two corporals and one
private killed, nineteen men wounded; a total of twenty-three.
" The loss of the enemy, " he reported, " from the evidence of
commissioned officers herewith submitted, but which I have
not seen, was two commissioned officers and two hundred
and thirty-six non-commissioned officers and men killed; the
number of wounded could not be correctly ascertained."
General Price was very complimentary to the battalion and
company commanders and to the artillery officers, and also to
Lieutenants Dyer and 0. H. Taylor, who, after hard work with
deficiency of tools, repaired and fitted for service a 24-pounder
that had been rendered unserviceable. Of Asst. Surgs. R. It.
Simpson and Horace R. Wirtz he spoke in terms of praise for
prompt attention to his own and also to the enemy's wounded.
Mexican history states of this affair: " All supplies, material,
and other elements of war, without counting the government
assistance and protection granted to the State of Chihuahua to
resist invasion, vanished in the battle of Sacramento. Chihuahua, occupied by the enemy (Doniphan) since March 1, 1847,
could not rely upon her own resources of any kind. * * *
The State was wanting in the means of resistance, having expended her efforts the year before, and could not now hope for
any assistance except that of her own sons. The patriotism of
these, therefore, was invoked, and they were found ready to
devote their lives and fortunes to the defense of the country.
The organization of these was forthwith commenced, and in a




ï~~542

52Extract from lexican [iislory.

short time arms, supplies, and the requisite trains to maintain
in the field a force of one thousand men, including the Presidial companies, were secured. The money accrued from the
sale of tobacco was set aside to defray the expense of maintaining this force.
" Trias, while in the midst of preparations for defense, received
a decree of the Government at Quer6taro disbanding the PreLidial companies, leaving in service only the National Guards,
or volunteers, and a yet greater embarrassment, an order from
the Minister of Finance on the administrator of tobacco to pay
drafts upon him drawn by the Government, thus withholding
this needful assistance and promised support. The picture presented by Chihuahua was dismal. The enemy (Price) reported
to be advancing, supplies scarce, unable even to defend herself
against the savage Indians, she, however, persisted in preparations to resist the Americans.
" On the 2iSt of February a circular was received, which,
announcing that on the 2d a treaty of peace had been concluded
at Guadalupe, made the authorities believe they would be
honorably extricated from their painful situation, quieted the
minds of the people, and caused them to believe that they
would be spared the sacrifices required for a vigorous defense.
Suddenly notice came of the American advance; it preceded
Price only one day, and there was but little time to prepare for
defense or to retire with the public property., Trias withdrew
from Chihuahua with about four hundred men of all arms, the
greater part being National Guards, two 18-pounders, two 4 -pounders, two 7-inch howitzers, and two swivels, and halted at
the villa of Rosales, twenty leagues from the city, where he
recruited an additional force of one hundred men, and made the
necessary disposition to oppose Price, who came in sight at 6
a. m. of the 9th.
" Generals Price and Trias held two conferences, but nothing
was concluded, for the former had no notice of the armistice
and treaty of peace made at Guadalupe, and refused to retire to
El Paso as requested, and the latter would not surrender himself and men nor deliver up the artillery, armament, and
munitions.
" Ol the oth Price declared the villa in a state of siege, and
from that date until the 15th both parties awaited reinforcements, and Trias occupied himself in digging ditches and




ï~~Mexican History.

543

making breast-works. The enemy having been reinforced by
three hundred men and six guns sent a summons at 7 a. m. on
the 16th to surrender. Trias refused, and the firing began, and
was well sustained by both sides till the Americans gave way,
abandoning some pieces of artillery, a wagon train, etc. Many
Mexicans regarded this as a victory; the bells were rung and
loud vivas were heard throughout their ranks; but the Americans reorganized, and with a better knowledge of the ground,
made a second attack. * * * Our soldiers resisted with
courage, and prolonged the defense until twilight, when the
town fell into the hands of the enemy; but a stop was with
difficulty put to the firing and to the excesses of the soldiers,
who did not fail to perpetrate many outrages.
"The General-in-Chief and Mexican officers became prisoners
of war, and were paroled. General Trias, Colonel Justiniani,
and First Adjutant Horeitas continued with the enemy, and
were treated with great consideration. The honorable defense
of the place received eulogiums from Price, who, as a testimonial of his appreciation of it, permitted the officers to retain
their swords. In pursuance of the armistice of February the
Americans had to evacuate the villa of Rosales as well as the
city of Chihuahua. Price received by express a positive order
from General Butler, the American Commander-in-Chief, relative to evacuation."
The Mexicans naturally found fault with Price for not retiring more promptly, and say: " In this way, with a notorious
infraction of the rights of war, several towns suffered for some
time all the evils consequent on an armed occupation." They
also held the Mexican Government responsible for the collision
at the villa of Rosales, twenty-two days after the treaty of peace
had been signed, and said: " By only comparing the dates of
events it can be clearly known that if the authorities at Quer6 -taro had operated with despatch the battle of Rosales might
have been averted." A treaty of peace had been entered into
February 2, and, pursuant to one of its articles, Maj. Gen. Wm.
0. Butler, then in command of the Army, on the 5th of March
concluded with the Government of Mexico an agreement for the
general suspension of hostilities, to continue for two months.
Couriers from Quer6taro could have reached Chihuahua in
eleven days, the intervening distance being about eleven hundred miles, and from the City of Mexico to Chihuahua less




ï~~544

Polk, Buchanan, and Trist.

than thirteen hundred miles. Had due diligence been used
both General Trias and General Price could have been informed
of the armistice, the former by his Government and the latter
by General Butler.
The official correspondence between Secretary of State Buchanan and Peace Commissioner Trist clearly indicates that the
latter failed to give satisfaction to the administration. A few
brief extracts will be made from the former's letters, showing
wherein Mr. Trist was alleged to have failed; also extracts from
President Polk's communication and from Mr. Trist's replies to
the above officials.
Mr. Buchanan wrote to Mr. Trist, October 6, 1847, that he
had seen a printed Spanish document, coming from Vera Cruz,
giving a history in detail of the origin, progress, and unsuccessful termination of his negotiations with the Mexican commissioners during the armistice, and in this printed document the Mexican commissioners are represented to have stated " that he, Trist,
had proposed (if other terms of the treaty were made satisfactory)
to refer to Washington, with some hope of a good result, the question of surrendering to Mexico that portion of the sovereign
State of Texas between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, or any
part of Upper California." The Secretary stated in this letter
that, in justice to Mr. Trist, he did not believe he had submitted
any such proposition. His original instructions had been framed
in a spirit of forbearance and moderation. * * * Circumstances had entirely changed since the date of those instructions. Much treasure had been expended, many lives lost,
with additional defeats to the enemy.
The counter Projel submitted by the Mexican commissioners
was so extravagant that it was believed the liberal terms offered
by the United States were due to their fear as to the result of
the war, and under this view, it was thought his presence with
the Army would be productive of no good, and he was recalled,
but if he had made a treaty he could bring it with him; if he
was in the act of negotiating one he must suspend it, and inform
the Mexican commissioners that he would lay promptly any
terms they may have to submit before the President on his
return, but he was not to delay his departure for the purpose of
bringing such terms. Mr. Buchanan, on the 25th of October,
informed Mr. Trist that his own communication to him of the
4th of September confirmed the statement in the printed docu



ï~~Buchanan' s Letter.

545

ment front Vera Cruz, as to the boundary he was disposed to
submit to his Government if the Mexicans would accept the
projet of the treaty in other respects. The President, he wrote,
deeply regretted that he had gone so far beyond the carefully
considered ultimatum to which he had been limited by his instructions, and he-the Secretary-had been directed to reiterate his recall. In this letter it is also stated: " Texas is in the
exercise of peaceable and undisturbed jurisdiction over the
country between the Neuces and the Rio Grande. She has
made extensive grants of land within its limits; divided it into
counties, which have been represented in her convention and
legislative assemblies; established courts of justice therein; and,
in short, has exercised the same soverign rights over it as over
any other portion of her territory. * * *
" Under such circumstances, the President could not, for a
single moment, entertain the question of surrendering that portion of Texas, even if it were practicable; but such is not the
case.
" Considering the enterprising and energetic character of the
American people, it would be impossible to expel by force the
inhabitants between the Nueces and the Rio Grande from their
possessions, and to convert this territory for the security of the
Mexican frontier."
The Secretary of State was greatly mistaken as to the American population at that time between these two rivers. When
the United States forces, under General Taylor, landed in July,
1845, at Corpus Christi, that place and Point Isabel, the seaport
for Matamoros, and nine miles east of the Rio Grande, were the
only occupied points. Those living at the latter were wholly
Mexican, and at the former were scarcely a dozen Americans.
Immediately on the east bank of the Rio Grande were a few
small villages, Laredo, of some ten or twelve hundred inhabitants, entirely Mexicans, being the largest.
When the treaty of peace was transmitted February 23, 1848,
by President Polk, to the Senate, it was informed that Commissioner Trist, having transcended his instructions, had been
recalled, and the treaty had therefore been made without authority, he, the President, having decided that Mexico, if she
desired peace, should transmit her propositions to the Government of the United States through the commander of the
American troops. " It was not expected," says the President,
" that Mr. Trist would remain in Mexico, or continue in the




ï~~The President's 2itessagt.
exercise of the functions of commissioner after he received his
letter of recall. He has, however, done so, and the Plenipotentiaries of the Mexican Government with a knowledge of the
fact, have concluded with him this treaty. I have examined it
with a full knowledge of the extraordinary circumstances attending its conclusion and signature, which might be objected
to, but conforming as it does, substantially on the main questions of boundary and indemnity, to the terms which our commissioner when he left the United States in April last was
authorized to offer, and animated as I am by the spirit which
has governed all my official conduct towards Mexico, I have
felt it my duty to submit it to the Senate for their consideration,
with a view to its ratification."*
And again, in his message of February 29, 1848, in response
to a call by the Senate for the correspondence between Mr.
Trist and Secretary Buchanan since the recall of the former,
the President says: " It will be perceived they contain much
matter that is impertinent, irrelevant, and highly exceptionable.
* * * It is impossible that I can approve the conduct of
Mr. Trist in disobeying the positive orders of his Government,
contained in the letter recalling him, or do otherwise than condemn much of the matter with which he has chosen to encumber his voluminous correspondence. Though all his acts since
his recall might have been disowned by his Government, yet
Mexico can make no such exception. The treaty which the
Mexican Commissioners have negotiated, with a full knowledge on their part that he had been recalled from his mission,
is binding on Mexico. * * * Looking at the actual condition of Mexico, and believing that if the present treaty be rejected, the war will probably be continued at great expense of
life and treasure for an indefinite period, and considering that
the terms, with the exceptions mentioned in my message of the
22d instant, conformed substantially so far as relates to the
main question of boundary, to those authorized by me in April
last, I consider it to be my solemn duty to the country, uninfluenced by the exceptionable conduct of Mr. Trist, to submit
the treaty to the Senate with a recommendation that it be ratified with the modifications suggested."
* Ex. Doc., No. 52, 30th Cong., First Session. Confidential.




ï~~Trist' s Reply to Buchanan.

547

In Mr. Trist's defense it may be said, that when appointed
peace commissioner and despatched to Mexico with instructions to accompany the headquarters of the American Army
in its advance upon the capital, he was provided with the projet
of the treaty his Government was willing to make, and with
also a letter of instructions, in which we read: " You may in
conversation with him (the Mexican Plenipotentiary), ascertain
what change in the terms of the projet the Mexican Government would require, and if this should become indispensable to
attain the object, you may modify those terms, including the
amount to be paid Mexico, in the following particulars," etc.,
In the letter of instructions was also the following: " The
extension of our boundaries over New Mexico and Upper California, for a sum not to exceed $20,000,000.00, is to be regarded
as a sine qau non of any treaty. You may modify, change,
or omit the other terms of the Prolet, if needful, but not so as
to interfere with this ultimatum."  Mr. Trist had literally violated no orders or instructions.
Secretary of State, John C. Calhoun, when the joint resolution for annexation passed the U. S. Congress, informed the
Mexican Government through its Minister then in Washington
that the Government of the United States had " taken every
precaution to make the terms of the treaty as little objectionable to Mexico as possible, and among others has left the boundary of Texas without specification, so that what the line of
boundary should be, might be an open question, to be fairly
and fully discussed and settled according to the rights of each."
On November 22, Mr. Trist was informed by Minister Pefia y
Pefia that commissioners had been appointed by the Mexican
Government to treat with him for peace; but the former had in
the meantime been recalled; the Mexican Minister was notified
of that fact, and also that propositions for peace coming from
Mexico must be submitted to the United States Government
through the commander of its troops in that country.
Mr. Trist in reply to the Secretary of State, notifying him of
his recall, says: " For the present I will merely call attention
to the fact, that a mere offer to refer a question to my Government constitutes the only grounds on which I can be charged
with 'having gone so far beyond the carefully considered ultimatum to which I was limited by my instructions.' Whether
this offer, Wider the circumstances and prospects of the crisis




ï~~548

Mexican Opinion of Mr. Trist.

when it was made, was wise or unwise, is a question which no
longer possesses any practical importance, though the time was
when it constituted with me a subject of the most careful and
the most anxious deliberation; not because of the personal responsibility attaching to the decision in which that deliberation
resulted, but because I knew and felt that upon my decision depended, according to every human probability, the early cessation of the war, or its indefinite protraction. The alternative
presented by the position in which I found myself, was on the
one hand to keep on safe ground as far as I was personally concerned, and destroy the only possible chance for a peace; on
the other hand, to assume responsibility and keep that chance
alive with prospects, at least, that the adoption of our firojet
might come to pass." He then referred to the great depression
among the leading men of the peace party, when it became
known that he had been recalled, and the corresponding exultation among those clamorous for a continuation of the war.
Mr. Trist present in Mexico, knowing the relative strength
of the many political factions contending for the ascendency,
seizing the moment favorable to the peace party, assumed the
responsibility and, although without authority, made a treaty
which he knew would be. acceptable to his Government, thus
putting it in its power to terminate the war, if it so desired.
The correspondence between him and the State Department
demonstrates clearly that in remaining in Mexico on his own
responsibility, and negotiating a treaty without authority, he
acted wisely, and that his reasons for so doing were the same
that induced the President to accept and to transmit it to the
Senate with the recommendation that it be ratified.
The opinion entertained of Mr. Trist by the Mexican Commissioners may prove interesting. When the armistice was
dissolved by order of General Scott, these commissioners, under
date of September 7, 1847, in sending in their report to the
Minister of Foreign Relations, concluded it with the following
reference to Mr. Trist: " It only remains for us to say, that in
all ou-: relations with Mr. Trist, we found ample motives to appreciate his noble character, and if at any time the work of
peace is consummated, it will be done by negotiators adorned
by the same estimable gifts which in our judgment distinguish
him." The action both of the President and of the Senate
with reference to the Guadalupe Hidalgo Treaty, fully justified




ï~~The Mexican Congress Ratifies the Treaty.       549
his conduct, and that he was entitled to the thanks of his Government, and not to its condemnation and neglect, must be conceded. The President admitted the treaty was essentially such
as had been desired, and its ratification was urged by him, fearing like Mr. Trist, unless this was done, the war might be protracted an indefinite period.
The Mexican Government had great obstacles to overcome
to secure the ratification of this, to them, most important
treaty. The first and greatest was the assembling of the National Congress, for without it, under the Constitution of Mexico, nothing could be done. Notwithstanding the most strenuous efforts by the Pefia and Anaya administrations, time
passed away, and in April the requisite number of Representatives had not assembled in Quer6taro, the temporary capital.
They were finally brought together early in May, and on the
7th met and organized for business.
Pefia y Pefia, in January preceding, pursuant to a constitutional proviso,* had returned to the presidency, and sent in his
message, explaining the policy pursued by the Government
and the motives that induced him to recommend the ratification of the treaty. Two documents of much importance were
submitted to the Mexican Congress, defending the treaty and
urging its adoption, one by Seflor Luis-de-la-Rosa, Minister of
Foreign Relations, the other by the peace commissioners, giving ekplanations why they were compelled to agree to the extravagant demands of the conqueror. The Committee on Foreign Relations, in the Chamber of Deputies, submitted their
report the 13th of May, recommending the adoption of the
treaty, with the modifications adopted by the U. S. Senate.
The treaty was approved in the Chamber of Deputies after an
animated but decorous debate, by a vote of 51 ayes, nays 35.
The subject was taken up at once in the Senate, the Committee
on Foreign* Relations recommended its adoption, and it passed
that body, ayes 23, nays 4. May 26, a protocol explaining the
modifications of the treaty made by the Senate of the United
*The new Congress was to have met in Quer6taro January 8, 1848, when
a president would have been elected regularly, and for the period of four
years; but Congress had not assembled on that day, and Anaya, the adinterim-president, ceased to be president January 8, leaving the office vacant, and causing it to devolve, under the constitution, provisionally on
the Pkesident of the Supreme Court, Pefia y Pefla, who would serve until
Congress should meet and elect the president.




ï~~550    The Capital Evacuated by U. 8. Forces.
States, was agreed upon by Messrs. Clifford and Sevier and
Minister Rosa. May 30th the ratifications were exchanged in
Quer6taro, " and thus," says Mexican history, " was definitely
consummated one of the affairs of the greatest historical celebrity contained in our annals. * *     Being sadly affected
by an event that has reduced us to the most frightful abasement of
misfortune and discredit, we feel incapable of expressing ourselves with that impartiality that ought to characterize the historian."
The treaty having been confirmed, General Butler isssued,
May 29, 1848, an order announcing the termination of the Mexican war and the speedy evacuation of the city. The troops in
the capital and vicinity would march to Encero, six miles below
Jalapa, in the following order, the detachments at and near Toluca and in the Cuernavaca Valley having first been drawn in:
(i) The siege train under Lieutenant Hagner and Captain Roland's Second Artillery heavy battery, with a company of the
Third Artillery as additional escort. (2) The second division
of volunteers under Brigadier-General Marshall. (3) The first
division of volunteers under Major-General Patterson. (4) The
third divison of regulars-Pillow's-under Colonel Trousdale,
Fourteenth Infantry, the senior officer of the division present.
(5) The second division of regulars-Twiggs'-under BrigadierGeneral Kearny.    (6) The first division of regulars, under
Brevet Major-General Worth.
The volunteer divisions were to be joined on the march by
any detachments they might have at posts along the route.
Guards of regulars would be left at these points until the last
division passed, and then join it. * * * (8) Prisoners under
sentence of death, or to be dishonorably discharged, to march
with their regiments; no troops were to leave Jalapa until notified by Brig.-Gen. P. F. Smith that transportation awaited them
at Vera Cruz. * * * (i i) Commanding officer at Tampico to
give orders for its evacuation. * * * (16) The San Patricio
prisoners still confined to be discharged.*
Worth's division, the last to leave the Mexican capital, assembled in the Grand Plaza, 6 a. m., where many Mexicans of the
class called leferos had already collected. The United States
flag was hauled down and saluted by Captain Shover's battery,
* Sixteen of these had their sentence of death commuted by General
Scott (Ex. Doc. No. 1, 2d sess., 30th Congress).




ï~~Ceremony of Saluting Both Flags.

551

Third Artillery; then by a Mexican battery. The Mexican flag
was run up, and saluted by their battery, followed by Duncan's.
June 8, 1848, General Orders No. 2 were issued from the War
Department, directing the Quartermaster Department to take
measures for the transportation of the volunteer regiments, battalions, and companies to points as near their homes as circumstances and the conveniences of the service would permit, the
volunteers being the first to sail from Vera Cruz.
The new ten regiments-regulars-were to follow the volunteers, to be duly mustered, inspected, and the enlisted men paid
and discharged, as follows: The Third Dragoons at Jefferson
Barracks, the Ninth Infantry at Fort Adams, the Tenth and
Eleventh at Fort Hamilton, the Twelfth and Fourteenth at New
Orleans, the Thirteenth at Mobile, the Fifteenth at Cincinnati,
the Sixteenth at Newport Barracks, and the Voltigeurs at Fort
McHenry.
The old regiments-permanent or regular Army, were the first
to cross the Rio Grande and the last to sail from Vera Cruz; the
First and Second Artillery were ordered to rendezvous at Governor's Island and the Third and Fourth Artillery at Fort Monroe. The First, Second, Third, and Fourth Infantry, under the
orders of Brevet Major-General Twiggs, were to be concentrated
at or near Pass Christian; three companies of the First and seven
of the Second Dragoons with the main Army; the Mounted
Rifles, and Sixth, Seventh, and Eighth Infantry, to assemble
under Brigadier-General Kearny at Jefferson Barracks; eight
companies of artillery remaining with the "Army of Occupation,') were to take post temporarily on the left bank of the Rio
Grande.
When the ceremony of saluting the flags of the two countries
was over, a number of army wagons filed out of the court-yard
of the palace, turned to the right, and followed Worth's
division towards the Garita at San Lazaro. A section of artillery, Duncan's battery, under Lieut. H. J. Hunt, the caissons
preceding the guns, brought up the rear of the division. There
were a number of the rougher element of the population in the
plaza and along the line of march to the Garita, who belonged
to the class of citizens who had stoned the American teams and
their drivers in the streets of the city during the armistice of the
preceding summer. To insure good order during the withdrawal of the last division of the American Army, to prevent




ï~~552     Herrera and Cabinet Again Installed.
or instantly check any hostile demonstration on the part of the
easily-excited rabble, every precaution was taken. General
Worth, with Lieutenant Hunt by his side, rode in rear of the
two guns followed by the rabble, and was the last of the Army
to pass out of the eastern gate of the city, at about 8 a. m., June
12, 1848.*
President Herrera, elected Chief Executive on the assembling
of Congress, arrived at Mixcoac on the 9th with his Cabinet and
was duly installed the following day in the capital under the
folds of the tri-colored flag which once more securely waved
over the National Palace. There were apprehensions that the
departure of the American Army would be the signal of tumult,
but the energetic measures adopted by the authorities insured
good order and inspired hopes that the affairs of the country
would be in future more wisely administered. The most patriotic spirit was manifested by all the better classes of society; a
National Guard was formed for the preservation of the public
peace, and the resident foreigners, by invitation, united for a
like purpose.
By the 21st of June Worth's division arrived at Perot6, and
the following order was issued:
[General Orders No. i.]
HEADQUARTERs ARMY OF MEXICO,
June 21, 18,18.
In obedience to orders of Major-General Butler, Brevet Major-General
Worth hereby assumes command of the Army in Mexico.
W. J. WORTH,
AIajor-General.
The last order of General Butler issued in Mexico as coinmander of the Army was in Vera Cruz on the 20th of June,
when he sailed for the United States on the steamer Fanny, and
his first order issued in New Orleans bore date June 26, 1848.
Worth's division marched to Jalapa by brigades oii successive
days from Perot6, beginning the 22d. The castle and town
were evacuated 5 a. m. on the 23d, the former, with its artillery, being turned over to an officer of the Mexican Army
designated for that purpose. The 23d of June, Worth issued
* Maj.-Gen. Wm. 0. Butler, commanding the Army, left the Mexican
capital with Worth's division.




ï~~The Army Withdraws from Mexico.

553

orders at Jalapa, announcing Maj. Henry Bainbridge, of the
Seventh Infantry, civil and military governor* of that city, and
directing the breaking up of all general hospitals, and the despatch of the sick to their regiments; and on the 27th all persons claiming to be citizens of the United States were notified
that the entire military force would be withdrawn io a. m. July
2d; that all civil jurisdiction would cedse on the 29th instant,
and devolve from that date upon Mexican authorities, except
in criminal cases in which soldiers or camp followers of the
American Army were parties.
June 29, orders were issued for Worth's division to march
by brigades for Vergara on July i, and upon arrival there,
to notify Brig.-Gen. P. F. Smith in Vera Cruz. The batteries
of Taylor, Duncan, Steptoe, and Lovell marched with these
brigades, and were also to report to General Smith, who was to
advise them when vessels would be ready to receive them, preparatory to sailing for the United States.
There was some detention at Jalapa, where General Worth
remained until July i i, when he announced the proceedings
of a military commission, and sailed from Vera Cruz the 15th
of July, on the steamer Alabama.
Colonel Swords, of the Quartermaster Department, reported
that on July 17, 1848, there remained in Vera Cruz, besides the
garrison, four companies of dragoons, which would be sent off
as soon as transportation arrived. The last of these companies
sailed on the steamer Fanny the 22d. From this date to August
I, mules, horses, and such quartermaster and other public
property as had not been sold, were shipped, and on that day
the garrison, composed of five companies of the First Artillery,
sailed for New York, three on the ship Iowa and two on the
steamship Massachusetts. Gen. P. F. Smith and Staff sailed on
the steamer Alabama. The propeller, Secretary Marcy, and
steamer New Orleans, with teamsters, discharged quartermaster
men, clerks, agents, and a few horses, did not sail until August
2. The entire number transported by the Quartermaster Department from Vera Cruz was 29, 175. Of this number about
2,500 were employ6s of various kinds.
It is seen that the Army withdrew from Mexico, and that
most of the reinforcements that joined passed through Vera
Bvt. Lieut. Col. Dixon S. Miles, of the Seventh United States Infantry,
was the last officer to hold the p9sition, and only for a day or two.




ï~~554 Garrisons in the Newly Acquired Territories.
Cruz in summer, the yellow fever season. Colonel Swords, in
a report dated Washington, August 31, 1848, says: " In consequence, as I understand, of the small supply of provisions in
depot at Vera Cruz all troops leaving there previous to the I5th
of July were ordered to some port on the Gulf of Mexico, which
involved considerable extra expense, as further transportation
had to be provided in New Orleans."
Although every precaution was taken to preserve the health
of the Army as it passed through the lierra caliente in midsummer, many sickened and died, and a large number contracted
diseases that proved fatal within a few months; in some instances
they lingered for years. Prominent among the first class was
Brigadier-General Kearny, who died at Jefferson Barracks October 31, 1848, and of the latter Gen. Persifor F. Smith, who
was sick for years with the disease he brought from Mexico,
and of which he died May 17, 1858.
Foreseeing the necessity for troops in the newly-acquired territories, and the delay that must ensue in sending them from
the United States, orders in anticipation of peace were given
to the General-in-Chief to send a regimert from the Army in
Mexico to California, but the Mexican Government refused to
permit its passage to the Pacific Ocean. Orders were in like
manner given to General Wool, commanding on the line of the
Rio Grande, to send a part of the regular troops with him to
California and New Mexico, and in obedience to these instructions two companies of the First and two of the Second Dragoons
proceeded up the Rio Grande to near Fl Paso, crossed over to
the Gila, down that river, and crossed the Colorado into California. One company of Dragoons and one of Light Artillery
were also sent from Wool's command on the Mexican side of
the Rio Grande to Santa F6.
No troops had ever been stationed in Oregon, and as it had
been raided by hostile Indians, the War Department took the
earliest possible measures to send garrisons there, and ordered
the Mounted Rifles regiment, even before its return from Mexico,
to proceed to Oregon, believing it could reich its destination
before winter. But this arrangement was frustrated by an act
of Congress, which authorized the enlisted men of the regiment
who had served in Mexico to " receive on application an honorable discharge from the United States service, and stand as if
they had served out their enlistment," and by operation of this




ï~~Close of the War Officially Announced.        555
act the regiment as to the rank and file was in effect discharged.
Other regiments of the permanent military establishment were
greatly reduced at the close of the war, for they had been to a
considerable extent filled up by recruits enlisted to serve during
the war.
Upon the exchange of the ratifications of the treaty of peace
with Mexico, the temporary governments by virtue of the rights
of war established by military and naval commanders ceased to
have any obligatory force. The President, impressed with the
necessity of establishing territorial governments over them,
recommended the subject to Congress, but it adjourned without
making any provision therefor. Hence it became necessary to
regard the military governments as defacto governments, and
with the assumed consent of the people continue them. Indian
depredations had been committed in Oregon, and were liable to
occur at any moment. To check these and protect California
from a similar infliction the Second Infantry and four companies
of artillery sailed frOm New York in November, 1848, under
orders for California and Oregon. These companies were, under
the act of August 14, 1848, increased to sixty-four privates, at
the expense of the remaining companies of artillery and infantry,
which by the same act were to be thirty-nine or forty privates to
the company.
In General Order No. 35, War Department, July 6, 1848, the
President's proclamation declaring the termination of the war
between the United States and the Republic of Mexico was officially announced, the discharge of the new regulars and volunteers, and that " all officers serving as aides-de-camp to general
officers whose commands or commissions terminate with the
war, will join their respective regiments without delay." It
also embraced other detailed instructions.
Under General Order No. 36, July 7, 1848, general and staff
officers called into service by the war would be honorably discharged, to date from July 20. 1848.
President Polk, in his message to Congress December, 1848,
says: " Within less than four years, the annexation of Texas to
the Union has been consummated; all conflicting claims to the
Oregon Territory south of the 49th parallel of north latitude,
being all that was insisted on by any of my predecessors, have
been adjusted; and New Mexico and Upper California have
been acquired by treaty. The Territories thus acquired con



ï~~556

Polk's Message.

sisted of New Mexico, the present States of Colorado, Nevada,
and California, and the Territory of Utah.
" The area of these several Territories, according to a report
carefully prepared by the Commissioner of the General Land
Office from the most authentic information in his possession,
and which is herewith transmitted, contains one million, one
hundred and ninety-three thousand and sixty-one square miles,
or seven hundred and sixty-three millions of acres, while the
area of the remaining twenty-nine States and the Territories
not yet organized iitto States east of the Rocky Mountains contains two millions, fifty-nine thousand, five hundred and thirteen square miles, or one thousand three hundred and eighteen
millions of acres, showing that our territories recently acquired
constitute a country more than half as large as all that was
held by the United States before their acquisition. Excluding
Oregon, there is an addition equal to more than one-third of
all the territory owned by the United States before their acquisition. * * * The Mississippi, so lately the frontier of
our country, is now only its center. The acquisition of California and New Mexico, the settlement of the Oregon boundary, the annexation of Texas * * * are of greater consequences, and will add more to the strength and welfare of the
nation than any which have preceded them since the adoption
of the Constitution."
The glowing terms in which the President referred, in his
message of 1848, to the immense acquisitions of territory, rich
in mineral and agricultural resources, and with great salubrity
of climate, embracing the most important ports on the Pacific
with great extension of sea-coast, leave no room to doubt that
he and his Cabinet regarded the Mexican war and the great
material gain it brought as the crowning act of his administration. But while he enumerated with great pride and apparent
satisfaction what had been accomplished, in his message there
was much indicating clearly serious apprehensions lest a want
of harmony of views between himself and one branch of the
Legislative Department of the Government might give rise to
bitter party feuds with high political excitement threatening
even the peace of the country.
He had in a previous message, July 6, 1848, to Congress upon
the exchange of ratifications of the treaty of peace, urged it to
provide territorial governments for New Mexico and California,




ï~~" Free SoilI"  Movement of 1848.

as the military governments over them must cease with the war,
but it adjourned without creating such governments. The question was again brought to the attention of Congress by President
Polk in his message of December 5, 1848, in which he said: " It
is our solemn duty to provide with the least possible delay for
New Mexico and California regularly organized territorial governments. The causes of the failure to do so at the last session
of Congress are well known-the Wilmot Proviso-and deeply
to be regretted."
Representative Daniel Wilmot, from Pennsylvania, had moved
the following amendment* to a bill making an appropriation for
payment to Mexico for certain portions of her territory: " That
as an express and fundamental condition to the acquisition of
any territory irom the Republic of Mexico by the United States
neither slavery nor involuntary servitude shall ever exist in
any such territory." This amendment was adopted by the
House, but rejected by the Senate, and became the starting
point of the " free soil " movement of 1848.
That this amendment, with the vote in favor of it by the
House of Representatives, should have produced a profound
sensation throughout the country, and more especially in the
southern section of it, was to have been expected, for at that
time the Government of the United States was conceded by all
parties to be a Federal Government, in which not individuals
but States, as distinct sovereign communities, were parties.
To them, the States, as members of the Federal Union, the
territories belonged, and they were hence declared to be territotories belonging to the United States. The States are, or were,
the joint owners of the territories. All writers on the subject
concede that they are equal in rights, equal in dignity. They
concede also that this equality constitutes the basis of the Government, and that it can not be destroyed without changing its
nature and character. To deprive them, the Southern States,
and their citizens of their full share in the territories declared
to belong to them in common with the other States was in derogation of the equality belonging to them as members of a Federal Union, and sink them from being equals into a subordinate
* The "Proviso " had been prepared by Representative Brinkerhoff, of
Ohio, but the Speaker failing to recognize him, and he believing he would
not be recognized, asked Wilmot to introduce it while he retired from the
House for a few minutes.




ï~~558

The War of 1861 Foreshadowed.

and dependent condition. Much of the newly-acquired territory lay south of 360 30', commonly known as the Missouri
Compromise Line.
The President in his message continues: " In view of the
high and responsible duties which we owe to ourselves and to
mankind, I trust you may be able at your present session to
approach the adjustment of the only domestic question which
seriously threatens to disturb the harmony and successful operations of our system. * * * Shall the dissimilarity of domestic institutions of the different States prevent us from
providing them suitable governments? These institutions
existed at the adoption of the Constitution, but the obstacles
which they interposed were overcome by that spirit of compromise which is now invoked.
" In organizing Governments over these Territories, fraught
with such vast advantages to every portion of our Union, I
invoke that spirit of concession, conciliation, and compromise
in your deliberations in which the Constitution was framed, in
which it should be administered, and which is indispensable to
preserve and perpetuate the harmony and union of the States.
We should never forget that this Union of confederate States
was established and cemented by kindred blood and by the
common toils and sufferings, dangers and triumphs of all its
parts, and has been the ever-augmenting source of our national
greatness and all our blessings.
" If Congress, instead of observing the course of non-intervention, leaving the adoption of their own domestic institutions to
the people who may inhabit these territories, or, if instead of
extending the Missouri Compromise Line to the Pacific Ocean,
shall prefer to submit the legal and constitutional question
which may arise to the decision of the judicial tribunals as was
proposed in a bill which passed the Senate at your last session,
an adjustment may be effected in this mode. If the whole
question be referred to the judiciary all sections of the Union
should cheerfully acquiesce in the final decision of the tribunal
created by the Constitution for the settlement of all questions
which may arise under the Constitution, treaties, and laws of
the United States." There can be no doubt that the late war
(1861) between the States flowed directly from and was hastened
by the Mexican war.




ï~~A   War of Aggression, Says M~exico.        559
The Mexicans regarded the war waged by the United States
against them as one of aggression and conquest; and Minister
Rosa, under date of October 3 1, 1847, in response to a note from
Mr. Trist of September 20, proposing to reopen negotiations,
says: "The " undersigned can assure his Excellency, Mr. Trist,
that the Government of Mexico is animated by the same ardent
wish as his Excellency for the cessation of a war, the calamity
of which now bears heavily upon this Republic, and the consequences of which will sooner or later make themselves felt by
the United States of America." Seflor Pef'ia y Pefia when
Minister had used similar and even stronger language.




ï~~CONCLUSION.
"Homeward bound!" are thrilling and suggestive words.
How thrilling, how suggestive, no sojourners in a foreign land
ever more fully realized than did the United States troops in
Mexico. Responding to their country's call in the hour of
danger, and commissioned by her to "conquer a peace." they
waged a contest unique in American and unparalleled in historic
annals. The only war in which the United States forces ever
invaded an enemy's country, occupied its capital and held its
territory by right of conquest, it is also the only one ever undertaken by any nation to " conquer a peace," and in which
the material advantages gained by the victors were counterbalanced by the political, commercial, and educational benefits accruing to the vanquished.
Tabasco, where Commodore Perry won his famous victory,
was the scene of Cortez's first triumph; many of Scott's battles were fought on fields and ridges baptized 300 years before with blood by the Spanish legions, and his line of march
was over the same plains, rivers, and hills crossed by Cortez;
but how different the records of the two commanders-the
Spaniard's marked by massacre, rapine, and pillage; the
American's just, humane, conciliatory. Scott's magnanimity at Churubusco was supplemented by his Government
when tendering a fair equivalent for domain already conquered and possessed.
The American soldiers, educated and patriotic, were far
superior in moral and physical force to their opponents, but
the American graves at Palo Alto, Monterey, Buena Vista,
Vera Cruz, Tabasco, Cerro Gordo, Sacramento, and Churu.
-560




ï~~Conclusion.

661

busco attested the valor and energy with which the Mexicans resisted invasion. That Santa Anta, Arista, and Ampudia were outgeneraled by Taylor and Scott, all students
of history must concede, and that the lattef made errors no
one can deny; but the great Turenne said: " Show me the
general who has committed no faults in war and he will be
one who has seldom made war." In both armies distrust
and jealousy were rampant in high places, there were bitter
rivalries and enmities between commanders, and ill-concealed suspicion and resentment against superior authority.
Each battle field had its skillful leader and gallant hero,
whose strategic move or dashing charge was commemorated
by poet and painter; but underlying this skill and prowess\
were the energy, courage, and patient endurance of the rank
and file, whose sturdy arms and stout hearts made leadership
and heroism possible.
The United States forces employed in the invasion of
Mexico aggregated about ioo,ooo armed men-26,690 regulars, 56,926 volunteers, and the balance in the navy, commissariat and transportation departments. Of this number 120
officers and 1,400 men fill in battle or died from wounds received there; ioo officers and ic,8oo perished by disease, always more fatal than bullets, and many were ruined in health
or disabled by wotinds-in all about 25,000. The cost, exclusive of pensions granted in late years, was from 130 to i6o
millions of dollars.
Turning from the debit to the credit side, the United States
gained in Texas and the ceded territory about i,000,000
square miles of land, increasing their area one-third and adding 5,000 miles of seacoast and three great harbors; but the
paramount gain from the Mexican war was one not measurable by square miles or to be estimated by dollars-a national
prestige inspiring confidence at home and respect abroad. Its
momentum generated a force which, flashing forth in 1861,
removed the blot of slavery from the national escutcheon and
is not yet spent. Three Presidents-Taylor, Pierce, and
Grant-bore in it honorable service, the roll calls of the
Congresses immediately succeeding it were almost echoes
of the muster-rolls at Scott's and Taylor's headquarters, and
in the civil war (thirteen years later) the great leaders on




ï~~562

Conclusion.

both sides owed their pre-eminence in skill and strategy to
preliminary training in Mexico where, planning attacks,
masking batteries, turning positions, or in the rythmic flow
of iron and flame in siege and assault, they received their
baptism of fire.
Soon after the termination of the war some unconscious and
unwitting Argonauts, not like Jason's crew in Colchis, sowing
dragons teeth and battling with gods and goddesses, but engaged in peaceful pursuits, discovered some shining grains of
gold in a California mill-race, and as if by magic touched a
spring that, opening, revealed the hidden treasures divined
but fruitlessly sought by Cortez, De Soto, Ponce-de-Leon, and
which were destined to change a wilderness to empire. This
(the discovery of gold in territory acquired by it and the consequent rush of emigration thither) may be considered the
fitst fruits of the memorable struggle which the author has
aimed to recall.
Many scenes portrayed by him will be familiar to the Mexican war veterans who, in the full honors of useful years, still
remain in our midst; but that unerring marksman, Death, is
steadily reducing their ranks, and ere long their memories, not
their living examples, will voice the great lesson: "Be just
and fear not; let all the ends thou aimest at be thy country's,
thy God's, and truth's."




ï~~APPENDIx A.
MEXICO, I848.-THE TREATY OF GUADALUPE HIDALGO.
TREATY OF PEACE, FRIENDSHIP, LIMITS, AND SETTLEMENT
WITH THE REPUBLIC OF MEXICO.-CONCLUDED FEBRUARY
2, 1848; RATIFICATIONS EXCHANGED AT QUERETARO, MAY
30, 1848; PROCLAIMED JULY 4, 1848.
In the name of Almighty God:
The United States of America and the United Mexican States, animated by a sincere desire to put an end to the calamities of the war
which unhappily exists between the two Republics, and to establish
upon a solid basis relations of peace and friendship, which shall confer reciprocal benefits upon the citizens of both, and assure the concord, harmony, and mutual confidence wherein the two people should
live, as good neighbors, have for that purpose appointed their respective plenipotentiaries, that is to say:
The President of the United States has appointed Nicholas P. Trist,
a citizen of the United States, and the President of the Mexican Republic has appointed Don Luis Gonzaga Cuevas, Don Bernardo Couto,
and Don Miguel Atristain, citizens of the said Republic;
Who, after a reciprocal communication of their respective full powers, have, under the protection of Almighty God, the author of peace,
arranged, agreed upon, and signed the following
Treaty of Peace, Friendship, Limits, and Settlement between the
United States of America and the Mexican Republic.
ARTICLE I.
There shall be firm and universal peace between the United States
of America and the Mexican Republic, and between their respective
countries, territories, cities, towns, and people, without exception of
places or persons.
-563




ï~~664          Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
ARxicii II.
Immediately upon the signature of this treaty, a convention shall
be entered into between a commissioner or commissioners appointed
by the General-in-chief of the forces of the United States, and such as
may be appointed by the Mexican Government, to the end that a
provisional suspension of hostilities shall take place, and that, in the
places occupied by the said forces, constitutional order may be reestablished, as regards the political, administrative, and judicial
branches, so far as this shall be permitted by the circumstances of
military occupation.    ARicE III.
Immediately upon the ratification of the present treaty by the Government of the United States, orders shall be transmitted to the commanders of their land and naval forces, requiring the latter (provided
this treaty shall then have been ratified by the Government of the
Mexican Republic, and the ratifications exchanged) immediately to
desist from blockading any Mexican ports; and requiring the former
(under the same condition) to commence, at the earliest moment practicable, withdrawing all troops of the United States then in the interior of the Mexican Republic, to points that shall be selected by
common agreement, at a distance from the seaports not exceeding
thirty leagues; and such evacuation of the interior of the Republic
shall be completed with the least possible delay; the Mexican Government hereby binding itself to afford every facility in its power for
rendering the same convenient to the troops, on their march and in
their new positions, and for promoting a good understanding between
them and the inhabitants. In like manner orders shall be des
patched to the persons in charge of the custom-houses at all ports
occupied by the forces of the United States, requiring them (under
the same condition) immediately to deliver possession of the same to
the persons authorized by the Mexican Government to receive it,
together with all bonds and evidence, of debt for duties oil importations and on exportations, not yet fallen due. Moreover, a faithful
and exact account shall be made out, showing the entire amount of
all duties on imports and on exports, collected at such custom-houses,
or elsewhere in Mexico, by authority of the United States, from and
after the day of ratification of this ti (at) by the Government of the
Mexican Republic; and also an account of the cost of collection; and
such entire amount, deducting only the cost of collection, shall be delivered to the Meican Government, at the city of Mexico, within
three months after the exchange of ratifications.
The evacuation of the capital of the Mexican Republic by the troops
of the United States, in virtue of the above stipulation, shall be completed in one month after the orders there stipulated for shall have
been received by the commander of.aid troop,, or sooner if possible.
ARTIcLL IV.
Immediately after the exchange of ratifications of the present
treaty all castles, forts, territories, places, and possessions, which




ï~~treaty of' Guadalupe Hidalgo.              565
have been taken or occupied by the forces of the United States during the present war, within the limits of the Mexican Republic, as
about to be established by the following article, shall be definitely
restored to the said Republic, together with all the artillery, arms,
apparatus of war, munitions, and other public property, which were
in the said castles and forts when captured, and which shall remain
there at the time when this treaty shall be duly ratified by the Government of the Mexican Republic. To this end, immediately upon
the signature of this treaty, orders shall be despatched to the American officers commanding such castles and forts. securing against the
removal or destruction of any such artillery, arms, apparatus of war,
munitions, or other public property. The city of Mexico, within the
inner line of intrenchments surrounding the said city, is comprehended in the above stipulation, as regards the restoration of artillery, apparatus of war, etc.
The final evacuation of the territory of the Mexican Republic, by
the forces of the United States, shall be completed in three months
from the said exchange of ratifications, or sooner if possible; the
Mexican Government hereby engaging, as in the foregoing article, to
use all means in its power for facilitating such evacuation, and rendering it convenient to the troops, and for promoting a good understanding between them and the inhabitants.
If, however, the ratification of this treaty by both parties should not
take place in time to allow the embarkation of the troops of the
United States to be completed before the commencement of the sickly
season, at the Mexican ports on the Gulf of Mexico, in such case a
friendly arrangement shall be entered into between the General-inchief of the said troops and the Mexican Government, whereby
healthy and otherwise suitable places, at a distance from the ports
not exceeding thirty leagues, shall be designated for the residence
of such troops as may not yet have embarked, until the return of the
healthy season. And the space of time here referred to as comprehending the sickly season shall be understood to extend from the
first day of May to the first day of November.
All prisoners of war taken on either side, on land or on sea, shall
be restored as soon as practicable after the exchange of ratifications
of this treaty. It is also agreed that-if any Mexichns should be held
as captives by any savage tribe within the limits of the United States,
as about to be established by the following article, the Government
of the said United States will exact the release of such captives, and
cause them to be restored to their country.
ARTIcL  V.
The boundary line between the two Republics shall commence in
the Gulf of Mexico, three leagues from land, opposite the mouth of
the Rio Grande, otherwise called Rio Bravo del Norte,-or opposite
the mouth of its deepest branch, if it should have more than one




ï~~06V          Treaty of   Guadalupe Hidalgo.
branch emptying directly into the sea; from thence up the middle of
that river, following the deepest channel, where it has more than one;
to the point where it strikes the southern boundary of New Mexico;
thence, westwardly, along the whole southern boundary of New Mexico (which runs north of the town called Paso) to its western termination; thence, northward, along the western line of New Mexico, until
it intersects the first branch of the River Gila; (or if it should not intersect any branch of that river, then to the point on the said line nearest
to such branch, and thence in a direct line to the same;) thence down
the middle of the said branch of the said river, until it empties into
the Rio Colorado; thence across the Rio Colorado, following the division line between Upper and Lower California, to the Pacific Ocean.
The southern and western limits of New Mexico, mentioned in this
article, are those laid down in the map entitled "Map of/the United
Mexican Slates, as organized and defined by various acts of Congress of
said republic, and constructed according to the best authorities. Revised
edition. Published at New York, in r847, by J. Dislurnell;" of which
map a copy is added to this treaty, bearing the signatures and seals
of the undersigned Plenipotentiaries. And, in order to preclude all
difficulty in tracing upon the ground the limit separating Upper from
Lower California, it is agreed that the said limit shall consist of a
straight line drawn from the middle of the Rio Gila, where it unites
with the Colorado, to a point on the coast of the Pacific Ocean, distant one marine league due south of the southernmost point of the
port of San Diego, according to the plan of said port made in the
year 1782 by Don Juan Pantoja, second sailing master of the Spanish
fleet, and published at Madrid in the year 1802, in the atlas to the
voyage of the schooners Sutil and Mexicana; of which plan a copy is
hereunto added, signed and sealed by the respective Plenipotentiaries.
In order to designate the boundary line with due precision, upon
authoritative maps, and to establish upon the ground landmarks
which shall show the limits of both republics, as described in the
present article, the two Governments shall each appoint a commissioner and a surveyor, who, before the expiration of one year
from the date of the exchange of ratifications of this treaty, shall
meet at the port of San Diego, and proceed to run and mark the said
boundary in its whole course to the mouth of the Rio Bravo del Norte.
They shall keep journals and make out plans of their operations;
and the result agreed upon by them shall be deemed a part of this
treaty, and shall have the same force as if it were inserted therein.
The two Governments will amicably agree regarding what may be
necessary to these persons, and also as to their respective escorts,
should such be necessary.
The boundary line established by this article shall be religiously
respected by each of the two republics, and no change shall ever be
made therein, except by the express and free consent of both nations
lawfully given by the General Government of each, in conformity
with its own constitution.




ï~~Treaty of Guadalupe Hiddlgo.                  567
ARTICvE VI.
The vessels and citizens of the United s tates shall, in all time, have a
free and uninterrupted passage by the Gulf of California, and by the river
Colorado below its confltieuce with the Gila, to and from their possessions
situated north of the boundary line defined in the preceding article; it
being understood that this passage is to be by navigating the Gulf of
California and the river Colorado, and not by land, without the express
consent of the Mexican Government.
If, by the examinations which may be made, it should be ascertained
to be practicable and advantageous to construct a road, canal, or railroad,
which should in whole or in part run upon the river Gila, or upon
its right or its left bank, within the space of one marine league from
either margin of the river, the Governments of both republics will form
an agreement regarding its construction, in order that it may serve
equally for the use and advantage of both countries.
ARTIcLi VII.
The river Gila, and the part of the Rio Bravo del Norte lying below the
southern boundary of New Mexico, being, agreeably to the fifth article,
divided in the middle between the two republics, the navigation of the
Gila and of the Bravo below said boundary shall be free and common to the
vessels and citizens of both countries; and neither shall, without the consent of the other, construct any work that may impede or interrupt, in
whole or in part, the exercise of this right; not even for the purpose of
favoring new methods of navigation. Nor shall any tax or contribution,
under any denomination or title, be levied upon vessels, or persons navigating the same, or upon merchandise or effects transported thereon,
except in the case of landing upon one of their shores. If, for the purpose of making the said rivers navigable, pr for maintaining them in such
state, it should be necessary or advantageous to establish any tax or contribution, this shall not be done without the consent of both Governments.
The stipulations contained in the present article shall not impair the
territorial rights of either republic within its established limits.
ARTICLE VIII.
Mexicans now established in territories previously belonging to Mexico,
and which remain for the future within the limits of the United States, as
defined by the present treaty, shall be free to continue where they now
reside, or to remove at any time to the Mexican Republic, retaining the
property which they possess in the said territories, or disposing thereof,
and removing the proceeds wherever they please, without their being
subjected, on this account, to any contribution, tax, or charge whatever.
Those who shall prefer to remain in the said territories may either
retain the title and rights of Mexican citizens or acquire those of citizens
of the United States. But they shall be under the obligation to make
their election within one year from the date of the exchange of ratifications of this treaty, and those who shall remain in the said territories after




ï~~568            Treaty of Guadalupe Hidaigo.
the expiration of that year, witUoui haviug declared their iiteution to
retain the character of Mexicans, shall be considered to have elected to
become citizens of the United States
In the said territories property of every kind, now belonging to Mexicans not established there, shall be inviolably respected. The present
owners, the heirs of these, and all Mexicans who may hereafter acquire
said property by contract, shall enjoy with respect to it guarantees equally
ample as if the same belonged to citizens of the United States.
ARTIC,E IX.
The Mexicans who, in the Territories aforesaid, shall not preserve the
character of citizens of the Mexican Republic, conformably with what is
stipulated in the preceding article, shall be incorporated into the Union
of the United States, and be admitted at the proper time, to be judged
of by the Congress of the United States, to the enjoyment of all the rights
of citizens of the United States, according to the principles of the Constitution; and, in the meantime, shall be maintained and protected in
the free enjoyment of their liberty and property, and secured in the free
exercise of their religion without restriction.
ARTICLE X.
[Stricken oWt.]
ARTIcLi XI.
Considering that a great part of the Territories which, by the present
treaty, are to be comprehended for the future within the limits of the
United States is now occupied by savage tribes, who will hereafter be
under the exclusive control of the Government of the United States, and
whose incursions within the Territory of Mexico would be prejudicial in
the extreme, it is solemnly agreed that all such incursions shall be forcibly
restrained by the Government of the United States whensoever this may
be necessary; and that, when they cannot be prevented, they shall be punished by the said Government, and satisfaction for the same shall be
exacted, all in the same way and with equal diligence and energy as if
the same incursions were meditated or committed within its own territory,
against its own citizens.
It shall not be lawful, under any pretext whatever, for any inhabitant
of the United States to purchase or acquire any Mexican or any foreigner
residing in Mexico who may have been captured by Indians inhabiting
the territory of either of the two republics; nor to purchase or acquire
horses, mules, cattle, or property of any kind stolen within Mexican
territory by such Indians.
And in the event of any person or persons captured within Mexican
territory by Indians being carried into the territory of the United States,
the Government of the latter engages and binds itself in the most solemn
manner, so soon as it shall know of such captives being within its territory,
and shall be able so to do, through the faithful exercise of its influence
and power, to rescue them and return them to their country, or deliver




ï~~Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.                  50
them to the agent or representative of the Mexican Government. The
Mexican authorities will, as far as practicable, give to the Government of
the United States notice of such captures; and its agents shall pay the
expenses incurred in the maintenance and transmission of the rescued
captives; who, in the meantime, shall be treated with the utmost hospitality by the American authorities at the place where they may be. But
if the Government of the United States, before receiving such notice
from Mexico, should obtain intelligence through any other channel of
the existence of Mexican captives within its territory, it will proceed
forthwith to effect their release and delivery to the Mexican agent, as
above stipulated.
For the purpose of giving to these stipulations the fullest possible
efficacy, thereby affording the security and redress demanded by their
true spirit and intent, the Government of the United States will now and
hereafter pass, without unnecessary delay, and always vigilantly enforce,
such laws as the nature of the subject may require. And, finally, the
sacredness of this obligation shall never be lost sight of by the said Government when providing for the removal of the Indians from any portion
of the said Territories, or for its being settled by citizens of the United
States; but, on the contrary, special care shall then be taken not to place
itq Indian occupants under the necessity of seeking new homes by com-,
mitting those invasions which the United States have, solemnly obliged
themselves to restrain.
ARTIcLU XII.
In consideration of the extension acquired by the boundaries of the
United States, as defined in the fifth article of the present treaty, the
Government of the United States engages to pay to that of the Mexican
Republic the sum, of fifteen millions of dollars.
Immediately after this treaty shall have been duly ratified by the
Government of the Mexican Republic the sum of three millions of
dollars shall be paid to the said Government by that of the United States,
at the City of Mexico, in the gold or silver coin of Mexico. The
remaining twelve millions of dollars shall be paid at the same place and
in the same coin in annual installments of three millions of dollars each,
together with interest on the same, at the rate of six per centum per
annum. This interest shall begin to run upon the whole sum of twelve
millions from the day of the ratification of the present treaty by the
Mexican Government, and the first of the installments shall be paid at the
expiration of one year from the same day, together with each annual
installment as it falls due; the whole interest accruing on such installment from the beginning shall also be paid.
ARTICLE XIII.
The United States engage, moreover, to assume and pay to the claimants
all the amounts now due them, and those hereafter to become due by
reason of t1fe claims already liquidated and decided against the Mexican
Republic under the conventions between the two Republics, severally




ï~~570           Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
concluded on the iith of April, 1839, and on the 30th of January, 1843; SO
that the Mexican Republic shall be absolutely exempt for the future from
all expense whatever on account of the said claims.
ARTICLE XIV.
The United States d6 furthermore discharge the Mexican Republic from
all claims of citizens of the United States, not heretofore decided against
the Mexican Government, which may have arisen previously to the date
of the signature of this treaty; which discharge shall be final and perpetual, whether the said claims be rejected or be allowed by the board
of commissioners provided for in the following article, and whatever shall
be the total amount of those allowed.
ARTICE XV.
The United States, exonerating Mexico from all demands on account of
the claims of their citizens mentioned in the preceding article, and considering them entirely and forever cancelled, whatever their amount may be,
undertake to make satisfaction for the same, to an amount not exceeding
three and one-quarter millions of dollars. To ascertain the validity and
amount of those claims, a board of commissioners shall be established by
the Government of the United States, whose awards shall be final and
conclusive, provided that in deciding upon the validity of each claim the
board shall be guided and governed by the principles and rules of decision
prescribed by the first and fifth articles of the unratified convention, concluded at the City of Mexico on the 20th of November, 1843; and in no
case shall an award be made in favor of any claim not embraced by these
principles and rules.
If, in the opinion of the said board of commissioners or of the claimants,
any books, records, or documents in the possession or power of the Government of the Mexican Republic shall be deemed necessary to the just
decision of any claim, the commissioners, or the claimants through them,
shall, within such period as Congress may designate, make an application
in writing for the same, addressed to the Mexican Minister for Foreign
Affairs, to be transmitted by the Secretary of State of the United States,
and the Mexican Government engages, at the earliest possible moment
after the receipt of such demand, to cause any of the books, records, or
documents so specified which shall be in their possession or power (or
authenticated copies or extracts of the same) to be transmitted to the said
Secretary of State, who shall immediately deliver them over to the said
board of commissioners; provided that no such application shall be made
by or at the instance of any claimant until the facts which it is expected
to prove by such books, records, or documents, shall have been stated
under oath or affirmation.
ARTICLU XVI.
Each of the contracting parties reserves to itself the entire right to fortify whatever point within its territory it may judge proper so to fortify
for its security.




ï~~IPrealy o   Guadalupe Hidalqo.                611
ARTICLE XVII.
The treaty of amity, commerce, and navigation, concluded at the City
of Mexico on the 5th of April, 1831, between the United States of America
and the United Mexican States, except the additional article and except
so far as the stipulations of the said treaty may be incompatible with any
stipulation contained in the present treaty, is hereby revived for the period
of eight years from the day of the exchange of ratifications of this treaty,
with the same force and virtue as if incorporated therein; it being understood that each of the contracting parties reserves to itself the right, at
any time after the said period of eight years shall have expired, to terminate the same by giving one year's notice of such intention to the other
party.
ARTICL, X II.
All supplies whatever for troops of the United States in Mexico, arriving
at ports in the occupation of such troops previous to the final evacuation
thereof, although subsequently to the restoration of the custom houses at
such ports, shall be entirely exempt from duties and charges of any kind;
the Government of the United States hereby engaging and pledging its
faith to establish and vigilantly to enforce all possible guards for securing
the revenue of Mexico, by preventing the importation, under cover of
this stipulation, of any articles other than such, both in kind and in
quantity as shall really be wanted for the use and consumption of the
forces of the United States during the time they may remain in Mexico.
To this end it shall be the duty of all officers and agents of the United
States to denounce to the Mexican authorities at the respective ports any
attempts at a fraudulent abuse of this stipulation which they may know of
or may have reason to suspect, and to give to such authorities all the aid
in their power with regard thereto; and every such attempt, when duly
proved and established by sentence of a competent tribunal, shall be
punished by the confiscation of the property so attempted to be fraudulently introduced.
ARTICIE XIX.
With respect to all merchandise, effects, and property whatsoever imported into ports of Mexico whilst in the occupation of the forces of the
United States, whether by citizens of either Republic or by citizens or
subjects of any neutral nation, the following rules shall be observed:
i. All such merchandise, effects, and property, if imported previously
to the restoration of the custom houses to the Mexican authorities, as
stipulated for in the third article of this treaty, shall be exempt from confiscation, although the importation of the same be prohibited by the
Mexican tariff.
2. The same perfect exemption shall be enjoyed by all such merchandise, effects, and property imported subsequently to the restoration
of the custom houses and previously to the sixty days fixed in the
following article for the coming into force of the Mexican tariff at such




ï~~572            Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.
ports respectively; the said merchandise, effects, and property being,
however, at the time of their importation subject to the payment of duties
as provided for in the said following article.
3. All merchandise, effects, and property described in the two rules
foregoing shall, during their continuance at the place of importation and
upon their leaving such place for the interior, be exempt from all duty,
tax, or impost of every kind under whatsoever title or denomination.
Nor shall they be there subjected to any charge whatsoever upon the sale
thereof.
4. All merchandise, effects, and property described in the first and
second rules, which shall have been removed to any place in the interior
whilst such place was in the occupation of the forces of the United States,
shall during their continuance therein be exempt from all tax upon the
sale or consumption thereof, and from every kind of impost or contribution under whatsoever title or denomination.
5. But if any merchandise, effects, or property described in the first and
second rules shall be removed to any place not occupied at the time by
the forces of the United States they shall, upon their introduction into
such place, or upon their sale or consumption there, be subject to the
same duties which under the Mexican laws they would be required to pay
in such cases if they had been imported in time of peace through the
maritime custom-houses and had there paid the duties conformably with
the Mexican tariff.
6. The owners of all merchandise, effects, or property described in the
first and second rules, and existing in any port of Mexico, shall have the
right to reship the same, exempt from all tax, impost, or contribution
whatever. With respect to the metals or other property exported from
any Mexican port whilst in the occupation of the forces of the United
States, and previously to the restoration of the custom-house at such port,
no person shall be required by the Mexican authorities, whether general
or State, to pay any tax, duty, or contribution upon any such exportation, or in any manner to account for the same to the said authorities.
ARTIciE XX.
Through consideration for the interests of commerce generally it is
agreed that if less than sixty days should elapse between the date of the
signature of this treaty and the restoration of the custom-houses, conformably with the stipulation in the third article, in such case all merchandise, effects, and property whatsoever arriving at the Mexican ports
after the restoration of the said custom-houses, and previously to the expiration of sixty days after the day of the signature of this treaty, shall be
admitted to entry; and no other duties shall be levied thereon than the
duties established by the tariff found in force at such custom-houses at the
time of the restoration of the same. And to all such merchandise, effects,
and property the rules established by the preceding article shall apply.




ï~~Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.                   573
ARTIC"F XXI.
If unhappily any disagreement should hereafter arise between the Governments of the two republics, whether with respect to the interpretation of
any stipulation in this treaty, or with respect to any other particular concerning the political or commercial relations of the two nations, the said
Governments, in the name of those nations, do promise to each other that
they' will endeavor, in the most sincere and earnest manner, to settle the
differences so arising and to preserve the state of peace and friendship in
which the two countries are now placing themselves, using for this end
mutual representations and pacific negotiations. And if, by these means,
they should not be enabled to come to an agreement a resort shall not, on
this account, be had to reprisals, aggression, or hostility of any kind, by
the one republic against the other, until the Government of that which
deems itself aggrieved shall "have maturely considered, in the spirit of
peace and good neighborship, whether it would not be better that such
difference should be settled by the arbitration of commissioners appointed
on each side, or by that of a friendly nation. And should such course be
proposed by either party it shall be acceded to by the other unless deemed
by it altogether incompatible with the nature of the difference or the circumstances of the case.
ARTICLiE XXII.
If (which is not to be expected and which God forbid) war should unhappily break out between the two republics, they do now, with a view to
such calamity, solemnly pledge themselves to each other and to the world
to observe the following rules, absolutely where the nature of the subject
permits, and as closely as possible in all cases where such absolute observance shall be impossible:
i. The merchants of either republic then residing in the other shall be
allowed to remain twelve months (for those dwelling in the interior), and six
months (for those dwelling at the seaports), to collect their debts and settle
their affairs; during which periods they shall enjoy the same protection aid
be on the same footing, in all respects, as the citizens or subjects of the most
friendly nations; and, at the expiration thereof, or at any time before, they
shall have full liberty to depart, carrying off all their effects without molesta'tion or hindrance, conforming therein to the same laws which the citizens
or subjects of the most friendly nations are required to donform to. Upon
the entrance of the armies of either nation into the territories of the other,
women and children, ecclesiastics, scholars of every faculty, cultivators of
the earth, merchants, artisans, manufacturers, and fishermen, unarme'd
and inhabiting unfortified towns, villages, or places, and in general all
persons whose occupations are for the common subsistence and benefit of
mankind, shall be allowed to continue their respective employments, unmolested in their persons. Nor shall their houses or goods be burnt or otherwise destroyed, nor their cattle taken, nor their fields wasted, by the armed
force into whose power, by the events of war, they may happen to fall;




ï~~574

Treaty of Guadalupe Hidalgo.

but if the necessity arise to take anything from them for the use of such
armed force, the same shall be paid for at an equitable price. All churches,
hospitals, schools, colleges, libraries, and other establishments for charitable and beneficent purposes shall be respected, and all persons connected
with the same protected in the discharge of their duties and the pursuit
of their vocations.
2. In order that the fate of prisoners of war may be alleviated, all such
practices as those of sending them into distant, inclement, or unwholesome
districts, or crowding them into close and noxious places shall be studiously
avoided. They shall not be confined in dungeons, prison-ships, or prisons;
nor be put in irons, or bound, or otherwise restrained in the use of their
limbs. The officers shall enjoy liberty on their parols within convenient
districts and have comfortable quarters, and the common soldier shall be
disposed in cantouments, open and extensive enough for air and exercise,
and lodged in barracks as roomy and good as are provided by the party
in whose power they are for its own troops. But if any officer shall break
his parole by leaving the district so asssgned him, or any other prisoner
shall escape from the limits of his cantonment after they shall have been
designated to him, such individual officer or other prisoner shall forfeit
so much of the benefit of this article as provides for his liberty on parole
or in cantonment. And if any officer so breaking his parole or any common soldier so escaping from the limits assigned him, shall afterwards be
found in arms, previously to his being regularly exchanged, the person so
offending shall be dealt with according to the established laws of war.
The officers shall be daily furnished, by the party in whose power they
are, with as many rations and of the same articles as are allowed, either
in kind or by commutation, to officers of equal rank in its own army, and
all others shall be daily furnished with such ration as is allowed to a common soldier in its own service, the value of all which supplies shall, at
the close of the war, or at periods to be agreed upon between the respective
commanders, be paid by the other party, on a mutual adjustment of aecounts for the subsistence of prisoners, and such accounts shall not be
mingled with or set off against any others, nor the balance due on them
be withheld, as a compensation or reprisal for any cause whatever, real or
pretended. Each party shall be allowed to keep a commissary of prisoners, appointed by itself, with every cantonment of prisoners in possession of the other, which commissary shall see the prisoners as often as he
pleases, shall be allowed to receive, exempt from all duties or taxes, and
to distribute whatever comforts may be sent to them by their friends, and
shall be free to transmit his reports in open letters to the party by whom
he is employed.
And it is declared that neither the pretence that war dissolves all treaties,
nor any other whatever, shall be considered as annulling or suspending
the solemn covenant contained in this article. On the contrary, the state
of war is precisely that for which it is provided; and, during which, its
stipulations are to be as sacredly observed as the most acknowledged obligations under the law of nature or nations.




ï~~Treaty of Guadalupe Hidatlgo.                575
AR~imit XXIIL.
This treaty shall be ratified by the President of the United States of
America, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate thereof:, and
by the President of the Mexican Republic, with the previous approbation
of its general Congress; and the ratifications shall be exchanged in the
city of Washington or at the seat of government of Mexico in four months
from the date of the signature hereof, or sooner if practicable.
In faith whereof we, the respective plenipotentiaries, have signed this
treaty of peace, friendship, limits, and settlement, and have hereunto
affixed our seals respectively. Done in quintuplicate, at the city of Guadalupe Hidalgo, on the second day of February, in the year of our Lord
one thousand eight hundred and forty-eight.
N. P. TRISTC.          [L. S.]
LUIS G. CUEVAS.        EL. S.]
BERNARDO COUTO.        EL. S.]
MIGUEL ATRISTAIN. [L. S.)




ï~~APPENDIX B.
THE COURT OF INQUIRY.
Several months after the battle of Monterey General Taylor addressed a letter to General Gaines, whose headquarters
were at the time in New Orleans. They were and had been
on intimate terms for many years. The letter was private.
References were made in it to the service of the Army of Occupation, and speculations were indulged in as to lines of
future operations. No one-least of all those acquainted with
General Taylor-could believe the letter was designed for
the public, but General Gaines, knowing it would prove interesting, permitted it to be published, and, of course, it was
circulated and read throughout the country.
Shortly after the letter appeared in the papers the following
orders were issued:
WAR DEPARTMENT,
WAsH1NGtow, January 28, 1847.
The President of the United States directs that paragraph 650 of
the general regulations for the army, established the ist of March,
1825, and not included among those published January 25, 1841, be
now published, and that its observance, as a part of the general regulations, be strictly enjoined upon the army.
By order of the President.
W. L. MARCY,
Secretary of War.
The following is the paragraph referred to above:
Private letters or reports, relative to military movements and operations, are frequently mischievous in design and always disgraceful to
the army. They are, therefore, strictly forbidden; and any officer
found guilty of making such report for publication, without special
-576




ï~~Court of Inquiry.

577

permission, or of placing the writing beyond his control, so that it
finds its way to the press within one month after the termination
of the campaign, to which it relates, shall be dismissed from the
service.
The day before the order was issued Secretary Marcy wrote
to General Taylor, enclosing him a copy of his letter to General Gaines, published in the New York Morning Expiess,
and stated he had been informed it was genuine, but that
General Gaines had said it was not intended for publication.
The Secretary further stated it would be soon in the enemy's
possession, who would gain by it valuable information as to
our present and future line of operation, and made other criticisms he conceived applicable.
The Secretary then referred to the 65oth paragraph of the
regulations for 1825, quoted it, and informed General Taylor
that it had been revised, and that the President directed it to
be strictly enforced. The reviving of the said obsolete paragraph met with the approval of the army, but the manner and
time of its publication produced an irritation with General
Taylor that was never removed.
He forwarded a reply to Secretary Marcy, a few extracts
from which will show his feelings in the matter:
Although your letter does not convey the direct censure of the department or of the President, yet, when it is taken in connection with
the revival of a paragraph in the regulations of 1825, touching the
publication of private letters covering operations in the field, I am
not permitted to doubt that I have become the subject of executive
disapprobation. To any expression of it, coming with the authority
of the President, I am bound in my duty and my respect for his high
office patiently to submit, but lest my silence should be construed
into a tacit admission of the grounds and conclusions set forth in *
your communication, I deem it a duty I owe to myself to submit a few
remarks in reply. I shall be pardoned for speaking plainly.
In the first place, the published letter bears upon its face the conclusive evidence that it was intended only for private perusal and not
At all for publication. * * * Surely I need not say I am not in the
habit of writing for newspapers. The letter was a familiar one, written to an old military friend, with whom I have for many years interchanged opinions on professional subjects; that he should think
proper under any circumstances to publish it, could not have been
foreseen by me. * * * With the absence of proof that the publication was made with my authority or knowledge I may be permitted
to say that the quotation in your letter of the 650th paragraph of the




ï~~x578

Court of Inquiry.

suspended regulation of 1825, in which the terms "mischievous " and
" disgraceful " are employed to characterize certain letters or reports,
conveys, though not openly, a measure of rebuke, which, to say the
least, is rather harsh and which many think not warranted by the
premiises. * * * To suppose that it will give the enemy very valuable information touching our past or prospective line of operation,
is to know very little of the Mexican sources of information or of their
extraordinary sagacity and facilities in keeping constantly apprised
of our movements. As to my particular views in regard to the general policy to be pursued towards Mexico, I perceive from the public
journals that they are shared by many distinguished statesmen, and
also in part by a conspicuous officer of the navy, the publication of
whose opinions is not, perhaps, obstructed by any regulation of his
department.
It will be seen hereafter that an attempt by General Scott
to enforce this revived article of the regulations of 1825 led
to his being deprived of the command of the army in the City
of Mexico.
Before taking up the latter subject reference will be made
to the action taken on another occasion caused by the dissatisfaction of an officer arising from General Scott's animadversions.
During the occupation of Puebla General Worth, conceiving himself aggrieved because his official action had been
censured by the commanding general, asked for a court of
inquiry, which was granted promptly, and convened under
the following order:*
[General Orders No. 186.]
HEADQUARTIERs OV TH9 ARMY,
PuiBLA, June r6, 1847.
At the instance of Brevet Major General Worth, a court of inquiry
will meet in the building called the Palace, of this city, at io o'clock
to-morrow morning, to investigate certain matters in which that general officer conceives himself to have been injured by the general-inchief of this army, viz., in the matter of the terms granted by the said
brevet major general to the functionaries of this city in the way of
* Lieut. Raphael Semmes, of the United States Navy, served on the
Staff of General Worth in the campaign against the Mexican Capital,
and wrote a history of the operations of the army. In this history he
refers to the estranged relations between Generals Scott and Worth,
and alleges that it began in Puebla. The proceedings of the Court of
Inquiry, called at the request of General Worth and which we have
inserted, will throw light upon the subject.




ï~~Court of Inquiry.

579

capitulation or guarantees at or about the time, May 15, 1847, of his
entrance with the advance corps of the army into this city, and in the
matter of a circular dated June 16, 1847, published by the said brevet
major general to the officers or troops of his division. If there are
other matters in the conduct of said brevet major general which he
may specially desire to have investigated by the said court of inquiry
he will submit them to the general-in-chief, through the recorder, for
further orders in the case.
Detail: Major-General Quitman, Brigadier-General Twiggs, BrevetBrigadier-General Smith, members.
Lieut. R. P. Hammond, Third Artillery, is appointed special judge
advocate. They will give an opinion on the merits of all the matters
investigated by it.
By command of Major General Scott.
H. L. SCOTT,
Acting Assistant Adjutant General.
The following is the circular referred to in the above order:
[Circular.]
HEADQUARTIERS FIRST DIVIsIoN,
PuiE BLA, June z6, r847.
Pntelligence has come to the headquarters of the division in a form
and from sources entitled to consideration, that food, exhibited and
in tempting form for sale to the soldiers, is purposely prepared to
cause sickness and ultimately death. The general of division would
be wanting in his duty as commander and comrade, did he fail to
bring the circumstance to the notice, and earnestly appeal to every
soldier at once to forbear the procurement or use of food at so great a
risk and of which, as ample rations are issued, he does not stand in
need. Doubtless there are among those with whom we are situated
many who will not hesitate, as is the habit of cowards, to poison those
from whom they habitually fly in battle, a resource familiar in Spanish history, legitimately inherited, and willingly practiced by Mexicans.
By order of Brevet-Major-General Worth.
(Signed)                        W. W. MACKALL,
Assistant Adjutant General.
When the Court of Inquiry convened under the above general orders, No. 186, General Worth submitted a brief statement of the matters in which he conceived himself wronged
by the general-in-chief, and upon which he invited investigation, in the following terms:
In the matter (i) of an interview had May 15th, at Chichapa, Mex.,
between Brevet-Major-General Worth, commanding first division of
the army, and the civil authorities of Puebla, at the iustance at




ï~~580

Court of Inquiry.

said Brevet-Major-General, the general-in-chief, verbally and in
writing, has improperly, in manner and in matter, characterized the
proceedings at said interview, to the prejudice and wrong of said
brevet-major-general.
In the matter (2) of a circular which was addressed by said BrevetMajor-General Worth to the first division, on or about June 16, 1847,
the general-in-chief, verbally and in writing, has harshly and injuriously characterized said circular, and in a manner uncalled for, and
to the undeserved reproach of said inferior officer.
After investigation of the above matters the court made the
following decision. Having carefully investigated all the
documents and evidence adduced, touching the matters submitted by the general order convening this court, all of which
are embodied in the record of its proceedings, after mature
deliberation upon the grave subjects before it, it pronounced
the following opinions:
That regarding the remarks of the general-in-chief, dated June 17th
inst., endorsed upon the translated copy of a letter from the Mexican
Judge Duvan to Major-General Scott, dated June 16th, as hypothetical and applicable only to claims urged by the Mexican authorities,
which the general-in-chief, at the time of his remarks, supposed to
be without authority, and which Brevet-Major-General Worth insists
were not conceded by any of his official acts.
The court can perceive nothing in the remarks of the general-inchief to which Brevet-Major-General Worth could properly take exceptions. The court is further of opinion that the terms or stipulations, granted by Brevet-Major-General Worth to the functionaries
of the city of Puebla, upon his entrance with his advance corps of the
army into that city on the 15th of May last, were unnecessarily yielded,
improvident, and in effect detrimental to the public service, and that
the grant of these privileges was in contravention of the 9th and ioth
paragraphs of general order No. 20, published at Tampico on the 19th
of February last, and was not warranted by the letter of instructions
of the general-in-chief to GenerM Worth.
The court, as required, further declares its opinion that the "circular" published by Brevet-Major-General Worth to his division, dated
Puebla, June 16, 1847, was highly improper and extremely objectionable in many respects, especially as it might tend, by exasperating
the whole Mexican nation, to thwart the well known pacific policy
of the United States, and, in view of the high source from which it
emanated, to disturb the friendly relations of our Government with
Spain, or at least give occasion to that power to call for explanation
or apologies. The barbarous offense against which that " circular "
warned the soldiers of the first division, if it exists at all, equally affected the whole army. The information obtained by General Worth,
if worthy of notice, should therefore have been communicated to the




ï~~Court qf Inquiry.

581

general-in-chief, that he might have exercised his discretion on the
means to be adopted for correcting the evil.
With these views of the "circularI" alluded to, the'court is of the
opinion that it called for the " emphatic admonition " and rebuke of
the general-in-chief.
In conclusion, this court deems it material to the case to express
the opinion that it is the right and the duty of the general-in-chief,
and indispensable to the preservation of proper discipline in the
army, that he should at all times possess the privilege of freely commenting upon, disapproving or censuring the official acts of his subordinate officers.
The City of Mexico had been occupied by the United States
forces about two months when, upon the arrival of a mail
from the States, it was found that two letters, written from
the Valley within a few days after the battles of Contreras
and Churubusco, were published in newspapers. One of
these, known as the " Leonidas letter," appeared in the New
Orleans Delta, from which the following extracts are taken:
" General Pillow's order for the attack was that General
Twiggs should advance with one brigade of his division and
assault the enemy's strong working front, while the others
should turn his left wing and assail the work in reverse."
* * * " Having thus opened the battle, he then ordered
General Cadwalader's brigade to the support of Colonel
Riley, who had moved to turn the enemy's left and attack in
reverse, and advanced General Pierce's brigade to the support of General Smith, who had advanced to assault the works
in front." * * * " Late in the evening General Scott
came on the field and brought with him General Shields' brigade of volunteers." * * * "The next morning, before
daylight, the brigade of General Pierce advanced in execution of the original order of battle and renewed the assault in
front, while Colonel Riley's brigade, supported by Cadwalader, turned his left, assailed the enemy's work in reverse,
and most gallantly carried it."  *  *  *  "Having achieved
this signal and brilliant victory, General Pillow immediately
resolved to pursue the retreating forces of the enemy. "
*  *  *   "During this great battle, which lasted two days,
General Pillow was in command of all the forces engaged except Worth's division." * * * " General Pillow's plan
of battle and the disposition of his forces were most judicious




ï~~582

Court of Inquiry.

and successful. He evinced on this, as he had on other occasions, that masterly military genius and profound knowledge of
the science of war which has astonished the mere martinets of
the profession. His plan was very similar to that by which
Napoleon effected the reduction of the fortress of Ulm, and General Scott was so perfectly well satisfied with it that he could not
interfere with any part of it, but left it to the gallant projector to
carry into glorious and successful execution;" and then follows
an account of a personal combat with a Mexican officer, in
which the latter was killed by General Pillow with his revolver.
The other letter was called the "Tampico letter." It reads
as follows:
TACUBAVA, MIIx., August 27, 1817.
The whole force which moved from Puebla, amounting to io,ooo,
more or less, marched in four columns on successive days, in the following order, viz: Twiggs, Quitman, Worth, and Pillow. In approaching the City of Mexico by the main highway, you go directly
on to Penon, which is a strong position, excessively well fortified. Before leaving Puebla, it had been considered whether the main road
could not be avoided and El Penon turned by passing around to the
south and left of Lakes Chalco and Xochimilco. The engineer officers serving immediately at general headquarters had questioned a
number of persons, including spies and agents sent expressly to examine the route, and the mass of testimony was entire to the boggy,
mucky, and perfectly impracticable character for wagons and artil
lery of the road leading in that direction. It was therefore in contemplation to turn Penon by forcing Mexicalcingo, although the
ground was difficult and the batteries known to be numerous. This
route, you will observe, is to the north and right of the lakes. The
reconnoissances of the engineers were consequently directed to this
end. In the meantime General Worth, whose division had been left
at Chalco, while General Scott with Twiggs had gone on to Ayotla,
sent Colonel Duncan with a large party to examine the denounced
route.
Colonel Duncan found it just the reverse of what it had been pronounced to be; it was firm, rocky, and quite practicable, requiring, to
be sure, a little labor here and there. General Worth instantly sent
Colonel Duncan with this information to General Scott, and urged
the movement of the whole army to the left of Lake Chalco. The direct attack was abandoned, and on the morning the whole army was
in motion.
These two letters, if written by officers of the army, were
flagrant violations of the revived paragraph of the regula



ï~~Court of Inquiry.                  582
tions of 1825, the observance of which, as has been stated,
was strictly enjoined upon all officers by the President's
recent specific instructions, and their publication called forth
the following orders from the commanding general:
[General Orders No. 349.]
H]EADQUARTERS O 1THE ARMY,
Mtxico, November 12, 1817.
The attention of certain officers of this army is recalled to the foregoing-650th paragraph, 1825, regulations-a regulation prohibiting
officers of the army from detailing in private letters or reports the
movements of the army, which the general-in-chief is resolved to enforce so far as it may be in his power. As yet but two echoes from
home of the brilliant operations of our army in this basin have
reached us-the first in a New Orleans and the second through a
Tampico newspaper.
It requires not a little charity to believe that the principal heroes of
the scandalous letters alluded to did not write them, or especially
procure them to be written; and the intelligent can be at no loss in
conjecturing the authors, chiefs, partisans, and pet familiars. To
the honor of the service, the disease-pruriency of fame not earnedcannot have seized upon a half dozen officers present, all of whom, it
is believed, belonged to the same two coteries.
False credit may, no doubt, be attained at hand by such despicable
self-puffings and malignant exclusion of others, but at the expense of
the just esteem and consideration of all honorable officers, who love
their country, their profession, and the truth of history. The indignation of the great number of the latter class cannot fail in the end to
bring down the conceited and envious to their proper level.
By command of General Scott.
H. L. SCOTT,
Acting Assistant Adjutant General.
The language of this order is pointed and severe, but it is
hardly more so than the words of the revived regulation
itself, which characterizes the forbidden acts as " mischevous
in design and always disgraceful to the army," the penalty
for which on conviction is dismissal from the service.
The day after the publication of order No. 349 General
Worth forwarded to army headquarters the following communication:
HZADQUARTURS FIRST DIVISION,
MimIco, November 13, r847.
SIR: I learn with much astonishment that the prevailing opinion
in this army points the imputation of " scandalous," contained in the




ï~~084

Court of Inquiry.

third, and the invocation of the "indignation of the great number"
in the fourth paragraph of orders No. 349, printed and issued yesterday, to myself as one of the officers alluded to. Although I cannot
suppose those opinions to be correctly formed, nevertheless, regarding
the high source from which such imputations flow, so seriously affecting the qualities of a gentleman, the character and usefulness of
him at whom they may be aimed, I feel it incumbent on me to ask,
as I now do, most respectfully, of the frankness and sense of justice
of the general-in-chief, whether in any sense or degree he condescended to apply, or designed to have applied, the epithets contained in that order to myself, and consequently whether the general
military opinion or sentiment in that matter has taken a right or
intended direction. I trust I shall be pardoned for pressing with
urgency an early reply to this communication.
Very respectfully, etc.,
W. J. WORTH,
Breve/-Major-General United Stales Army.
The day General Worth addressed his first communication
to General Scott, Bvt. Lieut.-Colonel James Duncan, Second
Artillery, wrote the following letter:
Mixico, November r3, r847.
To 1he Editor of the North American: *
SIR: I herewith present a copy of the " Tampico letter," characterized as "scandalous, despicable and malignant" in general orders
No. 349, published in the American Star, another newspaper-the
Government paper, if I may so call it, which has accompanied the
headquarters of General Scott in all his movements, and received the
patronage of the public printing-of this morning. To the end that
the true character of this letter may be known, I desire that you publish it in your paper. The reader has already seen so much of it as
was material to my purpose, and that none of my brother officers may
innocently suffer for a publication so obnoxious, I hereby publicly
acknowledge myself to be its author.
The substance of it I communicated from Tacubaya soon after the
battles in a private letter to a friend in Pittsburg. The statements in
the letter are known by very many officers of this army to be true,
and I cannot but think that the publication of the truth is less likely
to do violence to individuals or to the service than the suppression or
perversion of it. Justice to General Worth, who is evidently one of
the heroes pointed at in orders No. 349, requires me to state that he
knew nothing whatever of my purpose to write the letter in question,
nor that it had been written, until well on its way to its destination.
He never saw, nor did he know directly or indirectly, even the pur* This was a newspaper published in the City of Mexico in English.




ï~~Court qf Inquiry.                  585
port of one line or word or syllable of it until he saw it in print, and
he is equally ignorant of my desire to make this declaration, which I
do, as I wrote the letter, unprompted and on my own responsibility.
JAMES DUNCAN,
Breve/-Lieutenant- Colonel.
After the publication of the above letter the " prevailing
opinion" in the army fully exonerated General Worth from
any connection with either of the letters referred to in General Scott's order No. 349.
General Scott, in reply to General Worth, directed as follows:
Hi4ADQUARTrERS OB THiE ARMy,
MIxIco, November r4, 1847.
SIR: I have the honor to acknowledge the receipt this morning of
your communication dated the 13th relative to general orders No. 349,
and I am instructed by the general-in chief to reply, " that the general order No. 349 was, as is pretty clearly expressed on its face,
meant to apply to the letter signed " Leonidas " in a New Orleans
paper and to the summary of the two letters given in the Washington
Union and copied into a Tampico paper, to the authors, aiders and
abettors of those letters, be they who they may.
I am, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
H. L. SCOTT,
Acting Assistant Adjutant-General.
It may be a question if any officer has a right to demand of
his superior whether or not certain words in his written orders
apply to himself. If one officer can claim this privilege
another may, until every officer of the command has interrogated his commanding officer as to his intentions. It is a
privilege as well as an obligation appertaining to the office of
general-in-chief, both indispensable and imperative, for the
maintenance of discipline and morale to comment upon, disapprove or censure the official acts of his subordinates.
But any officer who feels aggrieved thereby has the right
to demand a court of inquiry.
General Worth replied to General Scott as follows:
HIADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISIoN,
MExIco, November 14, 847.
SIR: I have the honor to receive your letter in reply, but not in answer to mine of yesterday, handed in this morning. The general
order is too clearly expressed on its face to admit of any doubt in regard to papers, and, in public military opinion, in regard to persons.




ï~~586

Court of Inquiry.

The object of my letter, as I endeavored clearly to express, was to seek
to know distinctly and with the view to further measures to protect
myself, if, as is supposed, I was one of the persons referred to.
Regretting the necessity for intrusion, I am compelled again, respectfully, to solicit an answer to that question. I ask it as an act of
simple justice, which it is hoped will not be denied.
I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant,
W. J. WORTH,
Brevel-Ma/or- General, United States Army.
General Scott's reply to the above letter from General
Worth was as follows:
HIEADQUARTIERS Ov THiE ARMY,
MrIxico, November ii, 5817.
SIR: The general-in-chief desires me to reply to your note of this
date by saying that he cannot be more explicit than in his reply
through me already given; that he has nothing to do with the suspicions of others, and has no positive information as to the authorship of the letters alluded to in general orders No. 349. If he had
valid information he would immediately prosecute the parties before
a general court martial.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
H. L. SCOTT,
Acting Assistant Adjutant General.
This correspondence between Generals Scott and Worth
was terminated by the latter as follows:
HEiADQUART4RS FIRsT DIVISION,
MIxico, November.1, 1847.
SIR: It is due to official courtesy and propriety that I acknowledge
your letter No. 2, in answer to mine of this date, and in doing so, and
in closing this correspondence with the headquarters of the army, I
beg permission to say, and with regret, that I have received no satisfactory answer to the just and rightful inquiries which I have addressed to the general-in chief; but in as much as I know myself to
be deeply aggrieved and wronged, it only remains to go, by appeal,
as I shall do through the prescribed channels, to the constitutional
commander-in-chief.
The general in-chief is pleased to say through you that he has nothing to do with the suspicions of others, and that he has no positive information as to authorship, etc., granted. But has not the manner in
which the general-in-chief has been pleased to treat the case established, whether designedly or not remains to be seen, an unequivocal public sentiment on the subject? There are always enough of that
peculiar and pestilential species who exist upon the breath of authority to catch up the whisperings of fancy and infect a whole military
community. I do not design to be stifled under the miasma of such,




ï~~Court of Inquiry.

587

nor stricken down in my advanced age, without an effort to convince
my friends that I scorn to wear "honor not earned." I remain,
Your obedient servant,
W. J. WORTH,
Brevet MWajor General.
Two days later General Worth sent to army headquarters
the following communication:
HEADQUARTERS FIRST DIVISION,
November 16, 1847.
To the Hon. Secretary of War, Washington:
SIR: From the arbitrary and illegal conduct, the malice and gross
injustice, practiced by the general officer, commanding-in-chief, this
army, Major-General Winfield Scott, I appeal (as is my right and
privilege) to the constitutional commander-in-chief, the President of
the United States. I accuse Maj.-Gen. Winfield Scott of having acted
in a manner unbecoming an officer and a gentleman. He has availed
himself of his position to publish, by authority, to the army which he
commands, and of the influence of his station, to give the highest effect
to an order bearing date November 12, 1847, and numbered 349-officiai printed copy herewith-calculated and designed to cast odium
and disgrace upon Brevet-Major-General Worth; to bring that general officer into disrepute with the army, to lessen, if not destroy, his
just influence and proper authority with those officers and soldiers
over whom he is placed in command; that he has without inquiry
or investigation, in the said order published to the army and the
world, falsely charged Brevet Major-General Worth with having
written, or connived at the writing, a certain letter published in the
United States, aid to which he has been pleased to apply the epithets of "scandalous," "malignant," etc.; that he has made these
statements to the world, giving to them the sanction of his high
authority and the influence of his position, while he has acknowl
edged that he had no information as to the authorship of the letters
in question, and when respectfully and properly addressed upon the
subject by the undersigned appellant, he has declined to reply
whether or not he intended to impute to Brevet-Major General Worth
conduct which he had characterized as "scandalous," "malignant,"
etc.; be pleased to refer to correspondence herewith, marked from A
to E. I do not urge present action on these accusations, because of
their inconvenience to the service in withdrawing many officers from
their duties, but I do humbly and respectfully invoke the President's
examination into the case and such notice thereof and protection
from arbitrary conduct of the said Major-General Scott as he may
deem suitable.
I have the honor to be, etc.,
W. J. WORTH,
Brevel-Major General, United States Army.




ï~~588

Court of Inquiry.

General Worth's arrest followed the receipt of the above
communication, addressed to the War Department through
General Scott's headquarters; he was charged " with behaving with contempt and disrespect towards his superior and
commanding officer," or words to that effect; the specification to the charge, " under pretext of appeal he charged his
commanding officer to be actuated by malice towards him
(Worth) and conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman,"
or words to that effect.
To prefer charges against General Worth must have been a
painful duty for General Scott; they had been friends for over
thirty years; Worth was his aid-de-camp in the war of 1812 and
was the first officer ordered from Taylor's army to report to
him on his arrival in Mexico.
General Pillow had given a written account of the battles
of Contreras and Churubusco to a newspaper correspondent
about the 25th of August, expressed a desire for it to go off
with the first impressions and be engrafted in the correspondent's letter, and told him he had prepared it for him. The
correspondent kept General Pillow's account, looked at it,
believed it to be incorrect, and laid it aside. When the mail
that brought the Leonidas letter was received in the City of
Mexico the correspondent compared that letter with the
statement given him by General Pillow and he, as well as
several other persons to whom they were sh6wn, declared
them to be " twin brothers."
General Pillow was placed in arrest and charged (i) with a
violation of a general regulation or standing order of the
army; (2) conduct unbecoming an officer and a gentleman.
Specification to the first charge-that he (Pillow) wrote or
caused to be written an account of military operations between the United States forces and those of the republic of
Mexico August 19, 1847, in and about Contreras and Churubusco, in which operations said Pillow bore a part, and which
account was designed by said Pillow and in due time under
the signature of "Leonidas " partially printed and published
in the New Orleans Delta of September ic, 1847, and reprinted entire in the Bulletin and the Daily Picayune of the
15th and i6th of the same month, all of this pending the campaign between the forces before mentioned.




ï~~Court of Inquiry.

589

To the second charge were eight specifications, and under
the first, eight different items or headings. These specifications cover eleven printed pages and are to be seen in Ex.
Doc. No. 65, Senate,3oth Congress, first session. In effect,
these specifications charge that General Pilow's account was
incorrect in the very many particulars specified.
Colonel Duncan was charged (i) with violation of the 650th
paragraph (revived), general regulations of the army; the specification cited the "Tampico letter," which he acknowledged
he wrote. The second charge related to matters of fact set
forth in the "Tampico letter."
While the army remained in Puebla awaiting reinforcements to enable General Scott to advance upon the capital,
the engineer officers were constantly occupied in seeking information as to the Valley of Mexico, the different approaches
to the capital, the location, extent, and condition of fortified
points and lines near and surrounding it.
A member of General Scott's Staff, the inspector general of
the army, Col. E. A. Hitchcock, in a letter dated January 23,
1848, speaking of the labor of the engineers whilst the army
lay in Puebla, and methods used to perfect maps of the Valley,
says both Major Turnbull, of the Topographical Engineers,
and Captain Lee, of the Military Engineers, made a map of the
Valley; their work was perfected by comparing the two maps,
and they satisfied themselves the Chalco route was practicable.
One man in Major Turnbull's employ was sent expressly to
go over the route, and returned reporting it practicable, saying he had been entirely over it. Referring to the industry
displayed by Captain Lee in getting informution as to the
routes, Colonel Hitchcock says:* "He fell in with a very intelligent professional surveyor, an Italian, who assured him
the route was available for the General's purpose." With this
information of the Chalco route, General Scott marched from
Puebla and posted his various divisions in the Valley of Mexico, whilst reconnoissances were being made to ascertain the
practicability of other, shorter, and more convenient routes.
The march of the army around Lakes Chalco and Xochimilco, previously described somewhat in detail, will be again
referred to. It was the rule with General Scott to have one
of the divisions of regular troops at the head of his columns.




ï~~590

Court of Inquiry.

Worth's division was first in landing at Vera Cruz; Twigg
division was in front from Vera Cruz to Jalapa, Worth then took
the lead and kept it to Puebla; on the march from that city
to the Valley of Mexico Twiggs was again in the advance
and halted at Ayotla, fifteen miles from the Mexican capital.
Quitman followed and bivouacked at Buena Vista, a mile or
two in rear where the Chalco road bore off from the main highway to the left.
Worth was the next to descend into the Valley, filed to the
left from the main road, and occupied the village of Chalco.
Pillow followed and halted a little beyond Worth on Lake
Chalco, near a hamlet called Chimalpa. But one division of
the army, it is seen, had gone beyond where the Chalco road
leaves the main or stage road leading to the capital.
But whatever may have been General Scott's intentions,
based upon information derived through others before leaving Puebla, he was too prudent a commander to carry out
that intention without examining other routes. Satisfied already that the Chalco route was practicable, there were yet
objections to it, for it was the longest; the road was not a
turnpike, but narrow and rough; lying along the foot of the
mountains, and pressed in closely upon them by the lakes,
and with the army moving over this narrow road, with its
artillery and wagons hemmed in between the water and the
mountains, it would have been difficult to communicate with
his different divisions; and an enterprising enemy, if disposed,
could have greatly annoyed and retarded the march, conpromising even its safety and the success of the expedition.
These well known objections to the Chalco route no doubl
in(luced General Scott to pass beyond it with one division only
and occupy Ayotla, a convenient and favorable point, from
which to send out reconnoitering parties. The activity displayed by the engineers in their examinations on the i thI
2th, 13th, and 14th has been referred to. Pefion, well forti*Lieut. S. B. Buckner, Sixth Infantry, was directed to go to army
headquarters while at Puebla and ask for a inap of the Vallcy giving the route Pround the lakes. At headquarters he was present
and heard Captain Lee question a person who had becn over the
whole route, and this party pronounced it practicable.




ï~~Court of Inquiry.

591

fied, guarded the main route, the shortest and best, leading
directly to the city, and could be carried, the engineers believed, but with considerable loss, and the army was not
strong enough to incur such a risk. Another route, further
to the left and south, was also closely examined, known as
the Mexicalcingo route. This was a turnpike, only a little
longer than that by Pefion; the engineers believed that an
attack on the fortifications on this route would entail serious
losses. The greater distance and difficulties -on the Texcoco
route caused that to be ignored entirely.
The examination of the shorter routes proving them to be
strongly fortified, General Scott's judgment decided against
them, and "threw him back upon the project long entertained,
etc." The disposition of the troops was favorable to this
prompt inversion of his columns; and Worth, whose turn it
was to lead, being already in position, began this famous
turning march.
In the " Tampico letter " we find: " In the meantime General Worth, whose division had been left at Chalco while
General Scott with Twiggs had gone to Ayotla, sent Colonel
Duncan with a large party to examine the denounced route."
This may, and with many would, make the impression that
Twiggs and Worth were both at Chalco, and that General
Scott had moved off to Ayotla, taking with him the former's
division; this was not the case, as has been seen. Colonel
Duncan, it is true, was sent by General Worth to examine
the Chalco route, but General Worth, in a letter to Colonel
Duncan of date, Tacubaya, March 31, 1848, two weeks after
the first meeting of the Court of Inquiry, used the following
words: " General Scott evinced a disposition to gather information as respects this route (Chalco), on the 12th, and, no
doubt, preferred it." * * * "As I have said, General
Scott directed me to send and examine the Chalco route," etc.
Again, the " Tampico letter: " " Colonel Duncan," referring to his reconnoissance, " found the road just the reverse
of what it had been pronounced to be; it was firm, rocky, etc.
General Worth instantly sent Colonel Duncan with this information to General Scott, and urged the movement of the
whole army to tbhe left of Chalco. The direct attack was




ï~~592

Court of Inquiry.

abandoned, and on the morning the whole army was in motion.))*
On January 13, 1848, the Secretary of War wrote to General Scott as follows:
The President has determined to relieve you from further duty as
commanding general in Mexico. You are, therefore, ordered by him
to turn over the command of the army to Major-General Butler, or,
in his absence, to the officer highest in rank with the column under
you, together with all instructions you have received in relation to
your operations and duties as general-in-chief-command, and all records and papers properly belonging or appertaining to the general
headquarters.
Desirous to secure a full examination into all the matters embraced
in the several charges which you have presented against Major-General Pillow and Brevet-Colonel Duncan, as well as the charges or
grounds of complaint presented against you by Brevet-Major-General
Worth, and deeming your presence before the Court of Inquiry, which
has been organized to investigate these matters, indispensably necessary for this purpose, you are directed by the President to attend the
said Court of Inquiry wherever it may hold its sittings, and when your
presence before or attendance upon the court shall no longer be required, and you are notified of that fact by the court, you will report
in person at this department for further orders.
It may be well here to recall the fact that General Scott
while in Puebla asked to be relieved from the command of
the army, in view of the want, as he alleged, of the sympathy and the support of the Government. He begged that he
might be relieved as soon as the passage through Vera Cruz
'"An attack upon Mexicalcingo was discussed at General Scott's
headquarters. It was in substance to mask Penon with Pillow's
division, attack it in front with Quitman's and Twiggs' divisions, and
Worth moving rapidly around the lakes, with little or no baggage, to
attack in flank and rear. But this plan of attack was deemed impracticable, unless communication could be kept up constantly between Worth and the other portions of the army. To determine this
question a reconnoisance was ordered to be made by Capt. Henry C.
Wayne, acting assistant quartermaster, and Lieut. Z. B. Tower, of the
engineers. Pending this reconnoissance, orders were issued preparatory to the move in the event of a favorable report. But these
officers reported before dark August 14th that it was wholly impracticable to use the lakes. That report determined General Scott to
adhere to his original intention-the Chalco route. Worth in the
meantime had ordered Colonel Duncan to examine the Chalco route,
and he reported it practicable. He (Worth) had been ordered several
times by General Scott to examine this route, once on the 12th and
again on the 13th of August.
(The above is an extract from the work of Lieut. I. I. Stevens, of the
engineers.)"




ï~~Court of Inquiry.

593

could be made with safety, which would be in November
after, as he presumed, all active operations had ceased,.* In
reply the Secretary denied that there were any just grounds
for such a charge against the Government, concluding:
Regarding the inducements you have assigned for begging to be recalled as deserving to have very little influence on the question, it
will be decided by the President with exclusive reference to the public
good. When that shall render it proper in his opinion to withdraw
you from your present command his determination to do so will be
made known to you.
The Secretary further states:
The perusal of these communications by the President has forced
upon his mind the painful conviction that there exists a state of
things at the headquarters of the army which is exceedingly detrimental to the public service, and imperiously calls upon him to interfere in such a way as will, he sincerely hopes, arrest and put an end
to the dissensions and feuds which there prevail. * * * The documents show thht General Worth felt deeply aggrieved by your general order No. 349. * * * With this view of the import and
object of the order, his attempt by all proper means to remove from
himself the ignominy of these imputations, cannot be regarded as an
exceptionable course on his part. If he was actually aggrieved in
this matter, or believed himself to be so, he had an unquestionable
right to have the subject brought to the consideration of his and your
common superior-the President. He prepared charges against you,
for his letter November 16th to the Secretary of War can be viewed
in no other character, and endeavored to send them through you, the
only channel he could use without violating established regulations
to his common superior. " * * And adds- General Worth having
preferred charges against General Scott before the latter preferred
charges against him, both law and natural justice require that the
order of events should be pursued in such cases. The charges which
he prefers against you should be first disposed of before proceedings
can be instituted against him for malice in preferring these charges
or for presenting such as he did know or believe to be well founded.
The President seems to have been under a strange delusion
as to the headquarters of the army. The usual quiet prevailed there, the same habits of industry and constant care
and watchfulness on the part of its Chief for the well-being
* The President had asked Congress to create the office of lieutenant-general, that he might supersede General Scott, by Senator
Denton, who was to be appointed to the office. Failing in this he desired a law that would permit him to assign Denton as a major-general
to command Scott, who would be his senior.




ï~~594

Court of Inquiry.

of the army and for the public interests with which he was
charged. It was quite certain the army at the time knew of
no feuds, nor did it recognize any occasion for,* nor could it
anticipate any interposition of the President other than to sustain, if occasion required, the commanding general in his
efforts to enforce discipline and obedience to the article of
the army regulations revived by himself, the rigid compliance
with which he had enjoined upon all officers and soldiers.
The Secretary's letter makes the impression that the President believed the time had come and the public good demanded that General Scott should be relieved from command
of the army, which he had directed with extraordinary skill
and success. To say that the army was surprised when it
became known that General Scott had been deposed and
ordered to appear before a court of inquiry, would not express its sentiments and feelings. The sympathy for him was
general and profound. His being superseded and ordered to
appear before a court of inquiry was regarded almost as a
personal indignity to the whole army.
The prevailing opinion amongst officers and soldiers was
that consideration for the public good had not led to General
Scott's being deprived of command, and that other reasons,
neither military nor partriotic, had caused it.
The Secretary says: " The attempt, by all proper means,
made by General Worth to remove from himself the ignominy
of these imputations cannot be regarded as exceptionable."
There may have been imputations against the anonymous
writers of the two obnoxious letters, for General Scott's
order was intended to apply to them, but General Worth was
known not to be one of them, from the date of his first letter
* At the time the order was issued to relieve General Scott front
command, with the view of putting an end to the dissensions and
feuds reported to prevail in the army in Mexico, both Major General
Quitman and Brigadier-General Shields were in Washington and of
the same political faith with the President, and could have furnished
correct information with reference to the feeling existing in the army,
as they were but recently from Mexico, but the President did not
consult them. General Quitman, in a letter to his aid, Lieutenant
Lovell, written from Washington, says: " You are long since informed
of the course which the War Department has thought fit to pursue in
relation to the difficulties between some of the generals. Though
Shields and myself were at Washington when the information came
we were not consulted." * * *




ï~~Court of Inquiry.

595

to General Scott. But had he been the subject of certain im -
putations, he did not avail himself of " all proper means." A
demand for a court of inquiry is one of the means and generally the first thought of in such cases, and it was the one to
which he had previously, under an alleged grievance, had recourse. No one questions the right of an officer to appeal to
a common superior when aggrieved and redress is refused, but
he is required by the rules of the service to be respectful in
his appeal, and he should lhave good grounds for making it.
The Secretary regarded General Worth's letter, addressed to
himself through General Scott, as being both in the nature of
an appeal and charges against that general. Military men
would more probably consider it to be neither, but an insubordinate, disrespectful communication abusive of his superior
and commanding officer. But construing the letter as the Secretary did, to be charges against General Scott and of date
anterior to the formal charges he preferred against Worth,
" both law and natural justice require that the order of events
should be pursued in such cases; " in other words, Scott be
tried first. The question before the President, the constitutional commander-in-chief of the army, was the most elementary one known to the profession of arms, that of discipline,
and would not have required any action or intervention on
his part but for the fact that General Scott, the commander
of the army, was the accuser, and Pillow, Worth and Duncan,
officers of the army under his command. In such a case only
the act of May 29, 1830, was applicable and required the
order for a court-martial to be issued by the President.
The Court of Inquiry was composed of Brig.-General N.
Towson, paymaster-general, Brig.-Gen. Caleb Cushing, and
Brevt. -Col. Wm. G. Belknap, with Capt. S. C. Ridgely,
judge advocate and recorder.
After organization the court met pursuant to adjournment
in the City of Mexico, March I6, 1848. Present, all the
members and the judge advocate and recorder, Major-General
Pillow, in attendance. The general order instituting the
court having been read and General Pillow making no objection to any member, the court and judge advocate were duly
sworn in his presence.




ï~~5 90

Court qf Inquiry.

General Scott then read a paper, from which we make the
following extracts:
Having, in the maintenance of what I deemed necessary discipline, drawn up charges and specifications against three officers,
then under my command, I transmitted the papers November 28, 1847,
to the Secretary of War with a request in each case that the President, under the act of Congress May 29, 1830, would appoint a general
court martial for the trial of the same. This court of inquiry is the
result. I am stricken down from high command; one of the arrested
generals is preacquitted and rewarded and the other parties, the
judge and his prisoners, the accuser and the accused, the innocent
and the guilty, with that strange exception, all thrown before you to
scramble for justice as we may.
In the case of Major-General Pillow I preferred two charges; the
first, with one specification, respecting a prohibited publication in the
newspapers of the United States, and the second embracing a great
number of specifications.
Considering, Mr. President, that I asked for a general court martial
to try and definitely determine cases specifically defined and set out,
and that this preliminary court has no power beyond the mere collection of facts and giving an inoperative opinion thereon; considering that if we now proceed the whole labor must be gone over again,
at least by the parties and witnesses; * * * considering that the
courtwill be obliged to adjourn to the United States in order to have the
least hope of obtaining the testimony of these important witnesses, now
retired to civil life, and, therefore, not compellable to attend a military
court even at home, or to testify before a commission duly appointed
by such court, and the parties will not be able to leave this country
for home without peril of life.
Considering that there is a near prospect of peace between the
United States and Mexico, which may be consummated in time to enable this whole army to return home at once in safety; considering
immediately on such consummation, Major-General Pillow would, by
express terms of the law under which he holds his commission, be out
of the army, and, therefore, no longer amenable for his acts to any
military tribunal; considering, that in preferring the charges against
that officer, I was moved solely by the desire to preserve the discipline and honor of the army, not having even had the slightest
personal quarrel or difficulty with him, and that the time had probably gone by for benefiting the service by a conviction and punishment; in view of all these circumstances I shall, Mr. President,
d line prosecuting the charges and specifications against Major
General Pillow before this preliminary court without its special
orders or further orders of the President of the United States.
In General Worth's case the President had ordered him to
be released from arrest and restored to his command, thus




ï~~Court qf Inquiry.

697

disregarding the charges preferred against him by General
Scott, his superior and commanding officer. General Worth
then wrote to the court of inquiry that he withdrew his accusations against General Scott, mainly on the ground that
the President had done him "full and ample justice." To
this General Scott replied that he " felt strong in conscious
rectitude, strong in all the means of defense, defied his accusers, and would not plead the letter withdrawing the accusations against him in bar of trial, that he challenged the
writer of that letter to come forward and do his worst."
In Colonel Duncan's case, who had over his signature admitted writing the Tampico letter, thereby pleading guilty of
the charge of violating the army regulations, the President
having ordered a court of inquiry and not a court-martial,
General Scott declined to prosecute him on this charge before
the Court of Inquiry or any other tribunal without further
orders from the President, General Scott entertaining, no
doubt, the opinion that it was not for him to go through the
form of attempting to uphold a regulation revived by the
President whilst the latter manifested an evident indifference
on the subject.
Colonel Duncan no doubt believed all he had written to
be true. But the "evidence shows the direct " attack" he
refers to had not been determined upon, much less ordered.
Col. H. L. Scott, assistant adjutant general of the army,
states no such order was ever given, and " Colonel Hitchcock and Captain Lee positively aver that the attack by Mexicalcingo was never decided upon."
After General Scott, for reasons above cited, announced
his purpose not to prosecute Pillow and Duncan before
the Court of Inquiry without its special orders, or further
orders of the President, he was informed that that body
would probably adjourn to await further orders from the
Government. To prevent this delay he (Scott) consented to
prosecute the case of Pillow, although with the probability
that a ratified peace and disbanding of the new troops would
put a stop to the investigation, and certainly bar any trial before 4 court martial, should one be recommended.
The investigation before the Court of Inquiry began in the
City of Mexico March 21st, and continued in that city until April 21st, when the court, as predicted by General Scott,




ï~~598

Court of Inquiry.

adjourned to the United States for the purpose of obtaining
further testimony.
The court met in Frederick, Md., May 29, 1848, and adjourned from day to day, owing to the absence of General
Pillow, until June 5th, when he and General Scott appeared.
The latter stated he had been prevented from attending owing
to sickness; General Pillow, that he had stopped at his home
to see his family.
The court continued in session until July ist, when General Scott submitted the following paper and withdrew the
charges against Colonel Duncan.
The first charge was withdrawn for the reason that the
President himself had shown no disposition to enforce the
revived paragraph 650, which he had enjoined upon all to
enforce.
The other or second charge and specification against Colonel Duncan related to matters of fact set forth and quoted
from the " Tampico letter," and which he acknowledged
over his signature to have written. General Scott, believing
Colonel Duncan had fallen into errors of statements in that
letter without design, sent an officer to ask of him if he was
not ignorant, at the time he wrote the letter, of the facts:
I. That before the army left Puebla for the Valley his
(Scott's) bias and expectation that the army would be obliged
to reach the enemy's capital by the left, or south, around
Lakes Chalco and Xochimilco.
2. That after his headquarters were established at Ayotla,
August 11 th, he (Scott) had showed equal solicitude to get
additional information of that route, as well as that of Pefion
or Mexicalcingo.
-. That besides sending from Ayotla August i2th oral instructions to Brevet-Major-General Worth to push further inuiries from Chalco as to the character of the southernmost
route around the two lakes, he (Scott) had sent written instructions to General Worth to the same effect from his
quarters at Ayotla.*
* General Worth in a letter to Colonel Duncan, dated Tacubaya,
March 31, 1848, says: "General Scott evinced a disposition to gather
information as respected this route (Chalco) on the 12th. * * * As
I have said, General Scott directed me to send and examine the
Chalco route, etc."




ï~~Court of Inquiry.

599

4. That while at Ayotla from the i ith to the 15th of August
he (Scott) sent a Mexican from Ayotla, independent of General Worth, all around to the village of Xochimilco to report
to him (Scott) whether there had been any recent change in
that route, either in the matter of fortifications or from overflowing of the lakes.
5. That in the evening of the 1 3th he (Scott) had ordered
Captain Mason, of the engineers, to report to General Worth
the next morning to be employed in reconnoitering that same
southern route, in which service he had already been anticipated by the reconnoitering party under himself-Colonel
Duncan.
If Colonel Duncan would state he was ignorant of these
facts he would withdraw and abandon, upon his word, the
second charge and its specifications.
Colonel Duncan replied he " believed the facts therein
(Tampico letter) set forth to be substantially true and still believed so; had no desire to detract directly or indirectly from
the merits of any officer, and no one can regret more than
himself if he had done so. If the statements of General
Scott were facts, he learned them for the first time, and was
ignorant of them when he wrote the "Tampico letter.'
General Scott replied "that ample evidence, both oral and
written, was at hand to substantiate his averments in respect
to the route aroun'd Lakes Chalco and Xochimilco, and withdrew the second charge against Colonel Duncan.
The opinion of the Court of Inquiry in Pillow's case:
On.reviewing the whole case it will be seen that the points on which
the conduct of General Pillow has been disapproved by the court are
his claiming, in certain passages of the paper No. -i* and in his official report of the battles of Contreras and Churubusco, a larger de
gree of participation in the merit of the movements appertaining to
the battle of Contreras than is substantiated by the evidence, or he is
entitled to, and also the language above quoted, in which that claim
is referred to in the letter to General Scott.
But as the movements actually ordered by General Pillow at Contreras on the T9th were emphatically approved by General Scott at
the tini, and as the conduct of General Pillow in the brilliant series
* No. i was the letter he gave to Mr. Freaner, correspondent of the
New Orleans Della, and which had been pronounced a "twin brother"
to he "Leonidas letter."




ï~~600

Court of Inquiry.

of military operations carried on to such triumphant issue by General
Scott in the Valley of Mexico appears by the several official reports
of the latter and otherwise to have been highly meritorious, from these
and other considerations the court is of the opinion that no further
proceedings against General Pillow in this case are called for by the
interest of the public.
The following, with the exception of the caption, is what
General Pillow admitted he had had prepared for the newspapers:
Editors New Orleans Delta:
GRIAT BATTLE o MExico.
Commenced on the 19th, under command of Major-General Pillow,
having a force of 3,500. The enemy had 12,000 (of whom 5,000 were
cavalry) and twenty-seven pieces of artillery.
General Pillow's order for the attack was that General Twiggs
should advance with a brigade of his division and assault the enemy's
strong work in front, while the other should turn his left wing and
assail the work in reverse. He also placed at the disposition of General Twiggs Captain Magruder's battery and Lieutenant Callender's
howitzer battery (both of which belonged to the proper division of
General Pillow). Having thus opened the battle, he then advanced
General Cadwalader's brigade to support the brigade of Colonel
Riley, who had moved to turn the enemy's left and attack in reverse,
and advanced General Pierce's brigade to support General Smith,
who had advanced to assault the work in front.
The action had now become (with the advancing forces) very severe, but General Pillow, seeing five or six thousand men advancing
from the city to reinforce the enemy, whom he apprehended would
fall upon General Cadwalader's rear, detached from General Pierce's
brigade Colonel Morgan's regiment (which was yet within reach), and
ordered it instantly to the support of General Cadwalader, who, seeing so large a force approaching his rear, threatening to overwhelm
him, halted his forward movements, confronted the enemy in a strong
position, and held him at bay.
The forces under General Smith, Colonel Riley, and General Pierce
were hotly engaged with the enemy's strong battery and a large force
of infantry and cavalry until it was quite dark. Magruder's battery
and Callender's howitzer battery were both very much cut to pieces
and disabled. Late in the evening General Scott came upon the
field and brought with him General Shields' brigade of volunteers,*
whom he advanced to the support of the forces now under General
* General Scott sent an order from the field to Quitman in reserve
at San Augustin to send him two regiments. The battle had been
over three-quarters of an hour when he reached the field, and the
order to advance had already been given by General Smith and repeated by General Twiggs.




ï~~Court qf Inquiry.

601

Cadwalader, but it was so late they did not get into position until in
the night.
The next morning before daylight the brigade of Pierce advanced,
in execution of the original order of battle, renewed the assault in
front; while Riley's brigade, supported by Cadwalader, turned his
left, assailed the enemy's work in reverse and gallantly carried it,
capturing a large force of the enemy, twenty-two guns (among them
those lost at Buena Vista), and killing in the general engagement
between 6oo and 8oo of the enemy. Having achieved this signal and
brilliant victory, General Pillow immediately resolved to pursue the
retreating forces of the enemy; and while his troops were flushed
with victory, give battle to a large force, still in Santo Angelo, which
he did, and drove them before him. He then sent an officer of his
Staff back to General Scott to say to him if he would cause General
Worth to co-operate with him he would sweep around the Valley and
assault the strong works of San Antonio in reverse, and carry that
place so as to open the direct route to the capital for the advance of
his siege train, upon the other battery on that road. General Scott
replied that Worth should co-operate with him. General Pillow
moved rapidly around the Valley at the head of his triumphant forces,
until he reached within one mile of San Antonio, where he halted * to
allow his troops a short time to recover their breath and exhausted
strength before engaging the enemy at San Antonio.
While waiting for this purpose, General Scott overtook the army.
At this moment it was discovered, at the distance, that the enemy
(seeing their main work had been carried and that they were about
to be attacked in the rear) had abandoned the work at San Antonio
and fallen back upon a second strong work at Santa Marta. General
Scott, who now assumed commandt immediately directed Twiggs'
division to advance upon the left and arrest and cut off the retreating forces of the enemy; while he ordered General Pillow t to lead
Cadwalader's brigade to advance and assault the enemy upon the
right and in front.
Twiggs' division soon became desperately engaged with the enemy's
left at Santa Marta. Pillow's division,Â~ in the effort to get to the
battle-ground, got entangled among some ditches, wide and waistdeep, in mud and water.
The general dismiounted from his horse, and, plunging through,
called upon his column to follow him, which they nobly did. He advanced rapidly with it in front of the enemy's main work, and, find*The halt had been ordered by General Scott, who desired to make
reconnoissances.
t He had never relinquished it.
t Had ordered him to r-o-operate in the attack upon San Antonio,
which being turned had been evacuated, and Cadwalader's brigade
toot part in the battle with Worth's division in front of the lefe-depont.
Â~ Not the division, but Cadwalader's brigade.




ï~~)02                Court qf Inquiry.
ing it would be cut down by the terrible fire of grape and canister
which swept down the road, he turned it into the field on the right *
to attack the main battery on its left flank. Here his forces and Gen
eral Worth's were joined, and went forward and gallantly carried
this work in conjunction.
During the advance upon this work the general himself was knocked
to his knees by the concussion of a cannon ball, which brushed hi;
head. In the course of the action he shot a Mexican officer and
killed him with his pistol.t
The enemy's battery being taken, Pillow's and Worth's divisions
pursued the enemy until they came under the fire of the enemy s
guns from the battery, at the very gate of the city.
During the battle, in which the first work, with twenty-two pieces
of artillery, was taken, Santa Anna was present all the time upon the
field of battle commanding his forces in person.
Our total loss was heavy, amounting in killed and wounded to about
Soo; the enemy's, to near 2,000. In the two works the enemy's forces
amounted to at least 30,000 men. His positions were remarkably
strong and well fortified, and in every case he was driven out of his
works at the point of the bayonet.
The general s well devised plans of battle, his judicious disposition
of his forces, his coolness and daring during the whole of this terrible
battle is the subject of universal congratulations among his friends
and general remark with all.
Very respectfully,
GIDEON J. PILLOW.
Having copied what General Pillow prepared for publication in the newspayers, we will now make a summary statement of the two battles referred to by him, relying upon official reports of those battles to sustain any assertions made.
In the forenoon, August 19th, General Pillow's division
moved from San Augustin towards Contreras with orders to
open up and make practicable the road-a bridle path for
over half the distance-between the two places. Twiggs
followed, and upon joining Pillow, the latter's division halted
and the former's moved forward to cover the latter while repairing and making the road. Small advanced hostile parties
were encountered and forced back until about 3 p. im., when
the road had been rendered practicable to a point commanded
by a field work mounting twenty-two guns, held by a large
force under General Valencia.
* On the left of the road.
INot established before the Court of Inquiry, though the effort was
made.




ï~~Oourt of Inquiry.

Â~03

Intermediate to the troops under Twiggs and Valencia's
position was a rough, uneven surface, impracticable save for
mules or horses, and for these only along a narrow path.
Passing near and in front of the enemy's position was a wide,
excellent road, leading into the city, and along this, coming
from the capital*, reinforcements for Valencia could be seen.
It was determined to occupy, if possible, this rmad, the main
line of the enemy's communication.
Riley's brigade was ordered to move forward to the right
and front for that purpose; and as the move and the authority
for it were subsequently (together with other matters) investigated before a court of inquiry, we will endeavor to be as
exact as possible, stating nothing not found in official reports
or in the evidence before the court. In Colonel Riley's report the order for the forward movement, made by his brigade, was stated to have been given by Lieut. W. H. Brooks,
acting assistant adjutant general of Twiggs' division. Capt.
E. R. S. Canby, Riley's adjutant general, testified before the
Court of Inquiry that the order was given by Colonel Riley in
General Twiggs' name.
Colonel Riley testified before the same Court of Inquiry
that General Pillow rode up to him, gave him two or three
orders to move a little to the right or a little to the left, and
finally to move forward. Riley seems not to have moved
forward, but after remaining at a halt for some time was ordered by Pillow to cross the pedrigal, to turn to the enemy's
left, and he would support him. Capt. George Deas, assistant-adjutant-general of Cadwalader's brigade, Pillow's division, a witness before the Court of Inquiry, testified that he
was sent by General Pillow with an order to Colonel Riley,
who had advanced some distance on the pedrigal, to return
and repoft to Brig-Gen. P. F. Smith, who was in the advance
on the Pedrigal, in front of Valencia's position; the emeny's
skirmishers had been driven in, and Smith's men were within
300 yards of their batteries.
Captain Deas in the execution of his orders had gone beyond a cornfield as far as he could go on horseback, and
* It is probable that the troops referred to as reinforcements at
this hour were the reserves posted by Valencia near Auzaldo the day
before.




ï~~604

Court of Inquiry.

there met Lieutenant Brooks, of Twiggs' Staff, but at the
time acting on Riley's; Deas informed him of the order for
Riley's countermarch. Brooks told Deas he could not reach
Riley on horseback, who was too far advanced to be overtaken on foot. Brooks, who was on a high point, called Deas
to him, the latter dismounted and joined Brooks, who then
pointed out to him the good open field beyond the pedrigal,
on which Riley could operate on the enemy's left. Deas returned, not having given the order to Riley, and reported to
Pillow that the pedriral could be crossed by infantry. Pillow then ordered Cadwalader's brigade to move over and
support Riley. These two officers (Riley and Cadwalader)
received no further orders from Pillow that day, nor was
General Pillow with these troops until after the battle next
morning.
General Scott arrived on the field after Riley and Cadwalader had been ordered to cross the pedrigal, approved the
order, directed Col. G. W. Morgan, Fifteenth Infantry,
Pierce's brigade, to cross the pedrigal, and sent back to San
Augustin for Quitman to send Shields' brigade (New York and
South Carolina regiments) to him, and when this force reached
the field it was ordered to move on and join the troops already across the pedrigal. General Smith's brigade, Twiggs'
division, moved before Shields' over the pedrigal. Pillow
gave no orders for the movement of Smith's brigade, which
crossed the pedrigal after dark.
General Scott returned to San Augustin about dusk; later
both generals (Pillow and Twiggs) arrived and repaired to
army headquarters, then in a hotel. It was a rainy, disagreeably cold night. General Scott invited the two generals
to be his guests during the inclement night. Pillow accepted
the invitation; General Twiggs did not, but bade General
Scott good night, saying " He could not cross the pedrigal
and get to his command, but he would sleep as near it as he
could."
Mr. Trist, the peace commissioner, testified before the
Court of Inquiry that General Pillow, in his (Trist's) room
that night, August i9th, said, " This is going to be a failure,"
meaning the attack upon Contreras the following morning,
" and I call upon you now to remember and bear me witness
hereafter that I have nothing to do with it."




ï~~Ctourt of Inquiry.

605

Contreras was assaulted by P. F. Smith a little after sunrise
the next (20th) morning, and in seventeen minutes the position was carried, twenty-two guns captured (every piece Valencia had), many prisoners, three generals, one an ex-President, and one aid of Valenia taken. The pursuit soon began under General Twiggs' orders,* Pillow rejoined more
than half an hour after the battle ended, and General Scott,
at Coyoacan, having previously by orders sent forward halted
the pursuing columns t there, a little over a mile from Churubusco and two miles by a cross road from the rear of San
Antonio.
To insure success at Contreras, General Worth had been
ordered the night of the 19th to move with one of his brigades-his division was in front of San Antonio, three miles
from San Augustin and six from Contreras-early the morning of the 20th for that field and Quitman to move with his
remaining brigade to the same point. The assault had been
made with entire success before these brigades came within
sight of Contreras. Quitman was dirccted to return to San
Augustin and Worth to San Antonio, which he was ordered
to attack in front when approached in rear by Pillow and
Twiggs.
When Pillow, Twiggs, and Shields were halted at Coyoacan,
Captain Lee, escorted by Capt. Phil Kearny's company (First
Dragoons), reinforced by the Rifle regimept under Major Loring, was sent to reconnoiter San Antonio, and Pillow was detached, with Cadwalader's brigade, to attack it in concert
with Worth. On the direct road in front, at the same time, a
reconnoissance was ordered of the Convent at Churubusco,
about a mile distant, and Twiggs directed to attack it with all
of Smith's brigade, except the Rifles. As the reconnoitering
party under Lee approached the San Antonio and Churubusco
road, Worth's division, which had turned the position, was
encountered crossing the Coyoacan and San Antonio road.
As the Rifle regiment, which was ordered back, began the re*Report of Gen. Persifor F. Smith. Captain Canby, acting adjutant
general, testified before the Court of Inquiry that he saw Pillow enter
the Mexican camp, Contreras, at from forty to sixty minutes after
the camp had been captured.
f Stevens' campaigns on the Rio Grande and of Mexico, page 68.




ï~~606

Court of Inquiry.

turn march, firing was heard in the direction of the Convent
of San Pablo, the attack of Worth on the tete-de-pont followed,
the retreating enemy having been previously struck by
Clarke's brigade in the flank on the causeway.
Next, and all within ten minutes, Pierce's brigade, conducted by Captain Lee, followed by Shields, was ordered to
turn the enemy's right, thus forming the attack upon the ttedc-pont and convent and to cut off retreat towards the city.
Pillow, in the meantime, joined Worth with three regiments
of Cadwalader's brigade. The bridge head was taken first,
then the convent, and Pierce and Shields reached the main
highway in rear as the pursuing columns arrived opposite the
Portales. If one statement be correct, General Pikow was
not at Contreras on the 20th until after the battle, and at
Churubusco commanded only Cadwalader's brigade.
It is seen that General Scott was not mistaken in his reinark8 submitted to the Court of Inquiry when organized, for
it did adjourn to the United States to secure the attendancc
of witnesses, and it did adjourn sinc de, having finished its
labors only a few days before General Pillow ceased to be
an officer of the army, and was therefore no longer amenable
to trial by court martial, even had the findings and opinions
of the court been adverse and accompanied with the recommendation to that effect.
General Scott, impatient at delays and anxious to forward
to the Government his report of the operations in the Valley
of Mexico, had returned to General Pillow his report to be
corrected; the errors being cited, General Pillow addressed a
private note, October 3d, to General Scott, saying: "I have
altered my report, however, in all particulars suggested by
you, except the last. * * " I have not changed the report in the last particular, indicated in your second note, and
I do not see that that statement in my report can in any
degree affect you."  *  *    ''I ask your indulgence in
permitting my report to stand unaltered as to that statement."
The court disapproved of General Pillow's asking the indulgence of the commanding general to permit a mis-statement
in his report, on the ground that it did not affect him, Scott.
The movements ordered by General Pillow at Contreras on
the 19th may have been approved, but there were other




ï~~Court of Inquiry.

607

movements of the highest importance on that day that he did
not order. The " other considerations " were, most probably, that, although he had violated the revised article of
the army regulations, published by order of the President and
the enforcement of which had been enjoined in orders and had
claimed " a larger degree of participation in the merits of
the movements appertaining to the battle of Contreras, than
is substantiated by the evidence or he is entitled to," and
also the language quoted above, in which that claim is referred to in a letter to General Scott, etc., " he could not be
brought before a court martial for the reason that he would
in a few days cease to be in the military profession, and no
further action could be taken in the case."
With no disposition to find fault with the Court of Inquiry,
and fully conceding their ability and without questioning
their integrity, yet to many it would have been more satisfactory if they had jexplained in what the " other considerations " consisted; as, by the orders convening the court, they
wereotequired to inquire and examine into the charges and
allegations preferred by Major General Winfield Scott against
Maj.-Gen. Gideon J. Pillow, etc., and, after duly investigating the same, report the facts, together with its opinions
thereon, for the information of the President. The following
order closed official action in the case.
WAR DEPARTMENT, WASHINGTON, July 7,.S/*.
The President has examined the record of the proceedings of
the Court of Inquiry, of which Brevet Brig.-Gen. Nathan Towsou is
president, in the matter of certain charges and specifications preferred by Major-General Winfield Scott against Maj.-Gen. Gideon
J. Pillow, both of the United States Army, which court convened at
tie City of Mexico on March 16, 1848, and reported its proceedings
to the Secretary oft War at Washington on July 1, 1848. The court ex-,presses the opinion that no further proceedings against Geucra.
Pillow in the case are called for by the interest of the public service.
It appears from the evidence as set forth in the record of the court,
as well as by the official reports of the general-in-chief commanding
the army, that the military conduct and services of Major-Geucral
Pillow in the war with Mexico have been gallaIt and " highly meritorious. "
The President finding, on a carefel review of the whole evidence,
that there is nothing established to sustain the charge of " a violation
of a general regulation or standing order for the army," nothing in




ï~~608                 Court of Inquiry.
the conduct of General Pillow nor in his correspondence with the
general-in chief of the army " unbecoming an officer and a gentleman," concurs with the Court of Inquiry in their conclusion that " no
further proceedings against General Pillow in the case are called for
by the interest of the public service, " and he accordingly directs that
no further proceedings be had in the case.
By order of the President.
W. L. MARCY,
Secretary of War.




ï~~(Arrmxx "C.")

ROSTER OF ARMY OFFICERS
Serving in the War Between Mexico and the United States
and, of the Survivors, Those Who Fought
in the War of 1861.
In the preparation of this Roster thanks are due, and are cordially
extended, to Dr. W. S. McNairy, Register Clerk, Navy Department; Commodore F. M. Ramsay, U. S. N.; Asst. Adjt.-Gen. Theo. Schwann, U. S. A.:
to the Adjutants-General Winfield S. Fletcher, New Mexico; W. H. Mabry,
Texas; Thomas T. Dill, Ohio; J. Gary Watts, South Carolina; John McIntosh Kell, Georgia; Win. Henry, Mississippi: J. N. Reece, Illinois; Kie Oldham, Arkansas; J. A. Wickham, Missouri, and William McClelland, Ponilsylvania; to Capt. Jas. H. Smith, Secretary Ohio State Association, Mexican War Veterans; Col. Ira Grosvenor, Michigan; Col. N. H. R. Dawson,
Alabama; Gen. S. S. Anderson, Kentucky; Gen. Geo. T. Anderson, Alabama; Capt. R. S. Collum, U. S. Marine Corps; Lient. Charles Bradeii,
Secretary Association West Point Graduates; Mr. Vinot Donelson, Tennessee; and to Mr. F. B. Heitman and Col. Wm. Hugh Robarts, whose historical
registers have been consulted.
[The names of comrades killed, or mortally wounded, in battle, are
printed in heavy type, and those who were cadets at the West Point
Military Academy are marked, *.]
GEIIERAL OFFICERS.
MAJOR-GENERALS.
Winfield Scott, General-in-chief, Commander-in-chief, U. S. A. late war,
died May 29, 1866, at Washington, D. C.
Zachary Taylor, Commander of the "Army of Occupation;" died July 9.
1850, at YWashington, D. C., while President of the United States.
BRIGADIER-GENERmALS.
Thomas S. Jesup; died June 10, 1860.
Stepbken W. Kearny, Bvt. Maj..Gen. Cal. and N. M.; twice wounded at
San Pasqual, Cal.; died October 31, 1848, at Jefferson Barracks, Mo.;
Persifor F. Smith, Bvt. Maj.-Gen. Monterey, Contreras, and Churubusco;
died May 17, 1858, at Fort Imavenworth, Kans.
Nathan Towson, Bvt. Maj.-Gen. Mexico; died July 20, 1854.
109




ï~~610

Roster of Army Oficers.

David E. Twiggs. Bvt. Maj. Gen. Monterey; Maj.-Gen. C. S. A. late war;
died July 15, 1862.
John E. Wool, Bvt. Maj.-Gen. Buena Vista; died Novembor 10, 1869.
William J. Worth, Bvt. Maj.-Gen. Monterey; died May,7 1849.
ASSISTANT ADJTTANTs-GENERAL-(Brevet Rank of Majors).
*William W. S. Bliss, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Palo Alto and Buena Vista;
died August 5, 1853, at East Pascagoula, Miss.
*George A. McCall, Bvt. Lt.-Col. Palo Alto and Resaca de ]a Palma; Maj.Gen. U. S. V. late war; died February 25, 1868, at West Chester, Pa.
*Lorenzo Thomas, Bvt. Lt.-Col. Monterey; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war;
died March 2, 1875, at Washington, D. C.
ASSISTANT ADJUTANTs-GENERAL-(Brevet Rank of Captains).
*Edward R. S. Canby, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Contreras, Churubusco,
and Belen Garita; Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; killed in action with
Modoc Indians April 11, 1873, at Lava Beds, Oreg.
George Deas, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; Lt.-Col. C. S. A. late
war; died May 21, 1870.
*Joseph Hooker, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Monterey, National Bridge, and
Chapultepec; Brig.-Gen. U. S. A. late war; dicI October 31, 1879, at
Garden City, Long Island, N. Y.
George Lincoln, Bvt. Capt. Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma; killed
February 23, 1847, at the battle of Buena Vista, Mexico.
*William W. Mackall, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Monterey, Contreras and Churubusco; Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died August 19,1891, at Langley, Va.
*Irvin W. McDowell, Bvt. Capt. Buena Vista, Maj.-Gen U. S. V. late war.;
died May 4. 1885, at San Francisco, Cal.
*Francis N. Page, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Ft. Brown, Contreras and Churubusco*
died March 25. 1860, at Fort Smith, Ark.
*James H. Prentiss; died September 22, 1848, at Fort Polk, Tex.
*Randolph Ridgely, Bvt. Capt. Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma; died October 27, 1846, at Monterey, Mexico.
*Oscar F. Winship, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma and
Churubusco, died December 13, 1855, at Troy, N. Y.
INsPEcToRs-GENERAL-(Rank of Colonels).
Sylvester Churchill, Bvt. Brig.-Gen. Buena Vista; died December 7, 1862.
George Croghan; died January 8, 1849.
AssIsTANT QUAnTEBMATs-GrENERAL-(ReUk Of Colonels).
Trueman Cross; killed April 21, 1846, by bandits, on the Rio Grande.
Thomas F. Hunt; died December 22, 1856.
Henry Whiting, Bvt. Brig.-Gen. Buena Vista; died September 16, 1851.
QUARTERMASTERS-(Rank of Majors).
*George H. Crosman, Bvt. Maj. Palo Alto, A. Q. M. G., U. S. A. late war;
died May 28. 1882. at Philadelphia, Pa.
*Osborn Cross, A. Q. M. G., U. S. A. late war; died July 15, 1876, New York
City.
*Samuel McRee, Bvt. Lt.-Col. Mexico; died July 15, 1849, at St. Louis, Mo.
*Heury Smith; died July 24, 1847, at Vera Cruz, Mexico.




ï~~Roster of Army Officers.

611

*Thomas Swords, Bvt. Lt.-Col. Mexico A. Q. M. G., U. S. A. late war; died
March 2, 1886, at New York city.
Charles Thomas, Bvt. Lt.-Col. Mexico; A. Q. M. G., U. S. A. late war; died
February 1, 1878.
*Daniel D. Tompkins, Bvt. Lt.-Col Mexico; died February 26, 1863, at
Brooklyn, N. Y.
AssIsTANT QUARTERMASTERS-(Ralk of Captains).
*Robert Allen, Bvt. Maj. Cerro Gordo; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died
August 5, 1886, at Geneva, Switzerland.
*William Armstrong; killed September 8, 1847, at the battle of Molino del Rey, Mexico.
*Edwin B. Babbitt, Bvt. Maj. Mexico; Col. Q. M., U. S. A. late war; died
December 10, 1881, at Fortress Monroe. Va.
*1'homas L. Brent. Bvt. Capt. Buena Vista; died January 11, 1858, at Fort
Leavenworth, Kans.
*Leslie Chase, Bvt. Capt. Palo Alto, and Resaca de la Palma; died April 15,
1849, at Fort Johnston, N. C.
*William W. Chapman, Bvt. Maj. Buena Vista; died September 27, 1859, at
Fortress Monroe, Va.        0
*William H. Churchill, Bvt. Capt. Palo Alto. and Resaca de la Palma; died
October 19, 1847, at Point Isabel, Tex.
*James L. Donaldson, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Monterey and Buena Vista; Col.
Q. M., U. S. A. late war; died November 4, 1885, at Baltimore, Md.
Edward G. Elliott; died January 3. 1849.
Edward H. Fitzgerald, Bvt. Maj. Chapultepec; died January 9, 1860.
*Joseph L. Folsom; died July 19. 1855, at San Jose, Cal.
*Sewall L. Fremont, Col. C. S. A. late war; died May 1, 1886, at Memphis,
Tenn.
*Abner R. Hetzel; died July 20, 1847, at Louisville, Ky.
*James M. Hill; died January 29, 1849, at Baltimore. NiVd.
*James R. Irwin; died January 10, 1848, at City of Mexico.
*Thomas Jordan, Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war.
*Arthur B. Lansing; died February 9, 1880, at New York City.
Albert Lowry, Bvt. Maj. Medelin.
*James G. Martin, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; Brig.-Gen. C. S.
A. late war; died October 4, 1878. at Asheville, N. C.
Frederick H. Masten; died September 8, 1874.
*Justus McKinstry, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; Brig.-Gen. U.
S. V. late war.
*Williaim M. D. McKissack; died January 27, 1849, at Pittsburg, Pa.
*Alexander Montgomery, Maj. Q. M., U. S. A. late war.
*Abraham C. Myers, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma,
and Churubusco; Q. M. G., C. S. A. late war; died June 20, 1889, at
Washington, D. C.
*John P. J. O'Brien, Bvt. Maj. and wounded at Buena Vista; died March
31, 1850, at Indianola, Tex.
*Edmund A. Ogden; died August 3, 1855, at Fort Riley, Kans.
William H. Shover. (See Third Artillery.)
*Ebenezer S. Sibley, Bvt. Maj. Buena Vista; Lt.-Col. Q. M., U. S. A. late
war; died August 14, 1884, at Detroit, Mich.
Stewart Van Vliet. (See Third Artillery.)
William Wall. (See Third Artillery.)




ï~~612

Roster of Army Oficers.

*Henry C. Wayne, Bvt. Maj. Contrcra, and Churubusco; Brig.-Gen. C. S.
A. late war; died March 15, 1883, at Savannah, Ga.
George W. F. Wood, Bvt. Maj. Contreras, and Churubusco; died November 8, 1854.
COMMISSARY OF SUBSISTENCE-(R1k of Major).
*Richard B. Lee, Lt.-Col. C. S. A. late war, died August 2, 1875, at Alexandria, Va.
COMMIbSARIES OF SUBSISTENE-(Rank of Captains).
*Amos B. Eaton, Bvt. Maj. Buena Vista; Brig.-Gen. Sub. U. S. A. late war;
died February 21, 1877. at New Haven, Conn.
*John B. Grayson, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col., Contreras, Churubusco, and
Chapultepec; Brig,-Gei. C. S. A. late war; died October 21, 1861.
*George G. Waggaman, Bvt. Maj. Palo Alto and Resaca; died September 9,
1884. at SI. Louis, Mo.
SuRGEON-GENERAL-(Rank of Colonel).
Thomas Lawson, Bvt. Brig.-Gen. Mexico; died May 15, 1861.
SuRGEONS-(Rank of Majors).
Presley H. Craig; died August 8,1848.
John M. Cuyler, Col. Med. Inspr. U. S. A. late war; died April 26, 1884.
Samuel G. I. DeCamp; died September 8, 1871.
Clement A. Finley; died September 8, 1879.
Benjamin F. Harney, wounded in the march from Vera Cruz; died August
29, 1858.
Hamilton S. Hawkins; died August 7, 1847.
Nathan S. Jarvis; died May 12, 1862.
Adam N. McLaren, Bvt. Lt.-Col. U. S. A. late war; died August 1, 1874.
Madison Mills, Col. Med. Inspr. U. S. A. late war; died April 28, 1873.
John B. Porter; died June 15, 1869.
Burton Randall, Bvt. Lt.-Col. U. S. A. late war; died February 8, 1886.
Richard S. Satterlee, Bvt. Brig.-Gen. U. S. A. late war; died November
10, 1880.
Henry A. Stinnecke; died December 20, 1855.
Charles S. Tripler, Bvt. Brig.-Gen. U. S. A. late war; October 20, 1866.
John B. Wells; died July 24, 1853.
William L. Wharton; died October 4, 1846.
Robert C. Wood, Asst. Surg.-Gen. U. S. A. late war; died March 28, 1869.
Joseph J. B. Wright, Bvt. Brig.-Gen. U. S. A. late war; died May 14, 1878.
AssisTANT SURGEONs-(Rank of Captains).
Eugene H. Abadie, Maj. Surg. U. S. A. late war; died December 22, 1874.
Joseph K. Barnes, Surg-Gen. U. S. A. late war; died April 5, 1883, at Wash.
ington, D. C.
Bernard M. Byrne; died September 6, 1860.
James R. Conrad.
Henry E. Cruttenden.
David C. DeLeon, Surg. C. S. A. late war; died September 8, 1872.
John C. Glen; died February 14, 1848.




ï~~Roster qf Army Oficer8.

613

John S. Griffin.
Charles M. Hitchcock; died April 3, 1885.
Levi H. Holden, Bvt. Lt.-Col. U. S. A. late war; died May 12, 1874.
Alfred W. Kennedy; died June 3, 1851.
Charles W. Laub, Byt. Lt.-Col. U. S. A. late war; died December 2, 1876.
William Levely; died November 24, 1848.
Thomas C. Madison, Surg. C. S. A. late war; died November 7, 1866.
Leonard C. McPhail: died March 23, 1867.
Samuel P. Moore, Surg.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died May 31, 1889.
James W. Russell.
Josiah Simpson, Maj. Surg. U. S. A.; died March 3, 1874.
James Simons, wounded at Molino del Rey, Maj. Surg. U. S. A. late war;
died November 11, 1885.
Richard F. Simpson; died July 4, 1861.
Henry H. Steiner, Surg. C. S. A. late war.
Alexander F. Suter; died December 17, 1847.
AssIsTANT SURGEONS-(Rank of First Lieutenants).
Elisha J. Baily, Maj. Surg. U. S. A. late war.
Samuel L. Barbour.
Nicholas L. Campbell.
George E. Cooper, Col. Med. Dir. U. S. A. late war; died April 18, 1881.
Charles P. Deyerle; died October 30, 1853.
Lewis A. Edwards, Maj. Surg. U. S. A. late war; died November 8, 1877.
John F. Hammond, Maj. Surg. U. S. A. late war; died September 29, 1886.
John F. Head, Maj. Surg. U. S. A. late war.
PAYMASTERS-(Rank of Majors).
Timothy P. Andrews. (See Voltigeur Regiment).
*Lloyd J. Beall, Col. Marine Corps, C. S. N. late war; died November 10
1887, at Richmond, Va.
Albert G. Bennett, Bvt. Lt.-Col. National Bridge; died February 28, 1857.
Felix G. Bosworth; died June 9, 1847.
*Andrew J. Coffee, Bvt. Lt.-Col. Buena Vista.
*St. Clair Denny; died August 18, 1858, at Pittsburgh, Pa.
*Roger S. Dix, Bvt. Lt.-Col. Buena Vista; died January 7, 1849, at Hills.
boro, Pa.
*Robert A. Forsyth; died October 21, 1849.
Robert H. Hammond; died June 2, 1847.
*David Hunter, Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died February 2, 1886, at
Washington. D. C.
Edmund Kirby, Bvt. Lt.-Col. and Col. Contreras, Churubusco and Chapultepec; died August 20, 1849.
Robert B. Reynolds.
*George H. Ringgold, Lt.-Col. P. M. G., U. S. A. late war; died April 4,
1864. at San Francisco, Cal.
Adam D. Steuart, Maj. P. M. U. S. A. late war; died October 17, 1867.
*Abraham Van Buren, Bvt. Lt.-Col. CoNtreras and Churubusco; died March
15, 1878, at New York City.
*Benjamin Walker; died March 28, 1858, at St. Louis, Mo.




ï~~614                Roster of Army Ofcers.
ENGINEER CORPS.
COLONEL.
*Joseph G. Totten, Bvt. Brig.-Gen. Vera Cruz, Chief of Engineers U. S. A.
late war; died April 22, 1864, at Washington, D. C.
MAJOn.
John Lind Smith, Bvt. Lt.-Col. and Col. Cerro Gordo, Contreras and Churubusco; died October 13, 1858.
CAPTAINS.
4'John G. Barnard, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died May 14, 1882, at
Detroit, Mich.
*William D. Fraser; died July 27, 1856, at Key West, Fla.
*Robert E. Lee, Bvt. Maj., Lt.-Col. and Col. Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco and Chapultepec; wounded at Chapultepec; General-in-Chief C.
S. A. late war; died October 12, 1870, at Lexington, Va.
4Joseph K. F. Mansfield, Bvt. Maj., Lt.-Col. and Col. Fort Brown,
Monterey and Baena, Vista; severely wounded at Monterey; Maj.-Gen.
U. S. V. late war; died September 18, 1862, of wounds received at the
battle of Antietam, Md.
*James L. Mason, Bvt. Maj. and Lt. -Col. Contreras, Churubusco and Molino
del Rey; severely wounded at Molino del Rey; died September 5, 1853,
at San Francisco, Cal.
*John Sanders, Bvt. Maj. Monterey; died July 29, 1858, at Fort Delaware,
Del.
*Alexander J. Swift; died April 24, 1847, at New Orleans, La.
FinsT LIEUTENANTS.
*Peter G. T. Beauregard, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras, Churubusco and
Chapultepec; twice wounded at Chapultepec; Gen. C. S. A. late war.
*Henry W. Benham, Bvt. Capt. and wounded at Buena Vista; Brig.-Gen.
U. S. V. late war; died June 1, 1884, at New York City.
*Jeremy F. Gilmer, Maj.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died December 1, 1883, at
Savannah, Ga.
*Henry W. Halleck, Bvt. Capt. California; Commander U. S. A. late war;
died January 9, 1872, at Louisville, Ky.
*Jeremiah M. Scarritt, Bvt. Capt. Monterey; died June 22, 1854, at Key
West, Fla.
*Isaac I. Stevens, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras, Churubusco and
Chapultepec; severely wounded at San Cosme Gate: Maj.-Gen. U. S. V.
late war; killed Sept. 1, 1862, at the battle of Chantilly, Va.
*Zealous B. Tower, Bvt. Capt. Cerro Gordo, Contreras, Churubusco and
Chapultepec; wounded at Chapultepec; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
*John G. Foster, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Contreras. Churubusco, Molino del
Rey; severely wounded at Molino del Rey; Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late
war; died September 2, 1874, at Nashua, N. H.
*George B. McClellan, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Contreras, Churubusco, and
Chapultepec; Commander U. S. A. late war; died October 19, 1885, at
Orange, N. J.
*Gustavus W. Smith, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Cerro Gordo and Contreras;
Maj.-Gen. C. S. A. late war.




ï~~hotet of Aimy'       ficers.

615

TOPOGRAPHICAL ENGINEERS.
MAJOR.
*William Turnbull, Bvt. Lt.-Col. and Col. Contreras, Churubusco, and
Chapultepee; died December 9, 1857, at Wilmington, N. C.
CAWTAMs.
*George W. Hughes, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Cerro Gordo; died December
4, 1870.
*Joseph E. Johnston, Bvt. Maj., Lt.-Col., and Col. Cerro Gordo and Cbapultepee; wounded near Cerro Gordo and at City of Mexico; Gen. C. S. A.
late war: died March 21, 1891, at Washington, D. C.
*Thomas B. Linnard, Bvt. Maj. Buena Vista; died April 24, 1851, at Philadelphia, Pa.
*John McClellan, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Contreras, Churubusco, and City of
Mexico; died September 1, 1854, at Knoxville, Tenn.
*William G. Williams; killed September 21,1846, at battle of Monterey,
Mexico.
FIRsT LIEUTENANTS.
*Jaeob E. Blake; accidently killed May 9, 1846, at Palo Alto, Tex.
*William H. Emory, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. San Pasqual, San Gabriel, and
Plains of Mesa, Cal; Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died December 1,
1887, at Washington, D. C.
*Charles N. Hagier; died July 14, 1849.
*Eliakim P. Scammon, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
*Lorenzo Sitgreaves, Bvt. Capt. Buena Vista; Lt.-Col. U. S.A. late war; died
May, 14, 1888, at Washington, D. C.
FIRST LIEUTENANT.
*William H. Warner, Bvt. Capt., San Pasqual; thrice wounded at
San Pasqual, Cal.; killed September 26, 1849, by Indians, in the Sierra
Nevada.
SECOND LIuTENANTs.
*Francis T. Bryan, Bvt. 1st Lt. and wounded at Buena Vista.
*George H. Derby, Bvt. 1st Lt. and severely wounded at Cerro Gordo; died
May 15, 1861, at New York City.
*William B. Franklin, Bvt. 1st Lt. Buena Vista; Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
John C. Fremont, Maj.-Gen. U. S. A. late war; died July 13, 1890, at Los
Angeles, Cal.
*Edmund L. F. Hardeastle, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt., Contreras, Churubusco,
and Molino del Rey.
George G. Meade, Bvt. 1st Lt. Monterey; Maj.-Gen. U. S. A. late war; died
November 0, 1872, at Philadelphia, Pa.
*William G. Peck.
*John Pope, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Monterey and Buena Vista; Maj.-Gen.
/ U. S. V. late war.
*Martin L. Smith, Bvt. 1st Lt. Mexico; Maj.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died
July 29, 1866, at Savannah, Ga.
*George Thoni, Col. U. S. A.late war; died June 29, 1891, at Washington, D.C0.
Joseph D. Webster, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died March 12, 1876.
*Thomas J. Wood, Bvt. 1st Lt. Buena Vista; Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.




ï~~616                Roster qf Army Ofers.
ORD14ANCE DEPARTMENT.
MAJOR.
Henry K. Craig, Bvt. Lt.-Col. Monterey; died December 7, 1869,
CAPTAINS.
*William H. Bell; died December 20, 1865, at St. Louis, Mo.
*Benjamin Huger, Bvt. Maj., Lt.-Col. and Col. Vera Cruz, Molino del Reyt
and Chapultepec; Maj.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died December 7, 1877, at
Charleston, S. C.
* *James McC. Morgan; died September 20, 1853, at Baton Rouge, La.
*George D. Ramsay, Bvt. Maj. Monterey; Brig.-Gen. I. S. A. late war; died
May 23, 1882, at Washington, D. C.
*George H. Talcott, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Molino del Rey; (lied June 8,
1854, at Indian Springs, Ga.
FIrST LiEUTENANTS.
*Franklin D. Callender, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; severely
wounded at Contreras; Lt,-Col. U. S. A. late war; died December 13,1882,
at Daysville, Ill.
*Alexander B. Dyer, Bvt. Capt. Santa Cruz de Rosales; Brig.-Gen. U. S. A.
late war; died May 20, 1874, at Wyshington, D. C.
*Josiah Gorgas, Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died May 15, 1883, at Tuscaloosa
Ala.
*PeterV. Hagner, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Cerro Gordo and Chapultepoc; wounded
at Chapultepec Lt.-Col. U. S. A. late war,
*Theodore T. S. Laidley, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Cerro Gordo and Puebla; Maj.
U. S. A. late war; died April 4, 1886, at Palatka, Fla.
*John McNutt, Maj. U. S. A. late war; died March 28, 1881, at Paris, France.
*Robert A. Wainwright, Lt.-Col. U. S. A. late war; died December 22, 1866,
at Benicia Arsenal, Cal.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
*Thomas J. Brereton, Bvt. 1st Lt. Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma; died
September 18, 1870, at Yonkers, N. Y.
*Charles P. Kingsbury, Bvt. 1st Lt. Buena Vista; Maj. U. S. A. late war;
died December 25, 1879, at Brooklyn, N. Y.
*Jesse L. Reno, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Cerro Gordo and Chapultepee;
severely wounded at Chapultepec; Maj.-Gen. U. S. A. late war; killed
September 14, 1862, at the battle of South Mountain, Md.
*Charles P. Stone, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Molino del Rey and Chapultepee;
Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died January 24, 1887, at New York City.
FIRST REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS.
COLONEL.
Richard B. Mason. Bvt. Brig.-Gen. Mexico: died July 25, 1850.
MAJOR.
*Benjamin L. Beall. Bvt. Lt..Col. Santa Cruz de Rosales; died August 16,
1863.
CAPTAINS.
*James Allen; died August 23, 1846, at Fort Leavenworth, Kans.
*John H. K. Burgwin! killed February 7, 1847, in action at Pueblo de
Taos, N. Mex.




ï~~Poster of Army ( fleers.                    617
James H. Carleton, Bvt. Maj. Buena Vista; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died
January 7, 1873.
*Robert H. Chilton, Bvt. Maj. Buena Vista; Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war.
died February 18, 1879, at Columbus, Ga.
*Willliam Eustis.
*William N. Grier, Bvt. Maj. Santa Cruz de Rosales; Lt.-Col. U. S. A. late
war; died July 8, 1885, at Napa, Cal.
*Abraham R. Johnstona; killed December 6, 1846, in action at San
Pasqual, Cal.
Philip   Kearny. Bvt. Maj. Contreras, and       Churubusco; severely
wounded at Churubusco; Maj..Gen. U. S. V. late war; killed September 1, 1862, at the battle of Chantilly, Va;
letnjamin D. Moore; killed December 6, 1846, in action at San Pas.
qual, Cal.
*Daniel H. Rucker, Bvt. Maj. Buena Vista; Brig..Gen. U. S. V. late war.
*Andrew J. Smith, Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
*Enoch Steen, Bvt. Maj. and wounded at Buena Vista; Lt.-Col. U. S. A. late
war; died January 22, 1880.
*Philip R. Thompson, Bvt. Maj. Sacramento. Mexic6; died June 24, 1857,
on the Gulf of Mexico.
*Henry S. Turner, Bvt. Maj. San Pasqual, San Gabriel, and Plains of Mesa;
died December 16, 1881, at St. Louis, Mo.
FIRsT LIEUTENANTS.
*Abraham Buford, Bvt. Capt. Buena Vista; Brig.-Gen., C. S. A. late war;
died June 9, 1884, at Danville, Ill.
*Richard S. Ewell, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; Lt.-Gen. C. S.
A. late war; died January 25, 1872, at Spring Hill, Tenn.
* rhomas C. Hammond: killed December 6,1846, in action at San Pas.
qual, Cal.
* Leonidas Jenkins; died October 18, 1847, at Vera Cruz, Mexico.
*John Love, Bvt. Capt. Santa Cruz de Rosales; Maj. U. S. V. late war;
died January 29, 1881, at Indianapolis, Ind.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
*Johnu Adams, Bvt. 1st Lt. Santa Cruz de Rosales; Brig.-Gen. C. S. A.
late war; killed November 30, 1864, at the battle of Franklin, Tenn.
*Thomas F. Castor; died September 8, 1855, at Fort Tejon, Cal.
*Orren Chapman, Bvt. 1st Lt. Medelin; died January 6, 1859, at St. Louis, Mo.
*John W. Davidson, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died June 26, 1881, at St.
Paul, Minn.
*George F. Evans, Bvt. 1st Lt. Buena Vista; died March 29, 1859, at
Augusta, Me.
Lorimer Graham. (See Tenth Infantry.)
*Rufus Ingalls, Bvt. 1st Lt.. Embudo and Taos, N. M.; Brig.-Gen. U, S. V.
late war.
*Joseph McElvain; accidentally killed July 12, 1847, at Albuquerque, N. M.
*Richard C. W. Radford, Col. C. S. A. late war; died November 2, 1885.
*Delos B. Sackett. Bvt. 1st Lt. Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma Col. U.
S. A. late war; died Mdrch 18, 1885, at Washington, D. C.
*George Stoneman, Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
*Samuel D. Sturgis, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war: died September 28, 1889,
at St. Paul, Minn.




ï~~618               Roster of Army Officers.
*Oliver H. P. Taylor, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt., Embudo and Taos, N.
M., and Santa Cruz de Rosales, Mexico; killed March 17, 1858, on the
Colville Trail. Utah.
*Joseph H. Whittlesey, Bvt. 1st Lt. Buena Vista; died August 1, 1886, at
Seattle, Wash.
*Clarendon J. L. Wilson, Bvt. 1st Lt. Embudo and Taos, N. M.; died February 21, 1853, at Albuquerque, N. M.
SECOND REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS.
COLONEL.
William S. Harney, Bvt. Brig.-Gen. Cerro Gordo; Brig. Gen. U. S. A. late
war; died May 9, 1889.
MAJons.
*Philip St. George Cooke, Bvt. Lt.-Col. California; Brig-Gen. U. S. A. late
war.
Edwin V. Sumner. Bvt. Lt.-Col. and Col. Cerro Gordo and Molino del Rey;
severely wounded at Cerro Gordo; Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died
March 21, 1863.
CAPTAINs.
*Ripley A. Arnold, Bvt. Maj. Palo Alto and Resaca do la Palma; murdered
September 6, 1853. at Fort Graham, Texas.
George A. H. Blake, Bvt. Maj. San Augustin; Col. U. S. A. late war; died
October 27, 1884.
Lawrence P. Graham, Bvt. Maj. Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma; Brig.Gen. U. S. V. late war.
*William J. Hardee, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Medelin and San Augustin; Lt.Gen. C. S. A. late war; died November 6, 1873, at Wytheville, Va.
*Nathaniel W. Hunter; died April 25, 1849, at Charleston, S. C.
Croghan Ker; severely wounded at Molino del Rey.
Charles A. May, Bvt. Maj., Lt.-Col. and Col. Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma
and Buena Vista; died December 24, 1864.
*Hamilton W. Merrill, Bvt. Maj. Molino del Rey.
*Henry H. Sibley, Bvt. Maj. Medelin; Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died
August 23, 1886, at Fredricksburg, Va.
Seth B. Thornton; severely wounded on the Rio Grando; killed
August 18, 1847, in action at San Antonio, Valley of Mexico.
FIRsT LIEUTENANTS.
Reuben P. Campbell, Bvt. Capt. Buena Vista; Col, C. S. A. late nrar.
killed June 27, 1862, at the battle of Gaines' Mills, Va.
*Fowler Hamilton; died August 8, 1851, San Saba River, Tex.
*John H. Hill; died July 29, 1847, at Puebla, Mex.
*Zebulon M. P. Inge; killed May 9, 1846, at the battle of Resaca de la
Palma.
*Elias K. Kane; died July 9, 1853, at Belleville. Ill.
*Philip W. McDonald, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras, Churubrisco, and
Chapultepec; died October 11, 1851, at New Orleans, La.
Washington I. Newton; died February 6, 1876.
*Daniel G. Rogers; died July 21, 1848, at Vera Cruz, Mexico.
William H. Saunders; died July 6, 1857.
*William Steele, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; Brig.-Gen. C. S. A.




ï~~Roster of Army Offieers.                   619
late war; died January 12, 18 5, at San Antonio, Tex.
*Oscar F. Winship. (See Assistant Adjutants-General.)
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
*Richard H. Anderson, Bvt. 1st. Lt. San Augustin; Lt.-Gen. C. S. A. late
war; died June 26, 1879, at Charleston, S. C.
*John Y. Bicknell; died November 11. 1849, at Maryville, Tenn.
*Newton C. Givens, Bvt. 1st Lt. Buena Vista; died March 9, 1859, at San
Antonio, Tex.
*James M. Hawes, Bvt. 1st Lt. San Juan de los Llanos, Mexico; Brig.-Gen.
C. S. A. late war; died November 22. 1889, at Covington, Ky.
*George S. Humphreys; died November 9, 1847, Carlisle Barracks, Pa.
*George T. Mason; killed April 25, 1846. in action near Ft. Brown, Tex.
*Lewis Neill, severely wounded at Medelin; died January 13, 1850, at Ft.
Croghan, Tex.
*James Oakes, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Medelin and Molino del Rey; Col. U.
S. A. late war.
*Alfred Pleasanton, Bvt. 1st Lt. Palo Alto and Resaca; Maj.-Gen. U. S. V.
late war.
*William D. Smith, severely wounded at Molino del Rey; Brig.-Gen. C. S.
A. late war; died October 4, 1862, Charleston, S. C.
Samuel H. Starr, Maj. U. S. A. late war.
*George Stevens; drowned May 18, 1846, Rio Grande.
Arthur D. Tree, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras, and Churubusco; died February
2, 1857.
Thomas 3. Wood. (See Topographical Engineers.)
THIRD REGIMENT OF DRAGOONS.
[Raised-by act of Congress for one year.]
COLONEL.
*Edward G. W. Butler; died September 6, 1888, at St. Louis, Mo.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
Thomas P. Moore; died July 21, 1858.
MAJons.
Lewis Cass, Jr.
William H. Polk; died December 16, 1862.
SURGEON.
E. H. Burton.
AssISTANT-SURGEONS.
Corydon S. Abell.
Francis J. Robertson.
CAPTAWs.
John Butler; died December 23, 1847.
Greene W. Caldwell.
Alphonse M. Dupern.
Lemuel Ford, Bvt. Major Atlixco.
*Edgar B. Gaither; died September 18. 1855, at Columbia, Ky.
James Hogan.
*Walter H. Jenifer, Col. C. S. A. late war; died April 9, 1878.




ï~~620

Roter of Army Qtf}cers.

Andrew T. McReynolds, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco, Col. U. S. V.
late war.
Richard T. Merrick; died June 23, 1885.
John S. Sitgreaves.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
George J. Adde.
John T Brown.
William B. Cooke.
Edward C. Davidson.
Joseph A. Divver; died October 9, 1851.
George E. Maney, Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war.
Daniel Petigru.
Jlodolphus Schoonover.
Samuel B. H. Vance.
William Walker.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS
William Blood.
Elisha E. Camp, Capt. A. Q. M., U. S. A. late war: died August 4, 1867.
Andrew J. Dorn. (See Missouri Volunteers.)
Francis Y. Gaines. Maj. C. S. A. late war.
John K. Harrison,
Robert E. Haslitt.
Jonn V. S. Haviland.
Francis Henry.
Langdon C. Johnson.
William J. McGill.
Edward McPherson; killed March 16, 1848, in a duel.
Joseph H. Maddox.
John W. Martin, Bvt. 1st. Lt. Atlixco; died June 18, 1848.
William Merrihew.
James J. Moore; died February 19, 1850.
William G. Moseley.
Charles Radziminski; died August 18, 1858.
Heimann Thorn, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Churubusco, and Molino Del Rey;
wounded at Molino del Rey; drowned October 16, 1849.
William C; Wagley.
James D. C. Williams.
REGIMENT OF MOUNTED RIFLES.
COLONEL.
Persifor Smith. (See General Officers.)
LIEUTENANT-COLONFL.
John C. Fremont. (See Topographical Engineers.)
MAJoR.
William W. Loring, Bvt. Lt. Col, and Col. Contreras, Churubusco. and Cha.
pultepec; Maj.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died December 30, 1886.
CAPTAINs.
Jacob B. Backenstos, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Contreras, Churnbusco, and
Chapultepee; wounded at Chapultepee; died September 25, 1857.




ï~~]toder o   Arm y Ojfcer8.                21

621

*George B. Crittenden, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; Maj.-Gen.
C. S. A. late war; died November 27, 1880, at Dan'ille. Ky.
Thomas Ewell; killed April 18, 1847, at the battle of Cerro Gordo,
Mexico.
Stevens T. Mason; died May 15, 1847, of wounds received at the battle
of Cerro Gordo, Mexico.
Henry C. Pope; killed in a duel, May, 1848.
*Andrew  Porter, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Contreras, Churubusco and
Chapultepec; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died January 4, 1872.
*Benjamin S. Roberts, Bvt.-Maj. and Lt.-Col., Chapultepec and Pass Guadalajara; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died January 29, 1875, at Washington, D. C.
*Charles F. Ruff, Bvt. Maj. San Juan de los Llanos; Col. U. S. A. late war;
died October 1, 1885, at Philadelphia, Pa.
Winslow F. Sanderson, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; died Septein.
ber 16, 1853.
John S. Simonson, Bvt.-Maj. and wounded at Chapultepec; died December
5, 1881.
Stephen S. Tucker, Bvt.-Maj. and wounded at Chapultepec.
Samuel H. Walker; killed October 9, 1847, in action at Huamantla,
Mexico.
FrnsT LIEUTENANTS.
Thomas Claiborne, Jr., Bvt. Capt. Huamantla; Col. C. S. A. late war.
*Charles L. Denman.
*Llewellyn Jones, Maj. U. S. A. late war; died July 17, 1873.
*Andrew J. Lindsay, Bvt. Capt. Mexico; Col. C. S. A. late war.
Noah Newton; died August 30, 1853.
*Thomas G. Rhett, Bvt. Capt. Puebla; Maj. C. S. A. late war; died July 28
1878, at Baltimore. Md.
William W. Taylor.
Spear S. Tipton, died July 20, 1847.
Michael E. Van Buren, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; died
July 20, 1854, of wounds received in action with Indians near San
Diego, Tex.
John G. Walker, Bvt. Capt. San Juan de los Llanos; severely wounded at
Molino del Rey; Maj.-Gen. C. S. A. late war.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
Thomas Davis; died April 20, 1847 of wounds received at the battle of
Cerro Gordo, Mexico.                                 0
*Daniel M. Frost, Bvt. 1st Lt. Cerro Gordo; Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war.
*Alfred Gibbs, Bvt. 1st Lt. an-I Capt. Cerro Gordo and Belen Gate;
wounded before Cerro Gordo; Btig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died December 26, 1868, at Fort Leavenworth, Kans.
*George H. Gordon, Bvt. 1st Lt. and wounded at Cerro Corao; Brig.-Gen.
U. S. V. late war; died August 30, 1886, at Farmingham, Mass.
*Gordon Granger, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Contreras, Churubusco, and Chapultepee; Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died January 10, 1876, at Santa
Fe, N. M.
*John P. Hatch, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Contreras, Churubusco, and Chapultepee; Brig.- Gen. U. S. V. late war.
Caleb E. Irvine.




ï~~622

Roster qf Army Ofioers.

William B. Lane, Maj. U. S. A. late war.
eorge MeLane. Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Contreras, Churubusco, and
Chapultepee; killed October 13, 1860, in action with Navajo Indians, at
Black Rock. N. M.
*Dabney H. Maury, Bvt. 1st Lt. and severely wounded before Cerro Gordo;
Maj.-Gen. C. S. A. late war.
Julian May, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; died November 22, 1859.
*Robert M. Morris, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Contreras and Chapultepec; Maj.
U. S. A. late war.
*Innis N. Palmer, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Contreras, Churubusco and Cliapultepec; wounded at Chapultepec; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
*Francis S. K. Russell, Bi t. 1st Lt. and wounded at Chapultepec; died
January 31, 18,.
James Stuart, Bvt. 1t Lt. and Capt. Contreras and Chapultepee; died
June 18, 1851 of wounds received in action with Indians, at Rogue River.
Oi'eg.
FIRST REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
Benjamin K. Pierce; died April 1, 1850.
MAJORS.
*Thomas Childs, Bvt. Col. and Brig.-Gen. Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma and
Puebla; died October 8, 1853, at Fort Brook, Fla.
Levi Whiting; died August 3, 1852.
CAPTAINS.
*M1artin J. Burke: killed August 20, 1847, at the Battle of Churubusco,
Mexico.
*Erastus A. Capron; killed August 20, 1847, at the battle of Churubusco, Mexico.
*Justin Dimick, Bvt. Lt.-Col. and Col. Contreras, Churubusco and Chapultepee; died October 13, 1871, at Philadelphia, Pa.
*John S. Hatheway, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; wounded before
Contreras; died March 31, 1853, at New York city.
*Minor Knowlton, died December 24, 1870, at Burlington. N. J.
*John B. Magruder, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Cerro Gordo and Chapultepec;
wounded at Chapultepec; Maj.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died February
19, 1871, at Houston, Tex.
*George;aunan, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Cerro Gordo, Contreras and Churun
busco; wounded at Chapultepec; Col. U. S. A. late war; died August
11, 1863. at Philadelphia. Pa.
James H. Prentiss. (See Assistant Adjutants-General.)
*Francis Taylor. Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Cerro Gordo and Churubusco; died
October 12. 1858, at Fort Brown, Tex.
*Lucien B. Webster, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Monterey and Buena Vibta; died
November 4, 1853, at Fort Brown, Tex.
*John H. Winder, ]vt. Major and Lt.-Col. Contreras, Churubusco and City
of Mexico; Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died February 7, 1865, at
Branchville, S. C.
FIrbT LIEUTENANTS.
*Edward C. Boynton, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; severely
wounded at Churubusco; Capt. U. S. A. late war.




ï~~Roster of Army Oficers.

623

*John M. Brannan, Bvt. Capt. Contreras, and Churubusco; severely
wounded at Chapultepec; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
*Henry Coppee, Bvt. Capt. Contreras. and Churubusco.
*Samuel K. Dawson, Bvt. Capt. Cerro Gordo; Lt.-Col. U. S. A. late war;
died April 17, 1889, at Orange, N. J.
*James L. Donaldson. (See Assistant Quartermasters.)
*Abner Doubleday, Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
*William H. Fowler; died September 4, 1851, at Fort Myers, Fla.
*William H. French. Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Cerro Gordo, Contreras, and
Churubusco; Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died May 20, 1881, at Wash.
ington, D. C.
*Henry D. Grafton, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; died April 13,
1855, at Davenport, Iowa.
*Joseph A. Haskin, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Cerro Gordo and Chapultepec;
wounded at Chapultepec; Lt,-Col. U. S. A. late war; died August 3,
1874, at Oswego, N. Y.
Joseph Hooker. (See Assistant Adjutants-General.)
*Joseph F. Irons; died August 26, 1847, of wounds received at the
battle of Churubusco, Mexico.
*Thomas J. Jackson, Btt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras, Churubusco, and
Chapultepec; Lt.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died May 10, 1863, of wounds
received at the battle of Chancellorsville, Va.
*John P. Johnstone; killed August 19. 1847, at the battle of Contreras,
Mexico.
William W. Mackall. (See Assistant Adjutants-General.)
James G. Martin. (See Assistant Quartermasters.)
Irwin McDowell. (See Assistant Adjutants-General.)
*James B. Ricketts, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died September 22, 1887.
at Washington, D. C.
*William S. Smith; died November 6, 1849, at Kingsbridge, N. Y.
*Seth Williams, Bvt. Capt. Cerro Gordo; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died
March 23, 1866, at Boston, Mass.
SECoND LIEUTENANTS.
*Isaac Bowen, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Monterey and Buena Vista; died October 3, 1858, at2Pass Christian, Miss.
*Ambrose P. Hill, Lt.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; killed April 2, 1865, at the
battle of Petersburg, Va.
Satterlee Hofiman; killed August 20, 1847, at the battle of Churubusco,
Mexico.
Truman Seymour, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Cerro Gordo, Contreras and Churubusco; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died October 31, 1891, at Florence,
Italy.
Theodore Talbot, Capt. U. S. A. late war; died April 22, 1862.
SECOND REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY.
COLONEL.
James tankhead, Bvt. Brig.-Gen. Vera Cruz; died November 11, 1856.
MAJons.
Patrick H. Galt, Bvt. Lt.-Col. Contreras and Churubusco; died January 9,1851.
*John Munroe, Bvt. Lt.-Col. and Col, Monterey and Buena Vista, died April
28. 1861, at New Brunswick, N. J.




ï~~624                 Ro8ter of Army Oficers.
CAPTAmWs.
*Horace Brooks, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Contreras, Churubusco and Molino
del Rey; Col. U. S. A. late war.
*William C. DeHart; died April 21, 1848, at Elizabethtown, N. J.
*Jamcs Duncan, Bvt. Maj. Lt.-Col. and Col. Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma"
and Monterey; died July 3. 1849. at Mobile, Ala.
*Henry L. Kendrick, Bvt. Maj. Puebla: died May 24, 1891. at New York
city.
Alleu Lowd, Bvt. Maj. Fort Brown; died November 25. 1854.
*Roland A. Luther, Bvt. Maj. Fort Brown, wounded at Palo Alto; died July
9, 1853. at New Holland, Pa.
*Samuel Ma kenzie; died October 19, 1847, at City of Mexico.
*Charles F. Smith, Bvt. Maj. Lt.-Col. and Col. Palo Alto, Monterey and
Contreras; Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died April 25, 1862 at Savannah,
Tenn.
*Henry Swartwout; died July 1, 1852, at Fort Meade, Fla.
F11ST LIEUTENANTS.
*H1arvey A. Allen, Bvt. Capt. Molino del Rev; Maj. U. S. A. late war; died
September 20, 1882, at Schraalenburgh, N. J.
*Samuel S. Anderson, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Molino del Rey and Chapultepec;
Col. C. S. A. late war.
William Armstrong. (See Assistant Quartermasters.)
*Lewis G. Arnold, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras, Churubusco, and Chapultepee; Lt.-Col. U. S. A. late N ar; died September 22, 1871, at South
Boston, Mass.
*William F. Barry, Brig.-Gen. IT. S. V. late war; died July 18, 1879, at Fort
McHenry, Md.
*William B. Blair, Bvt. Capt. Cerro Gordo; Maj. C. S. A. late war; died
March 23, 1883, at Lexington, Va.
Leslie Chase. (See Assistant Quartermaster.)
*Henry F. Clark, Bvt. Capt. Chapultepee; wounded at Molino del Rey; Col.
U. S. A. late war: died May 10, 1887, at Washington, D. C.
*Charles B. Daniels; died October 27. 1847. of wounds received at the
battle of Molino del Rey, Mexico.
*Arnold Elzey, Byt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; Maj.-Gen. C. S. A
late war: died Februaxy 21, 1871, at Baltimore, Md.
*Augustus A. Gibson, Maj. U. S. A. late war.
*William Hays, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras, Churubusco, and Chapultepee; wounded at Molino del Rey; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died
February 7, 1875, at Fort Independence, Boston, Mass.
*Heury J. Hunt, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras, Churubusco, and Chapultepee; wounded at Molino del Rey; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died
February 11, 1889, at Soldiers' Home, Washington, D. C.
*William A. Nichols, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Monterey and Molino del Rey;
Col. U. S. A. late war; died April 8, 1869, at St. Louis, Mo.
*John J. Peck, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras, Churubusco, and Molino del
Rey; Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died April 21, 1878. at Syracuse, N. Y.
*Henry C. Pratt, Bvt. Capt. Atlixco; Maj. U. S. A. late war; died February
14, 1884, at Detroit, Mich.
*Roswell S. Ripley,,Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Cerro Gordo and Chapultepec
Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died March 26, 1887, at New York city.




ï~~Roster of Army Offcers.

625

*John F. Roland, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Palo Alto, Resaea de la Palma and
Monterey; died September 28, 1852, at Castle Piuckney, S. C.
*John Sedgwick. ]vt. Capt. and Maj. Churubusco and Chapultepec;
Maj.-Gen. U. S. '. late n ar; killed May 9, 1864, at the battle of Spottsylvania, Va.
*Muscoe L. Shackleford: died October 12, 1847, of wounds received
at the battle of Molino del Rey, Mexico.
*James Totten, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died October 2, 1871, at
Sedalia. Mo.
*Francis Woodbridge. Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras. Churubusco and
Molino del Rey: died October 20, 1855, at Bar Barracks, Fla.
SEcoND LIErTENANTS.
*Josiah H. Carlisle, Capt. U. S. A. late war; died December 16, 1866, at Aber.
deen, Md.
Julius A. deLagnel. Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war.
*George Edwards, Bvt. 1st Lt. and wounded at Puebla.
*Julian McAllister, Capt. U. S. A. late war; died January 8, 1887, at Governor's Island, N. Y.
*Richard H. Rush, Col. U. S. V. late war.
*Henry B. Sears, Bvt. 1st Lt. National Bridge and Cerro Gordo; died February 12. 1880, at Liverpool, England.
*Marcus D. L. Simpson, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Contreras, Churubusco and
Chapultepec; Lt.-Col. U. S. A. late war.
*Joseph S. Totten; died May 10, 1853.
*Thomas B. J. Weld; died September 10, 1850, at Fort Moultrie, S. 0.
THIRD REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY.
COLONEL.
*William Gates; died October 7, 1868, at New York City.
LIEUTEXANT-COLONEL,
Francis S. Belton, Bvt, Col. Contreras, and Churubusco; died September
10, 1861.
MAJOR.
*John M. Washington, Bvt. Lt.-Col. Buena Vista; drowned December 24,
1853, in the wreck of steamer San Francisco.
CAPTAINS.
*Robert Anderson, Bvt. Maj. and severely wounded at Molino del Rey;
Brig.-Gen. U. S. A. late war; died October 26, 1871, at Nice, France.
*William Austine, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco.
*Braxton Bragg, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Monterey and Buena Vista; Lt..
Gen. C. S. A. late war; died September 27, 1876. at Galveston, Tex.
Martin Burke, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Contreras, Churubusco, and Molino
del Rey; Col. U. S. V. late war; died April 24, 1882.
Thomas Childs. (See First Artillery.)
Randolph Ridgely. (See Assistant Adjutants-General.)
*Samuel Ringgold; died May 11, 1846, of wounds received at the battle
of Palo Alto, Tex.




ï~~626

Roster of Army Officers.

*Thomas W. Sherman, Bvt. Maj. Buena Vista; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war;
died March 16, 1879, at Newport, R. 1.
*William H. Shover, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Monterey and Buena Vista; died
September 7, 1850, at West Point, N. Y.
*Edward J. Steptoe, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Cerro Gordo and Chapultepec;
died April 1, 1865, at Lynchburg, Va.
*George Taylor, Bvt. Maj. Huamantla; drowned December 24, 1853, in the
wreck of steamer San Francisco.
*Christopher Q. Tompkins; died May 28, 1877, at Richmond, Va.
*John R Vinton, Bvt. Maj. Monterey; killed March 22, 1847, at the
siege of Vera Cruz, Mexico.
Richard D. A. Wade, Bvt. Lt.-Col. Molino del Rey: severely wounded at
Churubusco; died February 13, 1850.
William Wall; died August 13, 1847.
*Francis 0. Wyse, Bvt, Maj. Calabosa River, Mexico; Lt.-Col. U. S. A.late
war.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
*George P. Andrews, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Molino del Rey and Chapultepec;
wounded at Molino del Rey; Maj. U. S. A. late war; died July 2, 1887,
at Fort Winfield Scott, Cal.
*George W. Ayers, Bvt. Capt. Monterey; killed September 8. 1847, at
the battle of Molino del Rey.
*Hachaliah Brown, Bvt. Capt. Medelin; died August 22, 1853, at Jefferson
Barracks, Mo.
*Henry S. Burton, Col. U. S. A. late war; died Apnil 4, 1869, at Newport, R. I.
William H. Churchill. (See Assistant Quartermasters.)
*Joseph F. Farry; killed September 8, 1847, at the battle of Molino del
Rey.
*Horace B. Field, Bvt. Capt. Huamantla: drowned December 24, 1853, in
the wreck of steamer San Francisco.
Sewall L. Fremont. (See Assistant Quartermasters.)
*William Gilham, Col. C. S. A. late war; died November 16, 1872. at Richmond, Va.
*Richard P. Hammond, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Cerro Gordo, Contreras, and
Churubusco.
*James A. Hardie, Col. U. S. A. late war; died December 14, 1876, at Washington, D. C.
*Richard W. Johnston; died January 25, 1854, at Jacksonville, Fla.
*Henry B. Judd, Bvt. Capt. Medelin; Col. U. S. A. late war.
*Lucien Loeber, Lt.-Col. U. S. V. late war.
*Edward 0. C. Ord, Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died July 22, 1883, at
Havana, Cuba.
*John F. Reynolds. Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Monterey and Buena Vista;
Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; killed July 1, 1863, at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa.
*William T. Sherman, Bvt. Capt. California; Commander U. S. A. late war.
died February 14, 1891, at New York City.
*Francis J. Thomas. Col. C. S. A. late war; killed July 21, 1861, at
the first battle of Bull Run, Va.
*George H. Thomas, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Monterey and Buena Vista; Maj._
Gen. U. S. A. late war; died March 28, 1870, at San Francisco, Cal.




ï~~0
Roster of Army Officers.                    627
*Stewart Van Vleit, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
*Louis D. Welch; died March 24, 1848, at St. Augustine, Pla.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
*Amabrose E. Burnside, Maj..Gen. U. S. V. late war; dled September 18,
1881, at Bristol, R. I.
*Samuel G. French. Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Monterey and Buena Vista;
Maj.-Gen. 0. 5. A. late war.
*Horatio G. Gibson, Col. U. S. V. late war.
*Charles L. Kilburn, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Monterey and Buena Vista;
Col. U. S. A. late war.
John H. Lendrum, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Contreras, Churubusco and
Chapultepee; died October 26, 1861.
Bedney F. McDonald, Bvt. 1st Lt. Huamanila.
*John S. Mason, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
*Colville J. Minor: died August 17, 1847, at Mbnterey, Cal.
*George Patten, Capt. U. S. V. late war.
*Halnilton L. Shields, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Contreras, Ohurubusco and
Molino del Rey; died November 23, 1889, at Bennington, Vt.
FOURTH REGIMENT OF ARTILLERY.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
Matthew M. Payne, Bvt. Col. Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palms; severely
wounded at Resaca de la Palma; died August 1, 1862.
MAJORS.
John L. Gardner, Bvt. Lt.-Col. and Col. Cerro Gordo and Contreras; died
February 19, 1869.
*Giles Porter; died May 31, 1878, at Albany, N. Y.
CAPTAINS.
*William P. Bainbridge, Bvt. Maj. Cerro Gordo; died September 16, 1850,
at West Point, N. Y.
*Harvey Brown, Col. U. S. A. late war; died March 81, 1874, at Clifton, N. Y.
*Edward Deas; drowned May 16, 1849, in the Rio Grande.
*Sijnon H. Drum; killed September 13, 1847, in action at Belen Gate,
City of Mexico.
Patrick H. Galt. (See Second Artillery.)
*Franklin E. Hunt. Maj. P. M., U. S. A. late war; died February 2, 1881, at
Leavenworth, Kans.
*John H. Miller, Bvt. Maj. Puebla; died September 12, 1850, at Cooksville,
Pa.
*Williain W. Morris, Col. U. S. A. late war; died December 11, 1865, at Fort
McHenry, Md.
John Munroe. (See Second Artillery.)
*Samuel C. Ridgely, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; died July 6,1859,
at Georgetown, D. C.
*John B. Scott. Bvt. Maj. Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma; died November
22, 1860, at San Francisco. Cal.
*Raphael 0. Smead: died August 20, 1848, at Fortress Monroe, Va.
John M. Washington. (See Third Artillery.)




ï~~628                 Ro8ter of Army Offcers.
FinT LIEUTENANTS.
*Calvin Benjamin; killed September 13, 1847, in action at Belen Gate.
City of Mexico.
*Edmund Bradford, Maj. C. S. A. late war; died April 26, 1889, at Norfolk
Va.
*Thomas L. Brent, Bvt. Capt. Buena Vista; died January 11, 1858, at Fort
Leavenworth, Kans.
*Thomas J. Curd; died February 12, 1850, at Frederick, Md.
*Simon S. Fahnestock; died June 15, 1876, at Washington, D. C.
*Julius P. Garesche, Lt.-Col. U. S. A. late war; killed December 31,
1862, at the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn.
*Robert S. Garnett, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Monterey and Buena Vista;
Brig.-Gen. C. S. A.; killed July 13, 1861, at the battle of Carrick's Ford,
Va.
*George W. Getty, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; Brig. -Gen. U. S.
V. late war.
*Samuel Gill; died January 18, 1876, at Cincinnati, Ohio.
*Daniel H. Hill, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras, Churubusco, and Chapultepee; Lt.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died September 25, 1889, at Charlotte,
N. C.
*Albion P. Howe, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Cburubusco; Maj. U. S. A. late
war.
*Mansfield Lovell, Bvt. Capt. Chapultepec; wounded at Belen Gate; Maj.Gen. C. S. A. late war; died June 1, 1884, at New York City.
*John P. McCown, Bvt. Capt. Cerro Gordo; Maj.-Gen. 0. S. A. late war;
died January 22, 1879, at Little Rock, Ark.
John P. J. O'Brien. (See Assistant Quartermasters.)
*John C. Pemberton, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Monterey and Molino del Rey;
wounded at City of Mexico; Lt.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died July 13, 1881,
at Peullyn, Pa.
*John W. Phelps, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died February 2, 1885, at
Brattleboro. Vt.
*Fitz-John Porter, Bvt. Capt. Molino del Rey; wounded at Belen Gate;
Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
*George W. Rains, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras, Churubusco, and Chapultepee; Lt.-Col. C. S. A. late war.
*Thouias Williams, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras, Churubusco, and
Chapultepec; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; killed August 5, 1862, at the
battle of Baton Rouge. La.
*Charles F. Wooster, Bvt. Capt. Sacramento, Mexico; died February 14,
1856, at Fort Brown, Tex.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
*John A. Brown, Col. C. S. A. late war; died October 8, 1877, at Washington, D. C.
*Francis Collins, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; wounded at Contreras; died August 31, 1882, at Columbus, Ohio.
*Darius N. Couch, Bvt. 1st. Lt. Buena Vista; Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
*GustaN us A. DeRussy, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Contreras, Churubusco, and
Chapultepee; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
Richard C. Drum. (See Ninth Infantry.)
*Henry A. Ehninger.




ï~~Roster of Army Officers.                      629
John S. Garland.
*John Gibbon, Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
Samuel L. Gouverneur, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras avnd Churubusco; died April
5, 1880, at Washington, D. C.
*Albert L. Magilton, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; Col. U. S. V.
late war; died December 28, 1875, at Philadelphia, Pa.
*Henry M. Whiting, Bvt. 1st Lt. Buena Vista; died October 8, 1853, at Fort
Brown, Tex.
FIRST REGIMENT,OF INFANTRY.
COLONEL.
William Davenport; died April 12, 1858.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
Henry Wilson, Bvt. Col. Monterey; died February 21, 1872.
MAJORs.
John B. Clark; died August 23, 1847.
*Edgar S. Hawkins, Bvt. Maj. Fort Brown; died November 5, 1865, at Flatbush, N. Y.
CAPTAINS.
John J. Abercrombie. (See Fifth Infantry.)
*Electus Backus, Bvt. Maj. Monterey; Col. U. S. A. late war; died June 7,
1862, at Detroit, Mich.
*John R. B. Gardenier; died June 26, 1850, at Dardanelle Springs, Ark.
John H. King, Col. U. S. A. late war; died April 7, 1888.
*Joseph H. La Motte, Bvt. Maj. and wounded at Monterey; died November
15, 1888, at Ferguion, Mo.
*Albert L. Miller, Bvt. Maj. Monterey; died December 7, 1852, at Benicia, Cal.
*Samuel M. Plummer; died October 17, 1851, at Fort Merrill, Tex.
*John M. Scott, Bvt. Maj. Monterey; died October 26, 1850, at Frankfort, Ky.
FIRsT LIEUTENANTS.
Benjamin H. Arthur; died February 11, 1856.
*Stephen D. Carpenter, Maj. U. S. A. late war; killed December 31 -1862, at the battle of Murfreesboro, Tenn.
*Ferdinand S. Mumford; died October 1, 1872, at San Francisco, Cal.
William E. Prince, Bvt. Capt. Santa Cruz de Rosales; Maj. U. S. A. late war.
John C. Terrett; killed September 21, 1846, at the battle of Monterey,
Mexico.
George W. F. Wood. (See Assistant Quartermasters.)
Sxcox" LIEUTENANTS.
George D. Brewerton.
*William L. Crittenden; shot August 16, 1851. by Spanish authorities at
Havanna, Cuba.
*Frederick J. Denman; died March 2, 1853, at Fort Terrett, Texas.
*Rankin Dilworth; died September 27, 1846, of wounds received at the
battle of Monterey. Mexico.
*Oharles 0. Gilbert, Brig..Gen. U. S. V. late war.




ï~~630

Rostei of Army Officers.

*Schuyler Hamilton, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Monterey and Mill Flords; Maj.Gen. U. S. V. late war.
*Eugene E. McLean, Maj. C. S. A. late war.
*Joseph B. Plummer, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died August 9, 1802, at
Corinth, Miss.
*Parmenas T. Turnley.
*Egbert L. Viele, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
SECOND REGIMENT OF INFANTRY.
LIEUTENINT-COLONEL.
Bennet Rile', Bvt Brig. and Maj.-Gen. Cerro Gordo and Contreras; died
June 9, 1853.
MAJORS.
George W. Allen, Bvt. Lt.-Col. Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma; died
March 15, 1848.
William M. Graham. (See Eleventh Infantry.)
Washington Seawell; died January 9, 1888, at San Francisco, Cal.
CAPTAINS.
*James W. Anderson; died August 22, 1847, of wounds received at the
battle of Churubusco, Mexico.
*Silas Casey, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Contreras, Churubusco and Chapultepec; severely wounded at Chapultepec; Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war;
died January 22, 1882, at Brooklyn, N. Y.
*Hannibal Day: died March 26, 1891, at Morristown, N. J.
*Samuel P. Heintzelman, Bvt. Maj. Huamantla; Maj.-Gen. U. S.V. late war;
died May 1, 1880, at Washington, D. C.
*Julius J. B. Kingsbury, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; died June
26. 1856, at Washington, D. C.
*Thompson Morris, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Cerro Gordo, Contreras and
Churubusco; died February 13, 1870, at Cincinnati. Ohio.
*George W. Patten, Bvt. Maj. and severely wounded at Cerro Gordo; Lt.Col. U. S. A. late war; died April 28. 1882. at Houlton, Me.
*Marsena R. Patrick, Bvt. Maj. Mexico; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died
July 27, 1888, at Dayton, Ohio.
*James W. Penrose, Bvt. Maj. Cerro Gordo; died January 1, 1849, at Plattsburg, N. Y.
*Joseph R. Smith, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Cerro Gordo, Contreras and Churubusco; twice wounded at Churubusco; Col. U. S. A. late war: died
September 3, 1868, at Monroe, Mich.
Carlos A. Waite. (See Eighth Infantry.)
*Henry W. Wessells, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; severely wounded
at Contreras; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died January 12, 1889, at
Dover, Del.
FI3sT LIEUTENANTS.
William Alburtis; killed March 11, 1847, at the siege of Vera Cruz,
Mexico.
Edward R. S. Canby. (See Assistant Adjutants-General.)
Delozier Davi4son, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; wounded at Vera
Cruz; died July 17, 1888.




ï~~Roster of Army Officers.

631

Julius Hayden, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; wounded at Churubusco: fit.-Col. U. S. A. late war; died October 29, 1878.
Christopher S. Lovell, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; twice wounded
at Churubusco; died August 16, 1868.
*Nathaniel Lyon, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; wounded at
Belen Gate; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; killed August 10, 1861. at the
battle of Wilson's Creek, Mo.
Justus McKinstry, (See Assistant Quartermasters.)
*Bryant P. Tilden. wounded at Contreras; died December 27, 1859, at
Olean, N. Y.
George C. Westcott, Bvt. Capt. Chapultepec; died January 8, 1853.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
Edward D. Blake (See Eighth Infantry.)
John R. Butler, Col. C. S. A. late war.
*Nelson H. Davis, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; Col. U. S. A.
late war& died May 15, 1890. at Governor's Island, N. Y.
*Thomas Easley; killed August 20, 1847, at the battle of Churubusco,
Mexico.
*William M. Gardner, Bvt. 1st Lt. and wounded at Contreras and Churubusco; Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war.
*James'M. L. Henry; died July 4, 1881, at Washington, D. C.
*Charles E. Jarvis, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; wounded at
Cerro Gordo; died June 8, 1849. at Sonoma, Cal.
*David R. Jones, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; Maj.-Gen. C. S.
A. late war; died June 16, 1863, at Richmond, Va.
*Tredwell Moore, Lt. Col. U. S. A. late war; died May 29, 1876, at Fort
Gibson, Ind. T.
*James W. Schureman, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; died
January 30, 1852, at San Francisco, Cal.
*Frederick Steele, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Contreras and Chapultepec; Maj.Gen. U. S. V. late war; died January 12, 1868, at San Mateo, Cal.
Thomas W. Sweeney, severely wounded at Churubusco; Brig.-Gen. U. S.
V. late war.
Hermann Thorn. (See Third Dragoons.)
*James S. Woods, Bvt. 1st Lt. Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma;
killed September 21, 1846, at the battle of Monterey, Mexico.
THIRD REGIMENT OF INFANTRY.
 LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
*Ethan A. Hitchcock, Bvt. Col. and Brig.-Gen. Contreras, Churubusco and
Molino del Rey; Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died August 5, 1870, at
Sparta, Ga.
MA.on.
William W. Lear; died October 31, 1846, of wounds received at the
battle of Monterey, Mexico.
CAPTAINS.
*Edmund B. Alexander, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Cerro Gordo, Contreras
and Churubusco; Col. U. S. A. late war; died January 8, 1888, at Washington, D. C.




ï~~632

Poster  f -Army O#icel,,,.

Henry Bainbridge. (See Seventh United States Infantry.)
*Philip N. Barbour, Bvt. Maj. Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palms;
killed September 21, 1846, at the battle of Monterey, Mexico.
Daniel T. Chandler, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Monterey, Contreras and
Churubusco; wounded at Contreras; Lt.-Col. C. S. A. late war; died
October 14, 1877.
Lewis S. Craig.       vt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Monterey, Contreras and
Churubusco; severely wounded at Churubusco; killed June 6, 1852, by
deserters.
Stephen D. Dobbins; wounded at Resaca de la Palma.
*Joseph H. Eaton, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Monterey and Buena Vista; Maj.Paymaster U. S. A. late war.
*George P. Field: killed September 21, 1846, at the battle of Monterey,
Mexico.
William H. Gordon, Bvt. Maj. Churubusco; died December 7, 1865.
*William S. Henry, Bvt. Maj. Monterey; died March 5, 1851, at New York
City.
*Lewis N. Morris, Bvt. Maj. Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma; killed
September 21, 1846, at the battle of Monterey, Mexico.
James M. Smith; died December 4, 1847.
*Jefferson Van Horne, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churnbusco; died Septem.
ber 28, 1857, at Albuquerque, N. Mex.
FRaST LIEUTENANTS.
*Andrew W. Bowman, Bvt. Capt. Cerro Gordo; Maj. U. S. A. late war;
died July 17, 1869, at Omaha, Nebr.
*William T. H. Brooks, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Monterev, Contreras and
Churubusco; Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died July 19, 1870, at Huntsville, Ala.
*Don Carlos Buell, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Monterey, Contreras and Churubusco; severely wounded at Churubusco: Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
*Douglass S. Irwin: killed September 21, 1846. at the battle of
Monterey, Mexico.
*William B. Johns, Bvt. Capt. Cerro Gordo.
*Bushrod R. Johnson, Maj.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died September 7, 1880,
at Brighton, Ill.
Thomas Jordan. (See Assistant Quartermasters.)
*Israel B. Richardson, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras, Churubusco
and Chapultepec; Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died November 3. 1862,
of wounds received at the battle of Antietam, Md.
*Oliver L. Shepherd, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras. Churubusco and Chapultepec; Col. U. S. A. late war.
*George Sykes, Bvt. Capt. Cerro Gordo; Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died
February 8, 1880. at Fort Brown, Texas.
*Andrew J. Williamson.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
*Barnard E. Bee, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Cerro Gordo and Chapultepeo;
Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; killed July 21, 1861, at the first battle of
Bull Run, Va.
*John J. C. Bibb; died September 29, 1854, at Washington, D. C.
Charles B. Brower.




ï~~Roster of Army Oficers.

633

*Henry B. Clitz, Bvt. 1st Lt. Cerro Gordo: Lt.-Col. U. S. A. late war; supposed to have been drowned October 30, 1888, in Detroit river, Mich.
John P. Hatch. (See Mounted Rifles.)
*Robert Hazlitt; killed September 21, 1846, at the battle of Monterey,
Mexico.
*John C. McFerran, Col. U. S. A. late war; died April 25, 1872, at Louisville,
Ky.
Michael O'Sullivan.
*William Rhea; died January 7, 1847, at Monterey, Mexico.
*Henry B. Schroeder, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco.
*John Trevitt.
*James N. Ward, Bvt. 1st Lt. and wounded at Cerro Gordo; died December
6, 1858, at St. Anthony, Minn.
*Joseph N. G. Whistler, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubu co; Col. U. S.
V. late war.
*John D. Wilkins, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; Maj. U. S. V.
late war.
*William H. Wood, Lt.. Col. U. S. A. late war; died January 1, 1887, at Pass
Christian. Miss.
FOURTH REGIMENT OF INFANARY.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
John Garland, Bvt. Col. and Brig.-Gen. Palo Alto, Resaea de la Palma,
Contreras and Churubusco; died June 5, 1861.
MAJORS.
*Francis Lee, Bvt. Lt.-Col, and Col. Contreras, Churubusco and Molino
del Rey; died January 19, 1859, at St. Louis, Mo.
George Wright. (Sep Eighth Infantry.)
CAPTAINS.
George W. Allen. (See Second Infantry.)
*Benjamin Alvord, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma and
Paso Ovejas; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died October 10, 1884, at
Washington, D. C.
*Robert C. Buchanan, ] vt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Palo Alto, Resaca de la
Palma and Molino del Rey; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died November 29, 1878, at Washington, D. C.
William M. Graham. (See Eleventh Infantry.)
Charles H. Larnard, Bvt. Maj. Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma; drowned
May 27, 1854, in Puget Sound.
George A. McCall. (See Assistant Adjutants-General.)
*Gouverneur Morris, Bvt. Maj. Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma; died
October, 18, 1868.
Pitcairn Morrison, Bvt. Maj. Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma; died October 5, 1887.
John Page; died July 12. 1846, of wounds received at the battle of Palo
Alto, Tex.
*Henry L. Scott, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Contreras, Churubusco and Chapultepee; died January 6, 1886, at New York City.




ï~~634                 Roster qf Army Oftlcers.
FIRST LIEUTLNANTS.
*Jenks Deaman; died May 6, 1848, at Tampico, Mexico.
Richard E. Cochrane; killed May 9,1846, at the battle of Resaca de la
Palma.
John H. Gore, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras, Churubusco and Molino del
Rey; died August 1, 1852.
*Richard H. Graham: died October 12, 1846, of wounds received at
the battle of Monterey, Mexico.
Granville 0. Haller, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Molino del Rey and Chapultepec;
Col. U. S. A. late war.
*Charles Hoskins; killed September 21,1846, at the battle of Monterey,
Mexico.
*Theo4ric H. Porter; killed April 19, 1846, near the Rio Grande.
*Henry Prince, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras, Churubusco and Molino del
Rey: severely wounded at Molino del Rey; Brig.-Gen. T. S. V. late war.
Henderson Ridgely; killed November 24, 1847, in action at the Pass
Guadalajara, Mexico.
Sidney Smith; wounded at Molino del Rey; died September 16, 1847, of
wounds received in action at the City of Mexico.
*Henry D. Wallen, Lt.-Col. U. S. A. late war; died December 2, 1886, at
New York City.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
*Christopher C. Augur, Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
*Archibald B. Botts: died January 1, 1847, at Camargo, Mexico.
*Delancey Floyd-Jones, Bvt. 1st Lt. Molino del Rey; Col. U. S. A. late
war.
*Ulysses S. Grant, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Molino del Rey and Chapultepec;
Commander U. S. A. late war; died July 23,1885, at Mt. McGregor, N. Y.
*Alexander Hays, Bvt. 1st Lt.Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma; Brig.Gen. U. S. V. late war; killed May 5, 1864, at the battle of the Wilderness. Va.
*Henry M. Judah, Bvt. 1st Lt. ani Capt. Molino del Rey and Chapultepec;
Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died January 14,1866, at Plattsburg, N. Y.
*Abram B. Lincoln, Bvt. 1st Lt. and wounded at Molino del Rey; died
April 15, 1852, at Palatka, Fla.
Maurice Maloney, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Molino del Rey and Chapultepec;
wounded at San Costne Gate; Maj. U. S. A. late war; died January 8, 1872.
*Thomas R. McConnell, Bvt, 1st Lt. and Capt. Molino del Rey and Chapultepee; died April 20, 1861, at Mobile, Ala.
*Thomas J. Montgomery; died November 22, 1854, at Fort Steilacoom, Wyo.
*Christopher R. Perry; died October 8. 1848, at sea.;Alexander P. Rodgers; killed September 18, 1847, at the battle of
Chapultepec, Mexico.
*David A. Russell. Bvt. 1st Lt. National Bridge and Cerro Gordo;
Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; killed September 19, 1864, at the battle of
Opequan, Va.
*Edmund Russell, Bvt. 1st Lt. MolinodelfRey; wounded at Churubusco;
killed March 24, 1853, in action with Indians at Red Bluff, Cal.
Cadmus M. Wilcox. (See Seventh Infantry.)
James S. Woods. (See Second Infantry.)




ï~~Posler of Army Oficers.                    635
FIFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY.
LIEuTENANT-COLONELS.
*William G. Belknap, Bvt. Col. and Brig.-Gen. Palo Alto, hsaca de la
Palma and Buena Vista; died November 10, 1851.
James S. Melntosht Bvt. Col. Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma;
wounded at Resaca de la Palma: died September 26, 1847, of wounds
received at the battle of Molkno del Rey.
MAJOns.
*John J. Abercrombie, Bvt. Lt.-Col. and wounded at Monterey; died Jannary 3, 1877, at Roslyn, L. I., N. Y.
*Dixon S. Miles, Bvt. Lt.-Col Monterey; Col. U. S. A. late war; died
September 16, 1862. of wounds received at the battle of Harper's Perry,
Va.
Martin Scott, Bvt. Lt.-Col. Monterey; killed September 8, 1847, at the
battle of Molino del Rey, Mexico.
Thomas Staniford. (See Eighth Infantry.)
CAPTAINs.
*William Chapman, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Contreras, Churubusco and
Molino del Rey; wounded at San Antonio, Mexico; Lt.-Col. U. S. A.
late war; died December 17, 1887, at Green Bay, Wis.
*Alexander S. Hooe, Bvt. Maj. Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palm); severely
wounded at Resacade la Palma; died December 9, 1847, at Baton Rouge,
La.
*Randolph B. Marcy, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died November 21, 1887,
at Orange, N. J.
Daniel H. McPhail, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; wounded at
Churubusco: Paymaster U. S. V. late war; died January 30, 1884.
*Moses E. Merrill; killed September 8, 1847, at the battle Molino del
Rey, Mexico.
Nathan B. Rossell, Bvt. Maj. Molino del Rey; Col. U. S. A. late war;
killed June 27, 1862, at-the battle of Gaines' Mill, Va.
*Daniel Ruggles, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. ContreraÂ~, Churubusco and Chapultepec; Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war.
*Ephraim Kirby Smith; died September 11, 1847 of wounds received
at the battle of Molino del Rey, Mexico.
*Carter L. Stevenson, Maj.-Geu. C. S. A. late war.
*Joseph H. Whipple: died June 30, 1847, at Perote, Mexico.
FinsT LIEUTENANTS.
George Deas. (See Assistant Adjutants-General.)
Joseph L. Folsom. (See Assistant Quartermasters.)
Sterne H. Fowler, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras, Churubusco and Molino
del Rey; wounded at Resaca de la Palma.
*Charles S. Hamilton, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; severely
wounded at Molino del Rey; Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
*Pinkney Lugenbeel, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras, Churubusco and
tChapultepee; Maj. U. S. A. late war; died March 18, 1886, at Detroit,
Mich.
Spencer Norvell; died August 12, 1850.




ï~~636                 Roster qf Army      Offler8.
John C. Robinson, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
*'Mortimer flosecrants, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; dio1 0tober 7, 1848, at Ypsilanti, Mich.
*Henry R. Selden, Col. U. S. V. late war; died Fabruary 2 1865, at Fort
Union, N. Mex.
John A. W hitall, Bvt. Capt. Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma; Maj. U.
S. A. late war; died March 31, 1866.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
*William T. Burwell; killed September 8,1847, at the battle of Molino
del Rey, Mexico.
*Frederick T. Dent, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Contreras, Churubusco and
Molino del Rey; severely wounded at Molino del Rey; Brig. -Gen. U.
S. V. late war.
*Patrick A. Farrelly, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; severely
wounded at Churubusco; died August 4, 1851, at Fort Washita, Ind. T.
Clinton W. Lear, Bvt. 1st Lt. National Bridge and Cerro Gordo; died
October 26, 1854.
*William Read; died April 29, 1884, at Washington, D. C.
*John A. Richey; assassinated January 13, 1847, by Mexicans, near
Villa Grande, Mexico.
*Joseph P. Smith; killed September 13, 1847, at the battle of Chapultepec, Mexico.
*Erastus B. Strong; killed September 8, 1847, at the battle of Molino del
Rey, Mexico.
SIXTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY.
COLONEL.
Newman S. Clarke, Bvt. Brig.-Gen. Vera Cruz; died October 17, 1860.
MAJons.
*Benjamin L. E. Bonneville, Bvt. Lt.-Col. Contrera3 ai 1 Ciurnbusoo;
wounded at Churubusco; died June 12, 1878, at Fort Smith, Ark.
Thomas P. Gwynne; died February 26, 1861.
CAPTAINS.
Thomas L. Alexander, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; died March 11,
1881, at Louisville, Ky.
*Albemarle Cady, Bvt. Maj. and wounded at Molino del Rey; Col. U. 5, A.
late war; died March 14, 1888, at New Haven, Conn.
*William Hoffman, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Contreras, Churubusoo and
Molino del Rey; wounded at Churubusco; Col. U. S. A, late war;
died August 12, 1884, at Rock Island, Ill.
George C. Hutter, Col. C. S. A.late war; died July 31, 1879.
Charles S. Lovell, Col. U. S. A. late war; died January 3, 1871.
James Monroe, Jr.
*John B. S. Todd, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died January 5, 1872. at
Yankton, Dak.
*William II. T. Walker, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Contreras, Churnbusco and Molino del Rey; severely wounded at Holino del Rey; Maj.Gen. C. S. A. late war; killed July 22, 1864, at the battle of Atlanta, Oa.
*Samuel Woods, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Chapultepec; Lt.-Col. U. S. A. late
war; died September 22, 1887, at Oakland, Cal.




ï~~Rozter of Army Oficers.

637

FIRsT LIEUTENANTS.
*Lewis A. Armistead, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras. Churubusco and
Molino del Rey; wounded at Chapultepec; Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war;
killed July 3, 1863, at the battte of Gettysburg. Pa.
*Johni D. Bacon; died October 12, 1847, of wounds received at the
battle of Churubusco, Mexico.
Edward H. Fitzgerald. (See Assistant Quartermasters.)
Thomas Hendrickson, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Chirubusco; severely
wounded at Churabusco; Maj. U. S. A. lat. war; died October 24,1878.
*Edward Johnson, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Moliao del Ray and Caapaltepec;
Maj.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died February 22, 1873, at Richmond, Va.
Alexander Morrow, Bvt. Capt. Chapultepec; died January 7, 1851.
Leonidas Wetmore, B vt. Capt. Molino del Rey I died November 18, 1849.
SEcoND LIEUTENANTS.
*Simon B. Buckner, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Contreras, Churubusco and
Molino del Rey; Lt.-Gen. C. S. A. late war.
*Rudolph F. Ernst; died September 22, 1847, of wounds received at
the battle of Molino del Rey, Mexico.
*Winfield S. Hancock, Bvt. lst.-Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; Brig.-Gen.
U. S. A. late war; died February 9, 1886, at Governor's Island, N. Y.
*Edwin Howe, Bvt. 1st Lt. Molino del Rey; died March 31, 1850, at Fort
Leavenworth, Kans.
*Ralph 'W. Kirkham, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Contreras, Churubusco and
Chapultepec; IMaj. Q. M., U. S. A. late war.
*George W. Lay, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Monterey, Contreras and Churubusep; Col. C. S. A. late war; died May 7, 1867, at New Orleans, La.
*Anderson D. Nelson, Maj. U. S. A. late war; died December 30, 1885, at
Thomasville, Ga.
William Rhea. (See Third Infantry.)
George T. Shackelford; died September 28, 1848.
SEVENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
Joseph Plympton, Bvt. Col. Cerro Gordo; died June 5, 1860.
MArons.
*Henry Bainbridge, Bvt. Lt.-'Col. Contreras and Churubusco; wounded at
Monterey; died May 31, 1857, in the burning of the steamer Louisiana,
Galveston Bay, Tex.
Jacob Brownf died May 9, 1846, of wounds received in defense of Fort
Brown, Tex.
CAPTAINS.
*Forbes Britton; died February 14, 1861, at Austin, Tex.
*Richard C. Gatlin, Bvt. Maj. and wounded at Monterey; Brig.-Gen. 0. S.
A. late war.
Charles Hanson; killed August 20, 1847, at the battle of Contreras,
Mexico.
Edgar S. Hawkins. (See First Infantry.)




ï~~638.

Roster of Army Ofieers.

John C. Henshaw, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco.
*Theophilus H. Holmes, Bvt. Maj. Monterey: Lt.-Gen. 0. S. A. late war;
died June 20, 1880, at Fayetteville, N. C.
Francis Lee. (See Fourth Infantry.)
Dixon S. Miles. (See Fifth Infantry.)
*Gabriel R. ] aul, Bvt. Maj. Chapultepec; Brig.-Gen. U. 8, V. late war;
died May 5, 1886, at Washington, D. C.
*Gabriel J. Rains, Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died August 6, 1881, at
Aiken, S. C.
*Richard H. Ross, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Monterey and Contreras; severely
wounded at Contreras; died August 24, 1851, at Boston, Mass.
Washington Seawell. (See Second Infantry.)
*Seneea G. Simmons, Col. U. S. V. late war; killed June 30, 1862, at
the battle of Glendale, Va.
*Daniel P. Whiting, Bvt. Maj. Cerro Gordo; Lt.-Col. U. S. A, late war.
FIRsT LIEUTENANTS.
*Napoleon J. T. Dana, Bvt. Capt. and severely wounded at Cerro Gordo;
M4aj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
*Levi Gantt; killed September 13, 1847, at the battle of Chapultepec,
Mexico.
*Samuel B. Hayman, Maj. U. S. A. late war.
*Nevil Hopson; died in 1847, in Texas.
*Charles H. Humber, Bvt. Capt. Cerro Gordo; severely wounded at San
Geronimo; died January 2, 1858, at Fort Smith, Ark.
Lewis H. Little, Bvt. Capt. Monterey; Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war.
killed September 19, 1862, at the battle of luka, Miss.
*Lafayette McLaws, Maj.-Gen. C. S. A. late war.
Francis N. Page. (See Assistant Adjutants-General.)
*Earl Van Dorn, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Cerro Gordo, Contreras and Churubusco; wounded at Churubusco; Maj.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; assassi.
nated May 8, 1863, in Maury Co., Tenn.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
*Franklin Gardner, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Monterey and Cerro Gordo;
Maj.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died April 29, 1873, at Vermillionville, La.
Thomas Henry, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco.
*Samuel B. Maxey, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; Maj.-Gen. C.
S. A. late war.
*Joseph H. Potter. Bvt. 1st Lt. and severely wounded at Monterey; Brig.Gen. U. S. V. late war.
*Edmund Kirby Smith, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Cerro Gordo and Contreras;
Geu. C. S. A. late war.
*Mathew R. Stevenson; died January 2, 1863, at Sackett's Harbor, N. Y.
*William H. Tyler, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; died October
24, 1853, in Prince William Co., Va.
*William K. Van Bokelen, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco.
*Cadmus M. Wilcox, Bvt. 1st Lt., Chapultepec; Maj.-Gen. C. S. A. late
war; died December 2, 1890, at Washington, D. C.




ï~~Roster of Army Officers.

639

MAIGHTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
Thomas Staniford, Bvt. Col. Palo Alto, Resacade la Palma and Monterey;
died February 3, 1855.
MA.ons
William G. Belknap. (See Fifth Infantry.)
Carlos A. Waite, Bvt. Lt.-Col. and Col. Contreras, Churubusco and Molino
del Rey; Col. U. S. A. late war; died May 7, 1866.
CAPTAINS.
*James V. Bomford, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Contreras, Churubusoo and
Molino del Rey - Col. U. S. A. late war.
George Lincoln. (See Assistant Adjutants-General.)
*Henry ieKavett; killed September 21,1846. at the battle of Monterey,
Mexico.
*William R. Montgomery, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Palo Alto, Resaca de la
Palma and Molino del Rey; wounded at Resaca and Molino; Brig.Gen. U. S. V. late war: died May 31, 1871, at Bristol, Pa.
*Isaac V. D. Reeve, Bvt. Maj. and Lt.-Col. Contreras, Churubusco and
Molino del Rey; Col U. S. A. late war; did December 31, 1890, at New
York City.
*Richard B. Screven, Bvt. Maj. and Lt,-Col. Monterey and Molino del
Rey; died May 15, 1851, at New Orleans, La.
Augustus L. Sheppard; died January 22, 1849.
*Larkin Smith, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; severely wounded at
Molino del Rey; Lt.-Col. C. S. A. late war; died December 3, 1884, at
San Antonio, Tex.
*George Wright, Bvt. Maj., Lt.-Col. and Col. Contreras, Churubusco and
Molino del Rey; wounded at Molino del Rey; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late
war; drowned July 30, 1864, in the wreck of steamer Brother Jonathan.
FIRsT LIEUTENANTS.
*John Beardsley, Bvt. Capt. and severely wounded at Molino del Rey; Col.
U. S. V. late war.
*John G. Burbank; wounded at Resaca de la Palma; died September
10, 1847 of wounds received at the battle of Molino del Rey, Mexico.
*John D. Clark, Bvt. Capt. and severely wounded at Molino del Rey;
drowned September 2, 1848, near Helena, Ark.
*Collinson R. Gates, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma and
Molino del Rey; wounded at Resaca de la Palma; died June 28, 1849, at
Fredericksburg, Tex.
Arthur T. Lee, Maj. U. S. A. late war; died December 29, 1879.
*James Longstreet, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras, Churubusco and Molino
del Rey; severely wounded at Chapultepec; Lt.-Gen. C. S. A. late war.
*Robert P. Maclay; woundel at Resaca de la Palma; Brig.-Gen. C. 8, A.
late war.
*Charles F. Morris; wounded at Resaca de la Palma; died September
17, 1847, of wounds received at the battle of Molino del Rey, Mexico.
Joseph Selden, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras, Churubusco and Chapultepee;
severely wounded at Chapultepec; Col. C. S. A. late war.




ï~~640

]?oster of Army Officers.

SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
*Edward D. Blake, Lt.-Col. C. S. A. late war; died November 29, 1882, at
Charleston, S. C.
*Jacob J. Booker; died June 26, 1849, at San Antonio, Tex.
*Theodore L. Chadbourne; killed May 9,1846, at the battle of Resacs
de la Palma.
*Alfred St. A. Crczet; died April 23, 1855, at Cincinnati, Ohio,
Alexander Hays. (See Fourth Infantry.)
*Edmunds B. Holloway, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco;
severely wounded at Churubusco; Col. C. S. A. late war; died May 16,
1861, at Independence, Mo., of wounds received from his own men.
*Charles D. Jordan, Bvt. 1st Lt. Palo Alto and Resaca de la Palma; wounded
at Resaca de la Palma; Maj. U. S. A. late war; died January 5, 1876, at
Canton, Mass.
*George E. Pickett, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Contreras, Churubusco and Chapultepec; Maj.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died July 30, 1875, at Norfolk, Va.
*Thomas G. Pitcher, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; Brig.-Gen.
U. S. V. late war.
*James G. S. Snelling, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Contreras, Churubusco and
Molino del Rey; severely wounded at Molino del Rey; died August 25,
1855, at Cincinnati, Ohio.
*George Wainwright; sevd~ely wounded at Monterey and Molino; died
August 2, 1848. at Brooklyn, N. Y.
*Lafayette B. Wood, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Monterey, Contreras and Churubusco; died August 19, 1858, at Washington, D. C.
NINTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY.
[Raised for one year by act of Congress.]
COLONELS.
*Jones M. Withers, Maj.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died March 13, 1890, at
Mobile, Ala.
Trueman B. Ransom; killed September 13, 1847, at the battle of
Chapultepec, Mexico.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
Jeremiah Clemens; died May 21, 1865.
MAXoRs.
Folliot T. Lally,Bvt. Lt.-Col. Paso Ovejas,National Bridge and Cerro Gordo.
William B. Taliaferro, Maj.-Gen. C. S. A. late war.
Thomas H. Seymour. (See Twelfth Infantry.)
SURGEON.
Justin E. Stevens.
AssIsTANT SURGEONS.
Robert T. Spence.
Francis L. Wheaton, Surgeon U. S. V. late war.
CAPTAINS.
Daniel Bachelder.
Charlos N. Bodfish, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; died March 16,1865.




ï~~Roster of Army Oficer8.

641

Lorenzo Johnson.
Edgar A. Kimball, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; Lt.-Col. U. S. V.
late war; killed by Gen. Michael Corcoran April 12, 1863.
Andrew T. Palmer. (See Fourteenth Infantry.)
Joseph S. Pitman, Bvt. Lt.-Col. U. S. V. late war; died September 15, 1883.
Theodore F. Rowe, Bvt. Maj. Puebla; died April 20. 1868.
James W. Thompson; died September 25, 1847.
Nathaniel S. Webb, Bvt. Maj. Chapultepec.
Stephen Woodman.
FInsT LIEuTENANTS.
Lyman Bissell, Maj. U. S. A. late war; died November 22, 1888.
George Bowers, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; Lt.-Col. U. S. V.
late war; died February 14, 1883.
James F. Bragg.
Justin Hodge, A. Q. M., U. S. V. late war.
John H. Jackson, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; Col. U. S. V. late
war.
Alexander Morrow. (See Sixth Infantry.)
John S. Slocun, Bvt. Capt. Churubusco; Col. U. S. V. late war; killed
July 21, 1861, at the first battle of Bull Run, Va.
*Charles J. Sprague, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; Paymaster.
U. S. V. late war.
Albert Tracy, Bvt. Capt. Chapultepec; Col. U. S. A. late war.
Thomas J. Whipple, Col. U. S. V. late war; died December 21, 1889.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
James P. Archer.
Josiah P. Chadbourne.
Daniel H. Cram.
Thompson H. Crosby, Bvt. 1st Lt. Chapultepec.
Henry De Walbe.
Richard C. Drum, Bvt. 1st Lt. Chapultepec,; Lt.-Col. U. S. A. late war.
John Glackin, Bvt. 1st Lt, Chapultepec.
Jesse A. Gove, Col. U. S. V. late war; killed June 27, 1862, at the battle
of Gaines' Mill, Va.
John M. Hatheway, Bvt. 1st Lt. Chapultepee; died January 17, 1890.
Robert Hopkins.
Charles F. Low; drowned January 16, 1874.
George W. May.
John McNabb, Capt. U. S. A. late war.
William A. Newman, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; died March 5,
1870.
Alpheus T. Palmer, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; died February
15, 1890.
Thomas P. Pierce, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; Col. U. S. V
late war; died October 14, 1887.
Charles Simmons.
Asa A. Stoddard, Bvt. 1st Lt. Chapultepec.
Nathaniel F. Swett, 1st Lt. U. S. A.,late war; died April 25, 1862.
Levi Woodhouse, Bvt. 1st Lt. Chapultepee; Col. U. S. V. late war.




ï~~642

Jo8ter of Army Officers.

TENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY
[Raised for one year by act of Congress.]
COLONEL.
*Robert E. Temple; died July 20, 1854, at Albany, N. Y.
LIEUTENANT-COLONELS.
John J. Fay. (See Thirteenth Infantry.)
Ralph G. Norvell.
MAJOIRS.
Fowler Hamilton. (See Second Dragoons.)
Justus I. McCarty; died June 8. 1881.
SURGEON.
Thomas Spencer; died May 30, 1857.
AssisTAXT SURGEONS.
William L. Booth.
John Cauger.
CAPTAINS.
William R. Andrews; died August 2, 1858.
Joshua W. Collett; killed January 21, 1848, in a duel.
Samuel Dickinson.
Matthew S. Pitcher; died September 17, 1858,
Thomas Postley; killed May 8, 1848, by a soldier.
William W. Tompkins; died February 7, 1882.
William L. Walradt.
Caleb Wilder.
Alexander Wilkins, Col. U. S. V. late war; killed July 14,1864, at the
battle of Tupelo. Miss.
Joseph A. Yard.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
Robert A. Bouton.
Francis M. Cummins, Col. U. S. V. late war; died March 26, 1884.
Samuel R. Dummer.
Joseph H. Howard.
Samuel Lea.
William 0. M. Lewis; died November 19, 1847.
Squire Moon.
Robert C. Morgan, A. Q. M., U. S. V. late war; died January 26, 1884.
Stephen Powers.
George W. Taylor; Brig..Gen. U. S. V. late war; died August 31, 1862,
of wounds received at the battle of Cub Run, Va.
SEcoND LIEUTENANTS.
Charles Bennett.
Peter H. Bruyere.
De Witt Clinton, Maj. U. S. A. late war; died August 14, 1873.
Lorimer Graham, Bvt. 1st IL. and Capt. Mill Flores and Churubusco;
severely wounded at Churubusco.




ï~~RoteV f Army Oftcers.

643

Thomas S. Griffing, A. A. G., U. S. V. late war; died March 20, 1877.
Gaylord H. Griswold.
Edward Harte.
Charles A. Johnson, Col. U. S. V. late war.
Ira S. Konover.
John Magee.
Edward McGarry, Col. U. S. V. late war; died December 81, 1867.
James McKown, Maj. U. S. V. late war.
Calvin J. Mills.
Gershom Mott, Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died November 29, 1884.
John S. Nevins.
*Hiram Russell.
Abraham Scouten.
Charles Van Alen.
Benjamin Yard; died October 21. 1847.
ELEVENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY.
[Raised for one year by act of Congress.]
COLONEL.
Albert C. Ramsey; died March 9, 1869.
LIEUTENANT-COLONELS.
*Wiam M. Graham; killed September 8, 1847, at the battle of
Molino del Rey, Mexico.
John H. Savage, Col. 0. 5. A. late war.
MAXonS.
John F. Hunter, Bvt. Lt.-Col. Contreras and Churubuseo.
*Edwin W. Morgan; died April 16, 1869, at Bethlehem, Pa.
SURGEON.
William J. Barry.
ASSISTANT SUREoxNS.
Samuel D. Scott.
John H. Weir.
CAPTAINS.
Charles T. Campbell. Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war.
Lewis Carr; died September 6, 1886.
George W. Chaytor.
Arthur C. Cummings, Bvt. Maj, National Bridge and Cerro Gordo; Col.
C. S. A. late war.
Presley N. Guthrie, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; died December
29, 1857.
William H. Irrin, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; Col. U. S. V.
late war; died Januhry 17, 1886.
Elisha W. McComas.
John Motz, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco.
Arnold Syberg.
*Pemberton Waddell; died September 25, 1847.




ï~~644

Roster of Army Oficers.

FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
George Davidson.
Columbus P. Evans, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Chapultepec; died February
19. 1854.
William H. Gray, Col. U. S. V. late war.
John I. Gregg, Col. U. S. V. late war.
Marshall Hannon; died December 6, 1847.
Benjamin F. Harley, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco.
Joseph S. Hedges.
Daniel S. Lee, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; died Augiut 15, 1857.
Thomas F. McCoy, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; Col. U. S. V.
late war.
Joseph Samuels; died December 9, 1847.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
John A. Bayard. 2d Lt. U. S. V. late war; died August 3, 1863, of
wounds received at the battle of Gettysburg, Pa.
Jacob Brua; died July 3, 1847.
James Elder, Capt. U. S. A. late war.
George B. Fitzgerald.
Weidman Forster.
Horace Haleman; died September 10, 1883.
Richard H. L. Johnston; killed September 8, 1847, at the battle of
Molino del Rey, Mexico.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
James Keenan, Jr.
Purnell Lofland.
Alonzo Loring. Bvt. 1st Lt. National Bridge and Cerro Gordo.
George C. McClelland; died October 26. 1888, at Waterloo, Pa.
Washington Meads; died August 26. 1847,
William G. Murray, Col U. S. V. late war; killed March 23 1862, at
the battle of Winchester, Va.
James W. Rhey.
William H. Scott, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco
Nicholas Spear.
Mitchell Stever.
Joseph P. Thom, Capt. C. S. A. late war.
Andrew H. Tippin, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; Col. U. S. V.
late war; died February, 1870.
*Junius B. Wheeler, Capt. U. S. A. late war; died July 15, 1886, at Lenoir,
N. C.
TWELFTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY.
[Raised for one year by act of Congress.J
COLONEL.
Milledge L. Bonham, Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died August 27, 1890, at
Columbia, S. C.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
Thomas H. Seymour, Bvt. Col. Chapultepec; died Â~pptember 8, 1868,




ï~~Roster of Army QOlieers.

645

MAJOES.
*Albert G. BlancLard, Brig..Gen. C. S. A. late war; died -  1891, at New
Orleans, La.
Maxey Gregg, Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; killed Deeember 13. 1862, at
the battle of Fredericksburg, Va.
SURGEON.
Robert R. Ritchie.
ASSISTANT SURGEONS.
John B. Butler.
Alfred G. Howard.
CAPTAINS.
Joseph B. Anthony.
William J. Clark, Bvt. Maj. National Bridge and Cerro Gordo; Col. C. S.
A. late war.
James W. Denver, Brig. -Gen. U: S. V. late war.
Oliver P. Hamilton.
John F. Hoke, Col. C. S. A. late war
Nathahiel B. Holden, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; murdered September 21, 1863.
Charles C. Hornsby.
Charles R. Jones.
*James M. Wells; died in 1853.
Allen Wood, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
Charles M. Creanor, Bvt. Capt. National Bridge and Cerro Gordo.
John H. H. Felch; died March 4. 1851.
William B. Giles, Byt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco.
John C. Howard; died December 23, 1885.
John J. Martin.
Daniel M. Short, Capt. C. S. A. late war.
John C. Simkins, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; Lt.-Col. C. S.
A. late war; killed July 18, 1863, Battery Wagner, Morris Island, S. C.
Charles Taplin, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco.
Washington L. Wilson.
Oscar D. Wyche.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
Henry Almstedt, Col. U. S. V. late war; died November 24, 1884.
Ormsby Blanding, Maj. C. S. A. late war.
Whittleld B. Brooks; died October 2, 1847, of wounds received at
the battle of Churubusco, Mexico.
John M. Bronaugh, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; died March 23,
1889.
Christopher R. P. Butler; died November 1, 1853.
Edward Cantwell, Lt.-Col. C. S. A. late war.
William 1. Coleman.
Thomas T. Conway.
Henry R. Crosby, Capt. U. S. V. late war.
William A. Linn.
Lloyd Magruder.




ï~~646

Roster qf Army Qficers.

James P. Miller.
John D. Otterson; died December 26, 1847.
Isaac W. Patton, Col. C. S. A. late war; died February 8, 1890.
Robert Patton, Jr.; died November 1847.
Abner M. Perrin. Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; killed May 12, 1864, at
the battle of Spottsylvania, Va.
E. N. Saunders.
Alexander E. Steen, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; Brig.-Gen.
C. S. A. late war; killed November 27, 1862, at the battle of Kane
Hill, Ark.
James F. Waddell, Lt.-Col. C. S. A. late war.
John J. Wheeden; died January 14, 1848.
Alden M. Woodruff
THIRTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY.
(Raised for one year by acd of Congress.]
COLONELS.
Robert M. Echols; died December 3, 1847.
John J. Pay.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
Jones M. Withers. (See Ninth Infantry.)
MAJORS.
Allen G. Johnson.
Edward Manigault, Maj. 0. S. A. late war.
CArrANs.
John B. Campbell.
Henry E. W. Clark.
Hugh L. Clay, Lt.-Col. C. S. A. late war.
Duncan L. Clinch, Jr., Col. C. S. A. late war.
Walton EA6r, Col. C. S. A. late war; died February 1, 1862.
Adam Hawk,
Hiram H. Higgins, Maj. C. S. A. late war.
Ely P. Howell.
Egbert I. Jones, Col. C. S. A. late war.
John W. Rice.
FIRsT LIEUTENANTS.
Henry C. Bradford, Lt.-Col. C. S. A. late war; died April 8, 1879.
George W. Chilter.
Nicholas Davis, Jr; died November 8, 1875.
James M. Dye.
John S. Hale.
Robert S. Hayward.
John C. Marrast, Lt.-Col. C. S. A. late war.
Powhatan R. Page, Lt.-Col. C, S. A. late war.
Fitz H. Ripley, Capt. C. S. A. late war.
Joseph A. White.




ï~~Roster of Army Offlcers.

647

SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
Samuel H. Crump, Maj. C. S. A. late war; died September 19, 1883.
Edward J. Dummett; died October 1, 1855.
Nathaniel Grant; died February 1, 1865.
William D. Grey; died April 7, 1848.
Isaac Hulse, Jr.
Mann P. Hunter, Capt. C. S. A. late war.
Daniel Kirkpatrick.
Charles McClung.
Marcus L, McMillion.
John C. Maugham. Jr.
William A. Morrison.
John N. Perkins. Capt. C. S. A. late war.
John C. Reese.
William F. Reeves.
John 1. Sims.
Reuben T. Thom; Capt. C. S. A. late war.
John P. Wallace.
John C. Wellborn.
David G. Wilds.
John J. Witherspoon; died October 22, 1847.
FOURTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY.
[Raised for one year by act of Congress.]
COLONEL.
William Trousdale. Bvt., Brig.-Gen. Chapultepec; died March 27, 1872.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
Paul 0. Hebert, Bvt. Col. Molino del Rey; Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war;
died August 29, 1880, at New Orleans, La.
MA.Tons.
Andrew T. Palmer; died June 20, 1858.
John H. Savage. (See Eleventh United States Infantry.)
John D. Wood.
SURGEON.
Lewis W. Jordan.
AssIsTANT-SURGEONS.
Robert H. McGinniss; died September 1, 1847.
Edward B. Price.
CAPTAINS.
*Pierce B. Anderson, Capt. C. S. A. late war; killed December 13,
1861, at the battle of Buffalo Mt., W. Va.
Robert G. Beale.
Edgar Bogardus.
Julien P. Breedlove; died August 12, 1848.
Benjamin F. Fulton.
Christopher M. Gaile.
Thomas Glenn. Bvt. Maj. Chapultepec.




ï~~648

Roster of Army Otficems.

SCreed T. Huddlestone; died October 1, 1847.
Joseph W. Perkins; died October 22, 1847.
James M. Scantland, Bvt. Maj. Chapultepec; died July 22, 1849.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
James Blackburn, Bvt. Capt. Chapultepec.
Preston G. Haynes.
Philander A. Hickman.
Robert Humphreys.
Henry B. Kelly, Col. C. S. A. late war.
Andrew J. McAllon.
Nelson McClannahan.
George W. Morgan, Maj. C. S. A. late war.
Thomas Shields, Lt.-Col. C. S. A. late war.
Thomas Smith, Col. C. S. A. late war.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
Robert W. Bedford: died June 13, 1848.
George W. Cheney.
John Chester, Col. C. S. A. late war.
*Samuel B. Davis, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco: Maj. C. S. A. late
war.
Richard T. Eastin.
James G. Fitzgerald.
Thomas Hart.
James C. C. Hays.
Andrew J. Hudson.
Andrew J. Issacks, Bvt. 1st Lt. Chapultepee.
Alexander C. Layne.
Samuel T. Love, Maj. C. S. A. late war.
Samuel H. Martin.
Benjamin S. Mudd; died January 29, 1848.
Hugh C. Murray.
John T. Sanford.
William H. Seawell, Lt.-Col. C. S. A. late war: died May 29, 1875.
Richard Steele.
Perrin Watson; died January 3, 1848.
Joseph Q. Wilbar.
FIFTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY.
[Raised for one year by act of Congress.]
COLONEL.
*George W. Morgan, Bvt. Brig.-Gen. Contreras and Churubusco; BrigGen. IT. S. V. late war.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL,
Joshua Howard, Bvt. Col. Chapultepec; Paymaster U. S. V. late war; died
July 12, 1868.
MAJoRs.
Leslie H. McKenney.
Frederick D. Mills: killed August 20, 1847, in action at San Antonio,
Mexico.




ï~~Poster of Army Officers.

649

Samuel Woods. (See Sixth United States Infantry.)
SURGEON.
James B. Slade; died November 30, 1847.
ASSISTANT SURGEON.
William D. Carlin, Surgeon U. S. V. late war; December 26, 1862.
CAPTAINS.
John S. Berry.
Daniel Chase, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; Maj. U. S. A. late war;
died June 24, 1877.
Edwin Guthrie; died July 20, 1847, of wounds received in action at
La Hoya, Mexico.
Moses Hoagland, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco.
James A. Jones, Bvt. Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; Lt.-Col. U. S. V.
late war.
Edward A. King, Col. U. S. A. late war; killed September 20, 1863, at
the battle of Chickamauga, Ga.
Augustus Quarles; killed August 20, 1847, at the battle of Churubusco,
Mexico.
Isaac D. Toll.
Eugene Van de Venter.
Frazey M. Winans, Bvt. Maj. National Bridge and Cerro Gordo; Lt.-Col.
U. S. V. late war; died March 5, 1864, at Monroe, Mich.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
George.W. Bowie, Bvt. Capt. and Maj. Contreras and Churubusco; Col. U.
S. V. late war.
Thornton F. Broadhead, Bvt. Capt. Contreras and Churubusco; Col.
U. S. V. late war; died September 2, 1862, of wounds received at the
second battle of Bull Run, Va.
Thomas H. Freelon, Bvt. Capt. Chapultepec; died March 5, 1885.
John B. Goodman; killed August 20, 1847, at the battle of Churubusco,
Mexico.
Edward C. Marshall, Bvt. Capt. Chapultepec.
John B. Miller, Capt. U. S. A. late war; died January 4, 1877.
William R. Stafford.
Albert G. Sutton, Bvt. Capt. Chapultepec.
William S. Tanneyhill; died April, 1863.
Diedrich Upmann.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
Samuel E. Beach, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco; Col. U. S. V.
late war.
Francis 0. Beckett, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco,
John R. Bennett, Bvt. 1st Lt. Chapultepec; Capt. U. S. V. late war.
Lleiellyn Boyle.
Michael P. Boyle; died October 23, 1847.
Heman M. Cady, Capt. U. S. A. late war.
Daniel French, Byt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Chapultepec; Col. U. S. V. late war.
William H. H. Goodloe.
Henry H. Green.
George F. Hooper.




ï~~650

Ro8ter of Army O/ffcer8.

Cornelius Ketcham.
Edwin R. Merrifield.
Charles Peternell, Bvt. 1st Lt. and Capt. Chapultepee.
Samuel D. Stuart.
Lewis W. Templeton.
Thomas B. Tilton.
Platt S. Titus, Bvt. 1st Lt. Chapultepec; Capt. U. S. V. late war.
James W. Wiley, Bvt. 1st Lt. Contreras and Churubusco.
William D. Wilkins. Bvt. 1st Lt. National Bridge aud Cerro Gordo: Capt.
U. S. V. late war; died March 31, 1882.
Abel W. Wright.
SIXTEENTH REGIMENT OF INFANTRY.
[Raised for one year by act of Congress.]
COLONM.
John W. Tibbatts; died July 5, 1852.
LIEUTENANT-COLONELS.
Fowler Hamilton. (See Second Dragoons.)
Henry L. Webb.
MAJORS.
Ralph G. Norvell. (See Tenth Infantry.)
James M. Talbott; died June 15, 1848.
SURGEON.
George Berry.
AssISTANT SURGEONS.
Alexander C. Hensley.
James D. Stuart.
CAPTAINS.
Thomas F. Bethell, Capt. U. S. V. late war; died March 25, 1873.
Edmund B. Bill; died October 12, 1847.
James W. Brannon.
Edward Curd.
Theophilus T. Garrard; Brig.-Gen. U. S. V. late war;
Edward A. Graves.
Patrick H. Harris.
Leslie H. McKenney. (See Fifteenth Infantry.)
Richard Owen, Col. U. S. V. late war; died March 24, 1890.
Joseph P. Smith.
*Charles Wickliffe, Col. C. S. A. late war; died April 27, 1862, of wounds
received at the battle of Shiloh, Tenn.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
William Hamer.
Charles J. Helm.
James Hughes.
John T. Hughes.
Joseph Kellogg, Capt. U. S. V. late war.
Henry K. Ramsey; died September 9, 1855.
David W. Scott.




ï~~Roster qf Army Oficers.

851

George W. Singleton.
Joab Wilkinson, Capt. U. S. A. late war; died November 9, 1887.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
Marcellus M. Anderson.
Edward C. Berry.
William W. Carr.
William Cooper.
Oliver Dieffendorf.
Alexander Evans, Maj. C. S. A. late war.
Bernard H. Garrett.
Orlando B. Griffith, Capt. U. S. V. late war; died June 6, 1877.
Thomas T. Hawkins, Maj. C. S. A. late war.
John C. How.
Burwell B. Irvan.
Francis McMordie.
John A. Markley.
Daniel 0. May.
Samuel V. Niles; died October 12, 1887, at Washington, D. C.
William H. Slade.
James M. Smith.
Frederick A. Snyder.
Samuel N. Whitcomb, PP. U. S. V. late war.
Thomas M. Winston, Maj. U. S. A. late war.
REGIMENT OF VOLTIGEURS AND FOOT RIFLEMEN.
[Raised for one year by act of Congress.]
COLONEL.
Timothy P. Andrews, Bvt. Brig.-Gen. Chapultepec; died March 11, 1868.
LIEUTENANT-COLONEL.
Joseph E. Johnston. (See Topographical Engineers.)
MASons.
George A. Caldwell, Bvt. Lt.-Col. Chapultepec.
George H. Talcott. (See Ordnance.)
SURGEON.
John W. Tyler.
ASSISTANT SURGEONS.
Archibald B. Campbell, Surgeon U. S. V. late war; died September 1, 1878.
James L. Clarke.
CAPTAINS.
James J. Archer, Bvt. Maj. Chapultepec; Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died
October, 24, 1864.
Moses J. Barnard, Bvt. Maj. Chapultepec.
Charles J. Biddle, B-vt. Maj. Chapultepec; Col. U. S. V. late war; died September 28, 1873, at Philadelphia, Pa.
James D. Blair.
*James N. Caldwell, Maj. U. S. A. late war; died March 12, 1886, at Carthage, Ohio.




ï~~652

Roster of Army qfficers.

Alexander P. Churchill.
Oscar E. Edwards, Bvt. Maj. Chapultepec, Col. C. S. A. late war.
John E. Howard, Bvt. Maj. Chapultepec.
John Jones.
James H. Walker.
FIRST LIEUTENANTS.
John M. Blakey.
Alexander H. Cross; died 1869.
Birkett D. Fry, Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war.
John W. Leigh, lovt. Capt. National Bridge and Cerro Gordo; Maj. C. 8. A.
late war.
Henry C. Longnecker; Col. U. S. V. late war; died September 16, 1871.
Leonidas McIntosh.
James C. Marriott.
James Tilton; died November 24, 1878.
William S. Walker, Bvt. Capt. Chapultepec; Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war.
James H. Woolford; died May 15, 1888.
SECOND LIEUTENANTS.
Robert H. Archer; Lt.-Col. C. S. A. late war; died March 10, 1878.
George W. Carr; Col. C. S. A. late war.
Theodore D. Cochran; Capt. U. S. A. late war; died July 25, 1863.
Robert C. Forsyth, Bvt. 1st Lt. Chapultepec; Lt.-dol. C. S. A. late war.
James A. Frost.
Michael H. Hooper.
George R. Kiger.
Gustavus S. Kintzing; died December 6, 1884.
Frank H. Larned; Capt. U. S. A. late war.
Edwin C. Marvin.
James R. May.
Van Renssalaer Otey.
James E. Slaughter; Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war.
Isaac W. Smith; Capt. C. S. A. late war.
James H. Smythe.
Washington Terrett.
Charles F. Vernon.
Robert Swan.
Jamnes I%. Winder; died September 1, 1848, of wounds received in
action at National Bridge, Mexico.




ï~~(Appendix D.]
VOLUNTEER OFFICERS
Serving in Medico Fron 1846 to 1848.
GENERAL OFFICERS.
MAXJon-GENERALS.
Robert Patterson, Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late war; died August 7, 1881, at
Philadelphia, Pa.
William 0. Butler; died August 6, 1880, in Kentucky.
BRIGADIER-GENnRALs.
George Cadwalader, Bvt. Maj.-Gen. Chapultepec; Maj.-Gen. U. S. V. late
war; died February 3, 1879.
Caleb Cushing; died January 2, 1879, in Massachusett
Thomas L. Hamer; died December 2, 1846, at Monterey. Mexico.
Joseph Lane, Bvt. Maj.-Gen. Huamantla; died April 19, 1881, in Oregon.
Thomas Marshall; died March 28, 1853, in Kentucky.
Pranklin Pierce; died October 8, 1869, in New Hampshire.
Gideon J. Pillow, Brig.-Gen. C. S. A.late war; died October 8, 1878, at Mem.
phis, Tenn.
Sterling Price, Maj.-Gen. C. S. A. late war; died September 29, 1867, in
Missouri.
John A. Quitman, Bvt. Maj.-Gen. Monterey; died July 17, 1858, in Mississippi.
Jamps Shields, Bvt. Maj.-Gen. Cerro Gordo; Brig..Gen. U. S. V. late war;
died June 1, 1879.
Persifor F. Smith, Bvt. Brig. and Maj.-Gen. Monterey, Contreras and
Churubusco; died May 17, 1858, at Fort Leavenworth, Kan.
PAYMVASTERS (Rank of Majors).
Alfred H. Colquitt, Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late war.
Jeremiah Y. Dashiel, Col. C. S. A. late war; died March 14, 1888, at San
Antonio, Texas.
ALABAMA.
BATTALION OF ALABAMA             Egbert B. Johnston.
VOLUNTEERS.               John A. Strother.
Lieutenant-Coonel.                Second Lieutenants.
Philip H. Raiford.                 Spencer Currell.
Captains.             Thomas I. Holloway.
Richard H. Hutchinson.
James M. Curtis.                   John C. Parkman.
Robert L. Downman.
Robert F. Ligon.                   REGIMENT OF ALABAMA VOL,
AssieUant Surgeon.                  UNTEERS.
A. McDonald.                                    Colonel.
First Lieutenants.        John R. Coffey.
Thomas 0. Glasscock.              4%.Lieutenant-Colonel.
Norflett Ivey.                     Richard G. Earle.
1                                           658




ï~~654

Roster of   olunteer  ifficers.
ALABAMA-Continued.

1Jiajor.
*Goode Byran, Brig-Gen. C. S. A.
late war.
Surgeon
John W. Moore.
Assistant Sui geon.
J. Courtney Clark.
Adiutant.
Hugh P. Watson.
Captains
Drury P. Baldwin.
William G. Coleman.
Hugh M. Cunningham.
Richard M. Jones.
WilliamaH. Ketcham.
Sydenham Moore.
An drew L. Pickens.
Jacob D. Shelley.
Eliphas T. Smith.
Zachariah Thomason.
First Lieutenanitb.
James A. Cox.
William H. Forney.
Stephen F. Hale.
William S. Hancock.
William M. Hill.
John L. May; died at Matamoros.
Mexico, September 26, 1846.
Nathaniel P. Murphy.
James H. Pitts.
Reuben P. Thom, Jr.
John F. Thompson.
Second Lieuteaant.
John C. Anderson.
Daniel Cothran; died November 16,
1846.
William M. Ford.
John B. Fuller.
Edward Hoskins.
Joseph D. McCann.
Garner M. McConnico.
John M. McDuff.
George W. Malone.
George W. Monroe.
John H. Norwood.
James Pierce.
Albert H. Rippetoe.
Early Roe.
George D. Snedicor.
Stephen W. Snow.
Henry B. Turner.
BATTALION OF ALABAMA
VOLUNTEERS.
Major.
John I. Seibels.
Aat ant.
Robert A. Hardaway.

Assistant Surgeon.
Anthony B. Green.
Captains.
John Gorham Barr.
Daniel Gibbs.
Thomas B. Irby.
Tennent Lomax.
Blanton McAlpine.
First Lieutenants.
James H. Bogle.
John W. Caddell.
McKay M. Copeland.
Alexander T. Hawthorne.
William L. Moon.
Second Lieutenants.
Andrew Bogle.
James Clark.
David B. Cleveland.
Elijah G. Hood.
Elijah King.
Peyton G. King.
William R. King; died at Orizaba,
Mexico, May 5, 1848.
George Lynch.
James R. Malone.
John Woods.
THREE INDEPENDENT COMPANIES OF ALABAMA VOL.
UNTEERS.
Captains.
Robert Desha.
Rush Elmore.
William H. Platt.
First Lieutenants.
Thomas Adrien.
Algernon M. Cook.
John S. Garvin.
Second Lieutenants.
Lewis Dickenson.
Thomas P. Miller.
John N. Perkins.
INDEPENDENT COMPANY OF
ALABAMA MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS.
Captain.
James McGee.
First Lieutenant.
Isaac Henry.
Second Lieutenants.
Granville H. Black.
David A. Malone.
Richard T. Malone.




ï~~Roster of Volunteer Oficers.
ARKANSAS.

655

REGIMENT OF ARKANSAS
MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS.
Colonels.
John Selden Roane, Brig.-Gen. C. S.
A. late war; died April 7, 1867,
at Pine Bluff, Ark.
Archibald Yell; killed at the
battle of Buena Vista, Mexico,
February 28,1847.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Gaston Meares.
Major.
Solon Borland; died January 1, 18Q4,
at Houston, Tex.
Adjutant.
Benjamin F. Ross; wounded at Buena Vista.
Surgeon.
Craven Peyton.
Assistant-Surgeon.
John W. Glenn.
Captains.
Christopher C. Danly.
Franklin W. Desha.
John J. Dillard.
Ed-ward Hunter.
James S. Moffitt; died November 9,
1846.
George Washington Patrick.
Albert Pike, Brig.-Gen. C. S. A. late
war; died April 3, 1891, at Wash.
ington, D. C,
Andrew B. Porter; killed at
thebattleof Buena Vista, Mexico,
February 23, 1847.
John Preston, Jr.
William G. Preston.
Hiram W. Taylor.
First Lieutenants.
Vachel S. Dillingham
George S. Foster
Nathaniel T. Gaines
John F. Hill
William K. McKean
Thomas A. Reeder; wounded at
Buena Vista.
Hamilton Reynolds
Jesse Searcy

Thomas C. Tomberlin
Cincinnatus Trousdale
Second Lieutenant6.
William Calvert
Hiram Carr
William H. Causin
Addison Cochran: died January 8,
1847, at Patos. Mexico.
John Degraffenredi.
John C. Douglas.
JamesF. Fagan.
Josiah M. Giles.
Ezekiel H. Gilbert.
Allen McAfee.
Roger McGowan.
William A. McLain.
John C. Peay, Maj. C. S. A. late war.
Redmond B. Sagely.
Walter F. Scott.
Richard Searcy.
Alexander Stewart.
George C. Stewart; died October 28,
1846.
Davis Thompson.
Leonard Willhaff.
INDEPENDENT COMPANY OF
ARKANSAS MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS.
Captain.
Gaston Meares. (See Lt.-Col., Ark.
Mtd.)
First Lieutenant
Benjamin F. Ross. (See Adjt., Ark.
Mtd.)   Surgeon.
Ewing H. Roane.
Second Lieutenait.
Allan L. McAfee.
Daniel T. W. Morrison.
ADDITIONAL      COMPANY      OF
ARKANSAS VOLUNTEERS
Captain.
Stephen B. Enyart.
First Lieutenant.
James P. Neel.
Second Lieutenants.
Elijah O'Brien.
Joseph F. Rieff.

CALIFORNIA.
BATTALION      OF  CALIFORNIA      Louis McLane.
VOLUNTEERS.                           Adjutants.
Lieutenant-Colonel.        John C. Bonnycastle; died October
John Charles Fremont. (See Mtd.        29, 1884.
Rifles, U. S. A.)               William N. Loker.
Majors.                Theodore Talbot. (See 1st U. S. Art.)
Archibald H. Gillespie, Bvt. Maj.              Paymastr.
San Pasqual.                    F. B. Reading.




ï~~65~6             Ro8tcr of Volunteor O/Jier8.
CALIFO0RNIA -Continued.
Orcbtance officer.        Mliguel de I1ed urena.
William II. Russell.               John Sears.
Quarerma4er-Granville P. Swift.
Quarermcter.B. K. Thompson.
J. R. Snyder.                       John K. Wilson.
Surgemi                         Iirst Lictittintals.
Edward Gilchirist.                  Williamii Baldiridge.
Assistant Surgeonts.      James H. Barton.
David Thomason.                     William Blackburn.
John Townsend.                     E. Bryant.
CaptabmWilliam Bradshawv.
Captins.Felipe Butron.
Santiago E. Arguello.              D. A. Davis,
John Bidwell.                      A. Girard.
Cliai'les Buiironqr~v%: k1,ill( l1)\ AcerC    cse
Mexican Lancers, No-N cmlber 15,  Edward M. Kken.
1846.                           Montgomery Martin.
William Findlay.                   John J. Myvers.
Henry S. Ford.                     Hiram Rlmsaii.
Samuel Gibson; wounded at Sen      H. Ml. Wemnbough.
Pasqual.BejmnD                              V"Iol
John Grigsby.                       Be SainD.wl ilsont.
Lansford WV. Hastings,.                    &oi(Letnns
Samuel J. Hensley.                 D. T. Bird.
Benjamnin N. Hudspeth.Alxsoey
Rtichard T. Jacobs.                A. J. Grayson.
Henry King.                        J. M. Hudlpetlh.
William A. T. Maddox.              B. Lippincott.
Richard OWens.                     James Rock.
FLORIDA.
INDEPENDENT COMPANY OF ADDITIONAL COMPANY OF4
FLORIDA VOLUNTEERS.                 FLORIDA VOLUNTEERS.
Captain.Captamins
Captain.          eorge Holmes.
William W. I. Kelly.               -Lk. G. Livingston; died at Guadlalupe, Mexico, February,1814.
First Lieutenant.                 First Lieuteanits
Hopewll Dosey.D. M. Stewart; died ait Vera Cruz,
Ilopwel Dorey.Mexico, November 3,1847.
Roman B. Sanchez.
Second Lievtentants.               Second LiceLICItas.
A. Hf. Bright.                     Williamn L. Scott.
John Parkhill.                     Joseph Woodruff.
GEORGIA.
RtEGIMENT OF GEORGIA VOL-                      Adiutaints.
UNTEERS.                 Charles P. Hecrvey.
Colonel.              John Forsyth.
Henry R. Jackson.                               Coininsbu.
Lieutenzant-Colonel.       Daniel H. Bird.
Thomas Y. Redd.                    James S. Calhoun.
Major.                John E. Da-vis.
Charls J.Willams.Daniel W. Dill.
Charls J.Willams.Kennedy Gramling.
Surgeonl.              Isaac Holmes.
Abram S. Hill.                     John Jones.
Assitan Sw~wt.Allison Nelson.
AssitantSurgon.Harrison J. Sargent.
Joseph Glenn.                      Joseph A. S. Turner.




ï~~Roster (f  Volunteer Oficer.

657

GEORGIA-Continued.

First Lieutenants.
George B. D. Alexander.
George Corlette.
James M. Dodds.
Edwin R. Goulding.
Orran C. Horne.
Allen Keith.I
John Phinizy, Jr.
ElishA L. Shelton.
Leonidas W. Walton.
Second Lieutenants.
Henry C. Anderson,
John E. J. Cottle; died at Camargo,
Mexico, October 15, 1846.
John DeVaney.
Joseph Dismukes; died at Monterey,
Mexico, December 4, 1846.
Roswell Ellis.
William D. Griffin.
Henry B. Holliday.
John A. Hunter.
James Kellogg.
Zimmerman Lawton,
A. Hugenier McLaws.
William J. Manahan.
William F. Mullens.
David O'Connor.
William Phillips.
Edmund C. Rodgers.
Absalom M. Sauls.
Joseph H. Shivers.
John Thompson.
Joseph H. Winters.
BATTALION OF GEORGIA VOLUNTEERS.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Isaac G. Seymour.
Adjutant.
Francis M. Levison.
Surgeon.
John J. B. Hoxey.
Assistant Surgeon.
Hugh R. Rutledge.
Captains.
John S. Fain.
Albert J. Gaulden; murdered at
San Miguel, Mexico, May 28, 1848.
William B. Grant- died at Columbus,
Ga.. October 9, 1847.
Charles P. Hervey; died at Columbuds, Ga.
William N, Nelson.
Benjamin J. Smith.
First Lieutenants.
Jonathan C. Holcomb.
Anderson A. Hunt.
Harvey Philips.
Robert F. Simmons; died at Jalapa,
Mexico, January 5, 1848.
Second Lieutenants.
tackson L. Clay.

Francis Holden.
Eugene S. Hoole.
Andrew M. Hunter; died February
27, 1848.
Alfred Iverson, Jr, Brig.-Gen. C. S.
A. late war; died March 4, 1873.
Thomas Walker.
Amos S. Way.
James B. Wells.
BATTALION OF GEORGIA
MOUNTED VOLUNTELlIS.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
James S. Calhoun.
Adjutants.
John C. Hateley.
George W. Knight.
Assistant Suryeon.
James F. Bozeman.
Captains.
William D. Fulton.
Edwin R. Goulding.
Charles A. Hamilton.
Henry Kendall; died at Cuornavaca,
Mexico, March, 9, 1848.
Charles H. Nelson.
William H. C. Renfro.
William T. Wofford.
First Lieutenants.
Charles T. Baker.
Thomas Berry.
Brice A. Hoxey.
William W. Rich.
Isaac Wallen.
Second Lieutenants.
John T. Allen.
George W. Anderson.
William 0. Bogle.
Zachariah Booth.
Lewis W. Chandler.
Reuben C. Connor.
William E. Curtis.
Joseph C. Davis.
Elisha R. Forsyth.
James H. Hill.
Seth Jenkins; died at Crus Blanco,
Mexico, June 7, 1848.
John L. Parker.
Jonathan 0. Reeder; died at Churubusco, Mexico, April 14, 1848.
William A. Young.
INDEPENDENT COMPANY OF
GEORGIA MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS.
Captain.
John ]1oyall.
First Lieutenant.
Francis Mcurdy.
Second Lieutenants.
George T. Anderson, Brig.-Gen. C.
S. A. late war.
Edward L. Thomas.




ï~~658              Roster of    Vo
ILLI
FIRST REGIMENT OF ILLINOIS
VOLUNTEERS.
Colonels.
John J. Hardin: killed at the
battle of Buena Vista, Mexico,
February 23, 1847.
William Weatherford.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
William B. Warren.
Major.
William A. Richardson.
Surgeon.
Wm. B. Herrick.
Assistant Surgeon.
C. B. Zabriskie.
Adjutants.
Benjamin M. Prentiss, Maj.-Gen. U.
S. V. late war.
William H. L. Wallace, Brig.Gen. U. S. V. late war; died
April 10, 1862, of wounds received
in the battle of Shiloh, Tenn.
Captains.
Albion T. Crow.
Noah Fry.
John L. McConnell; wounded at
Buena Vista, Mexico.
Samuel Montgomery.
James D. Morgan, Brig.-Gen. U. S.
V. late war.
Lyman Mower.
George W. Robertson.
Michael P. Smith.
Jacob Zabriskie; killed at the
battle of Buena Vista, Mexico,
February 23, 1847.
William J. Wyatt, Lt.-Col. U. S. V.
late war.
First Lieutenants.
Samuel R. Black.
William Erwin, Lt.-Col. U. S, V. late
war.
Hezekiah Evans; wounded at Buena
Vista.
William Y. Henry.
Patrick Higgins.
Edmund S. Holbrook.
Bryan U. Houghton; killed at
the battle of Buena Vista, Mexico, February 23, 1847.
Allen Persinger.
William C. Rainey.
John Scanland.,
James H. Weatherford.
Second Lieutenaute.
Robert C. Buzan.
Solomon C. Chester.
William A. Clark.
George T. M. Davis.

lun tcer Offlers.
'NOIS.
James E. Dunlap, Lt.-Col. U. S. V.
late war.
James Evans.
Thomas H. Flynn, Lt.-Col. U. S. V.
late war.
Nathan D. 11atfield.
John T, May.
Matthew Moran.
George S. Myers.
John Reddick.
Thomas R. Roberts.
Francis Ryan.
Joshua C. Winters, Lt.-Col. U. S. V.
late war.
James M. Wood.
Isaac S. Wright.
Elias B. Zabriskie.
SECOND REGIMENT OF ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
William H. Bissell.
Lieutenant-Colonc.
James L. D. Morrison.
Major.
Xerxes F. Trail.
Surgeon.
Edward D. Price.
Assistant Surgeon.
Thomas M. Hope.
Adjutant.
Augustus H. Whitesides; wounded
at Buena Vista.
aptaas.
Julius W. Baker; wounded at Buena
Vista.
Elze C. Coffey; wounded at Buena
Anderson P. Corder.
John S. Hacker.
Joseph K. Lemen, Maj. U. S. V. late
war.
Peter Lott.
Madison Miller.
Julius Raith, Col. U. S. V. lato war.
Charles L. Starbuck.
Henry L. Webb. (See 16th U. S.
Inf.)
Erastus Wheeler.
William Woodard; killed at
the battle of Buena Vista, Mexico,
February 23, 1847.
First Lieutenants.
John Bartleson; killed at the
battle of Buena Vista, Mexico,
February 23, 1847.
Sidney S. Condon.
Turner R. DeButts.
Nathaniel B. Dilhorn.




ï~~Ro8ter of Volunteer Officers.
ILLINOIS-Continued.

659

Edward F. Fletcher; killed at
the battle of Buena Vista, Mexico,
Februarly 23, 1847.
Jacob C. Hinckley.
Harvey Nevill.
Nathaniel Niles, Col. U. S. V. late
war.
George W. Prickett.
JohnA.Prickett; wounded atBuena
Vista.
John W. Rigby.
Second Lieutenants.
Aaron Atherton; killed at the
battle of Buena Vista, Mexico,
February 23, 1847.
John Brown; wounded at Buena
Vista.
Jackson Dennis.
Adolph Engelmaun; wounded at
uena Bista; Col. U. S. V. late
war.
Rodney Ferguson; killed at the
battle of Buena Vista, Mexico,
February 23, 1847.
Joel Foster.
James M. Gaunt.
Alfonso Grammer.
Timothy Kelly* killed at the
battle of BuenaVista, Mexico,
February 23, 1847.
Gilbert P. McFarland.
Aston Madeira.
Joseph Martin.
Andrew J. Miller.
William Price; killed at the
battle of Buena Vista, Mexico,
February 23, 1847.
John D. Rees, Lt.-Ool. U. S. V. late
war.
William B. Reynolds.
Lauriston Robbins; killed at
the battle of Buena Vista, Mexico, February 23, 1847.
Aliia  B.R loundtree; killed at
the battle of Buena Vista, Mexico, February 28, 1847.
William B. Roundtree.
Isaac N. Selby; died at San Antonio,
December 7, 1846.
James Smith.
James C. Steel; killed at the
battle of Buena Vista. Mexico,
February 23, 1847.
Louis Stock.
William W. Tate.
James H. Waddle.
Nioodemus West; wounded at Buena
Vista.
John L. Wilson, Maj. U. S. V. late
war.
THIRD REGIMENT OF ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
Ferris Foreman.

Licutenant-Colonel.
William W. Willey.
Major.
Samuel D. Marshall.
Surgeon.
James Mahan.
Assistant Suryeon.
James Bucharty.
Adjutants.
Charles Everett.
James T. B. Stapp.
Captains.
William W. Bishop, Lt.-Ool. U. S.V.
late war.
John A. Campbell.
Jeduthin P. Hardy.
Stephen G. Hicks, Col. U. S. V. late
war.
Michael K. Lawler, Brig.-Gen. U. S.
V. late war; died July 26, 1882.
James C. McAdams, died at Matamoros, Mexico, January 4. 1847.
Theodore McGinniss.
Benjamin E. Sellers.
Philip Stout.
First Lieutenants.
John J. Adams.
James Boothe.
Samuel Hooper.
Jacob H. Love; died at Cainargo,
Mexico, October 5, 1846.
Samuel G. McAdams.
W. L. McNeil.
Samuel L. M. Proctor.
Thomas Rose; severely woanded at
Cerro Gordo.
William A. Thomas.
George W. Walker.
Second Lieutenants.
John Burke.
John Corlew.
Henry 0. Dunbar.
David Evey.
Green B. Field.
Cyrus Hall, Col. U. S. V. late war;
died September 6, 1878.
Charles E. Jones; died at St. Louis,
March 4, 1847.
Thomas J. Livingston.
James McDonald.
Isaac Redfern.
John I. Ritchie.
FOURTH REGIMENT OF ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
Edward D. Baker, Maj.-Gen.
U.S. V. late war; killed October
21, 1861, at the battle of Balls
Bluff, Va.




ï~~660              Roster of   Vol
ILLINOIS
Lfutetant-Volontil.
John Moore.
Major.
Thomas L. Harris.
Adjutant.
William B. Fondey.
Surgeon.
William M. P. Quinn.
Assistant*Surgeon.
John O'Neal.
Captains.
John C. Hurt.
Edward Jones.
John S. McConkey.
Achilles Morris; died at Tampico,
Mexico, February 15, 1847.
Daniel Newcomb.
Isaac C. Pugh, Col. U.S. V. late war.
Horatio E. Roberts.
Lewis W. Ross.
Asa D. Wright.
First Lieutenants.
William T. Barrett.
George W. Cowardatr; killed
at the battle of Cerro Gordo,
Mexico, April 18, 1847.
Leonard A. Knott.
Richard Murphy; died April
20, 1847, of wounds receivedat
the battle of Cerro Gordo,
Mexico,
Richard J. Oglesby. Maj.-Gen. U. S.
V. late war.
Leonard F. Ross, Brig.-Gen. U. S.
V. late war.
Robert C. Scott; severely wounded
at Cerro Gordo.
Andrew J. Wallace; died at Camargo, Mexico, October 6, 1846.
Seemd Lieutenants.
John W. S. Alexander, Col. U. S. V.
late war.
John S. Bradford.
David A. Brown.
Alfred C. Campbell.
William L. Duncan.
John D. Foster.
Anderson Froman; wounded at
Cerro Gordo; Lt.-Col. U. S. V.
late war.
Benjamin Howard; wounded at
Cerro Gordo.
Sheldon I. Johnson; severely
wounded at Cerro Gordo.
Charles Maltby; wounded at Cerro
Gordo.
John P. Post, Col. U. S. V. late war.
Albert F. Shaw.
William A. Tinney.

unteer Oficers.
-ContinueO.
(1) ADDITIONAL REGIMENT OF
ILLINOIS VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
Edward W. B. Newby, Maj. U. S. A.
late war; died March 29, 1870.
Lieutenant-Cotonel.
Henderson P. Boyakiu.
Major.
Israel B. Donaldson.
Surgeon.
Daniel Turney.
Assistaat Surycon.
James D. Robinson.
Adjutant.
William H. Snyder.
Captains.
John H. Adams.
Thomas Bond.
John M. Cunningham.
James Hampton.
George W. Hook.
Thomas B. Kenny.
William Kiuman, Lt.-Col. U. S. V.
late war.
John C. Moses.
Franklin Niles; died July 24, 1847.
Henry J. Reed.
Vantrump Turner.
First Lieutenants.
Manonah T. Bostwick.
William M. Eubanks.
Isbam N. Haynie. Brig.-Gen. U. S.
V. late war; died May 22, 1868.
George A. Keith.
Riley Madison.
James I. Provost.
John B. Roper.
William H. Snyder.
Aaron D. Treadway.
Murray F. Tuley.
Second Lieutenants.
Samuel B. Alexander.
Robert Beer.
Jacob Brott.
John T. Damron; died at Santa Fe,
Mexico, December 24, 1847.
James H. Easley.
Levi Edmonds.
Richard M. Hamilton.
Robert M. Hunadley, Col. U. S. V.
late war.
James M. Hunt.
Alexander H. Johnson.
John A. Logan, Maj.-Gen. U. S. V.
late war; died December 26, 1886,
at Washington, D. C.
Enoch Luckey.
Simon Lundry.
Thomas McDowell.




ï~~Roster o Volu
ILLINOISBenjamin F. Marshall.
Daniel R. Pulley.
James Tebay.
James Willis.
Levin Wright.
(2) ADDITIONAL REGIMENTOF
ILLINOIS VOLUNTEELLSA1.
Colonel.
James Collins.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Stephen G. Hicks; Col. U. S. V. late
war.
Maoor.
Thomas S. Livingston
Surgeon
John L. Miller.
Assistant Surgeon.
'Nathan H. Ash.
Adjutants.
Henry S. Fitch; Capt. U. S. V. late
war; died May 23, 1871.
James H. Sampson.
Captains.
David C. Berry.
James Bowman; died at Jalapa,
Mexico, December 28, 1847.
James Burnes.
John Ewing; died at Tampico,
Mexico, October 8, 1847.
Edward E. Harvey; died at Puebla,
Mexico, March 19, 1848.
Harvey Lee.
John M. Moore.
Thomas J. Mooneyham.
James R. Pierce; died at Puebla,
Mexico, March 28, 1848.
Levin H. Powell.
William Shephard.
Sewell W. Smith.
Calmes L. Wright.
First Lieutenants.
Eli D. Anderson; died at Vera Cruz,
Mexico, September 11, 1847.
John Bonney; died at San Juan,
Mexico. September 21, 1847.
Sylvanus M. Goetchis.
Henry W. Goode.
John I.Hart.
Jms B. Hinde.
Willis B. Holden; died at Jalapa,
Mexico, January 2, 1848.
Bushrod B. Howard.
Malachi Jenkins; died on the Gulf
of Mexico, June 26, 1848.
Edwards 0. Melveney.
Daniel Mooneybam; Maj. U. S. V.
late war.
Lewis A. Norton.

teer Officers.               661
Continued.
Thomas Oates; died at San Juan,
Mexico, October 2, 1847.
Thomas D. Timony; died April 16,
1848.
Frank Wheeler.
Second Lieutenants.
Jabez J. Anderson; Col. U. S.N. late
war.
Thomas J. Andrews.
William Bates.
Marquis L. Burns.
Lorenzo E. Carter.
William G. Conkling; Maj. U. S. V.
late war.
Alonzo H. Cox.
Jesse W. Curlee.
Hugh Fullerton; Maj. U. S. V. late
war.
Richard M. Hawkins; died at Puebla,
Mexico, March 28, 1848.
William J. Hawkins.
William Haywood.
Spencer H. Hill.
Hampton Hunter.
Isaac B. Jack.
ThQmas James, Jr.
Austin James.
Elisha Lewis.
JamesR. Lynch; died at Vera Cruz,
Mexico, September 12, 1847.
William Maddox: died at Puebla,
Mexico, March 20, 1848.
John H. Mulkey.
HezekiahB. Newby; diedat National
Bridge, Mexico, September 16,
1847.
William A. Poillon.
James H. Sampson.
INDEPENDENT COMPANIES OF
ILLINOIS MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS.
(First Company.)
Captain.
Adams Dunlap.
First Lieutenant.
Samuel Lambert.
Second Lieutenants.
Simon Doyle.
Calvin Jackson.
Surgeon.
W. R. Whitesides.
Assistant Surgeon.
A. R. Bexley,
(Second Company.)
Captain.
Wyatt B. Stapp.
First Lieutenant.
George C. Lamphere.




ï~~662

Roster of Vohi teer Officers.
ILLINOIS-Continued.

Second Lieutenants.
John G. Fonda, Col. U. S. V. late
war.
John M. Mitchell.
(Third Company.)
Captain.
Michael K. Lawler, Brig.-Gen. U. S.
V. late war; died July 26, 1882.
First Lieutenant.
Walter S. Clark.
IND]
FIRST REGIMENT OF INDIANA
VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
James P. Drake.
Lieutenant-Colonels.
Henry S. Lane.
Christian C. Nave.
Major.
William Donaldson.
Surgeon.
Caleb V. Jones.
Assistant-Surgeon.
William Fosdick.
Adjutant.
William E. Pearsons.
Captains.
Stephen C. Crawford.
Robert M. Evans.
Daniel A. Parley.
Stanislaus Laselle.
David W. Lewis.
John McDougal.
John W. McLane.
Allen May
Robert H. Milroy, Maj.-Gen. U. S.
V. late war; died March 29, 1890.
Spear S. Tipton. (See Mtd Rifles
U. S. A)
John M. Wilson, Col. U. S. V. late
war.
First Lieutenants.
William L. Brown, Col. U. S. V. late
war.
John Volney Curtis.
William L. Farrow, Lt. Col. T. S.V.
late war.
Wyatt A. George.
Thomas K. Lewis.
Finley L. Maddox.
James Owens.
Andrew L. Robinson.
Charles C. Smith.
Bradford B. Stevens.

Second Li ueinia ts.
Samuel L. M. Proctor.
John G. Uidgeway.
(Fourth ConiIy.)
Captan.
Josiah Littell.
First Lieutenont.
Tb mas S. Buck.
Second Lieutennants
Josiah Caswell, Jr.
Robert S. Green.
IANA.
Second LienlenntI.
George W. Blakenire.
Samuel II. Chapman.
Charles F. Colerick.
James W. Colvin.
David A. Dunn.
Romulus S. Hanks.
Charles L. HlansiclKer.
William V. Howard.
George Humphrey, Col. U. S. V.
late war.
William Hunter.
Richard W. Jones.
James McManoney, Col. U. S. V.
late war.
Samuel Meloque.
Abisha L. Morrison, Lt.-Col. U. S. V.
late war.
Levi Shellenberger.
Lewis Wallace, Maj.-G n. U. S. V.
late war.
Gustavus A. Woods.
SECOND REGIMENT OF TNDIANA VOLUNTEE IlS.
Colonelq
William  A. Bowles.
Joseph Lane. (See Bri,.-Gen. U. S.
V. 1846.)
Lieutenant-Colonel
William R. Haddon.
Major
James A. Cravens.
Surgeon.
Daniel S. Lane.
Assistant Surgeon.
John T. Walker.
Adjutants.
]Lucien Q. Hoggatt.
David C. Shanks.
Captains.
Joseph W. Briggs.
Henry Davis, Lt.-Col. U. S. V. late
war.




ï~~Roster of Vol uteee OffleerR.

INDIANA-Continued.

Abraham Dennis.
Nathan Kimball, Brig.-Gen. U. S.
V. late war.
Trustin B. Kinder; killed at
the battle of Buena Vista, Mexico, February 23, 1847.
Franklin McRae.
John Osborn; wounded at Buena
Vista; Col. U. S. V. late war.
George W. Peck.
Lovell H. Rousseau, Maj.-Gen. U.
S. V. late war; died January 7,
1869.
William L. Sanderson; wounded at
Buena Vista; Col. U. S. V. late
war.
William T. Spicely. Col. U. S. V.
late war: died February 15, 1884.
William Walker; killed at the
battle of Buena Vista, Mexico,
February 23, 1847.
First Lieutenants.
Stewart W. Cayce; wounded at
Buena Vista.
Justus Davis; wounded at Buena
Vista.
John Murray.
Allen T. Rose.
William Schoonover.
Adam Stropes.
Travamon T. Teel.
Second Lieutenants.
John T. Alexander.
Israel Benefiel.
Josiah Burwell.
Jerome A. Epperson; wounded at
Buena Vista.
Josiah 0. Foster.
John Gullett.
Thomas T. Hogan.
David Irwin.
Thomas S. Kunkle.
David S. Lewis; wounded at Buena
Vista
Solomon Loudermilk.
Joshua Moore; wounded at Buena
Vista.
Christian Painter.
William E. Panabaker.
Edward L. Petnington.
Henry Pennington; wounded at
Buena Vista.
Thomas C. Parr; killed at the
battle of Buena Vista, Mexico,
February 23, 1847.
Edmund W. Rice.
John Roach.
John W. Stevens.
Philip Zenor.
THIRD REGIMENT OF INDIANA
VOLUNTEERS.
Coonel.
James H. Lane, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V.
late war; died July 11, 1866.

Lieutenant-Colonel.
Williahx M. McCarty.
Major.
Willis A. Gorman. (See Col. 4th
Ind.
Surgeon.
James S. Athon.
Assistant Surgeon
John G. Dunn.
AUutants.
Herman H. Barbour.
Harrison Daily.
Captains.
Thomas M. Adams.
David Allen; died at Monterey,
Mexico, January 9, 1847.
Isaac S. Boardman.
Scott Carter, Col. U. S. V. late war.
Vorhees Conover; wounded at Buena
Vista.
George Dunn.
William Ford.
Thomas W. Gibson.
Horace Hull.
John Slater.
John M. Sluss; wounded at Buena
Vista.
JamesaTaggert; killed at the
battle of Buena Vista, Mexicq,
February 23, 1847.
First Lieutenants.
Samuel D. Cowden.
William L. Guard.
John Harrington.
Patterson C. Parker.
William Price.
David Province.
Henry R. Seall.
Second Lieutenants.
Charles Bolt.
Alfred J. Campbell.
Andrew J. Carr.
Silas Caulhins.
J. D. P. A. M. Chauncey.
Allen Crocker.
Smith Dumont.
Daniel L. Fouts.
Aaron C. Gibbs.
Nicholas Gilman.
George W. Harrington.
Americus Hough.
Jonathan Keith.
John M. Lord.
Harvey McCaslin.
Samuel MeGuffin.
Thomas Rodgers.
Benjamin J. Spooner.
Williamson Wise.




ï~~664

Roster of Volunteer Officers.
INDIANA-Continued.

FOURTH.REGIMENT OF INDIANA VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
Willis A. Gorman; wounded at
Buena Vista; Brig.-Gen.U. S. V.
late war; died May 21, 1876.
Ieutenant-Colonel.
Ebenezer Dumont, Brig.-Gen. U. S.
V. late war; died April 16, 1871.
Major.
William W. McCoy.
Surgeon.
Isaac Finley.
Assistant Surgeon.
J. M. Brower.
Adjutants.
Edward Cole.
Martin M. Van Deusen.
Captains.
Jesse I. Alexander, Col. U. S. V- late
war.
William T. Baldridge.
Landon Cochran.
John W. Dodd.
Michael Fitzgibbon.
Robert Fravel.
Christopher C. Graham.
Edward Lander.
Daniel Lunderman.
Alexander L. Mason.
Morgan L. Payne.
First Lieutenants.
Washington F. Allen.
Albert G. B3rackett, Col. U. S. V.
late war.
Jefferson D. S. D. Carey; died at
Puebla, Mexico, March 21, 1848.
Oliver H. P. Carey, Col. U. S. V.
late war.
Isaac Finley.
Abraham B. b. Lewis.
James C. Littell.
William M. McFetridge.
Gustavus H. Way.
Second Lieutenants.
Barton W. Acuff.
Luther S. Allard.
George W. Amsden.
Daniel S. Barbour.
Ninevah Berry.
John F. Britton.
Joseph Combs.
Caleb D. Davis.
James A. Graham.
L. Noble Hamilton.
Benjamin F. Hays, Col. U. S. V. late
war.
Thomas J. Lucas, Brig.-Gen. U. S.
V. late war.

William K. McClane.
Samuel Macon.
John R. Mills.
John W. Mullen.
Benjamin Pillbean.
Thomas A. Reynolds.
Charles Tansey; died at Puebla,
Mexico. October 26. 1847.
James H. Thompson.
Samuel Yeakley.
FIFTH REGIMENT OP INDIANA
INFANTRY.
Colonel.
James H. Lane. (See 3d Ind.)
Lieutenant Coloiwl.
Allen May.
Major.
John M. Myers.
AssistaWt-Surgeov,.
Philip G. Jones.
R. A. McClure.
Adjutant,
John M. Lord.
Captains.
James R. Bracken.
Ebenezer G. Carey; died January
14, 1848.
Robert M. Evans.
Aaron C. Gibbs.
George Greene.
Horace Hull.
David W. Lewis.
John McDougall.
Mahlon D.Manson, Brig.-Gen. U.
S. V. late war.
Samuel M. McKenzey.
David Shunk, Col. U. S. V. late war;
died February 21, 1865.
First Lieutenanhs.
Sylvester Crane.
Joseph W. Holliday.
John M. Lattimore.
Thomas K. Lewis.
Thomas McBaker.
Thomas I. Marshall; died January
25, 1848.
Lewis S. Moffatt.
Andrew M. Pattison.
Do Witt C. Rich; died February 9,
1848, in City of Mexico.
Philip J. Roe.
Charles A. Shank.
John S. M. Vancleve.
Second Lieutenants.
James Baker.
Joel Barnes.
Patrick Curley.
James Hamilton.
Henry Hensley.




ï~~Roster of Volwnteer Officers.
INDIANA-Continued.

665

Second Lieutenants.
Henry W. Jones.
William R. Keep.
Hugh J. Kelly.
John V. King.
William Co. Kise, Col. U. S. V. I
war.
John M. Lord.
BATTALION OF IOWA MORM
VOLUNTEERS.
Lieutenant-Coloneln.
James Allen. (See First U. S. I
goons.
Philip St. George Cooke. (See
ond Dragoons.)
Andrew J. Smith. (See First I
goons.)
Adjutants
George P. Dykes.
Philemon C. Merrill.
Captains.
James Brown.
Daniel C. Davis.

Gerathwell Maxwell.
James V. Moore.
Zachariah Neely.
Columbus W. Osborn.
Thomas O'Neal.
Elias D. Pierce.
late  James M. Ross.
John B. Sawtelle.
Ira B. Williamson.
IOWA.
ON    Nelson Higgins.
Jefferson Hunt.
Jesse D. Hunter.
ra-  E       dFirst Lieutenants.
)r- Elim Ludington.
See-   George W. Oman.
James Pace.
Dra-   George W. Rosencrans.
Seomd Lieutenants.
Ruel Barrus.
Cyrus W. Canfield.
Lorenzo Clark.
Robert Clift.
Andrew Lytle.
Samuel Thompson.
William W. Willis.

KENTUCKY.

REGIMENTOF KENTUCKY CAVALRY VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
Humphrey Marshall, Brig.-Gen. C.
S. A. late war; died March 28,
1872, at Louisville, Ky.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Ezekiel Field.
Major.
John P. Gaines; died in 1853, in
Oregon.
Adjutants.
Thomas H. Barnes, Maj. U. S. V. late
war.
Edward X. Vaughn; killed at
the battle of BuenaVista, Mexico
February 28, 1847.
Captains.
Oliver P. Beard.
Cassius M. Clay, Maj.-Gen. U. S. V.
late war.
William J. Heady.
Thomas F. Marshall.
Benjamin C. Milam.
Aaron Pennington.
Johnson Pricel; died in 1861.
JohnShawhan; wounded at Buena
Vista.
James C. Stone.

Surgeon.
Alexander E. Hensley.
First Lieutenants.
Thomas J. Churchill.
Lafayette Dunlap.
John Field.
Joseph H. D. McKee.
John H. Morgan.
Samuel F. Patterson.
William T. Torrence.
Jesse Woodruff.
Second Lieutenants.
John Allen.
Lowry J. Beard.
Randolph Brasfield.
George Mason Brown.
John M. Brown; wounded at Buena
Vista; Col. U. S. V. late var.
Thomas K. Conn;     wounded   at
Buena Vista.
George R. Davidson.
Gebrge W. Keene.
John W. Kimbrough.
John A. Merrifield; wounded at
Buena Vista; died June 29, 1847.
Thomas J. Peak.
George F. Sartain.
Narbonne B. Scott.
Green Clay Smith, Brig.-Gen. tr. S.
V. late war.
George P. Swinford.




ï~~666         Roster of Volunteer Offieers.
KENTUCKY-Continued.
FIRST REGIMENT OF KEN-  SECOND REGIMENT OF KENTUCKY VOLUNTEERS.       TUCKY VOLUNTEERS.

Colonel.
Stephen Ortnsby; died April 16,1869.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
*Jason Rogers; died May, 1848, at
Louisville, Ky.
Major.
John B. Shepherd.
Surgeon.
Thomas L. Caldwell.
Assistant Surgeon.
John J. Mathews.
Adjutants.
William P. Fisher.
William Riddle.
Captains.
William L. Ball; died July, 1846,
near Matamoros, Mexico.
Charles W. Bullen.
John Fuller.
Charles H. Harper.
Ebenezer B. Howe.
Florian Kern.
William Minor.
Frank Saunders.
Conrad Schroeder.
Benjamin F. Stewart.
Francis F. C. Triplett.
First Lieutenants.
John L. Albrecht.
Joseph C. Baird.
William T. Barbour.
John J. Huff.
William Littrell.
Patrick McPike.
George W. Sigler.
Ephraim M. Stone.
William White.
Second Lieutenants
Lewis Becker.
David Black.
John R. Butler.
William Duerson.
John Harrigan.
Charles W. Hilton.
George D. Hooper.
Benedit Huebel.
William E. Jones.
Reuben F. Maury.
Jacob Pfalzer.
David G. Swinner.
Richard W. N. Taylor.
Levi White.
Lowry B. White.
Samuel Withington.

Colonel.
*William    R. McKee: killed
February 23, 1847, at the battle of
Buena Vista Mexico.
Lieutenant Colonkl.
*Henry Clay, Jr.; killed February 23, 1847, at the battle of
Buena Vista Mexico.
Major.
*Cary H. Fry, Lt.-Col. U. S. A. late
war; died March 5, 1873, at San
Francisco. Cal.
Assistant Surgeon.
John M. Lafon.
Adjutants.
George N. Cardwell.
Thomas S. Todd.
Captains.
Frank Chambers.
George W. Cutter.
William Dougherty.
Speed S. Fry, Brig.-Gen. U S. V.
late war.
James 0. Hervey.
William N. Joyner.
JohnW. McBrayer.
James W. Moss.
Philip B. Thompson.
Wilkinson Turpin.
William T. Willis; killed at
thebattle of Buena Vista, Mexico,
February 23, 1847.
First Lieutenants.
John W. Cowan.
Andrew J. Galt.
Edward H. Hobson, Brig.-Gen. U. S.
V. late war.
William R. Keene.
James E. Kelso.
William G. Kincaid.
Littleton T. Lacey.
James Monroe.
Joseph W. Powell; died at Monte.
rey, Mexico, January 2, 1847.
David P. Wade.
Second Lieutenants.
William E. Akin.
George W. Ball.
Elias L. Barbee; wounded at Buena
Vista.
Richard H. Clarke.
George M. Coleman.
Joseph C. Ewing.
Peter G. Flood.
John H. Lillard.




ï~~Roster of Volunteer Offlcers.

66T

KENTUCKY-Continued.

Henry C. Long.
William C. Lowry.
William H. Moss.
Thomas W. Napier.
Thomas J. Proctor.
Lewis M. Reese.
William D. Robertson.
Alva C. Threlkeld.
James Wilson.
William T. Withers.
THIRD REGIMENT OF KENTUCKY VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
Manlius V. Thompson.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Thomas L. Crittenden, Maj.-Gen.
U. S. V. late war.
Major.
John C. Breckinridge, Maj.-Gen.
C. S. A. late war; died at Lexing.
ton, Ky., in 1875.
#Assistant Surgeon.
William Cromwell.
Adjutant.
Benjamin F. Bradley.
Captains.
Andrew F. Caldwell.
William P. Chiles.
Leander M. Coxe.
George S. Dodge.
James Ewing.
Leonidas Metoalfe, Col. U. S. V.
late war.
James A. Pritchard.
John It. Smith.
Thomas Todd.
First Lieutenants.
William C. Allen.
Enos H. Barry.
William P. Bramblett.
Jesse B. Davis; died March 19, 1848,
in Cit of Mexico.
Thomas C.Flournoy.
Walter I. Lacey.
John A. Logan.
-Henry H. ize.
William P. Morris.
Thomas H. Taylor.
Second Lieutenants.
Rigdon S. Barnhill.
John Brock; died March 19, 1848, in
City of Mexico.
Churchill G. Campbell.
James B. Casey.
*James C. Dear.
William Edmonson.
William E. Fisher.
John -M. Heddleson.
James H. Hoiladay.
William B. lolladay.

Eli Holtzclaw.
Marshall L. Howe.
James Kendall.
Benjamin D. Lacey.
William 0. Merrik.
James H. Miller.
Ansel D. Powell.
Daniel Runyon.
John P. Thatcher.
Elisha B. Treadway; Maj. U. S. V.
late war.
Waltere C.Whitaker, Brig.-Gen. U.
S. V. late war; died July 9, 1887.
James T. Young.
FOURTH REGIMENT OF KENTUCKY VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
John S. Williams, Brig.-Gen. C. S.
A. late war.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
William Preston, Maj.-Gen. C. S. A.
late war; died September, 1887,
at Lexington. Ky.
Major.
William T. Ward; Brig.-Gen. UT. S.
V. late war; died October 12, 1878.
Adjutants.
Charles H. Creel.
Robert P. Trabue.
Surgeon.
Joseph G. Roberts,
Assistant Surgeon.
John R. Steele.
Captains.
Anthony W. Bartlett.
Joseph C. Conn.
George 11. Cook.
Patrick H. Gardner.
Mark R. Hardin.
B. Rowan Hardin.
Timothy Keating.
John G. Lair.
Decius McCreery.
Thomas May~eld.
Hamilton N. Owens; Maj. U. S. V.
late war.
John C. Squires; died March 20,
1848, in ity of Mexico.
First Lieutenants.
Edgar D. Barbour.
William Bristow.
Jesse Davis.
John Donan.
Jeremiah F. Dorris.
Milford Elliott.
John IV. Hucahes,
William E. Woodruff, Col. U. S. V.
late war.




ï~~668              Roster qf Vob     teer Qffieers.
KENTUCKY-Continued.
Second Lieutenants.        Isaac P. Washburn.
Titus P. A. Bibb.                  Noah N. Watkins.
William P. D. Bush.                 Levi White.
Noah Z. Chapline.                   Charles A. Wickliff.
John D. Cosby.                     Harry J. Woodward.
Samuel D. Cowan.
Benjamin F. Egan.                  INDEPENDENT       COMPANY     OF
Cyrenius W. Gilmer.                   KENTUCKY VOLUNTEERS.
William G. Johnson.
John M. Massey.                                 Captain.
Charles D. Pennebaker, Col. U. S. John S. Williams. (See Col. 4th Ky.)
V. late war,
William E. Russell.                          First Lieuten ant.
Cyrus A. Scott; died February 7,   Roger W. Hanson.
1848, in City of Mexico.                So    Lieutenants.
John M. Snyder.                           Scn     iue~R
James M. Shackelford, Brig.-Gen.    William A. McConnell.
U. S. V. late war.              George   S. Sutherland; severely
Presley Talbott.                       wounded at Cerro Gordo.
LOUISIANA.
LOUISIANA BATTALION OF            Hubert Gerard.
VOLUNTEER ARTILLERY.             Raimond F. Henriquez.
Maim%                 Honore Ruffier.
Louis Gally.                       Edouard Savigne.
Louis  aily.Second                    Lieutenants.
Ajutant.              Edouard Dessommes.
William T. Lewis.                  Antoine Jahan.
Surgeon.               Lezin Lamothe.
Abner Hester.                      BRIGADE OF LOUISIANA VOLAssistant Surgeon.            UNTEERS, OF      SIX   REGIW. L. Gibson.                          MENTS.
Captains.                      Brigadier-General.
Eusebe L. Bercier.                  Persifor F. Smith. (See Brig.-GenHenry Forno.                           U. S. V. 1846.)
First Lieutenants.          Brigade Inspector. (Rank of Major.)
Joseph E. Ealer.                    Henry A. Lyons.
Gustave Pereaux.                   Brigade Quartermaster. (Rank of Cap'Thomas Trelford.                                 tain)
Second Lieutenant.         Alexander Z. Trudeau.
David A. Bickell.                    Aide-de-Camp. (Rank of Captain.)
SECOND BATTALION OF LOUIS-          Eugene Musson.
IANA   VOLUNTEER      ARTIL-    FIRST REGIMENT OF SMITH'S
LERY.                               BRIGADE     OF   LOUISIANA
Malor.                    VOLUNTEERS.
Louis Gally.                                     colonel.
Ajutant.               James B. Walton.
Eusebe L. Bercier.                          Lieutenant-Colonel.
Captains.              Henry Forno.
Maurice Grivot.
Francis Mauberret.                               Major.
Juan Penas.                         Julien P. Breedlove. (See 14ht U. S.
Juan  enas.Inf.)
Assistant Surgeon.                     Aaant.
Clement Remes.                     George J, Adde.    (See 3d U. S.
First Lieutenants.            Dragoons.)
Leandre Bourgevis.                              Surgeon.
Julius Victor Chaery.              W. G. G. Wilson.




ï~~Roster of Yolunteer Ofticere.
LOUISIANA-Continued.

669

Assistant Surgeon.
J. B. Clement.
Captains.
John W. Bryce.
Henry B. Chase.
Thomas Glenn.
George W. Shaw,
Peter Soniat.
Isaac F. Stockton.
R. C. Stockton.
George H. Tobin.
James M. Vandegriff.
George W. White.
SECOND REGIMENT OF SMITH'S
BRIGADE OF LOUISIANA
VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
James H. Dakin.
Lieutenant- Colonel.
Charles M. Emerson.
Major.
George W. Smith.
Assistant Surgeon.
John Felix.
Adjutant.
John Sedley Webb.
Captains.
Albert G. Blanchard. (See 12th U.
S. Inf.)
Edward Crevon.
John ]Freeland.
Warren A Grice.
James W. MeNamar.
George Price.
*Gustave S. Rousseau; died January
29,1879, at Plaquemine, La.
A. Francis Rudler.
John Sewell.
James W. Woodland.
THIRD REGIMENT OF SMITH'S
BRIGADE OF LOUISIANA
VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
Samuel F. Marks.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Theodore G. Hunt.
Paymaster.
Thomas Stringer.
Major.
Henry W. Fowler; died June 29,
 1848.  Surgeon.
Anthony F. Axon.
Assistant Surgeons.
Charles McManus.
Elisha Ragan.

I   Captain&
Robert G. Beale.
George E. Comstock.
H. C. 'ountain.
George M. Graham.
Samuel C. Head.
Copeland S. Hunt.
John W. Keene.
Daniel I. Ricardo.
Richard A. Stewart.
Morris Willard.
FOURTH        REGIMENT       OF
SMITH'S BRIGADE OF LOUISIANA VOLUNTEERS.
colonel.
Horatio Davis; died October 27,
1857.
Lieutenant-Colonet.
Charles K. Johnson.
Major.
Charles Fiesca.
Surgeon.
James B. Slade.
Asestant-Surgeon
Joel K. Stevens.
Adoutant.
Ezra R. Price.
Captains.
Johann Boehler.
George Dippacher.
George Doane.
James D. Galbreath.
John F. Girault.
Isaac S. K. 0gier.
John R. Smtr.
Solomon G. Staples.
Francis Warrington.
Christian Wirth.
FIFTH REGIMENT OF SMITH'S
BRIGADE OF LOUISIANA
VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
BailliePeyton; died August 19, 1878,
at Nashville, Tenn.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Hugh W. Dunlap.
Major.
John Waddell.
Surgeon.
James L. Satterfield.
Assistant-Surgeon.
John B. Henderson.
Adjutant.
William T. Forston.




ï~~670

Rosler of Volunteer Officers.
LOUISIANA-Continued.

Captains.
James Blackburn.
L. P. Crain.
Joseph Dorlon.
S. M. Hyams.
R. I. Lawrence.
Charles B. McKiernan.
William Monoghan.
William Mosely.
William B. Roertson.
Robert W. Stewart.
SIXTH REGIMENT OF SMITH'S
BRIGADE OF LOUISIANA
VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel
Edward Featherstone.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Samuel H. Peck.
Major.
George W. Wellington.
Surgeon.
John Q. Osborne,
Assistant Surgeon.
Robert B. Kennedy.
Adjutant.
William D. McCright.
Captains.
William R. Brasselman.
James C. Downer.
Jamesh0. Fuqua.
Joseph Hufty.
J. B. G. Kennedy.
Harman G. Mercer.
James C. McAllister.
John Purcell.
William B. Smith.
William W. Stewart.
INDEPENDENT COMPANY OF
LOUISIANA VOLUNTEERS.
Captain.
Albert G. Blanchard. (See 12th U.
S. Inf.)
Fast Liuenatt.
William Tenbrink.
Second Lieutenants.
Edward F. Nicholls.
Samuel C. Scott.
REGIMENT OF LOUISIANA
VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
*Lewis G. De Russey, Col. C. S. A.
late war: died December 17, 1864,
at Grand Ecore, La.

Lieutenant-Colonel.
Samuel F. Marks.
Maj)?.
John F. Girault.
Surqeon.
Fairfax Dasiiiell.
Assistant Sereeon.
Benjamin Harwood.
Adjutants.
Charles T. Badger.
William H. Hairison.
Captaios.
Robert Akin,-.
Peter Basterdes.
John W. Cole.
John Freeland.
Copeland S. Hunt.
Theodore Lewis. Capt. C. S. A. late
war.
Russell P. Mace.
Robert Pope.
Joseph Preg.
Bornt Seguin.
Christian Wirth; died April 12, 1847.
at Tampico, Mexico.
First Lieutenant.>.
Robert A. Crain.
Frederick.0. Eicholz.
Vernon H. Lindenberger.
Frank M~cHenry.
Isaac S. K. Ogler.
Joseph Palezewski.
John Purcell.
William B. Smith.
William 0. Whitman.
Second Lieutenants,
Jackson Anderson.
John S. Arnold.
John Campbell.
John Cooney.
Andrew Daley.
John H. Evans; lied August 17. 1847,
at Tampico, Mexico.
William P. Gallaghor.
Gustavus Heimiberger; wounded at
Huajutla.
William H. Homner.
John D. A. Kirkland.
Ebenezer C Ledyard.
Frederick Sevier
Horatio N. Silliman.
William R. Simmons.
John H. Singleton.
James A. Stewart.
Peter M. Terbush.
Edward A. Trent: died September
4, 1847. at Tampico, Mexico.
Robert White,
Francis W. Yeager.




ï~~Ro8ter of   Volunteer Ofieer.                 671
LOUISIANA-Continued.
BATTALION OF LOUISIANA Joseph A. Steinacher; died SeptemVOLUNTEERS.                   ber 8,1847, at Vera Cruz. Mexico.
Lieutenant-Colonel.        Julius Verbatim.
Charles Fiesca.                    BATQTALION     OF    LOUISIANA
MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS.
Adjutants.                      Lieutenant-Colonel.
Yves Guyot; died August 9, 1847, at  Walter F. Biscoe.
Vera Cruz, Mexico.
Joseph G. King.                                 Adjutantt.
Russee W. Rademacher; died April   Henry C. Foster.
29, 1848, at Vera Cruz, Mexico.             Surgeon.
Assistant Surgeon.         George P. Ogden.
Charles Hankel.                                 Captains.
Captains.              Lorenzo A. Besancon.
James E. Featherstone.             James J. Connolly.
William E. Millen.                 Hiram Fairchild.
Charles A. Seefield.               George Kerr.
Francis Warrington; deceased.      Lorenzo Lewis.
George W. White.                            First Lieutenants.
First Lieutenants.        Lewis W. Barry.
Conrad Gerbig.                     Robert J. Kelly.
CohnacGebi.Christopher Lilly.
James Linton.                      William Morralle; deceased.
Thomas Norma.                      Stanford W. Waters; deceased.
Henry C. Young.                            Second Lieutenavts.
Second Lieutenants.        Patrick H. Curran.
Charles Foster.
Daniel Cronnan; died October 15,   John Harkins.
1847.                           David   Henderson - killed in
David S. McDowell.                     action at Mata Cordario, FebruPeter J. Mancosos.                     ary 19, 1848.
George Mayne.                      Winfield D. Hook.
David Nelhigan.                    Beverly E. Hunter.
John Reilly; died September 20,    John Kline; killed in action at
1847.                              Paso Ovejas, September 23, 1847.
Frederick Rhoe.                    William Mitchell.
Henry A. Schaefer.                 James Pearson.
MARYLAND AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA.
BATTALION OF MARYLAND James S. Piper.
AND DISTRICT OF COLUM-          Francis B. ISchaeffer.
BIA, VOLUNTEERS.                James E. Stewart.
Lieutenant-Colonal.                 First Lieutenant&.
William   H. Watson; killed at
the battle of Monterey, Septem- Eugene Boyle; died at sea, January
ber 21, 1846.                      6, 1847.
Benjamin F. Owen.
Major.                Joseph H. Ruddoch.
Robert 0. Buchanan. (See 4th U. S.  Marcellus K. Taylor.
Inf.)
Adjutant.                      Second Lieutenants.
*William E. Aisquith; died June 29,  Oden Bowie,
1856, at Washington, D. C.      David P. Chapman.
Surgeon.              Robert E. Haslett.
Smyth M. Miles.                    Jacob C. Hemmick.
Cmyhtaiils.Isaac H. Morrow.
Captains.              Edward Murphy.
James Boyd.                        William O'Brien.
Robert Bronaugh.                   Samuel Wilt.




ï~~672

(372           o.sler of  Volunier 09offie.

MARYLAND AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA-Continued.

REGIMENT OF MARYLAND
AND DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
George W. Hughes. (See Top.
Engrs.)
Lieutenant-Colonel.
William H. Emory. (See Top.
Engrs.)   Maor.
John R. Kenley, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V.
late war.
Assistant Surgeon.
Wakerman Bryerly.
Adjutant.
James Steele.
Captains.
Edmund Barry.
George W. Brown.
William H. Degges.
Lawrence Dolan.
Daniel D. Henrie.
Marcellus K. Taylor.
*Lloyd Tilghman, Brig.-Gen.
C. S. A. late war; killed May 16,
1863, at the battle of Baker's
Creek, Miss.

Fo st Lieutenants.
Henry S. Addison.
Willam J. Corcoran.
Thomas M. Gleason; died July 16.
1848.
John Hooper.
Washington Hooper.
Jacob S. Kiassen.
Frederick A. Klopfer.
Isaac H. Morrow.
John M. Thornton.
Frisby Tilghmarn.
Second Lseutanonts.
William H. Baker.
John H. Ballman.
Robert C. Bell.
John Carr.
William J. Garey.
David A. Griffith, Lt.-Col. U. S. V.
late war.
John H. Gronowell.
Richard P. Henry.
Ira Mabett.
Henry M. Milnor.
James O'Brien.
Arnold Tensfield.
Benjamin R. West.

[The following separate Companies were attached to the Regiment of Maryland and District of Columbia Volunteers.]

TENNESSEE COMPANY OF
MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS.
Captain.
C. Roberdeau Wheat. (See Tenn.
Vols.)
First Lieutenant.
Charles McDonald.
Second Lieutenants.
Francis E. Smith.
Abnar C. Steele.
PITTSBURG, (PA.) COMPANY.
Captain.
Thomas A. Rowley; Brig.-Gen. U.
S. V. late war.
First Lieutenant.
Andrew McClory.
MASSACH
REGIMENT OF MASSACHUSETTS VOLUNTEERS.
Colonels.
Caleb Cushing, promoted Brig.-Gen.
U. S. V., in 1846.
Isaac H. Wright.
Lieutenant-Golnriet.
Edward W. Abbott.

Second Lieutenants.
James McLean.
Alexander Scott.
INDEPENDENT COMPANY.
Captains.
James Boyd; killed in action at
Rio Calaboso, July 12, 1847.
Joseph R. West, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V.
late war.
First Lieutenant.
James Tainehill: died July
25, 1847, of wounds received in
action at Rio Calaboso.
Second Lieutenants.
George De Groote; died October 24,
1847, at Ta.Lpico, Mexico.
Johin A. Letten.
Franklin B. Nimocks.
USETTS.
Major.
Edward Webster: died January 23,
1848, at San Angel, Mexico.
Adlutant.
Benjamin R. Andrews.
Captains.
John S. Barker.
John H. Barry.




ï~~Ro8ter of Volunteer Oficer.
MASSACHUSETTS-Continued.

673

Captai.
Charles B. Crowninshield.
Stephen Curtis.
Otis W. Cutler.
John A. Felt: died October 10. 1847,
at Vera Cruz, Mexico.
Horace S. Howe.
William R. Huntoon.
George W. Kelly.
Edward A. Paul.
First Lieutenants.
Alfred W. Adams.
William W. H. Davis. Col. U. S. V.
late war.
Hiram Fogg.
Ellis B. Green; died at sea, June 10,
1848.
William Hurd.
Oliver H. Perry.
Daniel 0. Regan.

Owen D. Robb.
David B. Stover.
Edward Thwing.
J. K. Tyler.
Second Lieutenants.
Edward 1-1. Cook.
Charles Coy.
John C. Cremony.
John C. Crowninshicid.
Caleb H. Emery.
John Esler. -
Charles W. Fuller.
Gustavus F. Gardner. died March
16. 1848.
John Higgins.
Shadrach Keene.
Rufus Rand.
Charles W. Smith.
E. A. Tenny.
Joseph B. Wing.

MICHIGAN.

REGIMENT OF MICHIGAN VOL.
UNTEERS.
Colonel.
*Thomas B. W. Stockton, Col. U. S.
V. late war; lied December 9,
1890, at Flint, Mich.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Alpheus S. Williams, Brig.-Gen. U.
S. V. late war; died January 23,
1878.
Major.
John V. Rhule.
Surgeon.
Adrian R. Terry.
Assistant SurUeon.
Henry Lemike.
Adjutant.
James E. Pitman.
Captains.
John Van Arnam.
Grover N. Beuel.
Frederick W. Curtenius.
Walter W. Deane.
Nicholas Greusel, Jr.
Alfred H. Hanscom.
Daniel Hicks.
Isaac S. Rowland.
James M. Williams.
John Wittenmyer.
First Lieutenants.
John C. Deuel.
Thomas H. Hunt.
James S. Kingsland.
Johia E. King.
Edward M. Pitcher.

Edmund Rice, Col. U. S. V. late
war
Eli Snyder.
James M. Stewart
William L. Whipple.
Seconrl Lieutenants.
Benjamin Brounell, Jr.
Louis D. Clairoux.
Lorin L. Comstock,
Charles 0. Conlit.
Charles W. Cummings: died January
25, 1848, at New Orleans, La.
Thomas C. Goeteius.
Andrew J. Hanscom.
Ebenezer Hawes.
Benjamin F. Luce.
Clement D. McNair.
James D. Pierce.
Paul W. H. Rawls.
Samuel A. Rice.
Horace S. Roberts.
John E. Schwartz, Jr.
Morse K. Taylor. Surg, U. S. V. late
war; die    etober 20, 1889.
Egbert Van Jaren.
Isaac Warren.
Elisha Wright: died August.1848, at
Clinton, Mich.
INDEPENDENT COMPANY OF
MICHIGAN VOLUNTEERS.
Captait.
Morgan L. Gage.
First Lieutenant.
Allen K. Howard.
Second Lieutenants
William F. Chittenden.
Caleb F. Davis.




ï~~614

Ro8ter of Volunteer Officere.

MISSISSIPPI.

FIRST REGIMENT OF MISSISSIPPI RIFLES.
Colonel.
*Jeffersou Davis; severely wounded
at Buena Vista; President 0. S.
A. (late war); died December 6,
1889, at New Orleans, La.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Alexander K. McClung; dangerously
wounded at Monterey; died in
1855 by suicide.
Major.
Alexander B. Bradford.
Adjutant.
Richard Griffith.
Surgeon.
Seymour Halsey.
Assistant Surgeon.
John Thompson.
Captains.
John S. Clendenin.
Douglass H. Cooper.
William Delay.
Reuben N. Downing; wounded at
Monterey.
Bainbridge D. Howard.
Lohn L. McManus.
William   P. Rogers. Col. C. S.
A. late war; killed October 4,
1862, at the battle of Corinth,
Miss.
John M. Sharp; severely wounded
at Buena Vista.
James H. R. Taylor.
John Willis.
First Lieutenants.
William N. Brown.
Henry F. Cook; wounded at Monterey.
AmosB. Corwine; woundedatBuena
Vista.
Crawford Fletcher; 4ied September
4, 1876.
Samuel A. D. Greaves.
Robert L. Moore; killed at the
battle of Buena Vista, Mexico,
February 23, 1847.
Christopher H. Mott.
William H. H. Patterson.
Carnot Posey; wounded at Buena
Vista.
Daniel R. Russell, Col. C. S. A. late
war.
James E. Stewart.
Second Lieutenants.
Rufus K. Arthur;     wounded   at
Monterey.

Charles M. Bradford.
James Colhoun.
Samuel H. Dill.
William E. Epps.
William H. Hampton.
Samuel R. Harrison.
E. *W. Hollingsworth; wondude  at
Monterey.
Richard Hopkins.
Lewis T. Howard; wouudel at
Monterey.
James H. Hughes.
Thomas J. Kyle.
Hugh M. Markham.
Francis J. McNulty; kill 1 *at
the battle of BuenaVista, M( xico,
February 23, 1847.
S. M. Phillipts.
John J.'Poindexter.
Weekly W. Redding.
Thomas P. Stade.
John  P. Stoekard; wounded at
Buena Vista.
Josephus J. Tatum; died January
20, 1847, near Monterey, Mexico.
Samuel H. Thomas.
William P. Townsend.
Leon Trousdale.
William B. Wade.
SECOND REGIMENT OF MISSISSIPPI VOLUNTEERS.
Colonels.
Charles Clark.
Reuben Davis.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Joseph H. Kilpatrick.
John A. Wilcox, Member of C. S.
Congress (latewar); died February 7, 1864, at Richmond, Va.
Major.
Ezra R. Price.
Assistant Surgeon.
D. A. Kinchloe.
Adjutants.
Beverly Matthews.
Thomas S. Munce.
Captains.
Joel M. Acker.
Fleming Amyx.
Andrew K. Blythe.
Chesley S. Coffee.
William J, Daniel.
John B. Deason.
Enos Elder; died February 10, IS 17,
at New Orleans, La.
William M. Estelle.
Wilson Igames.
Alexander M. Jackson.
Phillip F. Liddell.




ï~~Roster of Volunteer Officers.
MISSISSIPPI-Continued.

675

First Lieutenants.
Christopher C. Chinn.
Everard Downing.
William C.oFalkuer.
H91land Middleton; died March 28,
1847, at Camargo, Mexico.
James M. McKinney.
Jesse G. Steele.
William Strother.
Alexander W. Weaver.
Martin S. White.
Second Lieutenants.
Jeremiah Alexander.
George Barrows.
Mark I. Biddle.
Thomas Y. Carter.
Robert Cleland.
Robert M. Cook; died August 27,
1847, at Saltillo, Mexico.
Richard S. Oromer.
Felix W. Goff.
Charles Gouveneaux.
Alston Gregory.
Francis M. Heckworth.
Eli G. Henry.
Thomas C. Hindman.
John A. Jackson.
William H. Jackson.
William C. Lauderdale.
James M. Liddell.
Metsalon A. Mann.
Robert Martin; died January, 1847,
at New Orleans, La.
Edward B. Shelton.
A. J. Trussell.

FIRST BATTALION OF MISSISSIPPI RIFLE VOLUNTEERS.
Lieutenant Colonel.
James P. Anderson.
Adjutant.
John A. Anderson.
First Lieutenants.
Samuel C. Astin.
Ezekiel W. Evans.
Rickard S. King.
William H. Landers.
Columbus M. Leland.
Captains.
Elisha Crowson.
Nathaniel R. Cary.
Hilliard P. Dorsey.
William M. Keyts.
George E. Stewart.
Second Lieutenants.
John A. Anderson.
William T. Cocke.
William H. Dillingham.
Hardeman C. Forrest.
Samuel Hunter.
Thomas Ivy.
Luke Lowe; died March 1, 1848, at
Tampico, Mexico.
Thomas J. Ramsay.
William T. Sharp.
John W. Stewart.
Thomas Washer.

MISSOURI.
REGIMENT OF MISSOURI VOL- Philander Salsbury.
UNTEERS ST LOUIS          Frederich Schafer.
LE4ION.              John Watson, Jr.

Colonel.
Alton R. Easton.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Ferdinand Kennett.
Major.
Gottfried Shoenthaler.
Surgeon.
George Johnson.
Assistant Surgeon.
Richard H. Stevens.
Adjutant.
Henry Almstedt, Col. U. S. V. late
war; died November 24,,1884.
Captains.
Stephen 0. Coleman.
John Knapp.
Henry Koch.
Henry I. B. McKellops.
Nicholas Wochner.

FIRST REGIMENT OF MISSOURI
MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
Alexander W. Doniphan; died in
1889.
Lieutenant Colonels.
Congreve Jackson.
Charles F. Rug. '(See Mtd. Rifles.)
Major.
William Gilpin.
Surgeon.
George Peup.
Assistant-Surpeon.
B. W. D. Moore.
Adjutants.
George M. Butler; died at Cuvarro,. Mex., Novemper 25, 1846.
James A. De Courcey.




ï~~676

Roster of Volunteer Offers.

MISSOURI-Continued.

Captains.
Horatio H. Hughes.
Oliver P. Moss.
Monroe M. Parsons, Brig.-Geu. C.
S. A.; killed in Mexico, after late
war, by guerrillas.
Joln W. Reid; deceased.
Charles B. Rodgers.
John D. Stevenson, Brig. Gen U.
S. V. late war.
J)ax Id Waldo.
Villiam P. Walton.
First Lieutenants.
John B. Duncan.
John Hinton.
James Lea.
Fenton G. McDonald.
Calvin G. Miller.
John Reid.
Linnaeus B. Sublette.
Second Lieutenants.
Robert I. Barnett.
Francis A. Bauche.
John S. Campbell.
Henry 1. Chies.
David G. Clayton.
George P. Gordon.
D. B. Graves.
Crockett Harrison; wounded at
Sacramento.
William P. Hicklin.
Stephen Jackson; died at Xlapimi,
Mexico. May 9, 1847.
James H. Moss, Col. U. S. V. late
war.
Benjaham F. Murray.
Henry F. Ogden.
Scott Richardson.
George B. Winston.
Nicholas B. Wright.
SECOND REGIMENT OF MISSOURI VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
Sterling Price. (See Brig.-Gen. U.
S. V. 1846,)
Lieutenaot-Colonel.
David D. Mitchell.
Surgeon.
Win S. Way.
Assistant-Surgeon.
I. F. Edmonson.
Major.
Benjamin B. Edmonson.
Adjutants.
Robert Walker. (See Santa Ye Battalion.)
John J. Tisdale.

Captains
Thomas Barber.
John C. Dent.
Napoleon B. Giddings, Lt.-Col. U.
S. V. late war.
William C. Halley.
John Holloway.
Thomas M. Horrine.
Hancock Jackson.
Thomas C. McKameV.
Samuel H. McMillan4; wounded at
Taos.
Willin Y. Slack, Brig.-Gen.
C. S. A. late war; killed March
7,1862, at the battle of Pea Ridge,
Ark.
Benjamin F. White.
Fbirst Lieutenants.
James B. Black.
Elias W. Boone.
Robert T. Brown.
Daniel Hereford.
Clare Oxley.
Francis L.0 Potter.
William B. Royall, Maj. U. S. A.
late war.
Joseph Smith.
William P. Smith.
John W. Tucker.
Thomas G. West. wounded at Taos.
Second Lieutenants.
James M. Alexander; died November 29, 1846.
Thomas A. Austin.
Albert G. Blakey.
John A. Boarman; murdered June
27. 1847. at Vallas, N. Mex.
William Dean; died April 28, 1847,
at Santa Fe, N. Mex.
I. G. Flournoy.
Robert D. Foster.
Robert G. Gilman.
Jeremiah M. Hamilton.
Zadoc Holcomb.
Benjamin E. Lackland; (lied Ducember 27, 1846, at Santa Fe, N.
Mex.
George E. Lackland; died February
16, 1847.
Robert A. Layton.
James W. Link.
John Mansfield; died Febru
ary X, 1847, of wounds received
in action at Taos N. Mex.
Wesley T. Newbold.'
Robert Patton.
William R. Samuel.
S. B. Searcy.
Francis J. Smith.
Samuel M. Sprowl.
Robert B. Todd.
Goldon Warson,
B. C. Woods.




ï~~Roster of Vobinteer Officers.

677

MISSOURI-Continued.

13ATTALIONOF MISSOURI VOLUNTEERS.
[Embracing three Companies of
Light Artillery and two Companies of Infantry.]
LIGHT ARTILLERY.
# Major Commandiny.
*Meriwether L. Clark, Col. C. S. A.
late war; died October 28, 1881,
at Frankfort, Ky.
Adjutants.
Christian Kribben.
Leolidas D. Walker.
Surgeon.
R. F. Richardson.
Assistant Surgeon.
Myron H. Mills.
Captains.
Richard H. Weightman, Col.
C. S. A. late war; killed August
10, 1861, at the battle of Wilson's
Creeki, Mo.
Waldemar Fischer, Maj. U. S. V.
late war.
Thomas B. Hudson; deceased.
FirstLieutenants.
Edmund T. Chouteari.,Andrew Jackson Dorn. (See 3d
Dragoons.)
Richard S. Elliott.
Louis C. Garnier.
Second Lieutenants.
August De Marie.
Henry D. Evans..John R. Gratiot.
Francis Hassendeubel, Col.
U. S. V. late war; killed July 17,
1863, at the battle of Vicksburg,
Miss.
Louis T. Labeaume.
John 0. Simpson.
INPANTRY.
Captains.
William Z. Angney; deceased.
William S. Murphy.
Jonas S. Woods.
Assitant Surrgeon.
James Walker.
First Lieutenants.
Alexander Irvine; wounded at Canada. N. Mex.
Viiscent V an Valkenberg;
killed in action at Taos, N. Mex.,
February 4, 1347.

Second Lieutenants.
Lucien J. Eastin.
Franklin Finch.
George R. Gibson.
Charles R. Miller.
BATTALION OF MISSOURI
MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
David Willock.
Adjutant.
Robert P. Clark.
Surgeon.
Thomas E. Massie.
Assistant Suryeon.
J. P. Vaughn.
Captains.
Israel R. Hendle': killed in
in action at Moro, N. Mex., January 24, 1846.
William M. Jacobs.
Jesse Morin.
Benjamin F. Robinson.
Samuel Shepherd.
First Lieutenants.
JamesA. Carothers.
Isaac W. Gibsoii.
Samuel S. Hughes.
John W. Martin.
Second Lieutenants.
Thomas T. Crittenden, Brig.-Gen.
U. S. V. late war.
Benjamin M. Hawkins.
Adam Huffman.
John Larkin.
John M. Miller.
Jones H. Owens.
James G. Spratt.
Nathaniel T. Williams.
NINE COMPANIES OF MISSOURI
VOLUNTEERS.
Captains.
Fr nqis M. Boing.
John F. Franciscus.
Thomas H. Holt.
Alfred M. Julian.
Napoleon A. Koscialowski.
Washington L. McNair.
Augustus Rainey.
Firman A. Rozier.
Benjamin W. Smithson.
BATTALION OF MISSOURI VOLUNTEERS.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
William Gilpin. (See Doniphan's
Regt.)




ï~~Roster of I7olwmnteer officcr8s.

MISSOURI-Continued.

Assistant Surfgeons.
Ephraim P. January.
Benjamin S. Long.
Adjutant.
Henry L. Routt.
Captains.
John C. Griffin.
Paul Holzcheiter.
Thomas Jones.
Napoleon Koscialowski.
Caleb S. Tuttle.
First Lieutenants.
Oliver Bain.
Joseph C. Eldridge.
Charles Grager.
Philip Stremmel. Col. I. S. V. late
war.
John Stevens.
Second Lieutenants.
Ira Benson.
Christian Boecking.
Edward Colston.
Stephen H. Fisher.
Ashley Gulley.
John Hill.
William Kuhlon.
William O'Hara.
Albert F. Schnable.
John W. Scholl; died (suicide),
January 21, 1848.
Caswell H. Williams.
BATTALION OF MISSOURI VOLUNTEERS.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Alton R. Easton. (See St. Louis
Legion.)
Assistant Surgeons.
Joseph Malin.
J. F. Morton.
Adjutant.
Samuel A. Holmes, Col. IT. S. V. late
war.
Captains.
William A. Barnes.
Noble C. Cunningham.
Edward W. Paul
Elisha H. Shepherd.
Nicholas Woe hner.
First Lieutenants.
Abram Allen, Maj. IT. S. V. late war.
Frederick Bailey.
George W. Paul.
Emanuel Seiner.
Second Lieutenants.
William Dietz.
Leonard F. Gray.
Sebastian Hupp.

Tho=as W. Levant.
Charles E. G. Morse.
Silas Penman.
Francis Phelps.
Reuben Pritchett.
James M. Stewart.
William H. Weightman.
THIRD    REGIMENT     OF   MISSOURI MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
John Ralls.
Lieutenant-colonel.
Richard H. Lane.
Major.
William W. Reynolds.
Assistant Surgeon.
Thomas M. Morton.
Adjutant.
Simeon Hart.
Captains.
Samuel A. Boake.
James I. Clarkson.
John C. Gebhardt.
Lois Geis; died February 5, 1848, at
Santa Fe, N. Mex.
John Haley.
Augustus Jones.
Gabriel de Korponay.
William S. Lofland.
Washington L. McNair.
Benjamin Salmon; mortally
wounded by Apache dTwaus;
died November 19, 1848.
Moses H. Simonds; died Jul y 26,
1847, near Santa Fe, N. Mex.
David D. Stockton.
First Lieutenants.
Samuel Aansorgh.
James M. Allen.
A. M. Brittingham.
George Cain.
George W. Cotne.
Robert Love; died September 21,
1847, at Santa Fe,N.Mex.
Samuel A. McConkey.
Ste phen D. Millowney.
Dillard P. Pike.
Washington Porter; died November
13, 1847, at Albuquerque, N. Mex.
Herman Schroeder.
William W. Stephens.
Second Lieutenants.
Josepn F. Anthony.
Jacob Biebrich.
Preston P. Brickey.
George K. Culp.
Joseph P. Dillon.
John K. Hawkins.




ï~~Roster of Volunteer Ofilcers.

6 19

MISSOURI-Continued.

Swcond Lieutenants.
George 0. Hepburn; killed in
action at Santa Cruz de Rosales,
Mexico, March 16, 1848.
William E. Jones.
Frame King.
Charles Krohne.
Frederick Lottman.
John P. Ludwig.
John McDaniel.
Charles K. Oliver; died August 15,
1847, on the plains.
Richard G. Roberts.
George Scheibel.
Thomas Stockstill,
John Swigler.
Jefferson Taliaferro.
Benjamin Talbot.
Milton H. Wash.
Alpheus Wheeler.
Levi A. Williams.
BATTALION OF MISSOURI
MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Ludwell E. Powell.
Adjutant.
Thomas J. Todd.

Assistant Surqcon
James B. Snail.
Captains.
James Craig, Brig..Gen. U. S. V.
late war; died Otober 21, 1888.
David McCausland.
William H. Rodgers,
Robert M. Stewart.
A. W. Sublette.
First Lieutenants.
Francis Impey.
Antoine Lefevre.
Thomas Mara.
Henry Smith.
Francis M. Warmcastle.
Second Lieutenants.
Seph H. Craig.
Immanuel S. Jones.
John W. Kelly.
Samuel J.Lingenfelter.
Samuel Machatt.
William Maran.
John M. Searcy.
Howell Thomas.
Ringrose Watson.
Thomas L. Young.

NEW JERSEY.

BATTALION OF NEW JERSEY
VOLUNTEERS.
Lieutenant- Colonel.
Dickinson Woodruff, Maj. U. S. A.
late war.
AdJutant.
Warren L. Young.
Assistant Surgeon.
Edwin Canter..
Captains.
David McDowell.
Isaac W. Mickle.
David Pierson.
James Reynolds.
NEWS
FIRST REGIMENT OF NEW
YORK VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
Jonathan D. Stevenson.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Henry S. Burton.
Major.
James A. Hardie. (See 3d U. S. Art.)
Adjutants.
John C. Bonnyeastle.
Henry 0. Matsell.

First Lieutenants.
Francis Harrison.
John II. Stiles.
John Van Houten.
Second Lieutenants.
Elias C. Abrams.
FrederickbW. Burnett.
Ezra Ferris.
Henry B. Hays.
Andrew M. haw; died December,
1847, at Vera Cruz, Mexico.
Joseph A. Logan.
Alexander McKinley.
David A. Nichols.
Anthony H. Reynolds.
YORK.
Assistanp Suroeon.
Mina B. Halstead.
Captains.
*John E. Brackett; died January 25,
1855, at Rock Island, Ill.
K. H. Dimmick.
John B. Frisbie.
Francis J. Lippitt. Col. U. S. V. late
war.
*Henry M. Naglee, Brig.-Gen. U.,S.
V. late war; died March 5, 1886,
at San Francisco, Cal.
William E. Shannon.

M




ï~~P)8 0

Roter of Volwnteer Offpers.

NEW YORK-Continued.

Captains.
Seymour G. Steele.
Matthew R. Stevenson. (See 7th U.
S. Inf.)
Nelson Taylor, Col. U. S. V. late
war.
First Lieutenants.
Henry J. Carnes.
Edward Gilbert.
George C. Hubbard.
Henry Magee.
George A. Pendleton.
George F. Penrose.
Thomas J. Roach.
William R. Tremells; died at sea.
Edward Williams.
Second Lieutenants
Charles C. Anderson; died September 13, 1847, at San Francisco.
Cal.
George D. Brewerton. (See 1st U.
S. Inf.)
Edward G. Buffum.
William E. Cuttrell.
Palmer B. Hewlett.
J. McH. Hollingsworth.
John Huddard.
Thomas E. Ketcham.
George F. Lemon, Lt.-Col. U. S. V.
late war.
Roderick M. Morrison.
Joseph C. Morehead.
John S. Norris.
Theron R. PerLee.
Charles G. Scott.
Jeremiah Sherwood.
William H. Smith.
Hiram W. Theall.
W. H. Weirick.
Charles B. Young. Maj. U. S. V.
late war.
SECOND REGIMENT OF NEW
YORK VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
*Ward B. Burnet- severely wounded
at Churubusco; died June 27,
1884, at Washington, D. C.
Lieutenant-Colonels.
(Imarles Baxter; died September 17, 1847, of wounds received
at the battle of Chapultepec,
Mexico.
James C. Burnham.
Major.
Garret Dyckman; severelywounded
at Chapultepec; Col. U. S. V.
late war.
Assistant Surgeon.
William C. Parker.
Adjutant.
James S. McCabe.

Captains.
James Barclay; wounded at thc
Belen Gate; died January 28,
1848. at San Angel, Mexico.
Robert A. Carter.
Gustave De Bongar.
Morton Fairchild; wounded at
Churubusco.
Addison Farnsworth, Col. U. S. V.
late war: died April 1, 1877.
William Forry.
Samuel S. Gallagher.
George B. Hall, Col. U. S. V. late
war.
Daniel E. Hungerford; wounded at
Chapultepec; Lt.-Col. U.S. V.
late war.
Charles H. Innes; wounded at
Churubusco, and also at the Belen
Gate; Col. U. S. V. late war.
Abram Van 0'Linda: killed at
the battle of Chapultepec. Mexico, September 13, 1847.
Charles H. Pearson;* wounded
at Cerro Gordo; died October
10, 1847. of wounds received at
the battle of Chapultepec, Mexico.
Jay P. Taylor.
Alfred W. Taylor, Col. U. S. V. late
war.
First Lieutenants.
Francis G. Boyle.
M. N. Croft.
Robert M. Floyd.
Charles F. Gallagher; died September 10, 1847, at Mixcoac, Mexico.
Jacob Griffin, Jr.; wounded at
Churubusco.
James H. Henry.
Aug. Jacobus; died May 1, 1847, at
Jalapa, Mexico.
Israel Miller.
James S. McCabe; wounded at
Churubusco.
Francis E. Pinto, Col. U. S. V. late
war.
Mayne Reid; severely wounded at
Chapultepec.
David Scannell.
Charles H. Sherwood; wounded at
Chapultepec.
econd Lieuteaants.
Alexander H. Barber.
Carl Beecher; severely wounded at
Churubusco.
Charles B. Brower. (See 3d U. 8.
Inf *)
Edward B. Carrell.
Edgar Chandler; died August
21, 1847, of wounds received at
the battle of Churubnsco, Mexico.
Edward Cooke.
John Cboke.




ï~~Roster of Volvnteer Officers.
NEW YORK-Continued.

681

Second Lieutenants.
Charles S. Cooper: severely wounded
at Churubusco.
Michael A. Curran.
Hippolyte Dardonville; wounded at
Churubusco.
David M. Doremus.
Francis Durning,
Henry Dusenbury.
Henry Gaines.
James W, Green; wounded at Chapultepec.
John Hill.

mhines D. Potter; severely wounded
at Churubusco; Lt.-Col. U. S. V.
late war; died October 24, 1888.
John Rafferty.
Thomas W. Sweeny; severely
wounded at Churubnsco. (See
2d U. S. Inf.)
Philip Van Vechten.
Morritz Von Malachwoski; wounded
at Churubusco.
William T. Walker.
John Wilson; wounded at Churnbusco; Lt.-Col. U. S. V. late war.

NORTH CAROLINA.

REGIMENT OF NORTH CAROLINA VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
Robert T. Paine.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
John A. Fagg.
*  Major.
Montfort S. Stokes.
Assistant Surgeon.
James A. McRae.
Adjutants.
Oel A. Buck.
Junius B. Whitaker.
Captains.
Tilmon Blalock.
Jacob H. Constable.
William S. Dugan.
Patrick M. Henry.
William E. Kirkpatrick.
William J. Price.
Henry Lioberts.
Martin Shive; died August 16, 1847,
at Buena Vista, Mexico.
Spyers Singleton.
Samyiel P. Tip ton.
Louis D. Wison; died August 12,
1847.
George Williamson, Jr.
First Lieutenants.
Henry A. Area.
Thomas W. Dunham.

Jeptha M. Israel.
David S. Johnston.
William McKerral.
Joseph Masten.
Shepherd K. Nash.
Josiah S. Pender.
Peter Scales; died March, 1q47.
George E. B. Singletary.
Edward Yarbrough.
Second Lieutenants.
John B. Beatty; died September 14,
1847, at Saltill, Mexico.
Duncan H. Black.
James A. Blackwelder.
Joshua Bullock.
Jacob R. Daniel.
John Goodson.
E. W. Hancock.
William H. Hartian.
Seth W. Hyatt.
James K. Johnson.
James Jones.
William H. Moye.
Stephen Nichols.
Charles G. Ogburn.
Robert S. Pitt,
Nelson Slough.
Benjamin Staton.
Petcr A. Stubblefield.
James W. Tatham.
Zadock L. Thompson.
Robert F. Webb.
Nixon White.
Robert M. Wiley.

OHIO.

FIRST REGIMENT OF
VOLUNTEERS.

OHIO

Colonel.
*Alexander M. Mitchell; wounded at
Monterey; died February 28,
1861, at St. Joseph, Mo.
Lieutenant- Colonel.
John B. Weller.

Majors.
Luther Giddings.
Thomas L. Hamer. (S(, Brig.-Gen.
U. S. V. 1846.)
Adattants.
Andrew W. Armstrong; severely
wounded et Monterey.
*James Findlay Harrison, Col. T.
S. V. late war.
Jonathan Richmond.




ï~~68 2

Ro.qter of Volunteer Officers.

OHIO-Contintied.

Surgeon.
E. K. Chamberlin.
Assistant Surgeon.
Henry Taylor.
Captains.
John B. Armstrong.
Edwin D. Bradley; Col. U. S. V. late
war.
James George; wounded at Monterey.
Edward Hamilton.
Lewis Harmell.
S. W. Johnson.
William Kneally.
Philip Muller.
David D. Strong.
Ferdinand Van Derveer. Col. U. S.
V. late war.
Carr B. White; Col. U. S. V. late
war; died September 30, 1871.
First Lieutenants.
John Be cer.
William Egry.
James P. Fyffe, Col. U. S. V.late war.
Matthew     Hett; killed at the
battle of Monterey, Mexico. September 21, 1846.
Isaac Hosear.
John K. Kidd.
John P. Klein.
William Maloney.
Lewis Motter; wounded at Monterey.
Arthur J. Oakman.
Second Lieutenants.
Nathan Allen.
Charles Boyle.
Andrew B. Colville.
Charles P. Cooke.
Leonard Guth; died March 23, 1891,
at Sandusky, Ohio.
Cassander Hall.
W. B. Howard.
C. D. Kendall.
Andrew Kline.
Christopher Knecht.
Valentine Kneller.
Ernst Kohlreiser.
B. F. W. Lindsay.
John F. Longley.
Alexander McCarter.
Michael K. Shearer.
Cyrus T. Smeed.
Charles A. Vischer.
William Wilson.
SECOND REGIMENT OF OHIO
VOLUNTEERS.
Golonel.
George W. Morgan. (See 15th U. S.
Inf.)
Lieutenant-Colonel.
William Irvin. (See 5th Ohio.)

Major.
William Wall.
Adjutants.
*Thomas Worthington, Col. U. S. V.
late war; died February 23, 1884,
at Washington, D. C.
Charles 0. Joline, Maj. U. S. V. latt
war; died February 16, 1885.
Surgeon.
William Trevitt.
Assistant Surgeon.
Robert G. McNeill.
Captains.
Jackson. Canipe.
James E. Harle.
David Irick; died December 4, 1846,
at Punta Aguda, Mexico.
Evan Julian.
Simon B. Kinton.
William A. Latham.
William H. Link.
Robert G. McLean.
John T. Mickum.
Hobby Reynolds.
Abraham Seifert.
Richard Stadden.
First Lieutenants.
Peter Brown.
Murrin E. Cully.
Michael Earhart.
Hiram E. King.
Charles D, Miller; killed     v
guerrillas near ChichItarrant-,
Mexico.
Jonathan F. Neereamer.
Samuel D. Stuart.
Second Lieutenants.
Isaac S. Armstrong.
John Arnold; drowned Noveji er 7,
1846, at Reinoso, 1Oexieo.
John R. Blackstone.
John W. Cowne.
Edwin R. Hill.
Charles Kemp.
Eli A. McFadden.
Thomas P. Morton.
A. D. Rightmire.
Reuben R oessler.
William H. Sanford.
James H. Smith.
Elliott D. Wall.
Elijah Warner.
Presley Woodard.
THIRD REGIMENT OF OTITO
VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
*Saiuel R. Curtis, Maj.-Gen. U. 8.
V. late war; died December 25,
1866, at Council Bluffs, Iowa.




ï~~Roster qf Yokh
OHIO-C
LJeutenant-Colonet.
George W. McCook, Col. U. S. V.
late war.
Maor.
John S. Love.
Adjutant.
Oliver C. Gray.
Surgeon.
Benjamin Stone.
Assistant Surgeou.
Patrick H. Mulvaney.
Captains.
James Allen.
James F. Chapman.
Thomas H. Ford, Col. IT. S. V. late
war.
John Kell, Jr., Col. U. S.V. late war.
James M. Love.
William McLaughlin, Maj. U. S. V.
late war.
David Moore. Col. U. S. V. late war.
Asbury F. Noles.
John Patterson.
William W. Robinson.
First Lieutenants.
Samuel Beatty, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V.
late war; died May 26, 1885.
Charles Boyle.
Peter Burket.
James Cantwell, Col. U. S. V. late
war.
Samuel B. Crowley.
tdward T. Croxford.
John H. Flenner.
Andrew Grubb.
Edward Steinman.
Second Lieutenants.
Smiith D. Baldwin.
Rolla Banks.
Horace L. Brown.
Josiah C. Cable.
B. J. Crosswait, Lt.-Col. U. S. V.
late war.
Isaac Delong, Maj. U. S.V. late war.
Richard D. Emerson.
Owen Francis; died October 19.
1846.
Jacob G. Frick; Col. U. S. V. late
war.
Arthur Higgins, Lt..Col IT. S. V.
late war.
Emanuel T. Hooker, Maj. U. S. V.
late war.
James McMillan.
Henry Miller. Jr.
Wil~am Porter.
Ben3amin R. Pratt,
Robert F. Riddle.
William Smith.
Horace L. Stearns.
W. D. Tidball.

nteer Oficers.               683
ontinued.
Charles Tupper.
Peter W. Weber.
Joseph D. Workman.
FOURTH REGIMENT OF OHIO
VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
Charles H. Brough; died May 10,
1849. at Cincinnati. 9hio.
Lieutenant-Colonels.
Augustus Moore, Col. U. S. V. late
war; died November 11, 1885, at
Cincinnati, Ohio.
Melchior Werner.
Major.
William P. Young.
Adjutant.
Warner Spencer.
Surgeon.
Oliver M. Langdon.
Assistant -urgeon.
Henry E. Foot.
Captains.
Charles Creswell.
JohrFries.
Teisher L. Hart; died August 31,
1847, at Matamoras, Mexico.
James Irvine, Col. U. S. V. late war.
Ilerman     Kessler;    killed in
engagement with guerillas, February 27, 1848.
Mitchell C. Lilly.
George E. Pugh.
George A. Richmond.
Henry Robinson.
Louis St. Gelen.
George Weaver, Maj. U. S. V. late
war.
Otto Zirckel.
First Lieutenants.
George Cullman; died September
17, 1847, at Matamoras, Mexico.
Samuel Douglas.
John C. Groom, Col. U. S. V. late
war.
Isaac Knapp.
Simpson?. Moses.
Martin Oestmann.
Josiah M. Robinson.
Edward Roessler.
Elias B. Sayre.
Joseph A. Smith.
Henry Toepfer.
Second Lieutenants.
John Adams.
George W. Bard.
Peter De Ankney.
John N. Dyer.
Lothar Elsen.




ï~~Roster of Volunteer Offleers.
OHIO-Continued.

Secand Lieutenants.
John Farrell.
William Graebbe.
David W. Henderson.
Charles Henn.
Obadiah Holmes.
Herman Wm. Jaeger.
Lewis Lepp elman.
John G. Marshall, Col. IT. S. V. late
war.
Abel Moore.
Lafayette Mosher.
Andrew J. Robertson; died at
Sidney, Ohio, January 3, 1891.
Daniel B. Robinson.
Frederick Schmidt.
Robert H. Thompson.
George M. Tillotson.
Henry Wiltz.
FIFTH REGIMENT OF OHIO
VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
*William Irvin; died October, 1852,
at Port La Vaca, Texas.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
William A. Latham.
Malor.
William H. Link.
Sur0eon.
Robert McNeil.
Assistant Surgeon.
George T. McDonald.
Adjutants.
Alva Perry.
Simeon W. Tucker.
Captains.
Abram Andrews.
William T. Ferguson.
Joseph W. Filler.
James E. Harle.
John G. Hughes, Maj. U.S. V. late
war.
John W. Lowe, Col. IT. S. V. late
war.
George F. McGinnis, Brig.-Gen. U.
S. V. late war.
James A. Markiand.
Nathaniel   H.   Niles;  severely
wounded at the battle of Monterey, Mexico.
Joseph E.Smith.
Ezra Vanimeter.
First Lfeutenants.
George W. Crowl.
Robert B. Mitchell, Brig.-Gen. U.
S. V. late war; died January 26,
1882.
Abram B. Moses.

Thomas O'Beirne.
Weirick F. Pentz.
William P. Price.
Leroy B. Riley.
Jackson Spencer.
Second Lieutenlts
Jabez J. Antrim.
Alexander J. Bentley.
Aiariah F. Cushman.
John W. Edgar.
James Griffin.
William I. Hogan.
William  Howard. Lt.-Col. U. S. V.
late war.
William C. Jacobs.
Milton Jamieson.
Charles Kemp.
John McDonald.
John W. Marriott.
Benjamin1 F. Moyer.
Hugh W. Morehead.
Marquis L. Olds.
Nathaniel M. Parker.
Thomas Ross.
Perry Steinman.
Stiles L. Thrift.
INDEPENDENT COMPANIES OF
OHIO VOLUNTEERS.
COMPANY OF MOUNTED MEN.
Captains.
John R. Duncan; died May 7, 1852.
at Covington, Ind.
First Lieutenant.
David A. B. Moore. Maj. U. S.V. late
war.
Second Lieutenants.
Ira E. Kelsey: died at Ilebron,
Ohio, May 2, 1891.
William P. Morrison.
Benjamin R. Wilson.
Assistant Surgeon.
A. E. Heighway.
FIRST COMPANY OF FooT.
Captains.
William Kenneally; died December
21, 1847, at Rio Frio, Mexico.
I. S. V. late war; died September 20, 1863, of wounds received
at the batle of Chickamnga, Ga.
First Lieutenant.
Denis Gorman.
Sccond Lientenants
Benjamin Briceland,
William O'Sullivan.
Robert B. Pope.




ï~~Roster of Vokenteer Officers.

685

OHIO-Continued.

SECOND COMPANY OF FOOT.
Captain.
Robert F. Riddle.
First Lieutenant.
Simon B. Kenton.

Second Lioutenant8.
William B. Bowland.
James W. Chandler.
Assistant Surgeon.
B. F. Mullen.

PENNSYLVANIA.

FIRST REGIMENT OF PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS.
Colonels.
Francis M. Wyncoop; died Decem -
ber 13, 1857, in Pennsylvania.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
Samnel W. Black, Col. U. S.V.
late war; killed June 27, 1862, at
the battle of Gaines Mill, Va.'
Major.
Francis L. Bowman; died Septomaber 19. 1856.
Surgeon.            b
John C. Reynolds.
Assistant Surgeon.
Thomas C. Bunting.
Adjutant.
Alexander Brown.
Captains.
N John Bennett.
Frederick W. Binder,
William A. Charlton.
Edmund L. Dana, Col. U. S. V. late
war; died April 25, 1889.
James O'H. Denny.
Alexander Hay.
John Herron; died November 15,
1881, at Madison, Wis.
Joseph Hill.
Turner G. Morehead, Col. U. S. V.
late war.q
James Nagle, Brig.-Gen. U. S. V.
late war; died August 22, 1866.
RobertK. Scott, Brig.-Gen. U. S.V.
late war.
William F. Small, Col. U. S. V.late
war; deceased.
First Lieutenants.
William J. Ankrim.
John F. Ballier, Col. U. S. V. late
war.
Sullivan D.Breece.
William A. M. Briggs.
Alexander Brown: deceased.
Abijah Ferguson.
William H. Gray, Col. U. S. V. late
war.
Aquilla Haines.
Augustus Larrantree;, died at sea,
March 7, 1847,

Simon S. Nagle.
William Trovillo.
Montgomery P. Young; died October 5, 1847, at Puebla, Mexico.
Second Licutenantts.
Caspar W. Berry; Lt.-Col. U. S. V.
late war.
Adam Blucher.
Isaac C. Brown.
William Bryan.
Edward Carroll, Lt.-Col. U. S. V.
late war.
William Clinton, Maj. U. Â~. A. late
war.
James. A. Deany; died December
24, 1848.
Norvin H. Goff; assasinated at Perote, Mexico, April 13, 1848.
Joseph M. Hall.
Henry Hunterson.
Franklin B. Kaercher.
Edward C. Lewis; wounded at the
seige of Puebla, Mexico.
William F. Mann. I
George Moore, Lt.-Col. U. S. V. late
war.
Edward Rehr.
John Ribault.
Frederick Seidenstricker.
Louis Voltair.
Jacob Waelder.
Robert Woods.
SECOND REGIMENT OF 1PENNSYLVANIA VOLUNTEERS.
Colonels.
John W. Geary; wounded at the
battle of Chapultepec; Brig.Gen. U. S. V. late war; died
February 8, 1873.
William B. Roberts; died October 3,
1847, in City of Mexico.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
William Brindle.
Surgeon.
Frederick W. Miller.
Assistant Surgeon.
Alexander M. Cassidy.
Adjutants.
Benjamin F. Dutton.
Isaac W. Waterbury.




ï~~486

Roster of Volunteer Oficer.

PENNS Y LVN IA-Continued.
Captains.              Charles McDermitt.
James Caldwell; died Septo -       Peter H. McWilliams.
be  914,of wo-unds recive  William Rankin.
bera19,o1a87   oBeeGivted       JohnSturgeon; died July 17, 1847,
Mincton  tteBee         ae       at Puebla, Mexico.
Marence o. Frick.                 William Williams.
Charles H. Heyer.HiaWof
Hu    hWilliam Wunder; died September
John W. Jhenston, Lt.-9ol. U. V     14, 1847, at Mixcoac, Mexico.
late war,                               Second Lieutenants.
Thomas S. Loesser.                 Charles Bower.
Alexander McKamey.                 James Coulter.
James Miller; severely wounded     Bivan R. Davis.
at the battle of Chapultepec,   Richard Erwin.
Mexico; Col. U. S. V. late war;  John G. Given.
killed May 31, 1862, at the battle  ). H. Hoffins.
of Fair Oaks, Va.               James Kane.
James Murray.                      John Keefe; severely wounded at
Charles Naylor; deceased.             the battle of Chapultepec, MexLewis W. Smith, Col. U. S. V. late    ico
war.                            Edmund Kine.
Samuel M. Taylor; died December    Robert Klotz, Col. U. S. V. late war.
6, 1847, in City of Mexico.     Christian W. Lieb; wounded at the
Edward   C.   Williams;  severely     battle of Chapultepec, Mexico.
wounded at the battle of Cha-   Richard McMichael, Lt.-Col. U. S.
pultepec, Mexico; Col. U. S. V.    V. late war.
late war.                      James McKeen, Jr.; died September
John S. Wilson; died at sea, April    25, 1847, at Puebla, Mexico.
12, 1847.                       Joseph L. Madsen.
First Lieutenants.        Washington Murray.
Peter S. Reed.
James Armstrong, Lt.-Col. U. S. V.  William P. Skelly.
late war.                       Stewart Speers.
Samuel Black.                      Jacob F. Sperry: killed      by
John A. Doyle.                        guerillas, August 26, 1847.
H. A. Hambright, Col. U. S. V. late  A. S. Tourrison; severely wounded
war.                               at the Belen Gate, Mexico.
Edward E. Le Clere.                David J. Unger.
SOUTH CAROLINA.
REGIMENT     OF SOUTH     CARO-             Quartermaster.
LINA VOLUNTEERS.             Samuel McGowan, Col. C. S. A. late
[Known as the " Palmetto Regi-        war.
ment." ]                       Assistant Surgeon.
Colonel.               Albert Bland.
Pierce   11. Butler. wounded                   Adjutant.
twice and afterwards killed at
the  battle  of  Churubusco,    James Cantey; severely wounded at
Mexico, August 20, 1847. the battle of Churubusco, Mexico.
Lieutenant-Colonels.Captais.
James P. Dickenson, died August, 1847, of wounds received at  James Blanding, Col. C. S. A. late
the battle of Churubusco, Mex-     war.
ico    G     dPreston S. Brooks.
Adley H. Gladden, wounded at       William D. De Saussure; wonded
the Belen Gate; Brig.-Gen. C.      twice at the battle of ChurnS. A. late war: died April 11,    busco, Mexico.
1862, of wounds received at the  Joseph Kennedy.
battle of Shiloh, Tenn.         William B. Lilley.
J. F. Marshall.
Maor.                 Keith S. Moffat; wounded at the
Robert G. M. Dunovant.               attle of Churubusco, Mexico.




ï~~Roster of Volunteer Officers.
SOUTH CAROLINA-Continued.

687

Captasns.
Leroy Secrest.
Francis Sumter.
Nathaniel J. Walker.
James H. Williams.
FIrst Lieutenants.
K. G. Billings; severely wounded at
the battle of Churubusco, Mexico.
James R. Clark; died August
30. 1847, of wounds received at
the battle of Churubusco, Mexico.
Arthur M. Manigault.
Cyrus S. Mellett.
John B. Moragne; killed September 13, 1847, in action at the
the Belen Gate, Mexico.
Augustus B. O'Bannon.
Charles P. Pope.
Frederick W. Selleck; wounded at
the Belen Gate; died in 1852, at
Abbeville, S. C.
James M. Shedd.
William B. Stanley.
John T. Walker.
Second Lieutenants.
Joseph Abney; severely wounded at
the battle of Churubusco, Mexico; Maj. C. S. A. late war; died
in 1869, at Edgefield, S. C.
David Adams; killed August 20,
1847, at the battle of Churubusco,
Mexico.
Thomas M. Baker.
Ralph Bell.
Stephen M. Boykin.
TENN
REGIMENT OF TENNESSEE
MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
Jonas E. Thomas.
Lieutenant-Coloned.
Robert D. Allison.
Major.
Richard Waterhouse.
Surgeon.
Gideon M. Alsap.
Adjutants.
Nimrod R. Porter; died April 21,
1847, at Plan del Rio, Mexico.
Thomas S. Stratton.
Captains.
William R. Caswell.
A. G. Cooper.
N. A. Evans.
James W. Gillespie.
John F. Goodner.

James W. Cantey, Jr.; died
September 13, 1847, of wounds
received in action at the Belen
Gate, Mexico.
Michael R. Clark; wounded at the
battle of Chapultepec. Mexico.
Joseph C. Culbreath.
Benjamin Culp.
George W. Curtis, wounded at the
battle of Churubusco, Mexico.
Jonathan R. Davis; wounded at the
battle of Churubusco, Mexico.
David L. Donald.
Abner R. Dunham; died June 10,
1847, at Jalapa, Mexico.
John C. C. Higgins.
Charles S. Kirkland.
Finley McCaskill.
Thomas N. Moye; wounded at the
Belen Gate, Mexico.
James A. Norwood.
Lewis F. Robertson.
Samuel F. Row.
James W. Stein; wounded at
the battle of Churubusco, and'
died October 10, 1847, of wounds
received in action at the Belen
Gate, Mexico.
John W. Stewart; died November
5, 1847, at Rio Frio, Mexico.
Sebastian Sumter; wounded at the
battle of Churubusco, Mexico.
James J. Thurston.
Elijah F. Williams; died September
22, 1847. at Puebla, Mexico.
Lafayette Wever.
Wilson R. Williams: killed
August 20, 1847, at the battle of
Churubusco, Mexico.
ESSEE.
*Milton A. Haynes. Lt.-Col. C. S. A.
late war.
James Lenow.
John W. Marshall.
L. D. Newman.
John L. T. Sneed.
First Lieutenants.
William L. Adams.
Samuel W. Bell.
P. A. Kirk.
William A. Lacey.
William IL McCabe.
James L. Penn.
John S. Reece.
J. H. Sawyers.
E. S. Smith.
Second Uewtenants.
Thomas P. Allen.
James Anderson.
Robert M. Andeison.
Andrew J. Brock.
William Brownlow.
Nelson H. Chase,#




ï~~688

Roster of Volunteer Officers.
TENNESSEE-Continued.

Secoid Lieutenant.
Jiolii B. IDance.
B. Donnelly.
Calvin Gossett.
William J. Johubon.
Jesse Leftwich.
W. G. McKnight.
John (). Nixon.
Jonas Seaman.
C. C. Smith.
C. Roberdeau Wheat, Col. C.
S. A. late war; killed August 30
1862. at the second battle of Buli
Run. Va.
Hercules Whaley.
Matthew Woodson.
W. J. Wright.
FIRST REGIMENT OF TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
William B. Campbell, Brig.-Gen.
U. S. V. late war; died August
19, 1867.
Lieutenant- Colonel.
Samuel R. Anderson, Brig.-Gen. C.
S. A. late war; deceased.
Majors.
Richard B. Alexander; wounded at
the battle of Monterey, Mexico.
Robert Farquharson; wounded at
the battle of Cerro Gordo. Mexico.
Surgeon.
James W. Starnes.
Assistant Surgeon.
William D. Dorris.
Adjutant.
Adolphus Heinman; wounded at the
battle of Cerro Gordo, Mexico.
Captains.
William B. Allen; killed September 21. 1846, at the battle of
Monterey, Mexico.
Robert A. Bennett.
William M. Blackinore.
Benjamin F. Cheatham, Maj.-Gen.
C. S. A. late war; died at Nashville, Tenn, 1886.
Robert C. Foster.
Edmund Frierson.
Harris Maulding; wounded at the
battle of Cerro Gordo, Mexico.
L. P. Murry.
Adrian Northout.
William B. Walton.
John Whitfield.
First Lietenatilx.
William R. Bradfute. (See 3d Tenn.)
William C. Bradley.

William B. Davis.
Patrick Daffy.
James D. Easley.
Samuel High.
George H. Nixon.
James L. Scudder; s51verely wounded
at the battle of Monterey, Mexico.
Nimrod D. Smith.
Second Lieutenants.
Joseph C. Allen; wounded at the
battle of Monterey, Mexico.
George W. Buchanan.
Coleman A. M. Daniel.
John Dies.
George Dixon; wounded     at the
battle of Monterey. Mexico.
James E. Fowler.
George W. Helm.
King Kearley.,J ames McCaaan.
Wade H. MeCrory.
James H. McMurry.
William Phillips.
Perrin L. Solomon.
John B. Tacker.
Lewis P. Totty.
Silas i21. Putnausn: killed Septem.
her 21, 1846, at the battle of onterey, Mexico.
SECOND REGIMENT OF TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS..
C(ololel.
William T. Haskell; deceased.
Lieutenant Colonel.
David H. Cummings; wounded at
the battle of Cerro Gordo, Mexico.
Snren.
David McKnight.
Assistant Surgeon.
Thomas R. Hill.
Adjitaut.
Wiley P. Hale; died April 26,
1847, of wounds received at the
battle of Cerro Gorto, Mexico.
Captaius.
Morgan P. Cook.
Timothy P. Jones.
J. L. Kirkpatrick: died March 19,
1847, at Vera Cruz, Mexico.
John D. Lowrey.
George W. MeCown.
Henry F. Iburrav; sexerely wounded
at the battle of Cerro Gordo,
MeXico.
William J. Standepper.




ï~~Itoster of Volu
TENNESSEE
First Licutenaits.
Joseph P. Bailey.
G. W. Bowns.'
William B. Davis.
Isaac R. Hawkins.
William G. McAdoo.
James C. Miller.
Frederick Bi. Nelson, Jr.-.
killed April 18, 1847. at thebattle
of Cerro Gordo, Mexico
William      Yearwood       olie
April 24. 1847, of wounds received
at the battle of Cerro Gordo,
Mexico.
Second Lieutenants.
Edward M. Anderson.
Napoleon B. Barrow.
John R. Bell.
John W. Chambers.
William S. Coward.
George H..H. Dill.
Adrew J. Ellis.
James Forrest; wounded at the
battle of Cerro Gordo, Mexico.
Alex. P. Greene.
Lawson Guthrie.
Charles G. Gill; killed April
18, 1847, at the battle of Cerro
Gordo, Mexico.
Richard J. Hays.
Joshua Richardson.
Gabriel J. Slaughter.
Eugene Sullivan.
Edwin J. Wiatt.
THIRD REGIMENT OF T ENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
Benjamin F. Cheatham. (See 1st
Tenn.)
Lieutemant-Colonel.
John W. Whitfield.
Major.
Perrin L. Solomon.
Surgeon.
John Irwin.
Assistant Surgeons.
Joseph C. Newman.
William A. Russell.
Adjutant.
George W. Wilson.
Captains.
William R. Bradfute, Col. C. S. A.
late war.
William P. Chambliss, Ma'. U. S. A.
late war; died February 22, 1887.
William M. Clark.
George T. Colyar; died January 8,
1848, at the City of Mexico.
Bartholemew Donnelly.

nteer Officers.             689
-Continued.
Edward A. Fowlkes.
William S. Hatton.
Jesse Leftwich.
Abram M. Savage.
Daniel Trig.
Sherrod Williams.
First Lipittemantg.
William B. Bate, Maj.-Gen. C. S. A.
late war.
William C. Bobo.
John C. Brixey; died February 7.
1848, at City of Mexico.
John P, Dixon.
Alfred M. Fleming.
Lucius D. Isom.
Jackson C. McElroy.
Reuben Simpson.
Burwell E. Sneed.
Thomas H. Waterson.
Second Lieutenants.
William M. Bailey.
Robert W. Beatty.
James W. Doak.
William W. Estill.
George W. Faris.
George C.-Gordon.
Thomas M. Gordon.
George Harsh.
Simon H. Hilb.
James L. Jones.
John W. Kennedy.
Frank N. McNairy.
John L. Temple.
Samuel M. Thompson.
Lipscomb N. Walker.
Robert L. Weakly.
Robert M. White.
VOURTH REGIMENT OF TEN.
NESSEE VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
Richard Waterhouse.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
James D. Swan.
Major.
McDonough J. Bunch.
Surgeon.
James P. Evans.
Assistant Surgeon.
R. W. Gardner.
Adjutar1ts.
Hugh Reed.
Bowling W. Starke.
Captains.
Jordan T. Council.
James H. Evans.
James Freeman,
John D. Goodall.
Lawson Guthrie.




ï~~Ptoter of Yolvteer Officers.
TENNESSEE-Continued.

Captaizu.
James McAllister; died November
30, 1849.
William J. Rogers.
John Scanland.
Henry Travis.
First Lieutenants.
Robert K. Byrd. Col. U. S. V. late
war.
Thomas Epperson.
Ihenry D. Flippen.
John McAllen.
James Millikan.
Tazewell W. Newman.
Benjamin O'Haver.
Andrew Porter,
Second Lieutenants.
William G. Burford.
Bolivar H. Cook.
John Cowart, Jr.
Joseph H. Crockett.
J. Daniel Dickinson.
James R. Dobbs.
Richard I. Grant.
Alexander S. Hare.
Israel F. Huddlestone.
John McCarver.
Alexander Millikan.
Wade H. Narramore.
William A. Porter.
Henry H. Richardson.
John W. Smart.
Lewis M. Wester.
FIFTH REGIMENT OF TENNESSEE VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
George R. McClellan.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
George W. Bounds.
Major.
James Walker.
Assistant Surgeon.
James S. Gains.
Adjutants.
Samuel V. Fulkerson.
William C. Lillard.

Captatns.
Harrison Dill.
Julius C. Fagg.
John H. Grant.
George W. McKenzie.
John T. O'Brien.
William H. Patterson.
Samuel Powell.
John I1. Reese.
John S. Shaver.
Elisha Thomason.
John C. Vaughn.
Fist Lieutenants.
Henry W. Atkinson.
Jacob B. Collins.
William C. Emmert.
Henderson Hendley.
William King.
William L. Lafferty.
James H. McKamey.
James M. McSpadden.
Willett W. Marshall; died May, 1848.
Pleasant M. Senter.
James N. Weir; died January 28,
1848, at Vera Cruz, Mexico.
Second Lieutenants.
Samuel B. Adams.
Samuel B. Anderson.
John Boyd.
David B. Bramlett.
John Brown.
James M. Gault.
William K. Hale.
Calvin Henegar.
James M. Kennedy.
Abraham T. Lacey.
Pitser M. Lyons.
Hanson R. McCartney.
James C. MeCart.
Micajah D. Morand.
John A. Miller.
James J. Odell.
Proctor P. Porter.
William C. Shelton.
Francis M. Walker.
Francis E. Watterson.
Joseph C. Weir.
Robert W. Young.

TEXAS.

GENERAL STAFF OF TEXAS
VOLUNTEERS.
Major-General.
James P. Henderson, (Governor);
died in 1858, in Wasbington, D. C.
Division Inspector.
Lt.-Col. Mirabeau B. Lamar.
Division Quartermaster.
N Tajor Henry L. Kinney.

Aides-de-camp. (Rank of Major.)
Edward Burleson.
Edward Clarke.
FIRST   REGIMENT     OF   T]N'
MOUNTED RIFLE V OLT>'s
TEERS.
Colonel.
John C. Hays; deceased.
Lieutenant-Colow f
Samuel H. Walker.     (Sco.
Mounted Rifles.)




ï~~Roster of Volunteer Officers.
TEXAS-Continued.

691

Major.
Michael H. Chevallie; deceased.
Surgeo.
William R. Smith.
Assistant-Surgeon.
Charles H. Wagner.
Ai~utantCharles A. Harper.
Captainm.
Christopher B. Acklen.
Samuel L. S. Ballowe.
Frank S. Early.
Thomas Green, Bri.-Gen. C.
S. A. late war; lled April 1.,
1864, at the battleof Blair'sLandin' La
Jame;&aspie; deceased.
Robert A. Gillespie; killed
September 21, 1846, at the battle
of Monterey, Mexico.
Claiborne C. Herbert.
Jerome B. McCown.
Henry E. Mculloch.
Joseph P. Wells.
First Lieutenants.
Gabriel M. Armstrong.
Cannah C. Colley.
Alfred Evans.
Thomas Early.
Walter P. Lane.
Sampson McCowan.
William E. Reese; wounded at the
battle of Monterey. Mexico.
William H. Sellers.
George B. Traham.
William A. A. Wallace.
*Henderson K: Yoakum; died No.
vember 29, 1856, at Houston,
Tex.
Second Lieutenants.
Fielding Alston; died March, 1847.
James Coffee.
John H. Day.
William B. P. Gaines.
A. McNeill.
H. H. Nelson.
John Page.
Christoper R. Perry.
Reding S. Pridgeon.
George W. Rodgers.
John T. Story.
SECOND REGIMENT OF TEXAS
MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
George T. Wood; deceased.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
John E. Myrick.

Major.
William R. Scurry.
Surgeon.
Charles B. Rains.
Assistanit Suio'jen
Walter S. A. Kirksy.
Adiutot.
Thomas M. Linkins.
Captainl.
Robert K. G~odloe.
James M. W. Hall.
John L. Hall.
Middleton T. Johnson
William F. Sparks.
Ethelred J. Thompson.
Alfred M. Truit.
Otis M. Wheeler.
Ervin M. Wilder.
First Lieutenants.
De Witt C. Clark.
Jeremiah M. Clough.
Nathaniel G. Dial.
T. L. Epperson.
George English.
Albert G. Harri-ol.
Samuel M. Hyde.
John M. Payne.
Leroy M. T. Pope.
Walter Woodward.
Second Lieutenants.
James M. Barton.
Adam J. Bennett.
Ephraim M. Daggett; died April,
1883.
Hugh Hensey.
James K. Holland.
A. S. McGee.
Bernard Reilly.
Franklin F. Roberts.
Henry J. Sibley.
William B. Young.
REGIMENT OF TEXAS RIFLE
VOLUNTEERS.
Colonel.
*Albert Sidney Johnston;
Gen. C. S. A. late war; killod
April 6, 1862, at the battls of
Shiloh, Tenn.
Lteutenant-Colone.
Ephraim McLean.
Major.
James Mayo Wells. (See 12th IT. S.
Inf.)
Assistant Surgeon.
Francis McKay.
Adjutant.
William P. Ballinger.




ï~~692

Roster of Tolunteer Officers.

Captatus.
James R. Arnold.
Joseph L. Bennett.
Augustus Buchel.
JTames Chessher.
Robert H. Howard.
John McCarty.
Volney Ostrander.
Charles A. Seefeld.
William R. Shivors.
Martin K. Snell.

TEXAS
REGIMENT OF TEXAS MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS.
Colone.
William 0. Young.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
James Bourland.
Major.
Calvin C. Cooper.
Adjutant.
Andrew N. Hopkins.
Captains.
Berkley M. Ballard.
William B. Dagley.
Lemuel D. Evans.
Daniel Montague.
Levi M. Rice.
Burrell P. Smith.
BATTALION OF TEXAS MOUNTED VOLUNTEERS.
Majors.
M. H. Chevallie.
Walter P. Lane.
Assistant Surgeon.
Thomas F. Titus.
Adjutant.
W. S. Murtry.
Captains.
George W. Adams.
George K. Lewis.
James B. Reed.
Robert H. Taylor.
First Lieutenants.
Henry Earl.
Charles W. McNally.
G. H. Nelson.
Simeon D. Nunnellee.
A. M. Vallendingham.
James H. Weathersbee.
Secomd Lieutenants.
Joseph B. Blackwell.
James Clarke; wounded in action at
Agua Fria, Mexico.
James D. Cochran.
\Ve1liam A. Francis.

Continued.
Jaiies JI. IHardaway; killed
July 29, 1847, in a skirmish near
Popage, Mexico.
John A. Mnerief.
James W. Morrell.
William C. Painter.
William Wynlock.
REGIMENT OF TEXAS MOUNTED VOLUNTEER1S.
Colonc.
John C. Hays; deceased.
Lieutenant-Colo)cl.
Peter H. Bell.
Major.
Alfred M. Truit.
Assistant-Surgcon.
William Wilkinson.
Adjutant.
John S. Ford, Col. C. S. A. late war.
Captaius.
Gabriel M. Armstrong.
Chaucer Ashton; died December 11.
1847, at City of Mexico.
Henry W. Baylor.
Ephraim M. Daggett.
Alfred Evans.
Isaac Ferguson; died Januar 1,
1848, at City of Mexico.
James S. Gillett.
Alexander E. Hendley.
Samuel Highsmith.
Middleton 1. Johnson.
Stephen Kinsey.
Jacob Roberts.
Shapley P. Ross.
Hammond Warfield.
Preston Witt.
First Lieutenatfs.
William E. Crooke.
Jeremiah S. Davis; wounded at kequaltiplan, Mexico.
John D. English.
James C. Gaither.
Daniel Grady.
William B. Knox; deceased.
Gideon Lee.
Thomas M.eLikens.
Joseph M. Smith.
Francis M. Willingham.
Second Lieutenants.
Isaac Anglin.
William T. Armstrong.
Walker K. Baylor.
Joseph Burns.
Samuel Carter.
Harry Davis.
Christopher C. Dodson.
Elisha B. En glish.
John C. Gooch,




ï~~Roster qf Volunteer Ojficer.                 693
TEXAS Continued.
Second Lieutenants.                    Adautant.
Albert G. Harris.                  James M. W. Hall.
Dread R. Hill.                                 Captains.
HardyJones.                       Wiliam G. Crump.
John W. Mills.                     John A. Conner.
Maurice Moore.                     William Fitzhugh.
Joseph Pancoast.                   John S. Sutton.
Benjamin P. Smith; died January    John A. Veatch.
28, 1848, in City of Mexico.    INDEPENDENT COMPANIES OF
John L. Terry.
Thomas H. Tucker.                       TEXAS VOLUNTEERS.
Charles Turner.                         (1)-MOUNTED COMPANY.
Alexander Williams.
John S. Wills.                                  Captain.
John T. Price.
REGIMENT OF TEXAS MOUNT-                    First Lieutenants.
ED VOLUNTEERS.              George W. Guthrie.
Colonel.              A. W. Templeton.
John C. Hays. (See Texas Rifles.)          Second Lieutenant.
Lieutenant-Colonel.        Willard Post.
Charles A. Harper.                      (2)-CoMPANY or RANGERS.
Major.                            Captain.
William H. Bourland.               Peter H. Bell.
Assistant Surgeon.                  First Lieutenant.
William Wilkinson.                 Mabery B. Gray.
Adjutant.                      Second Lieutenant.
Hugh Hensey.                       Do Witt 0. Lyons.
Captains.                   (3)-MOUNTED COMPANY.
Thomas W. Clark.                                Captaim
Benjamin F. Hill.                             Ca.
John Long.                         David C. Cady.
David Muckleroy.                            First Lieutenants.
Samuels WtSims.                    John Brothers.
ames S.                       Pleasant Green.
BATTALION OF TEXAS MOUNT.                   Second Lwietenant.
ED VOLUNTEERS,              John Harrell.
[Five Companies.]                (4) -MOUNTED COMPANY.
Major.                             Colonel.
Thomas J. Smith.                   Benjamin     MeCuulloeli.   Thig.
Adjutant.                 den. C. S. A. lat war; luilled
James P. Goodall.                     March 7, 1862. at the battle of
Pea Ridge, Ark.
Captains.                       First Lieu tera()t.
John H. Connor.                    John McMullen.
John J. Grumble.
Henry E. McCulloch.                         Second Laieutelnan
ShaplyP. Ross.                     James L. Allen.
E. V. ymftn.
(5)-MOUNTED COMPANY.
REGIMENT OF TEXAS MOUNT-                        Captain.
ED VOLUNTEERS.              Eli Chandler.
Colonel.                       First Lieutenant.
Peter H. Bell.                     Thomas Bell.
Lieutenant-Colonel.,Aecond Lu Ltienant,
Middleton T. Johnson.              Isaac Anglin.




ï~~694

694        Roer of Vobin leer O#Ieers.

TEXAS-Continued.

(6)-MOUNTED COMPANY.
Captaint.
Mabery B. Gray.
F irst Lieutenant6.
De Witt C. Lyons.
Second Lieutenzant.
John 0. Castleman.
(7)-COMPANY oF FOOT VOLUNTEESI.
Gaptoin.
William 1R. Shivors.
First Lieutenanit.
William H. Jacobs.
Second Lieutenant.
Henry H. Hall.
(8)-RIFLE COMPANY.
Captai.
P. E. Connor; wounded at the battle
of Buena Vista, Mexico; Brig.,
Glen. U. S. V. late war.
F irst Lieisteizants.
David Camnpbell- killed at the
battle of Buena Vista, Mexico,
Febinary 23, 1847.
James Henderson.
Nathaniel Niles.
Secoitl Lteutenants.
John A. Lt-oiihard*. killed at
the battle of B~uena Vista, Mexico, February 23, 1847.
James MclDonough.

(9)-COMYANY VOLIJNTEEERS.
Captain.
Mirabean B. Lamar.
First Lieutenant.
John A. Veatch.
Second Lieutenants.
Hamilton P. Bee.
P. C Paull.
Wiley J. Peace.
(1O)-Co-TPANY VOLVINrExn.
Captain.
Shapley P. Ross.
Firot Lieutenant,.
George W. Chapman.
Second LieiitenanIl..
William H. Moore.
Ransom Moore,
(11)-MOUJNTED COMPANY Of    i-~
Captain.
Benjamin McCulflough. (See T, xas
First Lientenant.
William H. Kelly.
SecondUlLeutennnts.
Fielding Alston.
George H. Tobbi.

VIRGINIA.

REGIMENT OF VIRGINIA VOLUJNTEERS.
Colonel.
*John F. Hamtramck; died April 21,
1858, at Shepardstown, Va.
Lieutenant-Colonel.
*Trhomas B. Randolph: dlied No vemuber 12, 1867. near Cascade, Iowa.
Maljor.
*3 ibal A. Early, Lt.-Geu. C. S. A.
late war.
Surgeon.
William H. P'Anson.
Assistant Surgeon.
James Mf. Bell.
Ac~utant.
Thomas P. Augaust.
Captains.
Nihraim G. Alburtis.
F ttcher ff. Archer.
WVilliam B. Archer.
Smith P..Baukhead.

Edward C. Carriingtoit.
Montgomery 1). (Corse,
Henry Fairfax: died Auguist 16, pq17
at Saltillo, Mexico.
Kenton Harper.
JTames F. Prestou.
William M. Robins'onl.
John W. Rowan.
Robert G. Scott, Jr.
William A. Talbot.
James Thrift.
John P. Young.
First Lienleniants.
John Avis.
-fames L. Bryan.
John K. Cooke.
James H. Dulany.
Fleming Gardner.
Thomas S. Garnett.
Otho H. Harrison.
John H. Higdon.
Robert H. Kinney.
Franklin Pegram.
George A. Portprfield.
William A. Scott.
Lindsay MA. Shumaker.




ï~~Roster of Volunteer Officers.

695

VIRGINIA - Continued.
Second Lieutenants.        William M. Levy.
William J. Mc Gowan.
Lawrence Battaile.                 Washington S. Mahan; killed in
Edward T. Blamire.                    duel, June 1, 1847, in Mexico.
Charles Bodeker.                   William J. Minor.
Robert F. Coleman.                 Thomas Moore.
Benjamin W. Collier.               Carlton R. Munford.
James S. Douglas.                  Peter A. Peterson.
Thomas H. Dunn.                    William H. Pleasants.
R. W. Fowlks.                      Daniel Poisel.
John W. Gallaher.                  Robert Pollock. Lt.-Col. U. S. V.
Vincent E. Geiger.                    late war.
William Gravatt.                   Henry Stanger.
William Henry Harman.              Lawrence B. Washington.
Upton H. Herbert.                  David A. Weissiger.
James S. Kellam.                   Henry W. Williamson.
Robert H. Keeling.                 James M. Wade.

BATTALION OF SAILORS.
(Organizedby Commodore Stockton,
for the Recapture of Los Angeles.
Cal.)
Major.
Stephen C. Rowan, Lt. U. S. N.;
Com. U. S. N. late war.
Commssary.
William Speiden, Purser.
Quartermaster.
John Bidwell, Capt. Cal. Vols.
Aides-de-Camp.
Andrew F. V. Gray, Lt. U. S. N.
Miguel de Pedrorena, Capt. Cal.
Vols.; died March 15, 1860.
Captainp.
James M. Duncan.   Passed Mid.)
John Guest. (Actg. Master.)
Edward Higgins. (Actg. Lieut.)
Benjamin F. B. Hunter. (Actg.
Lieut.)
John Peed. (Sailmaker.)
William B. Renshaw. (Lieut.)
J. F. Stenson. (Actg. Lieut.)
Richard L. Tighiman. (Lieut.)
Sapper and Miner.
John Southwick. (Carpenter.)

Edmund Shepherd. (Actg. Lieut.)
William H. Thompson (Actg. Master.
Benjamin F. Wells. (Mid.)
BATTALION OF SAiTA FE
MOUNTED VOLUN.TEERS.
Mar.
Robert Walker. (See 2d Mo. Vols.)
Asistant Surgeon.
Eliathah S. Gale.
Ad)utant.
William B. Royall. (See 2d Mo.
Vols.)
Captains.
William B. Armstrong.
William H. Grove.
John L. Hamilton.
Francis Hassendeubel. (See Mo.
Vols.)
Cyril St. Vrain, Col. U. S. V. late
war; died October 28, 1870, at
Mora, N. Mex.
First Lieutenants.
Henry G. A. Casparis.
J. W. Gibbons.
Charles D. Gillespie.
John R. Norris.
Charles G. Weber.
Second Lieute a u fs.
Albert G. Blakey.
John A. Boarman.
Christopher Carson, Col. U. S. V.
late war: died May 23, 1868.
Thomas H. Coats.
J. A. Hannah.
Sigismond Homburg.
Lewis Hertzer.
John McDade.

Lieutenants.
Albert Allimand. (Actg. Lieut.)
Robert C. Duvall. (Mid.)
Edward C. Grafton. (AcI g. Lieut.)
Philemon Haywood. (Mid.)
Theodric Lee. (Mid.)
George E. Morgan. (Mid.)
Joseph Parrish. 1(Actg. Lieut.)
John Van N. Philip. (Atg. Lieut.)

NOTE.-This Roster of Volunteers is copied, excepting. a few ad1ltious,
lv permission from the pamphlet "Mexican War Veterans," compiled from
official sources by Wm. Hugh Robarts.




ï~~[Appendix V.]
ROSTER OF NAVY OFFICERS
Serving in the War Between the United States and Mexico,
Beginning May 8, 1846, and Ending July 4,1848.
HOME SQUADRON, 1846.
Commodore DAVID CoNNruz, Commander in Chief.

FRIGATE CUMBERLAND.
(Flagship; 44 Guns. Sailed from
Boston February 3, 1846.1
Capt. Bladen Dulany.
Lt. Samuel F. Hazard.
Lt. J. A. Winslow.
Lt. Edward Middleton.
Lt. Thomas M. Brasher.
Lt. John H. Sherburne.
Fleet Surg. Waters Smith.
Asst. Surg. It. Ti Maxwell.
Asst. Surg. William S. Bishop.
Purser Nathaniel Wilson.
Chaplain Fitch W. Taylor.
Acting Master Abram D. Harrell.
Acting Master M. C. Perry.
Marine Officer, 1st Lt. D. D. Baker.
Passed Mid. E. R. Colhoun.
Passed Mid. B. Randolph.
Passed Mid. A. J. Dallas.
Passed Mid. Reginald Fairfax.
Passed Mid. Joseph H. Day.
Mid. N. T. West.
Mid. J. L. Johnston.
Mid. J. A. Seawell.
Mid. Walter Queen.
Mid. Edward E. Stone.
Nfid. M. J. Smith.
Mid. Robert Stuart.
Mid. George B. Hodge.
Master's Mate J. M. Ballard.
Boatswain Charles Johnston.,runner Elijah Haskell.
Carpenter Amos Chick.
Sailmaker Thomas J. Bovce.
FRIGATE RARITAN.
[44 Guns.]
Capt. Francis H. Gregory.
Lt. Burritt.
Lt. Shepard.
it. Alexander Gibson.
Lt. E. T. Shubrick.
Surg. J. M. Foltz.
696

Asst. Surg. Thomas M. Potter.
Asst. Surg. John T. Bartow.
Purser Adolph E. Watson.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Wilson
R. McKinney.
Prof. of Mathematics, E. C. Ward.
Marine Officer, 1st Lt. William Lang.
Passed Mid. William H. Hudson.
Mid. J. C. P. De Kraft.
Mid. H. C. Hunter.
Mid. J. H. March.
Mid. W. W. Holmes.
Mid. A. W. Habersham.
Mid. L. H. Lyne.
Mid. Joseph E. De Ha- en,
Mid. D. C. Coleman.
Mid. Charles Gray.
Mid. R. J. D. Price.
Mid. Milton Haxtun.
Mid. Theodria L. Walker.
Boatswain Robert Dixon.
Gunner Gustavus Newman.
Carpenter William M. Laighton.
Sailmaker G. T. Lozier.
FRIGATE POTOMAC.
[44 Guns. SailedfromNorfolk MarcIt
14, 1846.]
Capt. John H. Aulick.
Lt. Samuel Lockwood.
Lt. J. H. Rowan.
Lt. Joshua Humphreys.
Lt. James H. North.
Lt. James M. Frailey.
Lt. James A. Doyle.
Surg. Robert J. Dodd.
Asst. Surg. Oscar F. Baxter.
Asst. Surg. James Hamilton.
Purser Joseph Bryan.
Chaplain Rodman Lewis.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) C. St.
George Noland.
Marine Officer, 1st it. Addison Garland.
Passed Mid. J. F. Abbott.




ï~~Poster qf JV'tvy 0,fllcers.

( 11o

HOME SQUADRON, 1846-Continued.

Passed Mid. William B. Fitzgerald.
Passed Mid. E. F. Tatnall.
Passed Mid. William E. Hopkins.
Mid. John T. Jones.
Mid. Edward T. Carmichael.
Mid. William L. Powell.
Mid. James H. Somerville.
Mid. William H. Murdauh.
Mid. Charles C. Hunter.
Mid. Allan McLane.
Mid. A. F. Monroe.
Boatswain SamueleDrew.
Gunner A. S. Lewis.
Carpenter L. Manson.
Sailmaker B. B. Bursted.
SLOOP FALMOUTH.
120 Guns. Sailed from Boston February 9, 1846.1
Com. Joseph R. Jarvis.
Lt. Thomas W. Brent.
Lt. William Ross Gardner.
Lt. C. B. Poindexter.
Lt. W. Gwathmey.
Surg. Charles A. Hassler.
Asst. Surg. E. J. Bee.
Purser H. M. Heiskell.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) J. M.
B. Clitz.
Passed Mid. John S. Maury.
Mid. Edward C. Pasteur.
Mid. James H. Rochelle.
Mid. Adrian Deslonde.
Mid. Robert B. Storer.
Boatswain Alfred Hingrerty.
Gunner John Caulk.e
Carpenter Robert Sheffield.
Sailmaker George Thomas.
SLOOP JOHN ADAMS.
[20 Guns. Sailed from New York.
July 18, 1845.]
Com. William J. McCluney.
Lt. Harry Ingersoll.
Lt. Guert Gansevoort.
Lt. A. A. Holcomb.
Lt. Francis Lowery.
Surg. Samuel Barrington.
Passed Asst. Surg. J. Winthrop
Taylor.
Purser George F. Sawyer.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) E. L.
Winder.
Marine Officer, 1stLt. J. C. Cadwell.
Passed Mid. J. Wilcoxson.
Passed Mid. John R. Hynson.
Mid. John T. Barrand.
Mid. James S. Thorton.
Mid. A. H. Otis.
Mid. James E. Jouett.
Mid. John Gale.
Boatswain John Munro.
Gunner Daniel James.
Carpenter Charles Boardman.
Sail-maker R. Van Vorhis.

SLOOP ST. MARY'S.
[20 Guns. Sailed from Norfolk,
April 27, 1845, special service.]
Com. John L. Saunders.
Lt. C. H. A. H. Kennedy.
Lt. William Rogers Taylor.
Lt. Charles Steedman.
Lt. Charles W. Morris.
Surg. James C. Palmer.
Asst. Surg. William A. Harris.
Purser L. T. Waller.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Joshua
D. Todd.I
Marine Officer, 2d Lt. Tohn 1).
Simms.
Passed Mid. Thomas L. Dance.
Mid. Robert Selden.
Mid. John H. Russell.
Mid. John H. Upshur.
Mid. Walter V. Gilliss.
Mid. James B. Yates.
Mid. William K. Mayo.
Mid. Walter F. Jones.
Boatswain John Bates.
Gunner John 0. Ritter.
Carpenter Thomas Johnson.
Sailmaker David B. Park.
STEAMER MISSISSIPPI.
110 Guns. Sailed from Boston, August 6, 1845.1
Capt. Andrew Fitzhugh.
Corn. Henry A. Adams.
Lt. William Smith.
Lt. John C. Carter.
Lt. William A. Parker.
Lt. William E. Le Roy.
Surg. Amos G. Gambill.
Asst. Surg. Washinnvtou Sherman.
Purser Lewis Warrington, Jr.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Henry
Rodgers.
Prof. of Mathematics, Mark If.
Beecher.
Chief Engr. William Sewell, Jr.
Passed Mid. Alphonse Barbot.
Mid. Wingate Pillsbury.
Mid. William W. Wilkinson.
Mid. William King Bridges.
Mid. John Wilkes, Jr.
Mid. Oscar C. Badger.
Mid. Thomas S. Fillebrown.
Mid. David A. Cheever.
1st Asst. Engr. Dauiel B. Martin.
1st Asst. Engr. Hiram Sanfor.
2d Asst. Engr. Daniel Murphy.
2d Asst. Engr. Joshua Follaivbee.
3d Asst. Engr. William Luce.
3d Asst. Engr. J. W. King.
3d Asst. Engr. M. M. Thompson.
Gunner John Martin.
Carpenter Joseph Cox.
Sailnaker James G. Gallagher.




ï~~Ro.s ere of Nay Ofcers,

HOME SQUADRON, x846-Continued.

STEAMER PRINCETON.
[9 Guns. Sailed from Boston, May
12, 1846.1
Com. Frederick Engle.
Lt. W. W. Bleecker.
Lt. F. S. Haggerty
Surg. David HWa  n.
Purser William A. Christian.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) J. W.
A. Nicholson.
Chief Eng. John Herron, Jr.
Passed Mid. Edward C. Stiles.
Passed Mid. W. W. Bassett.
Mid. Wiliam H. Reiley.
Mid.   P. McCorkle.
2d Asst. Engr, B. F. Isherwood.
2d Asst. Engr. N. C. Davis.
3d Asat. Engr. William Taggert.
3d Asst. Engr. Charles Coleman.
Gunner Robert S. King.
BRIG PORPOISE.
[10 Guns.]
Lieutenant Commanding William E.
Hunt.
Lt. Raphael Semmes.
Lt. Edward R. Thomson.
Passed Asst. Surg. George Maulsby.
Acting Master Robert Townsend.
Mid. Watson Smith.

Mid. Samuel Magaw.
Mid. John L. Davis.
BRIG SOMERS.
[10 Guns.]
Com. Duncan N. Ingraham.
Lt. George M. White.
Lt. Edwin J. De Haven.
Passed Asst. Surg. John I. Wrighi.
Purser John F. Steele.
Acting Master Charles M. Faiutlroy.
Mid. Francis G. Clark.
Mid. George S. King.
BRIG LAWRENCE.
[10 Guns. Sailed from New Yorl:
April, 1846.]
Com. Samuel Mercer.
Lt. D. B. Ridgely.
Lt. Francis B. Renhaw.
Passed Asst. Surg. S. A. MeCreerv.
Purser William Hi. Kennon.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) It. -
lison.
Passed Mid. C. W. Place.
Mid. R. L. Law.
Mid. W. H. Fauntleroy.
Gunner George J. Marshall.

PACIFIC SQUADRON, 1846.
Commodore JoHN D. SLOAT, Commander in chief.

FRIGATE SAVANNAH.
[Flagship; 44 Guns.]
Capt. John D. Sloat.
Lt. Robert B. Hitchcok.
Lt. George Minor.
Lt. Robert F. Pinkney.
Lt. Richard S. Trapier.
Lt. William A. Wayne.
Acting Lt. Johnston B. Carter.
Fleet Surg. Charles Chase.
Asst. Surg. Joseph Wilson, Jr.
Purser Daingerfield Fauntleroy.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) William F. De Jongh.
Marine Officer, Capt. Ward Marsten.
Marine Officer, 2d Lt. Henry W.
Queen.
Mid. R. D. Minor.
Mid. William M. Gamble.
Mid. Wiliam P. Toler.
Mid. J. H. Tillotson.
Mid. R. R. Carter.
Mid. P. G. Watmongh.
Mid. W. 0. Crane.
Mid. J. Kell.
Mid. J. K. Wilson.
Mid. R. C. Duvall.
Mid. T. J. Miller.
Mid. 8, P. Grifflin.

Boatswain George Wilmuth.
Gunner James M. Cooper.
Carpenter Francis M. Cecil.
Sailmaker William Ryan.
FRIGATE CONSTITUTION.
[44 Guns.]
Capt. John Percival.
Lt. Amass Paine.
Lt. William C. Chaplin.
Lt. James Alden.
Lt. James W. Cooke.
Lt. John B. Dale.
Lt. Gough W. Grant.
Surg. D. C. McLeod.
Asst. Surg. Marius Duvall.
Asst. Sunrg. Richard McSherry.
Purser T. Marston Taylor.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) lVnae
G. Strain.
Prof. of Mathematics, Ethan1E, -
brook.
Marine Officer, 2d Lt. Joseph \.
Ctrtis.
Mid. William P. Buckner.
Mid. George B. Douglas.
Mid. J. E. Hopson.
Mid. N. F. Davidson.
Mid. Colville Terrett.




ï~~Roster of Naiy Qflhcers.

PACIFIC SQUADRON, 1846-Continued.

Mid. Cornelius Comegys.
Mid. Joseph J. Cook.
Mid. John E. Hart.
Mid. M. Patterson Jones.
Boatswain Robert Simpson.
Gunner George Sirian.
Carpenter Henry G. Thomas.
Sailmaker Isaac Whitney.
FRIGATE CONGRESS.
[44 Guns. Sailed from Norfolk,
October 30, 1845, to relieve the
Savannah.)
Capt. Robert F. Stockton.
Com. Samuel F. Dupont.
Tt. John W. Livingston.
Tt. James F. Schench.
Lt. Theodore P. Green.
t. Richard T. Tilghman.
Lt. A. F. V. Gray.
Lt. Enoch G. Parrott.
Surg. Samuel Mosely.
Passed Asst. Surg. Jlohn S. 'Whittle.
Asat. Surg. Charles Eversfield.
Purser William Speiden.
Chaplain Walter Colton.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Van R.
Morgan.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Edward
F. Beale.
Marine Officer, 1 stTt. J. Zeilin.
Passed Mid. John Jonott.
Passed Mid. William H. Thompson.
Passed Mid. James M. Duncan.
Passed Mid. Miles K. Warrington.
Passed Mid. Charles H. Baldwin.
Passed Mid. Maurice Simons.
Mid. Samuel B. Elliott.
Mid. Theodric Lee.
Mid, Archibald H. Waring.
Mid. Benjamin F. Wells.
Mid. Josiah J. Byers.
Mid. Win. Mitchell.
Boatswain George Smith.
Gunner Charles Cobb.
Carpenter John Southwick.
Sailmaker John Peed.
SLOOP PORTSMOUTH.
[20 Guns. Sailed from Norfolk
January 25, 1845.]
Com. John B. Montgomery.
Lt. John S. Missroon.
Lt. Richard Forrest.
t. Woodhull S. Schenck.
Tt. Washington A. Bartlett.
Surg. Wm. Maxwell Wood.
Asst Surg. Charles H. Oakley.
Purser James H. Watmough.
Marine Officer, 2d Lt. Henry B.
Watson.
Mid. Hunter Davidson.
Mid. Edward C. Grafton.
Mid. Stanwix Ganzevoort.

Mid. Joseph Parrish.
Mid. James Ilerron.
Mid. Daniel C. Hugunin.
Boatswain Robert Whittaker.
Gunner Andrew A. Randall.
Carpenter George Wisner.
Sailmaker David Ptruce.
SLOOP LEVANT.
[20 Guns. Sailed from Norfolk
April 21, 1846.]
Com. Hugh N. Page.
Tt. Robert Handy.
t. Joseph H. Adams.
Acting Lt. Louis McLane.
Acting Lt.George W. Hammersley.
Surg. Edward Gilchrist.
Purser John B. Rittenhouse.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) J.
Dorsey Read.
Mid. S. R. Franklin.
Mid. E. Gordon.
Mid. E. H. Scovell.
Mid. C. Woolley.
Mid. George W. Young.
Mid. Alex. R. Abercrombie.
Boatswain John Dunderdale.
Gunner S. M. Beckwith.
Carpenter John Green.
SLOOP WARREN.
[20 Guns.]
Com. Joseph B. Hull.
Lt. William Radford.
Lt. William L. Maury.
Lt. William B. Renshaw.
Acting Lt. John Rutledge.
Surg. William J. Powell.
Asst. Surg. William H. Grier.
Purser Thomas R. Ware.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) William
H. Montgomery.
Mid. John G. Whitaker.
Mid. Frederick Kellog.
Mid. Andrew W. Johnson.
Mid. Philemon H. Haywood.
Mid. Jefferson McRoberts.
Mid. A. M. DeBree.
Gunner John Owins.
Carpenter William Knight.
Sailmaker Johmi Joins.
SLOOP CYANE,
[20 Guns. Sailed from Norfolk August 10, 1845, to relieve the Lae.
vant.]
Capt. William Mervine.
Lt. Stephen C. Rowan.
Lt. Joseph W. Revere.
Lt. George L. Selden.
Lt, George W. Harrison.
Surg. Lewis B. Hunter.




ï~~oo

P08/cr p4 Nb cq fficers
PACIFIC SQUADRON, 1846-Continued.

Passed Asst. Surg. Chas, D. Maxwell.
Purser Rodman M. Price.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) B. F.
N B. Hunter.
Marine Officer, 2d Lt. William A. T.
Maddox.
Passed Mid. J. F. Stenson.
Passed Mid. Tenant McLanahan.
Passed Mid. J. S. Bohrer.
Mid. John Van Ness Philip.
Mid. Horace N. Crabb.
Mid. Elias Vander Horst.
Mid. Abert Allmand.
Mid. Edmund Shepherd.
Mid. Robert F. 11. Lewis.
Mid. R. P. Mason.
Gunner Daniel Doulas.
Carpenter Mathew R. Dodd.
Sailmaker Robert Hunter.

STORESHIP ERIE.
[8 Guns. Sailed from New York,
July 8, 1845.]
Lt.-Com. Charles C. Turner.
Asst. Surg, A. A. Henderson.
Purser Charles Murray.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Edward Higgins.
Passed Mid. N. B. Harrison.
Passed Mid. Charles W. Hays.
Passed Mid. James D. Bulloch.
STORESHIP RELIEF.
[6 Guns.]
Lt.-Com. Robert G. Robb.
Purser Edward Storer.
Mid. Charles S. Bell.
Mid. Elliott Johnson.

HOME SQUADRON, 1847.
Commodore DAVID CONNER, Commander in Chief.

FRIGATE RARITAN.
[Flagship; 44 Guns.j
Capt. French Forrest.
Lt. Samuel F. Hazard.
Lt. Raphael Semmes.
Lt. Thomas R. Rootes.
Lt. Robert E. Hooe.
Fleet Surg. Waters Smith.
Surg. Solomon Sharp,
Asst. Surg. William S. Bishop.
Purser Nathaniel Wilson.
Marine Officer, Capt. Alvin Edson.
Marine Officer, 2d Lt. George Adams.
Passed Mid. E. R. Colhoun.
Passed Mid. Beverly Randolph.
Passed Mid. William Nelson.
Mid. David Coleman.
Mid. Charles Gray.
Mid. J. H. March.
Mid. J. L. Johnstone.
Mid. Walter Queen.
Mid. M. J. Smith.
Mid. J. A. Seawell.
Mid. R. B. Storer.
Mid. W. H. Maffitt.
Mid. G. B. Hodge.
Master's Mate J. M. Ballard.
Gunner Charles B. Oliver.
Carpenter Amos Chick.
Sailmaker Thomas J. Boyce.
FRIGATE POTOMAC.
[44 Guns.]
Capt. John H. Aulick.
Lt. Samuel Lockwood.
Lt. Edward R. Thomson.
Lt. Joshua Humphreys.
Lt. James H. North.
Lt. James M. Frailey.
Surg, Robert J. Dodd.
Asst. Surg. Oscar F. Baxter.

Asst. Surg. James Hamilton.
Purser Thomas B. Nalle.
Chaplain Rodman Lewis.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Thomas
L. Kinlock.
Marine Officer, 1st Lt. Addison Garland.
Passed Mid. Edward F. Tatnall.
Passed Mid. James H. Moore.
Passed Mid. William E. Hopkin s.
Mid. John P. Jones.
Mid. William H. Parker.
Mid. Allan McLane.
Mid. Charles C. Hunter.
Boatswain Eleizer Foster.
Gunner Archibald S. Lewis.
Sailmaker Benjamin B. Burcbsted.
SLOOP ALBANY.
[20 Guns. Sailed from New York,
November 28, 1846.]
Capt. Samuel L. Breese.
Lt. Thomas Turner.
Lt. Simeon B. Bissell.
Lt. Oliver H. Perry.
Lt. Samuel R. Knox.
Surgeon Niniah Pinkney
Asst. Surg. Edward J.ltter.
Purser J. George Harris.
Acti  Master (Passed Mid.) Thomav,
M. Crossan.
Passed Mid. John W. Bennett.
Passed Mid. Charles Dyer, Jr.
Passed Mid. S. P. Quackenbush.
Marine Officer, 2d Lt. William i1.
Slack.
Mid. E. T. Andrews.
Mid. William H. Weaver.
Mid. Jas. F. Milligan.
Gunner Samuel Allen.
Carpenter John A. Dickinson.
Sailhaker George Parker.




ï~~Roster of Navy Oficers.

701

HOME SQUADRON, 1847-Continued.

SLOOP JOHN ADAMS.
[20 Guns.]
Coii. William J. McCluney.
Lt. Guert Gausevoort.
Lt. Albert A. Holcomb.
Lt. C. F. M. Spottswood.
Lt. Francis Lowery.
Surg. Samuel Barrington.
Passed Asst. Surg. J. Winthrop
Taylor.
Purser George F. Sawyer.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) George
W. Rodgers.
Marine Officer, 1st Lt. Robert C.
Caldwell.
Marine Officer 2d Lt. Felix G. Mayson.
Passed Mid. William B. Fitzgerald.
Passed Mid. James Wilcoxson.
Mid. John Gale.
Mid. E. T. Gray.
Boatswain John Munro.
Gunner George J. Marshall.
Carpenter Charles Boardman.
Sailmaker R. Van Voorhis.
SLOOP ST. MARY'S.
[20 Guns.]
Coin. John L. Saunders.
Lt. Charles H. A. H. Kennedy.
Lt. William Rogers Taylor.
Lt. Charles Sleedman.
Surg. James C. Palmer.
Purser L. T. Waller.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Joshua
D. Todd.
Marine Officer, 2d Lt. John D.
Simms.
Passed Mid. John S. Taylor.
Mid. William K. Mayo.
Mid. Walter V. Gilliss.
Mid. John H. Upshur.
Acting Boatswain John Bates.
Gunner John C. Ritter.
Carpenter Thomas Johnson.
Sailmaker David B. Park.
STEAMER MISSISSIPPI.
[10 Guns. Sailed from Norfolk,
March 6. 1847.]
Com. Matthew C. Perry.
Com. Henry A. Adams.
Lt. Sidney Smith Lee.
Lt. John DeCamp.
Lt. David McDougal.
Lt. Simon F. Blunt.
Surg. Lewis W. Minor.
Asst. Surg. Washington Sherman.
Purser William H. Kennon.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Henry
Rodgers.
Professor of Mathematics, Mark H.
Beecher.
Chief Engr. William Sewell, Jr.

Passed Mid. Alphonse Barbot.
Passed Mid. A. J. Dallas.
Mid. Thomas S. Fillebrown.
Mid. Adrian Deslonde.
Mid. Wm. W. Wilkinson.
1st Asst. Engr. Daniel B. Martin.
1st Asst. Engr. L. S. Bartholomew.
2d A-st. Engr. Daniel Murphy.
2d Asst. Engr. Joshua Follansbec.
3d Asst. Engr. M. M. Thompson.
3d Asst. Engr. William E. Everett.
Acting Boatswain William Whitehead.
Gunner John Martin.
Carpenter Joseph Coxe.
STEAMER PRINCETON.
[9 Guns.]
Com. Frederick Engle.
Lt. Charles S. Boggs.
Lt. Thomas T. Hunter.
Surg. David Harlan.
Passed Asst. Surg. J. Howard Smith.
Purser Aristides Welch.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Robert
HA. Wyman.
Chief Engr. John Farron.
Passed Mid. George B. Balch.
Passed Mid. Edward C. Stiles.
Passed Mid. Wesley W. Bassett.
Mid. Thomas R. Young.
Mid. Dawson Phenix.
2d Asst. Engr. Albert S. Palmer.
2d A sst. Engr. B. F. Isherwood.
3d Asst. Engr. Edward Farron.
3d Asst. Engr. William H. Shock.
Gunner Charles S. McLane.
Carpenter James McDonnell.
STEAMER SPITFIRE.
L Guns. Sailed from New York
August 29, 1846.]
Com. Josiah Tattuall.
Lt. John J. Glasson.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Samuel
C. Barney.
Passed Asst. Surg. John Thornley.
Passed Mid. James M. Ladd.
Passed Mid. Reigart B. Lowery.
Passed Mid. Joseph M. Bradford.
2d Asst. Engr. John K. Matthews.
2d Asst. Engr. John Gallagher.
3d Asst. Engr. Wm. Taggert.
STEAMER VIXEN.
[3 Guns. Sailed from Now York
August 29, 1846.]
Com. Joshua R. Sands.
Asst. Surg. Augustus F. Lawyer.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Alexander Murray.
Passed Mid. William N. Jeffers, Jr.
Passed Mid. John Matthews, Jr.




ï~~702

HOME SQUADRON, 15347 -Continued.

'assed Mid. Edl iv a Simpson.,I Asst. Eng-James Atkinson.
9d Asst. E inr.Samuel Arcbbold.
3d Abst. Engr. Charles Coleman.
BRIG PORPOISE.
[10 Guns.]
Licut.nCommanding Wilhaiu E.
JfLout.
Lt. James A. Doyle.
Passed Asst. Surg. George Manisbv.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Robert
Townsend.
Mid. Watson Smith.
Mid. Samuel Magaw.
SCHOONER REEFER.
[Sailed from New York June 20,
1846.1
Lieut. Commanding Iaac S. Ster1'ott.
AetingMaster (Passed Mid.) James
S. Ridgely.
Paiel Mid. Thomas L. Danice.
Mid. H4. St. George Hunter.
SCHOONER PETREL.
Li(It. Commanding Thompson D.
Shaw.
A eting Master (Passed Mid.) Egbeit
Thompson.
Passed Mid. Frederick W. Colby.
Mid. Seth L. Phelps.
STORESHIP RELIEF.
[8 Guns. Sailed from New York
July 9, 1846.]
Lieut. Commanding Oscar Bull ns.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Abram
Harrell.
Passed Asst. Surg. S. Wilson Kellogg.
Passed Mid. Ienrv S. Nen comb.
Passed Mid. Heusy N. T. Arnold.

SCHOONER BONITO.
[Sailed from New York June 28, 18461.
Lient. Commanling Timitoth vG.
Benham.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Egbert
Thompson.
Passed Mid. Frederick W. Colby.
Mid. Seth L. Phelps.
STORESHIP SUPPLY.
1Sailed from Boston January 21,
1847.1
Jieut. Commanding John Colhouu.
Passed Mid. Charles W. Place.
Passed Mid. Albert N. Smith.'
Mid. William Van Wyck.
STORESHIP FREDONIA.
I Sailed from Boston January 9,1847.]
Lieut. Commanding Charles W.
Chauncey.
Master Benjamin S. Gantt.
Passed Mid. Isaac N. Morris.
Passed Mid. Joel S. Kennard.
Passed Mid. George M. Ransom.
BOMB    ETNA.
Coam.eGershom J. Van Brunt.
Lt. Geo. R. Gray.
Lt. Benj. F. Shattuck.
Passed Asst. Surg John S. Messersmith.
Acting Master Charles E. Fleming.
Passed Mid. 1. S. Bohrer.
Acting Gunner Edward L. Huason.
BOMB SPROMBOLI.
Com. William M. Walker.
Tit. John R. Tneker.
Lt. Lewis C. Sartori.
Acting Master Edward T. Nichols.
Mid. John McL. Murphy.
Asst. Surg. Alexander J. Rice.

PACIFIC SQRADRON, 1847.
(ounno Vre W. 1r, vaiour' Snuanwm, Corn nawer in IChief.

RA ZEE INDEPENDENCE.
IFlagship; 54 Guns. Sailed from
Boston, August 29, 1846.]
Capt. Elic A. F. Lavallette.
Lt. Richard L. Page.
Lt. Frederick Chattard.
Lt. Charles Heywood.
Lt. Montgomery Lewis.
Lt. George W. Chapman.
Lt. Henry H. Lewis.
Lt. John B. Randolph.
Surg. J. Frederich Sickels.
Passed Asst. Snr. Samuel Jackson.

Asst. Surg. William A. Harris.
Purser Hugh W. Greene.
Chaplain Chester Newell.
Master Henry A. Wise.
Aciig Master (Passed Mid.) Samrnrt
Marcy.
Marine Officer Capt. James Edelm.
Marine Offieer, 2(1 Lt. William.
Russell.
Passed Mid. William 1). Aumstin.
Passed Mid. Reuben Harris.
Passed Mid Robert M. MeArr-.
Passed Mid. Alexander F. Wnrl'
Passed Mid. Da\ id eOhiltree.




ï~~Ptoster 'f    ory OfJior.
PACIFIC SQUADRON, 1847-Continued.
Passed Mid. Garrit V. Denuiston.  Pazsed Mid. Maurice Simons.
Passed Mid. George V. Steveis.    Mid. Theodric Lee.
Passed Mid. Earl English.         Mid. Benjamin F. Wells.
Passed Mid. Francis A. Connover.  Mid. Josiah S. Byers.
Mid. Ralph Chandler.              Mid. William Mitchell.
Mid. William H. Smith.            Boatswain George Smith.
Mid. F. B. McKean.                Carpenter John Southwick.
Mid. J. G. Sproston.              Sailmaker John Peed.
Boatswain John Mills.

703

Gunner Benjamin Bunker.
Carpenter David Marple.
Sailmaker Nicholas Buck.
FRIGATE SAVANNAH.
[44 Guns. Sailed from New York,
September 8, 1847.1
Capt. William Mervine.
Lt. Robert B. Hitchcock.
Lt. George Minor.
Lt. Robert F. Pinkney.
Lt. William Ronkendorif.
Lt. Johnston B. Carter.
Fleet Surg. Charles Chase.
Asst. Surg. Joseph Wilson, Jr.
Purser Daingerfield Fauntleroy.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) William F. De Jongh.
Marine Officer, Capt. Ward Marsten.
Marine Officer, 2d Lt. H. W. Queen.
Mid. Robert D. Minor.
lMfid. John H. Tillotson.
Mid. P. G. Watmough.
Mid. J. Kell.
Mid. J. K. Wilson.
Mid. R. C. Duvall.
Mid. S. P. Griffin.
Mid. A. R. Abercrombie.
Mid. George E. Morgan.
Boatswain George Wilmuth.
Gunner James M.Cooper.
Carpenter Francis M. Cecil.
Sailmaker William Ryan.
FRIGATE CONGRESS.
[44 Guns.]
Capt. Robert F. Stockton.
Lt. John W. Livingston.
Lt. James F. Schenck.
Lt. Theodore P. Greene.
Lt. Richard L. Tilghman.
Lt. A. F. V. Gray.
Acting Lt. Edward F. Beale.
-Surg. Samuel Mosely.
Passed Asst. Surg. John S. Whittle.
Asst. Surg. Charles Eversfield.
Purser William Speiden.
Chaplain Walter Colton.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) John
Guest.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) William H. Thompson.
Marine Officer, 1st Lt. Jacob Zeilin.
Passed Mid. James M. Duncan.
Passed Mid. Charles H. Baldwin.

SLOOP PORTSMOUTH.
[20 Guns.]
Com. John B. Montgomery.
Lt. John S. Missroon.
Lt. Josep h W. Revere.
Lt. Wa ington A. Bartlett.
Acting Lt.. F. B. Hunter.
Asst. Surg. Andrew A. Henderson.
Asst. Surg. Marius Duvall.
Purser James H. Watmongh.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Napoleon B. Harrison.
Marine Officer, 2d Lt. Henry B.
Watson.
Mid. Edward C. Grafton.
Mid. Stanwix Gansevoort.
Mid. Joseph Parrish.
Mid. Daniel C. Hugunin.
Mid. Elliott Johnston.
Mid. Charles S. Bell.
Boatswain Robert Whittaker.
Gunner Andrew A. Randall.
Carpenter George Weisner.
Sailmaker David Bruce.
SLOOP LEVANT.
[20 Guns,]
Com. Hugh N. Page.
Lt. Robert Handy.
Lt. Richard Forrest.
Lt. Joseph H. Adams.
Acting Lt. Louis McLane.
Acting Lt. George W. Haninersley.
Surg. Edward Gilchrist.
Asst. Surg. William Grier.
Purser John B. Rittenhouse.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) J. D.
Read.
Mid. S. R. Franklin.
Mid. E. Gordon.
Mid. E. H. Scovell.
Mid. C. Woolley.
Mid. George W. Young.
Mid. William M. Gamble.
Gunner S. M. Beckwith.
Carpenter John Green.
SLOOP WARREN.
[20 Guns.]
Com. Joseph B. Hull.
Lt. William Radford.
Lt. William L. Maury.
Lt. William B. Renshaw.
Acting Lt. John Rutledge.




ï~~704

Ro8ter of Na vy Officcre.

PACIFIC SQUADRON, j847- Continued.

Surg. William J. Powell.
Purber Thomas R. Ware.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) William
11. Montgomery.
Mid. John G. Whitaker.
Mid. Andrew W. Johnson.
Mid. Philemon H. Haywood.
Mid. A. M. De Bree.
Mid. Walter 0. Crain.
Gunner John Owins.
Carpenter William Knight.
Sailmaker John Joins.
SLOOP CYANE.
[20 Guns.]
Com. Samuel F. Dupont.
Lt. Stephen C. Rowan.
Lt. George L. Selden.
Lt. George W. Harrison.
Acting Lt. Edward Higgins.
Passed Asst. Surg. Charles I). Maxwell.
Purser Rodman M. Price.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) J. Fenwick Stenson.
Marine Officer, 2d Lieut. William A.
T. Maddox.
Mid. John Van Ness Philip.
Mid. Horace N. Crabb.
Mid. Elias Vander Horst.
Mid. Albert Allmand.
Mid. Edmund Shepherd.
Mid. Robert F. R. Lewis.
Gunner Daniel Douglas.
Carpenter Matthew M. Todd.
Sailmaker Robert Hunter.
SLOOP DALE.
[16 Guns. Sailed from New York,
June 3, 1846.1
Coi. William W. McKean.
Lt. Edward M. Yard.
Lt. T. A. M. Craven.
Lt. Fabius Stanley.
Lt. William Taylor Smith.
Surg. Daniel S. Green.
Asst. Snrg. John Rudenstein.
Purser McKean Buchanan.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Nathaniel C. Bryant.
Marine Officer, 2d Lt. Robert Tansill.Passed Mid. John Downes, Jr.
Passed Mid. John Febiger.
Passed Mid. Johnston B. Creighton.
Mid. Allen T. Byrens.
Mid. William B. Hayes.
Mid. Thomas T. Houston.
Mid. John Adams.
Mid. John R. Hamilton.
Boatswain James H. Polley.
Gunner William H. Meyers.
Carpenter James H. Conley.
Sailmaker Stephen Seamen.

SLOOP PREBLE.
[16 Guns. Sailed from New York.
September 24, 1846, for the Pacifie, convoying the California
Regiment.]
Com. William F. Shields.
Lt. Joseph Lannan.
Lt. Edward C. Ward, Jr.
Lt. Thomas M. Mix.
Lt. Albert G. Clary.
Surg. Daniel Egbert.
Asst. Surg. John L. Burt.
Purser Henry Wilson.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Silas
Bent.
Passed Mid. Edward Brinley, Jr.
Passed Mid. James B. McCauley.
Passed Mid. Homer C. Blake.
Mid. Wilson McGunnegle.
Mid. Edgar Broadhead.
Mid. William F. Shunk.
Sailmaker Timothy J. Griffin.
STORESHIP ERIE.
[8 Guns.]
Lient. Commanding Charles C.
Turner.
Purser Charles Murray.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Charles
W. Hays.
Mid. Robert R. Carter.
Mid. Jefferson McRoberts.
STORESHIP LEXINGTON.
[8 Guns. Sailed from New York
July 14, 1846.1
Liet.  Commanding    Theodorus
Bailey.
Passed Asst. Surg. John J. Abernethy
Purser oseph Wilson.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) William
H. Macomb.
Passed Mid. William B. Muse.
Passed Mid. James H. Spotts.
Passed Mid. J. W. A. Nicholson.
STORESHIP SOUTHAMPTON.
[6 Guns. Sailed from Norfolk Feb.
ruary 17, 1847.]
Lient. Counanding Robert D. Thor.
burn.
Lt. John L. Worden.
Passed Asst. Surg. William B. Siuclair.
Purser Edward 1). Reynolds.
Actig Master (Passed Mid.) M. B.
oolsey
Passed Mid. Henry K. Stevens.
Passed Mid. William A. Webb.




ï~~Roster of Navy Oficers.
HOME SQUADRON, 1848.
Commodore MATTHEW C. PunRY, Comman&r in Chief.

705

FRIGATE CUMBERLAND.
[Flagbhip; 44 Guns.)
Capt. William Jameson.
Lt. James H. Ward.
It. Alfred Taylor.
Lt. J. J. B. Walbach.
Fleet Surg. John S. Wiley.
Surg. Amos G. Gambrill.
Passed Asst. Surg. William A. Nelson.
Purser William Sinclair.
Chaplain Nathaniel Frost.
Master William M. Caldwell.
Marine Officer, 1st Lt. Isaac T.
Doughty.
Marine fficer, 2d Lt.DJacob Read.
Passed Mid. Charles Dyer, Jr.
Acting Mid. Oliver P. Allen.
Acting Mid. Charles P. Thorburn.
Acting Mid. Joseph D. Blake.
Acting Mid. George H. Chapman,
Acting Mid. Charles W. Flusser.
Acting Mid. J. N9. Quackenbush.
Acting Mid. John Irwin.
Acting Mid. R. M. Caldwell.
Boatswain Robert Simpson.
Gunner Elijah Haskell.
Carpenter Gerard Henderson.
Sailmaker Richard Van Yoorh.
SLOOP ALBANY.
[20 Guns. Sailed from New York
October 10, 1847.1
Coi. John Kelly.
Lt. James F. Miller.
Lt. Alex. Gibson.
Lt. Samuel R. Knox.
Lt. Benjamin S. Gantt.
Surg. Robert T. Barry.
Asst. Surg. Washington Sberman.
Purser George F. Cutter.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Albert
N. Smith.
Marine Officer, 2d Lt. William Butterfield.
Passed Mid. John Wilkes, Jr.
Mid. George U. Morris.
Acting Mid. Chastain C. Cannon.
Acting Mid. John R. Eggleston.
Boatswain John Bates.
Gunner William Arnold.
Carpenter Robert L. Sheffield.
Sailmaker Jacob Stephens.
SLOOP SARATOGA.
[20 Guns.]
Lt. Wni. H.Noland.
Surg. Lewis B. Hunter.
Asst. Surg. Thomas B. Steele.
Purser George H. White.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) John
Wilkinson.

Mid. John Watter,.
Mid. K. Randolph Breese.
Mlid. James Parker.
Boatswain Thomas G. Bell.
Gunner Henry Welton.
SLOOP JOHN ADAMS.
[20 Guns.]
Com. Stephen B. Wilson.
Lt. James W. C ooke.
Lt. Peter U. Murphy.
Lt. Wilson R. McKincey.
Surg. George W. Codwise.
Passed Asst. Siug. J. Winthrop
Taylor.
Purser James A. Semple.
Acting Master (PasedlMid) George
W Rodgers.
Mid. Alex. X. Dallas.
Mid. Daniel L. orIne.
Mid. Dominick Lynch.
Mlid. Jared P. K. Mygatt.
Boatswain Amos (olson.
SLOOP GERMANTOWN.
[20 Guns. SailedfromNorfolk April
25, 1848.]
Corn. Charles Lowndes.
Lt. James P. McKinstry.
Lt. Richard Forrest.
Lt. Charles Thomas.
Lt. Samuel J, Shipley.
Surg. Samuel C. Lawrabon.
Purser John 0. Bradford.
Acti   Master (Passed Mid.) John
Matthews, Jr.
Mid. Thomas H. Looker.
Mid. James B. Yates.
Mid. J. Malachi Ford.
Boatswain Samuel Mahorney.
Gunner William C. Thompson.
Carpenter William Knight.
STEAMER MISSISSIPPI.
[10 Guns.)
Capt. J. Isaac Mayo.
Com. Alex. Slidell Mackenzie.
Lt. William D. Porter.
Lt. Dominick Lynch.
Lt. Edwin J. De Haven.
it. James L. Parker.
Lt. William May.
Surg. Lewis W. Minor.
Asst. Surg. William J. Babb.
Purser William H. Kennon.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) William
G. Temple.
Marine Officer, 1st Lt. William B,
Slack.
Marine Officer, 2d Lt. William F.
Perry.
Chief. Engr. Daniel B. Martin.




ï~~Roster of Navy OfJcers.
HOME SQUADRON, x848-Continued.

Passed Mid. John S. Thornton.
Pasbed Mid. William Gibson.
Pabsed Mid. WilliamH. Fauntleroy.
ist Asst. Engr. Jesse Gay.
1st Asst. Engr. Samuel Archbold,
3d Asst. Engr. J. M. Adams.
3d Nsst. Engr. William C. Wheeler.
ad Asst. Engr. J. W. Parks.
3d Asst. Engr. J. C. Tennant.
Boatswain John Featherstone.
Gunner Charles B. Oliver.
Sailmaker Electius Middleton.
STEAMER SPITFIRE.
om. -. P. Wilson.
Lt. David 1). Porter.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Lardner Gibbon.
Passed Mid. John W. Bennett.
3d Asst. Engr. Benjamin F. Garvin.
3d Asst. Engr. Edward Whipple.
STEAMER SCORPION.
[3 Guns.]
Com. Abraham Bigelow.
Lt. Washington Gwathmey.
Surg. J. Dickinson Miller.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.):Thomas
Pattison.
Mid. James F. Milligan.
Acting Mid. George D. Hand.
Acting Mid. Frederick F. Brose.
2d Asst Engr. J. M. Middleton.
2d Asst. Engr. W. Taggart.
STEAMER VIXEN.
[3 Guns.]
Com. Henry Pinkney.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Robert
A. Marr.
Asst. Surq. A. Nelson Bell.
Passed Mid. Nathaniel T. West.
Passed Mid. Joseph Frye.
1st Asst. Engr. George Sewell.
3d Asst. Engr. William F. Lynch.
STEAMER SCOURGE.
[3 Guns.]
Lieut. Commanding Fitz Allen Deas.
Lt. W. Bleecker.
Asst. Surg. Randolph F. Mason.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) William
Ne.lson.
2d Asst. Engr. Daniel Murphy.
'3d Asst, Engr. Charles Coleman.
3d Asst. Engr Jackson R. Hatcher.
STEAMER IRIS.
[1 Gun. Sailed from Norfolk November 9, 1847.]
Lieut. Commanding William L,.
Herndon.
Lt. Henry T. Wingate.

Passed Asst. Surg. William B. Siclair.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Fredcrick B. Brand:
Mid. J. McRoberts.
Mid. L. H. Newman.
1st Asst. Engr. T. H. Faron.
2d Asst. Engr. A. P. How.
3d Asst. Engr. Theodore Zeller.
STEAMER WATER WITC H.
[1 Gun.]
Lieut. Commanding George 1A. To
ten.
Asst. Surg. S. Gore White.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Al,ander C. Rhind.
Passed Mid. John T. Walker.
Passed Mid. William K. Bridge.
1st Asst. Engr. John K. Matthews.
3d Asst. Engr. John Carroll.
3d Asst. Engr. J. A. Van Zandt.
STEAMER PETRITA.
[1 Gun. Sailed October, 1846; captured October, 17, 1846;
sunk in 1848.
Lieut. Commanding Simon B. IEissell.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) J. M.
B. Clitz.
2d Asst. Engr. R. M. Johnson.
3d Asst. Engr. Lafayette Caldwell.
BOMB VESSEL ATNA.
[1 Gun. Sailed from Boston March
13, 1847.
Com. Henry Eagle.
Passed Asst. Surg. J. S. Messersmith.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) William H. Hudson.
Acting Mid. Raiford W. Ives.
Acting Gunner C. S. Hudson.
BOMB VESSEL HECLA.
[1 Gun.]
Lieut. Commanding Nathaniel W.
Duke.
Asst. Surg. James F. Harrison.
Acting aster (Passed Mid.) Joseph
S. Day.
Passed Mid. Andrew F. Monroe.
Acting Mid. James Stillwell.
Gunner George Sirian.
BOMB VESSEL STROMBOLI.
ri Gun.]
Lieut. Comanding Charles H. MeBlair.
Asst. Surg. Alex. J. Price.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Edward
T. Nichols.
Acting Mid. J. P. Fyffe.




ï~~IRo'ter of Navy Qfficers.

HOME SQUADBON, 1848-Continued.

BOMB VESSEL VESUVIUS.
[1 Gun.],
Lieut. Commanding Murray Mason.
Lt. Henry P. Robertson.
Asst. Surg. Robert E. Wall.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) F. Key
Murra..
Passed Mid. John Madigan, Jr.
Passed Mid. Leonard H. Lyne.
Acting Mid. D. Clinton Whitthorne.
STORESHIP RELIEF.
[6 Guns.]
Lieut. Commanding Thornton A.
Jenkins.
Purser J. Van B. Bleecker.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) C. M.
Fauntleroy.
Acting Gunner Edwin Ross.
STORESHIP FREDONIA.
[4 Guns. Sailed from New York,
January 9. 1848.1
Lieut. Commanding Frederick A.
Neville.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) J. W.
A. Nicholson.
Asst. Surg. James Hamilton.
Mid. Copeland P. Jones.
Acting Mid. Eugene H. Oakley.
STORESHIP ELECTRA.
[2 Guns.]
Lient.   Commanding     Raphael
Semmes.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) John
Henry Parker.
SCH CONER FLIRT.
[2 Guns.]
Lieut. Commaniding Ebenezer Farrand.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) John
Walcutt.
Passed Mid. Washington F. Davidson.
Mid. George H. Hare.
Mid. William 1-f. Maffitt.

SCHOONER BONITO.
[1 Gun.]
Lieut. Commanding Junius J. Boyle.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) James
Wilconson.
Passed Mid. William Reilly.
SCHOONER REEFER.
[1 Gun.]
Lieut. Commanding Oliver S. Glisson.
Asst. Surg. B. Rush Mitchell.
Acting 7aster (Passed Mid.) Samuel
Edwards.
SCHOONER PETREL.
[1 Gun.]
Lieut. Commanding Robert L.
Browning.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Pierce
Crosby, Jr.
Passed Mid. Francis Gregory.
SCHOONER TAMPICO.
[1 Gun. Sailed November 18, 1846;
captured.]
Lieut. Commanding Robert E. Johnson.
Lt. William P. Griffin.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Alphonse Barbot.
Passed Mid. Ebenezer D. Denny.
SCHOONER MAHONESE.
[1 Gun. Sailed November 14, 1846;
captured.]
Liet. Commanding    William  D.
Porter.
SCHOONER FALCON.
[1 Gun. Captured.]
Lieut. Commanding John J. Glasson.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) William
E. Hopkins.

PACIFIC SQUADRON, 1848.
Commodore Tj. A. CATErBY JONES, Commander in (hief.
OHIO.                Lt. John J. Almy.
[74 Guns. Sailed from New York    Lt. James McCormick.
Jiine 26, 1847.1        Lt. Henry Eld, Jr.
Lt. Isase N. Brown.
Capt. William V. Taylor.          Lt. William 0. Whittle.
Com. Andrew K. Long.              Fleet Surg. Washington Bailev.
Lt. CharleN M. Armstrong.         Passed Asst. Surg. Stephen A. Me.
Lt. Edward L. Handy.                  Creery.
Lt. Joseph F. Green.              Asst. Surg. Ephraim J. Bee.
Lt. John B. Marehand.             Asst. Surg. Robert T. Maceoun.
Lt. George F. Emmons              Purser Samuel Forrest.




ï~~Lastdet 0/ NavyQfOj/cers.

PACIFIC SQUADRON, 1848-Continued.

Chaplain Peter J. Clark.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Catesby
Ap. R. Jones.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) William
E. Boudinot.
Marine Officer, Capt. J. L. C. Hardy
Marine Officer, 2d: Lt. JamesA. Buchanan.
Marine Officer, 2d Lt. James Wiley.
Passed Mid. Isaac G. Strain.
Passed Mid. Miles K. Warrington.
Passed Mid. Edward T. Tattnall.
Passed Mid. John S Maury.
Passed Mid. J. Posey Rhll.
Mid. Bancroft Gherardi.
Mid. Augnstuis Lodge.
Mid. James Bredin.
Mid. James P. Foster.
Mid. E. Osgood Carnes.
Mid. Frederick W. Robinson.
Mid. Philip C. Johnson, Jr.
Mid. Beverly Kennon.
Mid. Edwin F. Gray.
Acting Mid. David B. Harmony.
Acting Mid. William H. Ward.
Acting Mid. John Taylor Wood.
Acting Mid. Andrew B. Cummings.
Acting Mid. Joseph B. Miller.
Boatswain Moses Hall.
Gunner Joseph W. Pennington.
Carpenter Patrick Dee.
Sailmaker George T. Lozier.
RAZEE INDEPENDENCE.
[54 Guns.]
Com. William Branford Shubrick.
Capt. Eli A. F. Lavallette.
Lt. Richard L. Page.
Lt. Frederick Chattard.
Lt. Charles Heywood.
Lt. Montgomery Lewis.
Lt. Henry H. Lewis.
Lt. Johnston B. Carter.
Lt. Henry A. Wise.
Surg. Daniel S. Green.
Passed Asst. Surg. Samuel Jackson.
Purser Hugh W. Greene.
Chaplain Chester Newell.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Samuel
Marcy.
Marine Officer, Capt. Jose h Edelin.
Marine Officer, 2d Lt. WilliatnW.
Russell.
Passed Mid. Williain D. Austin.
Passed Mid. Reuben Harris.
Passed Mid. Alex. F. Warley.
Passed Mid. Garrit V. Dennistou.
Passed Mid. George A. Stevens,
Passed Mid. Francis S. Conno ver.
Passed Mid. Earl English.
Passed Mid. David Ochiltree.
Mid. Ralph Chandler.
Miil. William H. Smith.
Boatsvau ' John Mills.
ClAunier lienjanin Buniker.
Carpeittor 1)av id Marple.
Sailtuaker Nicholas Duck.

SLOOP PORTSMOUTH.
[20 Gnus.]
Coi. John B. Montgomery.
Lt. John S. Missroo".
Lt. Joseph W. Revere.
Lt. Washington A. Bartlett.
Lt. Benjamin F. B. Hunter.
Surg. Edward Gilchrist.
Asst. Surg. Andrew A. Henderson.
Purser James H. Watinough.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.).1ohn
Downes. Jr.
Marine Officer..2d Lt. Henry B. Watson.
Mid. Edward C. Grafton.
Mid. Hunter Davidson.
Mid. George T. Simes.
Boatswain Robert Whitaker.
Gunner Andrew A. Randall.
Carpenter George Wisner.
Sailmaker David Bruce.
SLOOP ST. MARY'S.
[20 Guns.]
Coin. Jacob Crowninshield.
Lt. William Chandler.
Lt. David McDougal.
Lt. John Hall.
Lt. William L. Blanton.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) James
H. Moore.
Surg. Augustus J. Bowie.
Asst. Surg. Dinwiddie B. Phillips.
Purser Cameron Anderson.
Mid. Joseph Lewis Breese.
Mid. Felix Grundy.
Acting Mid. Richard T. Bowen.
Acting Mid. George W. Gift.
Acting Mid. Edward P. Williams.
Boatswain John Crosby.
Gunner S. M. Beckwith.
Carpenter Charles W. Babbitt.
Sailmaker William B. Fugitt,
SLOOP WARREN.
[20 Guns.]
Corn. --
Lt. Joseph Lannon,
Act    Lt. John Guest.
Asst.S~urg. W, A. Harris.
Purser Thomas R. Ware.
Passed Mid. J ames D. Billck.
Passed Mid. J. B. McCauiev.
Gunnir,John Owins.
Sailmaker John Jois.
SLOOP CYANI.
[20 Gins.]
Coin. Samuel F. Dul')ont.
lit. Stephen C. lHowau.
it. Richard L. Tilghmau.
Lt. George L. Selden.




ï~~Roster qf Navy Oflcers.
PACIFC SQUADRON, 1748-Continued.

709

Lt. George W. Harrison.
Acting Lt. Archibald Mcfae.
Passed Asst. Surg. Charles D. Maxwell.
Purser Rodman M. Price.
Passed Mid. T. McClanahan.
Mid. Elias Vanderhorst.
Mid. Robert F. R. Lewis.
Mid. Edmund Shepherd.
Mid. Albert Almand.
Gunner Daniel Donalas
Carpenter Matthew U. Dodd.
Sailmaker Robert Hunter.
SLOOP DALE.
[16 Guns.]
Com. Thomas 0. Selfridge.
Lt. Edward M. Yard.
Lt. Thomas A. M. Craven.
Lt. William Taylor Smith.
Asst. Surg. John Rudenstein.
Purser McKean Buchanan.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Nathaniel C. Bryant.
Marine Officer, 1st Lt. Robert Tansill.
Passed Mid. James M. Duncan.
Mid. Thomas T. Houston.
Mid. John Adamns.
Mid. John R. Hamilton.
Mid. William B. Hayes.
Boatswain James H. Polley.
Gunner John Erskine.
Carpenter James H. Conley.
Saihunaker Stephen Seamen.
SLOOP PREBLE.
[16 Guns.]
Com. William F. Shields.
Lt. Edward C. Ward, Jr.
Lt. Thomas M. Mix.
Lt. Albert G. Clary.
Surg. Daniel Egbert.
Asst. Surg. John L. Burtt.
Purser Henry Wilson.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) Silas
Brent.
Passed Mid. Edward Brinley, Jr.

Passed Mid. Homer C. Blake.
Mid. Wilson McGunnegle.
Mid. William F. Shunk.
Mid. Edgar Broadhead.
Sailmaker Timothy J. Griffin.
STORESHIP ERIE.
[4 Guns.]
Lieut. Commanding James M. Watson.
Purser Charles Murray.
Asst. Surg. Edward Hudson.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) John
Rutledge.
Passed Mid. Charles W. Hays.
Passed Mid. D. Me N. Fairfax.
Mid. Robert R. Carter.
Mid. Theodore Lee.
Mid. Charles S. Bell.
Mid. Andrew W. Johnson.
Mid. Alex.M. De Bree.
STORESHIP LEXINGTON.
[6 Guns.]
Lieut. Commanding Theodorus
Bailey.
PassedAsst. Surg. John J. Abornethy
Purser Joseph Wilson.
Acting Master (Passed Mid.) William H. Macomb.
Passed Mid. Janies H. Spotts.
Passed Mid. J. B. Creighton.
Passed Mid. Robert McArran.
STORESHIP SOUTHAMPTON.
[4 Guns.)
Lieut. Commanding Robert D.
Thorburn.
Lt. John L. Worden.
Lt. M. B. Woolsey.
Purser Edward D. Reynolds.
Passed Asst. Surg. James McClel.
land.
Passed Mid. Charles M. Morris.
Passed Mid. Henry K. Stevens.




ï~~[Appendix F.]
LIST OF ORIGINAL MEMBERS
OF

THE

AZTEC

CLUT.

Organized in the City of Mexico A. D. 1847.
NOT.-The first president of this Club was Gen. Franklin Pierev -
the present one is Gen. D. M. Frost, residing in St. Louis, Mo.

Lieut.-Col. John J. Abercrombrie.
Oapt. Robert Allen.
Capt. Thomas L. Alexander.
*Lieut. Samuel S. Anderson.
Maj. Henry Bainbridge.
Capt. Moses J. Barnard.
Capt. John G. Barnard.
Lieut. Jenks Beaman....A*Lieut. P. G. T. Beauregard.
Lieut.-Col. Francis S. Boltoii.
Lieut. Barnard E. Bee.
Capt. Charles J. Biddle.
Capt. George A. H. Blake.
Capt. William Blanding.
*Capt. James D. Blanding.
Lieut. Wlliam B. Blair.
Col. Milledge L. Bonham.
Lieut. Andrew W. Bowman.
Lieut. William T. H. Brooks.
Lient. Hachaliah Brown.
*Capt. Horace Brooks.
*Lieut. John M. Brannan.
Maj. Robert C. Buchanan.
Brig.-Gen. George Cadwalaler
*Maj. G. A. Caldwell.
Capt. Albemarle Cady.
Lieut. Robert C. Caldwell.
*Lieut. George W. Carr.
Capt. Daniel T. Chandler.
*Lieut. Henry Coppee.
Srrg. Presley H. Craig.
Capt. Lewis S. Craig.
Lient. Alexander H. Cross.
Capt. Joseph Daniels.
Capt. George Deas.
Asst. Surg. David C. DeLeon.
Bvt. Lieut.-Col. James Duncan.
Lieut. Richard S. Ewell.
Capt. Edward H. Fitzgerald.
Lieut. Robert Forsyth.
Lieut. William iiH. Prench.
*Lient. Daniel V2. Frost
710

Lieut.-Col. Thomas T. Faunti xro;
*Capt. Richard C. Gatlin.
Maj. Patrick H. Gault.
Maj. John P. Gaines.
Lieut. John W. T. Gardiner.
Lieut. Alfred Gibbs.
Lt.-Col. Adley H. Gladden.
Lieut. John H. Gore.
Capt. John B. Grayson.
Lieut. Henry D. Grafton.
Lieut. Ulysses S. Grant.
Major Maxcy Gregg.
Col. William S. Harney.
Surg. Benjamin F. Harney.
*Lieut. Peter V. Hagner.
Capt. William J. Hardee.
*Lieut. Schuyler Hamilton.
Capt. 0. P. hamilton.
*Lieut. Edmund L. Hard<ast!(
*Lieut. John P. Hatch.
Capt. John S. Hatbaway.
*Lieut. Richard P. Hamnuotl.
Lt.-Col. Paul 0. Hebert.
Capt. Joseph Hooker.
*Capt. John E. Howard.
Capt. William Hoffman.
Lieut. E. B. Holloway.
Capt. Benjamin Hnger.
Capt. James R. Irwin.
--Lt.-Col. Joseph E. Johnston.
Lieut. Llewellyn Jones.
Capt. Philip Kearny.
Major Edmund Kirby.
Lieut. George W. Lay.
Capt. Robert E. Lee.
Lieut. Mansfield Lovell.
Capt. Roland A. Lutler.
Capt. William W. Mackall.
Capt. John B. Magruder.
Lieut. Julian May.
Lieut. Tats R. I y.
--Lieut. George B. McClellan.
Still living.




ï~~The Aztec Olub.

711

Lieut. George McLane.
Lieut. Philip W. McDonald.
Capt. Samuel McGowan.
*Capt. Justus McKinstrey.
*Lieut. Robert M. Morris.
Capt. Thompson Morris.
Bvt. Lt. -Col. John Munroe.
Lieut. Ferd. S. Mumford.
Capt. Abraham C. Myers.
Bvt. Capt. William A. Nichols.
Lieut. Anderson D. Nelson.
Capt. Theodore O'Hara.
Capt. Andrew Porter.
*Lieut. Innis N. Palmer.
Capt. Franklin N. Page.
Major William H. Polk.
Col. William Preston.
Brig.-Gen. Franklin Pierce.
-Bvt. Capt. John C. PemIterton.
*Lieut.Fitz-John Porter.
Major-Gen. Robert Patterson'.
Major-Gen. John A. Quitman.
*Lieut. George W. Rains.
Lieut. Roswell S. Ripley.
Lieut. Jesse L. Reno.
Lieut. Thomas G. Rhett.
Surg. Robert R. Ritchie.
Surg. Burton Randall.
Lieut. Francis S. K. Russell.
Bvt. Brig.-Gen. Persifor F. Smith.
vt. Lt.-Col. Charles F. Smith.
Licut. William Steele.
Capt. Henry L. Scott,

Asst. Surg. James Simons.
Capt. Henry H. Sibley.
Liet. HamIlton L. Shields.
Capt. Edward J. Steptoe.
Lieut. Charles P. Stone.
Lieut. George Sykes.
Lieut. James Stuart.
*Lieut. Gustavus W. Smith.
Lieut. Martin L. Smith.
*Lieut. Oliver L. Shepherd.
Brig-Gen. D. E. Twiggs.
Major William Turnbull.
Lieut. James Tilton.
Surg. Charles Tripler.
Lieut. Herman Thorn.
*Lieut. Zealous B. Tower.
Capt. John B. S. Todd.
Lieut. Francis J. Thomas.
Capt. Philip R. Thompson.
Major Abraham Van Buren.
Lieut. Earl Van Dorn.
Major Richard D. A. Wade.
Lieut. Thomas Williams.
Lieut. Cadmus M. Wilcox.
*Lieut. John D. Wilkins.
Col. Jonas M. Withers.
*Col. John S. Williams.
Bvt. Maj.-Gen. William J. Worth.
Capt. George W. F. Wood.
Lieut. Lafayette B. Wood.
Lieut. Frauk Woodhridge.
Major Samuel Woods.

* Still living.




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