pursue the enemy with vigor until further orders.
" " Wall's field battery and the cavalry will be held in reserve on the
national road, a little out of view and range of the enemy's batteries.
They will take up that position at 9 o'clock in the morning.
" The enemy's batteries being carried or abandoned, all our divisions
and corps will pursue with vigor.
" This pursuit may be continued many miles, until stopped by dark-
ness or fortified positions towards Jalapa. Consequently the body of the
army will not return to this encampment, but be followed to-morrow after-
noon, or early the next morning, by the baggage trains of the several
corps. For this purpose the feebler officers and men of each corps will
be left to guard its camp and effects, and to load up the latter in the wa-
gons of the corps. A commander of the present encampment will be
designated in the course of this day.
" As soon as it shall be known that the enemy's works have been car-
ried, or that the general pursuit has been commenced, one wagon for each
regiment and battery and one for the cavalry will follow the movement, to
receive, under the direction of medical officers, the wounded and disabled,
who will be brought back to this place for treatment in general hospital.
" The surgeon-general will organize this important service, and desig-
nate that hospital as well as the medical officers to be left at it.
" Every man who marches out to attack or pursue the enemy will take
the usual allowance of ammunition and subsistence for at least two days.
" By command of Major General Scott.
H. L. SCOTT,
A. A. A. General.
Executive Documents, 1st session 30th Congress, Volume 2, p. 259.
212 HISTORY OF THE
the exception of the assault under Pillow, whose
oniiinaml being ordered to charge before it was
formed, was twice repulsed by the terrible fire from
the Mexican batteries. This portion of the Mexi-
can position was much stronger than had been an-
ticipated, and was defended by regular troops and
skilful and gallant officers. The charge under Co-
lonel Harney up the steep and precipitous ascent in
the face of the Mexican guns, was a daring and bril-
liant affair, and resulted in driving the enemy with
great slaughter from that part of the field. The
orders issued to the division of Worth and Twiggs
were executed with great gallantry, and the com-
mand of the latter Genera] sustained considerable
loss in executing his orders. About 3,000 prisoners
with five generals, and many other officers of rank,
were some of the fruits of this victory. The loss
of the Americans in killed and wounded was about
250; that of the enemy about 350. Among the
American officers who were desperately wounded
was General Shields. The pursuit of the enemy
was rapidly continued in the direction of Jalapa.
The rout of the Mexicans was complete, and they
dispersed in utter confusion, and the Americans
soon after took possession of Jalapa and the strong
fortress of Perote* At the latter place were
captured 54 guns and mortal's, 11,065 cannon balls,
14,300 bombs and hand-grenades, and 500 muskets.
The effect produced upon the enemy by the de-
cisive victories won by the American arms, was so
great, that if the Commander-in-chief had been en-
* Report of General Worth, Perote, April 22d, 1847.
POLK ADMINISTRATION. 213
abled to muster the requisite force, he might in all
probability have taken the city of Mexico without
striking another blow. But, unfortunately, the time
for which seven of the volunteer regiment? had en-
listed, was about to expire. Congress had passed a
law for the re-enlistment of such portions of them
as might be disposed to continue in the service of
the country. But it was soon evident that they
were resolved to return to their homes. Many of
them had performed arduous service, and although
the " Halls of the Montezumas," in which they had
manifested such determination to revel, were now
easy of access, still no one can censure them for
the course which they thought proper to pursue.
As their term of service was nearly completed, they
did not relish the idea of penetrating further into
the interior, and in view of the danger which they
would incur from the vomito, in passing through
Vera Cruz, the Commander-in-chief determined to
discharge them at once.*
There was no other course left to General Scott
but to advance on the city with an army greatly
* " The General-in-chief regrets to learn, through a great number of
undoubted channels, that, in all probability, not one man in ten of those
regiments, will be inclined to volunteer for the war. This predetermina-
tion offers, in his opinion, no ground for reproach, considering the long ;
arduous, faithful, and gallant services of those corps, however deeplv all
will regret the consequent and unavoidable delay in the prosecution of
this war to an early and honorable peace ; for the General-in-chief cannot,
in humanity and good faith, cause regiments entitled, in a few weeks, to
an honorable discbarge, to advance further from the coast in pursuit of
the enemy, and thereby throw them upon the necessity of returning to
embark at Vera Cruz, at the season known to be, at that place, the most
fatal to life." — General Orders, No. 135, May -ith, 1847.
214 HISTORY OF THE
red need in numbers, or to continue in the position
he then occupied, and await the arrival of the ten
regiments of regulars authorized by Congress to be
enlisted. lie determined to adopt the latter course.
Notwithstanding the strenuous exertions used by
t he President, and those members of Congress favor-
able to the ten regiment bill, to enforce its prompt
passage, it was greatly delayed by those who were
opposed to the bill altogether, and by others, who
preferred raising volunteers,* a description of troops
which were not as acceptable as regulars, to either
General Scott or General Taylor.
The adoption of regulations to enforce contribu-
tions from the Mexicans, was ordered by the Presi-
dent in March, 1847, by the establishment of a tariff
of duties at the Mexican ports. This system was
f;ii' from famishing the necessary sum of money for
the use of the army ; and as no very considerable
amount of provisions could be forced from the Mex-
i<-;m> in the interior, they were generally purchased
from them. General Scott, from the fact of his not
receiving, through the Quartermaster's department,
the necessary remittances of money, anticipated that
large contributions were expected from the Mexi-
cans, by the Cabinet, and addressed rather a sharp
n<»tr to the War Department, f
* Congressional Globe, 29th Congress.
t - If it is to be expected at Washington, as is now apprehended, that
this army is to Bupporl itself by forced contributions levied upon the coun-
try, we may ruin and exasperate the inhabitants and starve ourselves; for
rtain they would Booner remove or destroy the products of their
farms. than allow them to fall into our hands without compensation. Not
a ration for man or horse would be brought in, except by the bayonet,
POLK ADMINISTRATION. 215
While the headquarters of General Scott were
still at Jalapa, Mr. N. P. Trist arrived in Mexico as
the agent of the United States, to negotiate terms
with the Mexicans. Although the propriety of ap
pointing a commissioner from the United States,
had been suggested by General Scott in his letter of
April 5th, to the Secretary of War, still, the selec-
tion of Mr. Trist as that commissioner was perfectly
unjustifiable. He neither possessed the ability, nor
held the position requisite for the office to which he
was appointed. He was vain and conceited, with-
out possessing that judgment which the occasion
required. He was simply a clerk in the State De-
partment ; scarcely known in the city of Washing-
ton, and of whose existence the Mexicans were per-
fectly ignorant. No reason can be assigned for his
selection by Mr. Buchanan, unless, indeed, as was
supposed, the Secretary was anxious to appropriate
all the eclat, resulting from the conclusion of a
treaty of peace, to the State Department. An indi-
vidual should have been selected, whose standing in
this country would not only be a guarantee of his
ability to enter upon a delicate negotiation, but
whose modesty and good sense would have avoided
any collision with the officers in command of our
army. As it was, Mr. Trist had scarcely touched his
foot upon the soil of Mexico, before he became involv-
ed in a warm controversy with the Commander-in-
which would oblige the troops to spread themselves out many leagues to
the right and left, in search of subsistence, and to stop all military opera-
tiono."— Dispatch of General Scott to the War Department, May 20lh,
1847.
216 HISTORY OF THE
chief. It was due to General Scott that a full ex-
planation should have been given him, with regard
to the mission, by the State Department, especially
when he supposed that the confidence of the admin-
istration had been withdrawn from him. His feel-
ings were pretty clearly indicated in a letter to Mr.
Trist,'"' which produced a response from that per-
son, r However objectionable may have been the
language of General Scott, when addressing the ac-
credited agent of the Government, the response of
Mr. Trist is equally liable to condemnation. Both
communications were calculated to widen the breach,
and greatly to militate against the public service.
Mr. Trist continued with the army until he, finally,
in transcending his orders after the city of Mexico
was captured, lost the confidence of the Cabinet at
Washington, and General Scott was not alone in the
estimation which he had placed upon his character.
Santa Anna after his defeat at Cerro Gordo, in-
stead of returning at once to the city of Mexico,
retired in the direction of Orizaba, where he was
making great exertions to rally his scattered forces.
* "I see thai the Secretary of War proposes to degrade me, by requir-
ing thai I. the commander of this army, shall defer to you, the chief clerk
oi ill" Department of State, the question of continuing or discontinuing
hostilities." — Letter of General Scott to Mr. Trist, 1th of May, 1845.
f " You will now, Bir, I trust, understand, when the communication re-
ferred tu shall again be placed in your hands, thai greatly deficient in wis-
dom asthe present (and indeed any democratic) administration of the
Government must necessarily be, it has not, in this particular instance,
fallen into so egregious a blunder as to make the transmission and delivery
ofthat communication dependent upon the amiable affability and gracious
in of General Winfield Scott."' — hetter of Mr. Trist to
i, ral Scott, May 9th, 1847.
POLK ADMINISTRATION". 217
At this time Anaya was acting President of Mex-
ico. His administration was resolved to continue
the contest, notwithstanding the repeated disasters
which had overwhelmed the Mexican forces.
On the 8th of May General Worth commenced
his march from Perote along the high road to Pu-
ebla, where he arrived on the 15th of May, and
took possession of that city * On the 11th of May
General Scott issued a celebrated proclamation to
the Mexican nation.f On the 19th of May, Santa
Anna entered the city of Mexico, where his recep-
tion was by no means flattering to his vanity. He
nevertheless assumed the duties of the Presidency,
and employed all his influence in procuring a re-
* The terms which were granted by General Worth to the authorities
of Puebla did not meet the approbation of the Commander-in-chief. An
issue was raised between those two officers which produced a Court of
Inquiry, over which Quitman presided, which sustained the opinion of
General Scott as to the impolicy of the terms granted by Worth.
f " Considerations of high policy and of continental American inter-
ests precipitated events, in spite of the circumspection of the Cabinet at
Washington. This Cabinet, ardently desiring to terminate all differences
with Mexico, spared no efforts compatible with honor and dignity. It
cherished the most flattering hopes of attaining this end by frank expla-
nations and reasonings, addressed to the judgment and prudence of the
virtuous and patriotic Government of General Herrera. An unexpected
misfortune dispelled these hopes, and closed every avenue to an honorable
adjustment. Your new Government disregarded your national interests,
as well as those of continental America, and yielded, moreover, to foreign
influences the most opposed to those interests —the most fatal to the future
of Mexican liberty, and of that republican system which the United States
holds it a duty to preserve and to protect. Duty, honor, and dignity placed
us under the necessity of not losing a season, of which the monarchical
party was fast taking advantage. As not a moment was to be lost, we
acted with a promptness and decision suited to the urgency of the case,
in order to avoid a complication of interests which might render our rela-
tions more difficult and involved." — Proclamation of General Scott to the
Mexicans, May Wth, 1847.
218 IIISTOEY OF THE
election to that office. Preparations for the defence
of the city were progressing with considerable en-
ergy, the fortifications were repaired, and recruits
for the army were obtained with all diligence
These events did not withdraw the attention of the
Mexicans from the internal commotions which dis-
tracted and divided their councils, and which the
danger to be apprehended from the American army
could not allay, and on the 29th of May, Santa
Anna resigned the Presidency. This resignation
not being immediately accepted by the Mexican
Congress, it was withdrawn on the 2d of June. It
was supposed by the Americans, that the state of
anarchy and disorder which prevailed in the city,
would result in the election of a President who
would enter into negotiations. This was certainly
the opinion of General Scott*
Notwithstanding the want of patriotism upon
the part of the Mexicans, General Scott did not
deem himself in a condition to take advantage of
it, owing to the fact that the number of troops with
which he landed at Vera Cruz had been greatly
diminished.f One thousand men were left in hos-
* "The delay here until about the 22d inst. may, however, be com-
pensated by cue important advantage. General Santa Anna lias renounced
tbc Presidency (see his printed letter herewith). It is understood that a
new Government will be installed on the 15th inst., and tbere is good
ground to hope under Ilerrera or Trias, both supposed to be desirous of
peace with tbe United States. If we were previously to occupy the
capital, tin- friends of peace (most of the leaders of the party belong to
tin- capital) would lie dispersed ; or if they remained and organized under
our colors, their Government would be denounced and decried as set up
r army, and lose all credit and weight with the Mexican people."
Making the further deductions of the killed and wounded, the
POLK ADMINISTEATION. 219
pital at Vera Cruz, the same number sick and
wounded at Jalapa, 200 sick at Perote, and on the
sick report at Puebla, 1,017. Making a deduc-
tion of the killed and wounded, and the garrisons
at Vera Cruz, Jalapa, and Perote, there were only
left under his command on the 4th of June, 5,820
effective non-commissioned officers, artificers, musi-
cians, and privates.
The troops which now began to arrive at Vera
Cruz were greatly harassed on their route to the
headquarters of General Scott by the guerilleros
who infested the line of march ; and each detach-
ment was forced to fight its way through those
bands of robbers, who contended for plunder more
than from a desire to drive the Americans from
their soil. The commands of Colonel M'Intosh and
Cadwalader were followed by the division under
Major General Pillow. The combined forces arrived
at Puebla on the 8th of July, increasing the force
to 10,000 men.
Before the troops took up their line of march
from Puebla for the city of Mexico, a reconciliation,
apparently sincere, had taken place between Gene-
ral Scott and Mr. Trist.* Dreading the conse-
garrisons of Vera Cruz, Jalapa, and Perote, and we have here but 5,800
effective non-commissioned officers, artificers, musicians, and privates ; a
force evidently insufficient to garrison this large open city, and to march
upon the capital, where, or near it, we may probably have to beat an in-
different army of from 12,000 to 25,000 men. This we could do with
4,000, but at a loss, probably, of one fourth of our numbers ; whereas,
with 8,000, our loss would not exceed some 300." — Dispatch of General
Scot/ to the Secretary of War, June 4th, 1847, Executive Documents, 1st
session 30th Congress, Doc. No. 60, p. 793.
* " Although daily in expectation of something of special interest to
220 HISTOKY OF THE
quences which might result from the ill feeling ex-
isting between the Commander-in-chief and the
American commissioner, Mr. Bnchanan addressed
Mr. Trist on the 14th of June, urging him to effect
a reconciliation with General Scott,* and on the
31s1 of May, the Secretary of War wrote to Gene-
ral Scott, explaining at length the object of Mr.
Trie's mission. f These communications from Wash-
ington could not have had the effect of producing
amicable relations between the two high American
functionaries in Mexico, and, therefore, this rather
unexpected fraternization must be attributable to
some other cause. The world, however, is still left
in doubt as to the influences which produced, so
suddenly, familiar and friendly intercourse between
gentlemen who so recently had employed phrases,
when addressing each other, which were not calcu-
lated 1" exalt the character of either. At the
same time the Department of State cannot be held
communicate, nothing has occurred of that character save a happy change
in my relations, both official and private, with Mr. Trist. Since about
the 26th nit., our intercourse has been frequent and cordial ; and I have
found him able, discreet, courteous, and amiable." — Dispatch of General
S '.to the Secretary of War, July 25th, 1847.
* " Whilst our armies are in the country of the enemy, and our Min-
ister of peace is at the headquarters of the commanding general, this is
no time for per60na] altercations between them, if these can possibly be
avoided. Under such circumstances, the greater the sacrifice of private
griefs, however well founded, which you may make upon the altar of
your country, the more will this redound to your honor hereafter." — Sec-
retary of Si, ilc Id Mr. Trist, June 1 \th. 1847.
i Such information you would have received had Mr. Trist delivered
in pers in, as I did not doubt he would, my letter to you of the 14th inst.,
[ultimo. I with the dispatch from the State Department to the Mexican
Minister of Foreign Relations." — Letter of Mr. Marcy to General Scott,
May \l]st, 1847.
POLK ADMINISTRATION. 221
entirely blameless for intrusting so important a
mission to a person who incurred the danger of a
disastrous breach between himself and the Com-
mander-in-chief, by not complying to the letter with
the wishes of the Cabinet, as indicated in the lettei
of the Secretary of War of the 31st of May.
A communication which had been transmitted
by Mr. Trist to the Mexican Government through
the British legation was responded to by Senor
Ibarra on the 2 2d of June. That the Mexican Go-
vernment was not disposed to accept propositions
of jDeace, was evident from the fact that the com-
munication of Mr. Trist was to be referred to the
Mexican Congress, and the only recourse left was to
advance upon the city. On the 7th, 8th, 9th and
10th, the American troops took up their line of
march. The enterprise which the American forces
had now undertaken was exceedingly hazardous ;
they had not only to assail positions which had
been rendered formidable by nature, and made still
more so by art, but they were advancing into the
heart of a wealthy and populous country, where, if
the people had rallied en masse, inevitable destruc-
tion must have awaited them.
The principally travelled route from Puebla lies
through a highly cultivated country, until it reaches
San Martin Tesmalucan. From thence to Rio Frio,
the face of the country is more precipitous and
broken, and a few miles from the latter point the
highway descends into the valley of Mexico. When
the American troops had arrived at this point, they
saw spread out beneath them cultivated fields and
222 HISTORY OF TIIE
beautiful villages. Their eyes took in the country,
which had been rendered celebrated by the tri-
umphs of the Spaniards under Cortes, and their
footsteps were about to press the same soil over
which hi< victorious legions passed into the city of
the Aztecs., The descendants of those Spaniards
whose prowess enabled them to seize the possessions
of the native princes, were themselves about to be
forced, by an iron destiny and an inexorable fate, to
submit to the northern conquerors. The army en-
tered the valley on the 10th of August, and the
headquarters of the Commander-in-chief were fixed
at Ayotla.
An extraordinary energy seemed to have taken
possession of the Mexican troops, and a determina-
tion to resist to the last extremity appeared to go-
vern them all. Those persons who had hitherto
been anxious tor the establishment of peace, now
Instated to utter their sentiments, and all seemed
determined to vindicate the honor of their country.
Fortifications were repaired, cannon were cast, and
powder was manufactured with great industry. It
was believed that one severe repulse sustained by
the American troops, would destroy that prestige
with which repeated victories had encircled the
American arms. The plan of operations adopted
by Santa Anna, was to await the attack of the
Americans in his intrenchments, while the army of
the north under General Valencia, composed of the
flower of the Mexican troops, was ordered to assail
the invaders in the rear. The first barrier to the
advance of General Scott was the truly formidable
POLK ADMINISTRATION. 223
position of El Penon. This was a lofty hill, strongly
fortified, and commanded the great thoroughfare
leading to the city. On the southern line of the
city were the fortifications of Mexicalcingo, San
Antonio, the convent, and the bridge of Churubus-
co. Its southwestern side was defended by the for-
tress of Chapultepec. The north, from whence no
danger of attack could be apprehended, was only
protected by three garitas ; while the eastern part,
where it was supposed the Americans would make
the most formidable demonstration, was defended
by El Penon. On the 9th of August the brigade
of General Leon, from the midst of the enthusiastic
and confident populace of the city, took their de-
parture for the purpose of covering that fortifica-
tion. Santa Anna himself visited it for the pur-
pose of giving his final orders for its defence.
On the 12th and 13th of August, a daring and
successful reconnoisance of El Penon was effected
by a detachment from the American army. It was
ascertained that although El Penon might be taken,
yet it could be done only at a great sacrifice ; it was
therefore determined, instead of storming this posi-
tion, to march along the high road which runs be-
tween Lake Chalco and Lake Tezcuco, and pass
around the southern shore of Lake Chalco, and
thus attack the city from the south, instead of the
east. The credit of discovering this route, is claimed
by General Scott as having been made by him, long
before he reached the valley of Mexico,* while it is
* " These difficulties, closely viewed, threw me back upon the pro-
ject, long entertained, of turning the strong eastern defences of the city,
I'll HISTORY OF THE
contended by others, that before the successful re-
connoisance of Colonel Duncan, General Scott had
determined to advance with the main portion of his
army, by Mexicalcingo, and that the orders for that
purpose, which lie had issued, were only counter-
manded after Duncan had proved the feasibility of
passing along the southern shore of Lake Chalco.*
It is quite probable that the inquiring mind of Ge-
neral Scott had ascertained the fact, that there was
a route around Lake Chalco. This is very far from
being an improbable supposition, when we recollect
that the Commander-in-chief brought all the re-
sources of his great experience, and a profound
knowledge of his profession, into action during this
campaign. Penetrating into the heart of the ene-
my's country, with comparatively a small body of