(1849) The Mexican War and Its Warriors: From the Founding of the Republic to the Present Time

\

THE NEW YORK PUBLIC LIBRARY ASTOR.

LENOX

TTLDEN FOUNDATION^

Tns

WAR

MEXICAN AND

WARRIORS

ITS

COMPRISINO

A COMPLETE HISTORY OF ALL THE OPERATIONS OF THE AMERICAN ARMIES IN MEXICO:

BIOGRAPHICAL SKETCHES AND ANECDOTES OF THE MOST DISTINGUISHED OFFICERS IN THE REGULAR

ARMY AND VOLUNTEER FORCE.

BY Author of " The

J?

FROST, L.L.D. History

Pictorial

of

the

World," " Americaa

Naval Biography," " Pictorial History of the United States," " Wonders of History," and late Professor of Belles Lettres in the Philadelphia High School.

)aiustrate^

toftt)

numerous

NEW HAVEN AND

PUBLISHED BY (

Hucvabfnjn;.

PHILADELPHIA: H.

MANSFIELD.

1849. /

Ektebei), according

BY

H.

to

Act of Congress,

MANSFIELD,

In the Clerk's Office of the District Court for the District of Connecticut.

PEEFACE. The

recent contest between the United States

and Mexico has

called forth the military enert^ies

of this country, and has led to displays of valour

and military science which have astonished the whole tles,

In a succession of bat-

civilized world.

marches, and

sieges,

skirmishes,

lasting

through a period of nineteen months, the arms of the United States have been uniformly

umphant.

tri-

Wherever our armies have met the

enemy they have conquered. Of such a contest the history cannot but prove interesting to the whole

people.

The

body of the American

scattered details

which have been

furnished by the public journals, although they

have served

to allay anxiety for the

moment, are

quite insufficient to satisfy the lively curiosity

which such events "

are well calculated to awaken.

A round unvarnished tale" of the whole progress

of the

war

is

necessary to form a portion of the

historical library of every family;

the heroic officers and

and

men who have

it is

due

to

served in

this war, that their claims to the gratitude of their

PREFACE. country should be distinctly recorded and pieserved in a permanent form.

with these views that the following his-

It is

tory,

pany

and the biographical sketches which accomit,

has been

to

do

justice to

all,

this intention will atone for

v/hich

The

have been written.

this,

in

common

aim

and he hopes that

any imperfections

v;ith

class, is necessarily liable.

author's

every work of

to its

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

---•••. --..... -------.--32 ----........ ------.--87 ----.--.-. --..

Bombardment

of Vera Cruz,

Ornamental Headpiece, Point Isabel,

Fort Brown,

28

-

Battle of Palo Alto,

41

American army entering Marin,

69

Bishop's Palace,

.

73

Cavalry Charge,

Storming of the Bishop's Palace, Paredes,

-

-

.

-

93

.

gg

Santa Anna,

loi

Battle of Buena Vista,

107

Death of Colonel Clay,

Commencement American

-----

-

of the Guerilla Warfare,

117 125

..-.--. .-------191 -.--•----,••-------.-----.--.---------••--.---..--. ---------.---. ...

fleet saluting

Battle of Cerro Gordo,

Vera Cruz

the castle at

-

-

141

-

147

-

152

Jalapa,

Northern extremity of Puebla de

los

Angelos,

-

-

-

-

163

General Butler,

166

Battle of Churubusco,

175

The

183

City of Mexico,

(]!hapultepcc,

-

-

-

•

-

-

-

-

208 212

Capture of Tuspan, Capture of Panuco,

Loss of the Somers,

215

General Taylor,

224

Headpiece,

Worth

at

225

-

General Worth,

-

-

239

Monterey,

Storming of Federation

242

Hill,

247

View from Tacubaya, Headpiece, Headpiece,Tailpiece,

Headpiece,

238

255

^-

25g 264 265

(7)

LIST OF ILLUSTRATiO.XS.

Vlll

Headpiece,

.-----• ------- -------.«•-•- ----------••.---.--•----.----••--• .-,•---•-•----«

Street fight at Monterey,

-

General Kearny, Headpiece, Headpiece,

•

-

Colonel McCulloch,

Headpiece,

-

Captain Walker, Headpiece,

Colonel Hays,

Headpiece, Headpiece,

General Scott, Headpiece,

General Shields,

•

271

273 280 281

285 292 293 298 299 304 305 311

314 315 32Q

THE WAR, Though

several

sub-

jects of dispute existed

between

this

country and

Mexico, previous

to the

annexation of Texas, yet the latter event

was

the

immediate cause of the

war between countries.

the

two

As soon

as

Mexico understood

thai

a project of union

was

entertained between the

United States and Texas, she endeavoured to defeat

it

act

Vv'as

her

;

and when the consummated,

minister

against

it

protested

as " an act of

THE

10

W A R.

Annexation of Texas.

unjust which

aggression the most

can be found

re-

corded in the annals of modern history of despoiling a friendly nation, like Mexico, of a consi-

namely, that

;

derable portion of her territory."

Immediately

and from

demanded

all efforts at

amicable negotiation entirely failed.

On

his passports,

after,

that time

the n.inister

the 21st of March, 1845, orders were issued for

General Zachary Taylor, commandant

Fort Jessup,

at

Louisiana, to prepare his forces for marching into Texas,

whenever orders to that purpose should be issued. The reasons for this were given by President Polk in his mes" Both the congress and the sage of December, 1845. convention of the people of Texas, invited

ment

to

this

govern-

send an army into their territory to protect and

defend them against a menaced attack.

The moment

by the United States were accepted by Texas, the latter became so far a part

the terms^ of annexation offered

of our country as to tection

make

and defence.

it

our duty to afford such pro-

I therefore

deemed

it

proper, as a

precautionary measure, to order a strong squadron to

and to concentrate an efficient on the w^estern frontier of Texas." Agreeably to instructions received from government, General Taylor concentrated his forces at Corpus Christi,

the coasts of Mexico, military force

Here he remained

in the eastern part of Texas.

March, 1846, when he received from the

until

president

orders to the following effect

" Instructions have been issued to the general in command to occupy the lefl bank of the Del Norte. This river

which

Texas, •ion

is

is

the south-west

an exposed

was threatened

boundary of the

From

frontier. ;

upon

it,

and

state of

this quarter inva-

in

its

immediate

THE WAR. Taylor leaves Corpus

11 CliristL

judgment of high

vicinity, in the

military experience,

are the proper stations for the protecting forces of the

government.

In addition to this important considera-

have occurred

tion, several others

Among

ment.

to

induce

moveby the

this

these are the facilities afforded

ports at Brazos Santiago,

and the mouth of the Del

by sea

Norte, for the reception of supplies

;

the stronger

and more healthful military positions the convenience for obtaining a ready and a more abundant supply of and the advantages provisions, water, fuel, and forage which are afforded by the Del Norte, in forwarding sup;

;

plies to such ports as

may be

established in the interior,

General Taylor left and upon the Indian frontier." Corpus Christi on the 11th of March, and marched toward the Rio Grande.* The troops marched through a sandy desert, infested by venomous reptiles, until they •

In this march, says a late writer, the

army encountered

the

most

appalling hardships, both from the heat of the sandy deserts over which

The

they passed, and the wemt of food and water. in

camp, where large portions of the troops had

discipline acquired

for the first

time an op-

portunity of seeing and learning the evolutions of the line,

amply

tested

;

and

that throughout their tience

whole march they bore

their hardships

sufferings

on

this

march were rendered the more painful by con-

with the agreeable sojourn of the army at Corpus Christi, which

Henry

described by Captain

in his entertaining

one of the most delightful regions in the world. bluff,"

he

says, " the

east the scene

view

is

"

From

the top of the

Far

magnificent in the extreme.

Flower Bluffs stood out in bold

off to the

plain presented

itself,

and buffalo."

mouth of

the

Nueces

;

;

to the

relief; in the north-east,

the distant highlands of Maylone's Bluff were dimly

west, the land near the

is

Campaign Sketches, as

was bounded by the white caps of the beautiful bay

south-east, the

tangr

with pa-

and cheerfulness.

The trast

was here

should be recorded to the honour of the soldiers,

it

\-isible

in the west,

extending to the mountains, the

to the north»

;

one unlimited

home

of the mua«

THE WAR.

12

Crosses the Colorado.

reached the Arroya Colorado, thirty miles eastward of the Rio Grande.

body of for the

soldiers

On

the opposite

and rancheros

bank of

this river a

w^as stationed, apparently

purpose of disputing the passage.

This place

was favourable for opposing the passage of the army, and General Taylor expected that war was now about to

He made his

begin.

but soon

after

preparations for crossing, however,

received a message from the governor of

Matamoras, stating that an attempt to cross the Colorado

woul

be considered a signal for war.

i

Notwithstanding these warlike demonstrations, General

Taylor crossed the river in face of the

foe.

He

experienced no opposition, although an excellent opportunity

was afforded from the position

in

which the Mexi-

cans were stationed.

Being thus unexpectedly delivered from a disagreeable General Taylor spent a day in refreshing his and then [March 22d] resumed his march for On the 24th, news was received that the Rio Grande. the Mexicans had taken possession of Point Isabel, on the Brazos Santiago, which place the general had precollision,

troops,

viously selected as a military depot.

Knowing

the ad-

vantages to be derived from this station. General Taylor

determined to occupy it and accordingly, leaving his main army with General Worth on the Matamoras road, he pushed toward the Brazos with the dragoons and WTi n near the place, he was met by the artillery train. prefect of Tamaulipas, and other citizens, who protested against the occupation of their territory, and intimated that their government considered it a declara;

tion of war..

While General Taylor was considering he observed a column of smoke in the

this protestation,

THE WAR.

13

Esciteraent in l^tamoxas.

and conjecturing

direction of Point Isabel-

Mexicans had

fired

it,

that

the

he dismissed the prefect, with

when

the promise of an answer

the Americans

would

Colonel Twiggs was sent

arrive near

Matamoras.

ward with

the dragoons to stop the conflagration, and

arrest those

who had caused

deserted by the soldiery and

He

it.

many

for-

found the station

of the citizens, find

succeeded in saving a few of the burning houses. GeneTaylor arrived soon after, and commenced the con-

ral

struction of a fortification subsequently

known

as Fort

Major John Munroe was intrusted with the com-

Polk.

mand.

Six brass

large quantities of

six-pounders, t\vo

powder and

long eighteens,

ball with

about four

hundred and fifty men, were left for its defence. Having completed such other arrangements

as

were

thought necessary, in order to guard against attack, Ge-

march with the main army, and reached the Rio Grande opposite ^latamoras on the

neral Taylor continued his

28th.

At

the

city of

ment.

first

appearance of the American army the

Matamoras was thrown

into the greatest excite-

Exaggerated reports both of

strength and and our troops were regarded as lawless banditti, whose sole intention was spoil and plunder. In a few days, however, this feeling seems to have subsided the good behaviour of intentions

had preceded

its

its

coming;

;

American troops dissipated pre\aous fears and the citizens at least became willing to wait for the result

the

;

of the natural course of events, rather than immediately

rush

upon the American arnw,

as

was

at first their

intention.

The Americans were now

situated in a beautiful coun-

THE WAR.

14

Description of the Country.

try—the more

"Fai

grateful after their fatiguing march.

as the eye can reach," says a volunteer, " one level sur-

face presents itself to view, dotted with cotton

cane

fields,

and sugar-

interspersed with lovely gardens after the

Spanish fashion, the whole cut up and divided in sorts of

ways, by groves of the

finest trees,

th? lignum vitse figures largely

cut in twain

is

river

in

all

among which

and the entire picture by the muddiest, crookedest, and swiftest ;

Neither mountain,

North America.

hill,

nor

elevation of any sort, varies the everlasting level of the

country around.

The scene

nought to mar

appropriate character save the armies

its

of the two nations.

is

rich

Our nights

here, for the

are remarkable for their serenity.

numerous crowds, with moved, not a cloud is seen

in

and peaceful, with

The

rare brilliancy ;

most

part,

stars stand forth ;

not a leaf

is

while ever and anon a me-

teor of surpassing brightness shoots

across the azure

vault."

When

army reached the Rio Grande, and had planted the American flag upon its banks, General Worth crossed to the Mexican side, in order to have an interview with the city authorities, and deliver to them despatches from General Taylor. He was met by General la Vega, the Licenciado Casares, Juan Garza, an interpreter, and two officers, who had been appointed

by

the

the authorities to confer with him.

able

altercation, the reception of the

refused,

and a

like result attended a request for

terview with the American consul. to the

After consider-

despatches was

an in-

Worth then returned

camp.

After this event, the Mexicans, withheld

all

supplies

from General Taylor, and commenced the erection of

THE W A A.

16

Mexicaxi Proclamation Inviting Deserters.

and fortifications opposite his position. He had previously begun the construction of a fort, intended to defend his camp and afford a depot for such stores as would be drawn from time to time from Point Isabel. A gloom now settled over both armies, and speculations upon a dark and uncertain future filled the mind of both friend and foe. batteries

The following proclamation chief of the

Mexican army,

of "

to

The commander-in-

the English and Irish

under the orders of the American General Taylor," was distributed in the April. for

It

was

the

American camp,

which the Mexicans seem

adapted " Know ye States

is

:

— That

in the early part of

display of that

first

the

unmanly

craft,

be characteristically

to

government of the United

committing repeated acts of barbarous aggres-

sion against the

magnanimous Mexican nation

government which

exists

under the

;

that the

flag of the stars, is

unworthy of the designation of Christian.

Recollect

you w^ere born in Great Britain that the American government looks with coldness upon the powerful flag

that

;

of St. George, and like

people to

provoking to a rupture the war-

is

whom

it

belongs.

President Polk boldly

manifesting a desire to take possession of Oregon, as he already has done of Texas.

Now,

confidence to the Mexican ranks

you upon

my

expenses

shall

then,

and

come with I

be defrayed

until

all

guarantee to

honour, good treatment, and that

beautiful capital of

all

your

your arrival in the

Mexico.

"Germans, French, tians!

;

Poles,

and individuals of

all

na-

Separate yourselves from the Yankees, and do

not contribute to defend a robbery and usurpation, which,

THE W A R.

16

State of Taylor's Forces.

be assured, the civilized nations of Europe look upon with the utmost indignation.

Come,

and

therefore,

ar-

ray yourselves under the tricoloured flag, in the confi-

dence that the

God

of armies protects, and that

it

will

you equally with the English."

protect

This inglorious appeal was not unattended with sucSeveral desertions took place, until

cess.

it

became

necessary to issue orders to shoot every soldier,

should attempt this crime. dealt with, the evil

The foot

By

who

or three being thus

was stopped.

situation of the

critical.

Two

two armies became every day more

order of General Taylor, strong guards of

and mounted men were established on the margin

of the river, for the purpose of preventing course.

below

his

all

inter-

The Mexican pickets extended above and camp for several miles, but were watched by

strong and vigilant guard, so as to prevent the possibility

of surprise under disadvantageous circumstances.

A

tery,

was also erected, together with a strong bata number of buildings for the security of supplies,

and

several

field-work

respectable

works

for

their

protection.

Fronting each other, for an extent of more than two

were batteries shotted, within range of each other, and watched by officers and men who were impatiently

miles,

waiting for orders to apply their matches. still seemed unwilling to interrupt had ever existed between the two republics. Neither army was very well prepared for active hostilities. Taylor's entire force was small, separated into two portions, and ill provided with artillery and ammunition the Mexicans were waiting for rein-

But both armies

the peace which

;

THE WAR.

17

MvLxder of Colonel Cross.

men and

forcements, both of

supplies,

and were uncer-

tain as to a proper point of attack.

On

the 10th of April, an event occurred, which, on

account of

its

being the

sensation in the

first

of the kind, created great

This was the death

American camp.

of Colonel

Truman

had ridden

into the country, to his usual exercise, but

Cross.

Early in the morning he

did not return at his customary time.

was known

to

his non-appearance

ros,

As

the country

be infested with plunderers and ranche-

camp, and several

parties

caused

much

uneasiness

were despatched

in

in quest of

General Taylor then wrote to the commandant of

him.

Matamoras upon the all knowledge of his

subject, but that officer disclaimed fate,

most painful conjectures.

and the army was

left

to

the

This continued until the 21st,

when a Mexican strolled into camp, and stated that the body of an American soldier was lying in the chaparral A party was immediately sent with at some distance. him, and, among some thick bushes, they found a body, w^hich,

by fragments of the dress and

several

other

marks, was recognized as the remains of Colonel Cross.

The

spot

river.

was a

short distance from a road leading to the

He had been

clothing, vultures.

and the

deprived of his watch,

flesh w^as

The account given

can appears worthy of

pistols,

and

picked off his body by the of his death by a Mexi-

credit.

He

stated that he

was

commanded who murdered him with his own

taken by a band of lawless Mexican soldiers,

hj Romano Falcon, after he had been robbed, although his band were Gein favour of taking him a prisoner to Matamoras.

hands,

neral Taylor caused the military honours.

body

to

be interred with fuP

THE WAR.

18

Correspondence between Taylor and Ampudia.

On

Ampudia

the 11th, the arrival of General

moras, caused of the

many demonstrations

citizens

and

soldiers

Americans expected an early day, however. General

that

in

attack.

Ampudia

in

Mata-

of joy on the part city,

On

and the

the following

sent a messenger to

General Taylor with a despatch, requiring him, "in

form and

at the latest in the

four hours, to break

up

his

all

peremptory term of twenty-

camp and

beyond the

retire

Neuces," assuring him, that in the event of a refusal, arms, and arms alone, must decide the question," and advising him that, in that case, the Mexicans accepted the

war

to

which he provoked them.

General Taylor in reply to

this letter,

informed him

that he had been ordered by his government to take a position on the left bank of the Rio Grande, which he had done, and from which he could not recede, except under directions from the same quarter with those which

He farther stated that the movewas expected by his government to be a peaceful one, and that he (Ampudia) was fully at liberty to make it otherwise, at any moment he might see in which case he would be responsible for fit to do so brought him there.

ment

in question

;

the consequences

all

resulting from the

same.

allotted time expired without being followed

The

by any oc-

currence of interest, notwithstanding the definite form of General Ampudia's notice.

On

the 17th, Lieutenant T. H. Porter, and Lieutenant

Dobbins, started from camp for the purpose of discovering

if

possible, the murderers of Colonel Cross, a step

induced by the rumour that Romano Falcon was prowling in the vicinity with his command.

manded

Each com-

a detachment of two non-commissioned officers

THE War.

19

Deatli of Lieutenant Porter.

and ten

privates.

the night

They took

rained hard.

it

opposite directions. During

On

the second day, Lieute-

whom

nant Porter met a party of Mexicans, one of

snapped

his

swered by

piece at him.

Lieutenant

double barrel.

firing a

Porter

an-

The Mexican took to

flight,

whilst Lieutenant Porter took possession of the

camp

of the marauders, containing ten horses, blankets,

&c.

He

then

immediately mounted his men,

started for head-quarters.

It

known

raining with the violence

and

commenced

shortly after

only in tropical climates.

While passing through a clump of chaparral. Lieutenant He instantly ordered his men Porter was fired upon. to dismount, but their arms were useless from the rain, while the enemy continued to pour in a galling

One

of Lieutenant Porter's

men was

fire.

shot down, and he

himself received a ball in the thigh and

exclaiming,

fell,

"Fight on, boys! Take care of yourselves."

The men

then separated into three parties as they retreated into the chaparral, but they

all

finally

reached the camp.

As

Ihey retired, the Mexicans, yelling like Indians, rushed

upon Lieutenant Porter and the wounded

soldier,

plunged

The

their knives into taeii breasts.

and

gallant

young officer whose life was thus early lost to his counwas a son of Commodore David Porter. It has been said of some families that chivalry runs in the blood, and of none can it be more true than of the Portry,

ters.

The

brother of Lieutenant Porter,

similar rank in the navy,

he heard of

is

who

held a

reported to have said,

when

had given only bequest, and with that sword

his brother's death, that his father

him a sword as his he would avenge his

brother's

His American mother had

fall

or share his fate.

written to him,

"come

not to

30

T

W A R.

ME

Blockade of the Rio Grande.

me

—but

go the other way,

avenge your brother and

to

defend your country."

On

the 19th of April, General Taylor learned that

vessels from

Mexicans

New

two

Orleans, laden with supplies for the

Matamoras, were off the mouth of the Rio

in

Grande, he ordered the United States brig Lawrence, with the revenue cutter

by water with

nication

St.

Anna,

to cut off the

A

that place.

pudia followed the establishment of

which that step

is

complained

of,

letter

this

commu-

from

Am-

blockade, in

and a demand made

two Mexicans, falsely alleged to be The letter held as prisoners by the American general. Taylor in is of great interest, and is of General reply for the release of

worthy of preservation as an evidence of the dignified yet firm bearing of that officer at this critical period. " Head-Quarters, Army of Occupation, near Matamoras, Texas, April 22, 1846.

Camp

" Sir

;

—

I

) )

have had the honour to receive your commu-

nication of this date, in

measures adopted by

which you complain of certain orders to close the mouth of

my

the Rio Bravo against vessels

bound

to

Matamoras, and

two Mexicans camp. the since American "After all that has passed army first approached the Rio Bravo, I am certainly surprised that you should complain of a measure which is no other in

which you

supposed

to

also advert to the case of

be detained as prisoners

in this

than a natural result of the state of war so

upon by the Mexican

You

much

insisted

authorities as actually existing at

me

few cirwar has not been sought by the American army, but has been forced upon

this time.

will excuse

cumstances to show that this

for recalling a

state of

THE WAR.

21

Taylor's Letter to Ampudia.

and

it,

state

that the exercise of the rights incident to such a

cannot be

made

" On breaking up

a subject of complaint.

my camp

at Corpus Christi, and moving forward with the army under my orders to occupy the left bank of the Rio Bravo, it was my earnest

my

desire to execute to

instructions in a pacific

manner

observe the utmost regard for the personal rights of

all

citizens residing

on the

left

bank of the

river,

and

to

take care that the religion and customs of the people

With

should suffer no violation. the

minds of the inhabitants,

army, enjoining a interests

of

strict

I

this

view, and to quiet

issued orders to the

observance of the rights and

Mexicans residing on the

all

caused said orders

circulated in the several towns on the Bravo.

orders announced the spirit in which

occupy the country, and this

moment

the

same

tions of the army.

and

river,

be translated into Spanish, and

to

I

am proud

spirit

On

These

we proposed to say that

to

up

to

has controlled the opera-

reaching the Arroyo Colorado

I

was informed by a Mexican officer that the order in question had been received in Matamoras but was told at the same time that if I attempted to cross the river it would be regarded as a declaration of war. Again, on my march to Frontone I was met by a deputation of the ;

civil

authorities of

Matamoras, protesting against

my

occupation of a portion of the department of Tamaulipas,

and declaring

that if the

withdrawn, war would

was

my

result.

army was not at once While this communica-

was discovered that the village fire and abandoned. I viewed this as a direct act of war, and informed the deputation that their communication would be answered

tion

in

hands,

it

of Frontone had been set on

THE WAR.

22

Taylor's Letter to Ampudia.

by me Avhen opposite Matamoras, which was done

On

respectful terms.

an

officer,

reaching the river

I

commanding

high in rank, to convey to the

my

general in Matamoras the expression of

my

amicable relations, and tlie

in

despatched

desire for

willingness to leave open to

use of the citizens of Matamoras the port of Brazos

Santiago until the question of boundary should be defi-

This

nitively settled.

officer

received for reply, from

the officer selected to confer with him, that to the

my

advance

Rio Bravo was considered as a veritable act of

and he was absolutely refused an interview with American consul, in itself an act incompatible with

W£ft',

the

a state of peace.

" Notwithstanding these repeated assura part of the

Mexican

ices on the and notwith standing the preparations on the right bank of

authorities,

most obviously hostile the river, accompanied by a rigid non-intercourse, carefully abstained

from any act of

I

— determined

hostility

that the onus of producing an actual state of hostilities

Our relations remained in this had the honour to receive your note of the 12th instant, in which you denounce war as the alterna-

should not rest with me. state until I

my remaining in this position. As I could not, my instructions, recede from my position, I accepted the alternative you offered me, and made all my

tive of

under

dispositions to

meet

it

suitably.

But,

still

willing to

adopt milder measures before proceeding to others, contented myself in the

first

I

instance with ordering a

blockade of the mouth of the Rio Bravo by the naval forces

under

my

orders

— a proceeding

nant with the state of war

perfectly conso-

so often declared to exist,

and which you acknowledge

in

your note of the 16th

THE WAR.

23

Taylor's Letter to Ampudia.

instant, relative to the late Colonel Cross.

sure seems oppressive, I wish

me by

has been forced upon fit

to adopt.

it

this

vernment, and shall not remove

it

tions to that effect, unless indeed

pending the

final

it

the course you have seen

have reported

I

mea-

If this

borne in mind that

blockade to

my

go-

until I receive instruc-

you desire an armistice

settlement of the question between the

governments, or until war shall be formally declared by either, in

which case

I

shall cheerfully

open the

river.

In regard to the consequences you mention as resulting

from a refusal

remove the blockade,

to

understand that

am

I

prepared

for

I beg-

vqu

to

them, be they what

they may.

"In regard in

stant,

have the honour

I

pursuance of

bound

my

orders,

to advise

when

you

that,

two American schooners,

Matamoras, were warned

for

your

to the particular vesselr referred to in

communication,

off

on the 17th

in-

near the mouth of the river, and put to sea,

returning probably to

New

They were

Orleans.

not

seized, or their cargoes disturbed in any way, nor have

my knowMexican schooner, understood to be the/ Juniata,' was in or off that harbour when my instructions to block the river were issued, but was driven to sea in a gale, since which time I have had no report concernthey been in the harbour of Brazos Santiago to ledge.

A

ing her.

Since the receipt of your communication,

have learned that two persons, sent

to the

I

mouth of the

river to procure information respecting this vessel, pro-

ceeded thence

to

Brazos Santiago, when they were

taken up and detained by the officer in

my orders

could be received.

diate release.

vice-consul

is

A

letter

I shall

command,

until

order their imme-

from one of them to the Spanish

respectfully transmitted herewith.

THE WAR

24

Taylor's Letter to Ampudia.

" In

the Mexicans said to have drifted

relation to

and to be prisoners at this time have the pleasure to inform you that no such persons have been taken prisoners or are now deThe boat in question was cartained by my authority.

down in

the river in a boat,

my

ried

camp,

I

the current of the river, and drifted

down empty by

ashore near one of our pickets and was secured by the

guard.

Some time

afterwards an attempt

was made

recover the boat under the cover of darkness

;

to

the indi-

viduals concerned were hailed by the guard, and, failing

upon as a matter of course. What became of them is not known, as no trace of them could be discovered on the following morning. The officer of the Mexican guard directly opposite was informed next day that the boat would be returned on proper applicato answer,

tion to

were

me, and

fired

I

have

now

only to repeat that assur-

ance.

" In conclusion,

I take leave to state that I consider the

tone of your communication highly exceptionable, where

you stigmatize the movement of the army under my marked with the seal of universal reproba-

orders as

^

You must be aware

tion.'

while

due

I

that such language is not

my government

itself,

either to

me

observe in

my own

correspondence the courtesy

respectful in

to your high position,

mtere^ts with which

we

and

or

to the

;

and

magnitude of the

are respectively charged, I shall

expect the same in return.

" I have the honour

to be, very respectfully,

your obe-

dient servant,

"Z. TAYLOR, ^^

"

St.

Brevet Brig. Gen. U. S.

Jl.,

Commanding,

Gen. D. Pedro de Ampudia, Commanding in Afaiamoras"

THE WAR.

25

Taylor's account of his projarations fcr defense.

On

the 20th of April, an artfully- worded address

issued by General Arista, offering lands to ^

desert from the

was

who should

all

American army and become

citizens of

Mexico, three hundred and twenty acres being fixed as the price of a private, and others in proportion. Any

Mexico were

services to

The

be properly rewarded.

to

state of things at this time

well described by General

is

Taylor in a letter written on the 25th of April. He says, " strong guards of foot and mounted men are established on the margin of the river, and thus efficient

means have been adopted on our part to prevent all While opposite to us, their pickets extend above and below for several miles, we are equally active intercourse.

in

keeping up a strong and vigilant guard

prevent

to

surprise or attacks, under disadvantageous circumstances.

This

is

the

defensive,

more necessary while we

and they

are to act

liberty to take the

are at

course whenever they think proper to do so.

we been

idle in other respects

we have

;

on the

opposite

Nor have

a field-work

under way, besides having erected a strong battery, and a number of buildings for the security of our supplies, in addition to tion.

We

some respectable works

for their protec-

have mounted a respectable battery, four

pieces of which are long eighteen-pounders, with

we could batter or burn should

down

become necessary

it

work is mounted with

completed its

—which

to

do

will

which

the city of Matamoras, so.

When

our field-

soon be the case

proper armament,

five

— and

hundred

men

could hold it against as many thousand Mexicans. During the twenty-seven days since our arrival here, a most singular state of things has prevailed all through the outlines of the

two armies, which, 2

to a certain extent, havfe

T

26

W A R.

HE

Capture of Captain Thornton. all

the feelings as

each

otlier for

if

there were actual war.

Fronting

an extent of more than two miles, ana

within

musket range, are

officers

and men,

in

many

batteries

shotted,

and the

instances, waiting impatiently

for orders to apply the matches, yet nothing has

done

to

lence." adds, "

provoke

the firing of a

gun or any

In the postscript to this

letter.

been

act of vio-

General Taylor

since writing the above, an engagement has

taken place between a detachment of our cavalry and So the war the Mexicans, in which w^e are worsted.

has actually commenced and the hardest must fend off." This significant language has reference to the defeat General Taylor's scouts had of Captain Thornton. brought in intelligence on the 23d, that twenty-five hun-

dred Mexicans had crossed the river to the Texas side, above the American fort, and fifteen hundred below. A squadron of dragoons was despatched to each place of crossing to reconnoiter them and learn

ttPeir

position.

The squadron ordered below was commanded by Captain Ker; that above, commanded by Captain Thornton, consisted of Captain Hardee, Lieutenants Kane and Mason, and sixty-one privates and non-commissioned Captain Ker found that the report of the crossofficers. ing below was

false.

Captain Thornton, how^ever, pro-

ceeded up the country some twenty-six miles, where he into an ambuscade, and found himself surrounded

fell

by about two thousand

hundred of the enemy conThe command behaved with number of the enemy was so

five

cealed in the chaparral. great gallantry, but the

overwhelming that they surrendered as prisoners of war. Lieutenant George Mason, ter, is said to

who was killed in the rencounRomano Falcon for life, in

have maimed

1,

,,illl11illii,!lllilD;i;«

THE WAR.

29

Captain Walker's defeat.

a close personal contest.

and

his death is

much

He was

a gallant young officer-

regretted.

Though

the force

which obtained this success was about fifteen to one, it filled the Mexican army with ecstacy, and General Arista addressed to General Torrejon an eloquent gratulation

on

serve they

had

They

aside. all

his great

and glorious

now

hitherto manifested w^as

the

was cut

fall

con-

The

cast

re-

wholj

canie across the river in great numbers;

intercourse between General Taylor's

Isabel

letter of

victory.

off,

camp and Point

and there was imminent danger of

of that place with

all

the military stores

it

con-

had occurred at Point IsaMajor Munroe, who commanded, bel up to this time. had completed his arrangements for defense, and armed some five or six hundred men, among whom were fifty or sixty sailors, collected from the vessels in port. Captained.

Nothing of

interest

Walker of the Rangers, and some small parties of Texans had arrived there, and was speedily engaged upon important duties. Some teams having returned to Point Isabel, on account of the obstructions of the roads by the Mexicans, Captain Walker went out on the 28th with a number of men to reconnoiter. He was driven back to Point Isabel with ^reat loss, having been tain

attacked when midway between that place and the camp, by an overwhelming force of the enemy. His raw" troops fled in confusion, and he was obliged to retreat. He returned with only two men seven afterwards came in. ;

He

estimated the force of the

enemy

at fifteen

and thought that many of them must have

hundred,

fallen in the

skirmish. Notwithstanding this repulse. Captain

Walker

volunteered to carry a message to General Taylor. jor

Munroe having accepted

the

oflfer,

Ma-

he started on the

THE

30

W A R.

Taylor's roarch to Point Isabel

evening of the 29th and,

after

nent dangers, reached the

encountering

camp

in safety.

many immiAs soon as

General Taylor had received Major Munroe's statement,

he determined upon a movement that would release

him from the embarrassment of having the communicati( n cut off Accordingly, on the morning of the 1st of May, 1846, he took up the line of march for Point Isabel, with the main body of his army, leaving the seventh regiment of infantry and two companies of artillery under Captain Lowd and Lieutenant Bragg, to complete the works in the fort, and defend it if it was attacked. The whole was put under command of Major Brown. As the army passed out, the banks of the river on the Matamoras side were crowded with spectators of the departure of what they thought our discomfited army, whilst General Arista employed himself in announcing the " retreat" of General Taylor and his army to his government, taking care to pay to himself and his brave

men

the tribute so signal a triumph deserved.

The Mexicans, however, evinced refraining from attacking

great

him on the way

judgment by

to Point Isabel,

them an opportunity of attacking and trycamp with a weakened garthey would have a vast if successful, rison, by which, he returned, and also they advantage over him when would have more advantage and probability of success as

it

afforded

ing to capture his fortified

in

annoying and harassing his forces, or in fighting a

pitched battle on his return route, encumbered as he

would be by two or three hundred loaded wagons. The Mexicans were too sagacious to delay improving these advantages. On the morning of the 3d, a battery of seven guns placed in the town, opened a

THE WAR. May and

Exploit of

31

Walker.

upon the fort. It was returned, and shortly They then fired shells and shot from the lower fort and a mortar battery, which was continued brisk

fire

silenced.

with a short intermission

till

During

midnight.

time a part of the troops laboured to complete the cations, although

By

guns. first

the

exposed fifteen

day, but one

stopped

firing

to the full

fired

killed.

as a

during this

The Americans

about ten o'clock in the forenoon, as they

were wasting ammunition and doing no to the

fortifi-

range of the enemy's

hundred shot

man was

all this

injury,

except

This silence was mistaken by the enemy

town.

symptom

of fear or despair, they momentarily ex-

pected a surrender.

The

noise of this cannonading having reached Point

General Taylor despatched Captain

Isabel,

May

with

Captain Walker and a hundred men, to learn something of the garrison, and reconnoiter the countr}-.

They

avoided the enemy, and penetrated to within a few miles of the

fort.

Captain

May

there concealed his party in

Walker with six rangers proWalker not having returned to the detachment. May feared that he had fallen a victim to the enemy, and as the Mexican scouts had discovered the chaparral, and Captain

ceeded

to the fort.

own position, he decided to return. He reached the camp in safety, having on the way put to flight and pursued for three miles, a very superior body of the enemy's cavalry. The supposed loss of Captain Walker, who

his

was a general

favourite, cast a

gloom over

the

whole

army, which, however, was speedily dispelled by the

appearance of that gallant intelligence that position.

officer,

bearing the gratifying

Major Brown was able

to maintain his

Captain Walker had returned to the place

THE WAR.

32

Prepai-ations fcr assault

on Fcrt Brown.

^-c-^s^-s^--.

Fort Brown.

where he had returned

left

to the

Captain May, and finding him gone, fort,

stating

blocked the game on him give

that

this time,

them another turn when

it

the

Mexicans

was dark.

Starting from

the fort at night with his party, his superior

of the country only enabling parties of the

him

to

..had

but that he would

knowledge

avoid the numerous

enemy who were aware

of his mission,

and on the alert to capture him. At the fort, during the 4th, the fire of the enemy was not renewed, and the soldiers laboured with energy to complete the works.

On

the following day, large parties

of the enemy, both horse and foot, were discovered in

These thousands were supported by had been erected in the night, and which the garrison named for the sake of distinction, " the Baitery in the country." This battery, with those in Matath^ rear of the

a battery that

fort.

THE W A R.

33

Signal guns tred. at Fort Ero-wn.

moras, opened with shot and shell in the afternoon, and kept up a galling cross

Hanson,

after a gallant

tion of a

new

At nine

fire.

o'clock, Lieutenant

reconnoisance, reported the erec-

On Wedneswas kept up

battery at the cross roads.

day morning, the

6th, a spirited

fire

against tke fort, the shot and shells being well directed.

The

balls falling into the fortress afforded considerable

merriment

who were

to the soldiers,

sitting idly about,

reserving their ammunition in case of need under an

An old

assault.

nary

skill,

pour

it

soldier,

who

had made some

into the

prided himself on his culi-

coffee,

and was stooping

to

cups of his mess, when a ball flying over

the parapet, struck in the ashes near the beverage into the

The

fire.

him and overturned Careme and

disciple of

votary of Mars, shocked at the disrespect, gave the ball a kick, while in a dolorous voice he cursed the rascally

Mexicans

for

knocking over

his coffee.

In compliance with the directions given by General

Taylor

to

be pursued

in case the fort

was surrounded,

the eighteen-pounders were fired

at

The enemy,

was a

reopened

as if conscious that this

their fire

upon

the fort.

stated

The

intervals.

call for relief,

officers

of the

garrison, however, reserved their ammunition for the ex-

pected assault.

The bomb

proofs were built at points

convenient for the soldiers to retreat into, and the sentinel on the look out could name the battery from which

soon as he saw the smoke of the discharge, and the soldiers would have time to Shells get under cover before the balls reached them.

a ball or shell was

fired, as

explode harmlessly in the air, by the soldiers falling flat on their faces, when one was fired, a measure which a Mexican, elevated to a

were frequently allowed

to

THE WAR.

34

Fall of Major Brown,

considerable height in a

tree,

tall

with a glass in his

his comrades as being what

hand, reported to

it

seemed

him. a mark of the destruction produced by their

to

The lamented death

fire.

at this

We give the following graphic account

May 6th.*

time,

Brown occurred

of Major

"Our Army on the Rio Grajide," by He says, "After the cross firing, T. B. Thorpe, Esq. called forth with so much energy by our signal eighteen of

taken from

it,

pounders, had continued for three hours and a

half, the

noble-minded Major Brown, commander of the fort, with his adjutant-lieutenant by his side, took his usual round

He

and men were

to see that officers

moment

at their posts.

some of employed at one of the bomb proofs. Every instant the men were engaged in dodging to avoid the ball and bursting shell. One of stopped for a

the soldiers

who were

the latter, from

to give directions to

busily

in the country," struck in

"the battery

the parapet, burying itself in the sand without explod-

ing

;

commander was seen

gallant

He was *

amid which the mortally wounded.

a cloud of dust rose into the air,

The

to fall,

immediately taken to the hospital

death of Major

J.

Brown was

and,

tent,

a severe loss to the army.

He

was a native of "Vermont, and at the age of twenty-four years entered the army as a common soldier, in the 7th infantry, at the commencement of the war of 1812. His merit soon raised him to the rank of and

ensign, Ueutenant,

Florida war fort

;

where he

fell,

in

courage and abiUty. victory)

is

finally

any

did good to

service

command

in

the

at the

consequence of the general's high opinion of his :

"

The

pleasure (of

alloyed with profound regret at the loss of the heroic and

time, but to the

In the case of Major

motions of

He

General Taylor says cf him

indomitable Major Brown. at

major.

and was selected by General Taylor

common

His

loss

army under

Brown we

soldiers to the

would be a severe one

my

orders,

it is

to the service

indeed irreparable."

see the importance of occasional pro-

rank of

officers.

THE WAR. Summons

35

to S\irrender.

while being borne in the arms of two of his men, he

exhorted those about him never to give up the right leg

had been shot

and jagged crushed bones

command. tortures,

fort.

His

exhibiting the torn muscles,

off,

to the

pained sight of his

Although suffering the most excruciatmg

he remained perfectly calm, and said to those hirti, " Men,

who were sympathizingly standing about go to your duties, stand by your posts;

I

am

but one

among you." having his

most

While suffering under the operation of leg amputated above the knee, which was

skilfully

done, he congratulated his country that the

misfortune had befallen him, and not been meted out to

a younger man.

Attempts were next made by the enemy musketry into play upon the garrison, but those

proached

for the

to

bring

who

ap-

purpose were scattered with some loss

by a few rounds of canister. The bombardment then grew still more severe, and continued till noon. In the At four p.m., two afternoon, a few shells were thrown. Mexican officers approached with a white flag, bearing a communication from General Arista, which proved to be a summons to surrender, the humanity of the Mexicans being given as a reason for the demand, although he is asserted to have had a band of men organized and instructed to slaughter the garrison as soon as the sur-

render was made.

who had succommand, summoned a

Captain Hawkins,

ceeded Major Brown

in the

council of the commissioned officers, and stated the pur-

good Spanish interadding though he knew there was but one sentiment upon

port of the message, (the want of a preter that

making

it

difficult to

the point, he thought

it

be

fully understood,)

proper that

all

the officers should

THE WAR.

36

be represented in the reply.

voted to defend the

It

was then unanimously

The

to the death.

fort

following

and despatched to General Arista, within the hour that had been allowed for a reply. "Sir: Your humane communication has just been received," and, after the consideration due to its importreply

was

therefore prepared

—

ance,

I

must respectfully decline

to surrender

my

forces

to you.

The exact purport

of your despatch

my

confident that I understand, as skilled in your language correctly,

The

you have

my

;

but

cannot is

feel

not

have understood you

reply above," &c., &c.

reception of this answer

ral burst of

if I

I

interpreter

was the

hea\y shot upon the

fort

;

signal of a gene-

but the Americans

saved their ammunition and doubled their sentinels dur-

During the was manifested, a heavy ca'nnonade being maintained all day, and various parties firing with muskets into the fort from every position. The garrison, however, were directed not to return the fire unless they advanced within eighty yards, and they therefore preserved silence. In the evening, the gallant Major Mansfitld advanced with a small party into the plain, and leveled the traverse formerly occupied by the Americans, and which now served to shelter the enemy while firing on the fort. A large quantity of chaparral, used in a similar manner, was also cut down. At midnight the garrison were roused by a terrible discharge of musketry, and the sound of bugles, but the anticipated assault did not follow. On the 8th, the cannonade was recommenced at daybreak, and continued till the afternoon. The bombardment had hardly ceased when a severe cannon* ing the night, in expectation of an attack. 7th,

much

activity

THE WAR.

37

Death of Major Erown.

ading was heard

in the direction of Point Isabel, so sud-

den and so rapidly that volley of field-pieces. it

by hearty cheering

newal of the

firing

;

seemed

it

be one continuous

to

The

soldiers in the fort

the

men

answered

of Matamoras,

from four mortar, batteries

by a

re-

at once.

Yet the gallant defenders knew that General Taylor was on his way

to

succour them, and they stood upon the

parapet to listen to the far distant rific

rain from the

while the

firing,

ter-

enemy's batteries poured unheeded

around them. Towards night, they learned from a Mexican the events of the

field of

Palo Alto, and the know-

ledge that the victory rested with their friends quiet night, their nearer enemies permitted

the

more

refreshing.

officer of the

On

them

made

the

to enjoy,

the morning of the 9th, an

7th regiment went outside of the fort to

the flagstaff, for the purpose of arranging the halyards,

which bad become unrigged on the previous day. succeeded in lowering the topmast of the

He

and rigging the halyards, the enemy playing upon him with round shot and shell from all their batteries. He was not strong enough to raise the flagstaff to its proper place, he therefore coolly lashed

gave the

On

it

staff

in its position,

and

flag to the breeze.

this

day Major Brown expired.

his death every thing in the fort

the silence

was unbroken

was

At the time of still, and

perfectly

until the report of Ridgely's

Palma were heard. "No language," says Mr. Thorpe, "can describe the intense interest with which the raging battle was listened to: each man was at his post, and every booming gun called forth an almost agonizing interest to Meanwhile the bomlearn its nationality and effects. 4 batteries

on the

field of the

Resaca de

la

W A R.

THE

38 Flight of

th.e

enemy

seen from, the Fort.

bardment opened simultaneously with the firing on the field, and continued to increase with unprecedented but it was not to the batteries of the Mexicans severity Our eighteen-pounders attention was directed. tha.t ;

know that

w^ere occasionally fired, to let General Taylor

was still well in the fort. The firing on the battlefield was now growing less and less powerful, and the They have charged discharges w'ere becoming irregular. on the guns !' shouted one of the officers Another and They have carried them!' another was silenced.

all

*

!

^

shouted another, in uncontrollable ecstacy; ing ceased

was

still.

;

How

hand-to-hand

eloquently the

cannonad-

in the hearts

men went and came from

excitement to

be engaged in

was now almost

The

it!

certain.

victorious result of our arms

General Taylor and his brave

w^ould either conquer or die.

No

bells

were now

ringing in Matamoras, and the noisy music that

wont

all

spoke of the

silence

and how the blood

conflict,

of these brave

men

all

volleys of musketry w^ere next heard, then

to belabour the air

evening of the 8th.

had been silenced

This, to the heroes of the

was full of meaning, and the

tale

was soon

told.

was

since the fort,

At a little

before six a confused rush of cavalry and straggling infantry towards the Rio Grande,

of the Americans, 7th regiment

announced the victory

at sight of which, an

jumped

officer

of the

upon the parapet, beside the regi-

and gave three cheers, which w^ere reand heartily by all in the fort, that they silenced the enemy's batteries, for from that moment The news had reached Matamoras, they ceased firing. mental

flagstaff,

sponded

to so loudly

to Mexico the day w^as Brown, one non-commissioned

that

lost."

Besides Major

officer killed,

and ten

THE WAR.

39

Maxell from Point Isabel.

men wounded was

the

amount of

loss that the garrison

sustained during one hundred and sixty hours severe

bombardment. General Taylor had of the 7th of the

left

Point Isabel on the evening

May, and moved with the main body of

army towards the Rio Grande.

After marching

seven miles, they bivouacked on their arms, and resumed the

march on the following morning.

At noon they

dis-

covered the enemy, prepared to oppose their progress, stretched out on the

We battle,

fiat

prairie

more than a

mile.

give here the clear and concise account of this

given by General Taylor in his

official

despatches,

reserving for another portion of the work more minute details

and personal anecdotes.

"About noon, when our advance reached the water hole of

^

of

cavalry had

Palo Alto,' the Mexican

troops were reported in our front, and were soon dis-

covered occupying the road in force.

I

ordered a halt

upon reaching the water, with the view to rest and refresh the men, and to form deliberately our line of battle. The Mexican line was now plainly visible across the prairie, and about three-quarters of a mile distant. Their left, which was composed of a heavy force of cavalry, occupied the road, resting

chaparral, while masses of infantry

upon a

thicket of

were discovered

in

succession on the right, greatly outnumbering our o%vn force. line of battle was now formed in the following commencing on the extreme right: 5th infantry, commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Mcintosh Major Ringgold's artillery 3d infantry, commanded by Cap-

Our

—

order,

;

;

tain

L. N. Morris

;

tw^o eighteen-pounders,

commanded

THE WAR.

40

Battle of Palo Alto.

by Lieutenant Churchill, 3d artillery 4th infantry, commanded by Major G. W. Allen the 3d and 4th regiments composed the third brigade, under command of ;

;

Lieutenant-Colonel Garland

;

and

all

the above corps,

together with two squadrons of dragoons under Captains

Ker and May, composed the right wing under the orders The left was formed by the battalion of artillery commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel

of Colonel Twiggs.

Childs.

Captain Duncan's light

infantry,

under Captain Montgomery

first

nap.

brigade, under

The

train

artillery,

and the 8th

—

forming the

all

command of Lieutenant-Colonel Belk-

was packed near the water, under direcGrossman and Myers, and protected by

tion of Captains

Captain Ker's squadron.

At two oclock we took up the march by heads of

—the eighteen-

columns, in the direction of the enemy

pounder battery following the road. While the columns were advancing, Lieutenant Blake, topographical engineer, volunteered a reconnoisance of the enemy's line, which was handsomely performed, and resulted in the discovery of at least two batteries of artillery in the intervals of their cavalry and infantry. These batteries were soon opened upon us, when I ordered the columns halted and deployed into line, and the fire to be returned by all our artillery. The 8th infantry on our extreme left, was thrown back to secure that flank. The first fires

of the

enemy did

little

execution, v/hile our eighteen-

pounders and Major Ringgold's the cavalry battery,

which formed

his

artillery

left.

soon dispersed

—Captain

thrown forward in advance of the

doing good execution

squadron was

this

at

now detached

time.

Duncan's line,

was

Captain May's

to support that battery,

and

THE WAR.

43

Battle of Falo Alto.

the

of our position.

left

two pieces of

artillery,

The Mexican

were now reported

cavalry, with to

be moving

through the chaparral to our right, to threaten that flank,

make a demonstration against the train. The 5th was immediately detached to check this move-

or

infantry

ment, and supported by Lieutenant Ridgely, with a sec-

Major Ringgold's battery and Captain Walker's

tion of

company

of volunteers, effectually repulsed the

enemy

the 5th infantry repelling a charge of lancers, artillery

was now detached

infantry

and the

The 3d

doing great execution in their ranks. to the right as a

still

farther

by the enemy. Major Ringgold, with the remaining section, kept up his fire from an advanced position, and was supported by

security to that flank yet threatened

the 4th infantry.

The by our

had been accidentally fired and the volumes of smoke now partially

grass of the prairie artillery,

concealed the armies from each other.

As

the enemy's

had evidently been driven back and left the road free, as the cannonade had been suspended, I ordered left

forward the eighteen-pounders on the road nearly to the position

first

caused the

on the

occupied by the Mexican cavalry, and

first

brigade to take up a

was advanced from

its

and v.'as

position

new

line.

The enemy

a change of position corresponding to our

after the

still

The 5th

former position and occupied a

point on the extreme right of the

made

new

of the eighteen-pounder battery.

left

own,

suspension of nearly an hour the action

resumed.

The

fire

by our

now most made through

of artillery was

ings were constantly fire,

destructive

—open-

the enemy's ranks

and the constancy with which the Mexican

44

THE Death of

\V

l}£i^oT

infantry sustained the severe

A

R.

Ringgold,

cannonade was a theme of Captain May's squad-

universal remark and admiration.

ron was detached to

make

a demonstration on the

left

of the enemy's position, and suffered severely from the of artillery to

fire

The

which

it

was

for

some time exposed.

4th infantry, which had been ordered to support

was exposed to a most by which several men were killed, and Captain Page dangerously wounded. The enemy's fire w^as directed against our eighteen-pounder battery, and the guns under Major Ringgold, in its vicithe eighteen-pounder battery, galling

nity.

of artillery,

fire

The major

himself, while coolly directing the

fire

of his pieces, was struck by a cannon ball and mortally

wounded.* In the

mean

time the battalion of artillery under Lieu-

tenant-Colonel Childs, had been brought up to support

A

the artillery on our right.

cavalry was

now made by

the

strong demonstration of

enemy

against this part

of our line, and the column continued to advance under a severe

fire

w^as instantly *

The

The

from the eighteen-pounders.

formed

in square,

and held ready

battalion

to receive

death of Major Ringgold was universally lamented.

a native of Washington county, Maryland, born in 1800.

educated at the Military Academy, entered the army as lieutenant in 1822,

was

and

;

West Point; graduated

promoted

to that of captain in

to the

1834.

rank of

first

in 1818;

lieutenant

His brevet rank of major

the reward of severe service in the Florida war.

To

his exertions

in perfecting the discipline of the hght artillery, the country

indebted for the eflSciency of that important

He was He was

arm

is

chiefly

of the national defense.

Major Ringgold's connections were of the first respectabihty. His was General Samuel Ringgold, and his mother was a daughter

father

of General John Cadwalader, of the Revolution.

man

who was

greatly distinguished in the

His conduct and character as an

officer

war

and a gentle-

were in every respect worthy of so highly honourable a descent.

THE WAR.

45

Less, &c., at Falo Alto.

the charge of cavahy

but

;

when

the advancing squad-

rons were within close range a deadly

of canister

fire

A

from the eighteen-pounders dispersed them. fire

of small arms was

which one slightly

officer,

wounded

now opened upon

Lieutenant Luther, 2d

;

brisk

by was

the square, artillery,

but a well-directed volley from the

front of the square silenced all farther firing from the in this quarter. It was now nearly dark, and the was closed on the right of our line, the enemy having been completely driven back from his position,

enemy

action

and foiled in every attempt against our line. While the above was going forward on our right, and under my own eye, the enemy had made a serious attempt against the

brilliant

movement, and by the bold and

manceuvering of

this battery,

several successive efforts of the force

upon our

Captain Duncan

of our line.

left

instantly perceived the

completely repulsed

enemy

Supported

left flank.

to

advance in

in succession

by

the 8th infantry and Captain Ker's squadron of dragoons,

he gallantly held the enemy

immense

him, with

loss,

at

bay, and finally drove

from the

field.

here and along the whole Hne, continued

when

the

enemy

The until

action

dark,

retired into the chaparral in rear of his

position.

Our

loss this

day was nine

and two missing.

Among

the

killed, forty-four

wounded,

wounded were Major Ring-

gold, who has since died, and Captain Page dangerously wounded, and Lieutenant Luther slightly so. I annex

a tabular statement of the casualties of the day.

Our own

force

engaged

is

shown by

the field report,

herewith transmitted, to have been one hundred and seventy-seven officers and two thousand one hundred

THE WAR.

46

Arista's Despatch..

and eleven men aggregate, two thousand two hundred and eighty-eight. The Mexican force, according to the ;

own

statement of their of the 9th,

affair

taken prisoners in the

officers,

was not

less

than six thousand regular

and probably exceedknown. Their loss was not less than two hundred killed, and four hundred wounded probably greater. This estimate is very moderate, and founded upon the number actually troops, with ten pieces of artillery,

—the

ed that number

irregular force not

—

counted on the

and upon the reports of

field,

their

own

officers.

As

already reported in

conduct of our

Exposed

could be desired. trials

my

— a cannonade of

first

brief despatch, the

and men was every thing

officers

for

artillery

— our troops displayed a

coolness and constancy which gave

assurance of victory. individuals until I will

endeavour

I

me

throughout the

purposely defer the mention of

my report of the to

that

hours to the severest

do justice

action of the 9th,

to the

many

when

instances of

distinguished conduct on both days."

The Mexicans evinced

great determination in this

first

and remained almost within sight of the General Arista emduring the night. army American day's battle,

ployed the night in writing a despatch to the minister of war and marine, giving an eloquent account of what he claimed as his victory, and slowly

moved

at

daybreak on the 9th,

into the chaparral, leaving General Taylor

in possession of the battle-field.

Fearing that the enemy

might dispute his progress towards Fort Brown, as the fortification opposite Matamoras was now named, he ordered the train to be strongly parked.

ment was thrown up, and

An

intrench-

the artillery battalion, with

two

THE WAE.

47

Death, of Lieutenant Blake.

eighteen-pounders and two twelve-pounders were assigned to

its

defence.

The army then moved over

the plain in line of battle

with lively music, marking every where around them the evidences of the terrible destruction the

produced by on the previous day. Wounded dying of thirst and hunger, received relief from

American

soldiers,

their

artillery

generous enemies.

The ground was covered with

torn clothing, military caps, gun-stocks, tities

of the chaparral, the to

and

of cartridges for muskets and artillery.

water.

A

army halted

at a

large quan-

On

the edge

place convenient

detachment under Captain McCall was

sent forward into the chaparral to ascertain the position

of the enemy. train,

General Taylor then rode back to the

accompanied by Lieutenant

topographical corps, lantry

who had

J.

E. Blake of the

displayed the utmost gal-

on the previous day.

At the

train,

Lieutenant

Blake dismounted from his horse to procure some refreshment, and expressed gratification little rest,

at the

prospect of a

his labours during the previous twenty-four

hours having been very arduous.

He unbuckled

his

pistols

and threw them on the ground, when one of the unaccountably exploded, throwing the ball up-

wards

into his

holsters

expired shortly

body. after,

He was

mortally

wounded, and

expressing his regret that he had

not died on the battle-field on the preceding day.

Captain McCall with the advance guard found the

enemy intrenched

at

La Resaca de

la

Palma, the Dry

River of Palms, a strong position entirely commanding the approach to Fort Brown.

At this place the road wide and nearly breast high, the bottom being wet, forming long and serpentine ponds crosses a ravine sixty yards

THE WAR.

48

Gallantry of Kidgely.

Along the banks of this dry river, tlie prairie. and more particularly on the side then occupied by the Mexicans, the chaparral grows most densely, and at this through

time, save where

it

was broken

in

by the passage of the

The enemy occupied

road, formed almost a solid wall.

double line

one behind and under the

this ravine

in

front bank,

and the other intrenched behind the wall of

the chaparral

was

;

A

on the top of the rear ridge.

battery

placed in the centre of each line on the right

left

of the road, and a third battery

the

first line.

was on the

and

right of

Six or seven thousand troops were thus

strongly fortified in a form resembling a crescent, be-

tween the horns of which the army had to pass, while the Mexican batteries were enfilading and cross firing, the

narrow road which formed the only unobstructed

approach to

their

position.

Lieutenant Ridgely, the

successor of Ringgold, was ordered forward on the road, while the 3d, 4th, and 5th regiments of infantry were

ordered forward as skirmishers to cover the battery and

engage the infantry of the enemy. his staff

four o'clock.

He

and Captain C. F. Smith

to the

with orders to bring on the action.

Having received orders ly

his party at

immediately deployed Captain McCall

to the left of the road, right,

General Taylor and

came up with Captain McCall and

moved

to advance. Lieutenant

Ridge-

cautiously forward with Captain Walker, w^ho

was charged with batteiies. At the

assisting

him

to find

the

enemy's

instant they discovered them, they

fire from them, which Ridgely, moving about hundred yards to the front, returned with spirit. This contest was maintained for some time, their balls filling the air, and passing through Ridgely's battery in every direc*.

received a a

T

W A R.

HE

49

Action Commences.

His

tion.

men worked

at their

guns with invincible de-

termination, and he himself sighted

them with

all

the

coolness and certainty of ordinary target practice. These well-directed charges were necessary to keep off the

enemy who were

whom

constantly charging upon him, and

he had sometimes

The

sword.

back with

to beat

his

own

rapid firing of the artillery on both sides pro-

duced an unintermitted roar. Colonel Duncan's batwas at the edge of the ravine, but he could not

tery

use

Lieutenant Ridgely holding the only position

it;

from which the enemy could be assailed without galling These had come into the action in the most our troops. extraordinary manner, the firing of their musketry being

almost the same instant that Ridgely opened his

heard

at

fire in

the centre.*

The 6th regiment under

Lieutenant-

Colonel Mcintosh supported Ridgely's battery. • It is to

be observed that the

artillery,

The 3d

during the whole course of the

present war, has proved the most efficient arm of the service in deter-

mining the

fate of battles, with, perhaps, the exception of the rifle corps

Nothing can exceed the

in the recent battles near the city of Mexico. efficiency and bravery of the

rifle

corps.

General Scott's pointed eulogy

of their conduct was richly deserved.

The

efficiency of this

arm of the

occasion to remark in another place, exertions of Major Ringgold.

In

national defense, as

is

this

greatly

owing

we have had

to the indefatigable

important service the major was

aided by Captain Duncan, whose battery rendered most efficient service in the battles of the 8th and 9th of

May,

important engagements of the war.

The

and Washington have service at

The

Buena

also

as well as in the other most batteries of

become famous,

Vista.

services of the artillery in the battle of

sential, that

it

is

small portion of

Sherman, Bragg,

especially by their efficient

considered by it

all

military

Buena

Vista were so es-

men, that the absence of a

would undoubtedly have occasioned the

battle.

3

loss

of the

THE WAR.

60

May's charge.

regiment with a part of the 4th came up on the enemy's right,

and the other portion of the 4th joined with the

5th on the cliuparral,

The 3d and 4th were separated by

left.

through which the soldiers

each other into squads of

Montgomery,

w^ith

to the right.

The

or six,

five

The

obliged to form in the ravine.

literally

8th,

the

pushed

and they were under Captain

Smith's light and other corps, faced best troops of

Mexico were now con-

The con-

tending with the greatest bravery for victory.

and musketry, the sword and the bayonet, at the end of two hours, resulted in the Americans gaining possession of the ravine in which the enemy were posted at the beginning of the action. Yet the

test with

artillery

batteries in the centre

shower of grape and

still

stood firm, pouring a perfect

shells into the

American

front,

and

prevented General Taylor from reaping the advantages

which the bravery of secured.

asked

if

Captain

would otherwise have

his troops

May

rode back to the general, and

he should charge the battery on the other side

of the ravine.

" Charge,

the reply, and

away dashed

rode to the head of his

captain, nolens volens,"

the

command

gallant fellow.* ;

was

He

every rein and sabre

was

tightly grasped. Raising himself in the saddle, he shouted to his command, " We are ordered to take that

—follow

battery

!"

In columns of fours, they dashed

along the narrow road, until they came to where Lieutenant Ridgely obstructed their advance. to charge those batteries," said

''

I

am

May, coming

ordered

to a halt.

Ridgely knowing the perilous nature of the duty, said,

"Wait, Charley,

till

I

draw

their fire!"

Henry's Campaign Sketches.

All begrimed

THE WAR.

51

Capture of La Vega.

with powder and labouring with his his pieces

own

hands, he fired

slowly and with the usual deadly

effect.

A

storm of copper balls came whizzing and crushing the artillerists

iii

reply, while Ridgely

and

his

among men lim-

bered up, jumped on their pieces, and cheered as

dashed forward.

An

May

overwhelming discharge of grape

and bullets from the other battery dest;oyed his first and second platoons, but he was unhurt, and with those who lived swept to the left of the road leaped over the bat-

tery and drove the Mexicans from their guns.

But they

they seemed determined and commenced rushed back to them with the bayonet, May then charged back to load them again with grape. upon our own lines, and the enemy shrunk in terror from the stroke of his sword. One man, General La Vega, alone maintained his ground, and tried to rally his men but was made a prisoner by Captain May, and carried under a galling fire from his own countrymen to to retain their pieces or die

:

;

our

The

lines.

ries in

infantry

now

gathered round the batte-

masses, crossing bayonets for their possession,

over the very muzzles of the guns.

In a short time,

Captain Belknap, with the 8th

and Captain Mar-

tin Scott,

infantr}^,

with the 5th, were engaged in a hand-to-hand

conflict with the far-famed

Tampico

veterans,

who had The

been in twenty battles and were never defeated.

and the 8th and the 5th charged up the ravine amidst a terrible fire from the enemy's The battery of Colonel Duncan now right and front. came into the front, and the retreat of the enemy was While the centre battery hastened by his deadly fire. of the enemy was being carried, Lieutenants Ruggles

battery

was

carried,

and Crittenden, with a small command of the 5th and

THE WAR.

52

Captixre of Arista's Despatches.

the 8th infantry,

under Captain Montgomery, routed

all

wing and carried the

the right

right battery.

Between

and the centre battery, the Tampico regiment had

this

been posted, have

Mexican

flag

who bore staff,

all

of

whom, except

fallen at their posts.

it,

last

waving on the field, and the gallant fellow when all hope was lost, tore it from the

and concealed

tempted

seventeen, are said to

Their tri-colour was the

it

about his person while he

He w^as ndden

to fly.

at-

dow^n by the dragoons,

however, and made a prisoner, and his

flag

was a trophy

of the victory.

The hurry of the Mexicans to escape was so great, many of them were drowned in the river. Immense quantities of baggage, military stores, and camp equipage

that

hands of the Americans

fell

into the

lic,

and private property of

being

among

the spoils.

Arista,

;

the personal, pub-

and

all his

despatches

The American army passed

the night on the battle-field, in the enjoyment of the fes-

which had been prepared by the followers of the Mexican camp to regale their friends after the anticipated tival

victory.

In his despatch after this brilliant victory Ge-

neral Taylor says

" The

:

enemy in killed has been most Our own has been very heavy, and I deeply regret to report that Lieutenant Inge, 2d dragoons, Lieutenant Cochrane, 4th infantry, e.nd Lieutenant Chadbourne, 8th infantry, were killed on the field. Lieuloss

of the

severe.

tenant-Colonel Payne, 4th artillery, Lieutenant-Colonel

Mcintosh, Lieutenant Dobbins, 3d infantry. Captain

and Lieutenant Fowler, 5th infantry

Hooe

and Captain Montgomery, Lieutenants Gates, Selden, McClay, Burbank, and Jordan, 8th infantry were wounded. The extent of ;

THE WAR.

53

General Taylor's Despatcli.

our loss in killed and

and

is

The

wounded

is

not yet ascertained,

reserved for a more detailed report. affair

of to-day

may be

regarded as a proper sup-

plement to the cannonade of yesterday taken together,

and men

officers

done

exliibit the coolness

their

in the

and the two and gallantry of our

most favourable

duty and done

it

nobly.

more circumstantial report of both upon particular instances of individual

me

work opposite

All have

light.

It will

in a

It affords

;

be

my pride,

actions, to dwell distinction.

peculiar pleasure to report that the field-

to

Matamoras has sustained

itself

hand-

somely during a cannonade and bombardment of one

hundred and

sixty hours.

with profound regret

But the pleasure

at the loss of its heroic

mitable commander. Major Brown, the effect of a shell.

who

is

alloyed

and indo-

died to-day from

His loss would be a severe one to

army under my orders, and one non-comkilled, and ten men wounded, comprise incident to this severe bombardment.

the service at any time, but to the it is

indeed irreparable.

missioned all

officer

the casualties I

inadvertently omitted

number

One

to

officer

mention the capture of

lefl in the Mexican camp." " So confident," says Captain Henry, in his interesting work, Campaign Sketches of the War with Mexico,' **were the Mexicans of victory, that Ampudia, speaking to Captain Thornton, who was then their prisoner, said, it was utterly impossible it could be otherwise ; that their numbers alone were sufficient, independent of those veteran regiments.' General La Vega said, that if he had any sum of money in camp he should have considered it as safe as if at the city of Mexico and he

a large

of pack-mules

*

^

^

;

W A R.

THE

54

Taylor's maTch. to Point Isabel.

would have bet any amount' that no ten thousand men could have driven them off.'" Our loss in this action was three officers and thirty-six men killed, and twelve officers and fifty-nine men wounded. The loss of the enemy in killed, wounded, and missing, was not less than two thousand, taking the two days

On

fighting together.

morning

the

after the battle.

General Taylor, with

Matamoras for Mexican surgeons to attend to their wounded, and for men to bury their dead. The American army was occupied at the same time upon the same mournful duty. characteristic humanity, sent to

On

the 11th General Taylor again

Point Isabel, in order to arrange with

left Fort Brown for Commodore Conner

combined land and naval attack upon the Mexican posts on the Rio Grande. While at the Point, he despatched a hasty letter to Washington, from which we

the plan of a

make

of the army site

"I

the following extracts:

brief time at

my command

is

now occupying

Matamoras.

ganized, and

its

The Mexican

I shall lose

avail

myself of this

to report that the

forces are almost disor-

no time in investing Matamoras, *

and opening the navigation of the river." have exchanged a

command

main body

former position oppo-

sufficient

number of

*

*

prisoners

c