The reply was what might have been expected — a prompt and decided refusal.[1]
At two o'clock the battalions of Mexican light infantry, under General Ampudia, commenced deploying to the right, evidently intending to outflank the Americans and secure the heights overlooking the broad plateau east of the battery in the road, while a large howitzer opened its fire upon the left of the line. General Lane moved forward with a section of Washington's battery under Lieutenant O'Brien, and the 2nd Indiana regiment, on the left of the 2nd Illinois, to check the movement. A demonstration was also ob-
- ↑ The correspondence between Santa Anna and General Taylor was remarkable for its boastful tone on the one hand, and its emphatic brevity on the other. It was as follows: —
Summons of Santa Anna.
"You are surrounded by twenty thousand men, and cannot in any human probability avoid suffering a rout, and being cut to pieces with your troops; but as you deserve consideration and particular esteem, I wish to save you from a catastrophe, and for that purpose give you this notice in order that you may surrender at discretion, under the assurance that you-will be treated with the consideration belonging to the Mexican character, to which end you will be granted an hour's time to make up your mind, to commence from the moment when my flag of truce arrives in your camp.
"With this view, I assure you of my particular consideration. "God and Liberty. Camp at Encanada, February 22, 1847.
"Anto. Lopez de Santa Anna."To General Z. Taylor.
Commanding the forces of the U. S."Reply of General Taylor.
"Head-quarters. Army of Occupation,
Near Buena Vista, Feb. '22, 1847.
"Sir: — In reply to your note of this date, summoning me to surrender my force at discretion, I beg leave to say that I decline acceding to your request" With high respect, I an., sir,
"Your obedient servant,Z. Taylor,
"Major General, U. S. A. Comm'g.
"Señor Gen. D. Anto. Lopez de Santa Anna,
Commanding in chief, Encantada."
