June, the president informed congress that such a proposition had been
made, and requested their advice. At the same time, he reiterated the
views expressed in his annual message, that no compromise, which the
United States ought to accept, could be effected; that our title to the
whole of Oregon was maintained by irrefragable arguments, and that the
claim could not be abandoned, without a sacrifice of both national honor
and interests. Such was the tenor of the president's communication. But
he solicited advice. In a resolution, adopted thirty-eight to twelve,
the senate advised the president to accept the proposal of the British
government, which he accordingly did; and, on the 16th of June, a
convention or treaty, settling boundaries, &c., in relation to Oregon,
was communicated by the president to the senate, by the latter of which
it was ratified, forty-one to fourteen.
The amicable settlement of such a question, which had long subsisted
between the two governments--which had employed, time after time, and
for a series of years, some of the most distinguished statesmen on both
sides the water--which had given birth to warm and excited feelings, and
to warm and contentious words--which had become more embarrassing the
longer negotiations were continued, and which, it was agreed on both
sides, was fast ripening into open rupture and collision--the amicable
settlement of such a question, was a subject worthy of congratulation in
both hemispheres. If the terms of the treaty were not so favorable to
the American nation as might have been obtained, they were such as the
friends of peace and good understanding were willing to accept; and, as
it was admitted that the treaty was consummated through the wisdom and
firmness of the senate, that body received, as it was entitled to
receive, the thanks of the nation.
[Illustration: Surprise of Captain Thornton and Party.]
_Mexican War._--In compliance with the order of the president, already
noticed (p. 729), General Taylor arrived, with the "army of occupation,"
on the 28th of March, before Matamoras. On the same day, the Mexican
general, Ampudia, warned General Taylor to withdraw his forces beyond
the Nueces, which notification was repeated by General Arista, on the
24th of April, who, at that date, superseded Ampudia. On the same day, a
rumor prevailed that the enemy were crossing the river, above and below
the American camp. To ascertain the truth of this rumor, Captain Ker,
with a squadron of dragoons, was directed to reconnoitre between the
camp and the mouth of the river; while another squadron, consisting of
sixty-three dragoons, under Captain Thornton, was sent above for the
same object. The former returned without having seen or heard of a
hostile corps. But the party under Captain Thornton was suddenly
surrounded by a large body of Mexican infantry and cavalry, made
prisoners, and taken to Matamoras. Captain Thornton himself effected an
escape by an extraordinary leap of his horse, which, however,
subsequently fell with and injured him. In endeavoring to return to the
camp, he was taken a few miles from it, and joined his men, as a
prisoner, at Matamoras. This was the first actual fight of the war, and
was the occasion of great exultation on the part of the Mexicans.
_Siege of Fort Brown._--While these events were transpiring,
intelligence was received by General Taylor that Point Isabel, the
harbor on the Texas coast nearest the mouth of the Rio Grande, and
where all his military stores were deposited, was about being
assailed, and that all communication with that important post might
soon be interrupted. This intelligence decided General Taylor at once
to take up his line of march for the Point, and to open a
communication between that and Fort Brown. Arrangements were
accordingly made. Fort Brown was so nearly completed, that under a
competent garrison it might prudently be left. Major Jacob Brown,
after whom the fort was named, was put in command of it, and the
seventh regiment of infantry and two companies of artillery were
assigned as the garrison.
These arrangements having been completed, General Taylor, with the
main body of the army, commenced his march towards Point Isabel. It
was a hazardous, but necessary movement. Of the number, position, and
plans of the enemy he was profoundly ignorant. The Mexican General,
Arista, mistook this movement of General Taylor towards Point Isabel
for a precipitate retreat, and immediately dispatched a courier
extraordinary to Mexico, announcing the fact. In the opinion of some,
he was better informed, but "wished, for ulterior purposes, to create
such an impression among the Mexican soldiers and the Mexican
government." But whatever might have been his ignorance, he soon had
an opportunity to inform himself of the real object of the movement,
and therefore set about endeavoring to destroy Fort Brown.
For two days following the departure of the army, Fort Brown remained
unmolested; but, on the third morning, the Mexicans opened upon it
with a battery of seven guns, killing Sergeant Weigard, but otherwise
effecting no material injury. On leaving the fort, General Taylor had
instructed Major Brown, in case the Mexicans surrounded it, to give
him information by firing the eighteen-pounders at stated intervals.
The contingency having occurred, the critical condition of the fort
was thus communicated to General Taylor, who made instant preparations
to return to its relief. Meanwhile, the bombardment was renewed;
during which, Major Brown was mortally wounded, and was succeeded in
command by Captain Hawkins.
On the 7th and 8th, the bombardment was continued; but about two
o'clock it ceased, when was heard, in the direction of Point Isabel, a
heavy cannonading. It was the presage of relief, as Captain Hawkins
inferred from it that, in whatever contest General Taylor was engaged,
he was urging his return. And so it proved. Towards the close of the
day, intelligence was received that the Americans had "met the enemy,"
and had driven them back towards Matamoras.
_Battle of Palo Alto._--General Taylor had heard the signal-guns at
Fort Brown; and, on the evening of the 7th, left Point Isabel with a
force of about two thousand one hundred men, with a large train of
provisions and military stores. At the distance of seven miles, he
encamped, resuming his march early on the morning of the 8th. In their
progress, they at length reached a broad prairie, bounded by Palo
Alto, a thick grove of dwarfish trees. On either side of the American
army were ponds of water, and beyond them, chapparal. Upon this
prairie, a large body of Mexicans were drawn up in battle array. No
time was lost in the requisite preparations, on the part of the
Americans, and soon a cannonading was commenced on either side, which
for two hours rent the air with its thunders. In the firing of the
Mexicans there was little precision, their missiles almost invariably
passing over the American lines, while the discharges from the
American guns marked their courses with carnage and death.
At the expiration of two hours, the Mexican batteries began to
slacken, and, at length, ceased altogether. They were unable longer to
withstand the terrible and destructive fire of Ringgold's,
Churchill's, Duncan's, and Ridgeley's guns, and began to fall back,
for the purpose of forming a new line of battle under cover of the
smoke. The Americans also formed a new line. At the expiration of an
hour, the action was renewed by our artillery, which was even more
destructive than before. As night was now drawing on, the Mexicans,
bent on one last and most vigorous effort, poured in upon Ringgold's
battery a literal tempest of balls. Captain Page fell, mortally
wounded, a cannon-ball having carried away the whole of his lower-jaw;
and the brave Ringgold, nearly at the same time, had both legs shot
away by a cannon-ball, which passed through his horse. On the 11th, he
died at Point Isabel.
With great spirit and determination did Arista and his army maintain the
contest; but it was in vain. They were at length driven from the field
in hopeless disorder. Night put an end to the contest; and the wearied
and exhausted victors sank upon the field, where they chanced to be,
glad to find opportunity to rest from toil so severe. The force of
General Taylor did not exceed two thousand three hundred; that of Arista
consisted of six thousand infantry, with seven pieces of artillery, and
eight hundred cavalry. The loss of the Americans was but four men
killed--three officers--and thirty-seven wounded. Two hundred Mexicans
were killed; four hundred wounded. Some estimate their loss in killed,
wounded, and missing, little short of one thousand.
[Illustration: Charge of Captain May.]
_Resaca de la Palma._--At two o'clock, on the following day, the
American army moved from the field of victory, at Palo Alto, towards
Fort Brown. Towards evening, what was their surprise when, on
approaching a ravine, called Resaca de la Palma, or the Dry River of
Palma, they discovered the Mexican army occupying this exceedingly
well-selected spot, and drawn up in battle array. A vigorous action
immediately ensued. The Mexican artillery became engaged with Ridgeley's
battery, as the latter moved up the ravine. Generals La Vega and Requena
superintended the former, and the effect of the firing soon began to be
severely felt along the American lines. To dislodge them, became
indispensable to the safety of the Americans. The execution of this duty
was assigned to Captain May, whose celebrated charge now took place. "I
will do it," said May; and, turning to his troops, he rose in his
stirrups, pointed to the guns before them, now pouring forth their
terrific explosions, and exclaimed, "Remember your regiment! men,
follow!" He struck his charger, and bounded on before them, while a
deafening cheer answered his call; and immediately the whole were
dashing towards the cannons' mouths. May outstripped them--fortunately,
wonderfully did he escape, and wonderful was it that so many of his
squadron escaped, exposed, as they were, to a fire which swept fearfully
along the very line they were pursuing. Some, indeed, there met an
untimely fate--seven men, among whom were the brave and noble-hearted
Inge and Sacket. Terrific as was the scene, May and his followers
pressed on. As they approached the battery, at a single bound, May's
horse cleared it. The horses of a few others were equal to the leap, and
their impetus carried them beyond the guns. Wheeling again, they drove
the gunners off, and Captain Graham, and Lieutenants Pleasantson and
Winship, with others, coming up, were masters of the battery. General La
Vega was made prisoner. The American infantry now charged the Mexican
line; for a time, the latter fought desperately, and sustained
themselves with stubborn bravery; but, at length, yielding to necessity,
they precipitately fled from the field. In this battle, only the
outlines of which we give, the Americans captured eight pieces of
artillery, several standards, large military stores, and several hundred
prisoners. The loss of the Americans, in both these actions, was three
officers and forty men killed. Besides the officers already named, was
Lieutenant Cochrane. Thirteen officers and one hundred men were wounded.
The Mexican loss was one hundred and fifty-four officers and men killed;
two hundred and five wounded; missing, one hundred and fifty-six.
General Taylor, following the battle, continued his march to Fort Brown;
and, on the 18th, took possession of Matamoras, the Mexican settlement
opposite.
_Fall of Monterey._--Following the occupation of Matamoras,
preparations were made, by order of the government, for an advance
into the interior of Mexico. During these preparations, which occupied
the space of three months, several Mexican villages, Reinosa, Wier,
Revilla, and Camargo, were taken possession of. This last place,
situated about one hundred and eighty miles above the mouth of the Rio
Grande, was selected as a _dépôt_ of supplies; and to this point, the
several divisions of General Taylor's army were at length
concentrated. The first of these divisions, two thousand and eighty,
was commanded by General Twiggs; the second, one thousand seven
hundred and eighty, by General Worth; the third, two thousand eight
hundred and ten, by General Butler.
On the 19th of September, these several divisions reached a place called
Walnut Springs, distant from Monterey three miles. The capture of this
city was now the immediate object in view. It was a strongly-fortified
place, with a competent garrison under command of General Ampudia. On
the evening of the 19th, a reconnoisance of the fortifications was made;
and, on the following day, the attack was commenced by the division of
General Worth. On the 21st, the attack was renewed, and two fortified
heights were taken; the guns of one of which was turned upon the
bishop's palace, which had been rendered exceedingly strong. On the 22d,
other heights, above the bishop's palace, were carried, and, soon after,
the palace itself. As these fortifications, in a measure, commanded the
city, the enemy, on the night of the 22d, evacuated all his defences in
the lower part. On the morning of the 23d, the streets of the upper part
of the city became the scene of action. Here the battle raged. All that
day the firing was kept up; the American troops proceeded from house to
house--from square to square--the Mexicans resisting them at every step.
The carnage was frightful.
Early on the 24th, Ampudia prepared to evacuate the town; a suspension
of hostilities was, therefore, arranged till twelve o'clock; during
which, at the request of Ampudia, General Taylor had an interview with
him, which resulted in a capitulation; placing the town and materials of
war, with certain exceptions, in the possession of the American general.
The city was found to be of great strength. There were mounted
forty-two pieces of cannon. The Mexican force consisted of seven
thousand troops of the line and two or three thousand irregulars. The
American force was four hundred and twenty-five officers, and six
thousand two hundred and twenty men. The artillery was one ten-inch
mortar, two twenty-four pound howitzers, and four light field
batteries, of four guns each.
The American loss was twelve officers and one hundred and eight men
killed; thirty-one officers and three hundred and thirty-seven men
wounded. The loss of the Mexicans was still more considerable. An
armistice was allowed by General Taylor, of eight weeks, subject to be
revoked by either government. On receiving intelligence of the
armistice and its conditions, the American government, it is said,
directed its termination. The Mexican army was permitted to retire,
and marched out with the honors of war.
_Victory at Buena Vista._--For some months following the occupation of
Monterey, General Taylor was variously employed; during which time,
with what he had already achieved, the conquest of the provinces of
New Mexico, New Leon, Coahuila, and Tamaulipas, in the Mexican
republic, had been effected.
As an advance still farther into the interior of Mexico was ordered by
the government, General Worth, with his division, had some time
previously been sent forward to take the pass at Saltillo, fifty miles
west of Monterey. To this point, leaving a force of one thousand five
hundred men to garrison Monterey, General Taylor directed his course
on the 31st of January, and, on the 2d of February, reached Saltillo.
His effective force at this time was about five thousand. On the 4th
of February, he advanced upon Agua Nueva, a strong position on the
road leading from Saltillo to San Luis; at which place intelligence
was received, on the 21st, that Santa Anna, the Mexican
general-in-chief, with an army exceeding twenty thousand men, was on
the advance. Finding his present position, at Agua Nueva, less
favorable for a conflict with a force so overwhelming, he fell back
upon Buena Vista, a strong mountain-pass, eleven miles nearer
Saltillo. Of the five thousand troops, of which his army was composed,
less than five hundred were regulars; while, on the other hand, the
army of Santa Anna consisted of the flower of the Mexican nation. The
odds were fearful, being more than four to one.
At length, on the 22d of February, the Mexican army bore down upon
General Taylor, whose troops, now formed in order of battle, calmly
awaited the approach of the Mexican host. Halting his army at some
little distance, Santa Anna sent a summons to General Taylor to
surrender; to which the hero of Palo Alto very politely, but laconically
replied, "I beg leave to say, that I decline acceding to your request."
Still, the enemy forbore, for a time, an attack, evidently waiting the
arrival of his rear columns. But on the morning of the 23d, the
conflict between the armies began. A full description of the battle
would occupy pages. Few engagements were ever entered upon when the
forces were so unequal in numbers. That victory should declare for
Taylor and his five thousand troops, is the wonder and admiration of
all military men. But while all due praise is accorded to the infantry
and the few cavalry engaged, the most effectual work was accomplished
by the artillery. The American artillery cannot probably be excelled.
At one moment--a most critical and anxious moment it was--when it
seemed nearly impossible but that the Mexican army should
overpower--if by no other means, by the force of numbers--Captain
Bragg was ordered to take a particular position with his battery, the
Mexican line being but a few yards from the muzzle of his pieces. The
first discharge of the cannister caused the enemy--probably advancing
as they were--to pause and hesitate; while a second and third
discharge drove them back in disorder; and, in the words of General
Taylor, "saved the day."
That night--it was a night intensely cold--the American soldiers were
compelled to bivouac without fires, expecting that the morning would
renew the conflict. During the night, the wounded were removed to
Saltillo. The following day, prisoners were exchanged, the dead were
collected and buried; and it may be added, that the Mexican wounded,
left upon the field by Santa Anna, were sent to Saltillo, and
comfortably provided for.
The loss of the Americans during the action was, killed, two hundred
and sixty-seven; wounded, four hundred and fifty-six; missing,
twenty-three. The Mexican loss in killed and wounded was supposed to
amount to two thousand--five hundred of whom were left upon the field
of battle. "Our loss," says General Taylor in his official dispatch,
"has been especially severe in officers, twenty-eight having been
killed upon the field. We have to lament the death of Captain George
Lincoln, assistant adjutant-general, serving in the staff of General
Wool--a young officer of high bearing and approved gallantry, who fell
early in action. No loss falls more heavily upon the army in the field
than that of Colonels Hardin and McKee, and Lieutenant-colonel Clay.
Possessing in a remarkable degree the confidence of their commands,
and the last two having enjoyed the advantage of a military education,
I had looked particularly to them for support, in case we met the
enemy. I need not say, that their zeal in engaging the enemy, and the
cool and steadfast courage with which they maintained their positions
during the day, fully realized my hopes, and caused me to feel yet
more sensibly their untimely loss."
The annals of American warfare probably do not furnish a more remarkable
victory than this of Buena Vista, whether we consider the inequality of
the forces engaged--the character of the forces, being nearly all
volunteers on the American side, and regular troops on the other--or the
decisive nature of the victory itself. Most remarkable were the coolness
and gallantry displayed; but it must be remembered that that coolness
and gallantry were, in no slight degree, the result of those qualities
which so eminently distinguished the commanding general himself.
_Capture of Vera Cruz._--Events connected with the prosecution of the
war, will require us in the next place to speak of transactions in
another quarter of that agitated and long-distracted country.
Some two hundred miles south-easterly of the capital, on the Gulf of
Mexico, is situated the city of Vera Cruz--a place of considerable
mercantile importance, and nearly opposite to which is a small island,
on which stands the castle of San Juan d'Ulloa, a fortress long
celebrated for its impregnable strength.
The reduction of this fortress, and the capture of this most important
maritime town belonging to Mexico, had for some time engaged the
attention of the American government. For a time, the well-known
strength of the fortress, and the danger arising from the vomito, of
garrisoning that and the city, in case of their reduction, strongly
operated against the enterprise. But their importance to the final and
more speedy termination of the war, at length decided the president
and his advisers to hazard the expedition. It being impracticable to
withdraw General Taylor from the theatre of his signal victories, the
enterprise was intrusted to the long-tried and accomplished General
Scott.
In obedience to his orders, General Scott left Washington on the 24th
of November, on this great and doubtful enterprise. On the 1st of
January, he reached the Rio Grande. The troops destined for this
expedition, among whom was a considerable portion of the army under
General Taylor, were directed to rendezvous at Lesbos, an island about
one hundred and twenty-five miles north-west of Vera Cruz. From this
point, the army was transported to the west of the island of
Sacrificios. The landing of the troops having been effected without
direct opposition, although the guns and castles, of the city kept up
a constant firing with round shot and thirteen-inch shells, the
several divisions of the army took their respective positions for the
purpose of investment and siege.
Soon after the commencement of the siege, a "norther" prevailed, which
rendered it impossible to land heavy ordnance. On the 17th, a pause
occurred in the storm, and ten mortars, four twenty-four-pound guns,
and some howitzers were landed. On the night of the 18th, the trenches
were opened, and--engineers, with sappers and miners, leading the
way--the army gradually closed in nearer the city.
On the 22d of March--seven of the ten-inch mortars being in battery, and
other works in progress--General Scott summoned the governor of Vera
Cruz to surrender the city. This he refused. On the return of the flag,
the mortar-battery, at a distance of eight hundred yards from the city,
opened its fire, and continued to fire during the day and night.
On the 24th, the batteries were rëinforced with twenty-four pounders
and Paixhan guns. On the 25th, all the batteries were in "awful
activity." Terrible was the scene! The darkness of the night was
illuminated with blazing shells circling through the air. The roar of
artillery, and the heavy fall of descending shot, were heard
throughout the streets of the besieged city. The roofs of buildings
were on fire. The domes of churches reverberated with fearful
explosions. The sea was reddened with the broadsides of ships. The
castle of San Juan returned from its heavy batteries the fire, the
light, the smoke, the noise of battle. Such was the sublime and
awfully-terrible scene, as beheld from the trenches of the army, from
the 22d to the 25th of March.
Early on the morning of the 26th, General Landers, on whom the command
had been devolved by General Morales, made overtures of surrender.
Late on the night of the 27th, the articles of capitulation were
signed and exchanged.