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WITH NUMEROUS ENGRAVINGS.
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The following pages contain a collection of Stories of the War of 1812, with Great Britain; and of the Recent War, with the Republic of Mexico.
Rightly considered, the first of these national wars was a supplement to the glorious War of Independence. Up to the time when our government boldly threw down the gauntlet of defiance to the most powerful nation of Europe, in defence of Free Trade and Sailor’s Rights, the British nation regarded us as revolted subjects, successful for the moment, but destined always to be governed by British influence and ultimately to be reconquered.
The events of the second war with Great Britain finished what the first had begun, and set the seal on our Independence. From the period of its conclusion, [Pg 4] our flag was respected by Britain and all other nations. Our naval prowess was recognized as a fixed fact.
The recent war with Mexico has taught the world another lesson. It has shown that with a standing army of very few men, and a good militia system, the republic is capable of raising large and efficient armies, and conquering a military republic, of immense population, wealth, and resources, possessing a powerful standing army; accustomed, in consequence of the distracted state of the country, to frequent action and constant discipline.
The wars which teach these lessons are worthy the attention of the youth of our country; and we have endeavored to render these stories of the wars sufficiently attractive to win that degree of attention and interest which will insure a future study of American history.
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In June, 1812, the United States declared war against Great Britain. The chief cause of the war was the impressment of American seamen by the British. General Hull, with twenty-five hundred men, took post at Detroit, in Michigan. Soon afterward, the British general, Brock, with thirteen hundred men, appeared before Detroit, erected batteries, and summoned Hull to surrender. He refused, and the British opened their fire upon [Pg 8] the works. On the 26th, they crossed the river and moved forward to the attack. The American troops were prepared to receive them, and eager for the conflict. But as the British approached, Hull ordered his men to retire into the fort, and hoisted a white flag. In a short time, terms of surrender were agreed upon, and the whole American army, with all its ammunition and stores were given up to the British. This surrender excited the indignation of the people. Hull was accused of cowardice, tried by a court martial, and sentenced to be shot. The President, however, in consideration of his age and services, remitted the punishment, but ordered his name to be stricken from the rolls of the army.
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Early in October, 1812, about three thousand five hundred men, under command of General Van Rensselaer, were assembled on the Niagara frontier. General Van Rensselaer resolved to make an attack on the British position at Queenstown, eight miles below Niagara Falls. At daybreak on the 13th of October, the troops began to embark to cross the river. The British opened a fire upon them, which was returned by the American batteries. Colonel Van Rensselaer, with about one hundred men, reached the shore, and stormed the fort [Pg 12] of the British, though not without severe loss. The Americans drove the enemy from the field, and the victory was supposed to be gained, when another reinforcement arrived, and the conflict was renewed. At this critical moment, General Van Rensselaer crossed the river to bring a reinforcement for his gallant little band, and found that the militia would not obey his orders. Colonel Christie maintained the fight on the opposite shore, against overwhelming numbers, until seeing no hope of relief, he surrendered the remnant of his force. The Americans lost one thousand men in all, in this battle. The loss of the enemy was somewhat less, but their noble commander, the gallant Brock, was slain.
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Fort Harrison was a post on the Wabash river, in the heart of the Indian country. It consisted of two blockhouses, stockade works, and a few buildings for stores or magazines. In September 1812, sixteen men, under the command of Captain Zachary Taylor, formed the garrison of this post. On the 3d of September, two men, who were working in the field near it, were murdered by the Indians, and on the night of the 4th, the savages set fire to one of the blockhouses, and commenced an assault. Captain Taylor, though suffering from sickness displayed [Pg 16] the greatest coolness and resolution. Two of his men leaped over the stockade and fled, and the others were seized with a panic. But he restored their hopes, and by tearing off the roof of the barracks, and other means, succeeded in quenching the fire. The savages poured a steady fire into the fort. The invalids of the garrison returned it, and the conflict was fierce and desperate until daybreak, when the enemy retreated beyond the reach of the fort. They beleaguered the garrison, however, for twelve days, when a large body of troops arrived, and forced them to raise the siege.
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At the commencement of the war, the navy of Great Britain was looked upon as invincible. But an important victory changed the opinion of the people of the United States. The frigate Constitution, [Pg 20] commanded by Captain Isaac Hull, sailed from Annapolis on the 25th of July, 1812, for New York. Falling in with a British fleet, she only escaped by great skill and seamanship. Soon after she sailed from Boston, and on the 19th of August encountered the British frigate, Guerriere, commanded by Captain Dacres. A fierce conflict of about half an hour’s length ensued. The Guerriere was reduced to a wreck, and after her surrender, burned. In this action the Americans had seven men killed, and seven wounded. The British loss was fifteen killed, sixty-two wounded, and twenty-four missing. The effect of this victory was to give the Americans confidence in the skill and bravery of their seamen.
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The United States sloop-of-war Wasp, of eighteen guns, commanded by Captain Jacob Jones, sailed from the Delaware, on the 13th of October; and on the 18th of the month, after a long and heavy gale, fell in with a convoy of six merchantmen, four of them strongly armed, under the protection of His Britannic Majesty sloop-of-war Frolic, of twenty-two guns, Captain Whinyates. At half-past eleven in the morning, the action commenced at the distance of about fifty yards. But, during the action, so near did they come to each other, that the [Pg 24] rammers of the Wasp’s cannon struck against the side of the Frolic. The fire of the English vessel soon slackened; and after a most sanguinary action of forty-three minutes, every brace of the Wasp being shot away, and the rigging so much torn, that Captain Jones resolved to board the enemy. With this view he wore ship and running down upon the enemy, the vessels struck. The officers surrendered the vessel, and the colors were hauled down by Lieutenant Biddle. The Frolic was in a shocking condition; the berth-deck was filled with dead and wounded. No sooner had the engagement ceased, than the British ship, Poictiers, of seventy four guns, came up, and captured both vessels.
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General Dearborn, the commander of the United States forces on the Ontario frontier, having resolved to attack York, the capital of Upper Canada, embarked seventeen hundred troops, and left Sackett’s Harbor on the 25th of April. On the 27th, the troops, under the command of General Pike, effected a landing and drove a much superior force of the enemy from the shore. But they returned to the attack, and the contest was renewed. The enemy were again defeated and driven to their works. The whole force of the Americans having reached the shore, and being arranged in the [Pg 28] order for attack, General Pike pressed forward, carried one of the enemy’s batteries, and was moving towards the main works, when a sudden and tremendous explosion of the magazine occurred, hurling upon the advancing troops immense masses of stone and timber, and for a time checking them by the havoc it made. General Pike was mortally wounded. But the troops under command of Colonel Pearce, pressed on, and captured the town, with all the land and naval forces in and about it. The total loss of the Americans was three hundred and twenty men. General Pike was greatly lamented. The British loss was four hundred killed or wounded, and three hundred prisoners.
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After the capture of York, General Dearborn resolved to attempt the capture of Fort George. On the morning of the 27th of May, the light troops under Colonel Scott and Major Forsyth, supported by Colonel Porter’s light artillery and General Lewis’s division, crossed the Niagara river, and attacked the fort. Other brigades of troops followed. Commodore Chauncey had made judicious arrangements with his small ships, to silence the enemy’s batteries at the point of landing. The descent was warmly contested at the water’s edge, by the [Pg 32] British; but they were soon compelled to give way, and the landing was completed. The American batteries soon succeeded in rendering the fort untenable. The British, retiring from the banks of the river, re-entered the fort, fired a few shot, set fire to the magazine, and then moved off in different directions. Of the British regular troops, ninety were killed, one hundred and sixty wounded, and one hundred captured. The Americans lost seventeen killed, and sixty wounded.
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To retaliate for the capture of York, Sir George Prevost, the British general-in-chief, determined to make a descent on Sackett’s Harbor, the chief American depot for stores, on the lakes. Accordingly, on the 27th of May, 1813, Prevost, with nearly a thousand men, embarked in small boats, and proceeded, under convoy of the British fleet. The fleet being seen on the lake, preparations were made for the defence of the post. General Brown, with six hundred militia, came to the aid of the few regular troops, and made wise disposition for the reception [Pg 36] of the enemy. Prevost arrived, and commenced the attack on the evening of the 28th. The first line of the militia fired, and then gave way. But Brown, with the rest of his troops, maintained his ground against the assault, and poured such a well aimed fire into the enemy, that they were checked. The success was followed up, and at length, the British were driven to their boats. Through some mistake the American stores were burned by the officer set to guard them. This victory brought the military talents of General Brown to light.
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The defence of Fort Stephenson, at Lower Sandusky, was one of the most brilliant exploits in the annals of war. It was an unfinished stockade fort, garrisoned by one hundred and fifty men, under the command of Major George Croghan. General Harrison had sent word to the major, that he should abandon the fort on the approach of the enemy. But he did not think a retreat possible, and, moreover, was determined to perish, rather than surrender. On the 28th of May, Proctor, with twenty-two hundred British and Indians, appeared [Pg 40] before the fort, and summoned the garrison to surrender. Receiving the most heroic refusal, he opened a heavy fire, which was continued during the night and all next day, when the enemy advanced to the assault. Croghan had but one six-pounder in the fort. This was masked, and other preparations made to receive the foe. The assault was furious, but the fire of the heroic garrison committed such havoc that the British were compelled to fall back in confusion, and soon after they abandoned the siege, having lost over two hundred men. Croghan’s loss was trifling.
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Early in the spring of 1813, the attention of the government of the United States, was directed to the important [Pg 44] object of obtaining the command of Lake Erie. The earnest representations of General Harrison had awakened the administration to a proper sense of the necessity of this measure. The British already had an efficient naval force upon the lake, and it gave them great advantages. Two brigs and several schooners were ordered to be built, under the direction of Captain Oliver H. Perry. That able and active officer saw that the work was carried on with the greatest rapidity, and on the 2d of August, he was able to sail in quest of the enemy’s squadron. The British, though much superior in force, did not venture out to meet the new squadron.
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On the morning of the 10th of September, while Perry’s squadron was lying in Put-in-bay, in Bass Island, the enemy’s fleet was discovered standing out from the port of Malden, with the wind in their favor. The American fleet immediately weighed anchor, cleared the islands at the head of the lake, and was formed in line of battle. A little before twelve o’clock, the action commenced, the British having the weathergage. For some time, the fire of the enemy was concentrated upon the St. Lawrence, Perry’s flag-ship, and she was much cut up, most of her crew killed or wounded, and [Pg 48] her guns disabled. In the midst of the lire, Captain Perry passed in an open boat from the Lawrence to the Niagara, and succeeded in bringing the rest of his fleet into action. A well directed fire was then opened upon the enemy, and the battle then became close and warm. At length the British vessels having suffered severely from the superior gunnery of the Americans, struck their colors. The Lawrence, whose flag had been hauled down soon after Perry had left her, had been enabled to hoist it before the end of the contest, the enemy not being able to take possession of her. The American loss was twenty-five killed, and ninety-six wounded; that of the enemy, forty-one killed, and ninety-five wounded.
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As soon as General Harrison received the news of the triumph on Lake Erie, he hastened to put his army in motion to meet Proctor. Crossing the Lake, by means of Perry’s victorious squadron, he reached Malden, which the British and Indians had abandoned the day before. On the 2d of October, Harrison moved forward in pursuit of the enemy, and on the 5th, came up with them, at a strong position on the banks of the Thames. The Indians, under Tecumseh, were placed in a dense wood, while the British regulars were drawn up in open files, [Pg 52] their flanks protected by the river and a morass. Colonel Johnson, with the mounted volunteers, was ordered to attack the Indians, while Harrison formed another battalion of the same troops, and ordered them to charge and break the line of regulars. This novel manœuvre was executed with complete success. The British force was compelled to surrender. The Indians maintained a desperate contest until the great Tecumseh was slain, when they broke and fled. This victory was decisive. Very few were killed and wounded on both sides, but the enemy were entirely captured or dispersed.
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On the 5th of September, 1813, the United States brig Enterprize, of fourteen guns, commanded by Lieutenant Burrows, sailed from Portsmouth, and the next day fell in with the British brig, Boxer, of fourteen guns, commanded by Captain Blythe. The latter immediately fired a shot as a challenge, hoisted English colors, and bore down on the Enterprize. The American vessel manœuvered until she gained the weathergage, and then returned the fire. Obtaining a raking position, the Enterprize soon gained the advantage, and after an action [Pg 56] of three quarters of an hour, compelled the British to cry for quarter. Their colors were nailed to the mast, but the firing ceased. Captain Blythe and Lieutenant Burrows were mortally wounded in the early part of the action. Burrows refused to be carried below until the sword of the enemy was presented to him, when he exclaimed, “I am now satisfied—I die contented.” The Boxer had twenty-five men killed, and fourteen wounded. The Enterprize had four men killed, and eleven wounded.
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The battle of Lundy’s Lane was the best contested action of the war of 1812. On the afternoon of the 24th of July, 1814, General Brown received a notice that the British general had thrown a thousand men across the lake to Lewistown, nine miles below Chippewa. To divert them from what he supposed to [Pg 60] be their object, the American general ordered General Winfield Scott, with his brigade of thirteen hundred men, to advance and threaten the forts at the mouth of the Niagara. Scott, advancing more than two miles, suddenly found himself in front of the whole British army, drawn up in Lundy’s Lane. Undaunted, he formed his line, and the struggle began. For two hours, the fiercest and the most desperate valor was displayed on both sides. Every attempt of the British to turn the flanks of the gallant band opposed to them failed. Their own left was turned and cut off, but their centre stood firm. Night came on, and the struggle was continued solely by the flashes of the guns. The American [Pg 61] line had suffered much, but the remnants of the troops stood their ground with indomitable resolution. About ten o’clock the ammunition of the troops began to fail. But General Brown at length came up with strong reinforcements, and relieved the exhausted men. A more equal fight now ensued. Brown determined to carry the battery on the height at the head of the lane, that being the key of the enemy’s position. Riding up to Colonel Miller, he asked him if he would storm the height.
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“I will try, sir!” was the heroic reply. Piloted by Scott, through the darkness to the foot of the ascent, Miller seized the guns almost instantaneously. Meanwhile General Ripley engaged the enemy, [Pg 64] and was supported by the gallant Scott, who had two horses shot under him, and was wounded in the side, but kept the field until a wound in the shoulder brought him to the ground. General Brown was severely wounded, and, with Scott, taken from the field. The command now devolved on General Ripley. But the battle was nearly over. The British made one more charge, and were repulsed in disorder, and then the firing ceased. Ripley retired to the camp at Chippewa. In this bloody and well fought battle, the Americans lost eight hundred and sixty men, killed and wounded. The loss of the enemy was about one thousand men. One of their generals, Riall, was captured.
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The British were very anxious to obtain the command of Lake Champlain, and the posts in the vicinity. The Americans had fitted out a small squadron on the lake, and placed it under the command of Commodore Macdonough. In 1814, a powerful British army advanced against Plattsburgh, and a British squadron, commanded by Captain Downie, sailed to meet the American squadron, then lying in Plattsburgh bay. Early on the morning of the 11th of September, the fleets met, and the battle commenced.
The Confiance, the flag-ship of the [Pg 68] enemy, engaged the Saratoga, and the contest was maintained for about two hours, when the Confiance struck her colors. The chief vessel of the enemy being captured, the brig surrendered in a few minutes; two sloops had been captured some time before; three of the gallies were sunk, and the others escaped. The killed on board the American squadron amounted to fifty-two, the wounded to fifty-eight. Of the enemy, eighty-four were killed, including Captain Downie, the commander of the squadron, one hundred and ten wounded, and eight hundred and fifty-six remained prisoners, a number exceeding the whole amount of the Americans engaged.
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The success of the attack on Washington encouraged the British general, Ross, to undertake an expedition against another city. Baltimore was the object of attack. The approach to that city by water was defended by Fort M’Henry, garrisoned by one thousand men, under Major Armistead; and by other temporary works. On the 11th of September, Admiral Cochrane appeared at the mouth of the Patapsco, with a squadron of fifty sail, and a strong body of British troops was landed at North Point, about fourteen miles below Baltimore. At sunrise, [Pg 72] on the 13th, the bombardment of the fort commenced. The bomb vessels of the enemy were stationed about two miles from the fort, and were consequently beyond the reach of its guns. Though compelled to remain inactive, the troops in the fort were steadfast to their posts. The bursting of a shell within the southwest bastion creating some confusion, the ships of the enemy attempted to profit by it, but they were soon compelled to retreat to their former stations, where they continued a tremendous bombardment until the morning of the 14th. During the night, some barges and rocket vessels succeeded in passing the fort, but they were driven back with severe loss, by the fire from the smaller works.
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In the latter part of 1814, information being received that the British intended to make a descent on Louisiana, General Jackson hastened to New Orleans, and made preparations for its defence. Every approach to the town was guarded by batteries and gunboats. The British fleet arrived early in December, and on the 14th, an attack was made upon the American gunboats on Lake Borgne. After a desperate contest, they submitted to a much superior force. The British having gained a position on the banks of the Mississippi, General Jackson, with two thousand men, marched down, on [Pg 74] the evening of the 23d, and attacked them. After a hot fight, in which the enemy lost over two hundred men, the Americans fell back to their lines. Both armies having received large reinforcements, the British on the 8th of January, moved to the assault. The Americans drove them back in confusion. Sir Edward Packenham was killed. Again the enemy attempted to scale the work, and were again driven back. At length all the chief commanding officers being killed or disabled, the British retreated. Their loss in this battle was two hundred and ninety-three killed, twelve hundred and sixty-seven wounded, and four hundred and eighty-four prisoners. The American loss was only thirteen killed, and thirty-seven wounded.
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The battle of New Orleans was the last great military event of the second war with Great Britain. In point of fact, it was fought after a treaty had been signed by the commissioners of Great Britain and the United States, assembled for the purpose at Ghent. This battle was of immense importance. It saved the city of New Orleans from capture and plunder. General Jackson’s services on this occasion, and his difficult and perilous campaign against the Creek Indians, raised his reputation to a very [Pg 76] high point; and subsequently occasioned his elevation to the president’s chair.
After the conclusion of the treaty of Ghent, a squadron of the United States navy was sent to chastise the Barbary powers for attacking our commerce during the war with Great Britain. The Barbary powers concluded treaties without a struggle, and the country, except a few skirmishes with the Indians, remained at peace till the war with Mexico, of which we will now proceed to give some sketches.
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In the course of the year 1845, the government of the United States ordered General Taylor, with about three thousand [Pg 80‒82] men, to take possession of the country lying between the Nueces and the Rio Grande, which country was the subject of dispute between the governments of Mexico and Texas. General Taylor reached the Rio Grande, in April, 1846. Now, the Mexican government looked upon this movement as a trespass upon their territory, and therefore declared war. Leaving a small force to occupy Fort Polk, opposite Matamoras, General Taylor, with the main body of his army, marched to Point Isabel, at the mouth of the Rio Grande. Soon after, he heard that the Mexicans had commenced to bombard Fort Polk, and that General Arista, with a large body of troops, had crossed the river. [Pg 83] There was great difference in the strength of the two armies, but General Taylor was a very determined man, and he said he would go and relieve Fort Polk, and fight whoever opposed him. He started on the morning of the 7th of May, and about two o’clock the next day, encountered the Mexicans at Palo Alto. A dreadful battle was then fought. The Mexicans were much more numerous than the Americans, but the Americans were braver soldiers, and they had some fine guns, which could be quickly moved to any part of the field. While conducting the movement of these guns, Major Ringgold, a very brave and skilful officer, was shot through both thighs and fell to the ground. To add to his sufferings, his [Pg 84] horse fell on him. He was taken off the field, and died, after enduring great pains for two or three days. The battle was chiefly fought with the artillery. But at one time, about one thousand Mexican lancers moved forward to attack the Americans. This splendid looking body of cavalry, however, was driven back by the dreadful fire from the American guns, and the whole Mexican army retreated. General Taylor and his brave soldiers slept upon the field of battle.
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The next day after the battle of Palo Alto, General Taylor moved forward towards Fort Polk. He could hear the sound of the bombardment, and he was anxious to relieve the small garrison he had left in the fort. He soon came up with the Mexicans again. They had received more troops and had taken a strong position. It was a place called Resaca de la Palma, or the Palm Ravine. General Taylor did not hesitate to attack them. He and his men were confident that they could beat many times their number of Mexicans. The victory at [Pg 88] Palo Alto had assured them of a victory wherever they should meet a foe. The flying artillery was brought into service and poured quick and murderous discharges into the Mexican ranks. Then Captain May, with his dragoons charged down the ravine, through the bushes, and over the guns of the enemy, cutting down all who came within reach of their sabres. General La Vega fell into their hands. The Mexicans continued the fight even after they had lost their cannon, but the Americans soon cleared the field at the point of the bayonet, and then pushed on to Fort Polk.
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After General Taylor had taken possession of Matamoras, he waited for reinforcements and then moved forward to attack Monterey. This city was very [Pg 92] strongly fortified by nature and art. The Saddle mountains extended on three sides of it, while the other side was protected by a high wall and strong works. Besides every house was so constructed of stone as to be looked upon as a fortification. General Ampudia, with about eleven thousand men formed its garrison. General Taylor’s army only numbered six thousand men, yet he advanced, and commenced the siege on the 21st of September. The Americans displayed the greatest bravery in the various attacks, and at the close of the first day of the siege, had taken the Bishop’s Palace and other strong outworks. The next day was employed by the Americans in preparing for another grand attack.[Pg 93‒95] On the 23d they assaulted the city on two sides, and their batteries made terrible havoc among the Mexicans. The Texan rangers cut their way through the houses with pickaxes, and the fighting in the streets became dreadful and destructive. The Mexicans were collected in the heart of the city, and to that point the Americans advanced. Night put an end to the fighting, and the next morning, the Mexican general proposed to surrender the city. Officers from both sides met and agreed to certain terms. Then the Mexican army marched out of the city, and the Americans entered and took possession of it. So it seemed that nothing could stop the progress of General Taylor and his men.
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The Mexicans, though beaten so often, did not lose their spirits. Their great general, Santa Anna, soon collected an army of more than twenty thousand men, and advanced towards Monterey. Now General Taylor’s army was much reduced in numbers, and the most of his troops were volunteers, who had never been in battle. But he resolved to await the attack of the great Mexican army at a place called Buena Vista. On the 22d of February, Santa Anna appeared and attacked the Americans; but was repulsed. The great battle was fought on [Pg 98] the next day. It commenced early in the morning, and continued until night put an end to the work of death. The Mexicans almost overwhelmed the little army under General Taylor; but each man fought like a hero, and every attack of the enemy was repulsed. Captain Bragg gave them plenty of grape-shot. Three times during the day, was the American army saved by the skill and effect with which the artillery was managed. At length night came, and the exhausted troops sank down on the field. The next morning, the Mexican army had retreated and could not be found. General Taylor had therefore gained a victory over an army more than four times as large as his own.
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The Americans, under the command of General Kearney, having taken possession of New Mexico, Colonel Doniphan with a regiment of mounted riflemen, was ordered to march to Chihuahua, and join General Wool. The country between Santa Fe and Chihuahua was very little known, and therefore when Colonel Doniphan set out he did not expect to encounter the toils and dangers he afterwards met. A vast and dreary desert was to be traversed, and a hostile people to be dealt with. Colonel Doniphan began his march on the 17th of December, [Pg 103] 1846, and soon after reached the tract of country called by the Mexicans the “desert of death,” where the bones of murdered men and famished animals were strewn along the road, and where not a drop of water nor a blade of grass met the eyes of the traveller. After passing through this desert, the troops reached Bracito, where they repulsed an attack made by the Mexicans. Doniphan was reinforced soon after, and marched for Chihuahua. Near that place he again defeated the enemy. He remained six weeks at Chihuahua, and seeing nothing of General Wool, marched to meet General Taylor.
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After Colonel Doniphan left Santa Fe, the Mexicans rose and killed Governor Bent and five other Americans. Other murders followed. The Mexicans collected a large army, and strongly fortified a village called Pueblo de Taos. Colonel Price, with four hundred and fifty men, after defeating a portion of the enemy, marched to attack Pueblo de Taos, on the 4th of February. The greater part of the enemy were posted in a stone church. Against this church, Colonel Price brought his guns to play, but could not reduce it. An assault was repulsed. [Pg 107] But ladders being planted, the troops cut small holes with their axes and threw fire into the church. A breach was then made in its walls, and a storming party plunged through it to attack the enemy, who then fled. The Americans pursued and killed all they overtook. About one hundred and fifty Mexicans were killed. The next day, the survivors sued for mercy, and the insurrection was at an end.
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Upon the breaking out of the war with Mexico, orders were sent to Commodore Sloat, who commanded the squadron of United States vessels in the Pacific, to take possession of all the ports of Upper California. This was done, the people making but little resistance. Colonel Fremont, the famous explorer of the far-west, then hoisted the flag of the United States at Sonoma, a town in the northern part of California. The Mexican governor fled. Colonel Fremont with one hundred and fifty men, then hurried to join his force with that of Commodore [Pg 111] Stockton, who had taken command of the squadron. On the 13th of August, 1846, the united forces entered the capital of California—Pueblo de los Angelos. Thus the conquest of this valuable country was complete. The people seemed to be very well satisfied with their conquerors. Commodore Stockton issued a proclamation, announcing that he took possession of the territory by authority of the government of the United States, and offering security and protection to all who submit to that authority.
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After the capture of Monterey, as the Mexicans did not seem disposed for peace, the government of the United States determined to prosecute a more decisive campaign. A large army was [Pg 113] collected at Anton Lizardo, and Major-General Winfield Scott took command of it. A land and naval attack upon the city of Vera Cruz and the Castle of San Juan Ulloa was fixed upon as the first object. The fleet, under Commodore Conner, transported the army to a landing place selected by General Scott, and the landing was effected on the 9th of March, 1847. Four thousand five hundred men were thrown upon the shore at once, the Mexicans making no resistance. Very soon the rest of the army was landed, and then they formed a great line around the city. Then the great guns were brought ashore and a brisk fire opened by the besiegers. The Mexicans returned the fire from the city [Pg 114] and castle. While the soldiers were doing this, a few small steam vessels sailed up near to the castle and commenced firing upon it. This was a bold exploit, and if the Mexicans had been equal to the Americans in gunnery, they would have made the vessels pay for the boldness of their commanders. A tremendous fire of cannon balls and bomb-shells was kept up by the naval and land forces until the morning of the 26th of March, when the inhabitants, who had suffered much, compelled the governor to surrender the city and castle to General Scott. Commissioners were appointed by the commanders of both armies, as is usual in such cases, and terms of capitulation agreed upon. The Mexican troops were to march out of the city, lay down their arms, and then march for the interior, being prisoners of war on parole, and the city and castle, with all their artillery and ammunition and public stores were to be given up to the United States troops.
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After the capitulation, General Worth was appointed military governor of the city, and the troops had a short rest from the constant exertions of the siege. During this siege, General Scott lost very few men; but the enemy suffered a great deal. So that this fine city and strong castle did not cost the captors much, while it gave them an entrance to the great road leading to the city of Mexico.
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On the 8th of April, the van of General Scott’s army began its march from Vera Cruz, for the interior of Mexico. The troops met with no opposition until they approached a rocky pass called Cerro [Pg 123] Gordo. This place, which was very strong by nature, had been carefully fortified by the Mexicans, under General Santa Anna. They thought that General Scott’s men were not brave enough to venture to attack such a strong position, defended by about fifteen thousand well furnished and disciplined troops. But General Scott soon formed his plan of attack, and on the 17th of April, ordered his divisions to take their appointed positions. The next morning, the troops advanced to the attack, under an awful fire from the Mexican batteries. Colonel Harney, with a brigade of troops, rushed up the height of Cerro Gordo, on which the principal battery was erected, and after a short struggle, drove the enemy from [Pg 124] their works. By two o’clock in the afternoon the victory was complete. Five generals, many other officers, three thousand soldiers, forty-three pieces of cannon, and a great quantity of small arms were taken. Santa Anna, with the remnant of his army, fled towards the city of Mexico, pursued by General Worth. Great numbers of the Mexicans fell in the conflict and pursuit. General Scott lost about two hundred and fifty men. Among the prisoners was the brave General La Vega, who had been captured before at Resaca de la Palma. If all the Mexican generals had been equal to La Vega, General Scott would have had much harder fighting at Cerro Gordo.
[Pg 125‒126]
[Pg 127]
The defeat of the Mexicans at Cerro Gordo opened the road for the United States troops as far as the city of Puebla, at which place General Scott was compelled to halt to refresh his men, and wait for reinforcements. On the 7th of August, he began his march for the capital. General Santa Anna had fortified nearly every available place to check General Scott’s progress, and it was necessary that some of the strong positions should be taken before he could proceed. One of these was Contreras, defended by General Valencia, with a great body of [Pg 128] troops and twenty-two cannon. A detachment from General Scott’s army attacked this place on the 19th of August, but could not withstand the tremendous fire of the enemy. The next morning, the detachment, which was commanded by General Smith, having gained a road in the rear of the works, advanced to the assault. Colonel Riley headed the storming party, rushed up to the works under a heavy fire, and after a short struggle captured the cannon and drove the enemy before him. General Shields cut off the retreat, and whole companies were forced to surrender. Thus another complete triumph was gained by the Americans.
[Pg 129‒130]
[Pg 131]
By the capture of Contreras, the Mexicans were forced to concentrate at Churubusco, which was still more strongly fortified than Contreras. General Scott brought his whole army to the attack upon Churubusco, and never did men behave with more valor and heroism. The fire of the Mexicans was tremendous, and the Americans suffered much from it. But post after post was carried, and the enemy found that their superior numbers could not withstand the onset. General Worth stormed the bridge, which was the strongest part of the works, [Pg 132] while General Twiggs brought his artillery to bear on a convent, which, however, held out until General Twiggs was reinforced, when it surrendered. In the meantime, General Shields, with two brigades, encountered about four thousand Mexican infantry, whose flanks were protected by three thousand cavalry, and after a severe struggle defeated them. The enemy were routed in every part of the field, and pursued nearly to the gates of Mexico. This was the most glorious day’s work the American army had yet performed.
[Pg 133‒134]
[Pg 135]
Santa Anna saved the capital from immediate assault after the battle of Churubusco, by procuring an armistice for peace negotiations. His real object was [Pg 136] to gain time to prepare munitions of war and strengthen the defences of the city. General Scott discovered this, and put an end to the armistice. He then resolved to attempt the capture of Molino del Rey, a strongly fortified and garrisoned foundry. General Worth, with three thousand one hundred and fifty men, was detached for this service. General Worth was ignorant of the great strength of the works, but he made skilful disposition and was determined to succeed. There were three assaulting columns. The first was to assail Molino del Rey, covered by the fire of some heavy artillery. The centre was to consist of five hundred picked men, commanded by Major Wright. The third [Pg 137] column was commanded by Colonel M’Intosh, and consisted of the second brigade, supported by Duncan’s artillery. A strong body of troops were held in reserve. On the morning of the 8th of September, the columns advanced to the assault, a tremendous fire from the batteries having shaken the walls of the enemy’s works. The central position was carried after a bloody struggle, in which Major Wright and one half his force were either killed or wounded. The Mexicans had masked batteries, which the Americans could not see till they were within range of them. On the right of the field, the assailants were completely successful, carrying the works, and slaughtering the enemy without [Pg 138] mercy. On the left Duncan kept up a heavy fire upon the stone foundry, called Casa Mata. The assault was here repulsed; but Duncan’s artillery restored the fortune of the contest, and compelled the Mexicans to evacuate the foundry, even while they were playing triumphant music for victory. Thus General Worth was victorious in every part of the field, and the enemy were in flight. But the victory was purchased by the loss of one half of the division. The loss of the Mexicans in killed, wounded and prisoners was immense.
[Pg 139‒140]
[Pg 141‒142]
[Pg 143]
By the capture of Molino del Rey, and the adjacent works, the castle of Chapultepec was exposed to attack upon two sides, and General Scott hastened to form his plan for the storming of it and [Pg 144] the gates of the capital. On the 12th of September, the batteries opened upon the castle, and with such effect that Santa Anna was prevented from throwing reinforcements into it. The Mexicans returned the fire, but as they were not equal to the Americans in gunnery, they did very little damage. On the 13th, the assault was made. General Quitman, with one division, advanced upon the northeast side, while General Pillow, with another division, assailed the height on the west. The castle was garrisoned by picked troops, well supplied with artillery, and commanded by the veteran, General Bravo. A determined defence was therefore expected, and the Americans nerved themselves for it. Pillow’s [Pg 145] troops dashed up the rocky height amid a heavy and destructive fire from the enemy, and so rapid was the assault that the Mexicans were driven from post to post, until they had no chance to fire their mines. General Pillow fell, severely wounded, and General Cadwalader assumed the command of his division. Ladders were prepared, the walls of the castle mounted, and the American flag planted upon them. In the meantime, General Quitman advanced upon the opposite side, defeated a large detachment of the enemy, and forced his way up the height, with a rapidity and valor equal to that of the other division. A portion of his troops arrived in time to storm the [Pg 146] walls, and enter side by side with Pillow’s troops. The Mexicans fought bravely, even after the Americans had entered the fort. Few of them asked for quarter, and fewer obtained it; as the victors were exasperated at the cruelties of the Mexicans at Molino del Rey. A great many prisoners were taken, and among others, General Bravo. Thus this fine castle, which the Mexicans had looked upon as impregnable, fell into the hands of the troops, whose progress no obstacle could check.
[Pg 147‒148]
[Pg 149‒150]
[Pg 151]
The Americans now advanced to attack the strong defences of the capital. By General Scott’s plan, General Twiggs kept up a heavy fire upon the southern part of the city, to divert the attention of the enemy, while General Worth advanced to attack the San Cosmo gate, and General Quitman the Belen gate. The troops of these divisions were exposed to a tremendous and destructive fire from batteries placed along the roads and at the gates. But the men now seemed insensible to danger, and pressed on with a valor that never was surpassed. [Pg 152] Many valuable officers fell at their head, and this excited a spirit of revenge among the troops, which led them to give but little quarter to the enemy. By night-fall, both gates were carried, and the conquerors had gained a foothold in the city. The next morning, while General Scott was preparing to complete the work, the government surrendered. The Mexican army had fled from the city. On the 14th of September, the Americans entered Mexico in triumph.
[Pg 153‒154]
[Pg 155]
The first affair in which General Cadwalader distinguished himself in Mexico was a skirmish at the National Bridge, during his march to join Scott at Puebla. Colonel M’Intosh had started with a train for the interior; but being attacked by an overpowering force of the enemy, had been forced to await the arrival of Cadwalader, who, hearing of his danger, hurried up, with eight hundred men to his succor. On approaching the National Bridge, Cadwalader, at the head of the united forces, seized some heights which [Pg 156] the enemy had previously occupied. He was here attacked by a strong force, but made good his defence, charging the Mexicans incessantly, until their strength was broken, when the bridge was passed in safety. In this action the foe lost one hundred in killed and wounded: Cadwalader about fifty. This victory was won principally by artillery, a species of force with which Cadwalader was perfectly familiar.
[Pg 157‒158]
[Pg 159]
General Franklin Pierce was among the bravest of the brave who fought during the Mexican war. He took command of a reinforcement of twenty-four hundred men, at Vera Cruz, shortly after the battle of Cerro Gordo, and set out to join General Scott, who was waiting at the city of Puebla for more troops. At the National Bridge, he was attacked by a large body of Mexicans, and narrowly escaped being killed, a ball passing through his hat. He succeeded, however, in defeating the enemy, and inflicting upon them a heavy loss in men. He [Pg 160] then pushed on, and met with no interruption till he arrived at Puebla. After his arrival, the commander-in-chief completed his arrangements and set out for the capital. In the first attack upon Contreras, General Pierce was wounded in the knee, while leading his brigade against the enemy. But he kept the field until midnight. The next day he joined the brigade, and pressed forward among the most heroic. He had dismounted to leap a ditch, forgetting his wound, when he fainted and fell directly in the line of the enemy’s fire. His escape from death was a miracle.
[Pg 161‒162]
[Pg 163]
Early in October, 1847, General Joseph Lane, with about two thousand five hundred men, and five pieces of artillery, marched from Vera Cruz to reinforce the army of General Scott. Near a town called Huamantla, he encountered and defeated a large body of Mexican troops, who attempted to check his progress. Pressing forward, he met parties of Mexicans along the road several miles from Atlixco. A running fight ensued, in which the American cavalry was chiefly engaged. At length the Mexican detachments were driven into the town. [Pg 164] Night came on, and General Lane posted his artillery on a hill near the city, and opened a heavy, well-aimed, and very rapid fire. After firing for three quarters of an hour, the batteries of the enemy were silenced; and a portion of General Lane’s troops were ordered to advance cautiously into the town. They were met by the authorities, who entreated that the town might be spared. This victory completely broke up the guerilla bands in the vicinity of Atlixco.
[Pg 165‒166]
[Pg 167]
We have already given a slight outline of the famous expedition of Colonel Doniphan. We will now notice some of the exploits of his little army.
The battle of Bracito was the first engagement fought by the mounted troops, under the command of Colonel Doniphan. It occurred on Christmas day, 1847. Colonel Doniphan’s men had marched to within a short distance of the town of El Paso, and had encamped near a bend in the Bracito river. The Mexicans, in great force, came upon them, while they were in search of wood [Pg 168] and water. A quick rally was made, and the Americans drew up on foot to receive the charge of the enemy’s cavalry. The Mexicans displayed a black flag, with skull and cross-bones worked upon it, and said they would give no quarter nor ask it. A heavy shower of balls from the rifles of the Americans caused the cavalry to wheel and retreat in confusion. A small party of the Americans then rushed up to the enemy’s line, and captured their cannon, dragging it into the American line. This daring and desperate act completely astonished the Mexicans, and they soon after made a hurried retreat, having lost about two hundred men. Colonel Doniphan lost very few men.
[Pg 169‒170]
[Pg 171]
Colonel Doniphan’s force was increased to a thousand men, with four pieces of artillery, soon after his arrival at El Paso. Continuing his march towards Chihuahua, he reached the valley of the Sacramento. The Mexicans had taken a strong position on the banks of the Sacramento, and it was well fortified. Colonel Doniphan saw that the only chance of fighting them at all upon even ground was to get possession of the high tableland between the Seco and Sacramento rivers. Accordingly a small force was directed to advance for that purpose. This gallant band stormed the intrenchments [Pg 172] and gained the tableland, where the whole American army was drawn up for battle. The Mexicans opened a heavy fire, and it was returned with more effect by Captain Weightman’s artillery. Then the troops were ordered to storm the works. A gallant charge was made, amid a tremendous fire, and, after a three hour’s fight, the enemy were completely defeated. The Mexicans lost about three hundred men, ten pieces of artillery, and a large quantity of ammunition. This battle was justly considered one of the most brilliant that was fought during the war. It raised the fame of Colonel Doniphan and his brave band of warriors to a very high point in public esteem.
[Pg 173‒174]
[Pg 175]
Soon after the Americans took possession of New Mexico, General Kearney, with only one hundred dragoons for an escort, began a march through an unknown and hostile country for Upper California. On the 5th of December, having reached the frontier settlements of that territory, he was met by Captain Gillespie, with a party of riflemen, who had been sent out to give him information of an insurrection that had occurred in California. Captain Gillespie informed General Kearney that an armed party of Californians was encamped at San [Pg 176] Pasqual, and the general immediately resolved to attack them. At daybreak, on the 6th of December, he encountered the enemy, and a well-fought action ensued. The California lancers committed some havoc among the Americans, but a furious charge from the dragoons compelled them to retreat. The fight, however, was renewed, when the enemy saw the small force that pursued them, and they were not completely defeated until about one-third of the Americans were killed or wounded. The loss of the Californians was also heavy. The subsequent junction of Commodore Stockton and his brave band of sailors with the force of General Kearney, decided the conquest of California.
[Pg 177‒178]
[Pg 179]
In June, 1846, Commodore Sloat having received information that the Mexicans had crossed the Rio Grande, determined to take possession of the principal ports of Upper California. He sailed to Monterey in the frigate Savannah, and was there joined by the Cyanne and Levant, vessels of war. Having examined the defences of the small town, and completed the arrangements for capturing it, the commodore sent Captain Mervine to demand its surrender. The Mexican commandant replied that he was not authorized to surrender the town, and [Pg 180] referred Commodore Sloat to Governor Castro. Captain Mervine then landed two hundred and fifty seamen and marines, hoisted the star-spangled banner amid cheers from the troops and bystanders, and a national salute from the squadron. Commodore Sloat then issued a proclamation, announcing that war existed between the United States and Mexico, and the arms of the United States would be carried throughout California. The conquest was subsequently completed as just related, by the great exertions of Commodore Stockton, who succeeded Sloat, and landed men from his fleet, marched to the relief of Kearney, fought pitched battles with the enemy, and never left the affair until the conquest of the country was fully effected.
[Pg 181‒182]
[Pg 183]
General Kearney with his small, and almost worn-out force, reached San Diego just in time to join Commodore Stockton in carrying out a plan for reducing the Californians to submission. On the 29th of December, the little army, consisting of about six hundred men—the greater part of them being seamen, started from San Diego, to march toward Puebla de los Angelos, the capital and chief city of California. They had proceeded about one hundred and ten miles toward the Rio San Gabriel, when they found about six hundred mounted men, with four [Pg 184] pieces of artillery, drawn up to dispute the passage of the river. On the 8th of January, 1847, the necessary arrangements having been made, the Americans waded across the river, reserved their fire until they reached the opposite bank, repelled a charge of the enemy, and then charged them in gallant style. After an action of an hour and a half, the enemy were driven from the field, on which the conquerors encamped for the night. The loss of the Californians was severe.
This battle, fought by the seamen and marines of Commodore Stockton, is justly regarded as one of the most extraordinary exploits of the whole Mexican war, which, as we have seen, abounded in all sorts of romantic and heroic achievements.
[Pg 185‒186]
[Pg 187]
General James Shields distinguished himself in several battles during the Mexican war, and was severely wounded upon two occasions. In the great battle of Cerro Gordo, General Shields, with his brigade of volunteers, was directed to storm the height west of the principal battery of the Mexicans, which commanded the Jalapa road. The order was promptly and bravely executed. The volunteers advanced up the height with all the steadiness and courage of veterans, and carrying the height drove the enemy along the Jalapa road. As General Shields was advancing with his [Pg 188] men, he was shot through the lungs. This paralyzed him, and he was carried off the field. The wound was at first thought to be mortal, but it happily proved to be otherwise. The general recovered and joined the army in time to share in the glory of the battles of Contreras, Churubusco, and the Garitas of Mexico.
General Shields is something more than a mere warrior. After the conclusion of the war, we find him assisting in the deliberation of the highest legislative body in the country, the senate of the United States. He is not a native of our country, but like the brave General Montgomery, who fell at the storming of Quebec, he is one of our adopted citizens. He was born in Ireland.
[Pg 189‒190]
[Pg 191]
After the flag of the United States had been planted upon the National Palace of the capital, by General Quitman, General Scott, with the main army, entered the city. The officers were dressed in full uniform, the military bands poured forth the “Star-Spangled Banner,” and “Hail Columbia,” and every thing was arranged in such a manner as to gratify the toil-worn, but triumphant troops.
The Mexicans were now disposed to listen to the overtures of peace made by [Pg 192] the commissioner, Mr. N. P. Trist. They appointed commissioners, who met Mr. Trist, at Guadalupe Hidalgo. After considerable discussion, a treaty of peace was agreed upon, by which New Mexico, Upper California, and the territory between the Nueces and Rio Grande were ceded to the United States. This treaty was ratified by the two governments, and in the spring of 1848, the American army evacuated Mexico.
The Mexican war thus brought to a close forms one of the most brilliant epochs in the military history of our country. It was signalized by astonishing displays of bravery and military skill; and added to our union, several states, among which is California, the richest gold region in the world.
Transcriber’s Notes.
1. Silently corrected simple spelling, grammar, and typographical errors.
2. Some of the illustrations have been moved to the nearest paragraph break.
3. The officers’ portraits on pages 91, 112, 120, and 135 have been identified on the internet. Their names have been added as captions to their respective portraits.
New original cover art included with this eBook is granted to the public domain.