CHAPTER XIV.
CAMPAIGN ON THE RIO GRANDE.
MARCH-MAY, 1846.
Taylor Moves to Point Isabel — Advance against Matamoros — Erection of Fort Texas — Arista Appointed General-in-Chief — The Mexicans Assume the Offensive — Capture of Captain Thornton's Command — Taylor Retires to Point Isabel — Bombardment of Fort Texas — The Battle of Palo Alto — Arista Retreats to Resaca de la Palma — Description of the Field — The Battle — Defeat of the Mexicans — The Garrison at Fort Texas — Death of Major Brown — Arista's Retreat to Linares — Taylor Occupies Matamoros.
The instructions to General Taylor, ordering him to advance from Corpus Christi and occupy positions on or near the east bank of the Rio Grande, were given January 13, 1846, and at the same time vessels were sent to reënforce the gulf squadron. Taylor was, how ever, directed to await further orders relative to the question of common right to navigate the river, but was not to confine himself to the defensive in case any 2act of open hostility should be committed by Mexico. Later instructions ordered him under all circumstances to protect private property, respect personal rights, and refrain from interference in religious matters.[1]
On the 8th of March he broke up his camp at Corpus Christi, and having decided to make Point Isabel[2] his military depôt, the greater portion of his stores
- ↑ U. S. Govt Doc., Cong. 29, Ses. 1, H. Ex. 196, p. 18 et seq., 77 et seq.; 337, pp. 82-4. Mansfield states that Taylor was ordered to advance to the Rio Grande before the government at Washington had received the correspondence of Slidell with Peña y Peña. Mex. War, 30-1.
- ↑ The Mexican name for this place is Fronton de Santa Isabel. Fronton means a steep rocky eminence on a sea-shore.
