The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1876-08-09
THE LATE SANTA ANNA.


Antonio Lopez de santa Anna, former
= president Of the republic of Mexico,
died on June "a. He WAS born in the
city of Jalapa, February 81, 1798, and
entered the army in 1921. He met with
some success, but having been dismissed
for insubordination, he raised the banner
Of the republic in Vera Cruz in 1922,
and commenced hostilities against the
emperor, Iturbide, and accomplished bis
overthrow. Defeated in the elections,
he shortly after secured the overthrow of
Pedraza and the elevation Of Guerrero,
who made him his minister of war. He
subsequently headed two other success
full insu1eot;cns, one to replace Guer-
rero by Bustamente, and the other in
the interest OF Pedraza. In March,
1888, he was himself elected president,
and was a favorite with the people,
though suspected by the army of i'm
perial ambitions. He took his turn at
suppressing instructions, the most for
midable Of which he suppressed May
II, 1885, by victory which proved q
fatal blow to the Republican party.
Shortly thereafter Revolutionary feeling
in Texas showed itself in open insurrec-
tion against the government. and early
in 1885 Santa Anna took the field and
crossed the Rio Grande at the head Of
six thousand troops. In March he
stormed the Alamo at San Antonio and
massacrsd its defenders. At San Jscinto
he was defeated by the Texan army
under Houston, and in April, 1881, was
by him taken prisoner. His functions as
president were thereupon suspended.
he came to the United States, and in
1887 returned to Mexico and stood for
reelection, but was defeated. Upon the
bombardment of Vera Cruz by the
French, the same year, he assisted in its
defense, and there received the wound
which resulted in the amputation of a
leg. During the long contest between
the Oentralists and Federalists he was a
leader of the former, and from 184l to
1874 Was virtually dictator, under the
title of provisional president. Under
the instrument of reconstruction of
June IL, 1843, he again became consti-
tutional president, but September 20,
1874, he was deposed by a new revolu'
tion, taken prisoner and banished for
ten years. he then took up his resi-
dence in Cuba. In 1846 he was recalled,
appointed generalissimo, and subse-
quently made provisional president. He
at once marched northward with 10000
men, and February %, 1s47, attacked
the American troops at Buena Vista, five
Thousand strong, under General Taylor,
who repulsed him the next day. He
then raised snew army and was again
defeated by General Scott at Cerro Cor
do, April 18. He at once retreated to
the city of Mexico with the fragment of
his army. and organized new one,
10000 strong, for the defense of the
capital; but the storming of Molino del
Rey, September 8, and Chapultepec
September 13 and IA, 1847, opened the
city to Scott's victorious army. Santa
Anna made a last stand at Puebla, but
was attacked by General Lane at Hua-
mantia and forced 10 retire. By permis-
sion of the Anne ican commander he
sailed for Jamaica April s, 1848, and did
not return to MexiLo till 1853, when he
was appointed president for life, with
power to appoint his successor. His
rule was 30 despotic that a revolution
led by General Alvarez overthrew him, and
August 16, 1856, he signed his uncondi-
tional abdication and sailed for Havana.
During the French invasion of Mexico
he returned and was appointed grand
marshal of the empire by Ma1imilian.
In 1865 he conspired against the en-
peror and was forced to retire to st.
Thomas. In 1857 he made his last at
tempt TO regain the mastery Of Mexico,
but was taken prisoner at Vera Cruz and
condemned to death. President Juarez
pardoned him on condition of his quitting
Mexican soil forever, and he came to the
United States. After tho death OF
Juarez he returned to his native soil and
lived in seclusion in the city Of Mexico
till the time of his death.