CHAPTER VII.

Forward movement of the American troops.-The number and discipline of the American army.-General Taylor reaches Point Isabel.-Fort Brown erected. The Mexicans cross the Rio Grande.-General Taylor moves from Fort Brown to Point Isabel.-Bombardment of Fort Brown.-Battle of Palo Alto-Resaca de la Palma.-The action of Congress.-Reorganization of the army.—The object for which the war was prosecuted.— Difficulty with General Scott.-Requisitions made upon the Governors of several States for volunteers.-Plan of campaign.-Action of General Gaines.-General Taylor marches from Camargo in the direction of Monterey.-Capture of Monterey.-Internal affairs of Mexico.-Pass granted to Santa Anna.-General Wool marches upon Monclova.-General Kearney takes Santa Fé.-Colonel Doniphan advances upon Chihuahua.-Victory of Sacramento.-General Kearney starts for California.-Operations of Colonel Fremont and Commodores Sloat and Stockton. Orders issued to raise contributions from the Mexicans.-General Taylor advises the adoption of a defensive line.-Preparations made to attack Vera Cruz. -Civil Governments authorized by the President.-Movements of Colonel Price.

THE forward movement of the American troops from Corpus Christi to the Rio Grande was ordered, as suggested by General Taylor himself. The rear

*“For these reasons our position thus far has, I think, been the best possible; but now that the entire force will soon be concentrated, it may well be a question whether the views of Government will be best carried out by our remaining at this point. It is with great deference that I make any suggestions on topics which may become matters of delicate negotiation; but if our Government, in settling the question of boundary makes the line of the Rio Grande an ultimatum, I cannot doubt that the settlement will be greatly facilitated and hastened by our taking possession at once of one or two points on or quite near that river. Our strength and state of preparation should be displayed in a manner not to be mistaken."-Dispatch of General Taylor to the Secretary of War, dated at Corpus Christi, on the 4th of October, 1845.

of the army left the former place on the 11th of March, 1846. It may be proper at this place briefly to examine into the numbers, state of discipline, and arms of the regular force of the United States. Much jealousy has been manifested by our citizens ever since the declaration of independence, of standing armies. A preference has always been exhibited for militia or volunteer troops; and although raw soldiers during the revolutionary struggle did not often prove as steady under fire as the continental line, still in the last war with Great Britain, and the more recent one with Mexico, the volunteers fought with a desperation which established beyond a doubt, that perfect reliance may be placed upon them in the fury of battle. It is true that they will not yield the same passive, uncomplaining obedience, which in the "regular" affords his commander so much delight; but that pride and emulation which stimulates the volunteer, will prompt him to avoid the dangers of a court-martial, while he fights with a degree of enthusiasm that is irresistible. The graduates of the military academy at West Point, during the conflict with Mexico, elevated the character of that institution to an extraordinary degree of renown. Before the war commenced, a strong prejudice prevailed throughout the country against it, and the opposition had become so decided, that it was in danger of being discontinued. It is now, however, established upon a firmer basis than ever, and if our main reliance in time of war is to be upon the volunteers, this only renders the preservation of that institution still more impera

tive. In the selection of their officers, the volunteers will almost invariably elect those persons who have obtained a regular military education, or by their experience are qualified to command. While, then, military education should be taught at West Point, perfect reliance may be placed in the volunteer force of the country in sustaining the honor of our flag. In 1845 the whole number of the regular army of the United States amounted to 7,883, many of whom were foreigners. General Taylor before leaving Corpus Christi had under his command about 3,500 men, and when he reached the Rio Grande his effective force was less than 3,000.

When the American troops arrived near the Rio Grande, they found the Mexicans prepared to assume offensive operations. On the 10th of April, 1846, Colonel Cross was murdered, and on the 18th of the same month Lieutenant Porter with a small body of men were taken prisoners after a desperate resistance, and were inhumanly butchered. On the 24th of April General Arista arrived at Matamoras, and informed General Taylor that he considered hostilities commenced, and that he should prosecute them.* On the 24th of the same month Captain Thornton, with a party of dragoons consisting of 63 men, became engaged with a very large force of the Mexicans, in which 16 were killed and wounded, and the rest were forced to surrender. On the 26th of April General Taylor issued a call upon the Gover

* Dispatch of General Taylor, April 26th, 1846, Executive documents, second Session, 29th Congress.

† Ibid.

nor of Texas for two regiments of mounted troops, and two of infantry, and upon the Governor of Louisana for four regiments of infantry, for the purpose of prosecuting the war with energy, and carrying it into the enemy's country.* On the 28th of April, 1846, the camp of Captain Walker was surprised, and five men were killed. A family of fourteen persons unarmed were taken prisoners, two of whom were females; their throats were cut, and after every indignity was perpetrated upon their persons, they were left exposed to the storms of heaven, and prowling beasts. On the 3d of May, although the enemy had made demonstrations on the east bank of the river, still, owing to the nature of the country, and the deficiency in the American army of light troops, General Taylor was kept ignorant of their movements. He had received information that the Mexicans were preparing to cross the river below Fort Brown, with the object of forming a junction with those who had crossed the river above; and entertaining the belief that they designed making a descent upon his depot at Point Isabel, he hastened the operations on the field-work, and was enabled to prepare it for a successful defence on the 1st of May. Leaving the 7th infantry under the command of Major Brown, with Captain Lowd's and Lieutenant Bragg's companies of artillery in charge of the work, General

* "Which will be required to prosecute the war with energy, and carry it, as it should be, into the enemy's country."—Ibid.

Isabel.

Dispatch No. 32 of General Taylor, dated May 3d, 1846, at Point

+ Ibid.

Taylor started with the main force under his command, for Point Isabel, where they arrived the next day, without discovering any signs of the enemy. On the morning, and during the day of May 3d, discharges of cannon were heard in the direction of Fort Brown; and General Taylor dispatched a squadron of cavalry, covering a small party to communicate with Major Brown.* The squadron returned on the morning of the 4th, without bringing news from the Fort; but on the 5th of May Captain Walker of the rangers arrived at Point Isabel, after running the gauntlet during the night before. This act of gallantry upon the part of Captain Walker deserves especial attention, as it exemplified the cool and daring courage of that celebrated ranger. When it was deemed important to communicate with General Taylor, Captain Walker volunteered to be the bearer of dispatches from Major Brown. Starting at night, with no other guide through the ranks of the enemy but the wind upon his cheek, he successfully accomplished the enterprise. From a dispatch brought by him, General Taylor ascertained that, on the morning of the 3d of May, the Mexican batteries opened upon Fort Brown, and the American guns were immediately manned and a fire was kept up from the six and 18-pounders, which resulted in dismounting several of the Mexican pieces. They continued, however, to fire upon the fort until 12 o'clock at night. On the 7th of May, General Taylor started on his return from Point Isabel, for the purpose of raising the

* Dispatch No. 32 of General Taylor, dated May 3d, 1846, at Point Isabel.