History of the War between the United States and Mexico/Chapter 9
CHAPTER IX.
SCOTT AT CERRO GORDO.
Return of Santa Anna to the city of Mexico — Fortifications at Cerro Gordo — Arrival of the American Army at the Rio del Plan — Storming the Heights — The Enemy routed — Capture of Jalapa and Perote — The Guerilleros — Proclamation of General Scott — Entrance of the Americans into Puebla — Warlike proceedings of the Mexican government — Skirmishing on the road from Vera Cruz — The Army reinforced — March towards the Mexican Capital.
With sickness and famine stalking, like giant spectres, in his rear, Santa Anna returned to San Luis Potosi, followed by the remnant of the proud army so signally routed and repulsed, by an inferior force, on the field of Buena Vista. During his absence the city of Mexico had been the scene of continued tumult and confusion, and he now hurried to the capital, with a portion of his soldiers, to put an end to these disorders. The election of Gomez Farias to the Vice Presidency, as has been mentioned, was extremely unpopular. He appears to have been zealous and patriotic; but these were qualities which many of his countrymen could not, or did not appreciate. He attempted to enforce contributions from the church, for the support of the army and the prosecution of the war, which at once called down upon his head the denunciations of the clergy. The embers of discord were soon fanned into a flame; for several days the rival factions, unmindful of the prostrate condition of their country, fought like infuriated madmen, in the streets of Mexico; and the émeute was only suppressed upon the arrival of Santa Anna, and his assumption of the reins of power.[1]
This question also occasioned considerable altercation and debate in Congress. Various measures were proposed, some of them of a most violent character, for the removal of Farias; but Santa Anna would not allow any thing to be done except in a constitutional manner. Finally, on the 1st of April, the decree by which the office of vice president had been created, was suppressed; permission was given to the Provisional President to take command of the forces in the field; and a President substitute was ordered to be chosen, to exercise the authority of chief magistrate in the absence of Santa. Anna. On the same day General Anaya was elected to fill the office; the appointment appeared to give satisfaction to all parties; and on the 2nd instant he entered upon the discharge of his duties as the acting executive.
The capture of Vera Cruz and the fall of San Juan de Ulua, awakened the Mexican people to the necessity of foregoing the indulgence of their constitutional predilection for party strifes and contentions, if they would resist the march of the American soldiers then advancing upon their capital, under the successful Chieftain who led them on to battle and to glory. Governor Morales and General Landero received the reward usually meted out by Santa Anna to his unfortunate officers: for their failure to achieve impossibilities they were arrested, and confined in the castle of Perote. Earnest appeals were made by Santa Anna. and Anaya to their fellow-citizens, to forget their feuds and animosities, and to listen only to the suggestions of patriotism and unite in making preparations to meet the invaders.
A more warlike spirit was soon manifested. The clergy of the archbishopric of Mexico bound themselves to furnish the government with the sum of one and a half million of dollars, payable in monthly instalments; plans for fortifying the city were adopted; and the public journals devoted their columns to articles designed to encourage the timid, and arouse the faint-hearted.[2] At the head of 8,000 troops, 5,000 of whom had constituted the flower of the army, at San Luis Potosi,[3] Santa Anna again ventured forth to try his fortunes on another field. While on the road to check the advance of General Scott, he was joined by a large body of national guards from the State of Puebla; at Jalapa he was reinforced by 2,000 men; and numbers of the jarochada, or lower class of peasantry and laborers, of the State of Vera Cruz, were also pressed into his service. With these additions his army numbered little short of 15,000. After leaving Jalapa, he advanced to the pass of Vaechi, or Cerro Gordo, near the Rio del Plan, which had been the scene of one of his most brilliant efforts during the revolution, and was regarded as being almost impregnable.
About sixty miles from Vera Cruz, and over thirty from Jalapa, the national road crosses the Rio del Plan and the wide rocky plain on its northern bank, and then commences the ascent to the elevated plateau of Mexico. Here terminates the low level, — the land of the vanilla and cacao, of the banana, the orange and the sugar-cane, — glowing with the rich vegetation of the tropics, and its shady bowers and sequestered recesses vocal with the melodies of the mocking bird, and the thousand other songsters whose notes are trilled, softly and sweetly, from early morn till eventide. The traveller, as he climbs the steep sides of the Cordilleras, pauses on each terrace, and turns upon his steps, to gaze upon the broad expanse spread out beneath him, like a carpet of rare embroidery; — the tall coronals of the aloe, — the dahlia, the cactus, and the convulvulus, — flowers blushing with every hue of the rainbow, — unfold their beauties at his feet; here a small streamlet, and there an ample river, shimmers through the leafy interstices of the luxuriant woodland; and there are groves, too, of palms, and cocoas, and sycamores, matted together with the waving festoons of unnumbered parasites, whose brilliant dyes fairly dazzle the vision of the beholder. With ravished senses he pursues his way to the interior, and as he lifts his eyes to the snow-crowned summit of Orizaba, it were not strange if he should fancy the mountain peak some hoary warder, whose locks were silvered with the frosts of age, keeping watch over the enchanted realm behind him.
After crossing the stream, the road continues its course to the north until it reaches the foot of the hills, when it turns abruptly to the east. A few hundred yards further on it changes its direction to the northwest, and after pursuing a circuitous course for nearly two miles, now ascending some difficult acclivity or thridding some narrow dell, and now surmounting a steep ridge, and then dipping down between the overhanging banks on the opposite side, it inclines again towards the river, and enters the Pass of Cerro Gordo. As it approaches the defile it is flanked, on the left, by three hills, nearly parallel to each other and to the road, jutting out in the shape of a fan from the same terrace in the rear, and separated by deep ravines, from one to two hundred yards in width. The southernmost ridge is situated just above the deep and impassable gorge through which the river flows. These hills, which command the road, and the defiles leading to the high ground in their rear, formed the right and front of the Mexican position. Intrenchments were thrown up on their eastern extremities, and seventeen pieces of cannon distributed among the different works. In addition to the advanced breastwork on the crest of the central bluff, which was partially masked by brush and a stone wall, there was a redoubt in the rear, with three or four guns, and still further to the rear and left, on a retired line, was an intrenched battery of two guns. The intervals and slopes on the east of this line of intrenchments were for the most part thickly wooded, or covered with underbrush.
Something more than half a mile higher up, on the right of the road, and at a point where it approaches to within eighty or a hundred yards of the river, was a strong battery of six large brass guns, which completely enfiladed the defile. Just beyond this, and a little further to the north, rose the key of the whole position, the main height of Cerro Gordo, towering far above the surrounding hills, and commanding the advanced batteries, and the road, "on a single declination, like a glacis, for nearly a mile." Around the hill, about sixty yards from its foot, was a breastwork of stone for the protection of infantry, and on the summit there was a fortified citadel, or tower, called the Telegrafo, also surrounded by a strong work, with six guns mounted on carriages. Immediately in front of Cerro Gordo, were several smaller hills occupied by advanced parties of Mexican infantry and lancers. Nearly one half of the enemy were posted within the intrenchments, or in their vicinity, and the main body, under Santa Anna in person, were encamped on the road, about half a mile west of the tower, with a battery of five guns.
General Twiggs arrived at the Plan del Rio, on the 11th of April, with his division of regulars. The advanced guard of dragoons under Colonel Harney, drove a body of Mexican lancers from the ground, and the division encamped for the night. On the following -day, General Twiggs again moved forward, to cover a reconnaissance of the enemy's works, and, if practicable, to make an effective attack. Deeming it unwise to advance further at that time, he returned to his old camp, leaving a strong picket to retain the ground passed over, with the intention of attacking the enemy at daybreak on the 13th. The first and third brigades of General Patterson's volunteer division, commanded by Generals Pillow and Shields, came up on the 12th instant, and the contemplated attack was postponed for one day, in order to allow the volunteers, who were anxious to participate in the engagement, to recover from the fatigue of the march over the long and deep sandy road from Vera Cruz; and on the night of the 13th, all offensive operations were further suspended, by direction of General Patterson, until the arrival of the General-in-chief, who was daily expected.
When General Scott reached the scene of the anticipated conflict, and examined the position occupied by the Mexican forces, he decided to turn their left, and attack them in the rear, while menacing or engaging them in front. The reconnaissance previously commenced by Lieutenant Beauregard, was continued by Captain Lee, of the corps of engineers, for the purpose of discovering a route by which the Jalapa road could be gained, and the retreat of the enemy intercepted. Under the supervision of the engineer officers a road was constructed, leaving the main route a short distance below where it commences inclining towards the river, and extending over rocky slopes and deep chasms, through thickets of chaparral, and beneath frowning precipices, to the left of Cerro Gordo, for a distance of between two and three miles, and within range of the Mexican batteries. When the working parties were discovered, they were fired upon with grape and musketry. Further reconnaissance, therefore, was impossible without an action, and General Scott immediately made his dispositions for storming the whole line of intrenchments and batteries.
General Worth joined the main body on the night of the 16th of April, with the first division of regulars, and on the same evening General Twiggs was directed to advance with his division, early in the morning of the next day, on the line of operations upon the right of the national road. On the 17th instant General Scott issued his celebrated order of battle, — remarkable alike for the prescience which seems to have dictated it, and for the undoubting confidence manifested by its author in the officers and men whom he commanded.[4] To the brave and intrepid Twiggs, whose 
was ordered to follow the movement on the enemy's left, and support it, with his division, at sunrise on the 18th. General Pillow had reconnoitered, in person, the works on the right of the Mexican position, and he was instructed to hold himself in readiness to attack them with his brigade, as soon as he heard the report of arms in the morning of the 18th from the other flank. Wall's field battery and the cavalry were to be held in reserve.
The division of General Twiggs arrived at its position before eleven o'clock in the morning of the 17th, — the right of the column being within seven hundred yards of the hill of Cerro Gordo. The first brigade, commanded by Colonel Harney on this occasion, in consequence of the illness of General P. F. Smith, and consisting of the rifle regiment, Major Sumner temporarily in command; the 1st artillery, Colonel Childs; and the 7th infantry, Lieutenant Colonel Plympton, were ordered to seize and maintain all the heights in the neighborhood of the enemy's main work. Accordingly, Lieutenant Gardner, of the 7th infantry, was directed with his company to move to the crest of a hill on the left, and watch the movements of the enemy. While executing the order, he became engaged with a strong skirmishing party sent out to meet him, and followed by a large reserve, in all numbering about two thousand. He gallantly maintained his position under a heavy fire, and held them at bay, until he was succored by the rifles and the 1st artillery, who hurried to his assistance. After a short conflict the Mexicans were driven from the position, and closely pursued. They made a second stand on a hill near the Cerro Gordo, under cover of their guns, which rained showers of grape and canister upon the assailants, who pressed on undaunted, though suffering severely. The hill was stormed and carried. Three times the enemy charged to recover the position, and three times were they repulsed with loss. The American soldiers refused to yield a single inch of ground which they had gained. One section of Major Talcott's mountain howitzer battery, belonging to the voltigeurs, with a number of _ rockets, under the command of Lieutenant Reno, were ordered up the height, and aided them in maintaining it. In the ardor of the moment, a portion of the troops, headed by Colonel Childs, rushed down the opposite side of the hill, and commenced the ascent of Cerro Gordo. The recall was sounded again and again, but they had approached within one hundred and fifty yards of the enemy's batteries before they discovered that they were not followed by the remainder of the force. They then halted, and retired down the height.
The 1st artillery rejoined General Twiggs, and the rifles and the 7th infantry bivouacked on the hill for the night. Fires were built underneath the cliffs upon the line occupied by General Twiggs' division, and the work of transporting the heavy artillery to the captured hill was soon after commenced. This duty was performed by the 4th artillery and the volunteer brigade of General Shields, and occupied nearly the entire night. With the aid of picket ropes, one twenty-four pounder gun, and two twenty-four pounder howitzers, were drawn up to the crest of the height, and placed in battery, under the superintendence of Captain Lee. On the same night, under the direction of Lieutenant Tower, of the engineers, and Lieutenant Laidley, of the ordnance, an eight-inch howitzer was put in position across the river, and opposite to the enemy's right battery, by a detachment of the New York volunteers, commanded by Major Burnham.
Lighted only by the flickering rays of their watch-fires, save when the rising moon appeared above the horizon, the soldiers detailed to perform this arduous task, toiled on without cessation until the work was completed. They complained not of fatigue or exhaustion. N o danger appalled, — no labor wearied them. Zealous and enthusiastic, they panted for the coming struggle; and they were strengthened, too, by the confidence of anticipated success, — the feeling of assurance that their efforts would not be in vain.
When the first waves of the morning light surged up over the mountain tops from the distant Gulf, the whole American army, from the right to the extreme left, were in motion. The storming of Cerro Gordo Was the first object to be achieved. At seven o'clock on the 18th, the heavy guns planted on the hill opened their fire upon the height above it, and were served with effect by Captain Steptoe and Lieutenant Brown, of the 3rd artillery, Lieutenant Hagner, of the ordnance, and Lieutenant Seymour, of the 1st artillery. The assaulting party consisted of the first brigade of General Twiggs' division, commanded by Colonel Harney, to whom the execution of the enterprise was inc trusted, reinforced by the 3rd infantry, Captain Alexander, from the second brigade, and a company of sappers and miners under Lieutenant G. W. Smith, of the engineers. Before the attack upon the main work of the enemy was ordered, a large succoring force were discovered advancing on the national road, in a direction which would have enabled them to turn the assaulting column. The rifle regiment, now commanded by Major Loring, Major Sumner having been wounded on the previous day, were immediately ordered to the left, to hold the approaching force in check until the assault commenced, when they were directed to join in it on that flank. The order was faithfully obeyed, in the midst of a withering fire upon the front and flanks of the regiment, from the enemy's batteries and intrenchments. In the meantime Colonel Harney formed the remainder of his troops for the attack, — the 7th infantry on the right, the 3rd infantry on the left, and the 1st artillery in the rear, with orders to support the infantry. A few moments passed in silence, and then the charge was sounded. The welcome note was echoed and repeated along the entire line. As one man, they sprang over the crest of the hill, dashed down the declivity, and ascended the 0pposite height.
The 2nd infantry, Captain Morris, and 4th artillery; Major Gardner, forming the remainder of the second brigade, commanded by Colonel Riley, moved forward at an early hour in the direction of the national road, in order to cut off the retreat of the enemy, under the guidance of Captain Lee, who was supported by a company of the 4th artillery, in command of Lieutenant Benjamin. Their course lay directly across a ravine swept by the Mexican batteries, and they soon became also exposed to an annoying fire of musketry from the hill of Cerro Gordo on their left, upon the western slopes of which the enemy appeared in force. A detachment, consisting of two companies of the 2nd infantry, under Captain Penrose, were promptly deployed as skirmishers, with directions to drive the enemy from the hill at every hazard. Observing that Santa Anna was now rapidly extending his line to the left, to keep open his communications with the rear, General Twiggs ordered General Shields to cross a deep ravine on the right, and advance up its left bank with his brigade, against the Mexicans in the road. The skirmishing party sent up the hill in rear of the main work, were warmly engaged with the enemy in a short time, and two additional companies of the same regiment were detached in like manner. Captain Lee continued his course towards the national road with his escort, but the remaining companies of the 4th artillery, accompanied by General Twiggs, followed the movement up the reverse of Cerro Gordo, preceded by the skirmishers, who gallantly charged upon the enemy, and drove them from their positions. Colonel Riley also commenced ascending the hill with the remainder of the 2nd infantry.
A plunging and destructive fire of round shot, grape, canister, and musketry, was poured upon the party of stormers moving to the assault of Cerro Gordo in front. The section and rockets of Talcott's battery, under Lieutenant Reno, returned the fire with spirit and effect. The hill was steep and difficult of ascent. Loose craggy rocks, and tangled Chaparral, impeded the progress of the assaulting column. The tops of the smaller trees had also been cut off by the enemy, from four to five feet above the ground, and pointed down the hill, as an obstacle to the advance of an assailing force. A brief delay took place at the breastword near the foot of the height, but the bayonet did its work truly and well. The barrier was surmounted, and the stormers pushed on with redoubled zeal. The steepness of the acclivity rendered the fire of the enemy less sure and certain than it might otherwise have been; but it was sufficiently severe to make the stoutest hearth stand in awe, had they not been impelled and sustained by a courage that could not falter. Animated by the words and heroic bearing of the undaunted Harney, whose tall and manly form was conspicuous to friend and foe, as he cheered his men on to the conflict, the Americans pressed forward with accelerated speed. The fate of the day never for a moment remained in suspense. Within musket range of the breastwork around the tower, they halted to deliver their unerring fire. Again the charge was ordered. Wreaths of mingled smoke and flame encircled the combatants. Anxious eyes were turned in that direction from every quarter. The colors of the 1st artillery, and of the 3rd and 7th infantry, were planted upon the breastwork, but the Mexican standard was still flying. A few rapid volleys were fired — then the crushing steel bore down every thing before it — and the flag which had waved over so many beating hearts in the hour of victory, floated alone upon the height of Cerro Gordo!
Portions of the rifle regiment joined the storming column, and the foremost companies of the 52nd infantry, who had ascended the opposite side of the hill, also reached its summit, in time to participate in the final assault. General Vasquez, the officer in command, was killed in the tower which he had so bravely defended. The hill was thickly covered with the dead and wounded of the enemy; a number were taken prisoners; and the remainder retreated in haste on the Jalapa road. The guns captured in the fort were turned upon its late occupants, and effectively served by Captain Magruder, of the 1st artillery, and Lieutenant Richardson, of the 3rd infantry, while General Twiggs pushed forward in the pursuit with the 4th artillery and 52nd infantry. The second division, under General Worth, reached the position occupied by General Twiggs on the night of the 17th, before the height was carried, and Lieutenant Colonel C. F. Smith was instantly detached, with his light battalion, to support the assault, but did not arrive in time. General Worth soon after reached the lower, and observing a white flag displayed from the battery on the national road, just beneath the hill of Cerro Gordo, sent out Colonels Harney and Childs to hold a parley. The work proved to be in command of General Pinson, a mulatto officer of considerable distinction, and was surrendered in compliance with the summons of General Worth.
The first brigade of volunteers, commanded by General Pillow, was under arms at sunrise, but did not reach the position assigned to it in front of the enemy's works on the right, until after General Twiggs had opened the action on the other flank. General Pillow immediately divided his command into two storming parties, each supported by a strong reserve. It was his intention to assail the adjacent angles of the two batteries nearest the river, simultaneously; but his position being discovered by the enemy, a galling fire was opened on his ranks, and rather than dishearten the troops by a retreat. Colonel Haskell, who commanded the assaulting force intended for the attack of the central battery, consisting of his regiment, (the 2nd Tennessee foot,) a company of Kentucky volunteers under Captain Williams, and one company of the 2nd Pennsylvania, Captain Naylor, was directed to assault the work, and carry it at the point of the bayonet. An enfilading fire upon the Mexican batteries was obtained from the eight-inch howitzer, in command of Lieutenant Ripley, of the 2nd artillery, on the right bank of the river, and it was kept actively engaged. Colonel Wynkoop, of the 1st Pennsylvania, in command of the storming party designed to attack the battery on the extreme right, moved towards the position where he was ordered to make the assault. The 1st Tennessee, Colonel Campbell, was directed to support the column under Colonel Wynkoop, and the 2nd Pennsylvania, Colonel Roberts, the party commanded by Colonel Haskell.
As the column headed by Colonel Haskell advanced to the attack, they encountered a resistance which they had not anticipated. The fire of seven pieces of heavy artillery was turned upon them, and effected terrible execution. They pressed on undismayed, through dense thickets of underbrush, until they came within range of the enemy's musketry. With an energy and steadiness worthy of experienced soldiers, they still continued on their course, regardless of the havoc made among their number. At length the fire became too terrible, and the party were compelled to retire. General Pillow being severely wounded, Colonel Campbell assumed the command of the brigade, and commenced making his dispositions for a second attack. Colonel Wynkoop, in the meantime, had arrived in front of the battery on the bank of the river, when all further operations were suspended by the capture of the hill of Cerro Gordo. The advanced works of the enemy were now exposed to a fire from the rear which would soon have demolished them; a white flag was therefore displayed over the intrenchments, and this portion of the enemy, now cut off from the main body, surrendered themselves prisoners of war.
Upon the extreme right the brigade under General Shields, consisting of the 3rd and 4th Illinois, Colonels Foreman and Baker, and the New York regiment, Colonel Burnett, were more successful. Crossing a ravine which the Mexicans deemed impassable, and which, up _ to that time, had never been crossed,[5] "under a canopy of cannon-balls," they gained its left bank, and advanced against the rear battery, with a celerity which filled the enemy with astonishment. Santa Anna had evidently given up the contest in front, and was hurrying with the greater part of his forces to the rear. General Shields was upon them in a moment. While forming his men for the attack, under a heavy fire from the enemy's guns, a grape shot passed through his lungs, and he fell to the earth completely paralyzed — Happily for the general himself, and for the service, the wound did not prove to be mortal — Colonel Baker assumed the command — Major Harris taking charge of the 4th Illinois and the column was again ordered to advance. General Shields at this time was supposed to have been mortally wounded, and the brave volunteers were determined to avenge his loss. They charged upon the enemy's line with spirit and enthusiasm, and drove them from their loaded guns. Captain Lee, with the company commanded by Lieutenant Benjamin, followed by Colonel Riley at the head of the second brigade, approached on the other flank, and completed the capture of the battery. At this point the rout was complete. Santa Anna, and General Ampudia, the second in command, together with Generals Canalizo and Almonte, had barely time to make their escape. The private carriage of the Mexican President, his baggage,[6] 
General Scott had not been an inattentive observer of the events of the day, and the result was peculiarly gratifying to his feelings. He arrived on the height of Cerro Gordo shortly after General Worth, and publicly thanked Colonel Harney and his command for the courage and skill displayed in their gallant achievement. Before the sun had reached its meridian, the defile was passed, and the way opened to the table land of Mexico. The network of obstacles which Santa Anna had raised to impede the advance of the American army, proved to be frail as the meshes of the spider's web.[7] The battle was won, too, by a force barely exceeding 8,000 men, and under circumstances which justly entitle it to a prominent place among the other actions of the warn.[8]
The pursuit was continued until late in the afternoon of the 18th, and many of the enemy were captured or cut down, before the American soldiers were obliged to halt, having become nearly exhausted from the heat and the distance. Captain Taylor brought up his battery, and opened his fire upon their rear columns as they ascended the hill of Encerro, when the troops in the advance were halted, and encamped within sight of the white towers of Jalapa. On the morning of the 19th, General Patterson entered the city, escorted by the dragoons, and followed by General Twiggs, with the infantry and artillery, in company with a deputation from its authorities, who came out to implore protection for their fellow-citizens.
Upwards of 3,000 prisoners, more than 4,000 stands of arms, 43 pieces of artillery, many of them manufactured in the royal foundry at Seville, and a large quantity of fixed ammunition, were captured in the battle of Cerro Gordo. The Americans lost 431 officers and men, in killed and wounded;[9] and the Mexican loss was computed to be from 1,000 to 1,200. Among the prisoners taken were Generals Pinson, Jarrero, La Vega, Noriega, and Obando. General Scott found himself so much embarrassed with the spoils of the victory, in consequence of the feebleness of his own army in point of numbers, that he was compelled to release the prisoners upon their paroles; and the small arms and accoutrements were collected together, and broken in pieces, or burned.
General Worth continued the pursuit beyond Jalapa with his division. The pass of La Hoya, a strong position west of that city, which had been fortified, and defended by a battery of heavy guns, was found entirely deserted. At noon on the 22nd of April, he entered the town, and occupied the castle of Perote, next in importance to San Juan de Ulua, and capable of accommodating over 2,000 troops. N o resistance was offered, — the enemy's forces having been previously withdrawn, — and the fortress, with its armament, was surrendered by Colonel Velasquez, who had remained as a commissioner to perform that duty on behalf of his government. Sixty-one bronze guns and mortars, five howitzers, eleven thousand cannon balls, fourteen thousand bombs and hand-grenades, and five hundred muskets, were turned over to the Americans with the castle. General Worth also obtained considerable quantities of corn and flour in Perote and the neighboring haciendas, all which were paid for at fair prices, with the assistance of the alcaldes and padres, who manifested a laudable zeal in aiding him.
The excellent discipline and subordination maintained by General Scott in the army under his command, deserves a passing notice. Strict orders were issued directly after they landed at Vera Cruz, prohibiting the commission of any acts of violence upon the persons or property of non-combatants. No deviation from the regulations which he established was suffered to go unrebuked, — no outrage went unpunished. During the period of temporary inaction after the battle of Cerro Gordo, excesses were occasionally committed, which induced him to issue more positive orders at Jalapa, on the 30th of April, and from that time there were fewer causes of complaint.
A large number of the volunteers attached to his column were enlisted in the months of May and June, 1846: consequently, their terms of service had nearly expired when the army arrived at Jalapa. They were exceedingly anxious to reach the coast, and embark for home, before the sickly season came on, and the commanding general very properly acceded to their request, in the belief that the new levies raised under the ten regiment bill would soon reach his camp. On the 4th of May seven regiments, and two independent companies, in all numbering more than 3,000 men, were ordered to be discharged.[10] The design of advancing promptly into the heart of the country, however, was by no means abandoned. The elements of the strength and weakness of the Mexican government were concentrated in her capital, and it was of the highest importance that the army should move as far in that direction as was compatible with its safety and security. Reinforcements were expected in a few weeks, and early in the month General Worth was ordered to proceed to Puebla, seventy-eight miles beyond Perote, and about ninety miles from Mexico, with his division, followed by the brigade under General Quitman.
The Mexican army which General Scott had encountered on the heights of Cerro Gordo, was almost totally dispersed. Santa Anna escaped to the vicinity of Puebla, with a few followers, and Ampudia, at the head of 3,000 cavalry, in a most disastrous plight, passed through Perote, on his way to the interior. The infantry were utterly disorganized, and fled before their pursuers in small bodies, — some throwing away their arms, and others selling them in the towns through which they passed, for two or three reals. Finding that the American army did not advance immediately beyond Perote, the Mexican general-in-chief employed himself for several days, towards the latter part of April and the beginning of May, in the neighborhood of Orizaba, in collecting and organizing a new force, whose assistance had been invoked by his countrymen. As early as the 8th of April, it was proposed to adopt the guerilla system, at a meeting of the principal citizens of Mexico, and orders were issued, and measures taken by the government to carry the suggestion into effect. Among the most efficient of their agents and coadjutors was a padre, by the name of Jarauta, originally an Aragonese curate, who had been compelled to fly from Spain, on account of his participation in the cruelties and barbarities perpetrated by the guerilleros who fought under Cabrera.[11]
There is something noble in the aspect presented by a people flying to their arms, unitedly and spontaneously, in defence of their altars and their hearthstones, to save themselves from wrong and injury, and their wives and daughters from outrage and violence. The movements of an excited populace are irresistible as the rush of the mountain torrent. Of what avail were an armed soldiery of 30,000 men, when the citizens of Paris had determined that the Bastile should be razed to the ground? The moors and glens of Scotland, the wild fastnesses of the Emerald Isle, and the dense savannas of Georgia and the Carolinas, tell us what may be done by men, who, seizing the sword, and casting away the scabbard, resist oppression even unto death. For a long series of years La Vendeé bade defiance to the armies of the French republic. The Swiss peasant, as he quaffs the choice vintage of his native land,[12] never fails to bless the brave men who rescued her from the grasp of the Austrian despot, and the brave descendants who maintained the freedom so nobly won, against the efforts of France and Burgundy. The guerilla mode of warfare adopted by Mina, Empecinado, and their compatriots, had its origin in the same impulses, and their deeds of cruelty and vengeance, — sometimes just, yet always fearful, — are well remembered in the Spanish Peninsula. But the Mexican guerilleros were influenced by no such feelings, — by no such emotions. The principle which animated them was love of plunder, rather than love of country, — and the standard under which they rallied, was the emblem of the bandit.[13] — not the flag of the patriot!
The line of the national road has always been infested with banditti, and the guerilla bands organized to annoy the American army, were principally composed of that class of the population, their associates and companions, and a few deserters from the Spanish vessels of War lying in the Gulf. With very rare exceptions — and those mainly confined to the civil and military officers of the government, — the better classes stood entirely aloof from the guerilleros, who soon commenced an indiscriminate plunder of friends and enemies, and refused to give them their countenance and support. The announcement that this system of fighting was about to be adopted, would have excited serious apprehensions in the minds of any other soldiers in the world; but a large proportion of the American troops were familiar with the legendary tales of border warfare in their own country, and many had been accustomed, from childhood. to the dangers and incidents of a life upon the frontiers, in the midst of hostile Indians. It was impossible, indeed, at all times to guard against surprise, — yet they knew how to retaliate. On the 11th of May, General Scott issued an eloquent proclamation, addressed to the Mexican people, forcibly depicting their deplorable condition as a nation, and advising them to terminate their dissensions and feuds, and to cultivate harmony among themselves, and friendship and amity with other nations. He assured them that the war would be prosecuted until an honorable peace was obtained, and admonished them to be cautious how they put in force the order to form guerilla parties, and to beware how they provoked him to retaliation. The guerilleros were far from being intimidated by the language of the proclamation, but it induced many to withhold their sympathy, whose assistance had been counted on with confidence.[14] After leaving Perote, the column under General Worth entered on an open reach of country, at an altitude of nearly seven thousand feet above the level of the ocean, gently undulating, and abounding in the productions of more temperate climes. There were many large plantations of maguey, with its dark leaves and clustering flowers; but there were also waving
fields of corn, and wheat, and barley. Scattered about over the luxuriant plains were tall mountain peaks, fringed with the funereal pine;or piles of blackened scoriæ,marking the places once lighted by the fires of the now slumbering volcano. At El Pinal they crossed another ridge, and then descended into the valley, in the midst of which lies Puebla "The city of the An-_ gels."[15] To the stranger, as he approaches, it seems like some rich gem lying in the bosom of the Cordilleras; but within, vice, degradation, and depravity, the most hideous and loathsome, meet him at every turn. The church, and the few citizens — comparatively the very few — Who may be seen at sunset rolling in their antique coaches, around the Alameda, enjoying the fragrance of its flowers, and inhaling the atmosphere cooled by its gushing fountains, have amassed all the property, and the great multitude are miserably poor and wretched.
General Worth halted at Amasoque, twelve miles from Puebla, with his division, on the 14th of May, to await the arrival of General Quitman. About eight o'clock in the forenoon he found his position suddenly menaced by about 3,000 Mexican cavalry, commanded by Santa Anna. When first discovered they appeared to be moving along on the right flank of the Americans, towards their rear, and it was soon reported that a heavy column were also approaching on the main road. Colonel Garland, with the 2nd artillery and a section of Duncan's battery, and Major Bonneville, with the 6th infantry and Steptoe's battery, were ordered to attack the cavalry force, and the remainder of the troops prepared to meet the enemy said to be advancing in front. No other party was discovered, however, and after twenty-five rounds were fired from the batteries, the Mexican cavalry were routed, and disappeared among the hills. Some prisoners were taken, and ninety-eight of the enemy were killed or wounded. Late at night Santa Anna reached Puebla with his discomfited troops, and evacuated it early on the following day. Having been joined by General Quitman's brigade, General Worth entered the town in the morning of the 15th, Without meeting any further resistance, and on the ensuing day took possession of the adjacent heights of Loretto and Guadaloupe, and planted a battery on the hill of San Juan.
History presents few instances of the display of daring and boldness which deserve to be compared with the entrance of the American soldiers into the city of Puebla. But little more than four thousand men, weather-beaten, jaded, and wayworn, with the dust of many a weary day's journey "on their sandal shoon," in the gray fatigue-dress of the service, and unaccompanied by the gay paraphernalia of war, marched through the midst of a hostile population of sixty thousand souls, stacked their arms in the public square, posted their guards, and, when the night-watches came, lay down to sleep without one emotion of fear or alarm. The citizens were evidently chagrined and disappointed; for they had prepared themselves for the approach of warriors of swelling port and proud hearing, all glittering in purple and gold. Fierce and lowering looks were cast upon the soldiers defiling through the streets, from the crowded pavé and balcony, and from behind the vine-covered lattices along their route; but those who marked them well, saw in the kindling eye, the rigid muscle, and the stern lip, that dauntless courage and unconquerable self-reliance, of far more worth than numbers, in the time of danger and of peril. Visits of ceremony were interchanged between General Worth and the civil and ecclesiastical dignitaries of Puebla; the American troops were careful to do nothing that might provoke acts of hostility; yet, after all, their reception was "respectfully and coldly courteous, but without the slightest cordiality."[16]
Mr. Trist, the American Commissioner, and the bearer of the dispatch addressed, as we have seen, by the Secretary of State, on the 15th of April, to the Mexican Minister of Foreign Relations, joined General Scott at Jalapa, on the 14th of May. Colonel Childs was left in command of the city, with the 1st artillery and the 2nd Pennsylvania; Colonel Wynkoop was ordered to garrison the castle of Perote, where a general hospital was established, with a battalion of the 1st Pennsylvania; and on the 22nd instant General Twiggs marched for Puebla with his division, followed by General Scott, on the 23rd.[17] The dispatch brought by Mr. Trist was forwarded to the city of Mexico on the 12th day of June.
Foiled in his attempt to prevent the entrance of General Worth into Puebla, Santa Anna advanced towards Mexico, with the feeble force which he still continued to dignify with the appellation of "the army of the east." His approach was the signal for another disturbance in the capital. On the 20th of April, Congress had passed a decree declaring it to be treason for any public functionary to entertain a proposition of peace. The tone of the government and of the people was bold and warlike. The star of Santa Anna was still in the ascendant; his enemies were silenced for the time; but when the particulars of the battle of Cerro Gordo were made public, they were loud in his condemnation. The new constitution adopted by Congress was inaugurated, and on the 15th of May the regular election for President took place. The result was supposed to be in favor of Herrera, then generally regarded as the peace candidate, but his opponents were strong enough to cause the canvass of the vote to be postponed till the 15th of January, 1848, — thus continuing the office of provisional president; In the midst of the excitement, Santa Anna approached the capital. From Ayotla he addressed a letter to the President substitute, General Anaya, expressing his views in relation to the further conduct of the war and the defence of the city, and intimating his intention to resign unless they were adopted.
The citizens of Mexico were exceedingly averse to bringing the war any nearer to their Vicinity, and on the appearance of the General-in-chief of their armies, they heaped upon him every epithet of scorn and opprobrium. The "Bulletin of Democracy" charged him with cowardice and incapacity as an officer, and for a few days it was very uncertain whether he would be able to maintain himself in authority. A vindication of his conduct, prepared by Manuel Maria Jimen, was published in the "Diario del Gobierno," and both that journal and the "Republicano" engaged warmly in his defence. Again he triumphed over his opponents, and assumed the supreme authority. Collecting together a large military force, he commenced fortifying the Pass of Rio Frio, and the approaches to the capital; and General Alvarez was sent with a body of irregular cavalry and Indians from Sonora and Sinaloa, about 5,000 strong, to hover on the road between Perote and Puebla, and cut off the trains coming up to join General Scott, then at the latter place, waiting for the arrival of his reinforcements.
When the dispatch forwarded from Puebla on the 12th of June, reached Mexico, it was laid before Congress. At this time Santa Anna manifested something like a disposition to favor the conclusion of a peace, although he did not openly attempt to infuse a spirit of conciliation into the breasts of his countrymen. Various messages passed between him and the representatives of the nation, in relation to the dispatch. He evidently desired to have the decree of the 20th of April repealed, but no request was made to that effect. The invariable reply returned by Congress to the communications of the Executive, inquiring as to the disposition which should be made of the matter, was, that the incipient steps of a negotiation belonged to the latter, and that they could not interfere. They feared for their own popularity too much to repeal the decree, and Santa Anna was probably influenced by a similar feeling. Nothing was done towards procuring an interview with Mr. Trist; but, on the contrary, the general cry was for the continuance of hostilities. In July General Valencia came up from San Luis Potosi, with over 4,000 men, all eager for war, and ten pieces of artillery. The publication of the different journals issued in Mexico, with the exception of the "Diario del Gobierno," — the recognized organ of the government, — was suppressed, and when that paper announced the determination of those whose views it represented, not to tender the olive branch of peace until a victory had been achieved over the enemy, the power and influence of Santa Anna were placed on a firmer foundation than ever.
The enlistment of troops under the ten regiment bill did not progress as rapidly as was anticipated by General Scott, and the War department of the United States, considering the large bounties; but the regiments were soon filled up. The first body of troops dispatched to the seat of war, were ordered to the Rio Grande, in command of General Cadwalader, to aid General Taylor in maintaining his line of communications, then supposed to be seriously endangered; but, more recent ad vices having been received, the order was countermanded, and they were sent to strengthen the column commanded by General Scott. They were followed in a short time by detachments under Generals Pillow and Pierce, which were also ordered to Vera Cruz.
Without the reinforcements which he expected to join him, it would have been extremely unwise in General Scott, had he advanced beyond Puebla. Taking advantage of the consternation that prevailed about the time of his arrival in that city, he might have entered the capital, perhaps, without an action. His whole effective force barely exceeded 6,000 men; Santa Anna was known to be in or near Mexico, with a large body of troops; General Alvarez was within striking distance in his rear; and if he moved forward, the detachments coming up would be more exposed to attack; and should they be cut off, his own position must be very insecure. Under such circumstances he decided to remain at Puebla until the reinforcements arrived. He therefore remained inactive for several weeks; but the time was profitably spent in drilling the troops on the plains near the town. The divisions of Generals Worth and Twiggs were rendered almost perfect in discipline, and the volunteers wanted but little of being equal to the regulars, in point of efficiency.
The guerilleros began to show themselves on the road to Vera Cruz towards the latter part of May, and the first of June. Captain Walker was ordered to join Colonel Wynkoop at Perote, with his company of mounted rifles, and he soon commenced the work of retaliation. Following their trails, and tracking them to their lairs, he rendered most efficient service in defeating their plans and counteracting their projects.[18] On the 4th of June Colonel McIntosh left Vera Cruz for the head-quarters of the army, with three companies of the 3rd dragoons, under Lieutenant Colonel Moore, and six companies of infantry, belonging to different regiments, under Major Lee of the 4th, and Captain Whipple of the 5th, in all numbering about 700 men. The command escorted a large wagon-train containing specie and ammunition. The guerilleros had been made acquainted with the valuable character of the train, and collected in force on the road to reap the rich harvest which they fancied to be within their grasp. Great care was taken by the Americans to prevent a surprise, and flankers were thrown out from one to two hundred yards to the right and left of the advance guard.
Soon after they entered the broken country, the detachment under Colonel McIntosh encountered the enemy in a narrow pass among the hills. An attempt was made to capture the wagons in the centre, but this was defeated, and the train closed up. Again advancing, they were attacked about half a mile further on, in the midst of a dense growth of cactus and wild thorn. The banditti were in a few moments discovered occupying the hills which flanked the road, and the Americans dashed into the thickets to drive them from their position. This was gallantly effected, and the command occupied the ground during the night. Believing it unwise to proceed, Colonel McIntosh dispatched an express to General Cadwalader, then at Vera Cruz, apprizing him of the attack made on his command, and that his train had been considerably crippled, and requesting that he might be reinforced as soon as possible. In the morning of the 7th he advanced to Paso de. Ovejas, a more favorable point for an encampment, beating off with little difficulty a second attack made during the march. In this affair Colonel McIntosh lost twenty-four men in killed and wounded; that of the enemy was not ascertained.
General Cadwalader received the dispatch of Colonel McIntosh on the 7th of June, and on the morning of the 8th was en route to reinforce him with about 500 men, consisting of one company of the 3rd dragoons, one section of the howitzer battery from the voltigeur regiment, and a detachment of infantry. He arrived at the camp of Colonel McIntosh on the 10th instant, and on the following afternoon the column resumed its march. Upon approaching the Puente Nacional, towards evening, they found the enemy in possession of the road. The bridge was barricaded, and they also occupied the fort on the left, commanding the road in its circuitous descent to the river, and the heights on the opposite bank, from which they had a raking fire upon the advancing columns, and which could only be reached by crossing the bridge. The Mexicans were first driven from the fort by the infantry; the barricade was then breached by the howitzers, and a passage opened by one company of cavalry and two of infantry. The heights beyond were now carried, and the enemy scattered in confusion. The position was a formidable one, but the Mexicans were driven from it, with the loss of only thirty-two men. The assailants, however, were protected to some extent by the darkness; otherwise their loss must have been more severe. The march was resumed on the 13th, and on the 15th they reached Jalapa, with no other annoyance than an occasional discharge of escopetas from the Chaparral along the road.
At Jalapa General Cadwalader was joined by Colonel Childs,[19] with four companies of the 2nd dragoons, the 1st artillery, and the 2nd Pennsylvania. The command left that city on the 18th instant, and on the 20th found the Mexicans posted in considerable force on the heights commanding the Pass of La Hoya, prepared to intercept their progress. Captain Winder, with four companies of the 1st artillery, supported by Major Dimmick, with two additional companies of the same regiment, advanced against the enemy, and drove them precipitately from the hills. Here the routed guerilleros were unexpectedly attacked in the rear by Captain Walker, with his company of mounted rifles, and the battalion of the 1st Pennsylvania, under Colonel WynWynkoop. — The latter, on hearing of the approach of General Cadwalader, had left Perote, with the companies of his regiment and Captain Walker's men, to aid in driving the guerilleros from the road. Early in the morning of the 20th,Captain Walker, in the advance, encountered nearly five hundred of the enemy at Las Vegas, whom he bravely attacked with his small command of thirty men. Colonel Wynkoop coming up, the guerilleros were soon put to flight — The two parties under General Cadwalader and Colonel Wynkoop, joining in the pursuit of the flying banditti, they were driven from hill to hill, nearly three miles, leaving behind them fifty of their number either dead or wounded.
This was one of the severest blows received by the guerilleros during the war. The party which attacked General Cadwalader at La Hoya, was supposed to be about 700 strong, and was commanded by Father Jarauta, and two other priests, formerly Spanish Carlists, like himself. On reaching Las Vegas, General Cadwalader learned that it was the nursery and dépôt of the marauding parties infesting the road. Under his orders the town was laid in ashes, — the neat Catholic church in its centre alone being spared.
While making preparations at Perote for the march to Puebla, General Cadwalader received an order by express from General Pillow, then coming up from the coast with 1,800 men, to await his arrival. The latter reached Perote on the 1st of July, and the united command, now over 3,000 in number, moved on towards Puebla, where they arrived on the 8th instant, without further interruption.
General Pierce left Vera Cruz on the 16th of July, with 2,500 men, of all arms, including a battalion of marines, under Lieutenant Colonel Watson. His column, with the wagon-train, was nearly two miles in length. On arriving near the National Bridge, he found it obstructed and defended, in the same manner as on the passage of the river by General Cadwalader; but he was unable to place his artillery in a commanding position, and orders were therefore given to charge upon the enemy. Lieutenant Colonel Bonham, of the 12th infantry, at the head of his battalion, rushed forward under a heavy fire from the enemy's escopetas, followed by Captain Duperu, with his company of the 3rd dragoons, sword in hand. The men leaped over the barricade upon the bridge, and in the space of ten minutes the guerilleros were flying in every direction. The command proceeded to the Rio del Plan, where they discovered that the main arch of the bridge had been blown up. Having crossed the river, General Pierce continued on his way to join General Scott. He was five times attacked by the guerilleros, including the rencontre at the Puente Nacional, but repulsed them on every occasion.
On the approach of General Pierce with his reinforcement, General P. F. Smith was sent out from Puebla to clear the road in front of the former, said to be obstructed by the enemy, with a considerable detachment. He succeeded in breaking up a large guerilla establishment at San Juan de los Llaños. General Pierce found the way opened before him, and arrived at Puebla on the 6th of August. General Scott had already issued his orders for the advance to the Mexican capital; and on the 7th instant General Twiggs' division, preceded by the brigade of cavalry under Colonel Harney, took up the line of march for the far-famed halls of the Montezumas. The divisions of Generals Quitman, Worth, and Pillow, followed, at intervals of one day[20] Colonel Childs remained at Puebla, as civil and military governor, with a garrison of about 1,400 men, consisting of detachments from different regiments.
- ↑ Santa Anna did not assume the supreme power until requested to do so by a majority of the members of the Mexican Congress.
- ↑ "In the front of an enemy conquering and menacing, We conjure all Mexicans who love the honor, and even the existence of their country, that henceforth they have but one party, — that of Independence; and but one device, — that of Vengeance and War!" — Extract from an article in the Republicano.
- ↑ These were the infantry regiments and Iregular artillerists, who highly distinguished themselves at the battle of Buena Vista.
- ↑ "The enemy's whole line of intrenchments and batteries will be attacked in front, and at the same time turned, early in the day to — mor — low, — probably before ten o'clock, a. m. "The second (Twiggs') division 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, and take up position across the national road in the enemy's rear, so as to cutoff a retreat towards Jalapa. It may be reinforced to-day, if unexpectedly attacked in force, by regiments, — one or two, — taken from Shields' brigade of volunteers. If not, the two volunteer regiments will march for the 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 the advance.
"The remaining regiment of the 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 six 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 to 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 reverse, or, if abandoned, he will pursue the enemy with vigor until farther 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 nine o'clock in the morning.
"The enemy'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 to — morrow afternoon, or early the next morning, by the baggage — trains of the several corps." — Extract from the order of General Scott, dated at the Plan del Rio, April 17, 1847.
- ↑ Vindication of Santa Anna, by Manuel Maria Jimen, published in El Diario del Gobierno, May, 1847.
- ↑ At the siege and capture of San Juan de Ulua, by the French, the Mexican commander lost one of his limbs; and among the trophies captured by the volunteers, in his carriage, was his Wooden leg, which afforded them and their comrades no little merriment. The personal property was, of course, returned; but it is extremely doubtful whether this appendage ever found its way back to his excellency.
- ↑ In his proclamation to his countrymen announcing the fall of Vera Cruz, Santa Anna said: "If the enemy advance one step more, the national independence will be buried in the abyss of the past." Alluding to this in a postcript. to his official dispatch, General Scott pithily remarked, "We have taken that step."
- ↑ General Quitman did not arrive with the second brigade of volunteers in time to take part in the action.
- ↑ Seven officers were killed or mortally wounded in the battle, viz: Lieutenants Ewell and Davis of the rifles; Lieutenant Yearwood, 1st Tennessee; Lieutenants Nelson and Gill, 2nd Tennessee; and Lieutenants Cowardin and Murphy, 4th Illinois. Captain Mason, of the rifle regiment, also died, some months later, from the effects of a wound received at Cerro Gordo.
- ↑ A portion of the volunteer regiments called out in the fall of 18-16, and winter of 1817, were enlisted to serve twelve months, or during the continuance of the war. This will account for their remaining in service after the expiration of the year, as, it will be seen, was the case.
- ↑ Father Jarauta was engaged in his peaceful avocations as a curate, when the war with the United States first commenced; but he appears very soon to have preferred
"The holy text of pike and gun,"
to the ministration: of his priestly calling.
- ↑ At the battle of St. Jacob, fought August 26th, 1444, sixteen hundred Swiss withstood as many thousand French, led by the Dauphin, and maintained their ground until all but ten of their number were cut down. The wine produced on the field is called Sweitzer Blut.
- ↑ The flag of the gurrilleros was about two feet long, and from twelve to fifteen inches wide. The centre was composed of a bread stripe of crimson, with the motto, No Quarter, wrought upon it with silk; on either side there was a black stripe, of about half the width, ornamented with a death's head and cross-bones. The border was of pale green, with crimson tassels at the points.
- ↑ "The hardest heart would be moved to grief in contemplating the battle-fields of Mexico a moment after the last struggle [Cerro Gordo.] Those generals whom the nation has, without service rendered, paid for so many years, with some honorable exceptions, have, in the day of need, betrayed it by their example or unskilfulness. On that field, among the dead and dying, are seen no proofs of military honor, for they are reduced to the sad fate of the soldier, — the same on every occasion, from Palo Alto to Cerro Gordo, — the dead to remain unburied, and the wounded abandoned to the charity and clemency of the conqueror. Soldiers who go to fight expecting such a recompense, deserve to be classed among the best in the World, since they are stimulated by no hope of ephemeral glory, of regret, of remembrance, or even of a grave.
********
"I will not believe that the Mexicans of the present day are wanting in courage to confess errors which do not dishonor them, and to adopt a system of true liberty, of peace, and union with their brethren and neighbors of the north; neither will I believe that they are ignorant of the falsity of the calumnies of the press, intended to excite hostility. No! — public sentiment is not to 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 this with pride, and we confirm it by your own bishops, and by the clergy of Tampico, Tuspan, Matamoras, Monterey, Vera Cruz, and Jalapa, and by all the authorities, civil and religious, and the inhabitants of every town we have occupied.****
"Abandon then, rancorous prejudices, cease to be the sport of individual ambition, and conduct yourselves like a great American nation; leave off at once colonial habits, and learn to be truly free, truly republican, and you will become prosperous and happy, for you possess all the elements to be so.****
"The order to form guerilla parties to attack us, I assure you can procure nothing but evil to your country, and no evil to our army, which will know how to proceed against them; and if, so far from conciliating, you succeed in irritating, you will impose upon us the hard necessity of retaliation, and then you cannot blame us for the consequences which will fall upon yourselves.
"I am marching with my army upon Puebla and Mexico; I do not conceal it; from those capitals I shall again address you. I desire peace, friendship, and union; — it is for you to select whether you prefer war. Under any circumstances, be assured I shall not fail my word — Extracts from the Proclamation of General Scott.
- ↑ The Mexican name of the city, in full, is, La Puebla de los Angelos.
- ↑ Official dispatch of General Worth, May 15th, 1847. — While General Scott lay at Puebla with the main body of his army, a plan was concocted for poisoning his men. After the project was discovered, the principal part of the troops were ordered to encamp without the city.
- ↑ After leaving Jalapa, the American army became, in the language of General Scott, "a self-sustaining machine;" and drew its subsistence mainly from the country. The supplies were paid for, however, as had previously been done.
- ↑ General Scott also employed a company of Mexican spies, who rendered important services in discovering the haunts of the guerilleros, and in conveying dispatches.
- ↑ Jalapa was abandoned by order of General Scott, who found himself unable to maintain any garrisons on his line of communications_ other than those at Vera Cruz, Perote, and Puebla, Where his hospitall were established.
- ↑ The total rank and file of the army which marched to the capital under General Scott, was 10,738. The cavalry brigade under Colonel Harney, consisted of detachments of the 1st, 2nd, and 3rd dragoons, commanded respectively by Captain Kearny, Major Sumner, and Lieutenant Colonel Moore, and a volunteer company in command of Cap — tain McKinstry of the quartermaster's department. The first division was commanded by General Worth; the first brigade, under Colonel Garland, consisting of Lieutenant Colonel Duncan's light battery, the 2nd artillery, Major Galt, 3rd artillery, Lieutenant Colonel Belton, and 4th infantry, Major Lee; and the second brigade, under Colonel Clarke, consisting of the 5th infantry, Colonel McIntosh, 6th infantry, Major Bonneville, and 8th infantry, Major Waite. The siege train, under Captain Huger of the ordnance, was attached to Worth's division. The second division was commanded by General Twiggs; the first brigade, under General P. F. Smith, consisting of the rifle regiment, Major Loring, the 1st artillery, Major Dimmick, 3rd infantry, Captain Alexander, and Captain Taylor's light battery; and the second brigade, under Col onel Riley. consisting of the 4th artillery, Major Gardner, 2nd infantry, Captain Morris, and 7th infantry, Lieutenant Colonel Plympton. The company of sappers and miners, under Lieutenant G. W. Smith, was attached to Twiggs' division. The third division was commanded by General Pillow; the first brigade,under General Pierce, consisting of the 91h infantry, Colonel Ransom, 152th infantry, Lieutenant Colonel Bonham, and 15th infantry, Colonel Morgan; and the second brigade, under General Cadwalader, consisting of the voltigeuers,with the mountain howitzer and rocket battery, Colonel Andrews, 11th infantry, Lieutenant Colonel Graham, and 14th infantry, Colonel Trousdale. Captain Magruder's light battery was also attached to this division. The fourth division was commanded by General Quitman, and consisted of the South Carolina regiment, Colonel Butler, and the New York volunteers, Colonel Burnett, forming the brigade of General Shields, with the 2nd Pennsylvania, Colonel Roberts, the battalion of marines, Lieutenant Colonel Watson, and Captain Steptoe's battery.