General Quitman's movements to San Antonio and Coyoacan--Movements of
General Pillow--General reconnoissance by Scott--Chapultepec--Scott
announces his line of attack--Surrender of the Mexican General
Bravo--Preparations to move on the capital--Entry of General
Scott into the City of Mexico--General Quitman made Military
Governor--General Scott's orders--Movements of Santa Anna--General
Lane--American and Mexican deserters--Orders as to collection of
duties and civil government.
General Quitman, who, it will be remembered, was to march from San
Augustin to Coyoacan on the 8th, having heard firing in the direction
of Tacubaya, moved, early on September 8th, to San Antonio, and from
thence on to Coyoacan. A reconnoissance was made in the afternoon by
General Pillow as far as the town of Piedad and the Niño Perdido
roads, one of which leads to the Belen gate of the city and the other
through a gate of the same name. These roads run parallel to each
other, about three fourths of a mile apart. On the 9th, General Scott,
accompanied by Captain R.E. Lee, made an examination of the works near
the San Antonio gate, where they discovered Mexican soldiers busily at
work. On the 9th Riley took position to the right of Piedad, and was
joined on the 11th by Smith's brigade and Francis Taylor's and Edward
James Steptoe's batteries.
An advanced post of the enemy was evacuated on the approach of the
Americans on the night of the 9th and occupied; this force was
strengthened by both infantry and artillery, and a bridge was thrown
over a ditch in front of it for the passage of cannon. Colonel Harvey,
on the night of the 10th, occupied Mexcoac with the Second Dragoons
for the purpose of protecting the hospitals and stores there. General
Scott called a meeting of his general officers and informed them of
his plan of attack. He had determined to attack either the San Antonio
Garita or Chapultepec and the western gates. After hearing the
opinions of his officers, who differed on the place of attack, General
Scott determined to make the movement on Chapultepec and the western
gate, and he so announced.
A reconnoissance was made on the morning of the 11th, with a view to
the location of the batteries. The locations selected by Captain
Hugér, who was sent for the purpose, were adopted. The division of
Quitman was ordered to unite with Pillow near Piedad in the evening,
and after nightfall both divisions were to move to Tacubaya. Twiggs
was ordered to remain in front of the southern gates and divert the
enemy's attention.
Major Sumner with seven companies was to march at daylight and join
Pillow. Chapultepec is a natural fortification, rising one hundred and
fifty feet above the valley. A large building, the Military School, is
on its summit, and it is bounded on the west by the Molino del Rey.
The grounds are surrounded by a thick wall some fifteen feet in
height. It is situated two miles from the Belen gate, and was regarded
as the key to the city. The officer in command was General D.
Nicholas Bravo, an officer of skill, distinction, and courage. Second
in command was General D. Mariano Monterde. The chief of engineers was
D. Juan Cano, and D. Manuel Gamboa commandant of artillery. Generals
Noriega and Perez were afterward attached to the command. The orders
of the 11th to Quitman and Pillow were to march to Tacubaya, where
they awaited further orders.
The attack was begun by the batteries of Drum and Peter Valentine
Hagner, and the fire proved to be well directed. The guns at the
castle answered promptly and kept up a vigorous cannonade. When there
was some cessation of firing from the castle, Captain Lee, under
direction of General Scott, using the wall of the aqueduct as a
parapet, placed two pieces of artillery under Captain Horace Brooks,
which opened fire. Steptoe's battery kept up a continuous firing.
Santa Anna, who was deceived at the point of attack, on hearing the
guns of Steptoe, moved at once to Candelaria and San Antonio Garita,
where he expected the attack. At noon he repaired to Chapultepec, and,
taking charge of a battalion, moved to re-enforce a work which was
being attacked. The Americans opened fire on this force and compelled
it to withdraw. General Bravo, expecting an assault, asked for
re-enforcements, which General Santa Anna promised should be furnished
in time. In the meantime the Governor of the State of Mexico had
arrived with seven hundred men, having reached a point near Tacubaya
on the 11th, and his arrival greatly increased the Mexicans' hopes.
Not being joined by cavalry as he expected, the Governor remained
inactive on the 11th, 12th, and 13th. Quitman's division, with United
States Marines and a company of New York volunteers, remained in the
rear near the Tacubaya road during the 12th.
It was now determined by General Scott to resume the bombardment early
next morning, and to attack with the columns under Quitman and Pillow.
In aid of this a storming party was detailed from Worth's division of
ten officers and two hundred and sixty men, under command of Captain
Samuel McKenzie, Second Artillery, and a like detail from Twiggs's
division under Captain Silas Casey, Second Infantry, in support of
Pillow's movement, and General P.F. Smith's brigade of Twiggs's
division was ordered to the support of Quitman. The bombardment was
renewed early on the morning of the 13th. Four companies of the
voltigeur regiment, under Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph E. Johnston, were
instructed, on the cessation of firing, to move rapidly under cover of
the wall and enter the inclosure at its opening. Four companies under
Colonel Timothy P. Andrews were ordered to unite with Johnston, deploy
as skirmishers, and drive the enemy from his shelter. McKenzie was
ordered to move in the rear of Johnston, with orders to follow the
latter through the breach and advance rapidly and carry the main work
by assault. A force of men carrying scaling ladders were placed with
Johnston. Colonel William Trousdale, with the Eleventh and Fourteenth
Regiments, and one section of Magruder's battery, under command of
Lieutenant Thomas Jonathan Jackson, was placed in position in the road
leading on the left of Chapultepec to the city, and ordered to advance
and prevent an advance of the enemy in that direction. General
Cadwallader was directed by General Pillow to execute the orders.
General Smith's brigade had orders to move on the right of the column
of attack and cut off the retreat of the enemy in that direction.
General Scott now notified the commanding officers of the attacking
forces to be ready to move when the signal was given. The troops moved
forward promptly at the signal, and after a brave and desperate
struggle its gallant defender, General Bravo, surrendered. With the
exception of Riley's brigade, Steptoe's battery, and the garrison at
Mexcoac, all of the American army were engaged. General Scott's forces
engaged amounted to about seven thousand five hundred men. The Mexican
authorities state that eight hundred men were in Chapultepec. The
brigades of Rangel and Peña were stationed near. The Mexicans engaged
did not probably exceed four thousand men.
[Illustration: OPERATIONS OF THE AMERICAN ARMY
IN THE
VALLEY OF MEXICO
in August and September
1847.]
Among the prisoners captured were Generals Monterde, Saldana, and
Norriega, the former superintendent of the military school, and forty
of his pupils. On the commencement of the engagement these youths
deserted their schoolrooms, and, arming themselves, joined in the
defense of Chapultepec and fought with great bravery.
Preparations were now made for an advance and the capture of the
capital. The pursuit of the retreating enemy was followed on two roads
leading to the city, and there was considerable desultory fighting. At
1 o'clock A.M. on the 14th a deputation of citizens arrived at General
Worth's headquarters, who were sent by him, under charge of Major
William W. Mackall, to General Scott's headquarters. They reported
that General Santa Anna had fled from the city, leaving it with the
civil authorities, and they came to ask favorable terms of surrender.
General Scott declined to make any terms with them, telling them that
the city had practically been in his possession from the day before;
that he would levy a moderate tax, and would be governed by no terms
except his own and such only as the honor and dignity of the United
States would require. Early on the morning of the 14th a white flag
was displayed at the Garita de Belen, and General Quitman was
requested to take possession, as the city had been evacuated by the
Mexican army. Leaving a guard at the Belen gate, General Quitman
marched his command and took possession of the citadel. Leaving the
Second Pennsylvania Regiment at the citadel, he marched to the Grand
Plaza, followed by Steptoe's battery. The Marine Battalion was placed
in the National Palace, and the American flag was hoisted from its
summit. Lieutenant G.T. Beauregard was dispatched to notify General
Scott. About eight o'clock the general in chief, accompanied by his
staff, with an escort of cavalry, all in full dress, passed through
the northwestern angle into the Grand Plaza. The line of soldiers
presented arms, lowered colors, and gave the drum beat. General Scott
uncovered in acknowledgment of the salute, dismounted, and passed into
the _porte-cochère_ of the palace, followed by Generals Quitman and
Smith and officers of the staff. He said, "Gentlemen, we must not be
too elated with our success." Then turning, he said: "Let me present
to you the Civil and Military Governor of the City of Mexico,
Major-General John A. Quitman. I appoint him at this instant. He has
earned the distinction, and he shall have it." The general then
ascended the stairway and at once wrote General Order No. 284, as
follows:
"HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY,
"MEXICO, _September 14, 1847_.
"1. Under the favor of God, the valor of this army, after many
glorious victories, has hoisted the colors of our country in the
capital of Mexico and on the palace of its Government.
"2. But the war is not yet ended. The Mexican army and Government
have fled, only to watch an opportunity to turn upon us with
vengeance. We must, then, be upon our guard.
"3. Companies and regiments will be kept together, and all stand on
the alert. Our safety is in military discipline.
"4. Let there be no drunkenness, no disorders, no straggling.
Stragglers will be in great danger of assassination, and marauders
shall be punished by courts-martial.
"5. All the rules so honorably observed by this glorious army in
Puebla must be observed here. The honor of the army and the honor of
our country call for the best behavior on the part of all. To win
the approbation of their country, the valiant must be sober,
orderly, and merciful. His noble brethren in arms will not be deaf
to this hearty appeal from their commander and friend.
"6. Major-General Quitman is appointed Civil and Military Governor
of Mexico.
"By command of Major-General Scott.
"H.L. SCOTT,
"_Acting Assistant Adjutant General_."
Firing having been heard in the street, General Scott said to an
officer: "Will you have the kindness to go and say to our volunteer
friends that it is unsoldierlike, bad manners, and dangerous to
discharge arms in a city, and to say to their officers that it must
not occur again. None of us desire, I am sure, to hear more musketry."
When the officer returned he informed the general that it was not the
volunteers, but Mexicans, who were firing from the roofs of houses.
Orders were at once issued to place soldiers in the steeples of
churches and on the roofs of houses as sharpshooters, to sweep the
streets with artillery if necessary, and to break open and enter all
houses from which the troops were fired upon. The prompt execution of
this order soon had the effect of putting a stop to the firing and
restoring order in the city.
The retreating Mexican infantry on its arrival at Guadalupe received
orders from General Santa Anna to move to Tlalnepantla. One of the
Mexican battalions having discharged its guns without orders and the
sound being heard, Santa Anna, believing it to have proceeded from the
American army, gave orders to countermarch. On learning the truth, the
order was countermanded and the march resumed. General Herrera was
then ordered with artillery and infantry to march to Queretaro, while
Santa Anna would move on Puebla and surprise and capture the small
garrison left there by General Scott.
General Santa Anna, learning of the street firing in the city,
supposed that the Mexicans had rallied and were contesting the
possession of the capital by the Americans. He received this
information from Prospero Terez, one of the leaders of the mob, who
urged him to return. He at once dispatched a staff officer to General
Herrera, ordering his return, and took up the line of march for the
capital. Learning on his approach that the Mexicans under Alvarez in
their attempt on the city were unsuccessful, he revoked his order to
Herrera and ordered him to proceed to Queretaro. Very soon he again
sent orders to countermarch and move to the capital. Again he ordered
Herrera to move on Queretaro, when he marched to Guadalupe and issued
a call for a junta to meet on the 16th.
From General Scott's report we learn that the loss in his army in the
various engagements around and in the City of Mexico amounted to two
thousand seven hundred and three. The whole force engaged in the
capture of the capital was less than six thousand. The Mexicans admit
that their force for the defense of the capital was about twenty
thousand, with one hundred and four cannon. The Mexican army
encountered by General Scott on his move to the capital was not less
than thirty thousand. In nearly if not quite all of the engagements
they were intrenched, and occupied their own chosen positions. Of
these, the American army killed or wounded not less than seven
thousand officers and men, captured three thousand seven hundred and
thirty prisoners, more than twenty colors and standards, seventy-five
pieces of ordnance, besides fifty-seven wall pieces, twenty thousand
stand of small arms, and a large quantity of ammunition.
Following are orders issued by General Scott after the occupation of
the capital:
"HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, NATIONAL PALACE OF MEXICO,
"_September 16, 1847_.
"GENERAL ORDERS NO. 286.
"The general in chief calls upon his brethren in arms to return,
both in private and public worship, thanks and gratitude to God for
the signal triumph which they have recently achieved for their
country. Beginning with August 10th and ending the 14th inst., this
army has gallantly fought its way through the fields and forts of
Contreras, San Antonio, Churubusco, Molino del Rey, Chapultepec, and
the gates of San Cosme and Tacubaya, into the capital of Mexico.
When the very limited number who have performed these brilliant
deeds shall have become known, the world will be astonished and our
own countrymen filled with joy and admiration. But all is not yet
done. The enemy, though scattered and dismayed, has still many
fragments of his late army hovering about us, and, aided by an
exasperated population, he may again unite in treble our numbers and
fall upon us to advantage if we rest inactive in the security of
past victories. Compactness, vigilance, and discipline are therefore
our only securities. Let every good officer and man look to these
cautions and enjoin them on all others.
"By command of Major-General Scott.
"H.L. SCOTT,
"_Acting Assistant Adjutant General_."
"HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, NATIONAL PALACE OF MEXICO,
"_September 17, 1847_.
"GENERAL ORDERS NO. 287.
"The general in chief republishes, with important additions, his
General Order No. 20, of February 19, 1847, declaring martial law to
govern all who may be concerned. There are nineteen paragraphs in
the order. (See Ex. Doc. No. 1, Thirtieth Congress, first session,
Senate.) The last seven will be copied.
"13. The administration of justice, both in civil and criminal
matters, through the ordinary courts of the country, shall nowhere
and in no degree be interrupted by any officer or soldier of the
American forces except, first, in case where an officer or soldier,
agent, servant, or follower of the army may be a party; and second,
in political cases--that is, prosecutions against other individuals
on the allegation that they have given friendly information, aid, or
assistance to the American forces.
"14. For the care and safety of both parties in all cities and towns
occupied by the American army, a Mexican police shall be established
and duly harmonized with the military police of said forces.
"15. This splendid capital, its churches and religious worship, its
convents and monasteries, its inhabitants and property, are,
moreover, placed under the special safeguard of the faith and honor
of the American army.
"16. In consideration of the foregoing protection, a contribution of
one hundred and fifty thousand dollars is imposed on this capital,
to be paid in four weekly installments of thirty-seven thousand five
hundred dollars each, beginning on Monday next, the 20th inst., and
terminating on Monday, October 11th.
"17. The Ayuntamiento, or corporate authority of the city, is
specially charged with the collection and payment of the several
installments.
"18. Of the whole contribution to be paid over to this army, twenty
thousand dollars shall be appropriated to the purchase of extra
comforts for the wounded and sick in hospital, ninety thousand
dollars to the purchase of blankets and shoes for gratuitous
distribution among the rank and file of the army, and forty
thousand dollars reserved for other necessary military purposes.
"19. This order shall be read at the head of every company of the
United States forces serving in Mexico, and translated into Spanish
for the information of the Mexicans.
"By command of Major-General Scott.
"H.L. SCOTT,
"_Acting Assistant Adjutant General_."
"HEADQUARTERS OF THE ARMY, NATIONAL PALACE OF MEXICO,
"_September 18, 1847_.
"GENERAL ORDERS NO. 289.
"1. The army by degrees, and beginning as soon as practicable, will
be distributed and quartered over the city as follows:
"2. The first division (Worth's) in or near the direct route from
the San Cosme toward the cathedral and extending a little beyond the
east end of the Alameda. This division will keep a competent guard
with two guns of medium caliber at that gate.
"3. The second division (Twiggs's) about the Grand Plaza and
extending toward the gate of San Lazaro, or the Penon, at which it
will keep a guard and two pieces of artillery, as above.
"4. The third division (Pillow's) on or near the direct route from
the gate of Peralvillo, or Guadalupe, toward the cathedral, but not
south of the convent of San Domingo, and will keep a guard of two
pieces of artillery at that gate.
"5. The volunteer division (Quitman's) on or near the direct route
from the gate of San Antonio toward the cathedral, but not north of
the Hospital of Jesus, and will keep a guard with two pieces of
artillery, as above, at that gate.
"6. The brigade of cavalry (Colonel Harney's) will be quartered in
the cavalry barracks near the National Palace (marked on the plan of
the city small m). This brigade will furnish daily a detachment of a
corporal and six men to the respective gates of division, to serve
as couriers between the gates and the commanders of the respective
divisions, and for no other purposes.
"7. No private house shall be occupied by any corps or officers
until all suitable public buildings within the above ranges shall be
first fully occupied, and all officers attached to troops shall be
quartered with or near their troops.
"8. No rent shall be paid by the United States for any buildings
occupied by troops or officers without a special direction from
general headquarters; nor shall any private house be occupied or
quartered without the free consent of the owner or orders from
general headquarters. No deviations from these injunctions will be
tolerated.
"9. The collection of customs or duties at the several gates of the
city by the civil authorities of the same will be continued as
heretofore until modified by the Civil and Military Governor,
Major-General Quitman, according to the views of the general in
chief; but supplies belonging to the quartermaster and commissary
departments will at once be exempted from all duties.
"By command of Major-General Scott.
"H.L. SCOTT,
"_Acting Assistant Adjutant General_."
The effect of the strict enforcement of these admirable orders was to
bring the American army under a discipline which won for them the
confidence of the people of the city, and to revive and restore trade,
open up the churches, and, as near as could be done under the
circumstances, to place matters in the city _in statu quo ante
bellum_. At the meeting of the junta called by General Santa Anna he
tendered his resignation as President of the Republic and of the
command of the army. Under the Constitution of Mexico the office
devolved upon Manuel de la Peña y Peña, who at once assumed it, and
Santa Anna set out with a view to the capture of Puebla and the
occupation of the road leading to the coast.
Instead of marching on Puebla, Santa Anna turned his forces toward
Queretaro, but in a few days countermarched. After two or three
maneuvers of this kind, he finally invested Puebla with about fifteen
hundred cavalry and four field pieces. He summoned Colonel Childs, who
was in command, to surrender on the score of humanity. Santa Anna
represented his force at eight thousand men, and threatened assault.
Colonel Childs declined to surrender, and made preparations to resist
the assault by strengthening his position. The threatened assault was
not made. On October 1st Santa Anna raised the siege of Puebla and
marched toward El Pinal to intercept a train of wagons with supplies
and re-enforcements, leaving General Rea with sufficient force to
continue operations against the Americans. The Americans were so
annoyed by continuous firing from the housetops that Captain William
F. Small, First Pennsylvania Infantry, was ordered to dig through the
walls of the houses until he had gained a point which would command a
barricade that had been thrown up by the Mexicans. The enemy was
driven off, leaving seventeen dead on the ground; the barricade was
then burned. Hostile parties were constantly annoying the garrison,
until two companies of the First Pennsylvania regiment were sent out
and dispersed them. Many skirmishes took place, which invariably
resulted disastrously to the enemy.
General Joseph Lane's efforts to exterminate the roving bands of
_guerillos_ and _rancheros_ involved great rapidity of movement, and
he had officers and men under his command eminently fit for such
service. One of the most pestiferous of the _guerillo_ leaders was a
Catholic priest called Padre Juarata. He seemed to be everywhere at
once, and notwithstanding his party was frequently met by the
Americans, sometimes surrounded and always beaten, yet the Padre
adroitly managed to get out of every trap and escape. Being a priest,
he was always ready and willing to administer the last rites of the
Church to friend or foe.
While the army was at Puebla, General Scott organized a company of
Mexicans under command of one Dominguez, which was regularly mustered
into the service of the United States. A battalion of deserters from
the American army, known as the San Patricio Battalion, composed
almost wholly of Europeans, was organized under the command of one
O'Riley. These two commands met in battle in the convent of
Churubusco, and fought each other with great desperation. The Mexicans
under Dominguez entered Churubusco with the American army, and met the
execration of their countrymen, who denounced them as traitors. The
American deserters (the San Patricio Battalion) were captured at
Churubusco, tried by court-martial, and all but sixteen sentenced to
death and executed. Some were pardoned, and O'Riley, their leader, was
branded with the letter D on his cheek and released. This clemency was
shown him because he deserted before hostilities commenced.
The number of American troops engaged at Churubusco on August 19th and
20th was four thousand five hundred. The entire force engaged at
Churubusco was about seven thousand four hundred. General Scott's
estimate of the Mexican force on August 20th, including Contreras,
Churubusco, and the road between San Antonio and Churubusco, the
Portales, and the road to the Capitol, was thirty-two thousand.
In these battles three thousand prisoners were captured, including
eight general officers and two hundred and five other officers. The
killed and wounded amounted to over four thousand. Thirty pieces of
cannon were taken. The loss to the American army was one hundred and
thirty-nine officers, including sixteen killed, and one thousand and
fifty-three enlisted men; sixty officers and eight hundred and
seventy-six men wounded.
Commodore William B. Shubrick having captured Mazatlan and Guaymas,
General Scott wrote him, December 2, 1847: "I have been waiting here
for two and a half months to learn the views of the Government at
home, or at least for re-enforcements, before undertaking any new and
distant operations. The forces I have under my orders in the whole of
this republic, except the troops immediately under Major-General
Taylor, only give me means of holding Tampico, Vera Cruz, Puebla,
Chapultepec, and this capital."
General Scott had made a careful study of the statistics of Mexican
finances, and previous to ordering the occupation of several important
districts near the capital, to be followed by a like disposition in
more remote departments, issued General Orders No. 376, December 15,
1847:
"(1) This army is about to spread itself over and to occupy the
Republic of Mexico until the latter shall sue for peace on terms
acceptable to the Government of the United States. (2) On the
occupation of the principal point or points in any State the payment
to the Federal Government of this republic of all taxes or dues of
whatever manner or kind heretofore, say in 1844, payable or collected
by that Government, is absolutely prohibited, as all such taxes, dues,
etc., will be demanded of the proper civil authorities for the support
of the army of occupation. (3) The State and Federal districts being
already so occupied, as well as the States of Vera Cruz, Puebla, and
Tamaulipas, the usual taxes or dues heretofore contributed by the same
to the Federal Government will be considered as due and payable to
this army from the beginning of the present month, and will early be
demanded of the civil authorities of said States and districts under
rules and penalties which shall be duly announced and enforced. (4)
Other States of this republic, as the Californias, New Mexico,
Chihuahua, Coahuila, New Leon, etc., already occupied by the forces of
the United States, though not under the immediate orders of the
general in chief, will conform to the prescriptions of this order,
except in such State or States where a different system has been
adopted with the sanction of the Government at Washington. (5) The
internal taxes or dues referred to are: 1, District taxes; 2, Dues on
the production of gold and silver; 3, Melting and assaying duties; 4,
The tobacco rent; 5, Rent of stamped paper; 6, The rent on the
manufacture of playing cards; and, 7, The rent of post offices. (6)
The rent of national lotteries is abolished, lotteries being hereby
prohibited. (7) Import and export duties at ports of the republic will
remain as fixed by the Government of the United States, except that
the exportation of gold and silver in bars or ingot--_plata y oro en
pasta_--is prohibited until the further instructions of the Government
on the subjects. (8) All imported articles, goods, or commodities
which have once paid or given sufficient security for the payment of
duties to the United States at any port of entry of the republic shall
not again be burdened with any tax or duty in any port of this
republic occupied by the forces of the United States. (9) The levying
of duties on the transit of animals, goods, or commodities, whether of
foreign or domestic growth, from one State of this republic to
another, or on entering or leaving the gate of any city within the
republic, will, from and after the beginning of the ensuing year, be
prohibited, as far as the United States forces may have power to
enforce the prohibition. Other and equitable means, to a moderate
extent, must be resorted to by the several State and city authorities
for the necessary support of their respective governments. (10) The
tobacco, playing cards, and stamped paper rents will be placed for
three, six, or twelve months under the contract with the highest
bidders respectively, for the several States, the State and Federal
district of Mexico being considered one. Accordingly, offers or bids
for those rents within each State, or any of them, are invited. They
will be sent in as early as possible, sealed, to the headquarters of
departments, except for the Federal District and State of Mexico. For
this latter the offers or bids will be addressed to the general in
chief. (11) Further details for the execution of the foregoing system
of government and revenue will soon be given in general orders."
General Scott forwarded the above order to Washington, together with a
memoir of the precious metals, showing that he had carefully studied
and had thorough knowledge of the subject. In his letter forwarding
the order he said:
"The Government of the United States proposes that their forces shall
occupy the Mexican Republic, and raise in said country the means to
meet the expenses of occupation. To obtain this object, it appears
convenient that said resources should be raised so as to interfere as
little as possible with the existing interests of foreign as well as
of native residents; for if any measure calculated to involve the ruin
of a part or the whole of said interests was taken, there is little or
no doubt that the results would be as injurious to the interest of the
United States as to those of this country, for the destiny of both
interests in the case of occupation is linked together. It appears
that this recommendation, besides being fully justified by a sound
policy, will also be the means of facilitating the organization of a
financial system, and ultimately lead to increase of revenue.
* * * * *
"The tariff given by the United States for the Mexican ports occupied
allows the free exportation of gold and silver either in bars or
coined. Although it has been done, perhaps, with a liberal view, it
would seem that the measure was taken to hostilize the Mexican
Government, preventing thus any advance from being made to said
Government on future export duties on silver or gold, and depriving it
of that resource. However, who would benefit by the free export of
gold or silver? It is well known that nothing finds its level,
respecting prices, as soon as the precious metals, and therefore as
soon as the exportation should be carried into effect there would have
been exchange on England, France, and the United States, a difference
equivalent to the duties taken off on the precious metals. The free
exportation would apparently have been advantageous to none but the
miners; apparently is the word, for it is evident that the higher
prices obtained by them at first would have gradually come down until
they were on a level with those obtained in Europe, and ultimately
would have become lower than they are to-day, for it is not to be
doubted that the free exportation of bars partially or totally
occasioning the ruin of the mints, coined specie would have
disappeared from circulation, and that miners would have been for the
sale of their product entirely at the mercy of the speculators, while,
the exportation being prohibited, the mints are obliged to pay to them
at any time a fixed price for their gold and silver which can not be
altered.
* * * * *
"The exportation of gold and silver in bars has been prohibited in
this country by all the tariffs that have existed either under the
Spanish or Mexican Government; and though licenses of exportation to a
small amount have now and then been granted, the prohibition has been
the rule and the exportation has been the exception, until the Mexican
Government, having rented all their mines but two to foreign
companies, has taken the solemn engagement not to give any more
licenses of exportation. As it may easily be supposed, the engagement
of giving no more licenses of exportation has been the principal basis
on which the companies have relied to make their contracts, and the
principal inducement for them to advance the rent as they have done.
It is not known what policy will be adopted by the United States
respecting neutral interests in Mexico in case the country should be
occupied by their armies, but too high an opinion is entertained of
the justice of their Government to admit for a moment the possibility
of such interests being sacrificed or ruined when no direct benefit
could be derived from such a measure for the United States, and when,
on the contrary, it might be injurious to them, as may be explained."
On December 17th he again wrote to the Secretary calling his attention
to General Orders No. 376, the seventh paragraph of which contained
the duties on exported bars of gold and silver, which had been made
free by order of the United States Government. Since the publication
of the order he had seen a slip cut from a Vera Cruz paper of the
17th, from the Department to him on the subject, which said: "I have
taken great pains to obtain correct information in respect to the
production and exportation of the precious metals in and from this
country. The Mexican policy has been uniform against the exportation
of bars and ingots, though, from want or cupidity, special licenses
have been given in violation of that sound policy and in gross
violation of the rights purchased by the renters of the mints. This
army is also interested in some prohibition, for if we permit the
exportation of bars and ingots there will be but little domestic
coinage, our drafts would soon be under par, and the Mexicans, from
want of sufficient circulating medium, be less able to pay the
contributions which we propose to levy upon them through their civil
authorities."
General Scott, knowing the President's great desire to have the war
terminated, embraced every opportunity to keep him advised as to the
prospects, more or less remote, of peace, and wrote, December 14th,
that he "had received no communication from the Mexican Government,
and did not expect any before the Congress and President had been
installed, about March 10th. It is believed that both will be inclined
to peace." Congress, however, did not meet until May.
General William O. Butler arrived at the capital December 18th with
thirty-six hundred men, and the train dispatched November 1st, under
Colonel Harney, returned, under command of Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph
E. Johnston, of the voltigeurs, with thirteen hundred men in addition
to the escort that accompanied it on the trip down. These
re-enforcements, with those that recently arrived, made a total of
eight or nine thousand for duty.
General Scott was anxious to occupy the mining districts of San Luis
and Zacatecas, maintain communication with the capital, and open one
with Tampico, and for that purpose needed two columns of five thousand
men each, and to garrison the State capitals within reach of the two
columns. It was represented that great embarrassment would result
from the movement on Zacatecas, as that column would have to march
through Queretaro to reach its destination. It was represented that it
would cause the dispersion of the Mexican Government and make its
assembling at any other point doubtful. The Department, however,
directed the double movement to be made when the re-enforcements known
to have left Vera Cruz would arrive, unless in the meantime otherwise
instructed.
The commanding general was greatly disappointed when the first train
returned from Vera Cruz without bringing a jacket, blanket, or a pair
of shoes for the army. That small depot had been exhausted by the
troops of Patterson, Butler, and Marshall, who were fresh from home,
or the Brazos, and others that arrived without clothing since June;
and on December 25th he wrote of his great disappointments, and stated
that this want might delay distant expeditions for many weeks, as some
of the new volunteers were in want of essential articles of wear. He
called attention to the fact that requisitions for clothing made by
the regular regiments over a year previous had not been sent, or at
any rate had not reached the regiments. No general ever paid more
attention or displayed greater interest in the comfort of his men than
General Scott. The quartermaster's and commissary departments were his
never-ceasing care, and he gave constant personal attention to both.
On the matter of assessments he says: "You perceive I do not propose
to seize the ordinary State or city revenue, as that, in my judgment,
would be to make war on civilization, as no community can escape
absolute anarchy without civil government. I shall take care, however,
to see that the means collected within any particular State or city
for that purpose are moderate and reasonable."
Order No. 395 was issued December 31st, specifying the States by name
and the several sums they would be annually taxed. The duties paid at
the gates of the cities, and in passing from one State to another, as
well as the tobacco monopoly and lotteries, were abolished. Governors
and members of the Legislature of the different States, and all
collecting officers then in commission and charged with the collection
of Federal duties of any, were held individually responsible in their
persons and property for the collection and payment of the assessment.
The order, which was a long one and carefully prepared, gave many
details. The last two paragraphs say: "The American troops, in
spreading themselves over this republic, will take care to observe the
strictest discipline and morals in respect to the persons and property
of the country, purchasing and paying for all necessaries and comforts
they may require, and treating the unoffending inhabitants with
forbearance and kindness. The higher honor of the country, as well as
the particular honor of the army, must and shall be maintained against
the few miscreants in our ranks. The laws of war will also be strictly
observed toward all Mexicans who respect those laws. For the treatment
of those atrocious bands of _guerillos_ and armed _rancheros_, General
Order No. 392 of the 12th instant will be rigidly enforced."
To prevent frauds in the payment of dues as assessed, General Orders
No. 8, of January 9, 1848, were issued. The orders referred to and
quoted in part show that General Scott was eminently qualified to
fulfill a position in civil as well as military life. The orders he
promulgated were laws to the Mexicans, and show that his
administration of the civil affairs of the conquered country was wise,
merciful, and judicious. It was here that General Scott's early legal
training manifested itself. These orders had anticipated the message
of the President which reached him on the 14th in a communication from
the War Department, and in which the President's views were given in
regard to the future prosecution of the war. He was urged to endeavor
to lessen expenses by compelling Mexico to contribute, and see the
necessity of making a peace honorable alike to both countries. Says
the Secretary: "Our object being to obtain acceptable terms, which it
is apprehended can not be speedily obtained without making the enemy
feel he is to bear a considerable part of the burden of war.
"Should there not be at this time a government in Mexico of sufficient
stability to make peace, or should the authority which there exists be
adverse to it, and yet a large and influential portion of the people
be really disposed to put an end to hostilities, it is desirable to
know what prospect there is that the latter could, with countenance
and protection of our arms, organize a government willing to make
peace and sustain relations of peace with us. It is presumed that your
opportunities of knowing the disposition of the people of Mexico will
enable you to furnish your Government with correct information on the
subject, and the President desires to be furnished with your views."
On January 6, 1848, General Scott reported to the Department that his
total force in the Valley of Mexico was fourteen thousand nine hundred
and sixty-four, with only eleven thousand one hundred and sixty-two
fit for duty, measles prevailing mainly among the volunteers. Half of
General Marshall's force at Jalapa was sick, and he reported, December
22d, that he had sent his wagons back to Vera Cruz for medicines and
other supplies. Pachuca was occupied without opposition by Colonel
Jones M. Withers, Ninth Infantry, and General Cadwallader marched,
December 22d, for Lerma and Toluca, the latter the State capital and
thirty-eight miles from the City of Mexico.
On January 13th General Scott reported the unsuccessful efforts of
Colonel Wynkoop's First Pennsylvania Volunteers to capture the Padre
Jaruata, but the same colonel, learning of General Valencia's
whereabouts, made a night march, surprised and captured him and a
colonel of his staff. Colonel Jack Hays made efforts to capture
Jaruata, but also failed. He had an engagement with the band, killing
and wounding many of them.
On January 12, 1848, a letter was dispatched by the Secretary of War
to General Scott informing him that he had been relieved from the
command of the army by order of the President of the United States,
and was to be brought before a court of inquiry to be convened in the
Castle of Perote, Mexico, on the 18th of February.
On February 2, 1848, General Scott acknowledged receipt of the
Secretary's letters of November 8th and 17th and December 14th. The
system of finance--prohibiting the export duties on coins and the
prohibition of export in bars, inaugurated by the general--differed
materially from the instructions in the Secretary's letter of November
17th, and the general hoped, for the reasons suggested in his letter
of December 17th, that the President would consent to adopt his views
in respect to the precious metals. He informed the Secretary that the
ayuntamiento of the capital had charged itself with the payment on
account of the Federal district of four hundred thousand dollars of
the six hundred and sixty-eight thousand three hundred and thirty-two
dollars imposed per year on the State of Mexico; that General
Cadwallader would soon begin to collect through the ayuntamiento of
Toluca a large part of the remainder. Colonel Clarke, of the Sixth
Infantry, had been ordered into the Cuernavaca Valley, forty-three
miles south, with a force amply sufficient to enforce a thorough
collection.
General Scott says: "The _war of masses_ ended with the capture of the
enemy's capital; the _war of detail_, including the occupation of the
country and the collection of revenue, requires a large additional
force, as before suggested." Referring to the fact that he had learned
it was thought in Washington that "he had thirty thousand men under
his command, while in truth, including the forces at Tampico, Vera
Cruz, on the line from that port, and in the valley and vicinity, he
had a total of twenty-four thousand eight hundred and sixteen; the
sick, necessary, and indispensable garrisons deducted would leave an
available force for distant service of only four thousand five
hundred, and he did not know of the approach of any considerable
re-enforcements. Seven thousand he deemed a minimum number with which
the important line from Durango through Zacatecas and San Luis to
Tampico could be opened and maintained. Many of the volunteers were
sick with measles, mumps, and erysipelas, common among all classes of
soldiers."
A treaty of peace had been agreed upon and signed and was to be
forwarded at once. Referring to the fact, he says: "In about forty
days I may receive an acknowledgment of this report, and by that time,
if the treaty of peace be not accepted, I hope to be sufficiently
re-enforced to open the commercial line between Zacatecas and Tampico.
The occupation of Queretaro, Guanajuato, and Guadalajara would be the
next in importance, and some of the ports of the Pacific third.
Meanwhile the collection of internal revenue dues on the precious
metals and direct assessments shall be continued."
* * * * *
The following is the organization of the army in its march from Puebla
to the City of Mexico:
GENERAL STAFF.
Lieutenant-Colonel Ethan Allen Hitchcock, Assistant Inspector General.
Captain Henry Lee Scott, Acting Adjutant General.
First-Lieutenant T. Williams, Aid-de-camp.
Brevet First-Lieutenant George William Lay, Aid-de-camp.
Second-Lieutenant Schuyler Hamilton, Aid-de-camp.
Major J.P. Gaines, Volunteer Aid-de-camp.
ENGINEER CORPS.
Major John Lind Smith, Chief; Captain Robert Edward Lee;
Lieutenants Pierre Gustave Toutant Beauregard, Isaac I. Stevens,
Zealous Bates Tower, Gustavus Woodson Smith, George B. McClellan,
John Gray Foster.
ORDNANCE DEPARTMENT.
Captain Benjamin Hugér, Chief, with siege train.
First-Lieutenant Peter Valentine Hugner.
Second-Lieutenant George Thom.
Brevet Second-Lieutenant E.L.F. Hardcastle.
QUARTERMASTER'S DEPARTMENT.
Captains James R. Irwin, Chief; Abraham C. Myers, Robert
Allen, Henry Constantine Wayne, Justus McKinstry, George W.F.
Wood, J. Daniels, O'Hara, Samuel McGowan.
SUBSISTENCE DEPARTMENT.
Captain John Breckinridge Grayson, Chief.
Captain Thomas P. Randle.
PAY DEPARTMENT.
Major Edmund Kirby, Chief.
" Abraham Van Buren.
" Albert Gallatin Bennett.
MEDICAL DEPARTMENT.
Surgeon-General Thomas Lawson; Surgeons Benjamin Franklin Harney,
Richard Smith Satterlee, Charles Stuart Tripler, Burton Randall, James
Meck Cuyler; Assistant Surgeons Alexander F. Suter, Josiah Simpson,
David Camben De Leon, Henry H. Steiner, James Simons, Joseph K. Barnes,
Levi H. Holden, Charles Carter Keeney, James Frazier Head, John Fox
Hammond, Josephus M. Steiner, Charles P. Deyerle, Ebenezer Swift.
Surgeons J.M. Tyler, volunteer; McMillan, volunteer; Courtney J. Clark,
volunteer; W.B. Halstead, volunteer. Assistant Surgeons R. Hagan,
volunteer; H.L. Wheaton, volunteer. Surgeons R. Ritchie, First
Volunteers; J. Barry, First Volunteers; Edwards, First Volunteers; L.W.
Jordan, First Volunteers; R. McSherry, First Volunteers; Roberts, First
Volunteers.
CORPS.
Colonel Harney's Brigade.
Detachment of First Light Dragoons, Captain James Kearny.
Detachment of Second Light Dragoons, Major Edwin Vose Sumner.
Detachment of Third Light Dragoons under Major Andrew Thomas McReynolds.
I. BREVET MAJOR-GENERAL WORTH'S DIVISION.
1. Colonel John Garland's Brigade.
Second Regiment of Artillery, serving as infantry.
Third " " " " "
Fourth " " Infantry.
Duncan's Field Battery.
2. Colonel Andrew Clark's Brigade.
Fifth, Sixth, and Eighth Regiments of Infantry.
A Light Battery.
II. BREVET MAJOR-GENERAL TWIGGS'S DIVISION.
1. Brevet Brigadier-General Persifor F. Smith's Brigade.
Rifle Regiment.
First Regiment of Artillery, serving as infantry.
Third Regiment of Infantry.
Taylor's Light Battery.
2. Colonel Bennet Riley's Brigade.
Fourth Regiment of Artillery, serving as infantry.
First Regiment of Infantry.
Seventh Regiment of Infantry.
III. MAJOR-GENERAL GIDEON J. PILLOW'S DIVISION.
1. Brigadier-General G. Cadwallader's Brigade.
Voltigeurs.
Eleventh and Fourteenth Infantry.
A Light Battery.
2. Brigadier-General Franklin Pierce's Brigade.
Ninth, Twelfth, and Fifteenth Infantry.
IV. MAJOR-GENERAL JOHN A. QUITMAN'S DIVISION.
1. Brigadier-General Shields's Brigade.
New York Volunteers.
South Carolina Volunteers.
2. Lieutenant-Colonel Watson's Brigade.
A detachment of Second Pennsylvania Volunteers.
A detachment of United States Marines.
_List of Officers of the Battalion of Marines under Command of
Lieutenant-Colonel Watson._
Brevet Lieutenant-Colonel Samuel E. Watson, Major Levi Twiggs, Major
William Dulany.
_Staff._--First Lieutenant and Adjutant D.D. Baker, First Lieutenant
and Acting Quartermaster John S. Devlin.
_Captains._--John G. Reynolds, George H. Terrett, and William Lang.
_First Lieutenants._--Jabez C. Rich, Robert C. Caldwell, William L.
Young, Thomas A. Brady, John D. Simms, and Daniel J. Sutherland.
_Second Lieutenants._--George Adams, E. McD. Reynolds, Thomas Y.
Field, Charles G. McCawley, Freeman Norvell, Charles A. Henderson,
John S. Nicholson, Augustus S. Nicholson, and Henry Welsh.