414 TAYLOR REACHES THE RIO GRANDE. Paredes refused to yield any part of the disputed territory, aceused the United States of dismembering a sister republic, and appealed to foreign nations for redress and assistance. In consequence of this hostile attitude, the president thought proper to place a corps of observation at Corpus Christi, in order to resist any invasion on the part of Mexico. The com. mand of this force was given to General Zachary Taylor, who had highly distinguished himself in the Seminole war On the 11th of March, the troops moved from Corpus Christi by order of the president, and advanced toward the Rio Grande, the disputed boundary between Texas and Mexico Two separate delegations protested against their march, and an attempt was made to fire the village at Point Isabel, in order to prevent its capture by the Americans. The conflagration was arrested, and after taking possession of the Point, General Taylor built a fort there, and made it his main depot. He then proceeded to the Rio Grande, and established himself on the east bank, opposite Matamoras. Here he built a fort, which subsequently received the name of Fort Brown. Considering these movements of the United States as equiva lent to a declaration of war, the Mexican government stationed large bodies of troops in Matamoras, to act as circumstances might require. For awhile both armies acted with extreme caution, but in April the murder of Colonel Cross, and capture of Thornton's party, evinced that a heavy storm was soon to succeed the apparent calm. In the latter part of the same month, the Mexicans crossed the river, spread themselves between Point Isabel and the station occupied by General Taylor, and cut off all communication from the latter. Aware of the absolute necessity of free access to his depot, General Taylor determined to force his way to Point Isabel. Accordingly, on the 1st of May, 1847, leaving the river fort in care of Major Brown, he set out with the main body of his army, and after two days' march, reached his destination, without having encountered a single Mexican. On his return, What is said of President Paredes? servation? When did it move from Corpus Who protested against the march? What was done by the Mexican What took place in April? Who was left to command the river Was his march to Point Isabel ap posed? BATTLE OF RESACA DE LA PALMA. 415 however, he met (May 8th) a force of nearly six thousand troops, drawn up in battle array, directly across the road. This was at a place called Palo Alto. The American order of battle was formed at one o'clock, and soon after the first action between the forces of Mexico and the United States commenced. Although our troops numbered only one half of the enemy, they retained their ground, repulsed every charge of cavalry, and drove the opposing infantry completely from its position. So violent was the action, that the prairie between the armies was fired, and continued to burn for nearly an hour. During this time the action was suspended, and a new line of battle formed. It then recommenced and continued with great fury until night, when the Mexicans withdrew. The manner in which the Americans managed their light artillery in this engagement gave them the victory, and has ever been the theme of admiration. Major Ringgold, who had been mainly instrumental in bringing it to perfection, was mortally wounded during the action, and died two days after. The loss of the Americans in this battle was nine killed, forty-four wounded, and two missing; that of the Mexicans was not less than two hundred killed, and four hundred wounded. On the following day General Taylor again came up with the Mexicans, who were strongly posted at a ravine called Resaca de la Palma. At four o'clock in the afternoon another engagement took place, more obstinate and bloody than that of the day before. The Mexican artillery were planted in the ravine, so as fully to command the road, rendering it almost impossible for an army to cross the ravine without being cut to pieces. The action commenced by advance parties of the Americans, who penetrated deep into the chaparral, and came in contact with the Mexican infantry. They were soon seconded by the artillery, which was managed by Lieutenant Ridgely, with the precision of a rifle corps. On this powerful engine the Americans principally relied for victory, and during the whole battle, the artillerists fought amid an incessant shower of iron hail. In a few minutes after the first fire, the action became general; long lines of infantry were wrapped in an uninterrupted blaze, and masses of horsemen, flung forward on our guns, then rolled back in wild confusion. Nine thousand men were struggling for victory in the path of death. At length the American infantry were ordered to charge the chaparral with the bayonet. They swept on amid a withering fire, drove back the advance, marched into the thicket with fixed bayonets, and scattered the enemy in all directions. The Americans then attempted to pursue them across the ravine, but were met by the batteries posted there, and mowed down ir crowds. Every effort was made to dismantle these guns; bu though blocked up by the dead and dying, the Mexican vete rans stood to their dangerous posts, and dealt destruction upon their assailants. Feeling that nothing decisive could be effected until these guns were silenced, General Taylor ordered Captain May to charge them with his dragoons. This he performed in the face of a shower of grape shot, drove the artillerists from their stations, and captured General La Vega. The veterans of Mexico fought with desperate valour to regain their pieces, but were defeated with immense loss, and soon after the whole army commenced a disorderly retreat. The Americans rapidly pursued, until the enemy, overcome by fear, threw aside every Describe the general battle. What orders were given to Captain Describe May's charge? What general was captured? weight, and rushed in crowds towards the Rio Grande. Num bers were drowned in attempting to cross; and many more trampled under foot by the flying cavalry. The victory of General Taylor was complete. In this battle the Americans numbered about seventeen hundred, of whom they lost three officers and thirty-six men killed, twelve officers and seventy-one men wounded. The Mexican force was about six thousand; but their loss has never been correctly ascertained. In the absence of General Taylor, the Mexicans had bombarded the fort on the river for four days, during which time the labours and sufferings of the garrison were of the most trying nature. On the 6th, its gallant commandan was killed by a shell, and in honour of him the work afterwards received the name of Fort Brown. On the 15th, Barita, a town near the mouth of the river was quietly occupied by a small American force; and on the 18th, the city of Matamoras surrendered to General Taylor without opposition. Notwithstanding these important victories, the general was in no condition to advance further into the enemy's country. lle was deficient, not only in troops, but in supplies, and means of transportation. He consequently remained at the city during the greater part of the summer, which time was 418 REDOUBTS CARRIED BY WORTH. employed by the enemy in reorganizing their army, and preparing for a vigorous prosecution of the war. Before the end of June, General Taylor was strongly reinforced by numerous volunteer companies from various parts of the Union, but his means of transportation were still so deficient, that he was unable to commence his march for Monterey, until the latter part of August. In the mean time, however, the Mexican ports of Mier, Reynosa, and Camargo, had been occupied by the Americans without opposition. On the 5th of September, General Taylor received infor mation that Ampudia had lately arrived at Monterey with large reinforcements, and was fortifying that place with the greates care. He immediately pushed forward his troops toward that city, and on the 19th, encamped at the Walnut Springs, three miles south of it. The fortifications were found to be of immense strength, defended, by redoubts and stone walls, and having each street commanded by heavy artillery. In addition to this, the hill Independence, without the walls, was guarded by several forts, among which one called the Bishop's Palace was considered impregnable. On the 20th, General Worth, with the division under his command, was ordered to gain, by a circuitous route, the Saltillo road, west of the town, and storm the heights above the Bishop's Palace. He reached the intended position on the 21st, after defeating a portion of the Mexican cavalry encamped so as to cover the passage of the Saltillo road. To divert the attention of the enemy from Worth's movement, Generals Twiggs and Butler were ordered to make a demonstration against the centre and left of the town. They were fired upon by the Mexican batteries, and experienced heavy loss. During the day, Worth stormed the two principal redoubts in rear of the town, carried them, and immediately turned the captured guns upon the Bishop's Palace. He lost but two or three men; but the division which had entered the city to favour his movement and capture one of the works, suffered very severely, although they attained both objects What places were occupied ? What information was received on Describe Monterey. Describe the hill Independence. To Twiggs and Butler ? What was done by Worth on the 21st? |