long expedition, but the starting point of a new one. Says Mr. Benton, from whom I have just quoted: "Gen. Taylor was some where no one knew exactly where-but some seven or eight hundred miles towards the other side of Mexico." Doniphan had heard that Taylor had been defeated; that Buena Vista had not turned out well to him. He did not believe this report, but he concluded to go and see. A volunteer party of fourteen undertook to penetrate to Saltillo, and return with information as to the truthfulness of the rumor. Amidst many dangers they accomplished their mission. Then the whole army marched forward, a vanguard of one hundred men, led by Lieut.-Col. Mitchell, leading the way. Then followed the main body commanded by Col. Doniphan. The whole table land of Mexico, in all its breadth from west to east, was to be traversed. A numerous hostile population in towns-treacherous Camanches in the mountains-were to be encountered. But even in the face of these difficulties, the Americans set out, accomplishing a safe march, evading Mexican towns, and punishing Camanches. It was a novel march, for, meeting no armed forces, the Americans acted merely as protectors to the Mexicans, and delivered them from their Indian enemies.

In the month of May they arrived in Gen. Taylor's camp, where they reported for duty. But that general being then without an army, was compelled to decline their service, and the famous Missourians returned to their native State.

CHAPTER LVII.

WAR BETWEEN THE UNITED STATES AND MEXICO-GENERAL TAYLOR PROCEEDS TO POINT ISABEL WITH AN ARMY-HE IS ORDERED TO LEAVE THE COUNTRY-HE REFUSES - HIS DANGER AT THE RIVER FORT-THE BATTLE OF PALO ALTO.

but glorious contest It will be unnecessary

WE now come to that desperate between the United States and Mexico. to dwell here upon the causes which led to this war. For the most part my readers are already acquainted with these. In May, 1845, General Zachary Taylor, of whose heroic defense of Fort Harrison we have already read in our account of Tecumseh's war, received a confidential letter from the Secretary of War instructing him to place his troops at such a position as would enable him to defend Texas in case that Territory should be invaded by Mexicans. This was immediately after Texas had been erected into a Territory under the United States government. As is well known this act displeased the Mexicans. They looked upon it as a violation of the law of nations, and as projected with a view to depriving them of a vast portion of her territory.

In a subsequent letter the Secretary of War addressed General Taylor in these words. "Should Mexico assemble a large body of troops on the Rio Grande, and cross it with a considerable force, such a movement must be regarded as an invasion of the United States and the commencement of hostilties. You will of course use all the authority which has been or may be given you to meet such a state of things. Texas must be protected from hostile invasion, and for that purpose you will of course employ, to the utmost extent, all the means you possess or can command.”

In persuance of these instructions General Taylor took up

his position at Corpus Cristi where he remained until the eighth of March, 1846. On this date the American army commenced its march for the Rio Grande, the siege train being sent by water to Point Isabel, with a corps of engineers and officers of ordnance, commanded by Major Monroe. A body of Mexican troops were encountered at Arroya, Colorado, but the American army was permitted to pass without being attacked. The army had not proceeded far, however, when General Taylor was met by a deputation from Matamoras which protested against his apparant invasion of that country. The deputation carried a white flag, and, on approaching the General, desired an interview with him. He informed the Mexicans that he would halt at a suitable place on the road and hold a conference with them. It was, however, he says, found necessary, on account of the scarcity of water, to continue the march to Point Isabel, and when within some ten miles of this place the deputation halted, declining to accompany the army farther, and handed General Taylor a formal protest from the prefect of the porthern district of Tamanlip as against the occupation of the country by American troops. Proceeding forward the General soon discovered that the buildings at Point Isabel were in flames. On observing this he sent a messenger back to the deputaion, informing them that he would answer the protest when opposite Matamoras. Taylor looked upon the conflagration before his eyes as decided evidence of hostility, and regarded the prefect in making the protest as a tool of the military authorities at Matamoras.

The cavalry arrived in season to arrest the fire, which had fortunately consumed but two or three buildings, but the port captain who committed the act escaped before its arrival. When General Taylor arrived at Point Isabel he found that the inhabitants had fled to Matamoras.

He at once proceeded to erect a fort on the bank of the Rio Grande, over which he unfurled the flag of the United States. The position was well fortified, the fort being furnished with six bastions and capable of containing two thousand men. On the opposite side of the river the Mexicans erected batteries and made redoubts.

On the tenth of April Colonel Cross, while riding out for exercise, was attacked by some lawless rancheroes, murdered and stripped. Thus the first American blood was shed in the Mexican war. On the following day General Ampudia arrived in Matamoras, and without delay entered upon the work of "compelling the American army to leave Texas." We shall see how far he was successful. On the twelfth, in writing to General Taylor he concludes as follows: "By explicit and definite orders from my government, which 'neither can, will, nor should receive new outrages, I require you in all form and at latest in the peremptory term of twentyfour hours, to break up your camp and retire to the other bank of the Neuces river, while our governments are regulating the pending question in relation to Texas. If you insist on remaining upon the soil of the department of Tamanlipas, it will clearly result that arms, and arms alone, must decide the question; and in that case I advise you that we accept the war to which, with so much injustice on your part you provoke us, and that, on our part, this war shall be conducted conformably to the principles established by the most civilized nations-trusting that on your part the same will be observed."

General Taylor replied to this communication, informing the enemy that he could not, according to his instructions, withdraw from the territory. Soon after, he prevented the ships that were advancing with supplies for the Mexican army, from entering the river, and declared the Rio Grande in a state of blockade.

On the twentieth, all intercourse between the armies was broken off, and on both sides of the river preparations for the war were going forward. Soon after, Taylor received infor

mation that the Mexicans to the number of three thousand had crossed the river and fortified a position so as to cut off his retreat to Point Isabel, where he had stored his principle supplies. A party of sixty men was sent out under Captain Thornton to reconnoiter the position of the enemy, but falling into an abuscade they were all made prisoners and sent to Matamoras. The Mexicans had concealed themselves in great numbers behind a chaparral hedge, and the reconnoitering

party marched into their midst and were captured. Intoxicated with this success the Mexicans crossed the river in great numbers and completely surrounded General Taylor's position. For three days the little army endured inexpressible suspense, but on the fourth Captain Walker of the Texan Rangers arrived, bringing the welcome news that all was still safe at Point Isabel. He added to this information, however, that the place was in imminent danger. There was now no time to spare. General Taylor at once decided to move with the whole army to defend this point, which he did, leaving only a few soldiers to garrison the river fort. It was on the first of May that the retreat was commenced. The movement was celebrated in Matamoras by "the ringing of bells, explosion of fire arms and every other manifestation of joy." The river fort had been left under the command of Major Brown, and General Arista, of the Mexican forces at once commenced extensive operations for the destruction of the garrison. On the third of May a battery opened upon the fort and kept up a brisk fire for some time, but to no effect. However, on the morning of the fifth, Major Brown discovered a battery in rear of the fort, which had been erected by the Mexicans during the night. It opened a severe fire upon the fort and was assisted by the guns in Matamoras. For three days an incessant cannonade was kept up on both sides, during which Major Brown was mortally wounded. The command devolved upon Captain Hawkins who no sooner entered upon his new station than he met a summons to surrender, which he gallantly declined. The assailants renewed the attack with vigor, but on the night of the eighth retired, to the great joy of the wearied garrison.

Gen. Taylor had no sooner arrived at Point Isabel and adjusted matters at that station, than he commenced the return march. On the eighth he received information that the enemy was stationed on the field of Palo Alto, not far in advance. The hour for battle was now at hand, and the soldiers seemed to realize that they were soon to test their bravery, and measure strength with the Mexicans. The forward march was continued, and soon the Mexican army was in sight, in battle