and the army at San Luis numbered over 20,000 well-trained troops, amply provided with munitions of war.[1] But Santa Anna took his time in perfecting the organization of his army. Cramped by want of funds, he felt that it would be unwise to hastily move his large force, under circumstances that would tend to damp the ardor of the men. He was ill supplied with provisions and army clothing necessary for a campaign through the sterile regions which separated him from the enemy. But these considerations had no weight with the impatient public. The opposition press gravely censured his inactivity, as his delay at San Luis was called, and attributed it to an unwillingness to enter upon the campaign, proceeding from sinister motives. The effect of all this was exasperating, and finally drove him prematurely to march against Taylor in the most inclement season of the year, ill provided against the natural difficulties with which he would have to contend.[2] Apprised, moreover, of the withdrawal of a large portion of Taylor's force, he really hoped by a rapid movement to surprise and crush him.
On the 28th of January he began his march. His army numbered 18,183 men of all arms, and was divided into three divisions under the generals Pacheco, Lombardini, and Ortega. He had, moreover, twenty pieces of artillery of varying calibre,[3] and General
- ↑ According to Méx., Apunt. Hist. Guerra, 76-7, the number amounted to 19,996. To this number should be added 1,541 chiefs and officers — exclusive of 16 generals — and a brigade 1,000 strong, under Gen. Parrodi, which joined the army later at Matehuala. Ramsey's Other Side, 95, 97. From a private letter written from San Luis Potosí Nov. 14, 1846, to a person in Mexico, and published in El Monitor, it is stated: There are here 25,000 men — rather more than less — 52 pieces of artillery, and a good assortment of powder and balls of all sizes.' Reproduced in El Sonorense, Jan. 1, 1847, tom. i., no. 21, p. 4. See also Rápida Ojeada, Campaña Santa Anna, 4.
- ↑ Santa Anna, Apelacion, 23-4. 'Así es que éste [Santa Anna] salió de San Luis para la Angostura, escaso de víveres y armas.' Méx., Apunt. Hist. Guerra, 77.
- ↑ Namely, three 24-pounders, three 16, five 12, and eight 8 pounders, and one howitzer, according to Santa Anna's general orders of Jan. 28th, found on the battle-field of Buena Vista, and a translation of which is given in U. S. Govt Doc., Cong. 30, Ses. 1, Sen. Ex. 1, p. 154-6. See also Santa Anna, Apelacion, 24-5.
